Former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele has revealed that he always wanted to play for Orlando Pirates.
The recently retired right-back is one of the few players in the PSL to have captained both Amakhosi and Sundowns.
He spent the majority of his playing career with the two giants of South African football, but admits Pirates were the club he dreamed of representing as a youngster.
Mphahlele began his professional career at Moroka Swallows before joining Sundowns in 2011. Despite eventually becoming a key figure at both Chiefs and Sundowns, he revealed that he grew up supporting Pirates.
“I don’t regret this, but when I was a little kid, I’ve always wanted to play for Orlando Pirates.
“I loved Orlando Pirates because everyone loved Chiefs. But there was this team that had the likes of Old John, Jimmy, Mngomeni, that generation. I looked at them and I was like, ‘One day, I wanna be there,’” Mphahlele said.
Ex-Chiefs srar says Pirates came calling
Mphahlele revealed that former Pirates technical director Stanley ‘Bra Stan’ Tshabalala tried to bring him to the Buccaneers in 2011.
“The opportunity came so many times, I swear on my grandmother’s life. Bra Stan always wanted me at Pirates. Do I regret not joining Orlando Pirates? I don’t know how I’d feel.
“Bra Stan called me and I met him at the Exclusive Books in Hyde Park. He was like, ‘I see you and Happy Jele at the back, you’re going to do well.’
“I was like, ‘Bra Stan, I have a contract with Swallows,’ and he said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll speak to Leon Prins.’”
However, Mphahlele explained that his relationship with Swallows chairman Leon Prins played a major role in his eventual decision.
The former defender revealed that Prins had supported his family financially, including helping his mother build their family home, making it difficult for him to simply walk away.
The former Chiefs captain said in 2011, both Sundowns and Pirates were chasing him.
“At that time, Pirates and Sundowns wanted me. Bra Stan wanted to finalise my signing, but I wanted him to do it the right way.
“After the meeting, Sundowns approached Swallows and gave them some money, including Luvhengo Mungomeni and two other players in a swap deal.”
Mphahlele recalled how the move to Sundowns was initially in doubt after he failed to agree on certain terms with the club.
“I went to Sundowns and when I got there, we didn’t agree on certain things. I told them I’m heading back to Swallows.
“The next day, when I’m at Swallows, I find Mungomeni wearing my jersey and I was like, ‘Bro, bring my kit, I want to train.’”
Mphahlele left Downs for Chiefs and never joined Pirates
Despite the initial uncertainty, Mphahlele’s move to Sundowns was eventually finalised, bringing an end to his chances of fulfilling his childhood dream of playing for Orlando Pirates.
The defender went on to enjoy a successful spell at Chloorkop before later joining Kaizer Chiefs, where he also wore the captain’s armband.