Actor Thobani Nzuza has fond memories of his time as an Orlando Pirates supporter and is confident that this season is the one the Buccaneers will finally get their hands on the coveted DStv Premiership title.
Soccer Laduma recently caught up with the actor at the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season launch to talk about the club he has gone through the ups and downs with.
It's a new season and surely you are excited to see your club Orlando Pirates building on from the two trophies they won last season...
This season, I want Orlando Pirates to win the DStv Premiership. We finished in second place last season and it's about time Pirates win the league, so that we can take it to the next season and show the entire country and the continent that we are the champions.
But how do you stop a Sundowns team that has won six Premiership titles in a row?
Sundowns is always taking all the stars, but with Orlando Pirates having gone out into the market to sign players, as well as having players like (Ndabayithethwa) Ndlondo, they have a good chance of winning of it, without thinking too much about the competition. I strongly believe that Pirates are going to scoop this one this season. They've been letting us down in previous years in the league, but I believe this season is the time to prove themselves. They did show what they can do last season by winning the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup. They are capable of winning our hearts again.
Do you think the pre-season camp in Spain will help them in any way to finally end the league title drought?
Going out of the country is something that refreshes the mind. It inspires your mind. Most of the players at Orlando Pirates are black. They come from townships, so going international gives you more hope that one day they can play there and fulfil their dreams and making their communities proud. So, I do think that it has refreshed their minds ahead of the new season and it has opened their minds to a new way of thinking. I think it was a great opportunity for our players to go to Spain.
Why did you decide to start supporting Pirates?
I think it's because of my father. He is a strong supporter of Pirates. There is a Pirates t-shirt and I am going to frame it. It's the only thing that I have of him. Apparently that jersey is very old, but I still need to check which year it comes from (laughs).
You can sell it and make millions one day...
(laughs) Possibly.
Do you have any memories from your early days as a Pirates supporter?
I do remember guys like Thabo Mngomeni, Steve Lekoelea, Phumlazi Mkhize and Benedict 'Tso' Vilakazi. That time was a special time for Orlando Pirates. I remember the way Vilakazi used to celebrate. He would hold his leg after scoring a goal. I remember that. Even though he was short, but he was very strong. He was always making things happen for Pirates.
Would you say Vilakazi is your all-time favourite Pirates player or is there someone else?
It would be the late Gift Leremi. He was also strong like Benedict Vilakazi. Now we have Ndlondlo and I think he is also going to win my heart because he is passionate and he is always fighting for Pirates to win. But, Gift Leremi is my all-time favourite, even though he passed away while he was a Mamelodi Sundowns player. My favourite player in the current team is Ndlondo.
How often do you get to go to the stadium to watch Pirates?
Last year I watched the Carling Black Label Cup and it was my second time going to the stadium to watch Pirates. Sometimes it's difficult to go to matches because of the work that we do.
