In this edition of My Muti Story, KickOff catches up with former AmaZulu FC and Jomo Cosmos goalkeeper Silver Shabalala.
Shabalala tells a story of how he cost Usuthu three valuable points by forgetting a muti man's instruction.
Who and where?
"I remember an incident that happened when I was playing for AmaZulu. Remember as a goalkeeper you are usually the one who is given the most assignments when it comes to muti.
"Our team manager was the late Lawrence 'Big Bear' Ngubane, may his soul rest in peace.
"That guy was very dedicated to football. I remember one time he gave me something to tie around my waist. A tiny string."
Why were you doing it?
"To prevent the opposition from scoring against us."
Who was the muti man?
"Our muti man was Ngubane, he doubled up as the team's manager."
What did you have to do?
"During the pitch walkabout, I was had to touch the two goalposts while saying to myself, manje ngiyavala ke akungeni lutho la [laughs]. And as soon as the referee blew for half-time I was supposed to open again by saying to my goalpost, ngiyavula ke manje goals can go in.
"But now because of the huge pressure Maritzburg United had put us under in the first half, I was too tired, I forgot to say to my goalpost, manje sengiyavula ke goals can come in, instead immediately the referee blew his whistle for half-time I run off to the change rooms. It was a busy first half for me.
"The way I was so tired I couldn't even hear what our coach was saying. So before we went back for the second half Ngubane asked me, hey man, uvulile kule pali obukulona?
"Eish, now it dawned on me that I forgot to open [laughs], but because I was scared I decided to lie to him and told him I did open."
Did everyone take part?
"No, I was the only one who was given the muti task. I can say I was playing alone that day."
What was the result?
"Because at halftime I forgot to open the other goalpost, now both goalposts bewavalekile and no team could score, the match finished 0-0.
"After the final whistle, Ngubane came to me and asked, hey man, why did you lie to me? But I didn't know what to tell him."
What stood out for you?
"That muti does work in football, don't let anyone fool you."