It is not easy to be the son of a footballing legend. Ask Edhino, son of “Edson” Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé. Edhino was one of the finest prospects to come out of Brazil and graduated to the Santos senior team. But critics kept comparing him to his father and, out of frustration, Edhino became a goalkeeper to shake off the irritating comparisons.
Not so for Kaizer Motaung Junior, who has also been compared to his father — “Chincha Guluva”, Kaizer Motaung — but stayed on course to carve his own name in the hearts of the hard to please Amakhosi supporters.
How do Kaizer Chiefs prepare for a derby?
Obviously there are certain aspects of the game in terms of preparations that we will do differently. It is without doubt the biggest game in the country, perhaps one of the biggest even in Africa. It is like life and death, and so it is the mental stuff which, for me, will be crucial. The emphasis will be on mental toughness. I’d say, fitness-wise, we are getting there. Physically, I think we are okay. It is the mind that has to be tuned up to the game.
Which derby game stands out for you since you became a professional?
I remember my second year as a professional. Ted Dumitru was our coach and I was sitting on the bench. It was at the FNB Stadium and I looked across the field and it was this sea of black and white. And behind us the stands were teeming with gold and black. Shoes [Moshoeu] touched the ball and it was as if the entire stadium was trembling as they called out his name. Then Joseph Makhanya went down the wing and Pirates supporters went wild. The whole atmosphere was incredible, really amazing. And I expect this weekend to be the same.
Has your father related stories of derbies when he was still playing?
Yeah, and he always tells me that in most derbies while he was still playing they used to destroy Pirates and he personally buried them. I remember lots of derby stories but he stresses that, no matter how the team was performing at the time they came up against Pirates, they would always make sure they performed above themselves on the day. They hated losing against Pirates. And I know to this day Pirates also hate losing against us.
How will this derby be decided?
There is almost always something magical whenever Chiefs meet Pirates. There is this electric atmosphere that captures the imagination of the entire country. No player needs to be motivated in such games. It will always be a hard game and lately they have been doing well. But we have also come this far and we strongly feel we can take it. Why not?
Tell us about your father, the chairman of Kaizer Chiefs?
At Naturena I am like any other employee. He is both boss and a father figure, not just to me but to all the players as well. I am not treated differently. At the office, it’s business. But outside the work environment, he is a loving father, and a great one for that matter. At home, he assumes the parental role and, of course, we discuss anything, including football. He advises me about the game and sometimes tells me when I did not do well and encourages me by pointing out where and how I can improve. I know I can approach him about anything and he will give me an ear. But there is a thin line between father and boss when it comes to work.
Did you see him play during his time?
Sadly, no. I have heard stories about him and the only reference I have are stills and photographs. I wish technology had advanced during his time so that I could watch him play. Yet, to be honest, I have heard people saying he was pretty good.
How did you react to the booing by Chiefs fans?
It is part of football. Supporters can elevate you to the summit one day after you have scored a goal. But the very same supporters can consider you a villain [in] the very next game. I guess the fact that I am the chairman’s son kind of magnifies the issue. You have got to accept the challenge that supporters expect a lot more from you. I am used to their demands. It is a part of South African football culture, but I know I have to always work harder all the time.
At one stage Jomo Cosmos expressed a wish for you to join them on loan.
To be honest, I have never considered playing for any other team except Kaizer Chiefs. However, like any other player, I also did not cherish sitting on the bench knowing I could be on the field contributing to our success or failure. But there was one season where an agreement was reached and I was supposed to go to Ajax Cape Town. The idea was that, at the completion of the annual Vodacom Challenge, I would go to Cape Town. The irony is that I had a sensational tournament and, in the end, the coach refused to release me.
The long and short of it is that the same year I suffered an injury that prevented me from completing the last four matches of the season. I finished the season second behind Chris Katongo in the Golden Boot, won the Kaizer Chiefs Player of the Year, Player’s Player of the Year, Top Goalscorer and was awarded Best Goal of the Year, as well.
You went to Germany in the early stages of your career.
I was very young then but it was an important phase in my life. I learned important lessons there. I also met my fiancée there and today we have a baby boy together. Germany toughened me up and prepared me for who I am right now. I survived on my own and, when I went over there, on the football level everything was simply awesome — the pitches, the training — There are no cutting corners there and their mental attitude is different. It basically helped me grow.