TBT: Tshegofatso Mashego

Mashego was playing for Tembisa Classic at the time and they were on the verge of gaining promotion to the Absa Premiership in 2005.

Mashego recalls when former striker James Mothibi joined the National First Division side from Orlando Pirates and his fight with the Classic team manager.

“Before we won promotion to PSL in 2005, that was the time James Mothibi joined us from Orlando Pirates. When he arrived he had a few problems but he turned out to be a good guy because after that he went on to guide the guys with his experience,” Mashego told Phakaaathi.

“What changed him was an incident with coach Page (Mahlangu). James was causing a few problems in the club at the time so Page had a list of 19 players before the game, we didn’t know who was playing or who would be out of the squad.

“We were all given jerseys for the game and James didn’t get one. Mothibi asked the club manager why he didn’t get a jersey and he was directed to Page the coach. Then he was sent back to the manager by the coach and the manager shouted at him and said you are not in the team go sit in the stands.

“James got angry because he was embarrassed in front of young players as a guy coming from the PSL with Pirates and started beating the team manager in the dressing room 30 minutes before the game!

“The fight went on for a while because the late Jakhonia Cibi closed the door when Page tried to separate them by pushing James out or the room, it was a big mess. But it stopped eventually.”

Classic beat Silver Stars 2-0 on the day and was later sold to new owners shortly after that win and were renamed Maritzburg United.

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