In This Week’s Edition Of Soccer Laduma

In anticipation of this week's 1303^rd edition of Soccer Laduma, we preview some of the features included. The latest edition will be available at your nearest outlet on Wednesday, December 7^th.

Yusuf Maart Feature

With Arthur Zwane looking to rebuild an engine room that had underperformed for a number of seasons, the 27-year-old was linked with Kaizer Chiefs before last season even ended. It took a month into the off-season for the deal to get over the line. There has been much talk about the player's performances, his Soweto Derby wonder goal, what his best position is and why he has been dropped from the Bafana Bafana squad of late. In this feature, Soccer Laduma investigates whether the Orlando Pirates development product is living up to expectations, how his form compares to last season and many other key talking points.

Bongani Zungu Interview

Zungu is back at the club he left in 2016, this time with a point to prove it would seem. Evidently Mamelodi Sundowns Brazilians fought off stiff competition for his signature. By his own admission, he is close to being in the ideal physical condition, having featured in a few games already since his return from Europe, where he experienced a mixed bag of fortunes. In an interview with Soccer Laduma this week, 'Ben 10' opens up on a number of issues such as his time abroad, why he really returned, how he manages his relationship with his hard-to-please Rhulani Mokwena.

Jose Riveiro Feature

The Orlando Pirates head coach seems to be on the right track since joining before the start of the season. The Spanish mentor arrived amid mixed reactions, with local football supporters questioning the club's wisdom in hiring an unknown coach with a short Curriculum Vitae. With no African football experience, the Spaniard has hit the ground running, winning the MTN8 to appease Bucs supporters. Almost halfway through the campaign, Riveiro's charges look set to be among the teams to give the Chloorkop-based side stiff competition this campaign. Soccer Laduma spoke to some supporters, a legend and a former coach to get a feel of what they think of the progress made so far.

Also In Issue 1303…       

Mlungisi Mbunjana Interview

Mbunjana takes the spiritual route when speaking of his journey the UJ Campus League to the PSL just a few years later.. The man who broke into the DStv Premiership at age 28 says he has no reason to play catch-up despite being discovered so late. However, he does hope that TS Galaxy's trip to Turkey could serve as an opportunity for his younger teammates to be discovered by European clubs. Soccer Laduma caught up with the bustling midfielder to find out more.

World Cup Feature  

At just 23 years old, Mbappe has already enjoyed some stellar career highlights, big moments that compare to, and even surpass, the achievements of football's all-time greats. Important goals in the UEFA Champions League, starring for France at the 2018 FIFA World Cup as a teenager, breaking records at Paris Saint-Germain and now cementing his status as the world's best player on the world's biggest stage. There is no footballer around today with the capabilities of France's golden child, and he is only going to get better. Soccer Laduma takes a closer look.

Revolving Column

This week, we hear Ernest Mtawali, who played for, among others, Bloemfontein Celtic, Mamelodi Sundowns and the Malawian national team, as he talks about the recent CAF C Licence coaching course organised by SAFA. He shares his honest thoughts on budding SA coaches and why they need to be given a chance.          

Siyagobhoza

In this week's edition of the popular Siyagobhoza section, there is news on Kaizer Chiefs' pursuit of a SuperSport United star and why they could lose out, a Mamelodi Sundowns player whose future at the club seems uncertain, why Terrence Dzvukamanja could stay on at Orlando Pirates after all, and more…