In our latest feature Kit Manager, KickOff speaks to long-standing Baroka FC kitman Lucky Ntswane on the behind-the-scenes details of the Bakgaka dressing room over the years.
Who am I…
"Lucky Ntswane, a kit manager at Motsepe Foundation Championship club Baroka FC. I became the club's kitman due to my love for the club. I've been doing this for the club since their days in the Vodacom League. I used to follow them everywhere they went. I ended up helping the guy who was a kit manager then. That's how I ended up getting the job. Being a kit manager has always been my dream. I was obsessed with making the players look clean. I hate filthiness."
My club…
"Baroka is my first and only club as a kit manager. And it's the only club I've ever supported in my life. I've been following them since their days in the SAB League. They are from my village in Ga-Mphahlele, and they used to play with boys from my neighbourhood."
Coaches I've worked with?
"Thoka Matsimela, Vincent Kobola, Dylan Kerr, I was also there during the days of Wedson Nyirenda, and he was my favourite.
"Let's say we are travelling for an away game, maybe to Cape Town and I happen to forget the socks, Nyirenda would remind me to make sure I've packed everything."
The hardest working player…
"Olaleng Shaku. Whether it's at training or on match-day, he always gives the same energy. He loved his job."
Most talented player I've seen…
"Mduduzi Mdantsane. That boy has always been quality. According to me, he is the best player to have ever played for Baroka. I was disappointed when he left us for Cape Town City."
Talents who disappeared…
"Talent Chawapiwa. I expected him to go far in his football career. Changing teams too soon hampered his progress. He should have stayed here until he was fully developed. He rushed things."
What my day looks like…
"Our training starts at 15:00, but I'm expected to be there before 12:00. When the team arrives, they find everything ready.
"I'm also the one who washes the kit. I prefer to use my own hands because washing machines ruin kits. I have very strong hands. When the kit is too dirty the washing machine fails to make it clean, hence I prefer using my hands."
Bizarre player requests…
"You must be always careful with these players, sometimes they might send you to a place where he did them wrong, and only for those people to end up hurting you instead of him.
"Some will send you for a Red Bull, Powerade, and all these other energy drinks you can think of. But I make sure they fork out their own money."