Even though Orlando Pirates did not win the league title under Kosta Papic, they were 'Happy People'. The era of Papic at Orlando Pirates is one that many of the Buccaneers supporters will never forget and Soccer Laduma got hold of the man popularly known as 'Bill Clinton' at the time, to talk about one of the most famous periods in PSL history.
The season
I worked at Pirates between 2004 and 2006. It was during the 'Happy People' time. That is almost 20 years ago. Time actually flies.
How the deal happened
One of my friends brought my CV to Orlando Pirates and Mr Khoza chose me from those who were on the table. We sat down and talked and then I started working at Pirates. We did not talk too much, but what I remember well is that he gave me the freedom to do the things which I like to do. He just tried to give me advice about South African football, which was correct advice, and we started working together.
First day on the job
I remember that day and all my players remember it. The first day of training looked like this. The players went on to the pitch and I brought them back into the dressing room. I told them to put on the jersey and I said 'this is the Orlando Pirates jersey. You will wear it if you deserve it. There is nobody who is going to give you this jersey. Not the office, not the supporters. If you deserve the jersey, you will wear the jersey'. When I met with them two or three years ago, everybody said that's what made them fight for the tea. We were not lucky in both seasons because goal difference changed everything and we did not win the league. My focus was to win the league, but I was happy to get the team to the Absa Cup final (in 2006) and the (CAF) Champions League group stages.
Who was in the team
At the time, the team looked very strong. The team I remember was (Francis) Chansa, (Abednego) Netshiozwi, Lucky Lekgwathi, Tonic Chabalala, Edelbert Dinha, Cheeseboy (Lebohang Mokoena), Gift Leremi, (Benedict) Vilakazi and (Phumudzo) Manenzhe was our striker. That is more or less the squad who played and, of course, there was Steve Lekoelea, Joseph Makhanya, Jimmy Kauleza and James Mothibi. Don't forget (Perry) Mutapa and (Isaac) Chansa from Zambia. It was a strong squad. When I still meet people, those players are remembered like legends. That is the job of the coach, if I am correct. They made the team special because they fought hard and we played the most attacking football in the country at the time. It was difficult to play against us.
Who was the captain and why
In the beginning, it was (Edelbert) Dinha because he was the leader in the team. I still call him captain to this day. But then Dinha got a small injury and Onyekachi (Okonkwo) started playing well and it was difficult to take him out and bring Dinha back. Dinha was patiently waiting for his chance and every time he played, he played well for the team. After that, and if I remember well, (Benedict) Vilakazi took over. At that time, Vilakazi was playing very good football and he was looking like a captain. But I remember I also gave Jimmy Tau and Lucky Lekgwathi the armband. Those are more or less the players who wore the armband, which I can remember.
My assistant coach
Moma Medic was my assistant coach. I brought him from Serbia and the chairman said 'coach, that has never happened before'. But he understood my philosophy and it made it much easier for me to work with him, than to work with somebody who did not understand what we really wanted to do. So, the chairman said 'okay, let him come'. He coped well and the players also liked him. That was the last time we worked together because after that he wanted to be a (head) coach.
Best thing about the Pirates job
You know, when you join a big club in the country and you succeed to bring the supporters back to the stadium. When that happens, your job gets a little bit easier because the players love to play in a full stadium. They like to see the supporters and the job on the pitch was easier. For me, it was too much in the newspaper and being on TV. When you walk with your family, it was difficult. There was a queue of people wanting to take pictures. But when I got onto the pitch, I focused on my job.
Worst thing about the Pirates job
Everybody wants to be coach and everybody has their own view. Everybody wants to see some other playing, but I always used to have the same answer; 'you want him to play? No problem. Take out one of the players and bring the player you want in'. But then they say 'but no coach, that's not my job'. That put me in a difficult position because if there is one guy at training doing well, and other one who is wanted by the supporters is doing well, why are you changing the winning team? That is the most difficult part at Orlando Pirates
Difficult conversation with the chairman
Not one single time, never. With me, he was open and honest. He understood situations and he knows football. I remember there was one situation where we played SuperSport. We were leading 3-1 and we had a chance. It was a one-on-one chance and we missed that chance and lost the game 4-3. After two months or so, the chairman and I were talking and he said, 'let me ask you something. What would you have changed to win that game?'. Then I said 'chairman, I would not change anything. I would play that match the exact same way'. If only we had scored that chance, it would have been 4-1. He said 'unbelievable. It's okay, I understand your point'. That was not a conflict. He was just asking me.
Best Soweto Derby moment
If you ask me, I would tell you about the Vodacom Challenge final in Durban. I have never seen Orlando Pirates play against Chiefs. We had about 15 or 16 chances to win the match. We won the match, I understand, but we had a lot of chances and we played fantastic football that day.
Who picked the team?
In my time, nobody talked about this one is going to play or that one is going to play. Honestly speaking, I chose the team. We sat together and prepared what was necessary and then I would just give the names of who is going to play. After seeing the list, I never received a call from anybody asking why I selected certain players. Never.
Players I was unable to sign
It was AK-47. I wanted Sandile Ndlovu to come to Pirates and he ended up going to Sundowns. I also wanted Vincent Enyeama, the Nigerian goalkeeper. But he was very expensive. His contract in France was finished. He was ready to come and he promised me to come play for me, but in that time, the money was too much for us. With Sandile Ndlovu, I needed that type of striker. That is what we were missing, a striker who would be able to score 10 or 15 goals in a season. He, plus Manenzhe, it would have been a different story in scoring goals.
How the job opened up opportunities
It might have opened up opportunities. When you send a CV to clubs and they see the results with Pirates, it means something to those who are looking at the CV. It definitely helped me, there is no doubt about that. But not all African countries watch South African football. But when they mention my career, Pirates' name is always there.
Last day at Pirates
That is actually not good to talk about. You know when things don't work the way you expect, it's always sad. I remember when I resigned, the chairman said 'okay, go play that match in Sudan and qualify the team for the Champions League group stages. When you come back, we will see what happens'. When we came back, he decided to accept my resignation.
Last meeting with the players
I remember. I wished them all the best and I said they were one of the best generation of players I had coached. That was that.
Would you do it again?
That is not a question for me. Pirates is in my heart and it's my love. There is no doubt about that. To see the full stadium again, in black and white, there is no doubt.
Would you win the league with the current generation at Pirates?
If I coach them, do I win the league or not? I don't know. But I am sure of one thing; we would fight for it.
