Soccer Laduma Blog By Clint Roper

So the first bit of real silverware for the season goes to Naturena. I don't like saying I told you so, but if you head over to the Soccer Laduma Supporters Club on www.snl24.com/soccerladuma you will see that I did, in fact, tell you so.    In my Supporters Club column I wrote, "I've watched this Kaizer Chiefs team a couple of times this season and I'm not sure anyone or anything can stop them. They're scoring a lot of goals and for once it's not all from one source. The pressure of scoring is being shared by the entire squad and that's a good sign for any team."   I took a lot of heat for that column, but I stand by it. Right now I have not seen a team in the PSL who is playing at the same level as Kaizer Chiefs.   Defensively they are watertight. Even without Itumeleng Khune in goal, they are near impossible to break down. Going forward they have unbelievable team speed, but what's most impressed me is that when they get to the last third – the red zone as it were – there are now options ahead of the ball to spread the opposition defence and create better goalscoring opportunities.   The only hope for the rest of the league at this juncture is that they go deep into all competitions so that their squad depth is stretched to breaking point. Chiefs' African campaign will certainly test their squad resolve, but considering that the team has been flying early in the season already without the likes of Shabba or Parker, and the fact that Khuzwayo was so brilliant in the absence of Khune, the question really is, who can stop Kaizer Chiefs?   Some will say Mamelodi Sundowns, and they definitely have the potential to beat any team on the African continent, but they have not found their stride yet. The new signings seem to be struggling to fit in, as is usually the case. Even Manchester United's Van Gaal has purchased some of the best players in the world and, unless everything clicks, a team that is not unified is vulnerable. So, until Pitso Mosimane is able to get his team buzzing, I don't think Sundowns will be able to stop Chiefs.   Pirates, quite clearly, are just not at the same level as Kaizer Chiefs, and while it was only 1-0 on the day, the score was probably a little flattering to Orlando Pirates. It could have been far worse. No doubt this column will also get a lot of stick and I suspect a barrage of insults, accusing me of being a Kaizer Chiefs fan, but that is not the case at all. I call it the way I see it. In fact, for those who want to know whether I support Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates, head over to the Soccer Laduma Supporters Club to find out.   What was perhaps most impressive about the Soweto Derby was the full stadium. The fact that two teams from Soweto can play in a final in Durban and get that kind of support is unbelievable and a huge tribute to both clubs involved.  If only that same full stadium could be duplicated time and time again, week in and week out, so that our attendance actually represented the passion we truly have.   Last week we promised that if you took your derby posters to the stadium, that you might just make it into the pages of Soccer Laduma this week, so thank you to all of you who did so. We have done as promised! Pictured is one of the loyal Chiefs supporters holding his Mandla Masango poster aloft. Keep showing Soccer Laduma love at the stadiums and we'll continue showing our love for you by including you in the pages of Soccer Laduma!   Shapa, Clint