WeeklySA_AdminSEVEN YEARS SERVICE:One of the best number 3s at Kaizer Chiefs
By Masoja Cele
With Kaiser Chiefs playing their CAF Cup Final Saturday, we caught up with former left back Rudolf Seale to discuss this and that….
Masoja Cele: (MC) Great to have you dazzle on our Weekly SA Mirror pages.
Rudolph Seale: (RS) Thanks my brother and I am grateful for the opportunity.
MC: You had an incredible career starring for football giants Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United, but how it all began for you?
RS: Well my football journey originated from the dusty streets of Rockville (Soweto) at a very youthful phase. I am the product of what was known as ‘’Challence’’. Football ‘’Challence’’ was played from sunrise to sunset. The stake could be as high as fifty cents or one rand a match. Those were brilliant days of my youth, it was football and just football and nothing else.
MC: Brilliant. Kaizer Chiers was your first professional outfit, how did you join the Phefeni Glamour Boys? I was recommended to the first team by the late Johannes ‘’Ryder’’Mofokeng. The former Chiefs captain was the coach of the reserve team. Myself, Doctor ‘’16v’’ Khumalo, Trevor ‘’KKK’’Mthimkhulu, Brian ‘’ Zero’’ Johnson and Phillimon ‘’Hammer’’Mohaneloa were playing in the reserve division. While the likes of Khumalo and Johnson were promoted to the senior side, I remained with the second tier for another season before I could be promoted to senior team.
MC: Please continue.
RS: While I was student at Morris Isaacson High we played Wednesday matches against other equally talented schools. School football was still in vogue then. We packed the fields into capacity and football bosses and coaches would constantly attend. So every time when Morris played, I was frequently pursued by this soccer boss with a view of joining his team. I then reported the matter to our then trainer ‘’Ryder’’ Mofokeng. Such was the fortitude of coach Mofokeng that he relayed the message to Amakhosi boss Kaizer Motaung.
MC: You were then a step closer before penning a professional contract with a great club. Then what transpired during the consultation between Glamour Boys managing director and coach Mofokeng?
RS: Well, I was summoned to a meeting at the clubs offices. And that’s when I was signed at Chiefs. My arrival to the senior team was like a union with my former mates in the reserve team. Players like Khumalo, Mthimkhulu and Wellington ‘’Akalahlwa’’ Manyathi had already signed for the senior team. The reception was excellent. Nevertheless, it was not easy breaking into the first team. As a left back I was competing with another no-nonsense defender Lancelot’’ Tear-Gas’’Maphike. I played a few games before I and Fani ‘’Didiza’’Madida were loaned to the late Coloured Passmore’s Giant Blackpool.
MC: Weren’t you disappointed with the decision of Chiefs dispatching you to a loan spell before you could even settle with the team?
RS: Well, I guess everything happen for a reason. I accepted the decision with morality. Admittedly, Maphike’s performances were of high standard. In the process I learned so much from him.
MC: Re-counting your stay at Blackpool how would you describe your loan spell with the club?
RS: Undoubtedly, it was pretty good. Truth be told, it was at Blackpool where my game developed significantly. The Eagles boasted an array of great football luminaries such as , the late John ‘’Shoes’’Moshoeu, Gavin ‘’Stability’’ Lane, Benedict ‘’Thaka’’ Lekopa, Jerry’’ Legs of Thunder’’Sikhosana, to mention a few. The team was solid and played enthralling football. Certainly, my stay at Blackpool was a success. When I was recalled at Chiefs I was then a refined product.
MC: Rudolph, you are on you second stint with AmaKhosi after having left the team to play at Blackpool. How was the reception from the Chiefs family on your return?
RS: Very emotional. The playing personnel and the technical team were so excited to see myself and Madida back. After my return I was really on top of my game.
I made the left back position my own. I strutted in that position for seven years and claimed two league titles, the JPS trophy, three BP top 8 medals and a Castle Challenge Cup. I guess I had an illustrious career at Chiefs.
MC: After your well seven celebrated years with the Phefeni Glamour Boys, a tempting offer presented itself at your door step and went to join another football giant in SuperSport United.
RS: Correct, SuperSport offered me a lucrative deal that I couldn’t easily turned down. The package was real tempting. And I signed aa three year term with the Pretoria team. This was another trophy laden period with Matsatsantsa. I won two MTN8 titles with the team.
MC: Finally, how are you related to the legendary former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates great Johannes ‘’ Big Boy Kholoane?
RS: He is my uncle. Strange enough, when I was still playing he never like to interfere in my game. He would only involve himself when I was moving from one team to another.
MC: Rudolph Weekly SA Mirror would like to thank you for the interview and wishes you all the best.
RS: You always welcome
