Former Orlando Pirates defender Thulani Hlatshwayo retired from professional football last week. The Soweto-born centre-back also took the moment for a quick casual reflection.
Speaking to Thabiso Mosia on Radio 2000, Hlatshwayo was asked to name the best striker he ever come up against. “I don’t even have to think about it. Knowledge Musona,” he said.
Hlatshwayo faced Musona several times during the Zimbabwean forward’s peak years at Kaizer Chiefs, and the former Buccaneers defender explained why he found him so difficult to contain.
“He was so quick, he could shoot left and right, he could jump, he could protect the ball,” Hlatshwayo said. “You could show him one side, he does a step over and goes another direction.”
“He was very strong. He was more like Khama [Billiat]. He was slim but you could not win the ball when he protected it,” he added. “But Musona was lethal. He scored with both feet, and the head.”
THE BEST CENTRAL DEFENDER HE PLAYED AGAINST
“There have been so many,’ the first that comes to mind is Buhle Mkhwanazi. I also played against him while he was at AmaTuks, and I was at Ajax Cape Town. One of the loudest players ever.
“He could anticipate and read the game so well. I was more of a bulldozer that went for players. Buhle was more organised and saw things before they happened.
“I won the league with him…Also did well with him at Bafana Bafana. When we played together in Cairo against Egypt at AFCON. I have a lot of memories with Buhle,” the former Orlando Pirates hardman concluded.
Meanwhile, the former Ajax Cape Town, Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United skipper has joined the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU).
SAFPU exists to safeguard players’ rights and welfare on and off the pitch, both during their careers and beyond.
DO YOU MAKE OF HLATSHWAYO’S MEMORIES?
Please share your thoughts in the comments block below.
Also read: Former Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro joins new club