In This Week's Edition Of Soccer Laduma

Sundowns v Chiefs ReviewWhat a game it turned out to be at Loftus Versfeld Stadium between the two giants! Nobody could have written the script as a rejuvenated Amakhosi side came up against a well-oiled Downs outfit that had stumbled upon a banana skin, in TS Galaxy, three days prior. It was a brilliant performance from the home side, which stifled and took the life out of the Soweto giants, who, in the end, succumbed to a humiliating 4-0 defeat. Just what were the key moments? Which players from both sides stood out and who failed to rise to the occasion and why? In this big game review, Soccer Laduma dissects some of the talking points from this early-season 'Clasico'!  

He has moved some of South Africa's finest talents from South Africa to Europe. The likes of Benni McCarthy and Steven Pienaar are just two of the many players that he has helped flourish abroad. However, there have been fewer and fewer players from these shores going overseas in recent years. Shortly after concluding arguably one of the biggest transfers in the local game in Ronwen Williams to Mamelodi Sundowns from their cross-town rivals SuperSport United, super agent Rob Moore had a chat with Soccer Laduma about the blockbuster move as well as why South African players are not moving abroad as frequently as they did in yesteryear.  

Many might have seen it coming, and at last, Chabalala has left Orlando Pirates. The defender introduced himself to the club's fans in style back in 2016 with back-to-back Man of the Match awards, having joined from Free State Stars. However, he was soon loaned out to Chippa United. Came back, only to be loaned out again to Bloemfontein Celtic, where he spent two seasons. His latest loan stint was at Sekhukhune United. In his interview with Soccer Laduma this week, the Limpopo-born star makes big admission about his time at Bucs and opens up on his relationship with the chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza.

Noko Matlou InterviewMatlou has been a loyal servant of the game, starting out as a striker and eventually converted into a defender. In the recent Wafcon in Morocco, she was among the standout performers and played in all six matches. In her interview with Soccer Laduma this week, she reveals her gratitude to President Cyril Ramaphosa for the possible promulgation of a bill advocating for equal pay for both men and women doing national duty in football. She also discloses how she managed to shut down Nigeria and Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala in the epic opening match and the general reaction of Banyana when the referee added almost 10 minutes of optional time in the final!

Ballon d'Or Feature
Have you ever been involved in a discussion centred around the Ballon d'Or that didn't turn into a debate? Engaging in a conversation about football's most prestigious individual award becomes heated and is often left unresolved. Still, to this day, it is one of the game's most contentious topics as one's opinion on the matter is defined by preference. Earlier this year, France Football, the organisers of the accolade, announced significant amendments to the award's criteria. Were these changes made as a result of Lionel Messi's controversial 2021 victory? And who are this year's nominees? Soccer Laduma has all the answers!