Wayne Sandilands, who played for Silver Stars, Platinum Stars, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Orlando Pirates, has revisited his playing ritual of painting under his eyes.
Sandilands dismissed talk of muthi, saying that during his playing days, he was inspired by former Turkish goalkeeper Rüştü Reçber.
Reçber used to apply something black under the eyes during his playing days at Antalyaspor, Fenerbahce (two stints), Barcelona and Besiktas respectively. The now-50-year-old represented his country in European Championships in 1996, and 2000, World Cup in 2002, and FIFA Confederations Cup in 2003 amongst others.
But in the 2002 World Cup, Turkish was a cut hero, helping his country to claim the FIFA World Cup bronze medal, beating co-host South Korea. He represented his country 120 times, having made his debut against Iceland in 1994.
“Just as a kid, I grew up watching Rüştü Reçber, the Turkish goalkeeper,” said Sandilands with this publication.
“As a young ‘keeper, I just wanted to apply as part of the inspiration and I like the way he looked, soldier kind of things and stuff. I was asked a lot of times– was it Muthi? But it was just simple, as a kid growing up, I liked the guy and I tried to emulate him.”
Sandilands, who is now the goalkeeper coach at AmaZulu, said the biggest highlight in his playing career was winning the winning CAF Champions League trophy with Sundowns in 2016.
“I got a Champions League medal (when Sundowns defeated Egyptian giants Zamalek in the final), and I got sprayed,” he laughed.
“I think that that’s not an easy feat, just on various levels because Africa’s a tough place, it’s tough.
“So, I think to play in the Champions League final and win it. I know Orlando Pirates had done it before (in 1995) and Williams Okpara had played so much. I think to achieve that would be a highlight, but there were so many.
“I mean, playing for your national team for the first time. Playing in a Derby against Kaizer Chiefs is also a highlight. There’s a lot, there’s a lot of moments that can stick out, I mean, even my first trophy at Silver Stars under Owen Da Gama (in 2006 when Phokeng club beat Cape Town Spurs), early in my career as well, looking back.
“Ja but I would probably have to say just because of the prestige and the esteem of the competition that I would probably say the Champions League.
“So, look, I’m happy for the career that I had. And looking forward now to the next chapter, where I’ll be able to maybe impart some of the knowledge on the way and give back to the game that gave a lot to me, it gave me a life.”
