When SuperSport United decided not to sign Rotson Kilambe after a two-week trial in 2003, the Zambian had no idea that Mamelodi Sundowns would then offer him a contract without any thoughts of an assessment.
Kilambe had been the top man in the Zambian Super League having already played at two AFCON finals while also doing duty in the COSAFA Castle Cup.
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Aged 25 at the time, Kilambe needed a move after having had a stint in China.
"My first time in South Africa was for trials at SuperSport United even though I ended up at Sundowns," discloses Kilambe.
"With SuperSport, there were three of us on trial and they chose to sign another striker from West Africa instead of me and this was the time when Pitso Mosimane was still at the club.
"For me to get invited, Pitso had come to watch me in Zambia playing for ZANACO after which he then asked me to come over for trials in South Africa.
"After the trials, I was only told that they will call me when they want me again.
"That then became the end of SuperSport.
"Fortunate for me was that Sundowns then came calling for my services without even asking me to come for trials," says Kilambe.
Kilambe arrived at Sundowns at the beginning of the 2003/04 season which was the transfer window in which the club also brought in Sashi Chalwe, Carlo Scott, Andre Arendse, Siaka Tienne, Manqoba Ngwenya, and Clement Mazibuko amongst others.
Four goals in his first season weren't what Sundowns brought him for and when his numbers dropped to three in his second season, Kilambe was loaned out to Bloemfontein Celtic making way for Jose Torrealba and the returning Sandile Ndlovu.
"I then went on to play most of my football under Paul Dolezar at Sundowns but it was unfortunate that it was during a time when we didn't win any trophy.
"Patrice Motsepe had just arrived at Sundowns at the time having bought shares before taking over.
"Sundowns turn out the way I expected because I had to go through a phase when I had injuries after also having had to adapt to all the changes that were happening at the club.
"I'm not sure how many coaches we had there (Luis Oscar Fullone, Khabo Zondo, Paul Dolzear, and Angel Cappa) in those two years.
"The team wasn't cruising the way it is now, but I still feel I did my best at Sundowns even though they then decided to loan me out after they brought in other players.
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"Celtic turned out better because I was settled and found fellow Zambians there.
"I thought I proved myself while at Celtic which is why Kaizer Chiefs then calling for my services," says Kilambe.
The Zambian is currently without a coaching job following the recent expiry of his deal at Zambian Super League club Green Eagles where he worked as an assistant coach.