Twenty years ago to the day – on 1 December 2001 – Kaizer Chiefs secured the club’s first African continental title when they won the 2001 African Cup Winners Cup (also known as the Mandela Cup) against Angola’s Inter Clube Luanda. It was a special moment for the club, winning the trophy named after the iconic human rights activist and massive Amakhosi supporter, Nelson Mandela. After the first leg ended 1-1 in Angola, Patrick Mabedi converted a late penalty to give Chiefs a 1-0 win in the second leg and a 2-1 aggregate triumph. Three of the players who featured in that final at Ellis Park and who were an integral part of that campaign, Arthur Zwane, Stanton Fredericks and Nhlanhla Kubeka, this week shared their memories of that game with www.kaizerchiefs.com.

Arthur Zwane:

We knew both legs were going to be tough, because we played against a team with many internationals, who were doing very well. But we had a very close-knit group of players and we had young, hungry players, who wanted to succeed. And we also had older, experienced guys who could guide the team. A 1-1 draw in the first leg away favoured us. We prevented them from scoring in the second leg and our defence did tremendously well at Ellis Park. We had a solid team, with Cyril Nzama, captain Patrick Mabedi, Nhlanhla Kubeka, Marco Mthembu, as well as a strong midfield with Jabu Mahlangu (Pule). Our team was versatile with a lot of firepower. We brought it home for the country and for our late former State President Nelson Mandela. We were playing for our fans, as well as the management and the Chairman – who supported us throughout – and we did not let him down in our quest.

Zwane Fact:  “10111” featured in all ten of Chiefs matches in the 2001 CAF Cup Winners Cup tournament and scored the crucial away goal in a 1-1 draw in the second leg of the Quarterfinals against Ismailia of Egypt, which saw Chiefs advance to the semifinals on away goals as they eventually went on to lift the trophy.

Stanton Fredericks:

I remember the second leg of the final very well. I did not play very well in the first half and Muhsin Ertugral told me he was taking me off. We got to the change room I had taken my boots and shin pads off and then Gary Goldstone picked up an injury. The coach told me to go back out and I was reluctant to. One of the senior players, Brian Baloyi, spoke to me and told me to go and win us the game. Funny enough late in the match I sold their player, Kikas, a dummy and he brought me down in the penalty box and I won us a penalty, which Patrick Mabedi converted to win us the game. In the second half, I lifted my game and played to the potential the coach had wanted me to. I am glad I did. When they put the medal around my neck the weight of it – not the physical weight, but the feeling of winning a continental title was unbelievable. I was fortunate enough to win many titles with Chiefs, but that one was very special.

Fredericks Fact: ‘Stiga’ was signed by Chiefs ahead of the 2001-02 season and featured in the 2001-02 Cup Winners Cup from the Quarterfinals onwards. He played in six games and was a late addition to the Chiefs squad that campaign, only being registered in the second registration period.

Nhlanhla Kubeka:

It is unbelievable that it was so long ago. It’s as though I am living it now. It was a brilliant moment and highlight of my life. It was a prestigious achievement for us and for Kaizer Chiefs to have won the Cup Winners Cup, or Mandela Cup as it was known at the time. My personal journey at that time was a wonderful one. I was still young and we played every game by giving our best. At that time I developed mental strength. We had a lot of challenges along the way. From that competition, I developed as a football player and a human being. I was on top of my game and had a lot of confidence. I was on a mission that we should get into the final. I was looking forward to playing the final and winning the cup was the highlight of my achievements with Kaizer Chiefs. I am proud of myself and others who contributed positively to that journey.

Kubeka Fact: Kubeka played in five games for Chiefs in the 2001 CAF Cup Winners Cup competition,  missing the first leg of the final through suspension. He returned for the second leg, where he helped Chiefs keep a vital clean sheet in a 1-0 win against Inter Clube of Luanda. Kubeka, a graduate of the Chiefs academy, was 21 years old when Chiefs won the 2001 CAF Cup Winners Cup Final.