It is such a disappointment that our teams' journeys in the CAF inter-club competitions have come to an end. Marumo Gallants lost to Yanga last Wednesday and Mamelodi Sundowns played to a 2-2 draw at home to Wydad Casablanca and were eliminated in the semi-finals through the away goal rule. I must say both teams really did well to reach the semis and it would have been great to have both of them reaching the final and possibly winning their respective trophies, but it was not to be. To make things worse, Marumo are also relegated after finishing 16th on the log, with Maritzburg United finishing 15th and going to the playoffs. It is really tough times, but one hopes they make their way back to the elite league because they play a very good brand of football and definitely deserve to be in the elite league. With the league season now completed, we all know who made the Top Eight, who finished second and who got relegated. We now look forward to the Nedbank Cup final between Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United this Saturday and it should be a very interesting game. I wish both teams everything of the best.
Doc answers your questions…
Please don't forget to send your questions to editor@soccerladuma.co.za for now, until further notice.
Gavin Ryan from Emalahleni says I shouldn't be surprised to see Mamelodi Sundowns chasing Stellenbosch FC's Junior Mendieta since he has been linked with Kaizer Chiefs.
If I was attached to a team, I would give proper analysis of Mendieta, but I just watch him like everyone else for now. I see his attributes from a distance, but I would have to do things differently if I were to scout him. As far as where he would fit in, well, I believe he's doing well at Stellies and, if he were to make a move, would do well anywhere he goes. At the end of the day, who am I to dictate, because the player knows what he wants and so does his team? We knew him because of the opportunity Stellenbosch FC gave him and they know him better than everyone else.
Sambuti Phumo is asking me to use my direct access to coach Arthur Zwane and Kaizer Motaung Jnr to tell them to utilise Erick Mathoho.
Sambuti, you have a right to echo your views, but Chiefs have a platform for such and I think you should just use the right platform to share your views. They will definitely be in a better position to address your concerns.
Being Doc
In life, there are times when you look back at things you've achieved and how you achieved them. That's when you realise how important people around you – family, colleagues and friends – are in your journey. Some of the things are impossible for you to achieve on your own, but with the support of those around you, it all becomes possible. Being level-headed also helps to keep you going and see things from a bigger picture.
Coaches I Worked With: He Knew What I Was Capable Of
I'm bringing you another former teammate in the Class of '96, a legend in his own right and someone who has played in Portugal for years. This is someone who has lifted trophies as both a player and a coach. Someone who was involved in ensuring that South Africa was represented at the FIFA World Cup twice. I'm talking about Cape Town City head coach, Eric Tinkler, a coach, fellow colleague, a brother and a friend. The man has been around a number of teams and done so well, even when the
odds were heavily stacked against him. This is one of the local coaches who continues to push the envelope because he's been unbelievable on and off the field. From his time at Wits, he was an unbelievable and unassuming midfielder and you can see the same character from him as a coach. Someone who pays attention to detail and he's been a marvel to watch. As I mentioned earlier, this is one of the products of the Class of '96 that we are all proud of. He has done so much and so well for South Africa football and it is by no luck that he remains a household name in our game even beyond his playing days. I always believe the team is as good as their coach. When you look at Eric's teams, other clubs always hover around them as scavengers looking to snatch a prey (one or two of his players). This happens season after season, everywhere this man goes. What propels these teams to be attracted to these players? It is all because of the influence that comes from the coaching they get from their leader, Eric Tinkler. The coach is the one who makes them look good and it is not just about the results but goes even beyond the square circle. You can check the teams this man has been in charge of and you will agree with me that his players are always a subject of discussion. Clearly there's something Eric is doing right everywhere he has been coaching. Look at his calm demeanour on the touchline as he issues instructions to his players. The beauty about the whole thing is that whenever I meet him, he remains the same humble teammate I knew back then. We talk and joke a lot as friends and brothers. This man doesn't look down on anyone and the fact that he's a senior team head coach who is doing well never goes to his head. He remains the same Eric Tinkler we all have known all these years. This is one of the former teammates I will always cherish for the wonderful memories we created in the national team. This is someone I won the 1996 Afcon and qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup with. One of the players who would always come to me whenever the chips were down. He would tell me, during the game, "Come on, Doki, we need you now!" You know what's funny? I can just hear his voice as I'm penning this down, as if it only happened yesterday. To me, that was a sign of the confidence he had in me. He clearly knew what I was capable of, even if I doubted myself at times, which is why I would get so motivated to turn things in our favour. You don't just say Eric's words to anyone without believing in them and knowing that they can get the job done. Clearly there was something he saw in me because he was one of the most important players in our team. A very aggressive, no-nonsense defensive midfielder and whenever the opposition kicked me, he and Linda Buthelezi would be the first to come to me to say, "Don't worry about it, I will sort it out." That was enough to assure me that the opposition is going to get a taste of their own medicine sooner or later. Interestingly, those two – Eric and Linda – were very similar, but Eric was calmer. I really admire Eric because he continues to play an important role in restoring the culture of South African football.
Doc's Memory Bank: The Supporters Couldn't Hear You
I remember I was not having a good game in our last game of the 1998 France FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Congo and this was a must-win for us. We were tied on 10 points going into the game and things were just not looking good for us. You, Eric, and Neil Tovey kept on encouraging me to say, "Doki, we need you to do something special to turn this game around." When I turned to look at you, your facial expression said it all. I could see how much you wanted us to win and that pushed me so hard and, as a result, I created that wonderful goal by our departed friend and former teammate, Philemon "Chippa" Masinga. That solitary goal will remain in the history books as our ticket to the '98 World Cup, but it is a pity the supporters couldn't hear you and Tovey encouraging me throughout the game because it was so crowded. These are little things that people don't know about, but I'm proud to have had you in my corner. Whenever I look back at my international career, which is a highlight for any professional sportsperson, it gives me goosebumps just thinking about the influence and impact you've had in my journey.
Doc's Friend Zone
Linda "Mercedes Benz" Buthelezi! One of the players I hated to play against! One of the players I never looked forward to getting involved in a game with. However, one of the players I was so happy to have as a teammate in the national team! Believe it or not, this man gave me a lot of scary moments on the field of play, but surprisingly, he was a completely different person off the field. This just goes to show that the man was just executing his duties on the field and it was nothing personal. Linda is a very calm person and he just loves to laugh. I don't think I know a lot of people who enjoy a laugh like Linda. He's one of the people who would always bring peace whenever there was trouble in the national team. He was that voice of reason that would always be on the lookout for solutions that would make sense to everyone. Whenever there were issues between the Association and us, Linda would be one of those who would speak sense and calm the situation and get everyone to see things from the same page. In camp, we'd chill together until early hours of the morning, knowing very well that we have a morning session, talking about life, good things, our careers, families and progress. Linda would always say things that you'd expect from philosophers. This man would tell us things we expected to hear from our grandparents, and that's just how wise Linda is. He would leave us wondering, "Where does this man get all this wisdom at such a young age?" To this day, Linda always has time for his people. We always called each other "Sbali", and what a humble man. I know a lot of you have a completely different idea of who Linda is, based on his aggressive playing style, but those who have met him off the field will tell you about the gentleman that he is. So, if you've never met him, you are forgiven for thinking he is as aggressive off the field, but you are wrong. Our friendship comes a long way, which is why it was easy for us to become friends and family in the national team. To be honest, Linda would be a monster on the field but a darling off it. Coach Clive Barker adored Linda in the national team. Linda was that guy everyone always gathered around in camp. Always great company to have and a lot to learn from him. One of the players who always protected me in the team, just like Eric. They both didn't mind doing the spade work and revenge for me whenever I got kicked, as long as I kept on making things happen for the team. One of the best midfielders to play alongside.
