2023/24 SEASON'S GREETINGS!
The moment we've been waiting for has finally arrived – I'm talking about the start of the DStv Premiership! The likes of Sundowns, SuperSport and Cape Town City secured maximum points, while others drew and the mighty Bucs opened with a loss. It was a pain from Spain. It's been long since my team, Chiefs, scored in an official game and I hope by the time you read this, they would have scored against Sundowns, especially taking into consideration we have another big one against Cape Town City in the MTN8 on Sunday.
Amos "Tiger" Tshukudu, Ga-Maria
With so much hype surrounding the signings made by different teams, we expected fireworks, but I think the start of the new DStv Premiership season was kinda lukewarm. However, Cambell at SuperSport really made a bold statement. He made Maseko's absence not to be noticed. He's one for the future and I hope his agent, Hunt and Matthews can protect him and allow him to grow. May the referees and assistants who will be officiating try their best in terms of the application of the Laws of the Game this season. As for Chiefs, I still think we need another striker. As things are, we won't score any goals in the foreseeable future. We've failed to score in the past three matches, including two friendlies. Last but not least, I'm looking forward to this week's In Touch With and Still in Touch With. You can't ask for more than the guys currently 'at the wheel'. I've laughed my lungs out in the past four weeks, especially reading In Touch With.
Mompati Panyaza Ndlovu, Lekubu village, Zeerust
Greetings to you all. The past weekend saw the return of the DStv Premiership. As usual, Sundowns started the season with a win against Sekhukhune, while Pirates lost to Stellenbosch FC. The likes of SuperSport, Galaxy and Cape Town City also did well in their respective games. I'm disappointed in Chiefs as they drew with Chippa at home. They didn't even beef up the striking department before the season started. As for Ntseki's appointment, that surprised me. The same technical team that failed to produce results last season is still there. I'm wondering if the management will learn from their mistakes. Chiefs need another striker. If they don't hit the ground running now, I foresee another trophyless season.
Anesipho Mabija, via email
Thank you, Downs, for the three points against Sekhukhune. I'm not satisfied with the performance, but it's still too early to judge. I saw from the performance of all the teams on the weekend that they meant business and that they're really tired of our dominance on this league. They're also singing that song: "Sundowns is not going to win the league this season." But we are used to this song, especially once we taste a defeat in the second or third game of the season or a draw. Let's wait and see.
Waya Maxazi, Glenharvie
The well-anticipated PSL season got underway this weekend. All the teams played with high intensity because the fitness level is still high due to proper pre-season training. The opening game saw two red cards, for Mncube and Coetzee. Is this proof that the referees have also upped their game? It was good to see the debutants (Riberio, Dzvukamanja, Ighodaro, Mabasa and Paciencia) on the score sheet for their respective teams. But most games were a bit cagey and cautious, that's why only 10 goals were scored. The player that caught my attention is Cambell. What a marvel to watch! Definitely a player with a bright future. Downs' Riberio is good running off the ball and has an eye for goal, while Castillo for Chiefs has good vision and technical ability to spray passes all over the field. It seems we are in for a bumper ride.
Gavin Ryan, Emalahleni
Not a good start for the Buccaneers in the DStv Premiership. Overall, I was impressed by the team's performance against Stellies, we just need to work on our firepower because we created a number of scoring opportunities but failed to convert them into goals. Once we start scoring goals, we will be unstoppable. I still believe in Orlando Pirates.
Bongani Mgubela, Diepkloof
The long-awaited PSL season has begun and the expectations are very high. Pirates looked good on the ball but couldn't penetrate a highly disciplined Stellenbosch FC defence. SuperSport got maximum points and looked typically like your Gavin Hunt-coached team: solid in defence, good crosses, dangerous on set-plays and clinical in front of goal. Swallows managed to salvage a point away from home, have made good signings and will be a force to be reckoned with this season. Chiefs, like a phoenix, can always rise from the dead, and here's hoping this is the season the sleeping giants will finally rise from the dead. The defending champions started the season where they left off. Like the old adage says, "It's difficult to get to the top, but what is even more difficult is staying at the top." Another season to prove their mettle, this could turn out to be their toughest season in years. We are in for a very exciting campaign. Football-loving South Africans, brace yourselves for a super duper season!
Zola "Bashin" Kati, Zwelitsha
I think only football fanatics understand the football language. Many people were complaining that Pirates wasted money on the Spain trip, some going as far as suggesting it was not for football purposes but for coach Jose to check on his ex-girlfriends in Spain. All this came after Pirates lost to Stellenbosch FC. People think having a pre-season in that country comes with a guarantee of miracles. You work hard for your luck and sign good, suitable players. Learn from how Sundowns conduct their football business.
Terah Maqepula, Mount Fletcher
I don't think we saw enough from Chiefs to understand how the team will play for the season. What is clear though is that they worked on their defensive structure because Chippa could not play behind their defence. Castillo's presence and calmness in the middle of the park makes it easy for our attacking players to worry less about tracking back. Having said that, I still believe Chiefs need one or two proven goal poachers to really compete. I thought Nkosingiphile and Shabalala would give those defence-splitting passes for Ranga to finish, but it wasn't to be. Hopefully with more games, they will work on that chemistry and make us happy. All in all, it was not a great start, but it wasn't too bad either. All the best to the boys against Cape Town City.
Malesela "Dance" Boya, Kanana, Hammanskraal
New season, same old Chiefs. If they're going to play like they did against Chippa, then we're in for a long season and the status quo will remain. We couldn't even penetrate their defence and there was no sense of urgency going forward. The defence looked good but only because Chippa didn't really trouble us, so the jury is still out as far as our defence is concerned.
Marvin Matseke-Mabula, Burgersfort, Leboeng Rutseng
Technical deficiency is and has always been Chiefs' demise in the past seasons and I see no difference still. They are simply not a scoring team. We all know what that means for results. It was a big mistake not to hire Nabi. Chiefs need a mentor, psychologist kind of coach and I doubt we have that with those three men in charge. They had ample time to work on this shortcoming of shooting blanks as is evident in their last three games. Once again, another painful season for the fans.
Hofmeyr Kwitshana, Pietermaritzburg
Only one of the Big Three collected maximum points on the weekend. My team Chiefs got one point at least, but the big one is on Wednesday – when you read this letter, we will already know the result. Chiefs' defence play well, we only lack upfront. Chivaviro needs another striker next to him because we need to score goals to collect more points. The Msimango-Ditlhokwe combination is good.
Nyambeni Samson Khuphani, Tshiawelo Ext 5
READERS REACT…
Here I was filing in at my usual filling station to buy my soccer Bible. The copy looked familiar, but I ignored that and proceeded to pay. It was only after the fact, that I realised that this was the previous week's copy in my hands. I stole a quick glance at the cashier, if only to scan any remnants of crookery, so as to cause a scene if need be. It was a Tuesday, and I somehow had thought it was a Wednesday. I thought to myself, 'Why not read the same paper twice instead of buying it twice?' Then again, I didn't regret the money spent. I shared my story on the Soccer Laduma readers' WhatsApp group and we had a good laugh about it. At least this time around, when the paper hit the shelves on Thursday, I didn't get my days mixed up. I've had people I never thought read this newspaper asking me why I didn't submit to MAKE YOUR POINT whenever my letter didn't appear. Then there are those who ask me why I keep all these previous copies in the house. I just don't have a reason to throw them away, and only if I had a house with three garages, one being for my copies only. Did I mention the rush to submission deadline on Monday mornings? It's akin to late assignments submission back in my schooling days, as many will attest. I kid you not, I submit even at 09h58. The moral of the story is that this paper is addictive. Same quality content, just a different day to get used to. Keep up the good work.
Lucky Khunou, Meriting
What an interesting and frank interview by Cole Alexander about his experience at Kaizer Chiefs and his performance, or lack thereof. What I liked about the interview was his honest assessment, especially of the coaching aspect. His observations have some credence. Any coach who lacks the ability to create cohesion and brotherhood in his team will ultimately fail. If indeed Arthur Zwane only focused on players that were playing and isolated the rest of the team, that indicates poor management skills. Alexander was not explicit in his answer because he doesn't want to burn bridges. However, he clearly indicated that there was no relationship between him and the coach. Lastly, he has some compliments for Molefi Ntseki, which may be the reason why the powers that be at Chiefs appointed him. All the best at Helsingborgs.
Thapelo Masiapata, Ramaroka village, Bolobedu
Mr Editor, I've just read the five factors you've cited and which you say would 'elevate our game and make this a memorable season' (issue 1334). I'm inclined to concur with you that attendance, entertainment, Boo Boys, foreign players and the blooding in of youngsters are crucial. On top of these, I'd add that what happens on the field is also very important. What teams do on the field is important to attract 'bums on seats'. The players on the field and what they do there and how they do it have to justify the fans' continued presence in the stands. Fans part with their hard-earned rands that could best be used to do other stuff for teams to bore them to tears with below-average performances. We need to move away from expecting good football when it is only Chiefs v Pirates or Pirates v Sundowns or Chiefs v Sundowns playing. We do know that all 16 teams in the DStv Premiership are there on merit and all are highly competitive and we expect to see that, at the very least, in most of the games.
If matches involving, say, AmaZulu FC v Polokwane City or Chippa v Sekhukhune can be as entertaining as those involving Chiefs, Pirates or Sundowns, believe you me, fans will start coming to stadiums in droves. Have you noticed that township tournaments involving amateur teams are well-attended? The reason is because those teams give the fans what they want: entertainment. I'm not talking about showboating here, I mean football as we would love it to be played. Last but not least, I wish my beloved Chiefs well this season. It's been a long wait and I hope Ntseki will not disappoint us. Keep up the good work with this publication. It reminds me of the Sharpshoot Soccer Mirror of the early '80s. Forgive me for revealing my age, ha, ha.
Lolonga Tali, Qonce
Having read Gora Ebrahim's interview in Soccer Laduma issue 1333, where he lamented Pirates' propensity to self-destruct, I'm tempted to agree with his view, although I initially thought the "gentleman" does protest too much. Bucs will be playing in the Champions League and need to re-enforce their squad in crucial positions instead of getting rid of special players like Dzvukamanja. I also read the Editor's column, titled, 'Dzvuka's big Pirates surprise!' in last week's edition, and still maintain there is more to the Zimbabwean striker's departure than him being booed by a section of club supporters. Pirates are notorious for breaking the hearts of their supporters in more ways than one. Who can forget how Sapula, the late Leremi and Teko were released? Who can forget how Barreto, Makaab and Krol were released after annexing the league title? Currently, Lepasa is rumoured to be on his way out, despite having been part of the pre-season planning – a powerful ammunition to his new club. Indeed, Pirates are past and present masters of shooting themselves in the foot. Up the Bucs!
Ebrahim Sinxezi, Vanderbijlpark
BANYANA SHOW THE WORLD A THING OR TWO
In the world of sports and life in general, it's unusual to celebrate a defeat. In fact, losers are marginalized and frowned upon. No one wants to associate with a loser, and justifiably so. The problem is not so much in losing, but the manner in which one capitulates. Having said this, I'd like to commend Banyana for valiantly bowing out of the World Cup. Like true soldiers, they went down fighting against the Netherlands and no one can fault them. It would have been a shame as African champions not to make it past the group stage. The girls dug deep to ensure a successful passage to the Last 16, where they came unstuck against a well-oiled machine. We are proud of you, ladies. Bravo, Banyana!
George Sithole, Honeydew
What a performance by Banyana against the Netherlands. We lost because of inexperience, as most of the Dutch girls are attached to big teams. Thanks to Sundowns for their ladies' team contribution, as well as a few other teams. SAFA must now force all DStv Premiership teams to have women's teams so that the national team coach can have a big pool of players to select from. Private companies must also sponsor Banyana. Our ladies knocked out big guns like Argentina and Italy. In the Last 16, Banyana had a problem defending set-pieces and long balls. They played their hearts out but could not score. In the last 15 minutes of the first half, we should have scored three goals and that would have made a difference, but inexperience was the biggest disadvantage. Nevertheless, well done. The nation is proud and you deserve the best. SAFA must not fire Desiree Ellis like they did to Clive Barker.
Lebatlo Joshua "Mr Cool" Mati, Dilopye, Temba
Our girls did us proud. With everything surrounding their preparations, they still managed to hold themselves together and go past the group stage. If there's any truth to the allegations that Danny Jordaan played a huge role in the matchday squad by calling for those whom he believes started the strike to be sidelined, shame on him. Let's hope our girls will move abroad because here at home they are not being taken seriously, yet we expect miracles when they play at the biggest showpiece.
Siyabonga Nkalambela, Delft
Our ladies bowed out with a brave performance, especially in the first stanza where we created a lot of chances that we failed to use. But they must be proud of their performance, especially coming out alive from the Group of Death. The Dutch ladies never posed any threat to us as we matched them pound for pound. As usual, unfortunately, our erratic defence cost us. But being number 48 playing against number nine in the world, that was not bad at all. I do believe that in the next World Cup we'll come back wiser and we can progress further. I'm very proud of our girls and had it not been for the politics of SA football, they could have gone further. Injuries to key players on the day also hampered our progress. Our strikers tried, but unfortunately they could not break through the Netherlands' resilient defence.
Boitumelo Vanrooyen, Schweizer-Reneke
Stop praising mediocrity. Banyana should have advanced to the Last 8. Swart let us down. Dlamini should have started against the Netherlands. Our goalie was the weakest link and demoralised the ladies' spirit. The coach should tell the whole country why our best goalkeeper was benched. Did the instruction come from above? Do the honourable thing and resign. As for Downs v Sekhukhune, from a distance you could see Mngqithi is not happy and it's just a matter of time before he vacates his post. Something needs to be done as a matter of urgency, otherwise I smell a trophyless season.
Tente "The Brains" Mokoka, Sepharane
