In this edition of the Supporters Forum, KickOff speaks to Matsatsantsa fanatic "Bona Fela" on his long-standing love affair with SuperSport United.
Name of supporter...
"Lebo Malema. I'm based in Atteridgeville, Pretoria West. When it comes to how I got the name 'Bona Fela' I don't know where to start. There was a time when SuperSport United was dominating the league.
"When I dressed up in my full SuperSport attire walking in the streets blowing my Vuvuzela people used to compliment me and say bona fela [Just look] how smart he looks. You know SuperSport we are known as the so-called small team."
Club supported...
"SuperSport United. This is where I felt close to the players. We were coming from Loftus Versfeld Stadium to watch Sundowns and Pirates when the late Thomas Madigage from SuperSport recruited us. He offered us a lift to Atteridgeville. He was driving a small bakkie. I think we were like eight, and he gave us his number and said, 'I want you to come to Pretoria Technikon to watch the SuperSport United team train.' We went there, and he even bought us food and gave us money to travel back home. He said, 'You can't stay in Atteridgeville and support Orlando Pirates.' I remember Ricardo Katza, Shaun Poggenpoel, and Tsietsi Mahoa were still there. I've got two trophies from the club, The Youngest Supporter Ever and The Supporter of The Season. That was in 2009 and 2010."
How long supported...
"I've been supporting them since Pitso Mosimane was still the coach."
Are you happy with the bosses?
"This season yes...we lost good quality players that I had hoped were going to grow with the team. But in terms of what Gavin Hunt has now, believe me, we going to finish second on the log table. I mean besides Mamelodi Sundowns we are the second-best team in the country.
"You know I'm very friendly with few players at SuperSport United, but someone once told me that if you don't sell or let these players go then they will leave for free. Grant Kekana, joined Mamelodi Sundowns for free. Remember he is very close to Aubrey Modiba, so they talk. It hurts you know [losing players]. Even today when I'm walking around wearing a SuperSport United shirt people are mocking me by saying 'Howzit is Sundowns development?' And it hurts.
"I thought Ronwen Williams was not going to play for another team. That one killed me. That one broke my heart. But we still chat on WhatsApp me and him you know, and he tells me he is going to come back. That's a future CEO of SuperSport United."
Are you happy with the coach?
"I'm happy. I think Kaitano [Tembo] was doing good, we fans are not there at training on daily basis, but I feel he was too soft on the players. After Stuart Baxter, I think Gavin Hunt is a better coach that can shout. Kaitano would shout and still smile. Let Gavin get former SuperSport United player like Thabo September to be his assistant."
Are you happy with the players?
"The squad that we have I'm happy with. If we go to Africa, which I believe we are going, we will need more players. We can't be relying on Bradley Grobler alone. He is nearing his retirement age now. We also need to work on the finishing."
Who do you want them to sign?
"I'd love to have Ben Motshwari, if not him then Thabang Monare. I wish we could have two left-backs. We've got Fumbidzai from Chippa United. Though he is left-footed he is more of a left-centre-back. I wish we could get a left-footed player like Sifiso Ngobeni from Mamelodi Sundowns."
Your message to the team...
"Let's support this team. Let's not forget players that who are coming in are also professionals. We are no longer a small team. We have won every silverware we've participated in. So, let's go support this team even if we are playing against Golden Arrows and TS Galaxy. Let's not only support our team when we play for the so-called big three.
"In South Africa, we have the big four and SuperSport United is the fourth team,"