In anticipation of this week's 1417th edition of Soccer Laduma, we preview some of the features and interviews included. The latest edition will be available at your nearest outlet on Thursday, 26th March 2025.
KAIZER CHIEFS
With 27 matches played this season, Kaizer Chiefs have used three different goalkeepers. Bruce Bvuma has started 17 of those fixtures with three opportunities for Brandon Petersen and seven appearances in the starting line-up for Fiacre Ntwari. The latter started the opening seven matches of this season before falling out of favour completely. In the last 20 games in all competitions, he has been left in the stands on 12 occasions with eight matches as an unused substitute. In this feature, we look at the three options at Chiefs in the post-Itumeleng Khune era. With rumours of a new signing in goal during almost every transfer window, we ask whether this is an area of weakness for the Glamour Boys or are they in good shape between the sticks for the foreseeable future?
SIYA SPECIAL
After a relatively quiet January transfer window, Orlando Pirates could be gearing up for a significant spending spree ahead of the 2025/26 season, the Siya crew has learnt. The Buccaneers, who last won the league title in the 2011/12 campaign, are eager to bolster their squad as head coach Jose Riveiro intensifies his pursuit of the elusive Betway Premiership crown. With the team competing in multiple competitions and planning to continue doing so for seasons to come, in pursuit of glory in the CAF Champions League among other goals, the need for reinforcements has never been greater.
TSHEGOFATSO MABASA
Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa continues to play a vital role at the club—so much so that he is now chasing the record of becoming the team's all-time Top Scorer. The 28-year-old is within touching distance of Bennedict Vilakazi's longstanding record of 58 goals for the Buccaneers, and he might break that milestone before the current season concludes. In this interview with Soccer Laduma following his unveiling as a brand partner for American sportswear company Under Armour, Mabasa opens up about his personal journey and ambitions.
Also In Issue 1417…
Thandani Ntshumayelo…
It is in the history books that Thandani Ntshumayelo's career came to an abrupt halt after his drug-influenced ban from professional football. Ntshumayelo failed a drug test after his last match for Orlando Pirates and that was the turning point in his then thriving career. Four years in the football wilderness took its toll on the Heilbron-born midfielder as, after finishing his sentence, reviving his career proved a mountain to climb.Last week, in Part One of his interview with Soccer Laduma, Bibo opened up about his bad decision to do drugs and the consequences he had to suffer. This week, the former defensive midfielder reveals how he was caught and the conversation he had with Bucs chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, after his results were confirmed.
International Feature
FIFA World Cup qualifying on the African continent has just passed its halfway stage, and various nations are edging closer to booking their ticket to the global showpiece in the Americas in a year's time. With sides from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) region standing a chance to qualify directly to the competition from their respective qualification groups for the first time ever, many will be looking to cement their name in that first position to avoid a potentially tricky playoff encounter. Soccer Laduma delves deep into which countries are best positioned to book a direct ticket to Mexico, Canada, and the United States of America in 2026.
Revolving Column
This week we hear from former Orlando Pirates striker Thulasizwe Mbuyane about the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals fixtures.
Siyagobhoza
In this week's edition of the popular Siyagobhoza section, Fiacre Ntwari's future at Kaizer Chiefs remains secure, SuperSport United to shortlist Romain Folz, and Orlando Pirates nearing decision on Monnapule Saleng's future.
Grab a copy of the latest edition of Soccer Laduma at your nearest outlet tomorrow. Don't miss out!
