There is always an air of excitement when Baroka FC captain Letladi Madubanya talks about the beautiful game, as was the case ahead of the start of the Absa Premiership Polokwane Derby press conference on Friday afternoon.
For someone who has been in the game for so long, enjoyed trophy success and featured alongside some great players in the Absa Premiership, you would think there would be not much motivation to speak football all the time. Far from it. The tough-tackling, defensive midfielder from Alexandra township simply loves engaging on the sport.
“I may have seen it all in the game but one always learns something new from conversations around the game, especially nowadays as I also have the role of playing teacher to the younger ones at Baroka,” he says.
“I have no choice but to contribute in a different way now such as guiding our youngsters on how to improve their performances and also offer advice off the field, as they see me as their elder to call on ahead of making big decisions in their personal lives as well”.
The 34-year-old is indeed a player with a huge influence on the team having had the experience of winning the league title twice with SuperSport United nearly a decade ago, featuring for mid-table teams and also playing a key role in saving Baroka from relegation in 2017.
As Baroka take on city rivals Polokwane City in the Woza Nazo Polokwane Derby tomorrow, he will be carrying the hopes of the entire village of Ga-Mphahlele to maintain Baroka’s unbeaten run against the hosts.
Polokwane are yet to taste victory against Baroka after five matches between the two teams since the 2015/16 season.
“I remember such derbies when I featured in the Tshwane Derby, they were intense. Both teams played to win from the outset. There’s no time to be cautious as you have to get the result to allow you to have bragging rights for at least a season in the city and tomorrow will be no different."