In this edition of the Story Behind The Nickname, KickOff catches up with former Umtata Bucks and Premier Soccer League star Mongi Rula about his nickname 'Mseshi'.
Rula was a star for 'Imbabala' in the nineties winning some silverware along the way.
Who and where did you play?
"Mongi Rula only played for Umtata Bucks, at Manning Rangers I only trained but my old knee injury forced me to quit.
"That was in the 1999/2000 PSL Season, but I didn't put pen to paper. I only trained."
What's your nickname?
"Mseshi, meaning Mkhuthuzi (mugger)."
Who gave it to you and why?
"It was given to me by some gentlemen from our community. I was still at school back then.
"Probably he fell in love with the way I was playing, dribbling the entire opposition.
"After the final whistle he told me, from now on your name is Mseshi, meaning Mkhuthuzi."
Did you like it?
"I did. I had no issues with the name. I already knew the meaning of it. Other players before me also had the same nickname, even Moroka Swallows legend Ace Mnini was called 'Mkhuthuzi'."
Anyone that didn't use it?
"Others were calling me Mseshi, that's the name that became popular. I was Mkhuthuzi during my amateur days, but once I turned professional I became Mseshi. Both names have the same meaning anyway."
If you could relive it, what would you want your nickname to be?
"I think I'm happy with Mseshi. It describes the way I play. I like to dribble, eliminate and penetrate.
"As a player, it is important to have a nickname because if you don't have one it means the fans don't rate you."