September recalls Pirates shirts, FNB Stadium and daunting PSL debut

Former SuperSport United captain Thabo September says his earliest football memories were shaped by his father’s team, his support for Orlando Pirates and a nerve-racking professional debut against Jomo Cosmos.

September was introduced to football at the fields in Knysna, where he regularly watched his father’s team with his siblings and parents. He dates his first memories of kicking a ball to around 1984 or 1985.

His first football shirt was an Orlando Pirates jersey, bought by his father, a committed supporter of the club.

“My Dad is a die-hard Pirates supporter, so he would buy Pirates stuff for us,” September said.

The shirt was one worn by Pirates in the early 1990s, when September was still at primary school.

Around 1992, he began looking up to Lucas Radebe and Sizwe Motaung, a period when South African football was establishing a stronger presence on the African football map.

His first live match was also connected to his father’s side. September said the family regularly attended games involving the team his father owned, giving him his first experience of watching football in person.

The coach who first encouraged him to believe he could become a professional was Doc Phansi, who worked with him at Tamati United, also known as United Brothers.

“There was a great man called Doc Phansi back home when I was playing for Tamati United – we called it United Brothers. He used to encourage me a lot,” September said.

A difficult first assignment

September’s first professional appearance came for Bush Bucks against Jomo Cosmos. Rather than easing into senior football, he was given the responsibility of marking Christopher Katongo, who was the league’s leading scorer at the time.

He said the occasion left him feeling “scared and nervous”.

September cannot recall the identity of his first professional goal, a detail he puts down to his position as a defender.

His first significant medal arrived despite SuperSport United losing the MTN8 final to Kaizer Chiefs in Durban. The match was memorable because it earned him his first major medal in professional football.

The following season brought a more rewarding outcome, when SuperSport United won the league to secure September’s first major trophy.

One of the stadiums that left the biggest impression on him was FNB Stadium, then known as Soccer City. He remembered the pitch having a heavy side and a normal side, making matches there particularly demanding.

Playing Kaizer Chiefs at the venue could feel overwhelming even before kick-off, he said, while the heavy section of the pitch quickly exhausted players.

September’s only sending-off came during a match against Wits at Lucas Moripe Stadium.