Mpho Maboi has good reason to smile this season, with both Manchester United and Barcelona doing well and seemingly reviving past glories after a difficult last few seasons. Soccer Laduma spoke to the sportscaster to find out where her love for both teams started and why she does not support any of the DStv Premiership clubs.
First thing's first...please explain why you do not support any local team.
Let me tell you why I don't support a local team. It's predominantly because of how South African fans treat people who are in the media. I don't know where the belief comes from that, as a sports loving person, you cannot support a (local) team, which is just the weirdest thing for me. If you are unbiased, but everything you say something, even if it's not negative, people will have a say. If you state a not so favourable statistic, you will get people saying 'we have seen that you hate Chiefs'. But it's not even an opinion, it's a fact. You are constantly on the defence. So right now, I don't support a local team and I don't tweet about local teams, even though I do local football. When I tweet about local football, it's literally just the result of the game I am doing. Otherwise, I watch and shut my mouth.
That's hectic. Let's talk about the two clubs you support in Europe, Manchester United and Barcelona. This must be the least stressful season you've had in a while?
Actually, in a long time, especially with my first love. My first love in Manchester United and, to be honest with you, after Sir Alex Ferguson went away, you were wondering what's going to happen to the team because for the longest time we had success with him. We've been through the most and, I won't lie, even when (Erik) Ten Hag came through, I was like 'another Dutch coach' and I thought we would go through the most again. But when he started fighting with Cristiano Ronaldo, a lot of people were saying he is victimizing Ronaldo. But at the same time, I realised the impact Ronaldo was having in the dressing room. It was not the best. But the way in which Manchester United was almost made to play for Ronaldo affected how the team played, because you would have players who had the ball and instead of just taking that shot, they are looking for Ronaldo. The team can't centre around one person. That was biggest issue. When Ten Hag came and wanted to change all of that, Ronaldo's attitude changed and he was like a rotten potato. When he got rid of him, it showed the level of guts Ten Hag has and I thought we are on to something. I love the changes he has made and I enjoy the the football they play. He has brought about a nice vibe. I haven't bought a Manchester United jersey in a while and this season I felt I needed to have it.
You bought it?
Yes, I bought it. It's like the turnaround jersey. It's that feel good again (jersey), because for the past two seasons, it got to a point where I was not watching Manchester United games. I was like 'what am I watching?' I am loving Manchester United now. And then there is Xavi. He has brought about a level of calm to the team. I don't know if it's because he has played with some of the senior players and they have that level of respect... Xavi spent most of his career at Barcelona, so he knows the structure of the team and how they should play. It's nice to be a Barcelona supporter these days.
That El-Clasico victory over Real Madrid recently must have made it even sweeter...
It's nice man. I don't know how else to explain it. It feels so good, especially to see a Real Madrid that many thought would come back and defend their title and then for Barcelona to extend the lead so much that it becomes clear. It's great to see Xavi grow into himself as a coach. That is another element I am liking because, for him, to start at such a high level is very impressive.
When Manchester United and Barcelona recently met in the Europa League, who were you supporting?
I hated that. I did not watch, because I knew that one of my teams was going to crash out. I was already disappointing by the fact that we were playing Thursday night football (Europa League). That's already a drag. And then on top of that, I have both my teams having to cancel each other out. That was just horrible. But because my first love is Man United, I was not as gutted that Barcelona were the ones who dropped out. I was kind of happy, but at the same time unhappy that both my teams did not advance. I did not watch. My heart wouldn't take it. I just checked the score. One of them had to go. I am happy because I have this belief that Man United is going to go all the way.
Do you think Xavi can be as good as Pep Guardiola was for Barcelona?
I think he can be as good, if given the time. My biggest thing, especially with coaches, we give somebody a chance until they go through a slump and we forget that, as with everything in life, there is a yin and a yang period. You go through ups and down. When he goes through that low, I hope that the team does not press panic buttons and get rid of him. Allow him to through that low and let him pick up again.
Where did your love for both Manchester United and Barcelona come from?
With Manchester United, I remember I started watching a lot of EPL (English Premier League) and I loved them at the time. I got pulled in by the winning spirit at the time because they were winning a lot under Alex Ferguson. With Barcelona, it was Ronaldinho. I loved how Ronaldinho played and that's how I got to support them. Ronaldinho was just amazing. At the time, it was when we still had an identity in terms of football in our country where you'd have your 'tsamayas' and 'shoe shine and piano'. To see Ronaldinho do that at the highest level, it was something I related to as a South African because he made the team tick. My brother also supports Man United and Barca, so we tend to swap jerseys. Sometimes he'll buy the Barca one and I will buy the Man United one. Then we swap. My brother and I have similar likes in football. He is a Messi fan and I am a Messi fan. My sister is a Chelsea and Real Madrid supporter.
Speaking of Lionel Messi, would you want to see him back at Barcelona?
We've actually debated this with my friends. I don't think so. I would love for him to come back to Barcelona from a technical perspective, not as a player.
