Captains of the Ship

Just like a compass that guides men through rough seas and tough terrain, it takes a very special breed of men to comfortably lead their fellows to where True North is. With the natural ability to be resolute when distraction looms and an inherent danger threatens the course; it then becomes clear beyond reasonable doubt that leaders are born and not made.

The captain's armband is one of the most bespoke items of clothing in football history. It is tailor-made for courageous men and women who aren’t scared to shoulder the responsibility of their fellow teammates. A select few who have the ability to entrench lasting memories in the minds of the supporters. The kind whose names are in bold and italic when you scroll through the history books. An elite bunch who do not flinch when the troops are confronted by adversity but rather rally them to fight gallantly for the badge. Only these brave hearts truly have a finger on the pulse of what it means to lead a team.

In 1996 when the National Soccer League would rebrand and use their new trade name of the “Premier Soccer League”, the first armband to lift the title belonged to Manning Rangers’ jersey number 2, Mark Davies. The following 3 seasons would see dominance from a team that was led by the lucky jersey number 13. Apart from being an all-time leading goal scorer in the history of the NSL, the name Daniel Mudau would be associated with carrying the title as he'd do it again and again until the turn of the new millennium.

A power shift in the beginning of a new 10 year cycle would see Orlando Pirates lifting the title twice between the year 2001 and 2003, with Santos' skipper Edries Burton’s surprise league ambush tinging that dominance in the year 2002; ironically that’s the same year something spesh happened at Mayfair - but more on that a little later. Burton is still unique to the history of the People’s Team as he remains the only skipper to lift all of their trophies in the league. A sprout in form from Kaizer Chiefs would see Patrick Mabedi kiss the coveted silverware on two consecutive occasions under the guidance of Ted Dumitru; An attainment which was immediately emulated by Mamelodi Sundowns. Ricardo Katza's SuperSport United capped off the decade in style when they matched Sundows' record of the most consecutive league titles. Tefu Mashamaite, Thabo Mgomeni, Itumeleng Khune, Benson Mhlongo, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Alje Schut are some of the names that lifted the title.

Now let’s track back to the year 2002. Specifically the morning of June the 29th. News of the PSL’s decision to reduce the number of teams participating in the league from 18 to 16 has reached every man jack. Ria Ledwaba and The Mokoena family would have to let go of their stars. The galaxy as we know it would never be the same. But one man’s loss is another’s gain; so was the case when Orlando Pirates found their Sirius in Lehlogonolo Lucky Lekgwathi. A player that would go on to be one of the best captains the team has ever had. In the seasons 2010/11 and 2011/12 he would gallantly lead the Orlando Pirates force to 6 major trophies. An achievement that is yet to be repeated.

2011 would also be the year Hlompho Alpheus Kekana joins Mamelodi Sundowns FC. He would have to watch from the side and allow his compatriots to lead him before he could be given the armband. A period in which he would endure hardship as the team was going through the most turbulent of times. That proved to be the time necessary for him to undergo a vigorous refinery process. As soon as that belt was around his left arm, he left nothing to chance. He made lifting trophies part of his list of casual hobbies. To date he is the only skipper in the history of South African football to exchange pennants at the Fifa Club World Cup. He is arguably (and it isn’t much of an argument) the best captain to ever lead Sundowns. Ranked amongst the best in the league.

Many have had the chance to lead their teams for a long time, like Patrick Tignyemb and Paulus Masehe, but only a few are able to collect titles while doing so. It is no child’s play. A lot follow where a path may lead, but only the selected few go where there’s no path and leave a new trail behind them, solidifying their place in history. Always facing True North and always traversing the rough seas.