Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Stanton Lewis has shared a story about how surprised he was on the first day he got to Naturena to see that the club has separate dressing rooms for senior and junior players.
Soccer Laduma got in touch with the retired striker to talk about his short spell with the Soweto giants.
The years
I was at Chiefs in 2011 and it was for six months. I remember coming towards the end of the season, they wanted to renew my contract, but the aim was to go back to Europe and that did not materialise. There was some negotiations that broke down between Bobby (Motaung), myself and Rob Moore (his agent). My time at Chiefs was amazing. We had a good coach in VV (Vladimir Vermezovic) and a proper team. He gave some youngsters opportunities to play. He was building something. The standard and quality of Chiefs was very high. I enjoyed myself there.
How the move happened
That was funny because we played against them (in the Telkom Knockout) final in Durban. The coach (Vermezovic) came to me. I think (Jose) Torrealba was still at Chiefs and he was going to leave. I had a good run for Ajax in the cup and I was approached by the coaching staff of Chiefs right there. Then I spoke to Bobby there as well, straight after the game. Negotiations started. Everything was agreed on and I moved to Chiefs. It was a loan deal and they were looking to make it permanent. I remember (Knowledge) Musona was also on his way out, so they were looking to reinforce. At the end of the season, I was talking to Bobby and they wanted to extend my stay. But then, it just did not happen.
My first day at Chiefs
I kind of remember what happened on my first day. It was nice. I met Kaizer Motaung. Jessica took me around Naturena and showed me what the club is about. I did my medicals. It felt like a professional environment. I had come from Ajax Amsterdam, where things are at a high level. Ajax Cape Town was obviously also good with Ikamva. But I never knew what Naturena really looked like and I was quite surprised to see how professional they are and how big it is. They have two change rooms and that boggled my mind. You have a seniors change room and a junior change room. The likes of Jimmy (Tau), Yeye (Reneilwe Letsholonyane), Shabba (Siphiwe Tshabalala), the late (Arthur) Bartman and (Nkosinathi) Nhleko were all in the senior change room. I could choose which one I wanted to go to and I remember choosing to be with the senior players. It was nice and different.
My debut
I think it was at FNB Stadium against Martizburg. I came on for Abia Nale if I am not mistaken. I was wearing Arthur Zwane's number 18. It was good. I remember warming up and the crowd started whistling and cheering me on. I had a good debut. We won the game. I think we beat Maritzburg 3-1 or 2-1.
Difficult conversation with the coach
I had to tell coach VV that there was a clause in my contract that I could not play against Ajax, but they took me to a game in Polokwane. The Ajax management was not happy. I had to contact my agent Rob Moore and then there was a whole up and down between the coaches, myself and Bobby, as well as Rob Moore. Ajax was not happy that I was on the team sheet. I did not play that game. I went up to the stands. I had to tell the coach that my clause says I was not allowed to play. I had to have that conversation all the way in Polokwane.
The best player I played with at Chiefs
We had a lot of talented players, so it's difficult. We had Shabba and Yeye. We had Tinashe Nengomasha. We had Itumeleng Khune as a goalkeeper. George Lebese was there as a youngster and he went on to do well. I knew that he would shine. Musona also left for a European club, so that tells you as a lot as well. I would not be able to name one.
Most memorable moment
It was when I scored my first goal in a cup game. I think it was in the Nedbank Cup. There was a goal that was disputed between Valery Nahayo and I. He claimed the goal, but it came off me. There was a write up about it. I had to share my celebration with him. It was awarded to me in the end. I did all the hard work. That would be my most memorable moment.
Lowest moment
Getting knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by Baroka. I remember their coach with the glove (Sello Chokoe). In the same game, I got injured. I had to be taken off. That game was actually on TV the other day. It was nice to watch it. My son has always wanted to see some of my games, so it was nice watching it. But I was substituted due to that injury.
