In this edition of Negotiating Behind the Scenes, Benson Mhlongo reveals details of his surprise move from Mamelodi Sundowns to Orlando Pirates.
Who I signed for...
"What happened was while I was still playing for Sundowns, Sis Zodwa [Khoza] wanted me to join Pirates. That was just before she passed on. She used to send Tso Vilakazi to convince me, that happened during the national team camps. Towards the end of my contract at Sundowns they took long to negotiate. So, during pre-season when my contract was left with some weeks, I went to the Sundowns offices. I found Kaizer Chiefs defender Valery Nahayo and another centre-back sitting there. Nahayo was there to negotiate, so they made me wait, and those two centre-backs went in before me. As the captain of the team, that made very furious. I had to cut my holiday in Nelspruit very short just to come and negotiate. From there, I went straight to the offices of Orlando Pirates to tell them I was available. I couldn't stay in a place where I didn't feel happy. I signed the contract and returned to Nelspruit to continue my holiday."
How did you find out?
"Pirates have been after me for years. They even sent the big guys ama-Grootman from Alex to speak to me."
Where did you meet?
"I went to the offices in Houghton. I signed and went back to Nelspruit."
Who was there?
"Mr Floyd Mbele was there."
What surprised you?
"Unfortunately, when it came to salaries, I would tell teams 'Pay me what I'm worth'. I never negotiated a salary even at Bidvest Wits when I started out."
Did you get what you wanted?
"Unfortunately, Pirates knew my salary while at Sundowns. Remember, contracts are kept in the PSL offices, so Pirates they knew what I was earning. They matched that salary; they even upped that salary. Because at Sundowns, I was making money with win bonuses, but the salary was not what you expected."
Did you see out the contract?
"It was a three-year contract, and I did see it out, after injury I extended it for another season. I was then told I could work at the office which at the time I felt I was not ready for. Because I had lost an opportunity to play in the 2010 World Cup, I still felt I could play. I asked them to release me to Platinum Stars."
What would you change?
"It's the performance clause which was not there in my contract at the time. My performance was way beyond to what I was getting. My contract was R60 000 a month. Once you sign a contract, you will have to honour it, there is nothing you could do."