If you spend a lot of time on social media, you'd know how much former Highveld Lions cricket coach Geoffrey Toyana is a big supporter of Mamelodi Sundowns, and he's shared his story on how he went against his parents to follow the Tshwane giants.
In this interview with Soccer Laduma, the Easterns coach talks about how he started supporting the Tshwane giants and how he does not know how he got home after the pain he suffered when Sundowns were knocked out of the CAF Champions League in the semi-finals by Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca.
Coach, we see a lot of your comments on Mamelodi Sundowns on social media. It shows how much you love the team...
That guy (on social media) is toxic (laughs). I am a different man in person and when we talk. And yes, I am a Sundowns supporter.
Before we get into how you became a Sundowns supporter, let's talk about your thoughts going into the 2023/24 season, especially after they won a sixth consecutive title. What are you looking forward to the most in the coming season from Sundowns?
I think we have made some clever signings to fill the gaps that we encountered last year, especially in the Champions League. I see another good season for us, but the loss of coach Steve Komphela will be quite big for us because he was influential in the change room. But with the signings we have, I believe we can do well. Pirates have signed well as well and they are playing some good football. I think it will be between the two teams, but we should not underestimate Gavin Hunt at SuperSport. He is quite a clever coach. But coming back to Sundowns, I see us winning a seventh league title in a row. We've got too much quality. I am glad that we are playing Chiefs in the second (league) game of the season. That will give us that momentum we need. We played Chiefs early last year and it was packed at Loftus and we beat them 4-0 and that gave us momentum. I think we will do well again this year. But we will see how the loss of Steve Komphela will be on the team. The qualities he brought in the dressing room were good, but the big drive again for us is the Champions League. I do trust coach Rulani. He is a student of the game and I am looking forward to the season.
Speaking of the Champions League, have you recovered from that semi-final exit last season, considering the team was so close to reaching the final?
(laughs) Yes, we were so close. I was at the stadium and I don't know how I made it home in one piece because my eyes were full of tears. I couldn't see much of the road, but I've recovered. I think we've taken the lessons and that's the main thing. Players do make mistakes. We are all human. Lord (Mothobi) Mvala, I hope he becomes stronger from that experience. I really think we will do well in the Champions League and hopefully win it this season. It has to be this season. I know there is pressure on coach Rulani, but I really think we have a chance. We've beefed up our squad and it's quite exciting.
What do you think of the contribution Kennedy Mweene made to Sundowns as the club recently announced his retirement from the game?
Quite amazing. What a champion. He's really served Sundowns very well over the years and he's one of the greatest goalkeepers in Africa. He's really done a sterling job. He would come in when he was needed and he has never let down anybody. In my eyes, he is a legend of Sundowns and I am glad that he is not going to be lost to the game. He is still going to play a role at Sundowns, so that's what I am excited about.
Where did your love for Sundowns come from?
For me, it started in the early 80s. My father and mother were big supporters of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. They had 10 kids, so everybody at home was either Pirates or Chiefs. I was born in Orlando East, about 500 metres from Orlando Stadium, so my dad was a Pirates fan. So, my dad used to take us to the stadium and when Pirates won, my dad would be happy and buy the whole family a KFC bucket and we would feast. But when Pirates lost, things were not nice at home and it was the same with my mother. When Chiefs won, she would be happy, but when they lose, there was no cooking in the house. So I sat down and thought I don't want to be part of that nonsense (laughs). My older brother was friends with the late Zola Mahobe and he would come visit us at home in Orlando with his shiny suits. My brother told me that Zola was the owner of Sundowns. That's when I decided to support Sundowns, because I saw the owner coming to my house. In a month, maybe he would come to our house three or four times, so I got used to him and there were times we used to go to the stadium with him. Since those days, I have been a big fan of Sundowns and I am a card-carrying member. When I can, I do go to the stadium. Also, when I was at the Titans, we also had a box at Loftus, so they would just offer us tickets to go watch games. But I don't want the box (VIP) tickets. I want to sit with the people because I love singing. But a big highlight for me was when I was invited by Pitso Mosimane to Chloorkop to present me with a Sundowns jersey and to show me around. That was one of the biggest highlights in my life. I have a picture with Pitso Mosimane and it's hanging in my house. That's very special. Hlompho Kekana has also presented me with a Sundowns shirt. Those memories are always going to be special.
That's amazing. So, who is your all-time favourite player at Sundowns?
That's a tough one. There are two. One of them is Raphael Chukwu, the big Nigerian striker. I used to go to the stadium just for the guy. He was really a special player. The other is Hlompho Kekana. Those two, for me, stand out as my all-time greats. Sundowns always produce good players.
Who is your favourite player in the current squad?
Definitely, currently, my favourite guy is 'Mshishi', Themba Zwane. I also like Peter Shalulile. Those two are my favourites at the moment.
Who is the one player you feel could have a great season at Sundowns in 2023/24?
I think we got a taste of what 'Cash Money' (Cassius Mailula) can do. It was his first season in the topflight and I think the pressure will really be on him this year to produce something similar. I see big things ahead for him, especially in the coming season. So, for me, he is the player to watch in the coming season.
