Sports / Local
Hloniphani Ndebele interview
03 Sep 2011 at 16:36hrs | Views
Hloniphani Ndebele is one of a few foreign players in Swaziland who made his name after being signed by the Hub giants Manzini Wanderers two seasons ago.
Some of his team-mates call him Fajuju and he is a Zimbabwean by nationality.
After the aggressive midfielder was sacked by his team in off season, he wasted no time in joining Mbabane Highlanders, the 'Black Bull', as Highlanders are affectionately known. The soft-spoken player made it clear that he wants to resuscitate his career in the black and white ensemble in the new season. Enjoy the read as we chat to the talented star...
Weekend Observer (WO): Congratulations Hloniphani and thank you for making time for this interview.
Hloniphani Ndebele (HN): Thank you but I thought your first question would be; do you think you made the right decision to leave Wanderers?
WO: There is no hurry in Swaziland and it would still be a chat without that question, but for now tell us about your football career.
HN: I was born and bred ekasi in Zimbabwe but that does not mean I am a rude person. I am just like any other person in the planet. I started playing football at the age of nine years as a goalkeeper. Just like any other kid, I started playing the sport in the dusty streets of my area. Mh…let me tell you this; while growing up I was called the champion of making good plastic balls and that drove me to play every time we had a match. I was jealous of my plastic balls but to ease the pain of watching others playing with it, I played as well. I was recruited in the school team at Makhandeni Primary School by our sport teacher Sindiso Ncube but in the fourth division. at primary level we had four divisions in the school team. I was promoted seasonally to the other divisions. While I was playing in the second division at school, our midfielder had an injury and the coach told me to switch positions. From there I never looked back. Despite that it was my first official game playing inside the field, we won the game 2-0. One of my friends Resistant Khuphe came out with the idea of joining Highlanders' juniors. He had connections and that is how we joined the team. The coach Alibaba Dube was impressed and we were promoted seasonally. That is where I played all my junior football.
WO: How were you introduced to the elite league and how was it like?
HN: I was introduced to the elite league when I got promotion to Highlanders senior team. I stayed for five seasons at Highlanders and that is where I gained experience. It is a big team in Zimbabwe and playing for it is an honour and at times we played under extreme pressure. That team is also well supported. I mean the supporters are always there and the players support each other, really it felt like home.
WO: What do you miss at Highlanders and tell us the reason why you left them?
HN: I miss everything, starting with the advice from the senior players like, Richard Choruma, Daizzy Kapenya, Thabani Masawi, Gift 'Junior' Lunga and others. It was not good to leave them but I needed a change and I was loaned to Railway Stars in 2007-2008, unfortunately we were relegated.
I then went back to Highlanders. My contract, however, expired then I had to move on.
WO: How did you meet Absalom 'Scara'Thindwa?
HN: After my contract expired at Highlanders, I then went to South Africa for trials. It did not go well and that is when I met Scara who then recruited me to his team African Warriors and I went back to Zimbabwe. Scara advised me to try my luck here. That is how I was introduced to Swazi football.
WO: Which teams did you attend trials with in South Africa?
HN:: Golden Arrows, Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic.
WO: Weren't you nervous coming to Swaziland?
HN: I was, but as a football person I am able to adapt to any kind of play.
WO: Is there any difference between the two countries?
HN: Yah… The difference is in Zimbabwe if you want to be a football player you have to start from grass-roots level and grow through the sport. You do not just play football from nowhere and that is why Zimbabwean football is more competitive than Swazi football. Swaziland does have quality players and one can easily see that there is a lot of potential but the focus should be on development.
WO: No one thought you would leave Wanderers what really happened?
HN: I never thought I would make such a move as I hoped I still had better things to offer to Wanderers, but under the circumstances I could not stay with the team. As a professional soccer player, I need to be addressed professionally. At times we are forced to make good football, decisions which will benefit us at the end of the day. We earn a living by playing football so tough and healthy decision should to be made but life does not end there, it goes on.
WO: How was the reception at Wanderers?
HN: I will be brief no need to go above the limit. Wanderers were like family and I had a warm welcome. I loved playing for the team and that is where my football blossomed in Swaziland. I have mixed feelings with the team though. I had good and bad times with the team.
WO: Let us start with the good ones.
HN: The management, the supporters and the guys were good. We were united in a way and tried by all means to win the games. No one could take away the unity from us. The team spirit was really at a breaking point.
WO: The bad
HN: When you remember very well Wanderers were not like this two seasons ago. They were struggling financially and inside the field. I am not saying they were bad but the team is here because of the players and they should be respected. I think that's it.
WO: How was it like playing under the guidance of the then coaches, Nyanga 'Crookes' Hlophe, Thabo 'Koki' Vilakati, William 'Tiger' Thompson and the current one, Mathews ' Chaka Chaka' Mandlazi and who understood you the most?
HN: I think Tiger understood me the most and he could not even coach me at times. He would just say go inside ubabulale. With Koki it was a different case. He is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with and I will always respect him. He is just like a father to me not that I like him but I do respect that man. He once saved my life as well as my football career.
WO: What are you hiding back? Tell us more.
HN: No I cannot, it is confidential information but I really appreciate what he did for me while still at Wanderers.
WO: Do you think you made the right decision by joining Highlanders or you were following your mentor, Koki?
HN: Definitely. Everyone needs a change of environment. There is nothing like following Koki, I just made my decision and it is professional.
WO: You say Pride is one of your favourite players why?
HN: Despite the fact that he is my countryman, he knows how to play football. If you consider that he is still 19 years and took the PLS by storm. definitely he is the best. I think he has what it takes to go places.
WO: What can you say to Highlanders fans?
HN: Some may worry about my injury but I can assure them that I am 100% fit now. I am a man in a mission and I am here to give them the best but they should treat me like one of their regular players.
WO: Good luck.
HN: Thank you very much.
FACT FILE:
Name: Hloniphani Ndebele
Nickname: Fajuju
Date of Birth: 10 March 1983
Place of Birth: Bulawayo- Zimbabwe
Family: 3 sisters and 2brothers
Current Team: Mbabane Highlanders
Previous Teams: Highlanders F.C, Railway Stars (Zimbabwe) Manzini Wanderers
Jersey number: 15
Position: Midfielder
Favourite international player (s): Xavi
Favourite International team (s): Manchester United and Ajax CT
Favourite local player (s): Pride Zindera (Moneni Pirates)
Up close and personal with Fajuju
Married: No
Kids: One (baby girl )
Best Boots: Nike mercurial
Cell phone make: Nokia
Dream Car: BMW
Some of his team-mates call him Fajuju and he is a Zimbabwean by nationality.
After the aggressive midfielder was sacked by his team in off season, he wasted no time in joining Mbabane Highlanders, the 'Black Bull', as Highlanders are affectionately known. The soft-spoken player made it clear that he wants to resuscitate his career in the black and white ensemble in the new season. Enjoy the read as we chat to the talented star...
Weekend Observer (WO): Congratulations Hloniphani and thank you for making time for this interview.
Hloniphani Ndebele (HN): Thank you but I thought your first question would be; do you think you made the right decision to leave Wanderers?
WO: There is no hurry in Swaziland and it would still be a chat without that question, but for now tell us about your football career.
HN: I was born and bred ekasi in Zimbabwe but that does not mean I am a rude person. I am just like any other person in the planet. I started playing football at the age of nine years as a goalkeeper. Just like any other kid, I started playing the sport in the dusty streets of my area. Mh…let me tell you this; while growing up I was called the champion of making good plastic balls and that drove me to play every time we had a match. I was jealous of my plastic balls but to ease the pain of watching others playing with it, I played as well. I was recruited in the school team at Makhandeni Primary School by our sport teacher Sindiso Ncube but in the fourth division. at primary level we had four divisions in the school team. I was promoted seasonally to the other divisions. While I was playing in the second division at school, our midfielder had an injury and the coach told me to switch positions. From there I never looked back. Despite that it was my first official game playing inside the field, we won the game 2-0. One of my friends Resistant Khuphe came out with the idea of joining Highlanders' juniors. He had connections and that is how we joined the team. The coach Alibaba Dube was impressed and we were promoted seasonally. That is where I played all my junior football.
WO: How were you introduced to the elite league and how was it like?
HN: I was introduced to the elite league when I got promotion to Highlanders senior team. I stayed for five seasons at Highlanders and that is where I gained experience. It is a big team in Zimbabwe and playing for it is an honour and at times we played under extreme pressure. That team is also well supported. I mean the supporters are always there and the players support each other, really it felt like home.
WO: What do you miss at Highlanders and tell us the reason why you left them?
HN: I miss everything, starting with the advice from the senior players like, Richard Choruma, Daizzy Kapenya, Thabani Masawi, Gift 'Junior' Lunga and others. It was not good to leave them but I needed a change and I was loaned to Railway Stars in 2007-2008, unfortunately we were relegated.
I then went back to Highlanders. My contract, however, expired then I had to move on.
WO: How did you meet Absalom 'Scara'Thindwa?
HN: After my contract expired at Highlanders, I then went to South Africa for trials. It did not go well and that is when I met Scara who then recruited me to his team African Warriors and I went back to Zimbabwe. Scara advised me to try my luck here. That is how I was introduced to Swazi football.
WO: Which teams did you attend trials with in South Africa?
HN:: Golden Arrows, Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic.
WO: Weren't you nervous coming to Swaziland?
HN: I was, but as a football person I am able to adapt to any kind of play.
WO: Is there any difference between the two countries?
HN: Yah… The difference is in Zimbabwe if you want to be a football player you have to start from grass-roots level and grow through the sport. You do not just play football from nowhere and that is why Zimbabwean football is more competitive than Swazi football. Swaziland does have quality players and one can easily see that there is a lot of potential but the focus should be on development.
WO: No one thought you would leave Wanderers what really happened?
HN: I never thought I would make such a move as I hoped I still had better things to offer to Wanderers, but under the circumstances I could not stay with the team. As a professional soccer player, I need to be addressed professionally. At times we are forced to make good football, decisions which will benefit us at the end of the day. We earn a living by playing football so tough and healthy decision should to be made but life does not end there, it goes on.
WO: How was the reception at Wanderers?
HN: I will be brief no need to go above the limit. Wanderers were like family and I had a warm welcome. I loved playing for the team and that is where my football blossomed in Swaziland. I have mixed feelings with the team though. I had good and bad times with the team.
WO: Let us start with the good ones.
HN: The management, the supporters and the guys were good. We were united in a way and tried by all means to win the games. No one could take away the unity from us. The team spirit was really at a breaking point.
WO: The bad
HN: When you remember very well Wanderers were not like this two seasons ago. They were struggling financially and inside the field. I am not saying they were bad but the team is here because of the players and they should be respected. I think that's it.
WO: How was it like playing under the guidance of the then coaches, Nyanga 'Crookes' Hlophe, Thabo 'Koki' Vilakati, William 'Tiger' Thompson and the current one, Mathews ' Chaka Chaka' Mandlazi and who understood you the most?
HN: I think Tiger understood me the most and he could not even coach me at times. He would just say go inside ubabulale. With Koki it was a different case. He is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with and I will always respect him. He is just like a father to me not that I like him but I do respect that man. He once saved my life as well as my football career.
WO: What are you hiding back? Tell us more.
HN: No I cannot, it is confidential information but I really appreciate what he did for me while still at Wanderers.
WO: Do you think you made the right decision by joining Highlanders or you were following your mentor, Koki?
HN: Definitely. Everyone needs a change of environment. There is nothing like following Koki, I just made my decision and it is professional.
WO: You say Pride is one of your favourite players why?
HN: Despite the fact that he is my countryman, he knows how to play football. If you consider that he is still 19 years and took the PLS by storm. definitely he is the best. I think he has what it takes to go places.
WO: What can you say to Highlanders fans?
HN: Some may worry about my injury but I can assure them that I am 100% fit now. I am a man in a mission and I am here to give them the best but they should treat me like one of their regular players.
WO: Good luck.
HN: Thank you very much.
FACT FILE:
Name: Hloniphani Ndebele
Nickname: Fajuju
Date of Birth: 10 March 1983
Place of Birth: Bulawayo- Zimbabwe
Family: 3 sisters and 2brothers
Current Team: Mbabane Highlanders
Previous Teams: Highlanders F.C, Railway Stars (Zimbabwe) Manzini Wanderers
Jersey number: 15
Position: Midfielder
Favourite international player (s): Xavi
Favourite International team (s): Manchester United and Ajax CT
Favourite local player (s): Pride Zindera (Moneni Pirates)
Up close and personal with Fajuju
Married: No
Kids: One (baby girl )
Best Boots: Nike mercurial
Cell phone make: Nokia
Dream Car: BMW
Source - Swazi Observer
