Posted in Features, News on Oct 15, 2017.
We have asked five former Kaizer Chiefs players from five different decennia, starting with the foundation of the club on 7 January 1970 to now, to talk about their relationship with Chairman Kaizer Motaung for his 73rd birthday on Monday, 16 October 2017.
Cyril Nzama (2000s)
“The Chairman would regularly call me in his office when I was the Chiefs captain,” Cyril Nzama reflects on his time at Amakhosi ahead of Chairman Kaizer Motaung’s birthday on Monday. “He would ask what is going well and what should improve. He would always look at solutions to the various topics, listening carefully to my input, trying to find a solution to map the way forward.”
‘Skhokho’, as the former right-back is nicknamed, was briefly at Kaizer Chiefs in 1994, before being loaned out to Rabali Blackpool and Bush Bucks, which later on signed him for R80 000.
Nzama was invited to train with the Glamour Boys before his loan deals. “The Chairman wanted me to stay,” he looks back on that period, “but the coach at the time decided otherwise. Kaizer was immensely kind to me, explaining that it’s not easy to break into the first team at Chiefs.”
The right-back returned to Amakhosi in 2000, staying for eight seasons. The transfer amount had risen to R600 000, becoming herewith the most expensive transfer of a defender in the South African league.
Amakhosi were having a good run to win the league title for the 2003/2004 season. However, a few games before the end of the season, there was a huge set-back when SuperSport United demolished the side 3-0, which was Chiefs’ second loss in a row.
The Chairman came into the dressing afterwards and was a bit down, thinking that the league title was now out of reach. Nzama stood up, put his head on the block and told Motaung, “Mister Chairman, I promise that we will win the league title.” And that’s what happened.
“I would like to wish the Chairman many, many years to come,” Nzama says about Monday’s 73rd birthday. “The team should give him the best possible birthday present, by beating Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. Then he will be the happiest man.
“Akhule angakhokhobi andlondlobale!”
Cyril Nzama (2000s)
“The Chairman would regularly call me in his office when I was the Chiefs captain,” Cyril Nzama reflects on his time at Amakhosi ahead of Chairman Kaizer Motaung’s birthday on Monday. “He would ask what is going well and what should improve. He would always look at solutions to the various topics, listening carefully to my input, trying to find a solution to map the way forward.”
‘Skhokho’, as the former right-back is nicknamed, was briefly at Kaizer Chiefs in 1994, before being loaned out to Rabali Blackpool and Bush Bucks, which later on signed him for R80 000.
Nzama was invited to train with the Glamour Boys before his loan deals. “The Chairman wanted me to stay,” he looks back on that period, “but the coach at the time decided otherwise. Kaizer was immensely kind to me, explaining that it’s not easy to break into the first team at Chiefs.”
The right-back returned to Amakhosi in 2000, staying for eight seasons. The transfer amount had risen to R600 000, becoming herewith the most expensive transfer of a defender in the South African league.
Amakhosi were having a good run to win the league title for the 2003/2004 season. However, a few games before the end of the season, there was a huge set-back when SuperSport United demolished the side 3-0, which was Chiefs’ second loss in a row.
The Chairman came into the dressing afterwards and was a bit down, thinking that the league title was now out of reach. Nzama stood up, put his head on the block and told Motaung, “Mister Chairman, I promise that we will win the league title.” And that’s what happened.
“I would like to wish the Chairman many, many years to come,” Nzama says about Monday’s 73rd birthday. “The team should give him the best possible birthday present, by beating Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. Then he will be the happiest man.
“Akhule angakhokhobi andlondlobale!”
