SEBOKENG.- Sedibeng Ster Sports went down memory lane with one of the former soccer greats to have come from Vaal, Phiri “The End” Tsotetsi.
This former Orlando Pirates defender recalled how he joined Orlando Pirates from Moroka Swallows after spending only one year with “The Dube Birds”. Tsotetsi told Sedibeng Ster Sport that after their game against Orlando Pirates, he was approached by the club’s Chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, with a better offer.
He told Sedibeng Ster Sport that there was no way that he could have turned down the offer because at Swallows he was earning R 600 a month. Tsotetsi made a name for himself in South African football when Orlando Pirates became the first South African team to be crowned the CAF Champions League Champions in 1995.
This was the best Orlando Pirates team to date.
Tsotetsi said that this will remain the highlight of his football career, winning the CAF Champions League medal.
Tsotetsi started his football career as a striker but he was converted to a defender when he joined Swallows in 1993. He said that one of the defenders was injured and there were no defenders and the coach by then asked him to play at the back and since that day, he owned the position like his own.
He made headlines when he scored his first professional goal for Swallows against Mamelodi Sundowns beating Mike Anderson. Tsotetsi still recalls this goal like it was scored yesterday.
He said that he intended to cross the ball but the ball ended up in the net. His football career was cut short by an ankle injury when he was later playing for Amazulu.
“Like I said, winning the star with Pirates will remain the highlight of my football career and I’m proud to have been a part of that team. Of course, football history will never be written without mentioning my name and I’m proud of what I have achieved as a player.
” I’m happy because even today I’m still part of the club’s legends team and every time we play social games, we reflect back on the past especially being the first South African team to win the CAF Champions League,” said Tsotetsi.
Speaking about his amateur football career history, Tsotetsi said that he started his football career with the now-defunct Toronto FC, went to Rainbow Juventus, and then Bra Thoms Blackpool FC. Tsotetsi was spotted by one of the Moroka Swallows supporters, Dan Mthimkulu during a school tournament called Milk Cup.
He told Sedibeng Ster Sport that Mthimkulu took him to Moroka Swallows and they didn’t hesitate to sign this talented youngster from Sebokeng Zone 3. Tsotetsi ended by saying that if it wasn’t for school football he doesn’t think he could have played in the top flight football.
