By Jimmy Masingi
NAME: Oupa
SURNAME: Masenya
DATE OF BIRTH:1973-10-20
WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING FOOTBALL?
I started at a very young age when I was eight to nine. I played in the street like any other kid my age. I started my schooling at Ikage Primary School and later graduated to Ithute Higher Primary School. I’ve done my high school at Realogile Secondary school. I played football in both schools, but later on, there was political activism throughout the country that prevented us from playing football.
So we haven’t had much sport in some time. I went on with soccer when I started my high school in Realogile High School. I played for the school first team. I was doing form three then, which is today called grade 10. I later graduated to playing club football and I played for a club called Alexandra Vegas FC.
Eventually, Vegas FC management bought a status from a team called Spinas FC and they took us to that team. After a year with them, I moved and joined Highlands Park development site, where I stayed with them for only a year.
HOW DID YOUR PROFESSIONAL BREAK THROUGH COME ABOUT?
We went for trials at Wits University FC with my friend Bethuel “Tso”Sejake. Luckily, the two of us made it and the club gave us contracts to sign. That was in 1993 and we played for them for a year and a half. Then later, a guy by the name of Themba recruited me to Alex United. My coaches at Wits, Scars Thintwa and John Latan, didn’t want me to leave, but because I was impatient for not getting enough game time, I left anyway to join Alex United.
Whilst playing for the team, Tembisa Classic came knocking on my door and asked me to join them. The two executives talked about my move to Tembisa. As the saying goes, the rest is history.
WHICH PROFESSIONAL TEAMS HAVE YOU PLAYED FOR? After Tembisa Classic, I played for Vaal Professionals. Overall, I have played with Alex United, Dynamos, Wits University, Tembisa Classic and Vaal Professionals.
WHEN WAS YOUR RETIREMENT AND WHY?
I took early retirement at the age of 28 to 29. I retired out of impatience that I didn’t have enough playing time.
WHICH PLAYERS YOU PLAYED WITH IN YOUR CAREER? I played with the very great players. At Wits, I played with Peter Gordon, Gavin Rafaty, Steven Tlou, Lovers Mohlala, Junadly Hurtly, Bradley Carnell and Tso Mojoka. At Tembisa Classic I played with Buti Phiri, Ryder Mofokeng, David Malatule, Peter Matsitse, Thato Maleka and at Vaal Professionals, I found players like Victor Masilo, Solly Nketle, Peter Koabane, Danise Vukubi, Ronson Seakamela, Nhlanhla Khubeka and others.
WHO’S THE BEST FOOTBALLER YOU EVER PLAYED WITH? Those players will be from Wits University, because that’s where I played my best football. Players like Peter Gordon and Gavin Rafaty were great and disciplined.
WHO WAS YOUR DIFFICULT OPPONENT? When I was at the Tembisa Classic, the Venda players were giving us trouble from a team called Rabali Blackpool. I can’t remember their names, but these guys were pretty tough to deal with.
WHERE DID YOU STAY AT PRIME OF YOUR CAREER? I only stayed in Vanderbijlpark while playing for Vaal Professionals.
WHERE DO YOU STAY NOW? I’m still in Alex.
DO YOU DRINK ALCOHOL? Yes, I do, but occasionally.
DO YOU ATTEND CHURCH? Yes I go to church every Sunday. My church is Alexandra Assembly of God.
WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE CURRENT PLAYER? I’ve lost touch with the current football. I don’t watch much of it.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF FOOTBALL IN SOUTH AFRICA? First and foremost, we have a football management problem. Second, our development is not up to standard. Our football players we recruit to our national teams aren’t quality players because of a lack of proper development. A further problem is the interference of club officials and club chairmen in the selection of lineups and so on. This complicates the work of the coaches and affects the development of the players as well. Lack of professionalism in football kills the game.
INTERNATIONAL VERSUS LOCAL COACHES? I believe we got capable coaches in our country and international coaches don’t know much about our football culture and history.The problem with international coaches is that they want to change our style of football. They also limit our players freedom of expression which is what makes us unique. They don’t add any value to our football.