Editor's Column - Clint Roper

It's that time of the year when league winners around the world start announcing themselves. Bayern Munich have been crowned champions of the Bundesliga, Chelsea are a match or two away from being named champions of the EPL, while here in South Africa Kaizer Chiefs have the PSL crown firmly back on their heads, with every game for them now merely a chance to show off and bask in the glory of an unbelievable season.     Congratulations to the Kaizer Chiefs management, technical team – more especially Stuart Baxter and Doctor Khumalo – as well as the players, who have looked like champions throughout the season. I think what is most admirable about the way Chiefs have gone about their business this season is that they have done it in a 'team way'. Usually when teams win titles there is a star player who has scored a bucket load of goals, or who stood head and shoulders above everyone else in the way he has carried his team to the title. But this Kaizer Chiefs team has pulled together, with everyone doing their bit to get the team over the line.    When you consider that Itumeleng Khune was injured for a long time and with the shadow of his contract situation hanging over his head, whoever was called on to deputise could not be faulted. The defenders have been rock solid, which is evident in the few goals conceded. The midfielders and wingmen have shone, especially those who at the start of the season put in outstanding performances in the absence of some of the star names who were unavailable due to injury. Up front there have been no 'Nomvethes' or 'Mbesumas', club legends who singlehandedly led Chiefs to glory in the past. In fact, some would argue that Chiefs let their best striker go to SuperSport United when Kingston Nkhatha left the team, yet enough goals have been scored for them to maintain their early season lead and clinch the title. Then again, when you have only conceded 12 goals at this stage of the season, you don't need very many goals, do you? All in all it's been a team masterclass in disciplined, winning football so well done to the entire Amakhosi organisation!    As much as there are teams being crowned, there are also individuals who need to be recognised. The Soccer Laduma Readers' Player of the Season voting is into Round Two, with 10 players having been axed from the original 20. It's no surprise that there are a number of Chiefs players still left in the running and it seems the team's defenders are receiving a lot of votes early on, with Tefu Mashamaite and Erick Mathoho dominating in the same way they have dominated most strikers this year. Well done to all 10 of the players who have made it to round two! Getting the readers vote is a huge honour, and the fact that you have made it this far is huge recognition in itself.    To our readers, keep on voting! Five more players will get the axe at the end of round two. One request… I know it's tough at times, but please vote with your head and not your heart to ensure the integrity of this award, even if that means voting for a player that maybe does not wear the colours of the team you support. We know that you guys are all incredibly knowledgeable about the game, which is why we run this award – to bestow this honour on a PSL player. Please use that power responsibly.    Tonight (Wednesday) we will witness a fascinating game between the deposed kings of the PSL – Mamelodi Sundowns – who come up against the new kings – Kaizer Chiefs. These evenings always fascinate me because you have the coming together of two great teams, some great players and two very proud coaches in a situation which so greatly favours the newly crowned champions that one has to wonder how the other team – in this case Sundowns – will react. This season Sundowns have done their best to play an attractive brand of attacking football which adheres to their club's historical identity. They have fallen short when it comes to defending their title, but they have won many admirers. Chiefs, on the other hand, have moved away slightly from the blueprint of the club by winning the league on the back of a solid defensive structure. Tonight Sundowns will to a certain extent be eating humble pie, but at the same time will have the opportunity to send out a message to Kaizer Chiefs that next season could be a different story to this one. To both coaches and clubs we ask that the fixture is played with the enthusiasm and professionalism that it deserves. We don't want to hear comments at the end of the game to the effect of, "Well, it's hard to motivate my lads when the title is already won," or "We've got a cup final to think about." Supporters will not be paying discounted prices for this game just because the league title has been decided, so let's not give the world a discount performance. This game should be one of the showpieces of South African football!    Finally, let me once more add Soccer Laduma's voice to those mourning the passing of the great John 'Shoes' Moshoeu. So much has already been said about this wonderful servant of South African soccer and we have dedicated a poster and a feature to the great man in this edition – though to be honest we could have filled the entire paper with Shoes content. It seems unthinkable that Shoes is no longer with us and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this sad time.   Shapa Clint