Tyson paints grim picture of Pirates stay

Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain Thulani Hlatshwayo has opened up on his rollercoaster spell at the Soweto giants.

Freedom! That was the first thing that came to the mind of "Tyson" when he received his clearance from the Buccaneers recently.

Hlatshwayo, who was unveiled at SuperSport United to reunite with his former coach at Bidvest Wits, Gavin Hunt this week, has painted a grim picture of his time at Pirates.

In a sit-down interview with SABC Sport, Hlatshwayo, who played in only 13 matches in all competitions last season, says the situation at Pirates was also affecting him at home.

"Everyone will agree with me, it's not like I may be wrong, but I think it was the Soweto Derby [on 6 November, when Kaizer Chief won 2-1]," Hlatshwayo told SABC Sport.

"That's where things suddenly changed for me. Suddenly everything just went sour, and from there for six months Tyson hasn't played football or hasn't started a game.

"You can see in some of the games... I'd be on the bench and, as an experienced player, you can see ok, these last 20-25 minutes, what kind of person the game needs [because] we're trying to get a result or chase a game.

"But I'd be ignored, they would play other personnel and, you know me being a team player, I'd just hold it inside myself and not show anything but support the guys, whoever is playing. When I get home, that's where I would get my comfort."

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The 32-year-old further adds that it was agonising having to put up a facade at home, in front of his family, as he dealt with the heartache of being a castaway at his workplace.

"It's been difficult, even to communicate at home and, playing with your kids, they don't know anything about what's happening. But you have to give them that 5-10 minutes, which is not what you're used to giving them, and just give them that fake smile just to protect them - for them to see [that] Daddy's ok, Daddy's happy," he added.

"But after that, it just goes away and you can't control it, you don't know what takes it away. Now, even my wife says I'm glowing now, and it makes me feel good for someone who's very close to my heart and is able to notice that."

By Velile Mnyandu