Guys, we have to give credit where it is due. I've been impressed with some teams in the league as they continue to be a force to be reckoned with. Despite their 2-1 loss away to Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday night, Sekhukhune United have been unbelievable and it came as no surprise that coach Lehlohonolo Seema and Linda Mntambo were crowned Coach and Player of the Month for March/April. Chippa United have been doing really well and I must take my hat off to co-ocoaches
Kwanele Kopo and Thabo September, together with their Technical Director, Morgan Mammila. I must also congratulate Orlando Pirates head coach, Jose Riveiro and his technical team on a good job so far. What can I say about coach Steve Barker and his technical team at Stellenbosch FC? These guys have been among the teams showing form so far, both in the league and cup games. Let me also wish Mamelodi Sundowns the best of luck in their return leg of their semi-final clash against Esperance Tunis, after losing 1-0 away last Saturday.
Doc Answers Your Questions…
Please don't forget to send your questions to editor@soccerladuma.co.za for now until further notice.
Gavin Ryan wants to know why does the PSL not support teams that are participating in the CAF competitions by postponing their domestic games and give them enough time to prepare?
Unfortunately, when there are two different calendars, running at the same time, they both have their schedules to work towards. Fixture congestions is, unfortunately, the price you pay for taking part in different competitions. I do believe the League engages these teams and try to support them as much as they can because, at the end of the day, like you said, these teams represent the country.
Mankhen Mboweni wants to know if Mamelodi Sundowns' dominance isn't turning our DStv Premiership into a 'Farmers' league' because the other 15 teams are just fighting for the second spot.
I think Sundowns' dominance should be a motivation to other teams to up their game rather than a negative thing to our football.
Being Doc
It is not about the environment you find yourself in, where you can find positivity. If it is not there, look from outside because there is always someone or something out there to draw positive energy from. Also, if you treat your visitors with kindness, you never know what they can do for you tomorrow. You might find yourself out of your comfort zone and in desperate need for help, with only the visitor you once treated badly available for help.
Coaches I've worked with: I always found his attitude so fascinating
"Wada-Wada!" What a gentleman Wedson Nyirenda is! I always smile whenever I think of this former teammate and colleague of mine. Guys, you have no idea of what a humble and a gentle giant is if you've never experienced being in this man's company. Gone are those days, where we saw a lot of players with big match temperament coming into our shores! Players with big hearts, who are able to soak the pressure of playing for a big team and always looking forward to doing service for their people. When Wada-Wada joined us, it felt like he had been with the team for years, in his very first couple of weeks. With a squeaky voice, he would say, "Doc, we can't lose this game. Please man! Just keep those passes coming, Dick (Amukola) and I will score the goals for the team." I'm telling you, this guy had not been with us for long before he made his impact felt. He surprised a lot of people, us as his teammates included, in the way he quickly settled and adapted to life at Chiefs. That's the kind of foreign players we used to attract and the impact they went on to have in the team. I wouldn't be talking about Wedson today if he didn't deliver at Chiefs. This man planned the downfall of a lot of teams on our way to the camp, not on match day. Sometimes we would talk about the next three or four games, planning on how to break the opposition down and all that. This just goes to show how detailed this man was about his football. He would even predict the number of goals he would score and sometimes he would get it right. I used to get so excited whenever he came to discuss opposition because he inspired me so much. He just knew how to get the best out of his teammates.
Such a humble and quiet gentleman who always lets his work do the talking. He doesn't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. You talk about the opponents, you make that man crazy because you make him look forward to the game already. When he sees a packed stadium after the warm-up, he would tell you, "Man, we can't lose this game. Look at all these people coming to watch us! We can't let them down, please gents." I would be so surprised by the things he would say and how he grew to love Chiefs and everyone associated with the club, in such a short space of time. I would ask him where he got this enthusiasm and passion from, having only been with the club for a few months? He once told me: "When you are at the right club, at the right time, with the right people around you, very little can go wrong. I'm enjoying my stay here and I want to give my all to this club, all the time." He would single out the teammates, the technical team, the Chairman and his staff, everyone at the club, the supporters and say there is no way he can let them down. He would also remind us that he's a foreigner, therefore he must be better than what we already have otherwise there is no reason for the club to bring him here. I always found his attitude so fascinating. He told me he couldn't believe he was sharing a dressing room with me and that he thought I was going to give them a tough time, since I was a big-name player and that they were new to my country. I told him I'm not like that and would never do that to anyone. Him, Dick Amukola and Mike Maringa were my friends in the team. I embraced those boys because the only thing different about us was our national anthems, other than that we were brothers. Wedson made me see life differently because of the way he conducted himself.
Doc's memory bank: My first touch was a pass to Maringa…
Wedson would predict the score three weeks in advance and, to my surprise, he would sometimes get it right. When we faced Mamelodi Sundowns in the 1994 BP Top Eight final, I was injured with my ankle heavily swollen. Phillipe Troussier was going crazy telling the late Dr Phil Maepa, may his soul rest in peace, "If Khumalo is not ready on Saturday, then you are not a doctor! I want this man on the field!" When he announced the team going to camp on Thursday, I was surprised to hear my name as I was still swollen. We camped on Thursday, on our way to the hotel, Wedson told me, "If we are going to camp today, being Thursday, for a Saturday match then this is a big game." I explained the history and competition between the two teams, to him. He then said, "No, I have to score in this game then. But how am I going to do that with your ankle this swollen?" He grabbed my foot, put it on his thigh before blowing hot air into his hands and he started massaging my ankle saying a prayer. After that, he told me I was going to be their match-winner, but I asked how is that possible when I was that swollen? He said he didn't know but his faith told him I was going to win the game for the team. Come Saturday, I was on the bench and the coach brought me on when the score was 2-2. My first touch was a pass to Maringa, who made it 3-2 and that's how we won the game. I went to Wedson and told him, in disbelief, "Hey man, you said I was going to be the match-winner and that's exactly what happened. How did you know about it?" He laughed and said, "I told you, but I had no idea where that prediction came from." I must say, I get goosebumps reminiscing about these guys because they are some of the important people in my career, as they made me to become one of the best midfielders of my time.
Wedson had so much positive influence in our team and our supporters have no idea of this man's impact. He's one of the senior players I could call on when the chips were down. The three of them, Amukola, Nyirenda and Maringa always insisted that they didn't come to South Africa to become losers, they were here to win and contribute towards the team's success. To my surprise, years later, I meet this guy as I am the Baroka FC's Technical Director, and the club hires him to come and coach our boys. When his name was suggested, I was so excited, and you should have seen us when we met for the first time as Baroka employees. We were jumping like kids in pre-school. We were so happy to be re-united post our playing careers. It was such a special moment for both of us. I told him, the moment his name was mentioned I smiled because I knew we were getting a top coach and a great human being. He told me when he heard I was at the club, he couldn't wait to get going because he knew we would form a solid combination, bringing out the best in each other like we did back in the day. This man went on to deliver silverware at Baroka by winning the Telkom Knockout. I was so proud of him for winning that trophy because it sent out a strong message about his capabilities as a coach. He may be quiet and reserved but he knows his job very well. I don't think we got enough out of Wedson as a coach and that is the sad reality about the SADC region and coaching. I don't think he was celebrated or respected enough as a coach and I still hope someone will one day give this man another chance in our league. These guys were just unbelievable in our team. A three-hour bus drive would feel like an hour or so because of the conversations we would have in the back seat. That's how unbelievable our team spirit was. Even at training, we never felt anything because we enjoyed it until it was done. When we played, even if we lost, we knew we always gave it our all and there was no one who could point a finger at anyone else. Wada always aimed for a win and was such an unbelievable teammate to have. The man never cheated the game or disrespected the Chiefs badge. He always gave his all to make sure he gave the supporters what they came to get at the stadium. I really want to applaud this man for everything he has done for Amakhosi.
Doc's Friend Zone
There were times when the three guys I mentioned here needed to unwind. Because they were from outside our borders, I made it my mission to make them as comfortable as possible. The same goes for all my teammates at the time because we were such a united team with a high level of team spirit in our team. I would occasionally go out with them. I was not surprised to see Wedson doing so well and scoring goals for us because of the hard work and effort he put into his game. You go out with these guys and when the sun sets, they will tell you it was time for them to go home and rest. That's how focussed they were. I can't thank God enough for putting people like Wedson in my life because they became a blessing. I always say that you can only get a positive energy from positive people. That's exactly what I got from these three guys because they were so humble and focussed on their craft. I enjoyed every moment spent with these gentlemen. I really hope this man gets another chance in the DStv Premiership because I know what he is capable of. Wada, we've had some really great times together my brother and you've been a wonderful friend and brother over the years, both on and off the field. Long may it continue. I salute and wish you everything of the best for the future. May all your dreams become a reality because you are such a wonderful human being.
