Three-time Comrades Marathon winner Bongumusa Mthembu is someone who knows how to fight to the very end during tough moments and he is hoping his beloved Kaizer Chiefs will give it their all to end their trophy drought in the coming season.
Mthembu has been supporting Amakhosi for over 20 years and has witnessed the highest of highs and the very lows. Soccer Laduma spoke to him about his love for the Soweto giants and he reveals who his all time favourite player at Amakhosi is.
As a Kaizer Chiefs supporter, how are you feeling going into the 2023/24 season?
We know that Chiefs are a big brand and I believe that they know and understand what that jersey means to them. The coach (Molefi Ntseki) is someone who has been at Kaizer Chiefs and he knows the culture and I believe the guys are going to respect him. I think the team is really promising. Looking at the time the new coach came in, I believe the team is going to do well. I know Arthur Zwane believed in young players and I think Ntseki is one of those coaches who likes to improve young players. So, I believe they will be big contenders this season and, as a supporter, I am looking forward to seeing a trophy in our cabinet. It's been a long time. I believe the players know that we are a club for trophies.
Of the new players Chiefs have signed ahead of the new season, which one excites you the most?
It's usually the guys who come from abroad. I saw they brought in a player (Edson Castillo) from Venezuela. But I'll get to see the new signings properly once the new season has started. I think the senior players will help improve the new guys in the team. It's going to be exciting to see how the new signings gel.
When and how did your journey start as a Kaizer Chiefs supporter?
It started a long time ago. I grew up with my brothers and only one brother is a Pirates supporter. There's five of us and the four of us support Chiefs. That's how it came to me, because I saw my brothers were supporting Chiefs. That's how I fell in love with Chiefs and back then they used to make sure that they played for their supporters. That's how it came about and I would never even think about changing. I still have that same love even now.
What's your best memory as a Chiefs supporter?
I remember when they won the Rothmans Cup, against Sundowns. Even most of the games they used to play against Sundowns, whether it was a semi-final or final, those were very exciting. I remember there were cup games that would end up going to penalties and we would see the magic of goalkeepers like Brian Baloyi, who would save penalties. It was very exciting.
Speaking of the Rothmans Cup, there are supporters of Sundowns who feel they were cheated because Joel Masilela's goal was ruled offside and the game could have gone their way had the referee not blown his whistle. What do you think of this?
(laughs) That's part of the game. That's what it's all about. If there is drama, then it's exciting. All the technology we have in the game was not there at the time, but it was the most exciting thing in the game. It's nice that we can still talk about it even now. It happened and it was the referee's decision. We were happy and we lived with it (laughs).
Who is your all-time favourite Chiefs player?
It's Lucas Radebe. I won't forget him. By the way, I played football before I became a runner. If you could ask the guys I grew up with, they can tell you that I was a good footballer. I was a defender and I could play anywhere at the back because I was able to use both legs. My favourite player is still Lucas Radebe and I wish I could meet him. I have not met him. I used to do the same hair cut as Lucas Radebe back in the day. I have a lot of respect for him, as well as Doctor Khumalo. I also liked Arthur Zwane. It's always hard to pick from players back then. But from the three I mentioned, I would pick Lucas Radebe.
And your all-time favourite Chiefs coach?
It's Ted Dumitru. He reminds me of Clive Barker, because you could see that the players respected him. They would listen to him and they were able to play together as a team. He played a vital role with the players.
Do you have a favourite player in the current team?
I like (Bruce) Bvuma. He is a kind of player that you can see would be able to lead the team. I think he has learnt a lot from (Itumeleng) Khune. I like the way he handles himself, even in difficult situations. He is my favourite.
How often do you get to go to the stadium to watch Chiefs?
Not a lot, especially because I am in KZN. But if they are here, sometimes I am able to go.
Lastly, do you see coach Molefi Ntseki winning the league?
We have to believe. As I said earlier, this is a big club and he knows that he has a lot of work to do and he has to bring something. We've seen that they are trying to build the team and I hope they can gel and have their strategy.
