Former Moroka Swallows defender Phumelele Bhengu recalls Lucas Thwala’s ‘mission to break my leg’

Former Moroka Swallows and South Africa youth international Phumelele “Ace” Bhengu says Lucas Thwala regularly targeted him during his playing days, claiming the Orlando Pirates defender was “on a mission to break my leg”.

Bhengu made the allegation while speaking to KickOff in an edition of In The Spotlight, where he reflected on his career, his time with Swallows and the players who influenced him.

“Lucas Thwala. That guy used to kick me a lot,” Bhengu said. “He would tell me straight he is there at Orlando Pirates to work for his family. That man was on a mission to break my leg.”

Despite that rivalry, Bhengu said his football career had largely followed the path he imagined as a boy. His one major regret was that he never had the opportunity to play outside South Africa.

He regards the 2009 Under-20 World Cup in Egypt as the biggest achievement of his career. Bhengu said the tournament offered a level of professionalism and comfort that was far removed from what he experienced at Moroka Swallows.

“The treatment was way better than what I was used to at Moroka Swallows,” he said. “The facilities were world-class at that World Cup. Referees were top class; in the hotel you had your own room, everything was so professional, including the buses.”

Bhengu laughed when asked whether playing for a major club such as Swallows meant he was already familiar with those standards.

“[Burst into laughter] Hawu! Hawu! Hawu! The difference was huge,” he said.

He recalled that Swallows sometimes struggled to provide basic equipment, despite having a sponsorship agreement with Puma.

“At Swallows, sometimes we would not have enough balls at training. We don’t have balls to train with, but we are sponsored by Puma [laughs],” Bhengu said. “The kit manager would hide the balls just because they were still new.”

He also described training in torn kit and using an uneven pitch in Germiston. Players had to lift goalposts and move them into position, unlike at the World Cup, where the goalposts were fitted with wheels.

“I played as a right-back in that World Cup, and I played well from the first game,” Bhengu said. “I was playing against myself. I was flying; I played exactly like Hakim.”

Asked to name the best player of the Premier Soccer League era, Bhengu chose Teko Modise. He praised the former midfielder’s confidence, vision and ability to control the ball.

“He would see spaces where other players would not,” Bhengu said. “I believe his boot had something like a magnet that attracted the ball to it. His first touch was always perfect. He always wanted the ball.”

Bhengu credited Lindani Shezi from Makhutha with discovering him and taking him from his village to Moroka Swallows.

His current PSL favourite is AmaZulu player Athini Maqokolo, whom he believes has considerable potential but still needs further development.

“That boy he’s got something, but he needs to be worked on,” Bhengu said. “I like his aggression, his power, and the hunger he shows. He’s got no skill and these other things, but he plays winning football. As a coach, that’s what I want from the young boys.”

Bhengu also said coaches should give players more freedom rather than overwhelming them with instructions.

“Sometimes, as coaches we control players too much. We give them too much instructions. Let’s allow players play. Give players freedom to express themselves.”

If he could choose a current PSL club, Bhengu said Mamelodi Sundowns would be his financial choice. However, he would prefer AmaZulu FC for football reasons because of his admiration for coach Arthur Zwane.

“He is more of a father figure to his players, he understands football from grassroots,” Bhengu said.