If media reports are to be believed, a tug of war ensued between some of Gauteng's biggest clubs over the signature of Katlego Otladisa, with Orlando Pirates eventually winning the race for his services. However, it is not the skillful winger's first time at a big club having previously been on the books of Mamelodi Sundowns. He has made slow progress to life as a Bucs player, but is hoping to pick up the momentum as the campaign goes on, and with games coming thick and fast, every player's contribution will be crucial as the club aims to do better than last season. Five months into the 27-year-old's career as a member of the Sea Robbers ship, and Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver sat down with him to talk about the switch from relegation candidates to championship challengers, winning a trophy early on in the famous Black and White colours, and why there's been no "culture shock" for him.
Delmain Faver: "Dox", welcome back to the pages of Soccer Laduma. The last time we spoke to you was when you joined Marumo Gallants and received a new lease on life. So much has changed since then and you are now on the books of Orlando Pirates, where you managed to win your first trophy just a few months after joining the club.
Katlego Otladisa: Yeah, it's a really overwhelming feeling, you know. It's always nice winning something like the first cup that is up for grabs in the league. So, yeah, it was an overwhelming feeling and it was really nice to win something with Pirates.
DF: Is that justification that you made the right decision in joining the Soweto giants, as we understand there were a few other teams keen on your services prior to that?
KO: Yeah, everyone wants to play for a big club and (be) representing one of the biggest institutions in Africa, so yeah, it's a great feeling.
DF: Speaking of big institutions, you were at a big club before in Mamelodi Sundowns. However, things didn't exactly go as planned for you. Did you ever foresee that you would bounce back and be playing for one of the Big Three after leaving Chloorkop?
KO: I didn't really expect that, you know. All I hoped for as a player was getting minutes, getting a team to play for and doing what I love. But playing for a big team was something that I didn't expect.
DF: While we're on the topic of the decision to join Bucs, how did it come about and what would you say the club's pulling power was over their rivals, who were also chasing your signature?
KO: I wanted to associate myself within a winning fraternity, you know. Pirates have been doing well lately, let's be honest. A season ago, they had the double (the MTN8 and the Nedbank Cup), so I wanted that feeling as well and to tag along with the team.
DF: It's incredible how you went from the disappointment of suffering relegation in May, to winning a trophy in October. Thinking back, that disappointment with Bahlabane Ba Ntwa must be something that still lingers in your mind…
KO: You know, things like that you can't really anticipate. There were a lot of things happening at the club, but we tried our best to get out of the situation, but it didn't really work out. Only God knows (why). But with that being said, I'm just happy to be here at the club, which is Pirates.
DF: It wasn't all doom and gloom at Gallants though as you guys enjoyed a stellar run in the CAF Confederation Cup that has even seen the team score a nomination for CAF Club of the Year. It's a pity that you couldn't continue that continental run with Pirates in the CAF Champions League this season.
KO: Yeah, I was really looking forward to getting into the CAF (Champions League) as well with Pirates, who are a much more organised team if I may say – no disrespect to Marumo Gallants. I was really looking forward to it, but it just couldn't happen. But, ja, it's how it works…
DF: How much of a change have you seen in your personal life since joining the Houghton-based outfit? The sheer weight of the badge and the thousands of fans who rejoice every time you touch the ball is something that could take some getting used to.
KO: I'm really a loner. I don't go out that much. I'm always indoors. Obviously there has (been a change in terms of recognition), but then I'm always indoors after training.
DF: You were one of four players, alongside Melusi Buthelezi, Siphelo Baloni and Patrick Maswanganyi, to be roped in at the start of the current season. What was the reception like from the time you arrived?
KO: (We were welcomed) with warm arms, obviously. Some of the guys I have played with them. Some of the guys I'm familiar with, so it was really just a warm welcome from the gents all round, as well as from the staff.
DF: So far this season, you have featured six times, but only one of those appearances came from a starting position. In terms of targets, what exactly are you looking for from a playing perspective?
KO: I'm looking at a target of providing assists for the team, getting goals for the team and getting more minutes and hopefully getting another cup with the team just to top it off.
DF: In terms of adjusting, what would you say has been the biggest culture shock about joining the side? Sometimes when you look at such an institution from the outside in, you aren't fully aware of its magnitude unless you are right there, right?
KO: Honestly, there hasn't really been much of a culture shock because all we are focusing on is training, living a good life and just doing your best when you have the opportunity to do that.
DF: When you break into the professional ranks as early as you do, there is often a feeling that the early potential you've shown needs to be fulfilled in your career. At 27, do you think there is a lot more pressure for you to, sort of, come of age now?
KO: Yeah, especially when you are at this team, there's always pressure. It's always going to be like that because they want us at our best levels and all that. So, they are just prepping us to be at our best at all times.
DF: Dox, thanks so much for your time and all the best for the rest of the season.
KO: Thank you, big man.
KATLEGO OTLADISA FACT FILE
Date of birth: 22 September 1996
Place of birth: Rustenburg, North West
Nickname: Dox
Jersey number: 12
Position: Midfielder
The night before, I couldn't sleep
We spoke to Otladisa's agent Nimrod Mbhalati, who opened up on the intricacies of the deal when the player moved from Limpopo at the beginning of the season and how daunting it was having to go into negotiations with a club as massive as Pirates.
Delmain Faver: As a young agent, would you say this is one of the biggest deals you've secured in your career so far?
Nimrod Mbhalati: I can pretty much say so because, to be honest, it was my first time doing a deal like that with a big team like Orlando Pirates. Obviously, every agent, whether you are young or old, big or small, you dream of doing deals with teams like Pirates. With me and "Dox", it was an emotional one because of where we come from...
DF: Meaning?
NM: When I first got Dox, remember he was unemployed, and then when we first met, we spoke about him getting back into the system. It sounded too good to be true to his ears, but then I assured him that he was a good player and that he didn't deserve to be where he was at the time. He needed to go back to elite football. We achieved that and then he played good football at Gallants and then from there, when a team like Pirates came knocking, it was a dream come true for us. I personally believed that Dox would get a better team, but it came sooner than expected.
DF: How did it happen?
NM: Choosing Pirates over the rest was a simple decision. You know why? Because there were rumours that a lot of teams were looking for the signature of the boy, but Pirates showed more interest, and the professionalism, the way they approached us was breathtaking. You couldn't say no to the approach of the Pirates management, especially Mr. Mpumi Khoza because he is a humble man. So, the way they did things… and remember he is on a long-term contract, so what Pirates offered the boy was irresistible.
DF: During negotiations, you had to sit across the table from Mpumi and Nkosana Khoza and even possibly the chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza. What was that like for you?
NM: To be quite honest with you, the night before, I couldn't sleep. I had goosebumps because they called and said, "Look, we are closing the deal tomorrow" because the deal was going on for about a month-and-a-half, back and forth. Remember, Dox was contracted to Gallants, so there were those administration processes, which I was not part of. But when the deal eventually came to an end, they said, "No, look, come to the office tomorrow. Bring the boy. Just come and close this thing and get done with (it)." I couldn't believe it, and I think I was more anxious than the actual guy who was about to sign. He was also excited and when we got to the offices, it was a big thing for us. When we got there, the Pirates management made us feel at home and then my nerves were calm and then we started speaking. I thought it was going to be difficult back-to-back conversations… you know how negotiations go. But to be quite honest, we didn't even take five minutes, to be precise, for us to conclude the deal and then from there, we stayed for, like, an hour speaking about life in general because I had brought the brother (Lehlohonolo Otladisa) as well. They made up their mind before we even got there because when I said, "We want this and that", Mr. Mpumi said, "Yes, it's okay, let's go for that." So, I expected them to be hard, but it was very simple.
DF: Incredible insight. So, what have you made of how Otladisa has adjusted to life at Bucs?
NM: Look, I know there's been a lot of talk about his game-time at Pirates. Personally, I feel like I never expected Dox to have the minutes that he has been given at Pirates when there has been injuries here and there. So, he's been settling and then he's being taken care of under (a) good management and technical team. So, for me, so far, so good. There's no hurry. He's been trying to acclimatize to the environment of a big team and his time will come. Remember, Dox's contract is a long-term project for me, if I could put it like that, so there's no pressure on the boy. I'm happy with his progress so far and with the performance that he has shown his fans and the Pirates family. I can't say I'm satisfied, but I think he can do more because I know what Dox can do with his feet. I believe he's gonna get a lot of game-time in the near future and he's not even shaken about it. He's not even worried. He's working hard on a daily basis for him to get more game-time.
DF: What do you think he brings to the squad?
NM: Dox is a direct winger. All the teams have wingers, but it's rare to find a winger like Dox. So, I think he brings something different to Pirates. He is a modern footballer. He reminds me of Jabu Pule (now Mahlangu) and we don't have those kind of players at the moment. He's something different that a lot of the teams do not have. If you can make a list of the 10 top speedy wingers in South Africa, I think Katlego Otladisa can be there. He's a fighter and he hates losing. You can see it in his facial expression when the team is losing and he can't do anything to help the team.
