Kina said I was a stupid goalkeeper

Times: We have finally caught you ‘Sparks’, welcome to the legends’ pages. How are you doing?

Robson: I am trying my best my brother.

Times: Let’s first hear how you earned the nickname ‘Sparks’?

Robson: I got the name while still playing for Mpaka Fast Movers. It got stuck with me even at Wanderers and also at Mbabane Highlanders. I am comfortable with it though.

Times: Talking about Fast Movers, share with us your move from the team, to the Weslians?

Robson: William ‘Cool Cat’ Shongwe had left for Kaizer Chiefs and a certain Wanderers diehard fan called Matsebula who was a police officer based in Matsapha approached me. I had no problem going there. At the time there was Charles Maphanga and later we were joined by his younger brother Nhlanhla in the goalkeeping department. Kina Phiri was the coach.

Times: It is the 1987 BP Cup final match against Highlanders that we are interested in, because soon thereafter you joined the Black Bull?

Robson: We lost to a better team than us. After taking the lead we then lost concentration, something that you needed not to do when playing a team of Highlanders’ calibre.

Times: Why did you leave Wanderers for Highlanders?

Robson: There were many reasons, but the main one emanated from media reports where coach, Kina Phiri called me a stupid goalkeeper following that game. I was so angry I nearly quit the game altogether. So when a chance to join Highlanders was availed the following season I jumped at it.

Times: Who at Highlanders approached you?

Robson: It was Andrew Mamba after I had an outstanding match against Villa Sports of Uganda in Kampala. Clement Mkwalule had allowed in four goals in the first leg here at home. Then I was in goal when we drew 1-all away.

Times: When you joined did Tholeni ever tease you about the brace he scored in the BP Cup final?

Robson: No, even though we did talk about the match, but the feeling of my new team mates was that I was let down by the defence. There was nothing I could do when a player was left unpicked.

Times: You never realised your potential at the team until 1989 when you won the number one shirt?

Robson: Themba Dludlu left the team after sustaining countless injuries on his shoulder. I was the only goalkeeper in the team that year.

Times: And unfortunately that coincided with the team’s worst season?

Robson: We struggled with injuries that year and that made it hard for us to compete effectively for honours.

Times: Was that the reason you lost 0-3 against your rivals Swallows?

Robson: It was a tough match, and I remember I was also playing with an injury on my right arm. As the match progressed the pain killer that I had taken expired and when Mduduzi Mthethwa scored the third goal, I could only watch the ball sail into the net.

Times: What happened to the goalkeeping muti belt that we heard about at Highlanders?

Robson: (smiling) You would be surprised that there were many theories told about Highlanders, which I unfortunately did not experience during my tenure. At one time others would tell me that I wouldn’t have children, but the truth is that I have children and they are now doing Form Three and Four respectively.

Times: You got a Sihlangu call up, but in your first official match against Zambia away you conceded five goals?

Robson: I was understudying Tototo (Khoza). However, in a friendly match against Mozambique I kept a clean sheet, which enabled me a place in the starting 11 against Zambia. That team was magic; in fact they told us that they wanted to bury us with a 10-0 margin. I had a good game personally; hence I was the only one in the team who got a special mention after the game.

Times: At the time, you were back warming the bench at Highlanders following the arrival of Chileshe. Weren’t you frustrated at that considering that you were a national team player?

Robson: He had the advantage of being a player coach and his experience made it hard for me to win the number one slot. However, I was ready to learn under him knowing that I had age still on my side compared to him.

Times: When he left you took the responsibility with distinction?

Robson: I was more than ready. If you may recall very well that year, 1992 I was voted the Player of the Season and my friend Masoma won the Top Goal Scorer Award.

Times: It was the African Club Championship match against Nkana F.C where many started recognising you as a best goalkeeper.

Robson: The Zambians were always hard to play against, and that match we lost 1-9 aggregate.

Times: You were still number three in the pecking order at Sihlangu after ‘Cool Cat’ and ‘Tototo’.

Robson: In Cameroon, I was in the stands together with Turbie Terblanche who was injured when we lost 0-5. My heart was aching because I felt I should have been there playing.

Times: A week later against Zaire here at home, you had wrestled away the number one spot from ‘Cool Cat’ and ‘Tototo’?

Robson: I was informed on a Saturday which was on the eve of the match at Somhlolo that I would be in goals. I never ate that day and the following day I only had breakfast. I refused to take lunch because I was preoccupied by the task at hand, and making things worse was thinking about the past week’s 5-0 demolition in Cameroon.

Times: King Mswati III watched that game.

Robson: Even though we were used to playing before the king, but the mere mention that he would be there against Zaire, added to my fears. I was rescued by a team talk conducted by Mbuso Dlamini where we had many things to say to each other before the match, until I realised that the whole team was ready to die for the country.

Times: A clean sheet against Zaire followed by another against Cameroon earned you a place in Africa’s best 32 players.

Robson: I was honoured to be mentioned alongside the likes of Abedi ‘Pele’ and Effort Chapala. Ronnie was another Swazi player in the list at the time he was already playing for Kaizer Chiefs.

Times: At the peak of your career you jilted Highlanders for XI Men in a controversial move?

Robson: There were personal needs that needed to be attended. I never sneaked away, but we sat down and looked at the issue. They couldn’t help hence I joined XI Men.

Times: You attempted a return that ended up frustrating you out of the game:

Robson: Motsa refused to issue me a clearance and I had to while away time training the likes of Sipho Dube and later I trained Njabuliso Simelane.

Times: Where are you ‘Sparks’?

Robson: I am working for MVtel and life is good.

Times: Keep safe ‘Sparks’, it’s been good chatting to you.

Robson: Thank you my brother.