I grew up in Meadowlands, Soweto and I must admit I am emotional about Chiefs returning back to Orlando Stadium. I remember a song, “Fakani uWagga Wagga”, we used to sing this song every time at training and of course Wagga Wagga Lekoebe is a Kaizer Chiefs legend. I am reminded of my childhood hero, Teenage Dladla galloping in the touchline with his tongue always out of his mouth. Orlando Stadium reminds me of Shaka Ngcobo, “Sputla” Nhlapo, the late Ace Ntsoelengoe and all the legends that graced the Mecca of South African Football, Orlando Stadium.

There was always Love and Peace at the stadium with the multitudes of Kaizer Chiefs fans rallying behind the team. You would never see fans booing their players and I am sure that with our return to the stadium the fans are going to continue rallying positively behind the team. It was Kaizer Chiefs colourful brand of football that stole my heart and I fell in love with this brand. The supporters have always been key in the success of the Club.

I dreamed of playing alongside these guys (Teenage, Ace, Ryder Mofokeng and many others. I remember coming to Chiefs at the age of 16 and Ted Dimitru was a coach at that particular time. I was one of the best players then in Meadowlands as I tried to emulate everything that Teenage Dladla did on the field. The late Ace Ntsulengoe came to me, “I think you should come back at least when you 18”. I did not argue with Ace because Chiefs had quality players then.

It happened that when I was 18, I joined Jomo Cosmos and it took me 15 years to realize a dream of playing for this great Club. I met Kaizer Motaung whom I had respected growing up; I met my idol Teenage and later played alongside him in the Legends Team. I am grateful to have had an opportunity to play for this team. I am not taking anything away from Bafana Bafana team that won the African Cup of Nations under Clive Barker back in 1996, but playing for Chiefs was really special.

It is good that the team will be playing their home games at Orlando Stadium and I will be there on Saturday together with other legends to support the boys. I am not sure though the guys really know what it means to don the black and gold jersey and what it means to play at Orlando Stadium? The stadium has a special place in people’s memories, because of the brand of football that used to be dished out there week in week out, and the players that graced that particular stadium. It then becomes important that the players be taught history about where our football comes from.

I have always come down very hard on coaches who come from Europe because some of them disrespect what we have here at home. I must say I am very impressed with the way the team has been playing. One thing that is lacking in today’s game is character, and great personalities but I believe this team will go far if they are to play as a team and be consistent. Itumeleng Khune and Siphiwe Tshabalala have a huge responsibility to lift their teammates. They cannot afford to drop standards and a lot is expected from them because they play for the national team. Gerald Sibeko has done well during the preseason games and it is very important that he continues playing that way the same applies to Tinashe Nengomasha.

Linda Buthelezi