Archa Man, last week we ended our conversation after you had left Moroka Swallows to join SuperSport United under Pitso Mosimane.
In fact, before I left Moroka Swallows, they paid me a signing on fee of R20 000, which I used to build a foundation for my family house in Free State because that is all I could do with that money. After I told Swallows that I was leaving, all of sudden I found myself sitting on the bench for most of the matches. But I was OK with that, except they were not getting good results on the field. But when they played me, I used score goals and help the team win matches. Eventually, I left and continued to play and score goals at SuperSport United.
Take us through some of your best times at SuperSport United?
After I joined SuperSport United, I became friends with Sibusiso Mahlangu. The CEO (Stanley Matthews) was so happy that I decided to join them. He said to me: 'We know what you can do for us and we hope to achieve more success with you in the team'. I clicked well with Tico-Tico Bucuane and some of the youngsters like Daine Klate on the field. We used to reach Cup finals and finish number two on the log. It was a brand-new experience, and we were all excited to be part of that team. In the league, if we didn't finish in the second position, we used to finish in third. And if we didn't reach a Cup final, we knew that, at least we would be in the semi-final. We used to travel to Africa to play CAF competitions and we bonded a lot through that experience. Pitso had a great vision for that team, he knew exactly what he wanted to achieve. When he signed me, he told that I was going to play for Bafana Bafana. And true to his words, that is exactly what happened. I was getting more national team call ups. In life, if you don't dream, no one will dream for you.
Did you remain friends with Gavin Hunt?
Yes, of course, we remained friends because I like him as a person and as a coach. We are still friends, even today. After I left Moroka Swallows he bought Mame Niang as my replacement and turned him into a great striker.
If you were happy at SuperSport United and had a good relationship with Pitso, why did you leave to join Mamelodi Sundowns?
SuperSport United didn't want me to leave and Pitso didn't want me to leave as well. But you know in life, if you get a better offer, you will consider it. It doesn't matter who you are. Even my agent will tell you that. I went from earning R30 000 at SuperSport United to R65 000 at Mamelodi Sundowns. That money allowed me to do everything I wanted to do at home for my family. I used to buy them everything and whenever I visited my family, they were always happy. Even though I was a mama's boy, when I went home in Free State, I had to prove that I'm a man of the house. It was a blessing for me to join Mamelodi Sundowns because I was still the best and I wanted to go and compete with the best. There were Surprise Moriri, Peter Ndlovu, Esrom Nyandoro.
How can you describe your stay at Sundowns?
I signed a four-year contract, and I enjoyed the experience because I had a lot of friends. I was close to Surprise, Vuyo Mere, Benson Mhlongo, the late Oscar Ntwagae. I even went for trials in Israel at Maccabi Netanya, but the coach Gordon Igesund didn't want me to leave. I passed the trials and when it was time to sign the contract, Gordon didn't want me to leave. I was so hurt, I even called Patrice Motsepe. I went AWOL and I told Sundowns to fire me because I wanted to join Maccabi Netanya. After I came back from disappearing, they still welcomed me and continued to pay my salary. The guys in the team knew why I was not coming to training. But in the team, I won the league and two cups.
After three successful seasons at Mamelodi Sundowns, you left the team. What was the reason for that?
I left when Trott Moloto was the coach because my contract had expired. The team decided not to take the option and I said: 'No problem'. I left and went back to Moroka Swallows and I was paid the same amount I was earning at Sundowns. I was happy with everything at Swallows, and the team was also happy to have me back. But I had to work hard to earn my place in the team because you know with some coaches, they will tell you: 'With the money that Lungisani is earning, I can get two players'. So, I had to work twice as hard to earn my place and prove to them that I deserve to be there. Our coach was Rainer Zobel and I used to compete with Collins Mbesuma and Siyabonga Nomvethe. If I didn't score, the coach would pick Mbesuma, and if Mbesuma didn't score he would pick Nomvethe. He used to rotate us all the time depending on who was doing well.
How was your relationship with the coach?
Ha, ha, ha. That man was funny and Nomvethe used to get upset at him all the time. Nomvethe used to come to training with different cars and the coach didn't like it because he used to drive an old car. The two of them had an interesting relationship. After I left Swallows, I joined United FC in the then National First Division and that is where I played until retired.
Do you have any regrets or mistakes that you made during your career?
No, I don't have any regrets. In life, you must take chances and know yourself. If I had a chance to join a big club like Real Madrid or Barcelona, I would have left. In life you must take chances and not have regrets.
Lungs, thanks a lot my brother and we want to wish you all the best.
Thanks for giving me a chance to talk to the readers.
By Zola Doda
STILL IN TOUCH FUN FACTS
First salary: It was R3 500 at Moroka Swallows.
Biggest salary in the PSL: I used to earn R65 000 at Mamelodi Sundowns
Opponent I respected the most: It was Musa Otieno and other defenders at Santos, those guys were difficult to play against.
Team I'd loved to have played for: Kaizer Chiefs
Favourite PSL Player right now: Relebohile Mofokeng
Craziest request from a fan: Nothing too crazy
Best coach I played under: Gavin Hunt and Pitso Mosimane
