In the latest edition of Negotiating Behind the Scenes, former Moroka Swallows star Lucas "Makhokhoba" Sebona reveals desperation made him agree to everything the Soweto giants offered.
Who I signed for…
"Back then I was still very young, I had just completed my matric. I was 17. It was 1996."
How did you find out?
"We went to play a friendly match with them, with my former club Manchester City [amateur].
"After that match, Swallows asked me and another boy to come back.
"We trained with Swallows for a week travelling from Middelburg to Joburg daily on the back of a bakkie.
"A businessman from Middelburg his name is Fofo is the one who helped us with the transport arrangements.
"That was up until Walter Da Silva organised accommodation for us. After that, I trained with them for a month before I decided to stop.
"I came back home, after that I received a call from Swallows begging me to come back. They were the ones who ended up coming here in Middelburg."
Where did you meet?
"Here in Middelburg in my parents' home."
Who was there?
"My mom and some Swallows official. I forgot his name. But he was their manager. My mom is the one who signed for me."
What surprised you?
"Nothing surprised me really; I was tired of playing amateur football here in Kasi. There was nothing more to achieve for me here. I deserved that move."
Did you get what you wanted?
"I can say so yes because back then even a thousand rand was a lot of money. They offered me a R1000 a month I said no problem it's fine. Those days we were underpaid."
Did you see out the contract?
"I think I signed for three years, and yes I did see it out the three years. I was older and wiser when I renewed. My new salary was R6500."
What you would change…
"The salary [laughs] and terms of the contract. I would have asked for R5000 bonus per goal. The way I used to bang them in goals, I'm positive I was going to make a killing.
"But fear and the thought of seeing myself on television fooled me. I just wanted to be on television."