A carpet interview with Fabian Zulu

| Friday January 9, 2009 00:00

 

Zulu: I was born in the mining town of Hwange in Zimbabwe, 100kilometres north of Victoria Falls. I am the elder of the two in the family, but unfortunately I am on my own now since I have lost both my parents and a sister. The good thing is that I have since found a loving parent in Botswana in Prince Mogorosi Mosanana who has been there for me through thick and thin. I owe a lot to this man because though it is not easy for him to replace my parents, he has given me the love they could have given me if they were still alive. As for my education, I did my primary school and higher level in Zimbabwe before enrolling for a diesel engineering course. I am now working here in Gaborone.

Mmegi: When did you start playing football?

Zulu: I started playing football at the age of 13 for Hwange Juniors as a right winger and then proceeded to the senior team at the age of 15. Three years later, I was called to the national Under-20 team and then Under-23. At the age of 20, I received a call up to the senior national team which was coached by Richard Fabisch. I did not get the chance as there were a number of exceptional players in the team. When I was 22, it happened that Rahman Gumbo, the current Township Rollers' coach, was injured and the coach decided that I should take his position in the central midfield. I competed for the position with the late Benjamin Konjera but it brought the best out of me considering that I came into the team as a right winger. At the time, playing in the team was difficult but I must give thanks to the likes of Gumbo, Willard Khumalo, the current TAFIC coach, the late Mercedes Sibanda and Madinda Ndlovu who made me feel comfortable though I was a young man.

Mmegi: When did you join Notwane and who recruited you to the club?

Zulu: I joined Notwane in early 1994. It happened that my team back home, Hwange FC played Notwane in a friendly game in Francistown and my performance on the day forced them to come after my services. But it was not easy for me to agree terms with Notwane because at the time, Botswana was not well known as far as football is concerned. I wanted to go play in a country where they were recognised worldwide. It happened that the then Notwane manager, Phillip Makgalemele and Collins Sekaba followed me to Zimbabwe and they managed to convince me to join their side.

Mmegi: How was the reception at Notwane when you first arrived, considering that you were a foreigner?

Zulu: To be honest, the reception was brilliant from both the management and supporters. There were some few individual players who did not give me a warm welcome as they thought I would not add value, judging by my skinny body at the time. But as time went on they accepted me as their team mate and the likes of Barcos Mosimanegape, Madonsela (the late Shono Ngaka), and Freddie Ramodise made me feel at home. I remember my first game was against BDF XI at the National Stadium and we lost 4-1. But what made me happy is that I scored our only goal in the game with my trademark long drive. After the second game against Gunners, people started having confidence in me and they usually say that the rest is history.

Mmegi: You became a household name in the Super League and every coach wished to have a player of your calibre in his team. What made you to settle quickly?

Zulu: I think it was because I mixed well with the rest of my team mates. Kingsley Moleleki was driving a Cressida at the time and he used to pick me up when going for training and they provided me with whatever I wanted. That made me feel at home and all that was left for me was to concentrate on what I know best, playing football and contributing towards the success of the team.

Mmegi: You won a couple of trophies with Notwane since your arrival in this country. Which cup game remains close to your heart during your illustrious career?

Zulu: There are a couple of them, but the Hyundai Cup semi-final win against Gaborone United where we beat them 1-0 will always remain close to my heart. It was at a time when the golden goal was introduced. The score was 0-0 in extra time and we were awarded a free kick outside the box and Brown Gasemotho was preparing to take it. I came from nowhere and hit the ball hard and it went in and I took off my shirt and ran to the dressing room. My team mates followed me but GU players remained on the pitch arguing that the goal should be disallowed as it was supposed to be an indirect free kick. But their case was dismissed and we went to the final.

Mmegi: Notwane remain the only club to have reached the last 16 of the continental Africa Cup Winners Cup. Angolan side Premiero de Agosto knocked you out and you went down fighting. What made your side have such a good run at the time?
Zulu: We were playing as a unit at the time and we wanted to achieve better things every time. Playing in Africa presented us with an opportunity to travel to countries we had never been to, and we could only see more countries by winning games. The fact that that we boarded planes also was a motivation because some of us had never flown before.

Mmegi: Who is the best player you have played with during your stay in Botswana and why?

Zulu: There are a lot of players who have been impressive since arriving in this country. But I must say that I felt more comfortable playing alongside Kadisa Kadisa and Freddie Ramodise in the midfield. They were both hard workers and they made the job simple because I would supply the strikers with ease knowing that I had cover. Then there was Thazo Tiwayi and Madonsela because we had a very good understanding and they scored lots of goals for us.

Mmegi: Paul Moyo won almost every cup available in Botswana during your time and he made Notwane play entertaining football in the 90s, something which won him a lot of accolades from the football community. He was lured back in 2007 to replace the late Banks Panene and despite winning Kabelano Cup that year, the team struggled to perform to the expectations. What could have been the problem?

Zulu: There is no doubt that Moyo is a good coach. The problem is that when he arrived here in 2007, he found different types of players as compared to when he was coaching us. He found a lot of youngsters in the team and needed some time to mould them into a competitive team. But he was not given that chance as some people wanted results immediately and that is why they ended up parting ways with him. During our time, there were lots of mature players in the team who acted as coaches on the field of play making Moyo's job a lot easier.

Mmegi: After an impressive run in the 2007/8 league season and Coca-Cola Cup, Moyo was shown the door with chairman Molebatsi Molebatsi, saying that they needed an ambitious coach who could bring back the old glory days. Some people even said that he was old and had run out of ideas. But the search for a new coach failed and Moyo has been brought back. Do you think he can make the difference this time around?

Zulu: I still believe in the old man and all he needs is support from the concerned parties to achieve whatever he wants. If he does not have the support from the management, supporters and players, then whatever good he wants for the team will just remain a dream. At the same time, he will work under pressure trying to impress. That he has run out of ideas, I disagree because Alex Ferguson is still producing results at Manchester United despite his age because he has the support.

Mmegi: The current Notwane side is struggling to produce results yet they have some of the best players in the country. During your time, you were not paid huge salaries but you performed beyond the expectations of your supporters. What could be the problem with the current team?

Zulu: Every year football changes. These days football is all about money and you cannot expect players to deliver to your expectation when there is no money. Notwane have some youngsters who have potential but they can only deliver if the management delivers on their promises.

Mmegi: Four key players, Jackie Mothatego, Moreetsi Mosimanyana, Dirang Moloi and Tebogo Sembowa decided to stay away from your game against Extension Gunners last month because the club owed them. What is your take on the issue?

Zulu: As a coach, I would have loved to have them for the game but there was little I could do because they did what they believed was right for them. These players have contracts with the management and if things are not going well, I believe that the management has to communicate with them rather than keeping quiet. These players have responsibilities outside football. That is why it is important to always ensure that they are aware of the developments in the team.

Mmegi: Midfield sensation, Dirang Moloi, is seen as the problematic child of Botswana football. Some officials and supporters of Notwane even believe that it is best to sell him during this transfer window so that the club can have peace. Having been close to the youngster over the years, do you agree with these statements?

Zulu: I do not think Dirang is a problem child. It is only that people do not understand him. One thing which people do not understand is that Dirang is not like his elder brother Pontsho. As for Pontsho, you can owe him but he will keep coming to training and playing for you hoping that you will pay him. Dirang is not like that. If you fail to keep your promises, he decides to stay home because he cannot talk like his brother. If you want Dirang to play for you with all his heart, do not call him names. Keep your word and if you have financial problems, talk to him. I do not think letting Dirang go will be solving the problem because he is quite an influential player in this team. They are aware that some players are there because of Dirang, which shows that he has the club's interest at heart. I want to believe that if he did not want to play for Notwane, he would not have done this good for the club.

Mmegi: With P1million at stake for the champions of the Premier League, what are the chances of Notwane winning the title?

Zulu: At the moment, we have lost four games and we can still compete for the league honours. My main problem is that if we cannot put our house in order, before long we will not be able to compete. The main recipe to winning the championship is to keep the players happy and that will make our job as coaches easier. That is when we can push them to deliver because we would know that all is fine.

Mmegi: Which side do you see as serious contenders for the championship this season?

Zulu: I know most people will dismiss this because they are looking at the likes of Township Rollers and Gaborone United, but BDF XI are the most dangerous team in this league and they might come from nowhere to win this championship. They are completely a different side and they play entertaining football, which is not a surprise because wherever he goes, coach Stanley Mwaanga ensures that his side plays an attractive style of football.

Mmegi: On a sad note, Nico United lost one of the talented goalkeepers ever to brace our shores in Chrispen Nyamutambo. What can you say about the fallen hero who also happened to be your countryman?

Zulu: It was really bad to hear of his death because he was also a friend to me. We were always in touch and whenever I needed something in Phikwe he would do it. He was a humble and honest guy and always gave his best when playing. I think what most people would miss about him is the way he used to juggle the ball using his hands. May his soul rest in peace.

Mmegi: Lastly, please pick the best eleven players you played with at Notwane

Zulu: Stevavo (the late Steven Monageng), Stopper Modirelabangwe, Scara Kebalepile, Khoza Mapote, Joy Kenosi, Terrence Mophuting (late), myself, Kadisa Kadisa, Freddie Ramodise, Thazo Tiwayi and Madonsela Ngaka (late). The special thing about this team is that there were few ball players but they were all hard workers who would do everything to win the game.