A GLARING similarity between former Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic striker James “Killer” Mkhwanazi and Olympic gold medallist Maria Mutola was that both had switched from their original careers and concentrated on soccer and athletics, respectively.
Mkhwanazi started as a track and field athlete, but later changed to soccer, while Mutola started by playing soccer with boys in the streets of Maputo, but later switched permanently to athletics, which turned her into a household name internationally.
Mkhwanazi said he loved athletics, and if he had his way could have made it in an international event anywhere in the world.
Although he eventually became a star footballer, first for Orlando Pirates and later Bloemfontein Celtic, perhaps the ignorance of hordes of Pirates and Celtic supporters about his exploits on the track and field cannot be blamed squarely on them.
Supporters were also happy to have a player of Mkhwanazi’s calibre.
He was an extraordinary sprinter at Tiyang Primary School, in Meadowlands, in the 1960s.
One day, during an afternoon training session, the speed with which the young Mkhwanazi outran fellow pupils in 100m, 200m and 400m events caught the eye of former Kaizer Chiefs’ midfielder, the late Ariel “Pro” Khongoane, a teacher at the school.
“‘Pro’ Khongoane persuaded me to try to play soccer because I could run very fast. I agreed. I played a few games and did well. I haven’t looked back since then,” said Mkhwanazi, who was born in Meadowlands Zone 8 in 1952.
His love for soccer grew when he joined Shamrocks, an amateur team in Meadowlands, which also had former Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates striker Marks “Go Man Go” Maponyane and former Sundowns star Rabbi Moripe.
When Mkhwanazi attended Kelekitso High School in Meadowlands, his career blossomed.
He recalled the day Jomo Cosmos’s owner/coach, Matsilele “Jomo” Sono, who was playing for Pirates at the time, persuaded him to join the “Sea Robbers”.
“Jomo was among scores of spectators at a match between Kelekitso and Mabuya high schools at Orlando Stadium.
“Playing on the grass in front of many people gave me a chance to expose the best in me. I scored and Jomo came to me after the game. He’s one of few local coaches who are exceptionally good in unearthing talent,” said Mkhwanazi, who joined Pirates in 1980. He spent the next four years at the Buccaneers.
“Speed was my weapon. I would size an opponent, outrun him and receive a long pass from my teammate, unleash a powerful shot and score,” he said.
The open-minded Mkhwanazi does not buy into the perception that there is a scarcity of strikers in South Africa.
“We have plenty of strikers in the country, but their talent is not properly exploited. There was no development programme during the times of lethal strikers, including Jeffrey ‘Tornado’ Ntsibande, Thomas ‘Who’s Fooling Who’ Hlongwane (former Moroka Swallows’ greats) and Thomas ‘Junior’ Ngobe (former Witbank Aces striker), but they were all quality strikers who took the local soccer scene by storm,” said Mkhwanazi.
Although Pirates was struggling administratively, they had committed players who won silverware.
“I remember how I combined so well with Johannes ‘Big Boy’ Kholoane, Kagiso ‘Zero My Hero’ Mogale, Eric ‘Chippa’ Chauke and Jomo Sono.”
After spending four years at Pirates, Mkhwanazi joined Celtic at a time when “Phunya Selesele” was owned by Petrus “White Head” Molemela.
“I went to Free State gripped by trepidation, not knowing what the future had for me there. However, as a professional player, I kept cool and said to myself I was just going to do what was expected of me, and I prevailed,” said Mkhwanazi.
He quickly settled in at the star-studded Celtic and soon clicked with gifted players, including Ernest “Wire” Mtawali, Eden Katango, Michael Yeliwe, Ronnie Malefetsane and Ishmael “Wonder” Mokitlane.
Mkhwanazi said he was willing to help coach any team.
“Most former players are doing nothing, yet they have a wealth of experience. I am interested in training strikers to score,” he said.
Mkhwanazi lives in Bramfischerville with his family. One of his two sons, Thabang, is a promising basketball player.
“He is taller than me and he really loves his game. I believe he will make a good player in the not-too-distant future,” said Mkhwanazi.
Regarding Bafana Bafana, Mkhwanazi said they could still improve for the better.
“They matched Brazil pound for pound in their last friendly match. Although they lost 1-0, the team is committed. If they can keep that form in the coming African Cup of Nations next year, they can win it for the second time,” he said.
