Kaizer Chiefs made history this Vodacom Challenge by inviting Kick-Off reporter Luthando Zibeko, also familiarly known as Trompies by those close to him, into their camp. Trompies was invited to do a behind the scenes exclusive on the Amakhosi while they traveled for the Vodacom Challenge to Durban as a part of the Senior Team.

Pre-season camp is known to be quite exclusive and can be described as a time for the Team to take part in team building exercises, to bond with eachother and ready themselves for the new season. Trompies was able to experience the Team’s rigorous exercise routine under the Head Coach, Muhsin Ertugral, Assistant Coach, Fani Madida and Goalkeeper Coach, Rainer Dinkerlacker who welcomed him into the training session on the 20th July.

Trompies was fortunate to train directly under Coach Dinkerlacker as he assumed his position in the goals. The Kick-Off reporter was introduced to the Team by Marketing Manager, Jessica Motaung who alarmed the Glamour Boys by announcing that the Head Coach was about to unveil a new signing. With the intrigue and a sense of comradeship the Senior Team players took to Trompies and quickly made him a part of the team by welcoming him into the fold as a Kaizer Chiefs player as he shed his reporter status and readied himself to don the famous ‘Gold and Black’ of the Mighty Amakhosi.

The Glamour Boys shared in the experience with Trompies as he not only trained with the Senior Team, but spent the day with them on the bus, shared meals with the players and got the true sense of the words ‘fly on the wall’ as he experienced the Love and Peace of his teammates who welcomed him into the Amakhosi Family. He also participated in the social responsibility programme and experienced the role of giving back as a player.

He was not spared as he was treated like any player and was expected to keep up with the training requirements placed on him. This was indeed a first as no reporter has been allowed into this very special pre-season camp, a coveted experience for any fan, supporters of love and peace and member of the media who are all keen to know what it means to be in camp with the Amakhosi.

Trompies did make an early exit from the training session as it proved to be quite difficult for him to keep up with the fit and agile players. He was able to showcase his goalkeeping skills though, as he chose the goals as his haven and worked well under his mentor Coach Dinkerlacker. Trompies then rested and recovered from the aches and pains of training with the Glamour Boys as he sat and watched from the sidelines, relishing from his inclusion into the squad. He was, despite the tough session, smiling from ear to ear as he knew he was a part of something special.

The ‘new signing’ left feeling like a true Khosi 4 Life, he thanked Jessica Motaung and Team Manager, Bobby Motaung for allowing him into the team where he learned what it is to take on the Kaizer Chiefs brand. With true Love and Peace, he hung his boots up and departed, taking with him the Kaizer Chiefs experience, an unforgettable one indeed!

For more information and an in-depth look at Trompies’ experience with the Amakhosi, please look out for the next Kick-Off issue with the exclusive feature, coming out on Monday 30th July.

Love and Peace!