By Michael Madyira
The late Siphiwe Mkhonza was one of the privileged players to lift major silverware with Kaizer Chiefs.
The defender helped Amakhosi claim the 2004/05 Premier Soccer League title in his debut season at the club, which he joined from Golden Arrows.
They were the good old days for Chiefs and it became the height of his career in that star-studded Amakhosi squad. A far cry from the Soweto giants who have battled to win trophies for nearly a decade now.
Being part of a defence set-up with players like Patrick Mabedi, Fabian McCarthy, Cyril Nzama and Nhlanhla Kubheka was like dining with royalty.
He fitted in perfectly and became recognised in this squad already packed with household names like Tinashe Nengomasha, Patrick Mayo, Thabo Mooki, Arthur Zwane and Collins Mbesuma.
Wherever he is now, Mkhonza may be having a nostalgic football chat or a kickabout with the late duo John “Shoes” Moshoeu and Emmanuel “Scara” Ngobese who were also part of that PSL title-winning group.
A true legend of the game, the three-season stint at Naturena earned him seven Bafana Bafana caps.
Born in KwaThema, Springs, Mkhonza died at his Roodepoort home on Tuesday aged 44 after battling a kidney infection.
He came from a footballing family and his father Joseph coached Banyana Banyana to their first Olympic Games appearance in 2012.
After making his professional debut at Bloemfontein Celtic as a 19-year-old in 1999, the centre-back passed through Ria Stars and Arrows on his way to Chiefs where he rose to stardom.
From the Soweto giants, SuperSport United was his next home before going on to captain Maritzburg United.
That was followed by a spell at AmaZulu before he hung up his boots at Black Leopards in 2012.
Affectionately known as Dr Mnandi, Mkhonza took up the role of an expert at SABC Sport. His insightful analysis of the game helped him remain a fan favourite until his death.
Pictured above: Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Siphiwe Mkhonza.
Image source: Kaizer Chiefs
