By Jimmy Masingi
news@alexreporter.co.za
NAME: Isaac
SURNAME: Mabotsa
NICKNAME: Yster
DATE OF BIRTH:1980-06-11
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A SOCCER PLAYER?
I began playing football when I was seven years old on Alex’s dusty streets like any other child my age. I attended Minerva primary school. I was groomed by a club called Shapfield United.
HOW DID YOUR BREAKTHROUGH HAPPEN?
I was spotted by Farouk Khan while playing for Shapfield United. He recruited me for his academy and later promoted me to Kaizer Chief’s Juniors. While playing for Chief’s Juniors, I was selected to play for the under 17 national team, together with Bamuza Sono and Moffat Mafoka.
In 1988, l was promoted to the senior team where I found great players like Thabo ‘Tsiki’ Mooki, Thabang ‘Chilies’ Lebese, Brian Baloyi, Daniel Matsau, Lucky Maselesele, Marcus Mphafudi and others. I played for Chiefs for six years.
HOW MANY TEAMS HAVE YOU PLAYED FOR?
I played for Kaizer Chiefs, Supersport United, Wits University and Mpumalanga Aces.
WHEN WAS YOUR RETIREMENT AND WHY?
I retired in 2010 because of a nagging knee injury.
WHO WAS THE BEST PLAYER YOU PLAYED WITH?
It has to be two players: Jabu Pule now Mahlangu and Thabo Mooki. Their skills were out of this world.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER TODAY?
It has to be Themba Zwane of Mamelodi Sundowns… the boy does a special thing in the field.
DO YOU DRINK ALCOHOL?
Yes, I do drink, but occasionally.
DO YOU ATTEND CHURCH?
No. But I do pray at my own space.
ARE YOU INVOLVED IN ALEX FOOTBALL?
No. I’m busy somewhere.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING THESE DAYS?
I’m an academy Coach at TFE Academy.
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THE CURRENT STATE OF FOOTBALL? I’m not happy about the state of football, because it has turned into a business. It is not the same like in our time where we played for the love of the game and not money. Even the standard has gone down.
WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO FOOTBALL LOVING PEOPLE?
All I can say is I’m still alive, and thank you for supporting me all these years. I will come back since but I’m busy with my coaching badges.
