Former Jomo Cosmos star Esau Kanyenda has revealed how Dr Patrice Motsepe nearly convinced him to sign for Mamelodi Sundowns 20 years ago.
Motsepe reportedly spoke to the Malawian after he became the first player in the modern era in South Africa to score in seven consecutive league matches.
Esau Kanyenda also top-scored to help Cosmos win the Coca-Cola Cup in the 2001-2002 season.
The former Flames star was also named the Coca-Cola Cup Player of the Tournament.
Esau Kanyenda said such achievements prompted Motsepe to urge him to consider joining Sundowns, a team the now CAF President was about to invest in.
“Do you know that I nearly joined PSL giants Mamelodi Sundowns when owner Patrice Motsepe was buying a stake in the team?” Kanyenda wrote on his Facebook page.
“Motsepe was among those who presented awards, and he told me before receiving my top goal scorer award that I shouldn’t travel overseas because he wanted me to play for his team.”
THE MALAWIAN REFLECTS ON MISSED SUNDOWNS OPPORTUNITY
The former Polokwane City forward said he is unsure if he made the right decision to forgo the Sundowns offer.
“…but unfortunately, I left for Russia, where I played for several clubs,” the Malawian said.
“During my long stay in Russia, I signed for Rostov, KamaZ and Lokomotiv Moscow and others before returning to South Africa in 2012.”
He added: “I still wonder what could have happened if I had cancelled the Russia trip and joined Mamelodi Sundowns.”
HOW ESAU KANYENDA BECAME BLACK MAMBA AT COSMOS
Cosmos boss Sono signed Kanyenda from Malawi’s top-flight side Dwasco FC in 2001 and turned him into a top striker nicknamed Black Mamba.
The Black Mamba scored in seven consecutive games to finish with 18 goals, one behind Golden Boot Awardee Lesley Manyathela [deceased].
The Malawian scored 26 goals in 46 appearances for Cosmos before moving to Rostov in Russia in 2003.
Kanyenda played for Polokwane upon his return to South Africa in 2013.
He helped Rise and Shine gain promotion to the PSL. The former Flames star went back home for a swansong with Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in 2017.
The 40-year-old called it time on his professional career in 2018.
He retired a year after helping Wanderers win the country’s elite TNM Super League championship.
Kanyenda is now based in the United Kingdom.
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