Johannesburg – The thought of playing for Orlando Pirates in a continental cup final didn’t cross Thabo Rakhale’s mind two years ago. He was too busy thinking about where his career was going.
Rakhale was on his second loan spell, this time at Polokwane City, after the Buccaneers signed the dribbling wizard from Sivutsa Stars in 2012 only to loan him back to the Nelspruit outfit.
He watched as his “teammates” did battle against Egyptian giants Al-Ahly in Cairo in the final of the CAF Champions League.
“I was sad at the time because I didn’t know where my future was heading with the club,” Rakhale said.
“I even questioned whether I would ever get a chance to play for the team because before I was even given a chance I was shipped out on loan – twice.
“But I couldn’t give up because this is the club I had set myself a target to play for, having grown up in a family that supported Bucs.
“I told myself I should make the most of my stay at Polokwane until I am given a chance.”
That chance came, coincidentally in Polokwane, where he had dazzled in the colours of “Rise and Shine”, whom he helped survive the play-offs to keep their status in the Premier Division.
Pirates recalled him and finally gave him a chance against SuperSport United in November last year at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The Buccaneers were 1-0 down. Within a minute of Rakhale’s presence, the team equalised and went on to win 2-1 and the midfielder came close to scoring on debut.
“I had to prove my worth because I came in for a player like Kermit Erasmus,” Rakhale said.
“I had to make an impact.
“It helped that it was in Polokwane because there were Polokwane City fans who cheered me on.
“I haven’t looked back since that match.”
Now Rakhale is doing more than thinking about representing the club in a continental cup final.
He is preparing to start in one today (kick-off 4pm SA time), against Tunisian powerhouses Etoile du Sahel in Sousse in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup.
The first leg ended 1-1 at Orlando Stadium last weekend.
The outfit might have arrived in a Tunisia under a State of Emergency but Rakhale arrived at one of his happy hunting grounds.
He mesmerised the last Tunisian side they played, CS Sfaxien, who Pirates beat twice in the tournament with Rakhale coming up with two of the three goals.
“I think in those two matches I played my best football since I arrived at Pirates,” Rakhale said.
“Those two games helped me a lot in improving my game.
“Before that, I struggled when I had to track back and mark. It wasn’t something I was used to. When I was growing up, I only attacked because of my skills.
“But the (Pirates) technical team told me that to be a complete player I also have to assist defensively.
“I had two jobs: to keep the Sfaxien captain (Ali Maaloul) at the back defending and mark him when he went forward. I had to stay with him and ensure he didn’t whip in those dangerous crosses.
“I think I did a good job and scored one of my favourite goals.
“I was very tired after that match because I had never done so much defending in my life.
“But it was worth it and the coaches told me I’ll get used to it.”
Now “Jomo”, who was given that nickname by his mother, a staunch Pirates fan – is looking to help his teammates do what they couldn’t do two years ago – win a club continental trophy.
– THE SUNDAY INDEPENDENT