Dikgang Mabalane has taken Soccer Laduma back into time to talk about how he almost joined Mamelodi Sundowns, before signing a contract with Soweto giants Orlando Pirates, where he won the treble.
The years
I played at Pirates for four seasons. I got there in 2008/09. It was slightly a different team to what it became. We had a lot of good players. Players such as 'Duku Duku' (Joseph Makhanya), 'Cheese' (Lebohang Mokoena), (Excellent) Walaza and (Innocent) Mdledle were there, as well as (Bennet) Chenene was there.
How the move happened
How the move happened is that I was supposed to go to Sundowns and it happened very quick and it was unexpected because I knew that Sundowns were the interested club. They had been interested in me for a long time. They had been pursuing me for two or three seasons. Initially, I rejected the first offer because I wanted to be loyal to Jomo after I came back from SuperSport and all of that. So, when Sundowns came, I said 'no, Jomo will decide'. So, I didn't go to Sundowns. And then the next season, both Sundowns and Pirates came. I decided to go to Pirates only because Sundowns had too many wingers. There were too many players in my position. Another thing is that there was no transparency in that deal, so I felt some type of way (about it). Then Pirates came out of the blue and I thought 'interesting, let me see my chances of playing in both teams'. I had to make a decision based on that, because I wanted to play regularly. At Cosmos, I was playing week in and out, so I decided that my chances were better at Pirates. I didn't think I would pray for Pirates because I grew up supporting Chiefs as a kid, but all that changes when you are a professional.
My first day at Pirates
When I went to Pirates, I almost didn't sign with them. That decision was made at the chairman's house, after I had rejected their offer. What happened was that we went to the office and negotiated. Bra Stan (Stanley Tshabalala) was there, and I can't exactly remember if Floyd (Mbele) was there. We were sitting and my agent was there. I didn't like the offer, so I said 'okay fine, let's leave this since we don't agree'. I left the office, and I didn't feel bad. Well, I felt bad that we couldn't come to an agreement. So, I left, but a minute after leaving that office, I got a call from the chairman (Irvin Khoza). I didn't think it was him, but after a few seconds, I realized it's time. He was like 'Mabalane, what's happening?' I guess he had already received feedback that I didn't sign. I told him that I didn't sign because we didn't agree. He knew that I was in Diepkloof (in Soweto) because I stayed in the same area of one of his houses. Then he said 'come see me in the morning'. I went to his house and basically my deal was done at the chairman's house. We spoke and he told me about the history of the club and some players who had been there. He told me about Jomo since I had been at Cosmos and what he did for the club. After all that lecturing and history, he said 'what do you want?' I told him exactly what I wanted, and it was quick. He was like 'okay, come to the office tomorrow and we will sort it out'. That's how I signed for Pirates. On the first day, I got introduced to the guys. I remember Teko (Modise) was there. Benson (Mhlongo) was there, Lucas Thwala, (Lehlohonolo) Seema. It was a club going through a revamp because they were introducing new players like (Thembile) Kanono and Lebohang Mothibantwa. There was a new coach (Ruud Krol) and I had to fight for a position with someone I was friends with, Joseph Makhanya. It did feel awkward that we had to fight for a position, but it wasn't in bad faith. We had a mature understanding of it. My life did change after signing for Pirates, because I became a well-known player and that's what Pirates will give you.
My debut
It was a cup game. I can't remember who it was against. I got on in the second half and I remember 'Screamer' saying you will get an opportunity and I did. He would say 'we just need crosses. We need service. Take on these players'. So, I knew exactly what they needed, but that was my game. When I got an opportunity in the second half, I remember Krol was not happy with how the game was going. I got on and I remember going down the line a few times and bringing in crosses. I think we got a goal from one of the crosses. I had an impactful second half. I made use of the opportunity. I knew my mandate and I knew Pirates wanted to be different, so I had to be one of those players who brought the change.
Toughest conversation with the coach
By the way, I joined the team late, when the season had started because I was going through a court case with Cosmos. That was another issue. It wasn't a smooth transition from Cosmos to Pirates, regarding contracts and so on, with me allegedly still having a contract with Cosmos. Jomo was fighting it, but it was sorted out, but it took long. So, I joined the team late once the season had started. I remember one of the few sessions at training…one thing I can tell you that it wasn't what I expected. We fought a bit with Krol. We didn't see eye-to-eye. I thought he was being a bit harsh on me, always shouting at me. It seemed I couldn't do anything right, so it got to me, and I had to approach him. That's where our relationship started. When I approached him, I told him that I did not appreciate that he was always shouting and shouting. So, I said 'as a winger and a player, what do you want from me?' We had a conversation and I had to give him an understanding of where I am from and why I play a certain way and why most South African players play a certain way. I gave him an understanding of the culture and I think that was the turning point for me and for him as a coach working with South African players. From then on, our relationship was fantastic. He taught me a lot and I got proper coaching from him. I became a different player.
Best player I played with at Pirates
There were a few. It's difficult to name only one because different players came and went. Daine Klate, maybe because he was a similar player and he was playing on the other side. He was is one of the players who were very effective. He brought a change to the club and made a difference in terms of how Pirates should be playing. Maybe it's also because we complimented each other. He was on the left and I was on the right. Also, Andile Jali and Oupa (Manyisa) were some of the best players I played with. Like I said, it's difficult to mention one player. Another player I enjoyed playing with was Rooi Mahamutsa because he played as a right back at some point. We complimented each other well.
Most memorable moment
Top of my head, I can say that goal of the season for Pirates. I remember it was against Kennedy Mweene and he was at Free State Stars at the time. From a long distance, I scored the goal. He probably underestimated it or his positioning was wrong. I always tease him with it when I see him. That was a memorable moment, but there was also a Soweto derby we played in at Mmabatho. We won and I was man of the match in that one. It was played on a hot day and we scored two goals in the first half, and I delivered both the crosses which led to goals. Winning the treble was also special.
Lowest moment
It would be not going to the Champions League final with Pirates. I think that's something that will always haunt me because I believed we were such a good team, and we were winning things at the time. I had high hopes and I believed we would get that second star.
Funniest dressing room story
Players would always tease each other. You know footballers like fashion. They like to look at what they are wearing. When we went to dress and there was someone who was wearing an out of the ordinary outfit, the guys would tease him. I remember Teko teasing one of these younger boys. Teko was the fashion guy, so you'd expect that from him. He would always be on their case, so you'd always have to think about what you are going to wear because something will definitely be said in the dressing room. Also, Chenene had this tattoo on his back, and it looked like it was unfinished, or it had something. The guys would say that the tattoo looked like something who was trying to peep through a wall. Other times it looked like an incomplete lion with one eye. Every time we would take a shower, we would always talk about it. I still don't know what that tattoo was.
Why I left
You can never be prepared. I can't say I was prepared or ready for it. You can never be ready for such things sometimes. I took it as one of things where I had done what I had to do. Not everyone will be that player who stays there forever. It was not easy, and I was disappointed with how it happened. I thought it could have been handled better. It was a gradual thing. I got injured and it was just after I signed for another two seasons. I got injured and obviously the team will get other players. It's just that they could have handled it better in terms of transparency and information as well, instead of just dealing with it like I didn't serve the club with such honour. Also, when Krol left, everything changed. In fact, that's the major reason. Then came in a different technical team and they have their preference, which is normal. When Krol left, you could feel it was a different environment and things had changed. Change of regime also affects us as players, but it's understandable because it's football. Yes, it's hard to take it, but that's what basically happened.
My last day at the club
Do I even remember? I don't remember. For some reason, that part is a blur. I think at that point, my mind had switched off and I was already gone before I was actually gone.
