In the latest edition of Negotiating Behind the Scenes, former Kaizer Chiefs winger Abel 'Chacklas' Shongwe reveals how he went AWOL from Mbabane Highlanders camp in order to play in a friendly match for Kaizer Chiefs.
Who I signed for…
"It was June 24, 1986, when I signed for Kaizer Chiefs. I was from Mbabane Highlanders.
"I used to do good for my former team Highlanders, I used to do good for Eswatini national team."
How did you find out?
"From the late Mr Makhosi Shezi and the late Ted Dumitru who both recommended me. I came to play in a friendly against Orlando Pirates and I scored in that friendly in Secunda. Makhosi Shezi was also a director at Kaizer Chiefs."
Where did you meet?
"In Chiefs' offices in Jeppe's street in the Johannesburg CBD."
Who was there?
"The chairman himself [Kaizer Motaung] and Louis Tshakoane [Then Chiefs Public Relations Officer]."
What surprised you?
"The money that I was promised is what surprised me. It made a very big difference from what I was getting in Swaziland.
"I wasn't getting a salary in Swaziland; we relied on donations. After a match, people would give you R20s and so on. I was surprised to learn that I'd be earning something this side. My first salary at Chiefs was R900.
"I had run away from Swaziland when I came to this side. It was on a Friday when I came to this side and my team Mbabane Highlanders was playing a derby against Mbabane Swallows.
"Saturday night I played in a friendly for Kaizer Chiefs against Orlando Pirates. I scored, we won, we beat Pirates 3-2.
"After that match, I went back to Swaziland, I slept at the border gate."
Did you get what you wanted?
"There was also a signing-on fee for the three years that I signed for."
Did you see out the contract?
"For sure I did."
What would you change?
"The kind of money the players today are getting it's unbelievable. We played football for the love of it. It was a full house all the time.
"So, to be honest, there's a lot that I could change, but it's all in the past now, I have done well for Kaizer Chiefs, that's why today I'm a legend of Kaizer Chiefs."