Ex-Kaizer Chiefs striker Kelvin Mushangazhike has revealed that South African football legends Maimane Phiri and the late John Moshoeu were key protagonists in encouraging Zimbabweans to join the PSL.
According to Mushangazhike, the pair of Phiri and Moshoeu encouraged Zimbabweans to fight for a place in the Premier Soccer League; DStv Premiership as an easy stepping stone to break into Europe.
Mushangazhike first met the South African legends in Turkey at Genclerbirligic in 1998 as he was trialling at the club.
Phiri and Moshoeu were already in the books of the Turkish giants, while Mushangazhike and three other Zimbabweans Under 23s were trying their luck.
THE PHIRI AND SHOES IMPACT ON ZIM PLAYERS
“He [‘Shoes’ Moshoue] knew it was difficult for us to impress the Turkish team because we were very young and the background we came from was different,” Mushangazhike told FARPost.
“So, I remember him [John Moshoeu] and Phiri talking to us and encouraging us to try and join the South African league.
“He individually told me to be patient because he saw I had what it takes to be a complete player. We went to Turkey hoping for a breakthrough but didn’t make it. There was pressure on our part.
“Honestly, we really needed someone to help us calm our nerves, and those two guys [Phiri and Moshoeu] were there for us.
“Shoes felt the South African league would provide a perfect environment for us to grow and possibly break into Europe.”
Mushangazhike and Moshoeu later shared the same dressing room at Kaizer Chiefs in 2003 to form a combination that got the Glamour boys buzzing.
“I later managed to get into South Africa. Little did I know that we would meet again and share the same dressing room,” added Mushangazhike.
“He [Moshoeu] still took that brotherly role for me and everyone. We formed a formidable combination. He was the senior, and I followed in his footsteps.
“Moshoeu was the only player that I looked up to during my stay at Kaizer Chiefs; even when I felt unwanted, he helped me stand up.”
Up to date, Moshoeu remains one of the best-ever African imports to grace the Turkish league, having spent a decade in their ranks.
RELATED STORY: Stellenbosch winger makes Keagan Dolly admission
