In our exciting feature, My Welcome to the League Moment, KickOff catches up with former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Frank Makua on his introduction to the professional ranks.
The Emalahleni-born Makua joined Kaizer Chiefs in 1995 from his hometown club Ferrometals who were campaigning in the then-First Division.
What was your welcome to the league moment?
"I was tested by the 1995 Iwisa Maize Meal Charity Spectacular. That was my debut against Orlando Pirates. That's when I realised, I had arrived in the big leagues.
"If you remember how the old FNB Stadium looked like, the tunnel was as if it was underground, and immediately when you came out of that tunnel you would see a huge crowd.
"I almost turned back to head to the changeroom, I was so scared.
"You could hear the crowd from the changerooms while putting on your kit. Yesses! It was amazing.
"I had just signed from Ferrometals, and I was spotted playing for a school team.
"Ferrometals were playing in the OK League back then, the first division now. It was tough there. There were 20 or 22 teams if I'm not mistaken. Just one team was promoted.
"I didn't go for trials, I went straight to the first team of Kaizer Chiefs. My first game was in the Iwisa Maize Meal Charity Spectacular.
"The goosebumps. It was tough hey. Pirates were buzzing on the day. They hammered us 3-1.
"Marks Maponyane scored, Helman Mkhalele scored, I'm not sure who scored the third one [Marc Batchelor].
"Our goal was scored by Jerry 'Bazooka' Mthethwa.
"I couldn't finish the game that day the way I was shaking. They ended up substituting me.
"Wellington Manyathi shouted at me the whole time I was on the pitch, come on wena, what's wrong?
"But after that match, I didn't have any problems."
Was there a particular player who gave you a hard time when you started as a professional player?
"It was tough playing against Jomo Cosmos, the likes of Andrew Rabutla, those people would hammer you by kicking you. It was not easy.
"But with the big heart that I had, I managed. I was a regular in my first season, I was the Rookie of the Year that season. That all took place in my first season at Kaizer Chiefs.
"Those days it was tough, that is why even our national team was so strong. There were many good players back then.
"Coming up against the late John Moeti."