JACKIE "Styles" Ledwaba was not the stylish soccer player his sobriquet suggests, but what an effective midfielder he was.

He lacked pace but his strength lay in his organisation and passing skill, which was alway greeted with unbridled admiration from the fans.

When Ledwaba came to Johannesburg he was an unknown player but he quickly endeared himself to The Ghost with commanding displays in the midfield of Orlando Pirates. He says his blood is still black and white - the colours of the Mighty Buccaneers.

We chatted to this unsung hero from Polokwane yesterday.

So your heart is still with Pirates?

I love this team wholeheartedly and they gave me the opportunity to play professional football.

Mamelodi Sundowns were after your services. How did you end up at Pirates?

I was approached by homeboy Harris Choeu, who was playing for Sundowns at the time. Harris was asked by the Pirates management to recruit me but he took me to Sundowns instead. It was in 1988. I trained with them for a week and Stanley "Screamer" Shabalala (then Sundowns coach) was impressed with me and he wanted me to join them. I played for Sundowns in a friendly against Jomo Cosmos and I impressed everybody. But at that time Pirates were breathing down my neck and I finally joined them. They were my childhood team and it was a dream come true for me to play for a team like Pirates.

How did you handle yourself at Pirates as a little-known boy from Seshego?

I was made to feel at home on the very same day I joined them. Players like Botsotso Makhanya, Bazooka Setshweni, Bashin Mahlangu, Mandla Sithole, Vincent Makroti, Tebogo Moloi and Dan Malesela were there to help me.

How was your relationship with players from other teams?

I respected all the players off field, but showed them no respect on the pitch. But I had players that were my role model from other teams. Patrick "Ace" Ntsoelengoe was another player who inspired me.

Who was your toughest opponent?

Ace Ntsoelengoe.

Where did you go after your spell at Pirates?

I joined Ratanang Maholosiane. It was not an easy decision but Maholosiane gave me an offer I could not resist. I had a child and family to take care of.

Who was the coach at Maholosiane at that time?

Trott Moloto and was assisted by Johannes "Yster" Khomane. Trott was a teacher in Phefeni, Soweto, at that time and we would travel to QwaQwa on a daily basis for afternoon training sessions. I was based in Meadowlands at that time. I really enjoyed my stay at Ratanang and Trott believed in me.

Who advised you to join Maholosiane?

Surprisingly it was Screamer Tshabalala. He gave me important advice in this game and he will remain my mentor.

Can you tell us about the car accident you were involved in while in QwaQwa?

We were involved in a head-on collision after a training session. That was a very bad accident and our reliable goalkeeper Themba Biko was paralysed. That experience made me hate cars. I have been a pedestrian since and I will remain one for the rest of my life.

Where was your next move?

I joined Pretoria City in 1993. I was also with them in 1994 as SuperSport United. They got relegated and I decided to call it quits.

I then moved back home to team up with Ria Stars as one of their coaches in the First Division.

What are you doing at the moment?

I'm the head coach of Magezi Football Club in the Vodacom League.

Who gave you your nickname?

It was your journalist Fanyana Shiburu. Maybe he saw something stylish in my play.

• This article was first published in the printed newspaper and eEdition on 31 October 2012. Click on this link to view the eEdition