Former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates striker Siyabonga Nomvethe is looking to unearth footballers in high schools to follow in his legendary footsteps in the game.
Nomvethe, who when he broke into professional set-up with Sibusiso Zuma, Phumlani Mkhize – led African Wanderers into promotion in 1996/07 season, was at school at that time.
He launched the Siyabonga Nomvethe Foundation and Siyabonga Nomvethe School Cup at Princess Magogo Stadium on Friday.
Bhele, who went on to play in Italy for Udinese, is giving back to his community because football in school it is where it all started for him at Mzuvele High before joining Abaqulusi.
“For me to become known, it started at high school – from Thandukwazi (pre-school) and then moved to Mzuvele where everyone saw that I was a talented footballer and it is where I became known,” said Nomvethe.
“It is when I become like meat, as every school was fighting over me to study in their school. But the principal at that time (at Mzuvele) took me away and even away from my home to stay in his house just to avoid schools like Sbonelo and Nqabakazulu from finding me.
“But I also didn’t want to study at the school that was far away but close to home.”
Being wanted was part of Bhele’s life as he hid when Pirates initially came knocking for his signature with the club representative arriving at his home in KwaMashu.
Bhele hid in the toilet as he wanted to play for Chiefs to be alongside Doctor Khumalo and that happened as the Soweto giants signed him ahead of the 1998/99.
Bhele joined Chiefs then with Pollen Ndlanya, Patrick Mabedi, Mohamed Ouseb, Zane Moosa, the late Arthur Bartman, Daniel Matsau and the late Lucky Maselesele, who was promoted from the club’s development.
Bhele then left Chiefs to join Italian side Udinese at the end of the 2001/02, having won the Bob Save, BP Top 8 and Coca-Cola Cup.
Nomvethe was named Player of the Season in 1999/00, the season Amakhosi beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the Bob Save Super Bowl.
Internationally, Bhele represented Bafana Bafana in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring with his thigh against Slovenia in what was Mzansi’s first-ever win at the global event.
The 45-year-old also played for US Salernitana on loan from Udinese, Empoli, Djurgardens IF in Sweden, Pirates and Aalborg BK in Denmark. He then came back to the country to join Moroka Swallows ahead of the 2009/10 season.
Bhele wasn’t done to be the best player in the country and in the 2011/12 season, almost won his first league title, as Dube Birds came close to pipping Pirates in the last game of the season.
But Bhele had won many hearts, claiming the Golden Boot, PSL Footballer of the Season and Players Player of the Season, becoming the oldest player to claim these awards at the age of 34. He holds the record to have scored the most goals in the PSL era – 123.
“I hope this tournament will change many lives,” added Nomvethe who was alongside his wife Nompumelelo, son and daughter during the launch.
“I want to have relationships with teams that I played for and also those abroad. My biggest dream is to see another Nomvethe coming from KZN.”
