Kaizer Chiefs and Leeds legend Lucas Radebe has explained how frightening it was to wear the black and gold colours of Amakhosi, revealing how he earned his place in the team.
The retired centre-back made 113 appearances for Chiefs over a 5-year period, that the weight of the jersey in years gone by, added to the pressure.
Chiefs used to intimidate opposition even before the game starts, so big was their stature and calibre of players.
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However, the current struggle to win trophies, has seen the Soweto giants lose their fear factor, and Amakhosi used to command SA football in years gone by.
Radebe recollected how intimidating it was to wear the Chiefs jersey during his early days at the club.
"Hey, I remember I was kicking them at training. But my debut, I was not used to playing in (front of) such (a big) crowd. Wearing that jersey was frightening, just walking out. At that time we were fetched from our homes, ekasi when they see a Kaizer Chiefs minibus they go out in a crowd, that's where (the pressure) starts," Radebe said on Izinja zeGame podcast with Josta Dladla.
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"I was like, hey, I got myself into trouble. It wasn't easy to get into that team and (the players at Chiefs) would make sure you earn to wear that jersey. They would leave you aside, with no-one embracing you. The likes of Wellington Manyathi would tell you to tie the laces of his boots. I had to work my way in.
"But one thing I did right, when we were training, I kicked everyone. I had no respect, I (didn't) come to play. At that time the seniors were Mark Tovey, Howard (Freese), Gardner Seale and Trevor Mthimkhulu, when Jeff Butler called my name (in the line-up), I saw Mark Tovey not smiling... I (eventually) won Player of the Series for Castle Challenge, (only) then I was accepted," Radebe revealed.
Amakhosi last won a trophy almost a decade ago, and will need to rebuild to reclaim the glory days.
