Johannes ‘Chippa’ Molatedi was a kingpin in the Kaizer Chiefs team that won all the trophies back in 1984 having joined the team in a record breaking fee from Swallows.

He spoke to kaizerchiefs.com ahead of the Soweto derby on Saturday; “I loved playing against Orlando Pirates and I can’t wait to see what is in store for us at Soccer City Complex,” he says.

In this interview, Chippa Molatedi spoke about his friendship with another Chiefs great, Trevor ‘KKK’ Mthimkhulu; “We shared a lot both and off the field”.

My transfer….

Kaizer Chiefs first made contact with me back in 1982 when I was still with Moroka Swallows. Bra Sam Motaung came to my house and spoke to me about joining the Club. I was excited when it finally happened in 1984.

I am forever grateful to Executive Chairman, Kaizer Motaung for the confidence he showed in me. He paid a record fee (reportedly R45 000 00). I could not wait to don the gold and black immediately after signing my contract. The contract with Chiefs was the first contract I had ever signed as I played at Swallows without a contract. It is the professionalism at Chiefs that make the Club shoulders above the rest.

I was not under pressure to perform because of the transfer fee that Kaizer Chiefs paid. I always wanted to do my best and when I was a player I always wanted to perform to the best of my ability. Even today I put myself to look good in everything that I do.

I sometimes think about what a player like Ronaldo goes through at Real Madrid; money when you are on the pitch is secondary as you want to do the best. I never thought about this when I enter the pitch and I am sure it is the same to someone like Ronaldo.

My jersey number…

(Laughing) Then Team Manager, the late ‘Pro’ Khumalo made me to choose between two numbers; no. 10 and no. 6, I went for jersey no. 6 because I was born on the 6th. I went on to wear the jersey for the next decade.

My nickname…

My original nickname is ‘Mastermind’. I got it while I was playing amateur soccer for Phiri Eleven. The nickname that became famous is ‘Chippa’ but to be honest this nickname belonged to my younger brother Daniel who was also a footballer.

I was nicknamed ‘Chippa’ after I went to one of the trainings at Swallows wearing his track top and the senior players just saw the nickname and called me ‘Chippa’.

The fans also called me ‘Telephone Exchange’, I am still not sure why but I did appreciate to get such acknowledgment from the fans.

My debut…

It was against Highlands Park at Orlando Stadium in 1984. I was nervous but excited about making my debut for Kaizer Chiefs. I must admit I did not have a good game and I do not remember a lot about my debut.

I do remember though that competition for places at Kaizer Chiefs was very high. The likes of Wellington Manyathi, Teenage Dladla, Ace Ntsoelengoe when he is back from US, Trevor Mthimkhulu all vying for spot in the midfield. I came on as a substitute.

My first goal…

I scored my first goal in the gold and black against Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium in the semifinals of JPS. I came in as a sub and Orlando Pirates was leading 3-2, I scored an equaliser forcing the game to replay at Ellis Park. The replay was played at Ellis Park and I scored the first goal as we beat Orlando Pirates 3-1. Marks Maponyane and Teenage Dladla scored the other goals and we went on to win the JPS…in fact that season, 1984 we won every cup on offer!

My favourite derby…

Without a doubt, the Soweto derby Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates. I enjoyed playing against Orlando Pirates. I remember the derby in 1984 when we beat them 1-0 in the Mainstay Cup final at Ellis Park. I played my best football that day.

I remember the team; we had Peter B’alack in goals, on the right we had Ryder Mofokeng, left back we had Nick Sikwane, centre backs we had Jimmy Joubert and Mawethu ‘City’ Kole, in the midfield it was myself, Trevor (Mthimkhulu), Malombo Lechaba, Teenage Dladla and upfront we had Samora Khulu and Marks Maponyane.

Orlando Pirates had good players; Patson Banda in goals, the likes the late Nick ‘Bazooka’ Seshweni, Eric ‘Chippa’ Chauke, Botsotso Makhanya and the young Ace Khuse. We were always fired up for the derby. The belief in the team was high and we were very consistent.

My toughest opponent…

I respected all my opponents; that was my approach and never complacent. I enjoyed playing against the likes of Ace Ntuli then with AmaZulu, Witbank Aces had Harris Cheou and of course Orlando Pirates had the late Nick ‘Bazooka’ Seshweni, I enjoyed playing against these guys.

My favourite Coach…

Coaches are different. I would say Ted Dimitri and Joe Frickleton are the best coaches as they were able to bring out the best in me. Joe in particular gave me a chance a Chiefs when I joined in 1984 and I will forever be grateful to him.

My friend…

When I joined Kaizer Chiefs I knew couple of guys like Trevor Mthimkhulu and Wellington Manyathi. We competed against each other at school. At that time school soccer was the thing. I became very close to Trevor Mthimkhulu even today he is still my friend. We formed a telepathic partnership on the field and of course off the field too! (Laughing). I remember during camps there were two beds but myself and Trevor would share one bed. We were called ‘Terrible Twins’.

My highlight at Kaizer Chiefs…

The highlight for me was signing my contract with Kaizer Chiefs at Royal Achade and they have Edgars store there now. I always think about that when I drive past the place. I remember that day as if it were yesterday, sitting there with the Executive Chairman, Kaizer Motaung. It was such an honour to play for such a great Club.