Downs In An African Football League Of Their Own
Jealousy, dislike and banter aside, you gotta love watching Sundowns play. How they negotiate their way out from the back under such immense pressure, away from home nogal, is something of a marvel to watch. When Zungu was introduced in the second half against Wydad, it gave freedom to Mokoena to take the game by the scruff of its neck and he mastered that to the tee, resulting in that vital away goal. Yes, they lost 2-1. It was a game not to miss as it was firecrackers everywhere. Other PSL teams can learn a thing or two from them. And, oh boy, did I tell you they are in a league of their own!? Imagine the competitive football we can be treated to if other local big guns from Soweto can match them. On another note, the Carling Knockout is teaching us something. The biggest upset is Pirates getting knocked out by Richards Bay.
Siyabonga Nkalambela, Delft
The less said about Chiefs, the better. For my health, I dare say! What a final between Sundowns and Wydad on Sunday night. It was an excellent inaugural African Football League final, with incredible fighting spirit from both sides. Wydad had plenty of opportunities and could have scored more than two goals, but credit to Sundowns for scoring an away goal, which to me is more like a cushion going to the second leg here in South Africa. All the best to both teams. Good advert for African football.
Fano Mkhwanazi, Durban
Sundowns' loss against Wydad is what I envisaged a while ago. The team, lately, has not been winning fairly and most football fans were tremendously unconvinced by the kind of officiating that often favoured them. Through fair officiating, results will prove that Rhulani is just a normal coach surrounded by a variety of players. I think the club should fire him and give Manqoba a chance to lead Sundowns.
Sphelele Shozi, Dududu, Ward 19
Mzansi's ambassador in the CAF Champions League, Sundowns, tasted their first defeat in a dramatic African Football League final in Casablanca against Wydad, but there's a glimmer of hope in the return leg at home. I am asking all South Africans, irrespective of team affiliation, to rally behind the Brazilians and fill up Loftus Versfeld. Indeed, Ka Bo Yellow need our support to defeat the giants from Morocco. If my memory serves me well, during the FIFA ban, my team Chiefs did the unthinkable by defeating Wydad to reach their first final of the Champions League. So, the Tshwane giants need to win only by 1-0 to lift the inaugural cup. In Sundowns, we believe. My only prayer is for them not to concede a goal, knowing that anything is possible going forward. Lastly, congratulations to Usuthu, Stellies, Natal Rich Boyz as well as the Rockets for reaching the semis of the cup of miracles, the Carling Knockout. This is a miracle cup because all big guns are out and all minors are gunning for first prize. Good luck to Amakhosi in the derby against Pirates. I hope and pray that Johnson benches Petersen on the day.
Boitumelo Vanrooyen, Schweizer-Reneke
Reader Feedback
Cowditor, you reckon Johnson's mandate this season is to restore Chiefs' way of play, amongst other things? What on earth is the Kaizer Chiefs way? Well, before we go any further, I'd like to congratulate AmaZulu FC, Richards Bay, Stellenbosch FC and TS Galaxy for having qualified for the Carling Knockout semi-finals. AmaZulu and TS Galaxy are particularly looking good, definitely one of them will be in the final. Then there's the Man of the Match controversy. Even after all the hard work from the likes of VeeJay (editor Vuyani Joni) and Siyabonga Nkalambela pleading with supporters to vote fairly, we see no improvement. I'm not surprised, seriously. Coming back to "the Chiefs way". I particularly don't believe there's something like that. I don't know what is a Chiefs or Pirates or any club way of playing football. But if anyone has a full proof or explanation of which South African club has a "particular way" of playing football, then maybe I need some teaching on this one. I live in a world where I'm able to see cultures (like winning culture as the only culture I'm able to identify in clubs like Real Madrid or maybe business-like culture as seen in clubs like Dortmund), but no particular way of playing has ever been visible enough for any club on planet earth. For example, Ancelotti and Zidane are two most recent Madrid coaches who won the league and Champions League trophies, but the team played differently under these two managements. Then what is "the Real Madrid way" here? A winning culture is observed and no one can dispute that. So, what is it with us thinking there's a Chiefs or Pirates way of playing? What is the Chiefs or Pirates culture or their way of playing? The reason why I'm talking about the way of playing and culture in the same line is because I often hear even legends like Doctor Khumalo and Siphiwe Mkhonza mentioning Chiefs' style. But what is all that really? Doc, you have a column in our Soccer Laduma, please just dedicate one of your columns to clarifying this.
Kwazikwakhe Ngcobo, Umlazi
In last week's edition of Soccer Laduma, a fellow contributor to MAKE YOUR POINT, Kwazikwakhe Ngcobo, laments the fact that we seem to be fixated on the clubs we support through our contributions on a weekly basis. Whilst I agree with uMapholoba, I must however state that our clubs, in particular my team Chiefs, leave us with no room to comment on other soccer matters due to their consistent blunders in running the club. We are forced to voice our frustrations in this publication as we are not the 'bottle-throwing' type that we see in stadiums. For instance, why did the Motaung children not appoint Nabi when they had the opportunity to do so because there is talk that they are considering hiring a foreign coach and his name is being bandied about? Why do coaches at the club continue to play Petersen when he is committing the same blunders week in, week out? I mean, if the management read our comments in Soccer Laduma and heed what we are saying, these things wouldn't be happening. The problem is that the Motaung children have not learnt a thing from their father on how to run a club and this is frustrating us as supporters because we cannot help but compare them to how the Motsepes are doing at Sundowns.
Sindile Kwitshana, via email
Quick One-Two's
What an interesting and unpredictable maiden edition of the Carling Knockout. The sponsor's slogan, Fak'uGesi, has lifted the so-called smaller teams to add to the energy. It looks like the so-called big teams were electrocuted by ugesi. With the teams that have reached the last four, it proves that there are no longer small teams. The playing field is slowly becoming even. It's a big opportunity for the likes of Richards Bay and Stellenbosch FC to add some silverware in their cabinets for the first time since being promoted to the elite league. What a chance to be counted in the history books of the PSL. Good luck to all four teams. Let's wait and see who will be the two fighting it out in the final. Fak'uGesi.
Gavin Ryan, Emalahleni
Pablo Franco Martin is slowing but surely steering the Usuthu ship in the right direction if recent results are anything to go by. He beat Chiefs, drew against Pirates and advanced to the Carling Knockout semi-finals by thrashing neighbours Arrows. The former Real Madrid assistant coach has a dream of one day participating in CAF competitions and it will happen if everybody associated with Usuthu pulls in the same direction. Let me conclude by congratulating Man United for their smash-and-grab win over Fulham. At least, I had a good weekend since Chiefs were not playing, even though wasteful Real Madrid drew. A point is better than nothing.
Amos "Tiger" Tshukudu, Ga-Maria
What a great weekend of Carling Knockout action. Nice to see the so-called small teams going through to the semis. Goliath was knocked out in a game he should have won in 90 minutes. It looked as if each Pirates player wanted to shine instead of playing for the team against Richards Bay FC. Some players didn't pass the ball to others. Anyway, it's water under the bridge now. Now is the time for Stellenbosch FC to lift the trophy, failing which they will never get another chance. To Sundowns, well done for scoring an away goal against Wydad. Come weekend, you only need to win 1-0 to claim the honours. Here's wishing you all the best!
Lebatlo Joshua "Mr Cool" Mati, Dilopye village, Temba
The sponsors of the Carling Knockout must be disappointed with the semifinals as they are minus the big four. Chiefs, Pirates, Sundowns and SuperSport were all knocked out in prior rounds. This shows how small teams like Richards Bay and Stellenbosch FC have improved. We hope fans will still fill up Moses Mabhida Stadium to capacity in the spirit of football even with their teams out. On a separate note, we call on all South Africans to paint Loftus Versfeld yellow in support of Sundowns on Sunday. I always say a game of this magnitude requires Soccer City. A 90 000-seater Soccer City painted in yellow was going to make the life of these North African giants a living hell.
Peter wa ga Makwela, Klipgat
Once again, another big team is out of the Carling Knockout. It shows how our teams are really strong and competing with the Big Three. However, it was sad to hear about the passing of AmaZulu FC player Bonginkosi Ntuli. May his soul rest in peace. On a more positive note, it was good to see a 20-year-old doing a wonderful job once again and making sure Richards Bay remain in the cup. It really shows how well our scouts are doing. Recently, our league has been blessed with young players, which is a good investment for our football.
Danny "Madeenzo" Moreo, Segakwana village, Moruleng
Congrats to Richards Bay for beating Pirates, they played very well. I was impressed with the way they took their penalties and credit must also go to their young goalkeeper. I heard that he is preparing for matric exams this week and I wish him good luck. On another topic, I think VAR is needed in our DStv Premiership. Look at the Rugby World Cup, where TMO saved us a lot. There was no unfair practice on the part of referees. Why can't we bring that into our league? I hope when SAFA executives have their meeting, they will think about it and take it into consideration for future.
Isaac Tsenene, Gqeberha
Congrats to Messi for winning his eighth Ballon d'Or. The absence of Ronaldo in the list of nominees and the awards ceremony in Paris is an indication that the 15-year rivalry between the two football phenomena has come to an end. The two made unprecedented breakthroughs during the years of their rivalry. They've explored new dimensions in the football landscape in modern times. However, the commanding presence of Mbappe and Haaland at the FIFA awards ceremony represented a threshold to the new era of rivalry. We hope to see a Messi-Ronaldo rivalry being re-enacted by the two. Meanwhile, our lamentations over the decision not to give the 2020 Ballon d'Or to Lewandowski are stubbornly unceasing. Although, then, the world was gripped by Coronavirus, it was an unnecessary excuse not to crown him. It decided that there will be no Ballon d'Or in 2020, and yet football was played and champions were crowned. Why was the then Bayern superstar not awarded with the Ballon d'Or? That was unfair and an injustice that will haunt the football world for a long time to come.
Batsirai Kativu, Johannesburg
My favourite team Arsenal lost twice in the space of three days, first in a cup match against West Ham, followed by a league defeat to Newcastle. Compared to last season, this season the standard of their game seems to have gone down a bit. Closer to home, all the big teams are out of the Carling Knockout. That said, it's also a chance for small teams to win this cup of miracles.
Nyambeni Samson Khuphani, Tshiawelo Ext 5
You see, as long as you are a Chiefs or Man United fan, forget about the title. Those two will take years to get back where they belong. We have coaches who are clueless about the game. We have players dragging their feet on the field and not fighting for every ball. We have players who are scared to take responsibility. Like, I'm even mentally exhausted ke team tseo.
Tau Tona, Ivory Park
Girona are on to something this season, for as long as they keep this fluid, free-flowing football with lots of goals scored. They are beating teams home and away. They play with joy and confidence. Maybe they could be rewarded with a Europa League or Champions League spot at the end of the season. They are replicating what Newcastle are doing in the English Premier League. Speaking of Newcastle, I wonder if it would compromise their system and structure if they were to play Wilson and Isak at the same time. Back to LaLiga. This season's title race is wide open. Barcelona are not really up to their best standard and are scraping for results, so do Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid are a different side without Benzema, a regular scorer of note. Bellingham is on fire, but he's not a guy who's going to score braces and hattricks regularly like Benzema and Ronaldo did. Well, he did score a brace against Barcelona, and credit to him for that. Valverde only knows how to score thunderbolts and no tap-ins. Their main source of goals comes from Bellingham and Vinicius Jnr and when the two don't score, it's a problem. Vinicius seems to have been given a free role since they play with what looks like a diamond shape front three with no reference point and Bellingham making late runs into the box. Now I wonder how they would accommodate and incorporate Mbappe, who operates in that Vini Jnr position. Rodrygo will be pushed further down the pecking order.
Lucky Khunou, Meriting
Man United v Fulham was one of those unpredictable games. The Red Devils have lost their spark. Gone are those days where we used to bank on them winning any match. Just like the so-called mighty Chiefs, they are going through tough times at the moment. Amakhosi are stuck between a rock and a hard place. They don't know what to do. They are changing coaches like underwear. As for Sundowns and Man City, they are winning silverware. Unstoppable!
Moses Mokoena, Ga-Mokwakwaila
Globally, football has changed drastically. Erstwhile giants of world football find themselves in unfamiliar territory in their respective leagues. Lyon in France and Ajax in the Netherlands are typical examples, finding themselves in the basement of their respective leagues. Not so long ago, Ajax were on everyone's lips after their great run in the UEFA Champions League. They are a club with a rich history, the most successful in Netherlands. What went wrong? Just imagine the abovementioned leagues without those giants, it would be akin to a big city without electricity. Back in 1998/99, the only teams I knew from France were Lyon and their archrivals Marseille, before the rise of PSG. Back home, things aren't looking good for the once-mighty Pirates. Looks like they are only putting their focus on cup games, forgetting that they can win them all but still be relegated and fail to defend them. One may think it's too early, but in Sepedi we say, "Tloga tloga etloga kgale." The less said about Chiefs, the better. This is a team that used to dominate and win every cup on offer. Now they are in the elite league just to add numbers.
Tente "The Brains" Mokoka, Sepharane
Let me start by offering my sincere condolences to the family of Bonginkosi Ntuli, his wife, his teammates, AmaZulu FC and the whole football fraternity at large. It was very sad to learn of his passing on Sunday as he still had a lot to offer the game. Ntuli recently got married to the daughter of AmaZulu chairman Sandile Zungu and it is heartbreaking that he had to perish not even five months into marital bliss. 'Tis true, we can plan, but God decides. Let me reserve my comment on my beloved Chiefs. I've complained on this platform about the team, but nothing seems to change, so I don't wanna waste this precious space that Soccer Laduma affords us. Last but not least, to the admin of the Soccer Laduma readers' WhatsApp group, please kindly add me to the group chat. My number is 064 771 3954.
Marvin Matseke Mabula, Burgersfort, Leboeng Rutseng
It was with great sadness to hear of the passing of Bongi Ntuli. The boy was at his prime and seeing his life cut short in this manner is hard to swallow. May his family and the soccer fraternity at large find peace and God's abundant grace during this healing process.
Derick Maremeni Mpho Magoro
