In the latest edition of Negotiating Behind The Scenes, KickOff catches up with former centre-back Mokete Tsotetsi, who reveals how he kept the news of him signing for Jomo Cosmos secret from his club.
Tsotetsi reveals how kicking three Ezenkosi players during assessment earned him a contract at the club.
Who I signed for?
"It was the year 2003 when 'Mjomana' [Jomo Sono] snatched me from FC Sporting [laughs].
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"It was off-season and Aaron 'Mbazo' Mokoena was on his way to the national team camp, so I offered to drop him at the hotel.
"On our way, he decided to check on Jomo Sono. When we got to the Cosmos training session, he asked Bra J if I could train with the team so he could assess me.
Jomo said yes. Luckily, I wear the same soccer boots size as Mbazo. So, I went in.
"All this is happening while I'm an FC Sporting player [laughs]. I kicked three Cosmos players and Jomo said to Mbazo, 'I want him'. [Laughs] That's how I was signed.
"I lied to the Sporting guys and told them there was some family crisis at home, not knowing that the very same week Cosmos were playing a friendly match against Dangerous Darkies in Nelspruit, where Sporting was based.
"I was so embarrassed when the FC Sporting people saw me there, but to my surprise, they didn't have issues, they were happy to see me joining a Premier Soccer League club."
Where did you meet?
"Everything took place at the club's training session inside Jomo Sono's car. Negotiations? With Mjomana? [Laughs]. When Mjomana tells you, 'My boy, I will give you R10', you accept that R10 [laughs]. I was offered R3000. There was no signing-on fee. But there was an accommodation on top. So, it was cool though because at Sporting I was earning R1500. I was still 20 years old.
"Remember, those days playing for Cosmos was everyone's dream... being coached by one of the legends."
Who was there?
"Me, Bra J, and Khwezi Masondo the team manager at the time."
What surprised you?
"To be signed by a historic club like Jomo Cosmos surprised me. It was always my wish to play for Cosmos in the PSL."
Did you get what you wanted?
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"Jomo has his own mistakes, yes, but I got what I wanted at the time, which was game-time."
Did you see out the contract?
"I signed for three years, and in the second year I asked for an improved contract. He agreed to increase my salary but only if I extended my contract [laughs], and I did. I extended with another three years."
What you would change?
"To be honest, I would change nothing because I was still young. I only wanted to play for a PSL club."