In this edition of the Supporters Forum KickOff speaks to Masandawana fanatic Bullie James on his long-standing affair with Mamelodi Sundowns dating back to the 90s.
Name Of Supporter...
"My name is Bullie James. I'm Xhosa, I'm from Matatiele."
Club supported...
"I've never supported any other team besides Sundowns.
"One time I was reading the Dictionary trying to familiarise myself with English, and I then came across the word Sundowns. It defined Sundowns as 'Ukutshona Kwelanga'. I paused a bit. Thinking to myself, 'mos there's a club called Mamelodi Sundowns'. Then from there, I was trying to look for Mamelodi as someone from the village I didn't even know where it was. I called my Kaizer Chiefs fan cousins and informed them I was now a Sundowns fan. Sundowns had players like Zane Moosa, Eric Ramasike, Linda Buthelezi and 'Fire' Masilela then.
"And that time I was only listening to the radio, we had no TV at home. So I supported Sundowns because of my dictionary."
How long supported...
"I think I've been supporting Sundowns since 1994. I think it's because of the love. I never changed even when Chiefs and Pirates fans would come to my home to tease me after we have lost. My late mother was a Kaizer Chiefs supporter and she used to go to Stadiums. She would always bring KickOff magazines just for me to see these players because we never owned a television then. We used to lose games as Sundowns and they even robbed us in the Rothmans Cup, it was just chaos. My all-time favourite Sundowns players is Eric Ramasike and Joel 'Fire' Masilela."
Are you happy with the bosses?
"Too much. More than happy. They took Mamelodi Sundowns to the biggest level. If it wasn't for them maybe Sundowns wouldn't be here. They always interact with the supporters. They don't close the doors. They always engage with the supporters. And they are making sure every player the coach wants the coach gets."
Are you happy with the coach?
"Too much. I'm more than happy with coach Rhulani Mokwena. But I don't like to specify a certain coach. I believe all three of them contribute equally. So, I'm very happy with the three coaches. Imagine beating Al Ahly in and out."
Are you happy with players?
"Oh, I love my Mamelodi Sundowns players. I love them because they no longer playing for themselves but for the supporters. Immediately when they hear us beating the drums from the stands, they make sure 'We must play for those people'. Then they make us happy."
Who do you want them to sign?
"I think I'm happy with the team that we have. But whoever is going to come will be welcome. Remember every player we sign becomes the best. Though I believe we can even compete for next season with the players we have."
Your message to the team...
"My message to all the coaches and the players is we thank you for the love you've given us. As supporters we are grateful for the respect they've shown us, we are always happy because of them. I don't even remember the last time we lost a match. I'm very proud of my team, we will always be behind them no matter what. The only thing we need now as supporters from them is to come back with the second star when they go and play in Africa. We are behind them."
