Luvuyo Memela in action for Orlando Pirates in 2019. Image: BackpagePix.
‘I loved Chiefs but Pirates came first’ – Chippa winger
Most local fans should remember Luvuyo Memela’s quality at Orlando Pirates. Did you know he wanted to join Kaizer Chiefs?
Luvuyo Memela in action for Orlando Pirates in 2019. Image: BackpagePix.
How Kaizer Chiefs supporters would have loved Luvuyo Memela. The former Orlando Pirates stars’ heart was with Amakhosi.
LUVUYO MEMELA WANTED KAIZER CHIEFS OVER ORLANDO PIRATES
Memela, who now plays football in the Eastern Cape with Chippa United, started his senior career with Ajax Cape Town (later renamed Cape Town Spurs). The 36-year-old from Paarl’s Mbekweni, later moved to the likes of Pirates and AmaZulu.
Speaking candidly in an interview with FARPosts’ Sinethemba Sithole, Memela revealed his dream was to wear the Chiefs shirt.
“I grew up loving Chiefs, I was like wishing and hoping that they will contact me or my manager,” Memela said.
“So, I thought they would contact us but came Pirates first. I was very shocked and scared. I remember asking [my manager] if he was serious but he was even shocked himself.
“Zulu [the manager] said to me when Pirates wanted me, they did everything quickly because they didn’t want anybody [to overtake them].
“Even the chairman was in Cape Town, he asked the chairman of All Stars to meet. We went there and around 1, I agreed [to sign]. After a day or two after signing, they were like, ‘don’t tell anybody, just tell your family’.
“I think that’s when my manager said he got a call from Chiefs saying they’re also interested in me. But I don’t know who phoned, but it was somebody from Chiefs asking about me. But he told them it’s too late, the boy has signed for another team. So, that was it,” Memela added.
MEMELA’S CAREER JOURNEY SO FAR
- Ajax CT Youth (now called Cape Town Spurs)
- Hanover Park
- Chippa United
- Hanover Park
- Cape Town All Stars
- Orlando Pirates
- AmaZulu
- Richards Bay
- Chippa United.
Do you believe Memela would have become a success at Naturena? Let us know in the comments section below.
NEXT MATCH FOR AMAKHOSI
Staying with Chiefs, the Glamour Boys are getting closeer to the next game since the 3-2 loss to Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby.
Amakhosi will be on the road to the Western Cape. Cavin Johnson’s side will take on Cape Town City on Saturday, 30 March. The game will kick off at 15:30 from the Athlone Stadium.
Chiefs are currently placed in seventh place with four points below the CAF Champions League spot. This weekend’s hosts, City, occupy the fifth spot with two points off the CAFCL position.
Can Johnson’s side qualify for the CAFCL next season? Let us know in the comments section below.
