ARENA SPORTS SHOW | Mike Ntombela explains Sundowns’ ‘shoeshine and piano’

In the 57th episode of the Arena Sports Show, presenter Clauiee Grace Mpanza and regular guest Mahlatse Mphahlele are joined by former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Mike “Nanana” Ntombela. 

Ntombela, who also played for Wits University in its glory days, goes down memory lane as he reflects on a career that saw him lift numerous trophies along the way. 

He spoke about his early days in Soweto playing football on the dusty streets and moving to Wits and later Sundowns, where he was part of the famed “shoeshine and piano” playing style. 

“Shoeshine and piano” was made possible by players such as Mark Anderson, Ntombela, Rabie Moripe, Lucky Molefe, Johannes “Bricks” Mudau, Donald “Ace” Khuse, Alpheus “Go” Mabusela, Harold “Jazzy Queen” Legodi, Harris “TV4" Chueu and Bennett Masinga.

Ntombela said Sundowns teams of the past decade that have dominated the local scene, racking up seven Premiership titles in succession and competing strongly continentally, are no different to his generation's in the 1980s and 1990s under coach Stanley “Screamer” Tshabalala and Trott Moloto. 

He also explained how Tshabalala implemented the “shoeshine and piano” style that is still talked about to this day and the influence of the late Downs PRO Alex “Goldfingers” Shakoane.