Unexpected Twist: Sangweni Reveals He Almost Joined Chiefs

Former Orlando Pirates defender Siyabonga Sangweni shared a surprising story about his near move to Kaizer Chiefs before ultimately joining their arch-rivals.
Sangweni disclosed that he signed a contract with Chiefs in the 2010/11 season while playing for Golden Arrows. However, his father’s preference for Chiefs and the intervention of Mato Madlala, chairlady of Arrows, ultimately led him to Pirates.
Despite the signed contract, Sangweni’s move to Chiefs stalled. When Sangweni informed Madlala of his desire to join Chiefs, she initially agreed but later presented an offer from Pirates. With his contract at Arrows expiring, Sangweni, under Madlala’s guidance, opted to join Pirates.
Sangweni played that season when he was not supposed to have been an Arrows because he had signed with Chiefs and it’s not clear whether it was a similar situation as the same as that of Papi Zothwane, who thought he was a free agent but he was not when he joined Chiefs from Arrows in 2006.
Zothwane, despite having been unveiled by Chiefs alongside Shaun Bartlett, came back to the club after Arrows won the matter. To this day, this leaves a bitter taste in Zothwane’s mouth.
“My father wanted me to play for Kaizer Chiefs and when my mother passed away, Mato Madlala became like a mother to me because they were close to each other,” said Sangweni.
“One time I told Sisi Mato that I want to join Kaizer Chiefs and she said ‘No, okay, you will go’. Then I signed with Chiefs in 2010 and when I signed, I was supposed to join them on the Tuesday and then she came and said Pirates actually wants you.
“Then I was like, ‘But we have completed everything with Chiefs and she said ‘Forget, you are my player, relax and everything will go according’.
“Then the chairman (Irvin Khoza) called me, and he said ‘me and you mother (Mato) have agreed that you are coming to us.’
“My response was, ‘I hear you’. Then Pirates booked the flight for me to come to Jozi.”
Sangweni, since he said he had signed for Chiefs in 2010 but then joined Pirates ahead of the 2011/12 season, was asked about the Chiefs contract. Sangweni suggested the clubs “spoke and solved the matter” due to his expiring Arrows contract.
“I assume both clubs spoke and solved the matter because my contract was ending with Arrows and then I joined Pirates,” he said.
Sangweni was part of Arrows side that crushed Ajax Cape Town (now Cape Town Spurs) 6-0 in the MTN8 final in 2009/10 season, the biggest cup final score in the PSL history, which was supposed to be his last season with the Durban club.
While his near move to Chiefs fell through, joining Pirates proved to be a successful decision for Sangweni. He played a key role in the club’s treble win in his first season, even earning the Orlando Pirates Player of the Year award.
“Luckily, I was already a national team player at that time, and I used to meet Teko Modise, Lucas Thwala in the national team camp,” explained Sangweni.
“So, it became so easy for me to adapt because I was used to higher level.”
In fact, Sangweni also revealed a stint at Chiefs development academy in 1999. However, due to a meager R200 monthly stipend, he opted to join Nathi Lions in the National First Division, prioritizing his family’s financial needs.
“In 1999 I was at the academy of Chiefs,” revealed Sangweni.
“Jabu Pule (now Mahlangu), Nhlanhla Kubheka were getting promoted (and I did not) and I was paid R200 to buy a soap, but my hometown club (Nathi Lions) promised me R1500. Then I compared the two I left to join Nathi Lions.
“They came to Jozi to fetch me, and we left during the night, and I disappeared just like that. Later Chiefs saw me at Golden Arrows, and they quietly said, ‘but this is our player’. Unfortunately, Chiefs were paying me R200 to buy soap.
“Nathi Lions was always tracking me, and I looked at the situation at home, everyone was looking at me to provide and my mother was not working. Then I decided “God will provide. If I did wrong, it will be up to him but I’m taking a decision that is best for my family (to leave Chiefs and join Nathi Lions)’.”
Sangweni’s impressive performances at Nathi Lions attracted interest from both Arrows and AmaZulu. Ultimately, a friendly match organized by Arrows secured his signing, showcasing the club’s talent scouting prowess under the late Rocky Madlala.
“I was supposed to join AmaZulu, and it was supposed to be on a Monday. But Arrows organised a friendly game on Friday,” said Sangweni, who was honored in his hometown in Dondotha on Saturday with the stadium named after him and R47 million was spent on it.
“After the friendly game Arrows signed me and it was Rocky Madlala (the late Arrows owner). Rocky had an eye to spot the talent.”
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