In our latest feature Kit Manager, KickOff speaks to long-standing Black Leopards kit man Fhedzhisani Makongoza on the behind-the-scenes details of the Lidoda Duvha dressing room over the years.
Who am I…
"Fhedzisani Makongoza was born on the 26 of December 1973 in a small village called Doli Doli and grew up playing football and herding goats like any other kid.
"I started out as a Mamelodi Sundowns supporter, my love for Black Leopards started when I was in high school in Tshakuma."
My club or clubs…
"I have only been a Kit Manager at Black Leopards. I started working for the club as a ground man. I think it was 2002. The club had two pitches in Louis Trichardt.
"Because I was always with the team when they're then the kit man left they replaced him with me.
"I didn't experience any challenges because I was already there at the club for a long time working as a groundsman."
Coaches I've worked with…
"I've worked with a lot of coaches as the club's kit man, Shakes Mashaba, the late Bibey Mutombo, Jacob Sakala, Morgan Shivambu, Joel Masutha, Kosta Papic, Heric Vladislav.
"The one I enjoyed working with the most is Owen Da Gama our current coach."
The hardest working player…
"Hlompho Kekana. And he was still young then. He used to come to training on time. And he would not get there early and sit and wait for others. He would immediately start with his warm-ups, practice his trademark shooting range with the likes of Fischer Kondowe and Posnett Omony."
Most talented player I've watched…
"Jabu Maluleke was the most talented. He was a skilful player. He used to dribble.."
Talents that disappeared…
"There's another boy Sanele Mkhize, a striker who came from KwaZulu-Natal. I don't know where he is now.
"But when he joined he showed signs of being a good striker and even scored in a few matches.
"I really don't know what happened to him."
What my day looks like…
"Now because I'm working with coaches I enjoy being around I arrive at training at nine and they start at ten.
"I check the pitch if it's playable, if it's raining I check if the rainwater can be drained or not.
"After that, I start preparing stuff like water and energy drinks. Kit men don't really have a knock-off time, because immediately after training I take the bibs to the laundry where I wash them.
"Sometimes because of load shedding, I use my hands to wash them."
Bizarre player requests…
"Here players know exactly that once they can start sending me to buy them something funny, I will immediately tell them where to get off. They understand 'This man is Black Leopards.' I'd remind them quickly I'm here to work for my children not to organise them some funny stuff."