Mbuyane Enjoying His Game Again At Aces
After seven years of loyal service at Orlando Pirates, Thulasizwe Mbuyane has parted ways with The Buccaneers. He discusses his departure from the club and he also lets us know why he approached the club to release him.
Personal Information
Full Name: Thulasizwe Moses Mbuyane
Date Of Birth: August 1982
Place of birth: Mamelodi West, Tshwane
Position: Midfielder/striker
Nickname: Juju
Current Club: Mpumalanga Black Aces
Previous Clubs: Mamelodi Professionals,
Cartonia Alba Chiefs
Jusbem United, AC Milanall (amateur)
Garankuwa United (then Mvela League)
Free State Stars
Orlando Pirates
Honours:
2013/14 Carling Black Label Cup
2013/14 Telkom Knockout runner-up
2013/14 CAF Champions League runner-up
2012/13 Carling Black Label champion
2011/12 Vodacom Challenge runner-up
2010/11 MTN8 Champion
2011/12 Telkom Charity Cup runner-up
2010/11 Telkom Knockout Champion
2011/12 League Champion
2010/11 Telkom Charity runner-up
2010/11 Telkom Knockout Champion
2010/11 Nedbank Cup Champion
2010/11 League champion
2009/10 Telkom Knockout Charity Cup
2008/09 Telkom Charity Cup Champion
Telkom Knockout runner-up
2008/09 Telkom Charity Cup
2008/09 League runner-up (all with Pirates)
2005/06 Vodacom League champion (with Garankuwa), eight Bafana Bafana caps
Hi Juju, seven years of loyal service and a good relationship with the Bucs supporters came to an end earlier this year.
That`s life. As a player, you obviously want to achieve as much as you can before calling it a day and I think I have done and seen it all with Orlando Pirates. I can`t think of any domestic trophy I haven`t won with Pirates, therefore I don`t regret anything. In fact, I`m very happy that I served the club with flying colours and that we parted on such good terms. Leaving was obviously going to come with mixed emotions, but like I said, I`m glad I served the team to the best of my ability. I wish everyone at Pirates everything of the best. I have a new home now but we`re still on very good terms.
Tell us about the decision to part ways.
I went to the Chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza and we spoke about things like not getting regular game time. I said I thought it would be fair for me to go look for regular game time elsewhere. He then told me he would arrange a meeting with my agent Mike Makaab, and the rest is history.
Was this before Pirates even started discussing your contract, which was due to expire in June?
Yes, we had not started negotiations. I don`t think it would have been wise for the club to start talking about a new contract when I wasn`t even playing. They met to discuss my situation and also the fact that Mpumalanga Black Aces had enquired, and even tabled an offer for my services. Because of that they agreed to sell me to Amazayoni, with immediate effect, where I stood a better chance of game-time. My agent then called to inform me of the decision and I told him I was happy with it.
You then went on to sign the termination of your contract at the Pirates offices. How did it feel walking into the office for the last time as a Bucs player and then leave as a former player?
Obviously it was an emotional experience because I love Pirates so much but, at the same time, I was happy that I gave my best to the club. I met with Darryl Joselowsky, who is the club`s Financial Manager, to terminate my contract which had six months remaining on it. He wished me well. I then took a last look at the office as a Bucs player and walked out. The good memories started flooding my mind and, in part, I was sad to leave those memories behind but I was also excited about the future. You don`t spend seven years in a team if you are not happy. So it is not easy to just up and leave.
Okay, how are you finding life at Aces?
Honestly, everything has been going very well since joining the club. My current teammates have made me feel at home from the very first time I met them at training, which made it easy for me to settle in. I have to continue fighting and working hard for a place in the team because Aces have some good players. I`m happy and grateful to Aces management for giving me an opportunity to play and enjoy my game again. They have been targeting me for a long time but they were always turned down by Pirates. So it made perfect sense for me to come here, where I have been long wanted.
How do you handle fans or supporters booing you during the match?
I like to stay positive, when people boo me, It means there`s something in my game that I can do better. I become motivated to try harder and do my best.
Juju, thanks for your time and all the best at Aces.
I am very thankful for the wonderful support from everyone at Bucs and may God bless them all.