Pitso Mosimane once fined a player R200 for eating amagwinya before training

Former SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates player Cavann Sibeko has recalled how Pitso Mosimane fined a player R200 after seeing him eat amagwinya before a training session.

Sibeko shared the story with KickOff while discussing some of the more unusual incidents, personalities and traditions he encountered during his playing career.

The incident happened while Sibeko was at SuperSport United and the team was training at HM Pitje Stadium. A group of players from the Vaal, including Johannes Mine and Pitso Lekone, arrived early because they lived a long distance away.

The players bought amagwinya, tea and mangola from a nearby shop for lunch. Their timing proved unfortunate because, as Sibeko put it, “Coach Pitso Mosimane uzondlula ngalapho behleli khona” – the coach was about to pass by where they were sitting.

When Mosimane arrived at training, he told the squad he had seen Johannes Mine feeding his players amagwinya before the session.

“I’m going to fine that guy R200,” Mosimane said, according to Sibeko.

“We were all shocked,” Sibeko added, laughing.

Sibeko also recalled the religious traditions that stood out in the changing room. Ricardo Katza would sometimes pray for his team-mates’ sins, earning the nickname ‘Mfundisi’. Tsietsi Mahoa and Mandla Zwane were known as ‘Baruti’, and the trio would sing church songs together.

Music was another important part of the dressing-room atmosphere, although the players did not have Bluetooth speakers at the time. Bheki Nkambule drove a Citi Golf with a powerful sound system, while Themba Mnguni and Denis Masina also played loud music from their cars.

Their playlists featured a mixture of Kwaito and House music.

Sibeko said the mood before a cup final was markedly different from that of a league match. The dressing room would be tense, with nerves particularly high for players appearing in their first final.

He named Japie Motale as the team’s leading joker, saying he could keep people laughing continuously even today. Molefe Ntsoelengoe was also known for his humour, while Mosimane himself could be funny.

The former defender said kit managers held considerable influence because they were constantly around the coaching staff and were often the first to know the starting line-up.

“They will then come to you as a player to tell you, ‘Be ready, man; you are starting this week’,” he said, explaining why players did not want to upset them.

Sibeko also remembered Mosimane’s reaction after SuperSport lost 1-0 to Golden Arrows. The coach, he said, kicked everything in the dressing room.

When a high-profile, big-money signing joined the squad, Sibeko said senior players were expected to welcome him properly and show younger members that he was important to the team.

There was no reason for resentment, he added, because every player had also had an opportunity to negotiate his own salary.