'I scored my first goal and own game in the same match'
by Sipho Mlotha · KickOffIn this edition of My First, University of the Free State head coach Mokete Tsotetsi takes KickOff readers through his successful football journey.
Tsotetsi made a name for himself playing as a centre-back for well-known clubs like Kaizer Chiefs and Jomo Cosmos.
First ever team you played for:
It was Blackpool from Boipatong. I was like 12 years old, and I played goalkeeper. I was put in goal just because I was the tallest and our goalkeeper was absent.
First SoccerBoots:
Puma Jomo Sono King. My mother bought them for me when I was just 13 years old. I was still playing for the same team, but now I was a defender. At that time, only big and moneyed players wore that boot. You wanted to do well playing in that boot.
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First Professional Club:
FC Sporting in the National First Division.
First Cellphone:
Ericsson. The model had a lid near its microphone. I bought the phone while playing for Sporting. It cost me R800. Everyone in the team called me 'cheese'.
First PSL Match:
I was at Jomo Cosmos, and we played against Silver Stars. That was in 2004. It was the best game ever; I remember we were in a tournament in Saudi Arabia. The match against Stars ended with a 0-0 draw. And at that time, Dingane Masanabo was a top striker in the country. But I managed to stop him.
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First PSL Goal:
I was now playing for Kaizer Chiefs, and I scored my first goal and my first own goal in that same match against Santos. At the end of that match, I was both a hero and a villain.
First Red Card:
I was still at Cosmos; you know, there we were encouraged to solve a problem quickly. Bengidla umuntu straight ke lapho, I was given two yellow cards. I still remember my walk of shame to the dressing rooms. It felt like I failed my team.
First Car:
Golf 3 TSi, I paid R80 0000 for it. I bought it in 2005.