Sisa Nombe signed by Moroka Swallows just five minutes into first training session

Former Moroka Swallows forward Sisa Nombe has recalled the key moments that shaped his professional football career, including the remarkable way he secured his first contract in 1997.

Nombe was signed by Swallows after spending two months repeatedly turning up at the club’s training ground and asking to join in. His uncle had taken him there without making arrangements, and the young footballer was often sent away.

Eventually, staff allowed him to take part, with women working at the club helping to persuade Swallows to give him an opportunity. Nombe said he was signed only five minutes into his first training session.

His football journey began much earlier, when he was six years old and fascinated by a new black-and-white KickOff ball bought by his father. The ball was made of very hard leather.

His father was a co-founder and player for Mthatha Liverpool, and hoped his son would become a professional footballer.

At the age of nine, Nombe joined his first organised club, Manchester City from Khwezi in Mthatha. His father also bought him his first pair of football boots – Adidas Argentina. Owning them made Nombe feel he had already become a professional, particularly because he had boots before most of his peers.

Nombe initially played as a goalkeeper. He was inspired by an uncle in the same position, whom he loved and regarded as his favourite player. The uncle had one eye but was still difficult to score against. At the time, there was a premier division in the Transkei.

His first senior appearance in the PSL came in a 0-0 draw with Wits University FC at Milpark Stadium. The match was played at night.

Nombe scored his first professional goal against Dynamos at George Goch, opening the scoring with a header in a 3-0 victory.

His first major injury came against Black Leopards in Venda, where he pulled his hamstring.

Despite his career at the highest level, Nombe never won a trophy. His only medal was a silver one, earned after Moroka Swallows lost the Telkom Charity Cup final to Orlando Pirates. Benedict Vilakazi scored the only goal of that match.

His first red card followed a late tackle against Bloemfontein Celtic. Nombe stepped on Lehlohonolo Seema as the defender attempted to clear the ball, received a second yellow card and was sent off.

Nombe’s first national-team call-up came for a COSAFA Cup match against Swaziland.

Retirement was difficult to absorb. On his first day after ending his playing career, he went to the gym because he could not believe he had retired.