In this edition of 'My First', KickOff catches up with former Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town left-back Lizo Mjempu.
My First School:
"I started at Bhozwane Primary School in a village in Queenstown. I was so scared; remember, in our generation, we never went to crèche. So, for me to get to school, my mother and my uncle had to drag me there."
My First Kiss:
"It happened in Embalenhle near Secunda after my dad found a job there in 1993, which meant I had to change schools and move to Mpumalanga province. At school, I was good at soccer, and one day on our way back from playing with another school in Ermelo, one of my classmates unexpectedly gave me a passionate kiss. Apparently, it was my reward for the five-star performance I delivered that day. That was in 1996 during a school trip."
My First Favourite Club:
"The club I supported before I turned professional was Orlando Pirates, and even today, I'm still a Buccaneer. Growing up, I always wanted to play for 'iBhakaniya,' and I was thrilled when it finally happened. I couldn't believe it when my boss at Ajax Cape Town, Comitis, told me I was joining Pirates. The move changed my whole life."
My First Soccer Boots:
"Patrick. My uncle bought them for me; he used to work in a restaurant."
My First Goal:
"I never scored a goal in the PSL. I was a left-back; I tried to attack but couldn't get anywhere near the goalposts."
My First Red Card:
"I never received any red cards; I only got yellow cards. I was once suspended for accumulating too many bookings."
My First Individual Award:
"I never received any Man of the Match awards or anything like that; I only came close."
My First Trophy With A Club:
"I won the Coca-Cola Cup with Jomo Cosmos. We beat Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in that cup final. I had medals, but I lost them all."
My First Car:
"A Golf 4. I think I bought it somewhere between 2007 and 2008, and it cost me R69,000."