The Glamour Boys had lost their first game in the Vodacom Challenge against Esperance and the pressure was on for the team to turn the tables and Jabu Pule was the man to do it for the team.

He took time to speak to kaizerchiefs.com about that memorable day and the events before he made his debut for the first team.

Jabu, thanks for taking your time to talk to us. This season Vodacom Challenge returns after taking a ‘break’ last season but all this started back in 1999. It was during this tournament that you launched your career and went on to become a household name at Kaizer Chiefs. What recollection do you have about the Challenge?

Jabu Mahlangu: (Keeps quiet for a while)… I am of course very emotional to talk about the Challenge. I do remember watching the guys losing the first game in Durban against Esperance. I was still with the reserve team and did not travel to Durban but I had been told by both the late Ace Ntsoelengoe and Farouk Khan that I will be joining the first team ahead of the game the next weekend.

It must have been a great moment for you to be called to train with the first team?

Jabu Mahlangu: Oh yes, it was such a great moment for me to rub shoulders with the Doctor Khumalo…I mean for a young boy like me it was a dream come true. The guys like Thabo (Mooki), Brain (Baloyi) and Thabang Lebese was all brilliant and they welcomed me with open arms.

I knew that it was now my time to shine. I had dreamt about playing at the highest level since growing up in Daveyton, while at school and of course having played for the Club Development team. I was on cloud 9!

The Coach was none other than Paul Dolezer…

Jabu Mahlangu: (jumping in with laughter) I remember Screamer Tshabalala had spoken to him a few weeks prior to me training with the team and he said in his voice, “This player good, good but no need”. However when I arrived at training with the first team he was very positive.

I remember on a Tuesday we played 11 vs. 11 and he put me on the first team. That was a big confidence booster for me. I like to believe I did well at training that week leading to the game.

One thing about me was confidence. Even if you ask my coaches from the Development, they will tell you that I was always high on confidence and this was important for me in the first team.

You were handed the legendary jersey no. 11 used by Teenage Dladla…

Jabu Mahlangu: I think it is all thanks to Kit Manager, Jackson Mokoena. I know people spoke about Teenage (Dladla). He was a legend, bit small and from East Rand…the same with Jabu, small player and from the East Rand. For me and Jackson it was more than that as I was born on the 11th. I was actually sharing a birthday with Jackson and he told me that I will be a great player for the Club.

It was of course a big number and I was happy to be given number 11. Zane who had been using the jersey the season before was also on his way out and the Club saw it fit that I use it. I am sure I did make Teenage proud when I finally used the jersey during my stay at Chiefs.

Then came July, 10 1999…

Jabu Mahlangu: I am emotional just thinking about the events of that afternoon. (Takes a pause)

Asec Mimosas was a big team with big players…

Jabu Mahlangu: (jumping in) and I was very small for these guys. I remember just before we lined up in the tunnel, I went to the toilet & then joined the guys….but just before we went out I again needed to relieve myself. I was very nervous. The stadium was packed to the rafters and I knew that this was the moment I had been waiting for…I only joined the guys on the pitch.

Fans on the stands were shouting, “Who is this player?” I was wearing no. 11 and the jersey was original printed MOOSA so they put a white plaster and wrote JABU with a black pen. I did not care about that - really!

All I wanted was to play and I remember Doctor (Khumalo) coming to me, “Boy all you need is one or two good touches when you get the ball. No pressure. We are all behind you,” said Doc. He was obviously experienced and had seen it all.

I did well with my first touch and with the second, I made a few tricks, jumping over the ball and a back heel. The whole stadium stood up and from that moment I never looked back. It was also on that day that I scored and it was a winner. I remember I came from the left and played one-two with Daniel Matsau and I was one-on- one with the goalkeeper. I rounded him before putting the ball in the empty net. I remember I cried after the game. The goal also handed Chiefs its first win in the Vodacom Challenge. What a moment!

My mother, who was equally emotional after the game, called me and she was also crying. I was shaking and could not believe I had just played for Kaizer Chiefs in front of such a big crowd and scored my first goal for such a big team.

It is a moment that remains engraved in my heart and I remain grateful to everyone in the team who supported me on that day.

Chiefs play Tottenham on Saturday at Peter Mokaba Stadium. What message do you have for the team and the younger players who will probably get an opportunity on the day?

Jabu Mahlangu: I would like to wish the team well during the tournament not only against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The team needs to forget about last season. The guys should go out and enjoy the game…have fun. That is very important for a player.

For the new players and the younger players in the team it is very important to take time to speak to senior players like Shabba (Siphiwe Tshabalala) and Tinashe (Nengomasha) who have been there. I know that sometimes new and younger players will think they know it all,but it is different in a Club like Chiefs where expectations are high. As a young player you do not lose anything for asking for advice.

This is your stage. Give it your best, do what you do best…but before that take a deep breath, in and out. It is also important that you be part of the team. Teamwork is very important in the modern game.

Lastly I would like to take this opportunity and wish the team all the best during the 2011/2012 season. The guys came very close last season. It is important to be consistent but also the guys have to believe that they are capable of winning everything…I believe in them and they are capable!