Siphamandla Hleza credits past experience for Nedbank Cup heroics against Kaizer Chiefs

Hleza emerged as a hero in the 5-4 win on penalties over Amakhosi, this being his reward after many years of hard work.

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The Mifford goal-stopper is a well-traveled goalkeeper from Emerlo in Mpumalanga, who has been involved in the Nedbank Cup with four different teams.

During last night’s game at the FNB stadium, he made a number of super saves, including denying Ranga Chivaviro from the penalty spot, to take the game to the penalty shootout.

In an exclusive interview with SABC Sport from the team’s hotel last night, He looks back at his journey in this tournament.

''I played a lot in the ABC Motsepe league, played as a youngster - I played my first professional game playing in the Nedbank Cup against SuperSport United, another against Jomo Cosmos, my last Nedbank Cup I think I was playing for Happy Wanderers - where we got  limited by TS Sporting in the last 16, said Hleza.

In the goalkeeping department, usually, it is the tallest goalminders who get a lot of attention, but Hleza says he was inspired by the late Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.

He also counts Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and current Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams as his other role models.

''I grew up being inspired by the late Senzo Meyiwa, I was encourage by how he use to perform, now I look up to Neuer and locally it's Ronwen Williams, he is calm keeper and nowadays you should not only be a goalkeeper but also a team-player,'' added Hleza.

It’s been a long journey for Hleza to reach the top level, with years of experience in the amateur ranks, he reveals that he’s played in three different provinces before making his name this season with Milford FC in the professional ranks.

 ''I got a call to try my luck in KZN, when I got to Milford - I got a warm welcome. It is a homely club, and you speak to the leaders even when you have problems,'' he concluded.

But one of the biggest talking points and game-changing moments in this match was Hleza saving Ranga Chivaviro’s penalty in extra time.

Hleza reveals the mind games he had to play on Chivaviro before he kicked his penalty. He also shares that as the club they were well prepared for the penalties.