Former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo, now retired, has shared the story behind his decision to transition from playing as a midfielder to becoming a goalkeeper.
Khuzwayo earned a move to Kaizer Chiefs at the start of the 2012/13 season following a stellar performance at AmaZulu. He spent five seasons at Naturena before he moved to rivals Orlando Pirates.
His career was ultimately cut short following a persistent ankle injury just after one season at Pirates.
The 34-year-old attributed his passion for football to his father, who frequently took him to stadiums to watch live matches. His father was a devoted supporter of Kaizer Chiefs.
The former Bafana goalkeeper narrated a story of how watching the controversial 1998 Rothman’s Cup final between Amakhosi and Mamelodi Sundowns, seeing Brian Baloyi blocking goal-threatening shots that propelled Chiefs towards lifting the trophy inspired him to change from being a field to a shot-stopper.
“I started my football career as a central midfielder, in 1998 when I watched the final of the Rothman’s Cup between Sundowns and Chiefs, my father was a fan of Chiefs and whenever Chiefs is playing in Durban, we’d go watch the game.
“On that controversial final, I fell in love with Brian Baloyi, he saved a number of shots that would have changed the results of that match and Chiefs ended up winning on penalties. That’s where I fell in love with goalkeeping.
“This is why when I joined Chiefs, I wore jersey number 16 (in honour of his hero Baloyi who used to wear 16 while at Chiefs) which is also special to me because my mother passed away when I was 16 years old,” said Khuzwayo on Ntokozo’s Kick Off Podcast.
‘The Brilliant One”, as he was affectionally known during his playing days hails from the vibrant township of Umlazi and has been known for producing some of the finest goalkeepers including Vuma Mfeka, the late Senzo Meyiwa and Siyabonga Mbatha.
He had the rare opportunity to play as a goalkeeper for both Soweto giants. As the highly anticipated Soweto Derby approaches this Saturday, Khuzwayo was once in the starting lineup for one of the most significant derby clashes—the 2014 MTN8 final. Held at Moses Mabhida Stadium on September 20, the match saw Amakhosi secure a 1-0 victory and claim the trophy.
“Weeks toward that game, I had to focus and control my diet because that match was a make or break for me. I needed to prove to everyone who believed in my talent that I belonged in the big league,” he concluded.