Page 11 - Inkanyezi

In July 1998, he joined Kaizer Chiefs and made his In 2006, he moved to play for Aalborg
debut on 8 August 1998 and scored in a 2–1 loss Boldspilklub (AaB) in the Danish Superliga. He
to Bloemfontein Celtic. He scored 42 goals in 79 stayed with AaB for three years, won the Danish
games for Chiefs. In the same season, he missed Superliga 2007-08 championship with the club,
out soccer action for a few months following an and scored a goal in the penalty shoot-out as AaB
injury. On his return later in the season, he scored was eliminated by Manchester City in the UEFA
a total of eight goals. Cup 2008-09 round of 16. In 2009, he came back
home and joined Moroka Swallows. In January
Replacing Pollen Ndlanya who left the team, 2016, he joined AmaZulu FC and eventually
Nomvethe scored 22 goals in all competitions, retired from the club in 2019. A few weeks after
including three goals in the BobSave Super Bowl announcing his retirement, St Paul Bible Institute
to help Chiefs win their first silverware of the new honoured Nomvethe with an Honorary Doctoral
millennium. Degree in Sport in June 2019.

Nomvethe scored 11 goals on either half of the Bhele’s spirit is with all South Africans who are
season and scored Chiefs first goal of the celebrating the milestone of 25th anniversary of
millennium on 8 January 2000 against his old democracy and here how he feels about:
team African Wanderers. He scored 18 goals in all “Democracy means a lot to me. It means freedom
competitions the next season, scoring his tenth of movement but most importantly it is about
against Ria Stars on 21 January 2001. He scored justice. As a young boy from KwaMashu who
his last goal on 24 April 2001 in a 5–0 win went to local public schools and matriculated at
drubbing of Bloemfontein Celtic in a BobSave Umzuvele High School, I never thought one day I
Super Bowl quarterfinal; that goal was his 58th will become a professional football player and
for Chiefs. represent my country internationally. To tell you
something interesting, I was never a football fan,
In 2001, Nomvethe signed with Italian club during big games in and around Durban, I’d go
Udinese Calcio of the Serie A. In 2002, he was there with my friends not watch matches at all
selected to play for South Africa at the 2002 FIFA but sell peanuts and stuff to make extra cash for
World Cup. He scored the winning goal of the 1-0 myself.
win over Slovenia. From January 2004 to June
2005 he was loaned out to smaller Italian clubs “I hold a same view with those who believe that
Salernitana Calcio and Empoli F.C. He was democracy made things easier and much more
subsequently loaned out for six months to possible for football players of post-apartheid.
Djurgårdens IF in Sweden, before permanently Things were very tough in the olden days,
leaving Udinese in December 2005 to sign with and I am very grateful to those whose fought for
Orlando Pirates here at home. freedom because that gave us a chance to explore
opportunities outside South Africa. Look, today
“Things were very tough in my contribution in the game is recognised and I
the olden days, and I am am honoured as Dr Siyabonga Nomvethe. It is

very grateful to very exciting and humbling. I wish South Africa
happy 25 years of democracy.”
those whose fought for

freedom because that gave
us a chance to explore
opportunities

outside South Africa.”

08 | Trailblazer