‘Mr R5 000’ wants to do talking on field
I can only respond on the field by being the best that I can be so that people know me as Bruce Bruce Bvuma Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper
A taxi driver told Bruce Bvuma that what the Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper earns in a month he makes in two days.
That statement was prompted by a report in the Sunday World alleging that Bvuma earns R5 000 at the Glamour Boys, an allegation that the lad from Leratong, on the West Rand, vehemently denies. Five days after being told that, Bvuma received his first Bafana Bafana call-up for the Cosafa Cup that will see coach Stuart Baxter’s experimental team take on Tanzania in the quarterfinals today. That is how Bvuma’s life has been. “I remember the day that story came out,” Bvuma said at Bafana’s base in Phokeng, Rustenburg in North West. “I was in a garage to get something. As I was waiting there, a taxi driver came out and said to me, ‘the money you earn at Chiefs, I make in two days so you can’t tell me nothing’.
“I looked at him and just laughed. I know that there are some people who believed that story, but I don’t have to reply. I wanted to respond on social media but I told myself I shouldn’t. I can only respond on the field by being the best that I can be so that people know me as Bruce, the good goalkeeper, and not just the guy they lied about and said he earns R5 000.”
“Mr R5 000” is one of the many names Bvuma has been called. He was called Garfield at Bidvest Wits’ juniors as the nickname he arrived with, Slimkat, was already taken. He arrived at Orlando Pirates’ apprentice academy named “Mbazo” for his prowls as a centreback. He converted from a defender to a goalkeeper, following in the footsteps of his father Samuel, who played in goal in the amateur ranks.
Bvuma almost lost the honour of being called an Amakhosi player. “I sat down with [MultiChoice Diski Challenge] coach Arthur [Zwane] before the start of the season.
“He said, ‘Bruce, you’re 21. In the first team we have Brylon [Petersen] who is 21 and Luthando [Sixhaso] who is 23 along with Itumeleng Khune and Brilliant Khuzwayo’.
“He then asked me what do I want him to do with me since the first team coach would like to see the other two young ‘keepers playing in the MDC. I asked him to give me one more chance. He agreed and told me that if I don’t make the most of this opportunity, he doubts that the team will keep me.”
Bvuma made the most of that chance. He kept six successive clean sheets and was then promoted to the first team as an emergency signing in March, deputising for Khune after the other three keepers sustained injuries.
He made his debut against Cape Town City before playing what he says was his best match, the 2-2 draw with SuperSport United at Mbombela Stadium. “Chiefs have produced some of the best goalkeepers in the country. I like playing under such pressure. It brings out the best in me.”