CHRIS Mazibuko started his football career with Moroka Swallows, having been recommended by Birds' legend Joel "Ace" Mnini.

He went on to play for Durban Bush Bucks before signing for Orlando Pirates.

Last week we chatted with "Last Born", as Mazibuko was known.

Tell us how it all started?

I started my football at an amateur club Newport FC in Meadowlands, Soweto. I played in different positions at Newport, including manning the posts. I played with people who were far older than me, but I was not bothered as I enjoyed playing. I later joined Mayfair United.

How did you join Moroka Swallows?

I played with Ace (Mnini) at school in Zola and he was impressed with my play and he recommended me to the coach and management. I joined them in 1977.

Who were some of the players you found at the club?

I joined a star-studded team that included Mnini, Alfred "KK" Lentsoane, Daniel "Vader" Mophosho, Andries Maseko, (Frederick) Congo Malebane, James Mabena, Moses "Skep" Khanyeza, John "Special" Makhubo and Lovemore Mabaso. It was a great feeling to join a team with such great players and I learnt a lot from them. Vader was like a brother to me. He took me under his wing. The players gave me the nickname "Last born" because I was treated like a last- born child in the Birds family.

Tell us about your first Soweto derby.

It was against (Kaizer) Chiefs at Orlando Stadium and I scored a beautiful goal. Joseph Banks Setlhodi, the Chiefs goalkeeper still talks about that goal to this day.

How were the Soweto derbies at that time?

They were very much interesting because football was of a high standard. People would even come to your house and talk to you about the match days before the game. So as a player, I felt the pressure from home.

What were some of your highlights at Swallows?

Winning the BP Top 8. Playing with that great bunch of players was also special.

Which game would you say was your best for Swallows?

It was against Benoni United and one of their players, Veli Mzimela, gave me a torrid time, kicking me. But I managed to sell him a dummy and set up Vader to score.

And your worst game for Swallows?

It was the 5-all draw against Chiefs. I was not supposed to be in the starting line-up but the coach picked me to start after we learnt that Vader was involved a minor car accident. But they took me off 20 minutes when Vader arrived. It was embarrassing.

How did you join Bush Bucks?

I was recommended by my former teammate Finkie Sekete, who left to join Bush Bucks.

Can you tell us about your time there?

It was good and I was close to Finkie after our time at Swallows and also Vusi Silango. I enjoyed my football there. We had Mlungisi "Professor" Ngubane, what a great player!

You then went to Pirates.

Yes. Pirates had very good players like (Ernest) "Botsotso" Makhanya, Tebogo Moloi, Nick "Bazooka" Seshweni and Mandla "Metroblitz" Sithole.

I had a good time there also, but money was a problem. We used to get paid per game, but we would go for days without being paid. That was before Irvin (Khoza) came on board.

What are you doing for a living these days?

I run a small construction company. I also coach young players in Meadowlands.