Orlando Pirates legend Siyabonga Sangweni has revealed how he nearly joined Kaizer Chiefs academy in 1999.
The 42-year-old former defender, known as “Nsimbi” by fans, told a story on how he escaped from joining Amakhosi. The former Bafana Bafana star recently opened the Siyabonga Sangweni Sports Complex in Dondotha.
“The team that I was playing for fetched me from Chiefs Academy,” Sangweni told the media on Saturday.
“In 1999, I was in the Kaizer Chiefs academy but I ran away, Bobby [Motaung] knows the story. The likes of Jabu Pule and [Nhlanhla] Kubheka, we were in that team that was going to be promoted.
Pirates legend Sangweni reveals he ‘escaped’ joining Kaizer Chiefs twice
“But I just felt that this thing of being given R200 to buy a bathing soap while at home there is a team that can give me R1500 salary…I would be able to share a little with my mother from that.
“I told them [Bongani FC owners] to fetch me at night, they came and stole me. At Chiefs, they woke up and I was no longer there. They eventually saw me emerge at Golden Arrows and it was late,” he said as per FARPost.
The former Orlando Pirates defender was believed to have signed with Kaizer Chiefs in 2010. The tall defender was part of the Golden Arrows team that won 2009 MTN8 victory under coach Manqoba Mngqithi. At the time, Sangweni was rated as one of the best players in the country and it was no surprise when he featured in the 2010 World Cup squad.
Although he signed with Pirates in 2011, Sangweni revealed his father wanted him to play for Kaizer Chiefs.
“My father wanted me to play for Chiefs, but my mother was close to Mato [Madlala],” he added.
“Before mom passed away, she said everything you will do, here is your mom [pointing at Mato Madlala] who will tell you what to do in football. I told Mato I wanted to go to Chiefs and she said, ‘Okay you will go’.
Sangweni said a deal with Kaizer Chiefs was done but in a twist of events, he joined rivals Pirates.
“I signed with Chiefs in 2010 and told Mato: ‘I’ve signed with Chiefs and have to start on Tuesday’.
“Sis Mato then told me they want you at Pirates. I was confused how because I was done with Chiefs. She said forget about that, I’m your parent and everything will go well.
“Nsimbi” somehow ended up with Pirates despite Amakhosi pursuit
“After that, chairman [Irvin Khoza] phoned me and said, ‘Look, we have spoken with your mom. You belong at Pirates now’ and I eventually agreed. They booked me a flight for a meeting to discuss contracts in Johannesburg.
“And that was the end of the story, I ended up Indoda Emnyama, Once and Always,” he said.
Sangweni will enjoy dominance over Kaizer Chiefs during his five-year stay at Pirates.
