'Steve Komphela is a huge fan of Rick Ross'
by Sipho Mlotha · KickOffIn this edition of Locker Room Secrets, KickOff speaks to Tshepo Motsoeneng who has experienced the South African dressing room both as a goalkeeper for clubs like SuperSport United and AmaZulu FC, and now a coach in the ABC Motsepe League.
Who controlled the music during your playing days at clubs like Santos or Free State Stars, and SuperSport United?
At SuperSport United we had Calvin Kadi and Katlego Mphela who played some music. At Santos we had Bongi Macala the Nigga. Funny enough, at Free State Stars it was our coach Steve Komphela [laughs], that man loved Rick Ross, and also our teammate Paulos Masehe who loved Lil Wayne.
Looking back at your PSL locker rooms, who was the sharpest dresser in the team?
At AmaZulu the best dressed was Shoes Moshoeu. Most of of us we were still struggling and knew nothing about fashion at the time, we were wearing Truworths and stuff.
Who were the funniest guys in the dressing room?
At SuperSport we had Ricardo Katza taking out his false teeth. At Santos we had 'Appels' [Erwin Isaacs] doing the same. At Chippa Veli Mothwa was another character, I can't believe he is a goalkeeper coach now [laughs]. Then we had Mbuyiselo Sambu who had this funny laugh. He laughed like an old man.
The "Mr. Slow" Award. Which teammate always took forever in front of the mirror or was constantly late to the team bus?
At SuperSport it was "Pa" Gaxa, "Yuki" Masina, and Calvin Kadi. Those guys they were always on point. They took care of their skin, smelled nice, and they were always on point.
What is the most bizarre pre-match ritual you have ever witnessed inside a changing room?
It was my second game for AmaZulu, it was against SuperSport United in Atteridgeville. Our teammate from DRC Tshimanga brought in this muti man from Congo. Hey, I've never been so traumatized in my life. This muti man took out a used piece of toilet paper and said to us, 'Do you see this tissue? The red stuff you see it's a blood from a woman's menstruation. You touch this tissue nothing will happen to you guys'. SuperSport United beat us 2-0. Seeing legends like Shoes Moshoeu touching that tissue, so who am I to say No?
You played under strict, legendary coaches like Gavin Hunt, Pitso Mosimane, and Clive Barker. Who delivered the most terrifying halftime "hairdryer" speech you ever witnessed?
Steve Komphela he used to play with words, so if you were not learned you we were in trouble. He used to be so hard on Luyolo Nomandela and I would end up jumping in. And Gavin Hunt was another one. If you were not a good player he would tell you straight.
What goes on behind closed doors in those lower-division dressing rooms that PSL fans would never believe
Sometimes you go to a game, and you are told by a fan that you would never come out. That things are not gonna go your way you will learn as soon as the match officials start doing the inspection, they will point out so many flaws in your team.
The loudest snorer on away trips?
Mbuyiselo Sambu and Moeketsi Mvula. And at AmaZulu we had a guy from Guinea who snored like a chainsaw.
The teammate who hated losing at cards or PlayStation the most?
Definitely Romano Scott. He was a fierce competitor. He would fight, I mean physical fight if he lost.
The toughest striker you ever had to face in training?
The two that stands out is Katlego Mashego and Katlego Mphela.
The player who always forgot his toiletries and borrowed everyone else's?
Phikolethu Spelman. That boy it was hard to tell if he owned roll-ons and stuff or not. He would always ask for toothpaste and so on. At SuperSport United it was Denis Onyango.