It's been a difficult last few years for actor Nay Maps as a Kaizer Chiefs supporter, but he still has a soft spot for Amakhosi and has hopes that things will turn around, starting with the Nedbank Cup. Soccer Laduma caught up with the Umkhokha actor, real name to talk about his love for Amakhosi and Jabu Pule (now Mahlangu).
Talk to us about your love for the beautiful game?
I know a lot of people don't know this, but I actually played idiski back in the day. I played club football and my plan was to become the second black South African to play for Manchester United after Quinton Fortune. But then the love for the arts took over, but my vision has always been international. Even with what I am doing now, the vision is still international
So, who did you play for?
I played for Arcadia Sheppards. At the time, they were under the same entity division with SuperSport United. We used to train at one of the SuperSport grounds and they were like a father company. Some of the guys who played for Arcadia were taken to play for SuperSport United or be taken by Tuks and go teams like (Orlando) Pirates. This was when I was still in Pretoria.
Do you ever watch football now and think 'that could have been me'?
Yeah, I do. I look at the guys and I look at guys like (Kylian) Mbappe and think 'damn, that could have been me, man'.
When and how did you start supporting Kaizer Chiefs?
It came from a young age. My dad actually used to play for Royal Chiefs back in the day. But it got to a point where uGogo, his mother, forced him to (stop playing), when it looked like he would start booming. She was a staunch Christian and she forced my dad to be in the church. My dad stopped playing and he later became a pastor. And then my uncle, my mom's brother, also played football. They used to like comparing him Doctor Khumalo because they were both tall, light-skinned. He was always a Chiefs guy, so I think that Chiefs culture was there from a young age. Whenever Chiefs played, we would have a nice cooked meal at home and watch the game. You know how you prepare for a movie? That's how it would be. That's how it actually started.
How are you feeling these days as a Chiefs supporter?
There was a time when Chiefs were on a roll, but when they started disappointing us as fans, I saw how it would affect my mood. I saw that it was not healthy, so I thought that I should start detaching. And they made it easier because when Chiefs started losing, I used to be so bored. Chiefs would have this thing where they get you excited and then when it matters most, they lose. I would be so disappointed. That started happening so often and I saw it was not healthy. I still follow the team, but not as deeply as I used to. You see like a long distance relationship... I am no longer super invested because I remember how it used to make me and my family feel. But I still follow them.
What's your best memory as a Chiefs supporter?
My best memory as a Kaizer Chiefs fan was the Coca-Cola Cup final (in 2001), when Jabu Pule was on fire. That 5-0 game when we beat Jomo Cosmos. We did not see what guys like Jomo Sono and Ace Ntsoelengoe did, but in our era, for me, Jabu Pule was the Pele and Maradona of our time. He single-handedly...even the Jomo Cosmos fans were going crazy about what Jabu Pule was doing that day. Even my love for the Coca Cola brand grew. That's my best memory of being a Kaizer Chiefs fan.
Who is your all time favourite Kaizer Chiefs player?
It would have to be Jabu Pule for me. Jabu Pule did it for me, especially when there was the likes of Thabo 'Tsiki-Tsiki' Mooki and Arthur Zwane on the pitch. Jabu's confidence, as a short, small player, to take on players was great. He was the type of guy who would do the type of skills that you'd do in training during an official game. He had the confidence to do those things in a game. Like he had the confidence to do things that would easily cost a team the game. He always succeeded because he was confident enough to do it. He was a very good example of someone who was born with a gift and it became such a pleasure for the world to witness it. It actually inspired me with regards to my life, to take myself seriously in whatever I do.
Who is your favourite player in the current Chiefs team?
It would have to be Yusuf Maart and Keagan Dolly. What they have reminds me of the dynamic at Barcelona, when there was Xavi, Eto'o and Ronaldinho. They remind me of those guys. They have this flair that we haven't had a in a long time. There is something about the guys which I like.
When was the last time you watched Chiefs at the stadium?
It's been crazy with the schedule I have. We work six days a week and we work 12-hour days. It becomes very hard to go watch the team. By the time I get home, I am tired and I want to sleep and I have to catch up on my scripts. I catch up on the matches online. It's been hard to catch Chiefs live. The game I went to recently was not even a Chiefs game. It was Richards Bay versus Golden Arrows in Umlazi. I was in the area and thought I should go to watch, but it's been a while since I watched Chiefs at the stadium.
What are your thoughts on Chiefs' upcoming Nedbank Cup semi-final against Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates?
I am really hoping Chiefs can redeem themselves, just to sort of wipe away the tears of many fans. I am really putting my hope in the boys. I think Arthur Zwane is on to something and I am glad they have given him a chance to have his hand in setting up the team. I hope we can redeem the hopes of many Chiefs fans. We have good young talent that's coming on board. I think it's going to be an exciting game and I hope we can take it home. We need those bragging rights.
How would you celebrate if Chiefs were to win the Nedbank Cup?
We are popping champagne and really just sharing more moments with Chiefs fans.
