Actor Vuyo Biyela has quite an interesting story of how he fell in love with Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who are just steps away from continental glory. Soccer Laduma spoke to the actor and musician about his love for the Tshwane giants and he also reveals his all-time favourite Sundowns players.
Let's start by talking about Mamelodi Sundowns' result over the weekend against Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Champions League first leg semi-final.
To be fair, the VAR team was only asking the referee to check situations when Sundowns were making fouls. The captain of Wydad was supposed to get a red card. Sundowns played against 12 players and we were nine, but we managed. Even after Sundowns got the red card, they were not the second best team. People were expecting Rulani (Mokwena) to make many changes (after the red card), but he stuck with the players who started game and that shows he is a tactician and people should respect him and we should praise him while he is still alive. He is young, so he has many years ahead of him. I see him going abroad in future because I feel like the guy is dedicated and he knows what he is doing. Beware of the confident young man. He is going far.
Speaking of Mokwena, do you think he has any competition for the Coach of the Season award?
No guys. To tell the truth, if you wanted to speak about a coach of a tournament, then you could pick the Orlando Pirates coach (Jose Riveiro). But then we don't have coach of the tournament. We have coach of the season and Rulani deserves that award. He has proven himself and it's a pity some Pirates fans are still bitter because they did not give him time at Orlando Pirates. Now they want to speak ill of Rulani, saying he imitates Pep Guardiola. So what? If it's working for him, then so be it. We all have role models. When you look at the Sundowns team, you can see the tactics are more like Manchester City tactics where you see (Aubrey) Modiba sometimes going into the midfield to add numbers. Cancelo used to do that when he was at Man City and now John Stones adds numbers in the City midfield. So, you can see Rulani is dedicated. He does his homework, so for me, there is nobody compared to Rulani in South Africa. You can see that he is the best coach. If not in Africa, then definitely in South Africa.
Who has been your best player at Sundowns been this season?
Teboho Mokoena. I think he has really improved. Remember Manqoba Mngqithi liked (Andile) Jali, but when Rulani took over, he gave Teboho Mokoena an opportunity and he grabbed it with both hands. Mokoena has been outstanding and I've hardly seen him put a foot wrong on the field. If not Mokoena, I'd give it to Khuliso Mudau. For me, it's all about consistency. You can score many goals, but you score a hat-trick and go quiet for a long time and then come back and score. But because you have 12 goals, like (Peter) Shalulile, now we need to make you player of the season? For me, it's about consistency. For me, it's Mokoena. Mudau is also close. If not, give it to (Ronwen) Williams.
Do you have an all-time favourite Sundowns player?
You just put me on the spot there. There's so many, but I will give you two. It's Daniel Mudau and Surprise Moriri. If you want Themba Zwane, you will understand. The spirit of Surprise Moriri is in Themba Zwane. Surprise was something else. He was the king of first touch. Daniel Mudau was a quality striker.
When you look at all the great imports Sundowns have brought into the country over the years, who is your favourite?
It would have to be Alje Schut. He was a great signing and changed the dynamics of Sundowns. When Sundowns signed Schut, I don't think they knew how much of an influence he would have. His signing was very important and he was part of the group which started winning championships. He was influential. When we were behind, you'd see him going forward and trying to score. For me, he was the best import.
Do you see anyone seriously challenging Sundowns for the league title next season?
I feel if Gavin Hunt makes the right signings at SuperSport United and he stops complaining about Sundowns, he can win something or he will compete with Sundowns.
Before we let you go, you have to tell us where your love for Sundowns come from?
I was very young. There was a time when Vuyo Mere was playing for Hellenic. When I was a kid, the older guys in the township would call me Vuyo Mere because my name is Vuyo. I kept on wondering who Vuyo Mere and they told me to watch Hellenic. So, when I watched Hellenic, they were playing against Sundowns and, interestingly, Vuyo Mere went on to sign for Sundowns. And then I just started supporting Sundowns and I ended up liking other players like Godfrey Sapula. He was something else. Everyone at home supports Pirates.
What a story!
