NAME: Ceacer
SURNAME: Mmaphalla
NICKNAME: Jomo
BIRTHDATE:1971-05-12.
WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING FOOTBALL?
I began playing football at a very young age on the township street like any other boy my age.
I then played soccer at Carter Primary School and later at Alex High School. After that I graduated to a football club where I played for the Malombo Stars and later for the Shetfeld FC.
Later, I joined Kaizer Chief Development and was spotted by Jomo Sono when we were playing at the Caltex Colt Cup.
HOW MANY TEAMS HAVE YOU PLAYED FOR?
I played for Jomo Cosmos, Free State Stars, Witbank Black Aces, Cape Town Santos, Cape Town Spurs and City Pillars.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I live in Alex. I never left Alex since. I’ve been in Alex through thick and thin.
ARE YOU AN ALCOHOLIC?
Yes, I do, but I can tell you right now I never touched booze while I was playing soccer.
I started drinking after I retired because I believe that as a professional you have to take care of your body for performance.
DO YOU ATTEND CHURCH?
I did when I was still playing football, but no more.
WHO’S THE BEST PLAYER YOU PLAYED WITH?
I didn’t play much with him because I was still young when I joined him at Cosmos.
The late Thomas Madigage was the best. He taught me a lot. I modelled my game around him.
I wanted to match his standard and said if I can play like him I would be the best.
He was very smart and the best player I played with.
WHO WAS YOUR TOUGH OPPONENT?
I never did, because we believed a lot in ourselves that we were not afraid of an opponent.
WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLAYER THESE DAYS?
It is very difficult to point out one player. Today, players are inconsistent because of their off-field attitude.
WHICH TEAM HAVE YOU PLAYED YOUR BEST FOOTBALL?
I played my best Football at Jomo Cosmos because I was still young and I was fit.
I remember playing with the late Shakes Kungoane there and the team was not doing well, but we managed to keep it going.
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THE CURRENT STATE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL?
Our current situation in football is worsening every day. The standard drops every single day.
I feel that we have neglected the development of football and school football.
We have to come back to basic principles and focus on development. Another issue is that the mother body of football (SAFA) must make sure that football development around the country is done and is done by proper coaches with the right qualifications.
WITH WHOM DID YOU PLAY IN ALL THE TEAMS YOU PLAYED?
I’ve played with the great midfielder ever at Free State Star called Professor Maphutse and Daniel Sekhoto one of the top lefty players ever.
We also had Themba Sithole, who was great at defence, very tough. He was our strong man at the back. We had an all rounder in Maradona Tsotetsi. He was able to play any position on the pitch.
At Aces, I had the privilege of sharing the dressing room with Lawrence ‘Sister Monica’ Siyangaphe and Thembinkosi ‘Jomo’ Biyela.
Jomo was a striker who was able to hit the ball really hard. Sister Monica was a really smart and amazing player to watch in the middle of the park.
Another great mieddlefielder at Aces was Adam Mabena who controlled the middle of the park so easy which could make you think football was easy to play.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS DAYS?
I’m coaching. I was involved in coaching Bidvest Wits development all these years.
But since it was sold, I have stayed about a year and a half at home. Now I’ve been recruited back to the Wits School to assist with their ABC Motsepe League team and the University Cup team.
Edited by Jonk wa Mashamba
