Bennett Chenene has some fond memories of the late Gift Leremi, explaining why he was the best player he played with at Orlando Pirates.
In this interview with Soccer Laduma, the retired star talks about the three years he spent with the Buccaneers, both the good and the bad of his spell.
The years
I was with Pirates from 2007 to 2010. When you get to Pirates, things changed and the fame rises because of how big the club is. My lifestyle also changed.
How the move happened
I remember when I went to sign the contract. I was at AmaZulu and then the guy who took me to Pirates was a lawyer. At the time, the people at AmaZulu could not pay me, so my lawyer said we can go anywhere when you don't get paid for a certain period. I did not know much about the law. We called different teams and Pirates was the team that said I should come immediately. When I got there, I saw that the move was really happening. I was a bit nervous. When I got to the office, I found Mr Floyd (Mbele) and he welcomed me. I was a Chiefs supporter, but I was going to play for Pirates, but I said work is work. I met Dr Irvin Khoza and Screamer (Stanley Tshabalala) and we did not waste any time. We negotiated everything and they said I should not go back to AmaZulu. My contract with AmaZulu ended just like that. That's where my life changed.
My first day at Pirates
It was great because I got there and I saw my role models, players like (Joseph) Makhanya, (Gift) Leremi and Cheeseboy (Lebohang Mokoena). When I saw those guys, I was a bit nervous. We had some very good players at the team and when I got there, I was wondering where I would play. When you play for a big club, the competition is really tough. When you don't perform well, you get replaced. The quality of now is not the same as back then.
My debut
To honest with you, I cannot remember my debut for Pirates. I don't want to lie. Maybe I would have to Google it.
The best player I played with at Pirates
Gift Leremi and Tso (Benedict Vilakazi). Teko Modise was another one. I enjoyed playing with Tso and Teko the most, but Leremi was the best player. Gift was not like other players. He was extraordinary. There were times he would not train, but he was still the best player. Like we would train the whole week and then he trains one or two days and we would still not match him. He was special that guy. I remember there was a time he came to training after he had gone AWOL and I was on form. So, there was a speaker at Johannesburg that announcers use. So, he took it and spoke into the mic. And he was like 'Chenene, I hear you are on form. But your best form is like when I am off form'. Can you imagine? I was like 'this guy is crazy, so early in the morning'. But it was not about jealously. He was saying it out of love and reminding me not to relax.
Most memorable moment
I just loved the people at the office at Pirates. They were so honest and I liked that about them. I appreciated that a lot. They would always remind us that we are playing for a big club. And when you were not doing well, they would tell you.
Lowest moment
There was a moment where I missed a good opportunity in the (2008 Telkom Knockout) final. After that, my life at Pirates changed. The treatment was no longer the same. They (Ajax Cape Town) were leading 2-1 and it could have been 2-2 had I scored or passed the ball. We could have gone to extra-time and possibly even won the game. I remember at a later stage, when it was time to renew my contract, they wanted to give me the same salary and I did not understand.
