On the same day Mpho Makola was meant to sign for Kaizer Chiefs, he found himself in a boardroom with Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza.
It's crazy how things can change in a moment and Makola is someone who can attest to that. Soccer Laduma spoke to the midfielder to talk about the seven years he spent with the Buccaneers.
The years
I joined the team in 2012/13. I was there for seven years. I had a great time there, to be honest with you. Even with the challenges I came across, they were lessons and I have no regrets on decisions I made. I had a good time at Pirates and I learnt so much. I played with different talents and different personalities. You get to learn about human beings. Outside of you, you get to learn what other people experience and how they approach life.
How the move happened
It's actually a crazy story. I was heading to Chiefs. I was going to sign for Chiefs, but Bobby was sick and was hospitalised and we could not finalise a deal. I remember pre-season was about to start and I was told not to report back to Free State Stats because there was a deal being made for me. I remember Bidvest Wits were also interested at the time. I remember we were on the way to SAFA House with my agent at the time and we were supposed to meet with Bobby at SAFA House, but we were told he was hospitalised. Then on the very same day, I was told that I should go to Fly Africa offices. I had no idea what Fly Africa was, but when I got there, I started seeing pictures on the walls and I remember Bra Stan Tshabalala coming to me and saying 'do you think you can play for this team?' which was Orlando Pitates. I said 'of course'. And then next thing I was in the boardroom with the chairman (Irvin Khoza). I was told that Pirates is a team from my township, that it was actually started in Alex. I was convinced to sign for Pirates. Prior to signing for Pirates, they wanted me when I was in the development ranks. They wanted me to play for their feeder team, Yebo Yes FC, but I felt I was ready to play in the professional ranks. So, I signed for Free State Stars at the time.
My first day at the club
I remember we were training at the UJ sports facility in Auckland Park. I got there and I was given my training kit. The first person I met was Robyn Johannes. He greeted me and I went into the changing room. When I got into the dressing room, I was like 'this is not the correct dressing room'. That changing room only had senior players, like Benson Mhlongo, Lucky Lekgwathi, Benni McCarthy and Moeneeb Josephs. Robyn noticed that I went to the wrong changing room and he was like 'hey Bibo, come here'. He took me to the other changing room that had your, not so young players like Andile (Jali), Oupa (Manyisa) and all the players who had come back from loan and the ones that had been signed. Mark Mayambela was also there. In the first training session, I think there were like 45 of us. I was like 'what's going to happen here?' Doubts started creeping in because you think only 11 players can play. It was a crazy first day, but I held my own.
My debut
If I am not mistaken, I think my first official game was the MTN8 against SuperSport United in Polokwane. I actually could have scored in my first game. I remember that game very well. I missed a sitter in the first half.
Best player I played with at Pirates
That's a difficult question because Pirates have always been known for having talented players. It would be unfair for me to single out one player which was the best. There are a couple of players who I thought were talented. One has to be Oupa (Manyisa). You guys only know Oupa on TV or at the stadium. But I know him from the development days at the academy. He was something special. Mark Mayambela was something special. Thabo Matlaba, I've never seen someone who can play with both feet like him. Patrick Phungwayo was one of the best left backs I played with, also from academy days. Senzo (Meyiwa) was phenomenal. I am talking about people who could win matches for the team. Sifiso Myeni as well, Rooi Mahamutsa and Robyn Johannes at the back. There are just too many to mention.
