Delamong: 'Time to give back' October 21, 2009 The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been kind to AmaZulu over the years, suppying the club with a number of top players, including former goalkeeper Pelewe Delamong. Kinshasa-born Pelewe Delamong spends his time nowadays running a restaurant on Point Road in Durban, and coaching a soccer team of homeless, but hopeful kids in the city.

Delamong tells us about his rather interesting journey in football.

"I started playing when I was a small boy, as early as my first days in Grade one," he tells the official AmaZulu website. "People who watched me during my childhood kept telling me that I had something special in me and that I will play in the big leagues one day."

Road to South Africa

Congolese giants TP Mazembe, twice winners of the African Champions league, and one-time winner of the CAF Cup Winners' Cup, soon knocked on the door.

"My father sent me to Lubumbashu University when I completed my high school education at the age of 18. I was playing in a university tournament when I was spotted by TP Mazembe. I had a spell with them before a small misunderstanding between them and FC Lupopo (my ex team) arose as to who owned my services. I chose to stay at TP Mazembe because they had a much bigger history than FC Lupopo.

"Teams in some neighbouring countries started to hear about my abilities and it was not hard for me to decide to move to Zambia because our league was not well organized. Clubs that had been recently promoted to the league had heard about me. I chose to go to the city of Ndola where I played for Forest Rangers and thereafter joined Power Dynamos."

Qwaqwa Stars

Delamong soon got in touch with Freddie Mwila, the man who had coached Zambia to their famous 4-0 defeat of Italy in the 1988 Olympics and Power Dynamos to their first success in the Cup Winners' Cup.

"Mwila was already in South Africa and about to sign as coach with (Qwaqwa) Free State Stars when I heard that Stars were looking for a goalkeeper. Lusaka was a bit reluctant to release me. But it took some great convincing before they finally saw the light and I was finally allowed to come to South Africa."

Unfortunately Mwila was not to become a mentor for Stars as he was involved in a car accident that saw him break both legs.

"The story about my arrival is a long one, lets leave that for another day maybe," he elaborates. "The negotiations went on while I also had a broken leg, which I sustained from playing for Power Dynamos in the BP Top 8."

Durban

"Living in the Free State was fun but Durban is different.

"I arrived in Durban for a visit and at the time I had no club, I watched AmaZulu at training and they got interested. Like they say the rest is history. That is how it started."

AmaZulu were struggling, fighting relegation and desperately needed an experienced keeper, and the agile Delamong came to the party.

"People always say that my arrival at AmaZulu played a role in saving the club from getting relegated in the 1997/1998 season. All I say is, it was through the grace of God that I was well received in Durban and here at the club."

The man's status as a living legend is well recorded in the minds of many a supporter.

Giving back

"People do come up to me and say 'Pelewe do you know that AmaZulu will never have a goalkeeper like you and Shadrack Biemba?'".

"It is words such as these that just keep you going and I have treasured those memories since I retired in 2003. I told myself that one day I will give back to the community of Durban and that is exactly what we are doing with the coaching of the homeless kids?"

Parting shot

"What I'd like to say to Durban is please get back into the stadiums and support this great team, you have been with it since 1932 and the players will very much appreciate your presence at the home matches."

Usuthu!

Log on to amazulufc.net for more information on the coaching programme.

* Article by Nhlanhla Brilliant Mkhathini