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‘Lekoelea would take me to a taxi rank in Diepkloof…’

In this edition of Locker Room Secrets, KickOff catches up with former Orlando Pirates player Jimmy Kauleza about his memories at the club's dressing room.

The retired former right winger played for the Buccaneers from July 2002 until July 2005.

Who was always late?

"I think it was me. Being new in Jozi the traffic always gave me a problem. I was staying in Midrand and we used to gym at Johannesburg Stadium.

"I had to move to Naturena as times went on because of the traffic."

Any interesting ritual before they played?

"I don't remember anyone doing his own thing at Orlando Pirates, I must be honest."

Who was the jokester?

"Steve Lekoelea, you know him better. I remember when I came To Jozi. The first time I met Steve was at the Bafana Bafana camp. That's where our friendship started, but I was still playing for Free State Stars at the time.

"When I joined Pirates, I didn't have a car, so each day after training, Steve would tell me, since you are from the villages, I must show you around Jozi.

"He would drive me to Melrose to show me some clothes he thought I should buy, and those clothes were expensive man; I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a pair of jeans with a price tag of R5000, and that was in 2002. He'd take me to a taxi rank in a Diepkloof to eat a sheep head. You know Steve, he is a kasi guy through and through."

Was it a muti-changeroom?

"To be honest all the teams I played for used muti. I can say all the PSL teams do."

Who was the singer?

"OJ Mabizela was the singer; that guy is not shy, that guy He and Steve Lekoelea used to be my roommates.

"Dukuduku and Gift Leremi also used to love singing."

Who was the best dressed and the worst dressed?

"It was Steve [laughs], yooh! That guy was into clothes yesses! That guy dressed well, no wonder he took me to Melrose [laughs].

"But I think all of us at Pirates we dressed smart those days. The standard was high."

Who never showered?

 "[Laughs] We all showered. You wouldn't survive in that team if you were not taking the shower regularly. The standard was high."

Rate the coach's team talk:

"Roy Barreto. He used to be a good motivator."

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