Seuntjie Motlhajwa came through the Transnet School of Excellence and Barney Molekwane Academy before he was spotted by SuperSport United assistant coach Pitso Mosimane. After spending four years at Matsatsantsa, the former winger joined Jomo Cosmos in 2003, where his career stagnated. In 2005, he joined Ajax Cape Town where he played for three seasons before moving to the National First Division in 2008.
Chippa, welcome back to the pages of Soccer Laduma. Tell us about your early days when you were recruited to join SuperSport United by Pitso Mosimane.
Those were good old days. It was me, Cavan Sibeko and Gerald Sibeko and Bheki Nkambule joined us a few years later. After we finished signing our first professional contracts, we were sent on loan to Arcadia Shepherds where we spent a season. The following season we came back to SuperSport United and that first season in the PSL was hectic because we were not used to the environment. We were not used to things like sleeping at hotels and camping before the match. So, Japie Motale, who was the craziest person in our team told us to bring blankets, food and clothes to camp. We followed his instructions and brought our clothes and everything because we were young and naïve. When we arrived at the team hotel, we realised that all the players were wearing the club uniform and they were just laughing at us, ha, ha, ha. Eish, Japie was the biggest jokester. But the late Thomas Madigage told us not to listen to him.
Ha, ha, ha. That's very funny. Imagine bringing blankets and clothes to camp.
Those were early days at SuperSport United. As newly promoted players we were also required to polish the boots of senior players, we also had to carry their bags to the airport and helped the kitman most of the time. Roy Matthews was still the coach at the time and when he left, he was succeeded by Bruce Grobbelaar. But today's players would never do that. Our generation was more respectful to senior players, and as youngsters we didn't have a choice – that was the culture back then. Senior players were also very respectful to younger players. The only player that was very rude was Gareth Orritt. That man used to curse a lot.
Tell us some behind-the-scenes funny stories about Orritt.
One day we were playing at Caledonian Stadium, I just can't remember against which team. Our left back, Rudolph Seale made two mistakes which resulted in goals. When we arrived inside the dressing room at half time, Gareth and Rudolph were at each other's throats – that was a bad incident. Other senior players in the team had to stop the fight, to make things worse we still had to go back to the field and finish the rest of the match.
That's hectic. What do you remember about your first match?
My first professional match was against Hellenic in Cape Town and to be honest with you – I was really scared. It took me 10 minutes to settle my nerves down. Professional football is very intimidating, and this happens to everyone. But the best match I ever played was against Manning Rangers at Chatsworth Stadium. I created two goals and scored another one. I also scored the Soccer Zone Goal of the Week against Ajax Cape Town. I have so many memories from my time at SuperSport United.
After Grobbelaar left, Mosimane took over as the coach. How was he as a coach back then compared to now?
To be honest with you, I was very close to Pitso and everything that he has achieved now, is what he used to talk about when we were driving to training every morning. He used to say to me: "You know what Seuntjie? I want to go to Holland for a coaching course where I will learn more about the game, after that I will win trophies at SuperSport United and become the Bafana Bafana coach one day. After that I want to coach big African teams like Al Ahly and Esperance". And I'm not surprised that he has achieved all those things. That man used to eat, drink and sleep football. He was a very strict coach as well. He was very emotional just like Jose Mourinho during his early days at Chelsea. Pitso really loved football, that's the only thing he talkedabout. He also wanted to see all of us youngsters successful. He didn't want youngsters to relax, he wanted us to raise our game every season. He insisted on discipline. He was also very close to Thomas; they were best friends. In fact, Thomas was the one who brought Pitso to SuperSport.
Where can you say you played your best football?
I will say SuperSport United because at Jomo Cosmos I didn't play a lot. At Ajax Cape Town, I played a few seasons but after that, things changed. At Jomo Cosmos, things were not right, they were not like SuperSport United. SuperSport United players had medical aid and we were getting paid on the 23rd of every month – it was like that every month. There were never instances where salaries were late.
So why did you leave SuperSport United?
My career was cut short because of injuries, I was always getting injured. Just before my contract expired with SuperSport United, I suffered an ankle injury and as a result of that they only offered me a one-year deal. They told me to heal first before they could extend it. But I don't know what was wrong with me. But I will also blame Thomas because he convinced me to join Jomo Cosmos, he said that Cosmos were going to give me a better salary. But my one-year extension salary at SuperSport was much better than what I received at Cosmos. Pitso told me to sign the one-year extension with SuperSport, and he promised me that once I fully recover from the injury and get fit, I will get a four-year extension. But I left and joined Cosmos and signed a three-year contract. I regret that decision big time. I was not happy at Cosmos because I spent a lot of time on the bench.
How was Jomo Sono as a coach?
He was a good coach, but Pitso was the best. My most memorable time at Cosmos, is when I went to Saudi Arabia for a tournament. Lovers Mohlala made that trip fun and enjoyable.
Thanks Chippa, looking forward to talking to you more next week.
Keep well.
By Zola Doda
STILL IN TOUCH FUN FACTS
First salary: It was R1 500 from the SuperSport United. The money came straight from gate takings to players because we didn't have bank accounts.
My biggest bonus at SuperSport: It was R4500
Opponent I respected the most: Abednego Netshodwe
Team I'd loved to have played for: Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns
Favourite PSL Player right now: Relebohile Mofokeng and Shandre Campbell
Craziest request from a fan: I gave all my football stuff to family, not fans
Best coach I played under: Pitso Mosimane
