Times Of Swaziland: ‘CALEB OPENED DOORS FOR ME’ ‘CALEB OPENED DOORS FOR ME’ ================================================================================ BY SANELE JELE on 25/05/2019 11:14:00 In the spotlight in this week’s edition is Sihlangu and Green Mamba’s prolific forward striker Musa Mamba. He reveals the person who has helped in steering him to the top. The 28-year-old also opens up about his desire to move abroad and his love for Nike Mercurial Soccer boots. Read on as he bares it all. SPORTS DESK: Who is Musa Dlamini? Musa Dlamini: I’m a goal driven person who wishes to play abroad in the near future. Many do know that Caleb Ngwenya is the coach who opened doors for me while I was playing for a regional team styled Mashekesheni United. He recommended me to the national Under-20 team that played in the Zone VI (now Region V) Games in 2010. SD: Who is your funniest teammate at Green Mamba? MD: Phinda Dlamini. It is funny to hear him speak especially when he stammers. SD: Which phone would you like to own? MD: Huawei P30 PRO...The phone looks cool. SD: Which other sport were you good at before you played football? MD: I was an athletics sprinter .I specialised in 100 and 200 metres. SD: What is your dream car? MD: I would love to own a BMW 320d E90.Thats a classy car. SD: What’s in your current playlist? MD: I cannot single out songs but I mostly listen to gospel and RnB SD: Which church do you go to? MD: Living Waters Church of the Nazarene SD: Who is your best friend? MD: Musawenkhosi Nhlengetfwa SD: What is your favourite holiday destination? MD: Dubai SD: What is your favourite TV show? MD: Isibaya and the Queen SD: Who is one player you watch on TV and say, “He’s something special?” MD: Ronaldo is something special my man. That man has proven that he is one of the best players in the world. He has won trophies with Manchester United, Real Madrid and now Juventus. SD: What is your favourite dish? MD: Sea food SD: Who leads team songs in the dressing rooms? MD: Phinda Dlamini SD: Have you ever sworn to an opponent during a match? MD: Definitely. Football is game of emotions but it ends in the field of play. SD: Which is worse, missing a penalty or getting a red card? MD: Missing a penalty is worse because it might cost the team points or being knocked out of a tournament. SD: Which is the best league in the world? MD: No doubt it is the English Premier League. Almost all the teams compete fairly unlike in other leagues like Spain, Germany where one or two teams dominate. SD: How do you unwind? MD: I watch movies. I enjoy action movies. SD: What are your plans after retirement? MD: I will probably invest in a business, something that will generate money for me. SD: Tell us about your experience winning the league with Green Mamba? MD: I’m more than happy to win the title with Green Mamba because it’s my first time to win the MTN Premier League title. SD: Did you guys at any moment lose hope during the course of the season? MD: I can’t say that we lost hope. We took it one game at a time and the coach motivated us to keep focused. SD: What is your favourite soccer boots? MD: I like Nike Mercurial Vapor boots. They are comfortable. SD: Tell us about your soccer career? MD: I started playing at Zwelabantu FC in 2000 and four years later I joined Ubombo flyers. I played for Siphofaneni Juventus during the period 2005-2007.I then moved to Mashekesheni United, where I played for three years and my breakthrough came in 2010 where I played for national Team Under-20 and joined Mbabane Swallows. I scored 17 goals while at Swallows and 15 goals this season with Green Mamba. SD: Who scouted you to join the National Under-20 team? MD: It was Caleb Ngwenya who recommended me to the national team SD: Your best goal in your soccer career? MD: I was at Mbabane Swallow and we were playing against Red Lions during the Eswatini Bank Cup. Our opponents were leading 1-0. There was 12 minutes added time and I scored exactly on the 12th minute. We won the game 5-4 and I scored the winning penalty. It felt great. It was in 2011. SD: Who is your main inspiration in life? MD: My parents, relatives, people who like me, my friends push me to take my craft seriously. Musawenkhosi who is my friend once said, ‘Can you take your talent as a business this season and see what will happen my friend”. He also told me to be humble, work hard and focus. SD: Do you still hope for a PSL or Europe move? MD: I think my dream of playing abroad can still be nurtured. I have to work extra hard and I think the COSAFA will market me if I get the chance to play SD: Tell us about your favourite teams? MD: In South Africa, I am an Orlando Pirates fan while in England I go for Manchester United. In Spain, I like Barcelona. SD: Your take on getting a national team call-up? MD: Well I am grateful to the head coach Kostadin Papic for having trust in me and I will do my best if given the chance to do the country proud.