In this edition of Locker Room Secrets, retired football coach Tony De Nobrega shares what used to take place in the Bloemfontein Celtic changeroom during his tenure.
Tell us about Tony De Nobrega:
"I was at Celtic for about seven or eight years, and Vasco Da Gama, and then Santos. I think I was 32 or 33 when I started coaching at Celtic. I remember I was the youngest guy to coach in the PSL."
Who was always late?
"Moses Spandeel. Every day he had a different explanation."
Any interesting ritual before they played?
"Nothing I saw, we respected everyone who wanted to do whatever he believed in so, there was nothing specific."
Who was the jokester?
"Ja they were too many. Timothy Batabaire was the jokester, and Siyabonga Nkosi sometimes. Those are the ones I can remember."
Was it a muti changeroom?
"No. No, no, no. I don't think so."
Who was the singer?
"That we had plenty. Lebogang Kukame used to single a lot and also Kleinbooi Taaibos."
Who was the best dressed and the worst dressed?
"The best was the Cameroonian guy Tipa Bienvenu. You will always find him in these African attires.
"And the worst dressed was Jorry Merahe. He had no style [laughs]."
Who never showered?
"Nah everybody did shower".
Your best team talk?
"When we won the SAA Cup, I was with Paul Dolezar then though. We played Chiefs and Pirates, and then we beat SuperSport in the final.
"During team talk, I told the players, 'You must know you might never play in the final again. This might be your last cup final. So make the most of it, put 100%. You must make sure you have no regrets after this day.' And you know what? they gave 110%."