SPOTLIGHT ORLANDO’ PIRATES’ SANDILE MTHETHUWA

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH SANDILE MTHETHWA

BY HAPPY MASANGO

The issue of ‘development’ has been one of the most discussed topics in South African football in recent years with many identifying it as the sole reason our national team has become notorious for underperforming.

While it’s no secret the heydays of football in the country are long-gone, the question remains: how do we return the nation back to regularly competing on an international stage? Many believe the answer to the above question lies in successfully producing young talent while most importantly integrating them into senior football at a young age. We caught up with Orlando Pirates defender Sandile Mthethwa who’s currently out on loan at Chippa United regarding his journey through the South African footballing system. Mthethwa has come through the junior national team ranks featuring for the U20’s

I STARTED PLAYING AT THE AGE OF 8 BUT IT WAS ONLY AROUND 10 WHEN I REALISED FOOTBALL IS MY PASSION.

and U23’s while also donning the senior team jersey at the 2019 COSAFA Cup.

Q: When did your journey towards professional football start?

A: I started playing at the age of 8 but it was only around 10 when I realised football is my passion and decided I wanted to make it as a professional footballer one day. I began playing for my home town team Shooting Stars FC. I was then invited to join Thanda Royal Zulu but their academy didn’t go further at the time unfortunately, so I moved to an SAB League team called Flamengo. I then went for trials to the Kwa-Zulu Natal

academy where we played in the international E-Lan tournament and got scouted from there.

Q: How did you end up playing for the national youth teams?

A: I would like to thank coach Thabo Senong. I can safely say he’s the reason why I went from playing reserve football for the Orlando Pirates MDC team to getting a loan move to Richards Bay in the National First Division and now being loaned to Chippa United. I wasn’t playing for Pirates but he still gave me an opportunity to go to Zambia for the U20 AFCON - he had that trust in me and saw something in me which nobody else did at the time. I took the chance with both hands and never looked back.

Q: How have you adjusted to life out on loan in Port Elizabeth?

A: Pirates sent me on loan ye. When I got to Port Elizabeth it wasn’t too difficult to adjust. I’m the type of guy that gels easily with players so it wasn’t

that tough. I like to laugh and I’m playful so adjusting to new environments isn’t too hard either. What was on my mind was that “I’m here to learn and I’m here to gain experience”.

Q: What was it like working with coach Rhulani Mokwena at Chippa United?

A: I would say it’s very disappointing that he was here for such a short time. I’ve always wanted to be coached by him because he’s one of the best coaches around. You learn a lot from him a lot but he also wants to learn from the player. He’s the type of coach who likes his work and pushes you to be your best, in fact, to exceed your best!

Q: What are your long-term goals?

A: I want to play overseas. Not just overseas but playing for a big team in a big league. My dream is to play at the Emirates stadium. I love that stadium and I’m a big fan of Arsenal! I’d like to one day play in the UEFA Champions League and to be recognised as one of the top defenders in the world.

Q: You’ve been through the entire system, what needs to improve?

A: I think we need to give young upcoming players a chance to play in first teams from a young age. If you look at the international countries we play against, the players we face are playing first team football. Here in South Africa teams are afraid

to play young players. I think this is why we’ll still struggle when we play Asian, European and South American teams. If we can start throwing our young players into the deep end, our football will definitely improve in the long run.

Q: Your favourite player in South Africa and abroad?

A: My favourite player in South Africa? Hmmm yeah myself. I am my favourite player. Abroad it will be Virgil Van Dijk. He’s one of the best defenders in the world. He’s calm, strong and commanding.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: I’m a gamer. I like video playing games when I’m not playing football. Family time and chilling with friends as well. I also like travelling.

Q: Any advice for upcoming footballers?

A: If you want to be something in life, you have to believe in yourself, work hard and respect it. Football is a’ jealous’ sport! If you mix it with other things, you won’t make it. You have to choose what you want in life and remain consistent in it. Ù