To say the last few months have been difficult for Mpho Makola is an understatement. The former Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City midfielder has gone through so much both on and off the field. He has experienced house break-ins on two occasions. Imagine the psychological trauma. However, the veteran campaigner has found a way to get back up after these ordeals, just as he has managed to bounce back in his career after his two suspensions imposed by the PSL during his time at the Citizens, for manhandling referees. The biggest challenge now facing the Alexandra-born star is finding a team after being discarded by Polokwane City under mysterious circumstances. In this interview, Makola opens his heart up to Soccer Laduma's Tshepang Mailwane, revealing why he had to protect his family from robbers, his disappointment with Johnny Mogaladi and his thoughts on the issue of mental health in sport.
Tshepang Mailwane: Bibo, a few weeks ago, you politely turned down this interview because you were not in a good space. Mind to share what was going on?
Mpho Makola: I was not in a good space, mentally and spiritually. I was just all over the show because a lot has happened in my life in a short space of time, in my career and personal life as well, so I just felt like I was dealing with so much and I couldn't even speak to people. I was not going to be myself if I did the interview at the time. I think I am better now. I'm taking it one day at a time. There are so many things that are happening in our lives that we hardly speak about, especially to the public. Sometimes you just want to deal with these things on your own. Luckily for me, I have my family and they've been helping me get through everything that's just been happening. But I'm hopeful things will get better because I'm in a much better space right now. I feel lighter and I feel that whatever challenges or obstacles are there, I will go through them, especially with prayer. For the last few months to a year, I realised that a lot of people started surfing out of my life, which I did not understand at first. They were out of my life. You know when you have issues, that's when you really see who your real friends are, and that's exactly what happened, which I questioned a lot. But as time went by, I got to understand why. I have my family, my kids, my partner, my mom and a couple of friends who have been there with me from day one. They are keeping me going.
TM: What happened in football for you to get to where you are?
MM: To be honest with you, I think a lot changed for me when I left (Orlando) Pirates. When I left Pirates and went to Cape Town, I thought I was taking a nice change of environment. Even though I did make an impact and I made new friends, a lot happened while I was there and some things I obviously can't speak about, but a lot happened. When I went to Cape Town City, I had never been suspended before or had a red card or had any issues with officials. I don't know, but I just started having all these issues with referees and getting suspended. My suspension tainted my image and I lost so much, like personal sponsors and opportunities here and there, because I was painted as a villain at the time. All those things mess you up mentally, especially if you don't have a good support structure. I was away from home. People see you on social media and think that everything is good on your side, but it's not always the case. It happened the second time where I got suspended and I just didn't understand. All these things happened while I was having other personal issues, where I was losing close family members, so I wasn't fully focused on my career because I had a lot going on. When the second one happened, it just crushed everything. I tried sorting out my issues, but I don't think I really got back to my normal self to take my career back to where it was. But somehow, I found myself again a bit. When I was trying to get there, I was told I'm getting released. It's one of those things that don't make sense when they happen. I was shocked, but it's part of football.
TM: And then there was Polokwane City…
MM: Then I moved to Polokwane, and everybody questioned why I would go to a lower league, but I saw an opportunity and I thought I could do it. I put my pride aside and gave it my all. I was fasting during Ramadan for Polokwane City. The only thing I was fasting for was for the team to win the league. Even when we were in camp, I would wake up at 04h00 or 05h00 to eat breakfast before sunrise, just for the team to win the league. That's the only thing I was fasting for. When we won the league, that's when I believed fasting and prayer works. I was so excited to be back in the DStv Premiership, but next thing the promises were not fulfilled, and you start questioning things and wondering if it's me (who's the problem). I had situations where there were back-to-back house break-ins, where I was tied up with my family. I felt that everything has just been going wrong in my life. I am still hopeful. For now, I'm sitting at home. I look back and think, in December, I was in Cape Town, in a good mental space. I told myself it would be the season I turned things around. It didn't happen. A few months ago, I was in Polokwane and I won the league with them. I felt that things were going to be okay, but nothing happened. A lot has been going on, but I'm in a better space right now and I'm trying to pick up the pieces and move on.
TM: Does this, in a way, show you that you are stronger than you think you are?
MM: Definitely. I'm not going to lie to you and say I don't cry. I cry a lot. My wife tells me if I need to cry, I should just let it go out. I know a lot of people and players who are going through mental stuff that they never speak about. So, my advice is if you are not able to speak about it, then pray about it. I didn't know I was this strong, but I realised I'm stronger than I thought I was. The fact that I'm able to speak about it shows me.
TM: That's inspiring.
MM: There's no manual, so you've got to navigate your way around these things.
TM: True. Why did you not stay with Rise and Shine?
MM: Nobody knows. We were never given a clear answer and I also did not want to follow up on it or question anything. I was just like, "Okay." The chairman (Johnny Mogaladi) said, "Thank you for your contribution and for helping the team." A week before, they were offering a new contract and then a week later, it was, "Thank you." Football is football and things happen in football. As much as there are always changes, it's okay and you move on. But the fact that he did not do it himself and sent people to do the job on his behalf made it messed-up. When you were chasing me and wanting me to be part of the team, you were calling me and picking up my calls and you were responding to my messages. You were meeting up with me. We were always talking. When it's time for you to play your role and hold your end of the bargain, then you are not doing it. But I was also like this is God showing me something and I decided to move away from it. It's okay. I played my role there and left a mark. My job was to help the team win and that's exactly what I did.
TM: It takes a lot to let go in a situation like that…
MM: Yes, it does. Some people approach it with anger and resentment, some people want revenge and all that, but I am not all about that. I've moved on and I told the players that I would never wish anything bad on them.
TM: So, what's happening now in your career?
MM: When I came back, I tried to keep fit and train, but I was not in a good mental space. While trying to do that, we had a robbery in the house, where I had to fight thugs and got injured in the process. This was about three weeks ago. I was just taking a break and it's only now that I have started jogging because I couldn't wear my boots. I'm just going to continue training and keep healthy and see what happens in the future.
TM: Let's talk about the robbery.
MM: With this incident, I had to act because it was the second time it happened. I don't know where I got the strength to do that because I was alone with my wife and kids. There were two armed robbers and I managed to fight them off. You have two boys who are seeing all these things happening and, for me, it just messes me up to a point where I think it's going to traumatize them for life. Isn't this going to mess them up for life? For me, I just felt like I needed to protect them from any type of harm and that's exactly what I did. I just hope they are not that messed-up. I am slowly recovering from it and my wife is slowly recovering from it as well.
TM: You should be proud of what you did for your family. Is there any urgency from your side to find a club because there is also that need to support your family with an income?
MM: The season is still fairly new and I feel like I want to play because I believe I can. I've been looking after myself and I feel like I can compete. I still want to play and, like you said, I'm the provider of the family and I have to provide. I've been looking at other things on the side. I couldn't do much because I was messed-up. I couldn't talk to people. I felt unsafe and vulnerable. I am looking at other opportunities as well, outside of football. If they do present themselves, I will definitely take them.
TM: What type of opportunities would these be?
MM: Anything that has to do with sport or anything that will see me doing something for charity – as long as it's a side hustle outside of football. I'm willing to do that. Obviously, I don't want to be exploited because some people tend to do that when you are in a situation like that.
TM: Bibo, we admire your bravery and the love you have for your family, and hopefully we see you in new colours soon and, most importantly, in the right frame of mind. Thanks for your time.
MM: Thank you so much.
MPHO MAKOLA FACT FILE
Full name: Mpho Terence Makola
Date of birth: 4 May 1986
Place of birth: Alexandra, Gauteng
Nickname: Bibo
Position: Midfielder
Jersey number: N/A
Club: Unattached
Previous clubs: Free State Stars, Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City, Polokwane City
Honours: 2013 Nedbank Cup winner, 2013 CAF Champions League runner-up, 2015 CAF Confederation Cup runner-up (all with Pirates)
