By Jimmy Masingi
news@alexreporter.co.za
NAME: Gavin Mxolisi
SURNAME: Silango
NICKNAME: Save Hands
DATE OF BIRTH:1973-07-03
WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING FOOTBALL? I started playing soccer at a very early age like any other boy my age in Alex.
I attended Zenzeleni Primary School and later Ithute Primary School. I graduated from Realogile High School, followed by Minerva High School.
I loved soccer all those years. My motivator and inspiration was my uncle Vusi Silango who also played professional football for Amazulu, Bush Bucs and Pretoria Callies.
Unfortunately, he was gunned down on the eve of his first game at Orlando Pirates.
HOW DID YOU BECOME A PROFESSIONAL PLAYER?
When I was playing for the Milano FC, I was recruited by the guy named Jack Sebeko for trials at Jomo Cosmos. As the saying goes, the rest is history.
WHICH PROFESSIONAL TEAMS DID YOU PLAY FOR?
I played for Jomo Cosmos, Bush Bucs, Kaizer Chiefs, Rabali Blackpool, Mamelodi Sundowns and Silver Stars.
WHICH PLAYERS HAVE YOU PLAYED WITH AT ALL THOSE CLUBS?
I played with a lot of good players in my days.
At Cosmos I played with Helman Mkhelele, Tommy Madigage, Mack Fish, Gesond Vilakazi, Phill Masinga, Sister Monica Siyangaphi and Jomo Sono himself.
At Kaizer Chiefs, I played with Thabo Mooki, Thabang Lebese, Mike Rapatsa, Tshepo Molatedi, Doctor Khumalo and Shakes Kungwane, just to mention a few.
You can see I played with the best of South African soccer.
When I moved to Sundowns at the time, players such as Roger Feutumba, Fire Masilela, Issac Shai, Mambush Modau, Rafael Chuku and Charlie Mohloi were already part of the team.
DO YOU HAVE SIBLINGS?
Yes I have two sisters and a brother.
DO YOU DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES? Yes, I do occasionally.
DO YOU GO TO CHURCH?
Yes, I attend the Methodist church.
WHERE DO YOU STAY AT THE MOMENT?
I still stay in Alex (Tsutsumani). I’ve never moved from Alex.
WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLAYER THESE DAYS?
I like arrogant players like Andile Jali of Sundowns.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING THESE DAYS?
I’ve started coaching after I retired. I’ve been involved with a lot of projects like Banyana-Banyana, Basetsana, Makgarebe, boys under 17 and under 23.
But I currently work on a full-time basis for the Transnet School of Excellence.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT SOUTH AFRICAN SOCCER THESE DAYS?
Coaches kill our football by denying our players the chance to play our South African style.
They impose their direct kind of football that kills our African flair.
We used to enjoy our type of football played by the likes of January Pule, Scara Ngobese and Chippa Lekoelea, to count a few.
And our stadiums were always full.
As South Africans, we do not maintain our football culture and there is no continuity within our national teams. You see a good player at under 23 and then that player is untraceable.
