Dladla recalls free entry and first PSL memories as league celebrates 30 years

Sifiso ‘Pitso’ Dladla says his journey to becoming a head coach in the Premiership has taken him from waiting outside stadiums for free entry to leading Golden Arrows at the start of a new season, as the PSL marks its 30th anniversary on Sunday.

Dladla is in charge of Golden Arrows this campaign after moving from Durban City, whom he guided to the Nedbank Cup following Gavin Hunt’s departure.

The 47-year-old was a Grade 11 pupil when the PSL began in 1996. He watched his first match in the competition during the 1996-97 season, a fixture between Manning Rangers and Orlando Pirates at Chatsworth Stadium.

“I remember the first professional game that I watched was at Chatsworth Stadium between Manning Rangers versus Orlando Pirates,” he tells KickOff.

“When I entered the field, George Koumantarakis was hanging in the air and next thing a header and a goal [January 31, 1997. Game finished 2-2 with Koumantarakis scoring the first for Rangers].

“That is one memory that has stuck in my head for all these years.

“I’m talking about this game because it was the first PSL match, but with regards to going to the stadium, I had already been going,” shared the former Durban City manager.

As he reflected on the early years of the professional league, Dladla recalled a time when supporters without enough money for a ticket could still watch the main match.

“Remember, back then if you didn’t have money, you would wait for after half-time when the gates would be open for everyone to enter for free,” he averred.

“That is when I saw Tongaat Crusaders, Clermont Blizzards, and Ntokozo FC, and sometimes for us to get in you would need to go to the stadium as early as 10 o’clock for a 3 o’clock game.

“You would hide there until the main game starts. “Those were exciting times,” recalls Dladla.

Born in Tongaat on 20 November 1978, Dladla says his route into football was built gradually. His early life revolved around education, religion and the sport.

“When I was young, there were three things for me: school, church, and soccer,” he says.

“I couldn’t always go to church even though my family would go.

“Then, after I struggled with being a player, I became a coach and had to start from the bottom.

“I have coached from the LFA in the amateur leagues and risen through all the leagues there to the SAB, ABC Motsepe League, NFD and now the Premiership.

“I have been in all the divisions and being victorious for that matter,” says Dladla.

His coaching career has therefore taken him through every level of South African football, from local amateur competition to the top flight. He now has the opportunity to begin a full season as a Premiership head coach with Golden Arrows.

Arrows will face Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the MTN8. They began the new campaign with a goalless draw against Chippa United last weekend.