Posted in News on Aug 13, 2010.
Kaizerchiefs.com: Congratulations once more on getting to the Guinness Book of records. How did it feel?
Thulani Ngcobo: I am very happy; words can’t describe how I feel. I remember when it was announced in last year’s MTN8 final here at Orlando Stadium that I had won…it was like a dream. To have been able to watch 38 games live at a World Cup hosted on my home soil for the first time ever is something that I will never ever forget.
I remember doing some planning before the tournament and I had concluded that I will at least watch 10 games…the thought of watching 38 games never crossed my mind. I am grateful to MTN for this!
Lets take you back to last year’s competition…did you attend games having one eye on the ultimate prize to watch the 38 games live?
Thulani Ngcobo: I did not do anything special, I have always attended all the Club games and I continued like that throughout the tournament last season. I was then short listed for the prize together with the other 8 supporters and got the highest marks.
What was the funniest moment for you during the World Cup?
Thulani Ngcobo: Watching all these guys from overseas trying to blow the vuvuzela without air pressure…it was funny.
What were the lessons you learnt as a supporter during the tournament?
Thulani Ngcobo: I got to love the Mexican fans. They just do not give up on their team…when we were leading them in the opening game they never stoppped encouraging their players. They believe in their players and spurred them on. This was one of the things that I took out of this experience. Fans have to realise that they need to support their team even more when the chips are down.
What moment would you regard as a highlight during the tournament?
Thulani Ngcobo: It has to be at Loftus on the 25th of June…(taking a pause)
What happened?
Thulani Ngcobo: I was flown to Loftus from Nelspruit where Ivory Coast was playing against Korea. It was the first time for me to ride on a helicopter. This is where I was honoured to have broken an existing record of a fan that watched 20 live games during the world cup…I was on 21. It was a proudest moment for me as I was presented with a certificate for making a new record.
It sounds like you also got a VIP treatment during the World Cup…
Thulani Ngcobo: I was flown everywhere, slept at hotels…watched games in nine cities, given category A tickets. It was indeed a treatment given to few (laughing)…
There was still a surprise awaiting for you…
Thulani Ngcobo: (cutting in) Yes, I was at work (Department of Rural and Land Reform) and when I came back home from work there were many people. I was surprised because I did not know what was happening. It was then that MTN gave me a new Polo, R50 000 worth of education plan for my son, Thabang (3). They are also building a big house for me…they first wanted to renovate the existing one but after looking at the security and other issues they decided to build a new house for me. I don’t know where but I told them as long as it is around Gauteng. I was left speechless.
You grew up a Kaizer Chiefs fan through and through…
Thulani Ngcobo: I might have been 8 years when I fell in love with the Club. I was staying at my uncle’s place and he was forever happy because the Glamour Boys were lifting cups non-stop. There were also Orlando Pirates supporters in the house…but Chiefs were machine; Teenage Dladla, Scara Thindwa, Shane McGregor, Fani Madida, the list goes on these guys were unbelievable.
I then started attending games…in the past couple of seasons I have not missed any game. I also wanted to watch the Club in Namibia recently but had problems with my passport.
Kaizer Chiefs has been drawn with Celtic in the first round of MTN8. What are your expectations in the team this season?
Thulani Ngcobo: Firstly I must say it was good going back to Soccer City last weekend and winning the Telkom Charity Cup. I did an interview just before the tournament and I was confident that we were going to win. This is our year of celebration as the Club is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Celtic will not be a pushover but it would be nice to reclaim MTN8 that we won in 2008. It would also be nice to defend the Telkom Knockout before the end of the year.
I am saying this mindful that we have new players in the team who will take time to gel with the rest. It is going to take time and I would like to urge the supporters to be more patient. We need to go out and support the Coach and the Team in its endeavours.
