In this edition of Locker Room Secrets, Clifford Ngobeni opens up about a former Orlando Pirates captain who loved nothing more that singing Struggle songs before games.
Ngobeni, who also played for the likes of Ajax Cape Town, Golden Arrows, and Mpumalanga Black Aces, shares stories of interesting former teammate Zvenyika Makonese, who is said to have caused havoc in his career.
Who was always late?
"I have two – Zvenyika Makonese and Thulasizwe Mbuyane. Makonese lived his own different life. He did as it pleased, arrived late, and blamed it on oversleeping.
"Mbuyane always complained about being being caught up in traffic. The thing is, he was staying a bit far from where Pirates were training."
Any specific ritual you did before every match?
"Yes, I did have one. Each time our team started a match, I had to be the second one to touch the ball. I made sure I was the closest in every kick-off. Failure to do so meant taking too long to get into the game for me."
Who was the jokester in the Pirates dressing room?
"Usibali u-Benson Mhlongo was entertaining. But it was when it was time to work that he worked. He loved dancing for us. Moeneeb Josephs also had jokes, he'd remove his false teeth and start talking gibberish."
Was it a muti change room?
"The only thing I noticed was a lot of singing and dancing. I didn't notice any muti ritual in the change room."
Who was the singer?
"Mhlongo. He loved Struggle songs. They were the right songs to get us fired up for the game."
Who was the best dresser?
"Teko Modise has always been a good dresser. Even though I must admit he has now upped his game again. Then Robyn Johannes and I were not too far behind him."
The worst dressed?
"Makonese. We would be traveling with the team, and we would be in our club tracksuits, and out of the blue, he would take off his tracksuit top and give it to a random fan and only walk around in his T-shirt. He didn't even care that it was not allowed by the club. And he would get away with it."
Who has never showered?
"Let me rather tell you who showered. It was Johannes, Katlego Mashego, Teko, and Dikgang Mabalane and me. The rest rushed home immediately after training. I suppose they preferred doing it at home."
Which Pirates coach gave you the best team talk?
"The Brazilian, Julio Leal. Sometimes you'd think he was with the other team and against us. He was a clown-type coach, and I don’t say that in a disrespectful way. In actual fact, what he said always made sense."
Photo by Dominic Barnardt / Gallo Images
