Orlando Pirates superstar Daine Klate made his competitive debut in the Premier Soccer League for SuperSport United on this day ten years ago.
Since making his debut on October 24, 2004 for United, the School of Excellence development product has won 12 major trophies – five league titles and seven cups.
The number could have easily jumped to 15 had his current club Pirates won the MTN8, Telkom Knockout and the CAF Champions League when the Buccaneers soared to three cup finals in succession but ended up with the runners up medals.
Klate, who made his debut in a match against Bush Bucks exactly a decade ago, took to his Twitter account to pay tribute to his former club SuperSport and his mentor Pitso Mosimane.
“Today 10 years ago I made my debut… huge thanks to @SuperSportFC for making me, and thanks to coach Pitso (Mosimane) for believing in me,” tweeted Klate.
“I’ve learnt a lot and enjoyed myself so much. The biggest lesson I’ve learnt would be that, no matter what you do, you can’t please everyone!”
The first medal the now 29-year-old picked up was the 2004 SAA Supa8 when SuperSport United beat Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the Final. At the time, Klate had yet to break into SuperSport United after getting promoted but was part of the squad that received gold medals.
In 2005 SuperSport won the Absa Cup beating Wits University 1-0 in the Final and Klate scored in the semi-final when they beat Santos 5-0. Klate had to wait three years before getting his hands on the premier league trophy when SuperSport won the 2007/08 title.
Matsatsantsa won the league twice more with Klate before the left-footer joined Orlando Pirates, where he won two more League titles as well as the 2010/11 MTN8, 2011/12 MTN8 and 2011/12 Telkom Knockout.
Here are landmark seasons in his career since:
Major Honours:
2010-2011 season – Won Absa Premiership Championship, MTN8 Cup and Nedbank Cup (All with Orlando Pirates
2011-2012 season – Won Absa Premiership Championship, Telkom Knockout Cup, MTN8 (All with Orlando Pirates)
2009/2010 season – Won Absa Premiership Championship with SuperSport United
2008/2009 season – Won Absa Premiership Championship with SuperSport United
2007/2008 season – Won Absa Premiership Championship with SuperSport United
2006/07 season – Won SAA Supa8 Cup runners-up with SuperSport United
2005/06 season – Won SAA Supa8 Cup and Coca-Cola Cup runners-up medals with SuperSport United
2004/05 season – Won SAA Supa8 Cup with SuperSport United and Coca-Cola Cup runners-up medal