Vusi Lamola for his football brain, quick thinking is up there with the best midfielders ever to grace South African football. He spoke to kaizerchiefs.com about the fond memories wearing the no. 8 jersey thrilling fans where ever the Club played.

Before the interview, ‘Bra Vusi’ as many affectionately call him in Soweto today admitted to be ‘busy’ but said; “blessed are those flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape”.

My transfer...

I was playing for Orlando Preston Brothers when the late Ewert Nene recruited me to join Kaizer Chiefs in 1971. I could have joined Orlando Pirates but maybe they did not see what the late Ewert Nene saw in me (laughing).

My debut...

I do not remember my debut for the Club as I used to come mostly as a sub when I joined.

My most memorable Soweto derby...

It is has to be the Life Cup final against Orlando Pirates in 1973. I replaced the late Ace Ntsoelengoe after only ten minutes. It was time for me to show that I do not belong to the bench and I had a game of my life and we came back forcing the game to extra time after trailing 2-0. We scored five goals in the extra time beating Orlando Pirates 7-3. The fans cornered the Coach after the game, “why is this player coming on as a sub?” I never looked back from that game onwards.

My most memorable goal...

The goal against Highlands Park in the Mainstay Cup final in 1978 will forever remain engraved in my heart. The situation demanded that I lob the ball instead of going for power. It was a dodgy attempt; there was more intelligence than power.

The Club I wanted to beat most...

Lusitano! Joe Frickleton their Coach then once made a statement, “if a white team lose to a black team I will walk naked”. I felt insulted by that. I remember telling my teammates that when we meet Lusitano I want to contribute to their downfall and I am glad that we beat them. We fought apartheid on the field of play while others were of course in the forest and in churches.

My favourite Coach...

The late Zero ‘My Hero’ Johnson! He liked to see players expressing themselves. We worked more with the ball during his tenure as compared to running aimlessly.

My best buddy...

My best buddy was Jackie ‘Asinamali’ Masike maybe it was because of the looks (laughing). I think good friendship is based on common grounds and we were close beyond football.

My jersey no...

I am the spiritual owner of the jersey no. 8 at Chiefs. I think I was given the number because of the position I was playing.

My nickname...

I had three nicknames; I was called ‘Maria Maria’ after a player by the name of Albert Johnson who used to play for Germiston City. We went to play in Rustenburg and the fans struggled with the pronunciation, ‘Hurry-Hurry’ of which Albert was affectionately called. They ended up calling me ‘Maria-Maria’.

I was also called Computer; this nickname came from the fans at Orlando Stadium. They said I was thinking fast.

The one I liked the most is the ‘General’; I think this nickname had something on it – an element of authority. This is my own interpretation!

My favourite stadium...

I have fond memories playing at Orlando Stadium, the Mecca of South African Football. The fans called it ‘Isigodi sikaMaminzela’.