Soweto Derby PreviewOn Saturday, Orlando Pirates host Kaizer Chiefs in the second Soweto Derby of this season. The last match was decided by a late penalty in a dramatic affair. There is plenty riding on this game, with second place and a spot in the CAF Champions League up for grabs. Arguably eight or nine clubs could still finish in second spot, but this clash will have a big say in whether either of these sides can salvage their season. Both sets of coaches have been under pressure for both their results and the performances of their sides. A defeat will see scrutiny and pressure increase from the fanbase. What sort of line-up and tactics will we see from the two teams? What have been the key factors in previous derby results? Which players and match-ups are going to be important? Soccer Laduma investigates…
Al Ahly v Mamelodi Sundowns ReviewA spirited Sundowns, outplayed as they may have been when it comes to ball possession, downed Africa's Club of the Century, Al Ahly, in their own backyard last Saturday, thus making history as they had failed to do so in six past meetings. It was a deserved victory whichever way you look at it – in football, if you don't convert your scoring opportunities, you have lesser chances of winning the game, and the Red Devils learnt that the hard way at Cairo International Stadium. However, having only played two games, they could still claw their way back and qualify for the knockout stages, just as coach Pitso Mosimane did allude to the fact that, "We have to do it the hard way now". In this review, Soccer Laduma spoke to several influential figures in the Egyptian game, and the reaction from the passionate Ahly supporters was unbridled anger and frustration.
Tim Sukazi Interview
The second season in top flight football has been harder than the first for TS Galaxy. After finishing just outside the Top Eight last term, the current campaign has been a stressful one. After parting ways with Owen da Gama, the Rockets brought in coach Sead Ramovic and made some changes within their playing personnel. They've made some progress under the German mentor and are looking to move up the table and avoid relegation. Chairman Tim Sukazi spoke to Soccer Laduma to find out about how their second season is going and he also touched on the Khayelihle Shozi issue, the signing of Vuyo Mere and why letting three key players join Royal AM without a transfer fee made business sense.
Ditheko Mototo Interview After being released alongside 17 other staff members, former Royal AM assistant coach Mototo can be forgiven for being caught unawares. After all, the former defender had formed part of the club's technical team that had managed to, despite a shaky start, steer the side to what has been a solid maiden campaign in the topflight so far. As the saying goes, coaches come and go, but in this case, the timing might have been off for the man affectionately known as 'Tiger'. It wasn't all doom and gloom, though, as he recently secured a return to the club where he first shot to prominence as a player and then later on as a youth coach, Bloemfontein Celtic. He and the rest of the Siwelele technical team have the task of restoring the Mangaung outfit back to where it belongs. Soccer Laduma caught up with him.
Dusan Vlahovic FeatureMany big deals were confirmed in the recent European January transfer window, but none more expensive than Dusan Vlahovic's €81 million (R1.3 billion) switch from Fiorentina to Juventus, a deal that saw him become the Bianconeri's fourth-biggest signing in history and overtake Rui Costa as La Viola's club-record sale! While there is naturally a lot expected of him, especially as he agreed to take Cristiano Ronaldo's former No. 7 shirt in Turin, there will be some wondering how the 22-year-old Serbia international has arrived at this point. Where is he from? Where is he going? And why has Italy's most successful club forked out this much for this lad? Let Soccer Laduma tell you a bit about the striker, who has been likened to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Revolving Column
This week, we hear from the legendary Roger Feutmba, former Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker, on the club's historic win over Al Ahly, what the Tshwane giants are doing right, how the Soweto giants can catch up, and more.
Siyagobhoza
In this week's edition of the popular Siyagobhoza section, there is news on Kaizer Chiefs' contingency plan should Stuart Baxter be let go, interest in a young Orlando Pirates star, interest in Gaston Sirino, and more…
