Memoirs with Peta Bala’c (1980-1985)
Memoirs with Peta Bala’c (1980-1985)

Posted in News on Apr 15, 2009.

Many regard the The Class of 1984, under the tutelage of Joe Frickleton as one of the best Kaizer Chiefs teams ever, as they made a clean sweep of all the available trophies that season during that season.



Kaizerchiefs.com tracked down former goalkeeper, Peta “No Mistake” Bala’c currently residing in England to talk about the Class of 84’.



“That was a great team,” said Peta. “I fondly remember the players that played in that team and of course all my teammates during my stay with Chiefs. I still follow Club news through Kaizerchiefs.com



“The 1984 team was full of characters and I believe that’s why we were so successful throughout the 80s, although Ace was the master, Teenage Dladla was my favourite,” recalled Bala’c.



“The likes of Marks Maponyane, Jingles Perreira, Ryder Mofokeng, Malombo Lechaba and Samora Khulu to name but a few were also great players. There was also Chippa Molatedi who joined us in 1984 from Soweto rivals, Moroka Swallows.



Chippa was the smallest player i think I ever played with but he had a lot of skill and was a tidy player. He fitted in very well and was very popular amongst the players. He was a very simple player did nothing to difficult, did not make a lot of mistakes and was very consistent,”



“No Mistake” said he only remembered losing once to archrivals, Orlando Pirates during his 5-year stay with Kaizer Chiefs.



“Of my five seasons with the Glamour Boys, I can only remember losing once or maybe twice to them. I was always at my best when we played Orlando Pirates. I have three major memories against Pirates; saving Jomo’s (Sono) penalty in a packed, Orlando Stadium. We ended up winning that game 2-1. I also repeated that feat in Ellis Park but Jomo was not the penalty taker that day…I do not recall who took the penalty but I saved it.”



“The biggest honour bestowed on me was to lift the Mainstay Cup in the final against Orlando Pirates in 1984. Our regular captain, Ryder Mofokeng could not play in the final as he got injured in the semi finals. The players asked me to captain the side on the day…I was honoured. My son has that photo on his mobile phone today.”



Peta revealed to kaizerchiefs.com that he only stopped playing last year at the age of 54, “I was fortunate in that I got very little injuries and kept myself in reasonably good shape. In hindsight - when I look back now, I feel I could have gone on to play for another five years for Chiefs. It is my greatest regret that I have not been able to play in the legends team.”



Peta, a staunch Liverpool fan is about to open a new Café Bistro Bar in Chester where he resides in England.



“In the past seven years I have also been involved with a friend in Event Management and Corporate Hospitality for major companies mostly which involves sporting events. I still keep in touch with Lucky Staliano who also played in that great team. Hopefully when I come back to the country I don that Kaizer Chiefs famous black and gold once more,” he added with a smile.



The Class of 1984:


Champions: Castle League, JPS Knock-out, Sales House and Mainstay Cup





Goalkeepers



Peta “No Mistake” Bala’c


Isaac Chirwa



Defenders



Johannes “Ryder” Mofokeng (Captain)


Nick “Yester” Sikwane


Wellington “Mnta kalahlwa” Manyathi


Garth Alledyce


Silvester City Kole


Jimmy “Brixton Tower” Joubert



Midfielders



Fetsi “Chippa” Molatedi


Patrick “Ace” Ntsoelengoe


Jan “Malombo” Lechaba


Trevor “KKK” Mthimkhulu


Aaron Nkosi


Nelson “Teenage” Dladla (Vice Captain)



Forwards



Shaka Ngcobo


Moran “Samora” Khulu


Zeblon “Sputla” Ntlapho



Technical Team



Joe Frickleton


Elkiam “Pro” Khumalo


Jackie “Asinamali” Masike

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