Hola Lungelo, thanks for making time to be with us this week. We know that you've definitely seen what In Touch is all about, so we look forward to what you have to share with us this week, especially from the time you spent at Maritzburg United, before leaving them.
Ha, ha, ha. Yes, there are a few things I can share with you, my brother.
Music to our readers' ears! So, where do we start then?
During my time at Maritzburg United, coach Ernst Middendorp was quite the character. He had this thing of shouting at you. He would have this serious face and then when he turned to look the other way, he would laugh. You would just see him laughing when he turned and (you would) wonder why, ha, ha, ha.
Do you think that was his way of testing to see if his players had strong character?
Yes, something like that. If you are weak, then you are not going to play, ha, ha, ha.
So, did he ever do that to you?
Yes, he did that to me many times. Then he would turn away from me and laugh. I used to ask myself why he would do that, but I would not get angry. At times, I would find it funny when he did that. Some of the players were scared of him.
Ha, ha, ha. He does look like someone who is usually so serious.
One of the funniest guys I have come across is Brandon Theron. He is one funny guy. There is a video that was posted on Instagram of him just dancing around and making jokes. He had this facial expression which was funny. Another thing about him is that he does not have teeth in the front. He does not even have false teeth, ha, ha, ha. He said it was fashion, ha, ha, ha.
Really? Crazy stuff. So this was fashion from where he comes from?
Yeah, he kept on saying it was fashion. (Alfred) Ndengane used to laugh at him about that and he would tease him. So, while we were eating, Ndengane would put a knife in his mouth and bite it, just to show Theron that he was able to use his front teeth, unlike Theron who did not have the front teeth, ha, ha, ha. They are friends and they were always together, so Theron did not take it personally. We just used to laugh about it.
Well, it's a good thing that he did not take it personally.
Ha, ha, ha, yeah. Those moments just used to make us laugh. There were times where Theron would try to speak IsiZulu and you could just hear that he was forcing it, even with some of the songs he used to sing. We would always laugh when he was around. You would never get bored with him around. There is actually a video of him on Instagram where he was dancing, and he was wearing sunglasses and a cap.
That's certainly the type of guy you needed in the dressing room for good team spirit. Let's move on…
There was a time when I was at Kaizer Chiefs (development) and there was a driver called Lekgoa. I remember him so well. He was such a funny guy. When we used to eat, he used to tease the boys from KwaZulu-Natal. He would say, "You guys are used to amasi (sour milk). You are not used to this good food in Joburg", ha, ha, ha.
Shots fired!
It's also like when Arthur Zwane used to coach us. He would call the Zulu boys "farm boys", but he was just messing around with us. It's not something that we took seriously as players and we would laugh about it.
By the sounds of it, you boys from KZN were easy targets because different people kept coming for you.
Ha, ha, ha. There was a time, in 2016, when we were playing in the Future Champs (tournament). There was a week when I was not able to train because I was at home for personal reasons. When I got back and we went into camp, I was wearing isiphandla (Zulu bracelet). So, when it's still new, it has a smell. So, Wiseman Meyiwa, he would ask what was smelling and he would have this face, but he was just playing around. Even some of the other guys would do that.
Ha, ha, ha. It really seems you had some funny moments during the time you spent at the Amakhosi development side.
Yeah, there were some good times there. I wish I could remember some of the other stories, but I don't at the moment.
You see this thing of using real age and soccer age, already you are a forgetful madala now, ha, ha, ha.
Ha, ha, ha, no ways!
Just kidding, brother. Thank you so much for your time, Lungsta. We hope that you are able to find a club soon so that you can continue doing what you do best on the field. Good luck for the future.
Thank you so much for the opportunity, my brother. I appreciate it.
By Tshepang Mailwane
IN TOUCH FUN FACTS
Nickname: Khuphuka Voh
Car: VW Polo TSi
Boots: adidas
Favourite teammate: Phiwayinkosi Zuma
Favourite roommate: Bongokuhle Hlongwane
Favourite food: Pap and beef
Favourite footballer: Khuliso Mudau
Best friend in football: Bongokuhle Hlongwane
