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GRAFTER: Former Bafana and Bucs star Thabo Mngomeni

 
FACT FILE

Names: Thabo

Surnames: Mngomeni

Nickname: Sangoma

Place of birth: Langa, Cape Town

Current residence: Eerste Rivier, Cape Town

Date of birth: June 24 1969

Age: 43

Marital status: Married

Children: Five daughters (the oldest is 18 and youngest 9)

Previous clubs: Bafana, Umtata City, Tembu Royals (all amateurs), Cape Town Spurs, D'Alberton Callies, Manning Rangers, Bush Bucks, Orlando Pirates and Hellenic

Bafana Bafana caps: 38

First car: Toyota Corolla Sprinter

Current car: Citi Golf and Venture

Favourite local clubs: Pirates and Chippa United

Favourite overseas club: Barcelona

Favourite local player: Thando Mngomeni (younger brother)

Favourite overseas player: Lionel Messi
 

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The stylish former Orlando Pirates linkman is still a proud Rastafarian and still wears dreadlocks.

An ankle injury put paid to his glorious career in 2003, but the 43-year-old who is based in Cape Town is itching to return to the beautiful game.

Mngomeni, who was revered for his bicycle kicks and high work rate as a player, is going through a difficult patch because of unemployment.

How do you survive?

It's difficult but I'm fortunate my wife is by my side. She has stuck with me even after my playing days and I'm grateful for that. My wife works as a clerk and she provides for us. We have five daughters.

What are you doing to get your life back on track?

I've just completed a Safa Level 2 coaching course and I'm eager to continue learning as I want to became a successful coach with one of the top PSL clubs in future. I sometimes get some coaching jobs at local Vodacom League clubs here in Cape Town and this helps me to provide for the family.

Who gave you your break in professional football?

Sergio do Santos when he signed me at Cape Town Spurs back in 1992. He recruited me from Tembu Royals (an amateur side from Eastern Cape) after I impressed him when we played against Spurs in a tournament in Cape Town.

What was your stay at Spurs like?

I was a bit nervous when I arrived because I was the only Xhosa-speaking player and there was a bit of a language barrier. But they made me feel at home. I left them after a season, after the arrival of new coach Mich d'Avray. That man hated me with a passion and didn't know why.

What happened?

Like I said, I don't know. He treated me shabbily and he thought he was destroying me but in fact he motivated me. I was earning R500 per month and I remember him telling me that there was a player who was earning R2500 per month and that I would remain on R500 as long as he was in charge.

So you left them?

Yeah, I went to D'Alberton Callies on a loan spell and left after saving them from relegation to join Manning Rangers on another loan deal in 1994. I was then recruited by Sturu Pasiya at Umtata Bush Bucks at the end of 1994. I stayed with Bush Bucks until 1999 and I had a wonderful time at the team. I built a profile for myself and it was not surprising when Orlando Pirates started to show interest in me.

What were the challenges at Pirates?

I joined them in 1999 and I was happy with the way things turned out. I was aware that it would not be easy to break into the first team as they had quality midfielders like John Moeti, Dumisa Ngobe, Jabu Mnguni and Steve Lekoelea. But that inspired me to redouble my efforts and prove my ability and I ended up being a regular.

When did you leave Pirates?

In 2001-02 season, and I joined Hellenic the following season but I didn't last long after an ankle injury ended my career.

Have you ever tested positive for dagga?

No. The doping test was introduced while I was at Bush Bucks and the club officials, who were aware that I smoke dagga, advised me to stop to save my career. I started smoking only in the off-season.

Comments

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Wed May 22 07:29:09 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 19, 2012

TrippleXXX

All the best
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Jul 19, 2012

Mygirl

ONCE A PIRATE ALWAYS A PIRATE.... THABO

THOSE WERE THE DAYS.....John Moeti, Dumisa Ngobe, Jabu Mnguni , Steve Lekoelea bo Papi Kgomane yesssssses ke tse ntshoooooooooooooooo


UP THE BUCS THEY SHALL REMAIN..!!!!
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Jul 19, 2012

minezolo

I as much i was not an Orlando Pirates but you were my favourite player.Please continue with those coaching course. Wish you all the best ke bhuti. Keep the fire burning, One Love
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Jul 19, 2012

minezolo

Writing error I was saying In as much I was not an Orlando Pirates supporter. dankie
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Jul 19, 2012

guiliano

he scored a goal with a heel against spurs while playing for bushbucks and scored with a bicycle kick while playing for bafana in zambia. those were the days when soccer was interesting.
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Jul 19, 2012

KarlZimbiri

Thabo Mngomeni is very brave to admit that he smoked dagga,brave my man. A few weeks ago all Gerlad Raphahlele could say was that "I wanted to smoke and Sam Pam was taking long to pray, after he finished he took out his cigarette and I felt free to smoke".

Hope Chippa United gives this soldier a job, even just to be a kit manager.
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Jul 19, 2012

Papage

Pirates must give him a job, they under paid him during his playing time and they won games and glory by him, they must employ him
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Jul 19, 2012

BRA-MAFUTHA

All the best Jahmaan
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Jul 19, 2012

t-naslerethe

Jahnman ,i knew all along that u and dagga r close buddies,Most PSL player never went to school.eg,S'thembiso Ngcobo,Andile Jali,Punch"3points "Masenamela,the list endless,u only play for only 10 years and dis guys must invest in property
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Jul 19, 2012

GORRILAH

Eish Jahman I feel for you Bra. I mean 5 kids and you dont have a job just a name that u were once a proffessional soccer player eish I feel for you Bra. I know how difficult it is to have to explain to your Wife and Kids why they are starving eish I feel for u Bra. Speak to Khoza maybe he will do something for you. If there is one player I will never pity for is Jabu Pule aka Mahlangu I mean He drunk his money so he must not come to Sowetan and complain. Good job from Mcelwa Nchabeleng and Sowetan keep it up Bra.
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