KickOff tests the memory of former Kaizer Chiefs full-back Isaac Mabotsa in this edition of My First.
In this article, the retired footballer shares some of his first experiences in football and in life in general.
The first school I attended:
Skeen Primary School in Alexandra was my first school. I attended there until Standard 8. Your first day at school is never memorable.
In that school, I made a lot of new friends through football."
The first kiss I ever had:
My first kiss was with a girl called Eva. I was in Standard 4. I couldn't sleep that night. The more I thought about it, the harder it became for me to believe [laughs].
First favorite team:
My uncle, who is a big Swallows fan, took me to my first football stadium. We saw Swallows in Dobsonville against whomever I don't remember.
Later, I switched allegiances and followed Kaizer Chiefs, who couldn't resist winning."
The first soccer boots I ever owned:
"I got my first soccer boots at Sheffield United, an amateur team from Alexandra. Our coach bought the boots for me, and even now, he is still involved in soccer. He bought me Adidas Argentina boots. Due to the financial situation at home back then, I grew up playing barefoot."
The first goal I have is:
It's only now that I'm playing in the Masters that I'm scoring week after week.
Most of us defenders score during set pieces, so because of my height, I was always instructed to stay behind during set plays."
The first red card I received was:
"I don't remember the team we played against, but we were in Angola, playing the Mandela Cup.
To be honest, I kicked the poor guy on purpose. That's how I used to deal with players who were a menace to me. But I eventually matured and learned from my mistakes."
The first award I received as an individual was:
Between 1997 and 1998, I won my first award, which was the Player of the Tournament, in a provincial tournament with Jabu Pule, Gerald Sibeko, and the late Moffat Mafoka.
At the senior team, I won the Most Improved Player award, Arthur Zwane won Player of the Season, and they even gave us Nissan Hardbody cars.
"But because some people didn't understand we were only allowed to keep the cars for a year, they kept asking me silly questions, like: So you've decided to sell the car Chiefs gave you?"
Here is my first cup/trophy:
Although I didn't reach my target, I am still proud of what I've achieved in football. I am a proud member of Operation Vat Alles."
The first car I ever owned:
The Golf 3 GTi was the in-thing back then, and it was what I could afford. I bought it for R30 000."
