In this edition of My First, KickOff speaks to former Jomo Cosmos defender Collen Tlemo about his first experiences in life.
Tlemo shares how Orlando Pirates tricked him into receiving a straight red card in the Premier Soccer League.
My First School:
"My first school was Magalela Gase Primary School in Wattville, Benoni. I guess feeling nervous on your first day is normal for those of us who didn't attend creches. In our time, we feared the mistress (female teacher) just as much as we feared the police. They were well known for enforcing corporal punishment."
My First Kiss:
"My first kiss was from my first girlfriend in 1988, and it happened thanks to football."
My First Child:
"My first child is 27 years old today, so I was 23 years old when she was born. I was playing for Jomo Cosmos at the time."
My First Favourite Club:
"I was a big Orlando Pirates fan but switched to Kaizer Chiefs when they started winning a lot of cups, often at the expense of other teams. However, I've recently switched back to supporting Pirates."
My First Soccer Boots:
"My first soccer boots were Adidas, which my uncle bought for me."
My First Red Card:
"I received my first red card against Orlando Pirates in Mehlareng, Tembisa. Jerry Sikhosana was notorious for intimidating players marking him. I was 20 years old at the time, trying to defend against a player like Sikhosana, who had experience with teams like Giant Blackpool. During the match, he kept asking me, 'How old are you? Who do you think you are to mark me? How much do they even pay you?' Frustrated, I pushed him hard in retaliation, and that earned me a straight red card."
My First Own Goal:
"I've never scored an own goal in the PSL. The last time something like that happened to me was in school."
My First Goal:
"My first goal was against Wits University FC in Vosloorus. They were leading 1-0, and I equalized by heading in a cross at the near post."
My First Individual Award:
"My first individual award was the Man of the Match against Dynamos."
My First Trophy With A Club:
"My first trophy with a club was the Budweiser Cup in Northern Ireland while playing for Portadown."
My First Car:
"My first car was a white Golf 1. I bought it in 1996 for R15,000 from Moroka Swallows legend Steve Sekano."