Lucas Radebe: The Games That Changed My Life

January 13, 1991:Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates, game abandonedThe Soweto Derby is a great gameto play in and means so much to the people. Unfortunately, the gameI remember most was for the wrong reasons – 42 people were killed. It was held at the Orkney Stadium and about 10,000 too many fans got in. There was a terrible crush. We saw bodies everywhere, including children.It was very upsetting. It changed mylife because I thought: 'We have to look after the supporters better'. I’ve always tried to be good to fans ever since,and give them my time.September 26, 1994:Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 LeedsOn my debut for Leeds, my manager Howard Wilkinson got me to play on the wing. I’ve no idea why, because I wasn’t a winger or even that fast! It was strange andI kept cutting inside. The English game was so quick compared to what I was used to, and it was pretty difficult forme.But the atmosphere was fantastic and I knew I was going to enjoy playing in England – as long as I could play inmy proper position...February 3, 1996:South Africa 2-0 TunisiaReturning to international football in 1992 after apartheid was fantastic, and our greatest moment was winning the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations. The side had developed together for a long time and we’d had some bad results. Winning the tournament was the making of us – Bafana Bafana were national heroes.We beat Tunisia in the final at Soccer City and the atmosphere was incredible. We met Madiba [Nelson Mandela] before the game, which was inspiring, and a lot of the nation’s cricket and rugby stars were there. It brought the country together.April 14, 1996:Manchester United 1-0LeedsOur goalkeeper, Mark Beeney, was sent off after 16 minutes at Old Trafford, and Howard Wilkinson never picked a sub keeper. I used to like messing around in goal during training, so I found a green shirt thrown over my head.I ended up playing a good game. I made two great saves, one from Ryan Giggs and one from Brian McClair, but Roy Keane eventually scored.At the end,I got clapped by some Manchester United fans –quite something for a Leeds player!December 9, 1999:Leeds 1-0Spartak MoscowWe’d lost 2-1 in Moscow, so we knewa 1-0 home win would get us throughto the next round of the UEFA Cup. It was a tight game and with five minutes left we were pushing for a goal.I came up for a corner rightat the end and I met Stephen McPhail’s cross to get the winner.I didn’t score many, and I can still replay that moment in slow-mo. Elland Road erupted.It was a career highlight – I enjoyed my time there so much.This interview originally appeared in the November 2010 issue of FourFourTwo.Subscribe!New features every day on FourFourTwo.com