Saleng put me on the floor, but…

Delmain Faver: Bradley, a lot has happened since we last spoke. Thinking back to your debut for Maritzburg United, you came on as a second-half substitute against Golden Arrows, now you are playing for the latter. Talk about a crazy season, right?

Bradley Cross:

Yeah, well, it’s crazy how tables turn – from making my debut against Golden Arrows and signing for them now. It’s all down to hard work and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to represent Bafana Bafana. It’s been one of my goals from the beginning when I came back to South Africa.

DF: Prior to your return to Mzansi from Newcastle United, one of the things you said is that you wanted to be closer to the national team head coach. Having been called up just recently, is this a sign for you that you made the right decision?

BC:

Yeah, for sure! I definitely think that I made the right decision. I just went with my heart and what my heart told me from the beginning, especially coming back to South Africa. A lot of people questioned that, but I was looking forward to first-team opportunities, getting into the national team and creating a name for myself and eventually going back to Europe, where my dream is.

DF: It didn’t take long for you to be snapped up after the relegation of the Team of Choice. This move to Arrows, how did it come about? We understand there were other teams keen on you. Was it a case of them pushing the hardest?

BC:

I feel like they were pushing harder and made me feel more wanted in a way, if that makes sense. They came at me with a contract and they wanted me more, I suppose. I had a good feeling about Golden Arrows and also, (I wanted) to get out of my comfort zone and to try and grow as a player and an individual too.

DF: It’s clear to see that you are a mlungu in a predominantly black team. How have you managed that dynamic? What has it been like acclimatizing and how is your IsiZulu coming along?

BC:

Ha, ha, I’ll be honest with you, my IsiZulu isn’t great at all! IsiZulu is very hard to learn. I would say I know quite a few of the words I’m not supposed to use. But the guys welcomed me very nicely. It’s also nice having guys in the team who believe in your abilities, and they can use your abilities to their advantage.

DF: Having the relegation tag on your CV as a footballer is never a nice feeling. Talk us through how it felt for you personally when the team went down.

BC:

Yeah, it was a very sad moment for me, for the club and the city as well. We did try hard, but I’m a strong believer that everything happens for a reason. It was hard for me as well because when I was there, I gave 110%, but everything happens for a reason.

DF: At Abafana Bes’thende, you have been a direct replacement for Divine Lunga, who returned to Mamelodi Sundowns, having spent last season on loan. What was it that coach Mabhudi Khenyeza and coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi said they expected from you upon your arrival?

BC: Basically, he (Khenyeza) told me that he expects me to work hard and do what I did last season because that’s how the move came about. They saw me last season and they told me to

just continue doing

Bradley Cross has experienced the low of being relegated with Maritzburg United and the high of being selected for Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup opening qualifiers, all within the space of a year. His return to South Africa coincided with his first time playing football at the highest level, having previously plied his trade in the junior ranks in Mzansi, Germany and England. He definitely is one to watch. While the 22-year-old catches his breath, Soccer Laduma’s Delmain Faver managed to speak to the man adored by the Golden Arrows fans. In this interview, the former Newcastle United reserve team player chats all things Bafana Bafana, his heartbreak with the Team of Choice, as well as his impressive start to life with Abafana Bes’thende, amongst other things. what I’m doing and to just be confident.

DF: The fans seem to love you. Every time you touch the ball, you hear them scream “Mluuuuungu!” Describe for us how that feels for you… BC: It’s funny because in some of my first games at Golden Arrows, some of my family members were confused and they asked me why the fans are booing me, ha, ha… I didn’t do anything wrong. I had to tell them that they’re saying ‘ Mlungu’, which means ‘white guy’. I think the other day against AmaZulu FC was probably the loudest I’ve heard them chant it.

DF: Coach Mabhudi was last week nam ed the DStv Premiership Coach of the Month for September/ October. He’s done fairly well since coach Vilakazi departed for Chippa United. How has he managed to get the best out of his team? BC: So, I would say he’s a very passionate coach and he always gives his all, especially in training. You can see that he loves the game, and he believes in us. Look, things haven’t been going well in the last few games, but he’s a coach that never stops trying and always works hard, so he deserves that award.

DF: One thing that is noticeable about your game is the fact that you are so composed, especially when defending one-on-one. Would you say that this being your second season in the DStv Premiership has helped you settle and acclimatize to the league?

BC: For sure! I think when I was at Maritzburg, I was also still acclimatizing to the tempo and intensity of first-team football and Maritzburg helped me a lot. One-versusone is one of my strong points, I like to track back and do a slide tackle every now and then, but I would definitely say in my second season I’m feeling more confident in myself and I’m definitely more comfortable too. There hasn’t really been one player that has given me problems this season, but last season I struggled a bit with (Monnapule) Saleng because he obviously put me on the floor the one time, but we’ll see when we play them again.

DF: It came as no surprise that your name was mentioned amongst the possible candidates for Bafana Bafana. What was your reaction when you found out you were part of the initial 44-man squad and later the final 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda?

BC:

Well, to be fair, I got sent pictures and messages about the 44-man squad, I didn’t even hear anything before. But once I saw it, I felt very proud because I’ve been working very hard and I was hoping for this opportunity to come. When the 23-man squad came out, I was a little excited and also nervous at the same time, but I was more proud than anything else.

DF: Your family is so supportive and travel all over the country to watch you play. One can imagi ne that proud feeling must’ve been even stronger for them… BC: Ja, my mom was calling me left, right and centre and my dad was sending me messages as well, so they were very excited.

DF: What was it like working under coach Hugo Broos in the recent camp? BC: It was good, I had a few training sessions and he seems like a good coach, and he knows what he’s doing. He encourages his players, and he encouraged me as well – that’s what I like. He also believes in the players that he’s chosen.

DF: So, tell us, what was the mood like in camp ahead of the two crucial matches and what was the talk amongst yourselves as players? BC: Well, I came into the camp and the one thing I realised is that the guys were really focused and determined to get maximum points and they really wanted to go into those games with confidence and get six points. The guys were focused and determined.

DEFINITELY “I WOULD SECOND SAY IN MY FEELING I’M SEASON CONFIDENT MORE AND I’M MYSELF IN MORE DEFINITELY TOO.” COMFORTABLE

DF: Is there one player in the Bafana squad that really stood out for you and why? BC: I saw all the players there and they are all really good players, but I would say the one who stood out is probably Themba Zwane, to be fair. The guy is topclass. All the guys were welcoming, they greeted and introduced themselves. That’s also a good thing.