Speaking exclusively to KickOff, Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Themba Zwane has opened up on his failed move to rivals Orlando Pirates.
After impressing in the ABC Motsepe League with Vardos, Themba Zwane was snapped up by Sundowns in 2011.
READ | Themba Zwane reveals season targets and secret behind years at the top
However not without intense effort from fierce rivals. Pirates' technical director Screamer Tshabalala revealed that the Buccaneers had tried to sign 'Mshishi' not once, but on two separate occasions.
"With Mshishi (Themba Zwane) we lost out because of Sinky [Mnisi]," Tshabalala told GagasiFM Sports in April.
"We thought we were done [with the deal] and then Sinky took him to the other side (Sundowns) to get a million [Zwane's transfer fee of R1 million], you know Sinky just wanted money."
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The talismanic midfielder confirmed he was aware of a pending Pirates move and reveals how it came to be that he ended up at Sundowns.
"I knew about it (Pirates interest), but they never spoke to me, they used to speak to Bra Sinky, and he used to tell me about it and keep me updated so that's how I knew about it," Zwane told KickOff.
"He (Sinky) told me about Pirates first [before Sundowns] and at that time I think it was a Saturday and I had received a national team call-up (SA Under 23s).
"On Monday, I went to the national team camp, then on Tuesday or Wednesday he called me again and said 'hey as soon as you finish training, I'm picking you up, we are heading to Sundowns'. So as surprised as I was, I agreed.
"I trusted Bra Sinky because he was like a father to me and I knew for sure that he wouldn't lead me astray, so I never asked what had happened to the Pirates interest.
"I knew that If he [Sinky] had changed his mind, he must have had a good reason (laughs)."
In a decorated career that spans more than 10 years with the Brazilians and includes a plethora of domestic titles, as well as individual accolades, Zwane insists that there was never a time where he considered leaving Sundowns.
"I think another thing that helped was that I started winning trophies shortly after I got to Sundowns. My brain adjusted quickly that I would only leave Sundowns was if I went abroad or if the club said to me 'we no longer want you here'.
Sundowns are already well on their way to a seventh consecutive title having won all four of their DStv Premiership matches – the team in the league with that record.
Bafana ba Style take on Polokwane City on Wednesday. Kick off is at 17:00.
KickOff's quickfire questions with Themba Zwane
Childhood role model
Teko Modise
Current favourite boot
Puma Future Ultimate FG
Career highlight
Winning the Champions League in 2016
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