Legend: “My mother wasn’t convinced about joining Chiefs’

Bafana Bafana legend Lucas Radebe reveals his mother wasn’t convinced about joining Kaizer Chiefs as he wanted him to become a teacher.

Radebe turned out for Chiefs for four years before securing a big move to Leeds United in the English Premier League – he spoke to Sowetan.

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For Leeds, Radebe played for more than a decade and currently enjoys legendary status where he is hailed as one of the best signings for the club.

The celebrated Bafana Bafana and Chiefs legend, says it was not easy to convince his mother that he would become successful in football.

BAFANA LEGEND: MY MOTHER WASN’T HAPPY ABOUT JOINING CHIEFS

The 54-year-old former Bafana and Leeds skipper says his mother, Emily had to be convinced by Kaizer Motaung that he would fulfil her dream to become a teacher.

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“Because there were 10 children at home, my parents wanted something to come out of that big family we had,” said Radebe.

“My mother wanted me to become a teacher, so when I was still in school, she made sure I did my homework no matter how much I went out to play football while I was at Wolf Wanderers FC.  

“She still wasn’t satisfied even when I was at Chiefs. Before I joined the club, Kaizer Motaung had to convince her that I would be taken to a teaching college.

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“It felt like I was going against my parents’ wishes. She even said it was an excuse for partying and becoming unruly. But I was  the breadwinner, she realised I was successful and kept my behaviour in check at all times.”

RADEBE ON JOINING LEEDS AFTER LEAVING CHIEFS

The Chiefs and Bafana legend nicknamed Rhoo says heading to London, England was not easy for him as he had to adjust to a different environment.

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“I have to say moving there was a shock to my system. Coming from SA, I had friends and people I could talk to and see when I woke up and then the next thing I was in London,” he adds.

“It was the most terrible conditions

“It was hard being a new player there and some of the people treated us like we didn’t know how to play football because SA was the country with the cheapest players.

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“They didn’t know our strengths because our country was rebuilding the national team and had just been readmitted to play internationally, so it was an untapped market for raw talent. I had a terrible first season at Leeds.

“I had injuries, while battling to adapt to the standard of the game.

“I was only 24 years old when I left SA, I had made my international debut in 1992 against Cameroon.

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“It was tough having to adapt and once I did, I never looked back. I never thought I would do that well, there was a time I would ask myself if I belonged there.”

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