Snl24 | Bvuma’s strange takeover at Chiefs
Bruce Bvuma has always looked up to Itumeleng Khune at Kaizer Chiefs.
As Itumeleng Khune continues to float in semi-retirement with all that is pending around his future, Bruce Bvuma has promptly found himself with a seniority task in the Kaizer Chiefs dressing room.
How so?
As bizarre as it might sound, Bvuma is now the longest-serving player in the Chiefs dressing room having only ever played for the club since being promoted to the first team in early 2017.
READ: No Khune and no keeper worries for Chiefs
The 29-year-old keeper came up the ranks at Amakhosi and so beyond now being the longest-serving player in the squad, his familiarity of the club touches both his heart and soul.
While Bvuma has had to be content with a career spent in the shadows as a back-up option, this doesn’t dilute the fact that he has always been at Naturena for the longest time.
He has referral in his voice in the dressing room and the club showed appreciation when handing him a new contract earlier this year.
Bvuma came into the first team when Steve Komphela was still at the club during the 2016/17 season and since then has seen Patrick Mabedi, Giovanni Solinas, Ernst Middendorp, Gavin Hunt, Arthur Zwane, Stuart Baxter, Zwane again, Molefi Ntseki, Cavin Johnson and Nasreddine Nabi all calling the shots.
No trophy has been won throughout that time, but he has had his share of minutes on the field, just like he has sat on the bench on a lot of occasions, including this past weekend when he deputised for Fiacre Ntwari.
Bvuma has had Brilliant Khuzwayo, Luthando Sixhaso, Brylon Petersen, Virgil Vries and Daniel Akpeyi as goalkeeping teammates in the past but has the awkward experience of being minus Khune for the first time this season.
Khune was the last survivor of those who won silverware at the club and was always the shoulder to lean on for Bvuma, who suddenly must carry the weight of influence in the dressing room on his shoulders.
READ: Tight situation for Chiefs defender
It will not matter that he will not be a regular this season, but whatever he has learnt from all his time at the Soweto giants will add value.
The baton that Khune has handed to Bvuma might be heavy but one that he will need to carry as he is also now amongst the oldest players at the club.
