In the build-up to the Olympics soccer writer Njabulo Ngidi profiles the players who will represent South Africa in Rio and Matshelane Mamabolo reminisces on a member of the Class of 2000 who played in a similar position. Today they look at Venda’s finest defenders in Mulomowandau Mathoho and Nkiphitheni Matombo.
Johannesburg - In a society where speaking English is perceived to be a sign of intelligence, with numerous videos of footballers butchering the Queen’s language going viral and serving as material for comedians, Mulomowandau Mathoho’s stance to do interviews only in his mother tongue of TshiVenda is revolutionary.
Even with that, the media has tried to mould Mathoho into a product that they can manage. They call him Erick instead of Mulomowandau, the name he used when he broke into the scene at Bloemfontein Celtic seven years ago.
That’s because the former is easier to pronounce and write. But Mulomowandau has a deeper meaning. It’s direct translation is mouth of a lion, which is an appropriate description of the box when the towering centreback is manning it.
Strikers enter at their own risk. But unlike a lion, Mathoho doesn’t roar, which has seen his leadership qualities questioned because he isn’t that vocal. Despite that shortcoming, national Under-23 coach Owen da Gama called him up as one of the two over-age players to solidify the defence in the Olympics.
The other over-age player is goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, whom Mathoho has played in front of at Kaizer Chiefs and then the senior national team for the last four years.
“Khune is someone who is always communicating with the team so that you don’t switch off,” Mathoho said. “He shouts. He whistles. He keeps everyone in front of him on their toes so that you don’t switch off. He directs traffic, saying you must go this side and do this. Knowing that there is someone like that behind you keeps you composed. I have learned a lot from him and he has helped me improve in my communication.”
Da Gama, who discovered Mathoho in the village of Tshiombo, knows that the 26-year-old isn’t the most vocal of leaders but is a fierce defender who is an asset in attacking and defending set-pieces.
The Under-23s struggled with that in Namibia during the Cosafa Cup. The coach will be hoping that Mathoho has a similar effect to the defenders just as Khune did with the other two goalkeepers, pushing them to raise their game.
Mathoho’s presence should push Kwanda Mngonyama and Tercious Malepe. Rivaldo Coetzee, Abbubaker Mobara and Tebogo Moerane to have a head start in the race to make the back four.
“This thing of young and old doesn’t exist in football,” Mathoho said. “We are all equal. There are 18 and 19-year-olds who are playing at the highest level all over the world. They’re able to command the back. So there isn’t that they can’t do it because they’re young.
“You learn from whoever you play with. I am learning from them just as they are learning from me.”
*On Thursday we feature Aaron Mokoena and Rivaldo Coetzee.
The Star