Motaung discloses how he stopped Chiefs legend Khumalo from signing for Pirates

Doctor Khumalo is one of the most revered and successful players Kaizer Chiefs has ever produced but he might have perhaps played for Orlando Pirates if they had their way.

Khumalo starred for Chiefs between 1987 and 2004, scoring 75 goals in 397 games, and was part of the Amakhosi teams that won three league titles and five knockout trophies and was also voted South African Footballer of the Year in 1992.

‘16V’ as he is popularly known was also part of Bafana Bafana’s all-conquering team that won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations but according to Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung, he nearly played for their bitter rivals were it not for his quick intervention.

“He was playing for the development side. But there were challenges because Pirates wanted to sign Doctor,” Motaung, who played development football with Khumalo, told iDiski Times.

Motaung on how he stopped Khumalo from Pirates

“I’ve got an aunt at Pirates, Ausi Moipone. We used to host tournaments in Brits, and she used to be there. So, she called the Pirates officials to say, ‘Hey, this tournament has got great players, come and sign’. She was the Iron Lady at Pirates, so she was very influential.

“So at some point, I left Doctor sleeping in one of our rooms in Brits, and I took a taxi and came back to Joburg to tell the old man [Kaizer Motaung], you better sign this guy, you better sign Doctor, because Pirates are on his heels and they are going to steal him.

“But fortunately, Bra Pro was with Chiefs, our coach in the development, and he probably would not have allowed it, but we had to act. Doctor was then immediately promoted to the senior team, and he became a hero. He became a star, a shining star.”