In this edition of My First, KickOff catches up with former Moroka Swallows and SuperSport United hard man Timothy 'RDP' Nkosi.
The retired defensive midfielder shares how his first encounter with the legendary Linda 'Mercedes Benz' Buthelezi led to him receiving his first-ever red card in the PSL.
My First School:
"I attended Ezazi Primary School in Mamelodi. I was six years old at the time. To say I was nervous is an understatement. My worst fear had become a reality. Remember how our parents used to scare us about corporal punishment at school?"
My First Kiss:
"I think I was 13 years old. It happened during one of our soccer games in the townships. You know how playing football could make you popular in the kasi."
My First Soccer Boots:
"I had a pair of Olympic soccer boots that my father bought for me when I was 15 years old."
My First Game In The PSL:
"I don't remember it, to be honest. I'm almost 60 years old now."
My First PSL Goal:
"It was against Pretoria City, and we played Manning Rangers at Eersterust Stadium. I scored on my first touch from outside the box after coming on as a substitute. Chicco Lawrence provided the assist. I ran like a madman celebrating my goal and hid behind the advertising boards from the TV cameras."
My First Red Card:
"I was playing for Moroka Swallows against Mamelodi Sundowns at Ellis Park. It was my first game for Swallows, and I received a straight red card.
"You know how tough a tackler Linda Buthelezi was; he used to kick people a lot. When he tore my shirt, I stepped off the field for a moment. The referee was the late Ian McCleod. When I returned, my two senior teammates, Sipho Sikhonde and Joseph Rapelego, said, 'Hey RDP, we brought you here to challenge the opponents, not to let the likes of Linda walk all over you. If you're going to chicken out and be scared of him, then it means the team has signed the wrong person'.
"Eish! That talk fuelled my anger. I wanted to prove a point. I went straight for Henry McKop's knee. It was a 50/50 situation, but I chose to forget about the ball and went straight for his knee.
"Ian McCleod immediately blew his whistle and shouted at me, 'Now that you've been kicked, you’re retaliating! You're seeking revenge! You are gone! Straight red card!' And indeed, I was sent off."
My First Individual Award:
"I have never won anything. As a defensive midfielder, you're hardly ever considered for such awards—it's always the goalkeepers and players in other positions."
My Trophy With A Club:
"I received a trophy at Umtata Bucks: the Coca-Cola Cup."
My First Car:
"It was a Golf GTi that I bought while playing for Moroka Swallows. It cost me R45 000."
My First Signing-On Fee:
"It was R50 000, which I received at Umtata Bucks. I used some of that money to buy my wife her dream fridge, which had two doors, and I also gave a portion to my parents."
