Ivory Coast’s Didier Zokora… Does the name ring a bell? He’s is one of the best defensive midfielders that Africa ever produced and exported to the big leagues in Europe. Zokora played for clubs like France’s AS Saint-Étienne, England’s Tottenham Hotspur and Spain’s Sevilla. He originates from Asec Mimosas’ famous youth academy.

Zokora came to visit Sula Matovu at the hotel where the Kaizer Chiefs squad presently stays in Abidjan. The Ivoirian’s girlfriend is an acquaintance of the Amakhosi winger.

“I know Kaizer Chiefs because we played them back in the days for the Vodacom Challenge,” Zokora looks back. Amakhosi beat Asec 2-1 to finish third in the first Vodacom Challenge pre-season tournament back in 1999.

“I was only nineteen at the time,” remembers Zokora. “I was amazed by Doctor Khumalo’s ball skills. He was performing all those fabulous tricks. I was in awe.” Khumalo, as Chiefs’ assistant coach, is also in Abidjan.

“I am on a break after having played in the 2015 Indian Super League,” says Zokora, before adding. “I honestly know only two South African teams and those are Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.”

Zokora is a graduate from Asec Mimosas’ academy. Others include, for example, the brothers Kalou (Bonaventure and Salomon), the brothers Touré (Yaya and Kolo) and Siaka Tiéné, who played from 2003 to 2005 for Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Ivoirian midfielder confirmed that he will be in attendance at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny when Asec and Chiefs play their second game of the CAF Champions League’s round on Sunday (kick-off is at 17:30, South African time).