Moroka Swallows captain Lefa Tsutsulupa recently played his 300th game of professional football, a remarkable achievement anywhere in the world.

Tsutsulupa made it 300 not out when he took to the field for Swallows in a 1-1 draw against Maritzburg United in the Birds’ most recent outing, He has donned the Birds’ colours 259 times, while also playing in 41 matches for Bloemfontein Celtic.

The 33-year-old from Ladybrand made his debut back in 1999 and joins six other players in the PSL today who have past 300 games, the others being team-mate Greg Etafia, Tinashe Nengomasha and Moeneeb Josephs from Bidvest Wits, Orlando Pirates’ Lucky Lekgwathi, Vuyo Mere of Platinum Stars and Calvin Marlin, now at Black Aces.

Tsutsulupa, always the model professional is the kind of player a coach puts down first on his team-sheet, knowing that the midfield workaholic will always give his everything, inspiring those around him with his no-nonsense approach and ability to take charge of a game from the centre of the park.

PSL.co.za caught up with the dreadlocked anchorman to reflect back on what has been a highly successful career.

“Its not something I thought about much, or was keeping track of, so it was a bonus when I found out. It’s a good feeling, it shows that football can be a long journey if you look after yourself and respect the game” he said.

I’m playing the game I love and still enjoy playing as much as I did when I started out. There are always new challenges and new players coming through to keep you working hard, to keep you on your toes. I’m still going strong and have no plans to stop playing any time soon.

How did it all begin for you, as a youngster in the Free State?

Lefa Tsutsulupa: It started out when I was at home in the Free State, and decided to go on trials with my uncle to Bloemfontein Celtic. I was able to make a success of the trials and went on to sign a professional contract.

I had some good times at Celtic, and what I took most from that time was the experienced I gained – signing my first contract, what that actually meant, and what it meant to be a paid footballer. On the field, coach Bra Styles (the late Styles Phumo) gave me the confidence to play – he let us play with freedom, he was a big influence on me in those earlier years.

Gavin Hunt signed you for Swallows, and has been known as a big admirer of your abilities. What did you learn under Hunt, and what do you remember from your early days at Swallows?

I learnt a lot from Hunt, it was through him that my positional and tactical game improved a lot. I wasn’t in awe when I first arrived there, because I have always focussed on my own game and my own strengths and not looked up to others.

I have been around long enough to see the team go through various generations so to speak, and I have been lucky enough to play with some outstanding players. I remember the impression guys like Alred Phiri, Goodman Mazibuko, Mohammed Ouseb and George Hummel made on me, and since then I have seen many good players come to the club, some of them going on to play in Europe. I’ve won silverware with the team, and have made many great memories, I couldn’t have asked for more from football.

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