In a space of about a year, a lot has changed for Thabang Monare at Orlando Pirates. Before the beginning of the current campaign, it appeared as though he would leave the club, but he stayed on after all. With his current deal expiring in June, the midfielder has been in fine form for the club and is putting himself in a good position to stay for at least another season. The Embalenhle-born star has become one of coach Jose Riveiro's key men and could inspire them to success in the Nedbank Cup, while they also look to qualify for the CAF Champions League by finishing second. Soccer Laduma's Tshepang Mailwane spoke to the former Bidvest Wits man about the role the Spaniard has played in improving his game, the one thing he'd really like to do with the Buccaneers as he hopes to earn a new deal beyond June, and more…
Tshepang Mailwane: Let's start by talking about your victory over Richards Bay this past weekend, which was the third one on the trot in the DStv Premiership. How much emphasis has there been from management to finish second and qualify for the CAF Champions League?
Thabang Monare: It's not really about the emphasis that the club puts, it's more about us as players also wanting to play in that tournament and rub shoulders with the big boys on the continent. There are more games to play when you play in the CAF competitions and that's always an advantage in that the more you play, the more you keep getting momentum and the more you get better.
TM: For you as players, how does it feel that Mamelodi Sundowns has won the league with seven matches to spare, leaving teams like Orlando Pirates to fight for second spot?
TM: Yeah, obviously we'd like to take it to the end, to the wire. Unfortunately, things are the way they are. In everything that has happened, we have learnt, and we are looking to improve ourselves and become a better team in the coming season. We need to improve in certain areas and parts of the game. Looking at the games we have lost but should have gotten points or where we did not convert chances or where we got caught… it's just a matter of improving to become way better than we are right now. There is a lot to play for with the games that are remaining, including the Nedbank Cup, so we have to play for everything. Every game matters and requires us to give it the level of respect it deserves.
TM: As the players, do you ever discuss ending the Brazilians' dominance?
TM: Well, in discussing other clubs, that won't be part of us trying to improve ourselves. We always talk about how we can improve ourselves as a team and as individuals, to get to where the club deserves or wants to be. It's just a matter of discussing ourselves. There has never been a discussion about any other team. It's about us and how we can take this team in a positive direction. The good thing is that I've seen positive changes in our team. We've created a good environment for everyone. We are getting to a place where everyone can express themselves and everyone is understood as to what kind of individual they are. Before we form a team, we are individuals, and we need to be understood as individuals. That's how it's going to fit in the bigger picture.
TM: Why did you guys struggle so much in front of goal during the first half of the season?
TM: I think it was just calmness, which we have managed to get into our veins. It made a huge difference in the team and the results, of course. It was just a matter of those touch-ups. We will never get to a place where we are fully improved. There is always a way we can improve ourselves and get better.
TM: You had Scott Chickelday working as a finishing consultant at the club for a month. How much of an impact did he make?
TM: He made a huge difference. We became better finishers and the calmness and technique was there. He brought in a lot of hard work and laugher, of course. He is a joyful person and he brought that laughter into the team, which is part of us improving.
TM: Was it enough for him to only be at Pirates for a month?
TM: It's never enough. We are always in a place where we want to learn every day and if we can have someone who brings that into the squad on a daily basis, for a longer period of time, then why not?
TM: Coming into this season, it was announced that you were leaving Pirates. What actually happened?
TM: What happened was that we were still negotiating with the club. We had our differences at the time, but we were still talking. The story was really blown out of proportion. Things were said and I never understood where they came from. But what mattered to me is that we managed to find each other. I got back to the field, and I represented a team that I feel I still had a lot to offer. That's all that matters. A story that has a happy ending, that's all that matters.
TM: Nice one. Was there any concern from your side that you would leave the club?
TM: While the news was out there, I was speaking to the relevant people, and we had an understanding, and we were still negotiating. I was never really concerned because, at the end of the day, I knew that the people I was speaking to were the relevant people. We were on the same page.
TM: You've put that behind you and it's evident in your performances on the pitch. What has been key to your good form?
TM: At some stages, you go through a period where you are held back by injuries. I think there was a period where I just suffered from injuries, which always killed the momentum. You go through that phase where you get injuries and you just have to be strong. It becomes impossible to be on top of your game when you are injured.
TM: Right now, how much focus do you put into fighting to get a new contract as the current one expires in June?
TM: No, it's never about that. I respect the game in a way that I would not play for something like that. That would be cheating the game, to wait for a certain period in your career to perform at a certain level. For me, honestly, it's never been like that. I just think that me being on top of my game and being injury-free just came at that time and people will start looking at it that way. But I respect the game and I give my all to the game, whether it's a training session or a match. I always give my all, whether it's the first or last day of my contract. Football is always football to me. It's a passion and I never want to let myself down.
TM: But surely the contract is somewhere in the back of your mind because, at 33, you'd want to have your future secured, right?
TM: Yes, it's there. This is how I see it. It's up to me to secure my future, based on what I do on the field. Yes, it does cross your mind because the future is important, but sometimes when we live in the future a lot, we get anxious and forget about the present. You just need to be calm and everything will fall into place, especially if you are paying your dues.
TM: At this stage, where do you stand in terms of your contract?
TM: Right now, it's just me and football and being grateful that I am on top of my game and I am helping the team. Everything will fall into place. I am happy at the club and I think the future will be good. Look, I still want to win the league. That's first priority for me.
TM: Let's hope the club gives you that opportunity by extending your deal…
TM: Not 'hope', we believe that they will give me that opportunity. That's one thing I would really like to do with the club, and I know I will have peaceful nights. I even have the DStv Premiership trophy as a wallpaper on my phone. That's how bad I want it.
TM: For real?
TM: Yes, I have the DStv Premiership trophy as my wallpaper. That's how bad I want it. I have kids, a twin brother, I have a mom, but I chose to have that 'pretty girl' (DStv Premiership trophy) as my wallpaper.
TM: Are they not jealous, ha, ha, ha?
TM: Ha, ha, ha. I think somehow, they are jealous. They think I am obsessed. I have a couple (of titles) and I want more. They think I am obsessed and they ask, "Haven't you had enough?" and I am like, "No, it's never enough." I would even want to get one when I am 60, on my crutches.
TM: That means your drive and passion for greatness is still there, despite all the success you've already had.
TM: I have never been in a place where I have lost passion. Growing up, I think I had it in me. As a kid, I would cry when we lost. Giving my all comes with not just giving my all for the club or your teammates, but it's also for me not to let myself down. I don't want to let myself down. If I don't want to let myself down, it will be difficult to let my teammates and coaches down. I am still really hungry. As long as I can give my all, then I will still give my all.
TM: Speaking of coaches, what impact has Jose Riveiro made on the team since joining?
TM: He's made a huge impact. He did not just focus on how we play as a team, but he also focused on how we are as individuals because we are different and obviously, the approach has to be different when you are talking to different people. He has worked with individuals, so I think that is the biggest change that made us become a team. Before you become a team, you need to be individuals who are stable. I think that's the big role that he played. His tactics are sound, but tactics are nothing without people who are stable and are buying into them.
TM: How has your game improved under him?
TM: I got back to being more of a box-to-box midfielder. That's the way I got improved, like when and how to get into the box and how to see the game and position yourself. I have learnt a lot.
TM: Do you think you had lost some of what you've mentioned after leaving Wits?
TM: Yeah, I think in everything that you have, especially in football, everything has to remain razor-sharp. And if you don't sharpen, you eventually have a blunt blade. Football is just like that. It's like a razor or a knife – you use it and you sharpen it. But if you lose that sharpener, then you will have a knife that would work for you for a certain period of time and then you are going to have to go buy another one.
TM: Why do you think you were not razor-sharp at some point?
TM: Because I did not spend a lot of time on the field. There were injuries and so on. And when you come from injury, you take time to peak. You are a bit behind compared to the other guys that have been playing. And every time I felt that I was getting there, I'd get silly knocks or serious injuries. That's also one of the factors that played a part in me not getting there.
TM: Desh, good luck for the rest of the season.
TM: Thank you.
THABANG MONARE FACT FILE
Full name: Thabang Amod Monare
Date of birth: 16 September 1989
Place of birth: Embalenhle, Mpumalanga
Nickname: Desh
Position: Midfielder
Jersey number: 16
Club: Orlando Pirates
Previous clubs: University of Pretoria, Jomo Cosmos, Bidvest Wits
Honours: 2009 Nedbank Cup runner-up (with University of Pretoria), 2016 MTN8 winner, 2016/17 League winner (both with Wits), 2020 MTN8 winner, 2022 MTN8 winner (with Pirates), 4 Bafana Bafana caps
