Here is the list of some of the great Premier
Soccer League players that were supported by their beloved fans and then left
to their rival teams – some of the big shocks from 2000 to 2011.
Jimmy Tau
(Orlando Pirates to Kaizer Chiefs)
Captain my
Captain! That was what Jimmy was called at Bucs and the right-back was one of
the best players during Kosta Papic’s time, 2004-2005. However, despite playing
his heart out for the Mighty Bucs, Tau decided to join rivals Chiefs in 2005.
It what was reportedly based on money issues, and it was said he was paid less
despite being one of the best players in the team. This didn’t only make the
fans mad, but also made them question The Iron Duke’s management skills – as
the captain of the team defected to their rivals.
Brian Baloyi
(Kaizer Chiefs to Mamelodi Sundowns)
Spiderman was
not only the fans' favourite, but a great leader and a great goalkeeper for
Amakhosi. It looked like he would be one to retire at Chiefs and take charge in
helping the team achieve even more. However, after a decade at Chiefs, Baloyi
surprised Amakhosi fans in 2004 when he joined rivals Sundowns – not only did
this hurt his fans, it was said that some stopped drinking for a week after
this sad news. The fans said that the Chiefs management should have done better
to keep their Spiderman – who was very famous for his battles with Jerry
Skhosana in Soweto Derbies.
Benedict
Vilakazi (Orlando Pirates (via AaB Aalborg) to Mamelodi Sundowns)
Hailed as
Amabhakabhaka’s son like Jesus was hailed as the son of God! The 'Little
Napoleon' was Pirates’ best midfielder during his stay at Parktown. He was sold
to AaB Aalborg, and returned to South Africa in 2008 after an okay spell in
Denmark. 'Tso' was welcomed back by hundreds of Bucs fans at the airport.
However, he soon stabbed his fans at the back when he signed for rivals
Sundowns, keeping Orlando quiet like a ghost town for weeks.
Lebohang Mokoena
(Orlando Pirates to Mamelodi Sundowns)
Cheeseboy
graduated from the School of Orlando (Orlando Pirates Academy), and in those
days Joseph Makhanya and the late Gift Leremi (RIP) were said to be Pirates’
superstars in Kostadin Papic’s era … and the future players to take Pirates to
greater heights. Rumours of him joining Chiefs and Sundowns surfaced in 2009,
and yet again Sundowns managed to use their electrifying Ghostbusters guns (aka
money) to catch another ghost. Bucs fans were starting to get sick of Mamelodi
on targeting their stars.
Teko Modise
(Orlando Pirates to Mamelodi Sundowns)
Known as 'The General'
by Pirates supporters, Modise was like an idol during his stay at Bucs from
2007 to 2010, winning the Premier Soccer League Footballer of the Year in 2008
and 2009. Despite falling out with former coach Ruud Krol, Pirates fans
believed Modise would bounce back and be as strong as he was before. However,
on January 27, 2011, it was announced that Modise was joining Sundowns – a
painful pill to swallow to those fans who loved their General.
Punch Masenamela
(Kaizer Chiefs to Mamelodi Sundowns)
Famous for his
'three points' interview after the Nedbank Cup match against Bidvest Wits,
'Going Up' aka Mr Three Points was regarded as one of the best left-backs for
Amakhosi. His move to Sundowns didn’t make things good for Chiefs management
with the fans crying about the team buying quality players not selling quality
players – it was one of the surprises of 2011 that left Amakhosi fans even more
angry at their manager Bobby Motaung.
By Proffesor
Khumalo
Twitter:
@Proffesor_
Facebook:
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eMail:
professor.khumalo@gmail.com
