In our exciting feature, In The Spotlight, KickOff catches up with Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates legend Benson Mhlongo.
Strangely though, growing up in Alexandra Township, Mhlongo said he didn't have a favorite club.
Who was your idol?
"Gora Ebrahim. He taught me how to play center-back, and how to play simple football. He made me understand the value of playing simple football.
"He made me understand why I had to be different from other players."
Growing up, which team did you support?
"No team. I just watched all the strikers, how they play, I used to watch closely strikers like Juventus's Gianluca Vialli in the Serie A. As a defender, I wanted to figure out how they play. I analyzed strikers; I never really had a team."
Who was the most influential person in your football career?
"I have got many. My mother Virginia Mhlongo, Gora Ebrahim, Roge De Sa, the late Shoes Moshoeu, Maimane Phiri, and Ta Obza, the gentleman who made sure I stayed away from crime in Alex. He is the one who took me to trials at Santos. He made sure I'm always on the pitch."
How did you get your break into top-flight football?
"I was recruited by Floyd Mogale, Roger De Sa wanted a center-back, I went for trials, and I was signed after 10 minutes. That was at Wits University FC, we were playing a friendly game against Black Leopards, and I marked Coxwell "Magic" Ratshivhadelo. He couldn't breathe. And today he is my best friend."
Who was your best friend in football?
"I can single out Ashley Makhanya because when I started, he was the one who mentored me and guided me."
What do you dislike about football?
"It's what they are doing to these young boys, leaving them alone, letting them play without senior players around them to guide them. I think we not doing just to them."
How can you describe your style of play?
"My defending was effective; when I played central midfield at Wits University, teams couldn't attack; I was the first line of defense. Every ball I passed created a goalscoring opportunity."
Which TV program was your favorite?
"SABC Sport on SABC 1, and SuperSport 3, and also the Animal Channel."
If you could join any club right now as a player, which club would it be?
"A team that wants to win trophies and the league. That's why I only played for teams who were chasing trophies. That's what I lived for and that's what I played for."
Which opponent gave you sleepless nights?
"The 2006/07 Kostadin Papic's Orlando Pirates team when I was still at Mamelodi Sundowns. That whole team that season."
If you could live anywhere in the world, where could it be?
"Alexandra Township in South Africa. It taught me how to live with people. It taught me to appreciate who I am, and it taught me to be patient."