In this edition of Negotiating Behind The Scenes, former Black Leopards defender Humphrey Khoza reveals to KickOff his biggest regret in his football career.
Khoza is currently playing for the newly promoted Motsepe Foundation Championship club The Bees FC from Nkomazi in Mpumalanga province.
Khoza reveals how Lidoda Duvha snatched him under Orlando Pirates' noses.
Your move to Black Leopards surprised many since you were strongly linked with Pirates at the time.
"I joined Black Leopards from Witbank Spurs. I was approached directly by David Thidiela. We used to play against them in the NFD, the season they got promoted.
"After the completion of the season, we went to Sudan with the Ama-Binneplaas, and I went to train with Pirates. They had a friendly match lined up against Dynamos from Zimbabwe in Joburg. But because I arrived late from national duty I only played the second half, and they asked me to spend one more week with them for further assessment.
"So, because it was a weekend after the game, I went back home, and while on my way back home, I received a call from Thidiela.
"He said to me, 'Khoza, I see you are training with Pirates, but I need you here at Leopards, there are too many players at Pirates, so come to us, I guarantee you game time'. In my position, Pirates had the likes of Rooi Mahamutsa, and they had just signed Zvenyika Makonese.
"The following week, Pirates gave me a call, they were disappointed to learn I had signed with Black Leopards."
Do you regret it?
"Yes, I do regret dribbling Pirates. Coming to think of it today I could have fitted perfectly in that Pirates defence."
So, where did you meet with Leopards' management?
"We met at Luis Trichardt. I trained with the team on the first day I got there. And after that, immediately after training, we headed straight to the club's offices for negotiations."
How long did you sign for, and did you see the contract through?
"I signed for two years, and yes I finished it. We were relegated, and as the club's top defender, Thidiela wanted me to renew my contract and go down with the team. But the thing is I had too many offers. Sundowns, SuperSport United, Moroka Swallows, Mpumalanga Black Aces...they were all interested."
Photo by Anesh Debiky / Gallo Images
