Former Bafana Bafana striker George Dearnaley has paid a glowing tribute to fallen former coach and administrator Stanley "Screamer" Tshabalala, who met his untimely demise on Thursday.
Back in March, the Orlando Pirates elder was shot by intruders at his home and had to be hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the incident. With his family having requested for privacy while the ex-Mamelodi Sundowns coach was recovering, it was not known how he was doing until the shock news of his passing, as shared by the Buccaneers on their official social media platforms on Thursday evening.
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Tributes have been pouring in, in the aftermath of the tragic news, with ex-striker George Dearnaley, who spent 12 years in the employ of KickOff, sharing fond memories about the man who coached him briefly.
"The funny thing is that I never played under him in the national team. We had Jeff Butler as coach [in 1992] and then Butler left Bafana Bafana, and then Screamer got called up. He then called me up for a game against Nigeria in Lagos, but I never played. Soon after that, he got suspended for slapping [legendary journalist] Sy Lerman. I had my first game for Bafana under Shakes Mashaba, and then under Augusto Palacios," recalls Dearnaley.
He says he still owes the Orlando East native a debt of gratitude, for the mere fact of calling him up, before going on to share memories about the man.
"Well, here's a funny story, and this is my tribute to him. He came to AmaZulu later for a short bit. He wasn't shy to say what he wanted to say. He didn't mince his words. If you were playing badly, he would tell you that you were playing s**t. He didn't lie. So, this one time he was coming to the players and giving them compliments. He went up to Simon Magagula first and said, 'Ah, CCV, mfana wam, when you are running with the ball, you are killing them. You're so good.' Magagula was so happy with the compliment you couldn't miss the big smile on his face.
"He then went up to Joe Mlaba and said, 'My boy, when you've got the ball, you are dancing. There's no one better than you in the country.' Then it was my turn, and he said to me, 'Big George, you can do amazing things with your head. But on the ground, don't worry.' [Laughs] The guys started laughing because I didn't know what he meant by that, maybe [he meant] I had no skill."
The former towering striker said what stood Tshabalala in good stead in the dressing room was that he was a players' coach.
"Players loved his sense of humour. He could joke with you. Also, he was an ex-player. But most importantly, and excuse my language here, with him there was no bulls**t. Players appreciated that because he was straight. If you played well, he would tell you, and you also knew if you played s**t.
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"He will be remembered as the coach who introduced Piano and Shoeshine, for his big smile and sense of humour. He was like a cheeky goon and his eyes were always looking at you. It's just sad that you can get shot in your own country whereas you are an idol.
And now, for a parting shot to a legendary, charming and charismatic man who often left those he came across in better mood than before he met them, what with his endless supply of wisecracks.
"I can promise you one thing, he's already causing trouble in heaven '[laughs]. He's not one to sit in the corner and keep quiet."
Hamba kahle, Bra Stan.