SEDIBENG.- The discussion was part of Nedbank Reality Football, a series of tell-all conversations delving into the lives, defining moments and money choices of some of South Africa’s greatest footballers.

Khumalo kicked off with the topic of him almost joining Orlando Pirates: “They came to a tournament during the December holidays, and we were just visiting and the Pirates officials were there. They had just recruited [me], and Bobby [Motaung] went straight to his dad and said ‘No, they want to steal the boy [me]’ and I was taken to the Kaizer Chiefs office and then I signed a contract. By the time Pirates came, it was too late. My dad signed for me as I was still a minor.”

Speaking on what it meant to put on the retired and iconic jersey number 15 for Kaizer Chiefs, he said,”coming from the development side, they [the club] indicated in terms of the badge, what it means to play for the club and what it means to have 80 000 [fans] in the stands, Kaizer Chiefs was like a university.”

Khumalo went on to explain that when he started playing, it was not for money, emphasising that the money and sponsorships we see today weren’t around yet.

“My first salary was R8 000, I was still in high school. I thought my life was going to change. I was waiting for the first cheque; I woke up and was told we are going somewhere. We went to a bank in Dube and my father had to sign for me, although it was my [bank] account. Overall, out of a 100, it was not all about money; 99% was passion, we really wanted to be there.”