DESPITE being the goalkeeper of Kaizer Chiefs, Bruce Bvuma, who is about to complete ten years of playing for this team, but he is still facing the challenge of making his own jersey at Naturena.
Bvuma (30) started playing for Amakhosi in April 2017, at the age of 21 competing for the jersey with top level goalkeepers including Itumeleng Khune who made his own jersey for many years at Naturena. However, so far he has played 90 games in all competitions.
When the Chiefs announced that Khune would no longer play, it was expected that Bvuma would continue where he left off. However, he ended up being fed by other goalkeepers such as Brandon Petersen and Fiacre Ntwari who were bought from TS Galaxy.
Many were surprised when Bvuma was left out of the Chiefs’ scheme when they played in the Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates in Durban last year, since he had been the one who had always blocked. It is history that his place was taken by Petersen, he helped Amakhosi to lift the trophy.
Since Petersen is not playing due to an illness that led to surgery, Bvuma has been given the opportunity to prove himself. His return coincided with the home game against Zimnyama, he scored three goals in a 3-0 defeat.
Apart from Bvuma having the opportunity to show the Kings coaches that the jersey is suitable for him even after Petersen recovers, he has the responsibility to sweat for a new contract.
Bvuma’s contract with Chiefs will expire in June, but the club has a condition to renew it for a year. Other players whose contracts expire at Chiefs are Petersen, Dillan Solomons, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Thabo Cele, Pule Mmodi and Tashreeq Morris.
Bvuma facing the difficulty of making his own jersey like other goalkeepers who grew up in Chiefs and ended up being heroes in Naturena. They include Khune and Brian Baloyi who ended up playing for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Khune was quoted by Soccer Laduma as saying that Bvuma should try for another team.
“It would be good to see him go where he will play. He grows up, if he doesn’t do that… he doesn’t play often. He has been waiting for an opportunity. Yes, that happened but unfortunately he didn’t grab it with both hands. That’s why he was relegated to second place,” said Khune.
In the three games he has played for the Chiefs, Bvuma scored four goals. However, he is one of the players expected to help Chiefs pick up three points from Magesi FC in the Betway Premiership match at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, on Saturday at 6 pm.