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My Dream Team: Thabo Matlaba

In this edition of My Dream Team, Royal AM star defender Thabo 'Festival' Matlaba names the best players he played with in his successful football career so far.

The 36-year-old won the DStv Premiership title with Orlando Pirates during the 2011/12 Season.

What formation?

"4-4-1."

Goalkeeper

"I will put the late Senzo Meyiwa in goals. May his soul rest in peace. As a leader and a commander, he will organize his defence. He will make sure we win games because he doesn't like losing games.

"He'd tell you, let's win the game so that we can benefit. The way he dealt with crosses and read the ball showed his quality." 

SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 05: Senzo Meyiwa of
SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 05: Senzo Meyiwa of Piirates in action during the Telkom Knockout match between Orlando Pirates and Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium on October 05, 2014 in Soweto, South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)

Defenders

"(The) right-back position I will give it to (myself), Thabo 'Festival' Matlaba. Up and down for 90 minutes. (I) can score goals, and I can shoot with both feet from a distance. Not a great goalscorer but a scorer of great goals. I deserves a DVD of his goals collection. I can play both as a right back and a left back.

"The right centre-back (role), I will give it to Lucky Lekgwathi. Fantastic 14. The great leader. The double-treble champion.

"That's what I call him. He will always give you the best advice. He even scored goals.

"On the left centre-back position, I will put a huge lock, Siyabonga Sangweni. Insimbi. No time for jokes. Ijob yi job. uyabopha and uma kubheda. Go forward and score a goal.

"My left-back is Patrick Phungwayo. He is good at overlapping and delivering quality crosses. I know him as a winger."

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 17: Lucky Lekgwathi cel
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 17: Lucky Lekgwathi celebrates during the Nedbank Cup final match between Bidvest Wits and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 17, 2014 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images)

Midfield

"Andile Jali will be my defensive midfielder. Very arrogant on the pitch. He can read anything.

"I will pair him with umhlekazi Andile Jali. He is like an automatic.

"The number 10 will be Kermit Erasmus, I call him Pakistan. He brings a lot of creativity. A very intelligent player who can create his own space.

"On the right wing, I will give Sifiso 'Ntate Moloi' Myeni. He used to wear three-quarters (trousers). Dribbling is his biggest strength.

"On the left wing, I have Daine Klate. He brings a lot of creativity and assists."

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 22: Andile Jali, ca
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 22: Andile Jali, captain of Swallows FC during the Carling Knockout match between Richards Bay and Moroka Swallows at King Zwelithini Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)

Strikers

"I give you Thamsanqa 'Six Mabone' Gabuza. A huge truck with six lights. All he knows is to score goals. He is a hard worker who doesn't listen to whatever negative things people are saying about him. He is a hard worker, that's why coach Shakes Mashaba loves him. He will even celebrate an own goal because he loves goals.

"I believe this team can easily beat Barcelona or Real Madrid."

POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 04: Thamsanqa G
POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 04: Thamsanqa Gabuza of TS Galaxy FC during the Carling Knockout quarter final match between Sekhukhune United and TS Galaxy FC at Peter Mokaba Stadium on November 04, 2023 in Polokwane, South Africa. (Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images)

Coach 

"I will give it to Roger De Sa. He is a team coach and he motivates players. A very good guy." 

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