In anticipation of this week’s 1198th edition of Soccer Laduma, we preview some of the features included. The latest edition will be available at your nearest outlet tomorrow, Wednesday, November 04.
Soweto Derby Preview
What a game the MTN8 semi-final first leg turned out to be between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, and who would have thought that Bucs would outclass their archrivals, especially looking at both teams’ results going into this massive fixture? In the end, the match ended 3-0, with Josef Zinnbauer’s charges putting themselves in a comfortable position to progress to the final. The big question now is, can Kaizer Chiefs mount a miraculous comeback at FNB Stadium this coming Sunday? Judging by last weekend’s performance, it does not look that likely, but in football, anything can happen. In our preview of the second leg, we take a look at where Pirates got it right, how Gavin Hunt might look to change things up in his starting XI and formation, and a whole lot more…
Downs Coaches Feature
Mamelodi Sundowns having Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena as joint head coaches, with Steve Komphela as senior coach has been a hot topic of discussion among South African football fans. Some believe it does not make sense and will backfire, as these are three coaches who may have their different ways of looking at things and therefore clashes may occur, while others believe it will only elevate the Tshwane giants to a whole new level. So far, the Brazilians have been bundled out of the MTN8 at the first hurdle, and have since registered a win and a draw in the league, and there is big pressure to continue with the dominance the team showed under the leadership of Pitso Mosimane. In this feature, we take a look at what each mentor brings to the table and seek the opinions of those who have worked with them in the past to find out more about their positive attributes.
Mbwana Samatta Interview
In a Soccer Laduma exclusive, we speak to Mbwana Samatta, the Tanzanian striker who is on the books of Turkish giants Fenerbahce. The 27-year-old became the first player from East Africa to win the CAF Champions League, with TP Mazembe. He also became the first Tanzanian player to become the CAF Player of the Year based in Africa and, the first Tanzanian to play and score in the English Premier League. Samatta’s journey to the top has been meteoric, to say the least. In the interview, Samatta reveals why he left Aston Villa so suddenly to pursue his career in Turkey. He also talks about how shocked he was when he discovered that football in Europe was like going to war while in Africa it is like taking a Sunday school stroll in the park.
Also in issue 1198…
Mandla Ncikazi Interview
After Steve Komphela left Golden Arrows to join Mamelodi Sundowns, it didn’t take long for the Durban side to decide on who would replace him. It was none other than Mandla Ncikazi, a man who has worked as Komphela’s assistant at three different clubs. Ncikazi has had separate spells as part of the technical team at the Durban-based outfit and knows the club like the back of his hand, which is why chairperson Mato Madlala did not hesitate to give the 51-year-old a chance to sit in the hotseat. Soccer Laduma sat down with the likeable mentor to find out what the early days in the job have been like, what we can expect from Abafana Bes’thende and why his previous head coaching experience has not left him bitter.
Bhongolethu Jayiya Interview
Former Cape Town City man Bhongolethu Jayiya has become the forgotten man in the true sense of the term. Come to think of it, he is closing in on two years of not kicking a football in anger, having been released by Kaizer Chiefs at the end of the 2018/19 season. What is happening with the 30-year-old’s career? Where did it go wrong? Is he searching for a club? Has the thought of retiring from football crossed his mind? In an interview with Soccer Laduma, Jayiya answers these questions and reveals a fallout he had with his previous agent.
Revolving Column
This week, we catch up with Thabo September, the former SuperSport United captain, who is currently the MTN8 ambassador, as he shares his views on the competition’s semi-final first leg result between Matsatsantsa against Bloemfontein Celtic and previews the second leg clash.
Siyagobhoza
In this week’s edition of the popular Siyagobhoza section, there is news about a Bloemfontein Celtic on the radar of Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs’ links with a former Bidvest Wits goalkeeper, another DStv Premiership club eyeing Phakamani Mahlambi, and more…
Grab a copy of the latest edition of Soccer Laduma at your nearest outlet tomorrow. Don’t miss out!
