In the latest edition of Negotiating Behind the Scenes, former Moroka Swallows captain Thimothy Nkosi reveals how much The Dube Birds paid Mahwelereng Real Rovers for his services.
Who I signed for?
"It was in 1997. Swallows bought me from Real Rovers. They paid Rovers R100 000 for my services.
"I did get my signing-on fee from Swallows, but Rovers are the ones who robbed me because they didn't give me the percentage I was supposed to get from the sale. I was supposed to get 20% from that R100 000.
"Rovers was run by people who didn't know much about football. The other one was a schoolteacher, and the other one was a male nurse."
How did you find out?
"I was made aware by the late Steve Mnguni, he was close to Chicco Twala and Mike Mangena."
Where did you meet?
"At Chicco Twala's house in Fourways, I met Chicco, and I agreed to all terms and conditions."
Who was there?
"The Pirates legend Steve Mnguni, Mike Mangena and Chicco Twala.
"The salary and the signing-on fee that was offered are what made me sign. It was a decent salary compared to where I came from."
What surprised you?
"Money. At Rovers, I was earning R1200 monthly, and to make it worse you were paid a September salary in October. They were always behind when it came to payment, there were no winning bonuses, and at Swallows Chicco and Mangena gave us all that. In every game we played they would reward the best defender, best midfielder, the best striker and the best goal."
Did you get what you wanted?
"Oh yes, I did. Swallows they kept their promise."
Did you see the contract?
"Yes I did, it was a three-year contract. The only disappointing part is where Chicco and Mangena left.
"They had issues with the late David Chabeli after he saw Swallows doing well competing with the likes of Kaizer Chiefs, we were almost there. He thought they were trying to take the club from him. He started fining players for no reason When we complained to Chicco and Mangena, he said to us, You must not tell me about those two boys, Chicco is just a musician and Mike was my player and I'm a football person.
"Because of that Chicco and Mangena decided to leave, and the club struggled again."
What you would change?
"You know the story of money, it's never enough."