Lucky Sindane speaks to national team and Supersport defender Bongani Khumalo
Bongani Khumalo: ‘It feels good to be back again in the Bafana set-up and I’ve been here before so I knew that I will make the squad.’ (Photograph: Gallo Images)
Age: 22
Car: Seat Leon Cupra. He calls it the beast
Music: Deep house, soul and rap
Favourite book: Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
Favourite local-based player: Katlego Mashego
Favourite overseas-based player: Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United defender)
It’s a busy Tuesday evening at News Café in Hatfield, Pretoria and a number of people are gathered for a business bite or sundowner. My old cellphone flashes from the dark corner where I’m seated with a message that reads: ‘I’ll be there at 8pm.†And I think to myself it’s impossible.
Within 10 minutes a white Seat Leon Cupra sprints down Burnett Street. Dressed in a pink jersey, black jeans and white sneakers Bongani Khumalo, the SuperSport United and Bafana Bafana defender, climbs out of the Cupra.
Carrying his cellphone and car keys he runs towards me and looks at his fancy watch. ‘I am sorry but I don’t think I’m late,†he says.
Khumalo (22) looks exhausted — it has been a long day for him and team-mates. The Matsatsansa a Pitori successfully defended their league title on Sunday and had been parading their trophy in townships around Pretoria the whole day.
‘I’m very tired and I have to go pack my stuff and kiss my mother goodbye,†he said. Khumalo is part of Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana’s 30-man provisional squad for next month’s Confederations Cup, which went into camp on Wednesday.
Without wasting much time we get on with the interview. Khumalo was born in Manzini, Swaziland. He moved to South Africa to live in Mamelodi, Pretoria West, with his parents when he was just two years old. His love for football started at an early age with his late father taking him to watch matches at the stadium or on television.
He spent much of his youth playing for Arcadia Shepherds before being signed by Pretoria University in 2005. He spent only two seasons at the club. His big breakthrough came at the beginning of the 2007 Absa Premiership season when SuperSport United gave him a deal.
‘I have been working very hard all my life to be where I am today. Joining SuperSport and winning the league in my first season was a great achievement. And it has happened again this year; it’s two out of two. It is so amazing,†he said.
Khumalo has formed a solid partnership with Ricardo Katza and Morgan Gould at his club. The SuperSport defence has been solid and conceded only 22 goals in the past season. Khumalo always puts extra effort into his football and arrives for training sessions 40 minutes early. And credit should go to coach Gavin Hunt.
‘Hunt has proved that nothing is impossible. You have to take things one day at a time. He is very clear on what he wants from his players and we also understand him very well. He always talks about the next level, which is very inspiring to the players,†he said.
Khumalo is reserved, laid back and doesn’t talk much about his life. We are halfway through the interview and he hasn’t smiled or laughed. I wonder if he ever laughs.
He says: ‘Katlego Mashego used to make me laugh. I’m quiet and like hanging around with my friends. Unlike many other players when you dial the land line number you’ll find me at home.â€
His goal is to play overseas. ‘We all want to play for big teams overseas and if the opportunity comes I’ll jump at it.â€
Speaking about his Bafana Bafana call-up Khumalo says he is confident that he will make the final 23-man squad for the Confederations Cup.
‘It feels good to be back again in the Bafana set-up and I’ve been here before so I knew that I will make the squad. I have always given my very best for the national team and the technical team know what I am capable of and I have no doubt that I will represent my country during the Confederations Cup next month,†he says.