Few know that Mike Mangena joined Kaizer Chiefs back in 1978 before having a more successful stint with the Glamour Boys in the late 80s calling it a day in 1990. He takes time to speak about his time at Chiefs and his longtime friendship with another former Chiefs striker, Marks Maponyane.

My transfer…

I joined Kaizer Chiefs back in 1978 after graduating from the reserve side. It is thanks to Bra Sam Motaung who spotted me playing in the dust streets of Soweto. I had a short stint as Chiefs loaned me out to Wits University in 1980.

Chiefs wanted me back in 1983 but I was fine at Wits. I had acclimatized as a black player in a white team. Again before joining Bush Bucks where I became the top Goalscorer in 1985 I nearly joined Chiefs.

In 1986 I had agreed to rejoin Chiefs but Sundowns’s Zola Mahobe gave me an offer I could not refuse and then I agreed to join Sundowns.

From Sundowns I went to Swallows before rejoining the Glamour Boys in 1988. I was much more established as a player and had good time. I played with the likes of Teenage, Ace Ntsoelengoe the guys I played with in my first stint and there were new guys like Doctor Khumalo, Ace Khuse.

I went on full circle as a I retired at Kaizer Chiefs in 1990.

My debut…

It was against Lusitano at Orlando Stadium back in 1978. I remember wearing the no. 6 jersey. That was the best Kaizer Chiefs team ever; Banks Sethlodi, Ryder Mofokeng, Malombo Lechaba, Wagga Wagga Lekoebe, Teenage Dladla, City Kole and many others. We used to instill fear to any side we coming up against with and we always wanted to win each and every game.

My first goal…

I do not remember my first goal for Kaizer Chiefs but I scored plenty (Laughing)

My best goal…

I scored couple of great goals in the gold and black. I remember scoring a diving header against Jomo Cosmos in a cup game back in 1988, a great header again against Bloemfontein Celtic and another header in the Bob Save Final against Orlando Pirates in 1988.

Unfortunately my best goal ever was against my former team, Kaizer Chiefs in 1983 when I scored a rocket against Peter B’allack. It was a Datsun Cup final and we lost the game 2-1.

Toughest Opponent…

There were number of guys who were tough on those days, Mark Lambert even Gavin Hunt. Gavin was a tough guy to play against.

My best buddy…

Marks Maponyane! He was a great striker on his day. Off the field, he was very humble and one of a kind. We still quite close as colleagues today at SABC.

My nickname…

‘Sporo’! Kaizer Chiefs fans gave me the nickname back in 1978. I saw it in the newspapers just after making my debut. I remember the likes to Ryder (Mofokeng) used to tease me every time about the name and I used to hate it but it got stuck. Even today I am still called ‘Sporo’!

The team I wanted to beat most…

All the team! I cannot single out any team at Chiefs we wanted to win all the time.

My best Coach…

Jeff Butler for sure! When I rejoined Chiefs he converted me from a striker to the midfield. He realised that I could do the business for him in the middle of the park like winning balls. I was still able to snatch few goals for the team. I really enjoyed playing under him.