Dear Fellow Readers, How Come…?
Good morning "Cowditor" and fellow readers. I have been sitting on the sidelines for quite some time now without writing to Soccer Laduma. It's been so because of so many things, including facing hectic schedules, but I always like to read your readers' reactions to football matters on a weekly basis. Talking about reaction, I always wonder if we all have pure love for football as a game. Here I'm not talking about the love of your favourite football club but the love of the game at large. If you really love the game, how come that we have Pirates (or Chiefs and/ or Sundowns) comments on a weekly basis. I'm saying this because I have observed it over the years and we don't seem to all have developed deep love for the game (without too much attachment to own club). In fact, based on my observation, we only have five percent of readers looking at football without attachments. Most of them side with their teams because of attachments. If you say I'm just foolish, I have a question for you fellow readers. How come you didn't react to such a passionate interview by coach Ernst Middendorp some weeks ago? How come you don't react to the way Soccer Laduma narrate their football-related articles? How come you don't give VeeJay his roses while he can smell them because his performances in his column are good enough for such?
Kwazikwakhe Ngcobo, Umlazi
Couldn't Have Said It Better, Mike
I will have to agree with Michael Ngobeni when he says our players are badly advised, especially when it comes to money. Players like Jele should be serving as scouts or team managers of Pirates junior teams, but because the salary is little compared to what players earn, they opted to look even though their playing career was over. There are small teams in the DStv Premiership who can promise you a big salary but only pay three to six months of a one-year contract because you are not delivering on the field due to age.
Tebogo George Senye, Ikhutseng, Warrenton
What a brilliant interview with Mr Michael Ngobeni last week. You deserve a Bell's. I enjoyed your honesty when answering questions. You call it like it is. No fear, no favour. You also mentioned one thing that I keep telling people, that Chiefs pay bigger salaries than Sundowns. It's just that people have it in their heads that Sundowns pay more just because they are owned by the Motsepe family. You also touched on the issue of players refusing salary cuts. I did mention it once on this platform that Spar can't pay you what you were earning at Transnet. Players are way too ill-advised by so-called agents who only care about lining their pockets. Pity I can't give Seema his flowers because he was so diplomatic in his answer when asked if he applied for the job at Polokwane City. A simple yes or no was needed, but he had to give a meaningless answer that still left a question hanging. As for Doctor Khumalo, the man is forever praising himself. He keeps talking about how a coach said, "Only you can turn things around for us." No, Mntungwa, this is not the way to go about it. You keep going on and on about how good you were. No one disputes that, but you are forever praising yourself, yet you couldn't play in one of the big leagues in the world. My parting shot is please, Soccer Laduma team, try to rotate columnists. It's not as if having a particular person makes the paper sell more. We buy Soccer Laduma because we love it.
Morongwa Zwee Mokgohloa, Ga-Mokgohloa
Hawu! Khipha Lo Keeper!
I will just do a copy and paste of my introduction in last week's Soccer Laduma when I congratulated both the Proteas and Die Bokke but this time go deeper by mentioning that we are record-breaking world champions! Salute to the boys. Back to my disappointing Chiefs, who are very consistent in that regard. If Petersen was a black man who believed in muti, I was going to say he bewitched our coaches to make him our number one despite the very costly schoolboy errors he is dishing out beke le beke (week after week). Since he knows he struggles with back passes and he cannot even trap the ball properly, why did he not just kick that ball away against Arrows? Coaches will continue losing jobs while he remains in Naturena enjoying a fat salary. It is now obvious our management must headhunt a reliable keeper somewhere who will hit the ground running, but in the meantime, Khune must be used ahead of Petersen. What irritates me most is that our defenders continue passing the ball to him knowing very well he cannot be trusted. In conclusion, I will say it is a recipe for disaster to support both Man United and Chiefs at the same time. You are guaranteed madness, mayhem and the Biblical gnashing of teeth over the weekend.
Amos "Tiger" Tshukudu, Ga-Maria
To be honest, as long as Bvuma is not given a chance just like weak Petersen and Khune, Chiefs will continue to lose games so much easily. With that young man, the team managed to go straight to a CAF Champions League final in the 2019/20 season.
Ofentse Kakapa Mahatlhe, Schweizer-Reneke
Firstly, let me state that goalkeepers are allowed to make mistakes like every person and be given another chance to redeem themselves, learn and eventually stop the mistakes. Great keepers like De Gea, Buffon, Baloyi and the late Meyiwa experienced those mishaps. But in the case of Petersen, I think something else is wrong with the keeper and he must be removed with immediate effect and a younger keeper be prepared to take over from Khune. This guy is actually the one who is costing Chiefs coaches their jobs and if Johnson continues to play him, he will leave sooner than we can imagine. I mean, had he not made those silly mistakes in the two losses to Sundowns, perhaps Ntseki would still be in his job. The team could have progressed to the MTN8 final and stopped Sundowns' unbroken record of not losing a single match in the league. I did mention this before that coaches must not resort to benching Khune when Chiefs loses because, as we have seen, it's the defenders' faults that those goals are conceded.
Sindile Kwitshana, via email
It does not rain but pours at Naturena Village. But at least on Saturday, the best team on the day lost. Our erratic goalkeeper continues to do what he always does by costing us a game of football. On the brighter side, at least the lads from Naturena created a lot of goalscoring opportunities, even if they squandered a lot of them. Welcome to the Village, Johnson. A big team like Chiefs needs a man with a lion's heart. Once again, congrats to Khenyeza and his troops for the win against the former giant of South African football. All I can say is that Chiefs is no longer that mighty. That's why these days every Tom, Dick and Harry can defeat them on any given day. My plea to management is please buy us two goalkeepers because with Petersen between the sticks, I don't think we will make the Top Eight next season. One of the goalkeepers I can recommend to the Village is the evergreen King Ndlovu of Marumo Gallants. Also get us at least two strikers because when Du Preez is not playing, we are exposed.
Boitumelo Vanrooyen, Schweizer-Reneke
I wish I was as lucky as Petersen in life. I don't know how many times must he continue costing the club games before he's let go. Truly speaking, with him in goals Chiefs are naked. Unfortunately, he's not the only culprit, the whole defence is fast asleep. These guys take turns in making these costly mistakes week in, week out. Until the defence is sorted out, Chiefs are simply not going to win games. And this nonsense of starting play at the back really infuriates me. Chiefs players are not mentally comfortable to play that kind of game. Lastly, new goalkeeper please.
Hofmeyr Kwitshana, Pietermaritzburg
I am one of those glad to see the back of Ntseki. Truth be told, he was a mistake from the beginning. He no longer could hide behind tactics this and tactics that and blah, blah, blah about motivation. I don't condone the throwing of missiles towards a coach, but I think what frustrated the Chiefs fans was not a loss but rather the desultory performances and the team that lacked cohesion. I have come to learn from South African players that when they refer to a coach as a father-figure, they are basically telling us that the coach is soft and that they have him wrapped around their fingers and basically at their mercy. We don't go to work for father-figures, we are employed and get paid a salary to do a job. Our fathers are at home and not at work (unless you're in a family business – wink, wink). Now I know some local coaches love to be seen as father-figures – e.g. Komphela – and maybe that's why he has won so much. Nobody called Troussier, Ertugral and Butler father-figures and they left a mark!
Raymond Van Niekerk, via email
Our new coach was welcomed with a loss against Arrows thanks to the carelessness of our goalkeeper. We need a better goalkeeper as soon as possible, otherwise we are going nowhere. Even when Khune is playing, we lose. Chiefs losing to their former player, Khenyeza, is so disappointing. Keep it up, Mabhudi, you are doing a great job. Last but not least, well done to the Springboks. South Africa is proud of you. You are the best.
Nyambeni Samson Khuphani, Tshiawelo Ext 5
I applaud what Johnson said after what Arrows did to Chiefs. It's exactly what I articulated in our previous edition where I spoke about us fans not knowing our coach's mandate. In his words when asked about what mandate the club gave him, he said he was told to play the Chiefs way and results will come. I hope now we won't be having fans who will be throwing any missiles onto the field baying for someone's blood. But I guess Cavin came in at the right time, we are only a week away from the Soweto Derby. What better way to introduce yourself to the Phefeni Glamour Boys fans? To those who have been laughing at us regarding our losing streak, I have one thing to say to you all: Chiefs' losses were a sacrifice we took for the entire country in order for the Bokke to defend the Webb Ellis trophy, ha, ha, ha.
Nafie Moloantoa, KwaThema
Whoever's recruiting players for my beloved Chiefs is a bogus individual and doing injustice to the team's supporters. Bimenyimana is way better than Gonzalez and I don't know what they saw in the latter. Johnson, if you want to keep your job beyond 2023, I suggest you stop fielding Petersen with immediate effect. The guy is erratic and unreliable. A one-legged Khune is better than him fully fit. Week in and week out, he costs the team and I don't understand why he's still making the 18-man matchday squad. One of the mistakes the club committed was letting go of Akpeyi, but we can't cry over spilt milk. Against Arrows, Khune should have started. I must say though, it was good to see Shabalala back in the team after being overlooked by the previous coach. I hope the boy regains his confidence and hits the ground running
Lekiya Magoai, Nelly (Ga-Malope)
It's unbelievable that Chiefs couldn't win a single match in October, international break and all. We can complain as much as we can as supporters, but as long as our players just enjoy collecting paycheques more than dishing out good results, then nothing will change. We can't talk about quality or lack thereof because for the first time in a while, Chiefs look balanced in almost every position to compete. We were talking about the team using too many defensive players but still conceding a lot in our Soccer Laduma readers' WhatsApp group. Maybe it's time to use just one defensive midfielder and see what happens. A team like Chiefs cannot play without a creative midfielder and expect to win matches. The less said about our erratic so-called number one keeper, the better. At this rate, we'll be lucky to finish in the Top Eight.
Malesela "Dance" Boya, Kanana, Hammanskraal
There is nothing wrong that Chiefs is doing. Football has evolved and teams have invested so much on their craft. Gone are those days when Chiefs and Pirates dominated the league. The investment that has been done by other teams has reduced the so-called Soweto giant to an ordinary team. The senior management at Chiefs must look themselves in the mirror and try to find new ways to rediscover the team's form.
Derick Maremeni and Mpho Magoro, Soshanguve
IBhakaniya Not Faring That Much Better
I can't listen to the same old song at Pirates that the team is playing well, yet there are no results. Since we managed to score two goals against Cape Town City and Cape Town Spurs recently, our fortunes have taken a turn for the worse. This is really bad. Against AmaZulu FC, we should have won convincingly. Even against Polokwane City. But lack of goals is the main problem. I thought coach Riveiro will address it and give it his full attention, but the situation is deteriorating. Against Polokwane City, we had possession, but lack of a killer punch cost us. Another downfall is that we are rushing to score goals and to score a goal is a process which must be implemented. Our players must learn to take responsibility. Timm failed to score while in a better position. We can't continue like this, our position on the log is not looking good. We must be consistent. I also don't understand why Monare, Lepasa and even Erasmus didn't start the game. We need a contingency plan. I declare our position on the log as a national disaster.
Madimetja Vic Mashamaite, Renstown
I might be sounding like a broken record, but it is so true, the Pirates away jersey is nothing but a curse. They have never won a game this season wearing that crazy colour and the reason is simple: that is not the identity of the team. The worst is yet to come in many away games if they continue to use that myopic colour. Our football ancestors will always desert the team so long as they are using that colour. My point can be supported by the loss to Jwaneng Galaxy wearing that jersey in the first leg in Botswana. Even an amateur team defeated us because of the usage of the colour that has no Pirates roots. Last season, the team did well because it was using its known colours, White and Black or Black and White. To Maswanganyi, know that football is all about scoring goals and winning matches. Your dribbling does not help the team. I just hope and trust that you are not pushed into the starting line-up because of certain management staff that is always (allegedly) interfering with the technical team. You are not better than Otladisa and Kimvuidi who always dribble going forward and purposefully, unlike the mediocrity that you always do. Lastly, coach Riveiro, good football without goals and a win is nothing.
Mosa Mothobi, via email
Makgopa, Baloni, Hotto and Timm do not deserve to be in the starting XI. This coach is confused, substituting Lorch and Kimvuidi with a defender and a striker, as well as playing with two destroyers against Polokwane City. Not taking anything away from the opposition, but you can't be defending against them. It is Polokwane City who must defend against Pirates. We cannot draw against Seema as a coach.
Stephen Mpya, Mamphulo village
As said some two months ago after Sundowns had won all five league games, that they have already won the league for this current season. I guess there is nobody who can dispute this fact now. All teams are faltering while Sundowns continue to win every league match. Pirates was expected to challenge them for this season's league title when one looked at the way they wrapped up the second half of last season. Looking at how they are faltering in the league now, my advice to the Bucs technical team and management is to just to play for runners-up or top four. Use this season to plan for next season by trying all sorts of combinations and not plan to recruit more players next season. Recruit like big teams such as Real Madrid, Liverpool, Barcelona, Sundowns etc., who sign a player for a position and play that player. We cannot just sign every good player and then we cannot play them all. This season, Pirates signed almost eight players while they had over 25 good players. The squad is just too big. For an example, Dlamini won us two trophies last season with his clever passes, this season he is not seeing game-time. A quality player in the stands, with many others of course. So, my advice as a Bucs supporter, put utmost concentration on the Carling Knockout, which is there for the taking, and the Nedbank Cup. Release pressure from the players about winning the league and let them enjoy preparing for a full assault next season, but focus their whole minds on cup games. As supporters and fans, let us also go easy and support the technical team as they play different combinations.
Chrisiph Maodi, Observatory, Johannesburg
Fascinating Takes On Boks' Historic Victory!
The Springboks' victory in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday in France has brought about universally applicable lessons to be copied by all of us in different capacities. That they lost to Ireland in the qualifiers indicated a setback which they knew they needed to overcome. Beating France, the host nation, on their home turf, signified Big Match Temperament. Getting the better of England after trailing for long spells of the game pointed to resilience and a never-say-die spirit. Annexing the cup final against New Zealand after a relentless onslaught from the opposition showed good game management. Having won this trophy four times – two on the trot – is commitment with consistency personified. If a winger can be converted into a wing back, in football parlance isn't it time we converted the saying "spring a surprise" to "spring a bok" whenever some success has been achieved against all odds? Orlando Pirates, are you listening? Please do. Up the Bucs!
Ephraim Sinxezi, Vanderbijlpark
When Chiefs spoiled my Saturday afternoon, I wondered where I would hide and get comfort from. I would like to thank God's intervention for the Springboks' win over New Zealand in an absorbing manner. What a final! Then on Sunday, during the church sermon, the priest reminded all and sundry that God wanted to show South Africans that irrespective of all challenges our country is going through, be it economic, political, social ills and corruption attacking us, He can make us a great nation. He also biblically reminded us of how the children of Israel were once freed from 40 years of suppression in Egypt and brought into the holy land of honey. On Saturday, we were in unity, all races, cheering our boys with great pride and forgot for a moment about our challenges. Indeed, sport is a unifier. Praise Him in His obscurity.
Fano Mkhwanazi, Durban
Quick One-Twos
Well done Nienaber and your technical team. It was tough, but you guys ultimately made it. AmaBhokobhoko proved a point by winning the quarter-, semi- and the final by a single point. New Zealand played very well, but they unfortunately were up against a very determined and enterprising team led by Kolisi. New Zealand played a better part of the game one man down but never gave up, while the Boks could not fully capitalise on that. Pollard and De Klerk really played their hearts out, especially in the semis and in the final. Not to say others did not play well, but they were outstanding. Viva die Bokke viva! Back home… Eish, my team is struggling. Motaungs, with due respect, please just bring Teenage Dladla and Malombo Lechaba back to the club. Maybe Ewert Nene can smile. What's wrong ka (with) Petersen? Aowa!
Lebatlo Joshua "Mr Cool" Mati, Dilopye village, Temba
What makes a team so competitive? Nothing but maturity and consistency. We saw sheer maturity and consistency in Sundowns when they won consecutively against Petro de Luanda and Al Ahly in the inaugural African Football League. The Brazilians have become alarmingly competitive, consistently maturing like fine wine. They are cruising over their opponents with ease, without fear. The maturity, steadiness and fearlessness being demonstrated by Sundowns players has made African football giants like Al Ahly look very ordinary. Arguably, Masandawana are playing the most entertaining football on the continent. A comprehensive type of football. I would like to salute coaches Rhulani, Manqoba and the entire technical department for reinventing the team into an all-conquering squad. Although Sundowns have a tight schedule of tournaments like the PSL, CAF Champions League and the African Football League, they will have triumphant breakthroughs because of their sound business model.
Batsirai Kativu, Johannesburg
When watching Sundowns playing continental football, you can't help but feel good when they give as much as they get and considering they're hoisting our flag very high in African football. They pose a real threat. They know all the tricks and dirty tactics of these teams. Here is me hoping that the one goal and clean sheet will be enough to take them to the final. In the same breath, let me congratulate Rassie, Nienaber, Sticks, Siya, the boys and each and every single South African citizen who was supporting the boys. As a country, we've been through a lot and we needed this to anoint our bruised souls. Indeed, sport can unify the masses. Let other sporting codes learn a thing or two from the Springboks. It's high time now that all our sporting codes wear the same colours and bounce ideas off each other at any given time.
Siyabonga Nkalambela, Delft
Why is it that when our national teams have to take part in major tournaments there are always money issues at play, while we hardly hear of same when it's the Proteas or Springboks? Our rugby team is always performing, but the same can't said about our national soccer teams. What are we doing wrong that they are doing right? How long should we play second fiddle to the Springboks and the Proteas? Even the national team coach said prior to the Ivory Coast match that he hopes Bafana had learnt something from AmaBhokobhoko after their victory over France. Well, money is our stumbling block to achieving greatness in football. Secondly, I recently had a tete-a-tete with Soccer Laduma readers' WhatsApp group chairman and regular contributor to this lovely newspaper, Mompati Panyaza Ndlovu, about the Man of the Match in the Carling Knockout. He made me roll on the floor with laughter when he said the criteria used to choose the recipient is biased after Dolly walked away with the accolade against AmaZulu FC. He went on to say soon we'll see a player winning it from the bench just because he's a fan-favourite. Mr Ndlovu, you really made my weekend and I hope Limpopo is treating you well as you hardly text these days. Last but not least, get well soon, Parker. What Zungu did is unprofessional and we don't want players like him in SA. I guess that's why he failed abroad.
Tente "The Brains" Mokoka, Sepharane
Let me first congratulate Abafana Bes'thende on their hard-fought win against the once-mighty Kaizer Chiefs. I would like to applaud the Chairlady, Mato Madlala, for the bravery of bringing a fixture of this magnitude to my township, Hammarsdale. It would be unfair if my community does not give her the freedom of my township for putting it on the map.
Frank Gwala, Hammarsdale
This week, allow me to celebrate the rise of a man named Mabhudi Khenyeza, the Arrows head coach. The man is cooking something nice at Abafana Bes'thende. Trailing Sundowns by four points is not a fluke. Khenyeza is proving that our former players can deliver if given a chance. The departure of Vilakazi to Chippa did not destabilise the ship as Mabhudi has continued doing well since then. The team is in the quarterfinals of the Carling Knockout and number two on the log. I am looking forward to his interview on these pages to discuss what is it he is doing at Arrows this season. I wish they can be consistent throughout the season.
Peter wa ga Makwela, Klipgat
There's a growing concern that needs PSL's intervention before it gets out of control, that of players boycotting games because of sponsors and religion or a conflict of beliefs. Magoola is the latest to do so in the Carling Knockout after apparently a few other players played without the sponsors' logo on their shirts. Sponsors pump in money for the development and betterment of the sport. Ronaldo once promoted aqua (Spanish for water) in the press conference at the expense of Heineken, which is the main sponsor of UEFA Champions League, which he has benefited a lot from over the years. Players must not be ill-advised and must know where their bread is buttered. It's hypocrisy and biting the hand that feeds them. We have had Castle and Rothmans as sponsors and never had issues. What if Carling Black Label were to sponsor the league? Would these players terminate the contract and go hungry? Speaking of ill advices, like VeeJay ("No one wants Billiat") and Michael Ngobeni put it, I also believe that this was the case with Khama Billiat. Lastly, the mental fortitude of the Springboks is on another level. They didn't have an easy tournament but still conquered. Congratulations to us. We're still the champions!
Lucky Khunou, Meriting
First up, congrats to the Springboks for successfully defending the Webb Ellis trophy. You did Mzansi proud with your victory. Despite being in a tough group, you did exceptionally well beating the likes of England, Tonga and France to reach the final. It's also interesting to note that in your last three games, you won by a difference of one point and this shows how difficult things were. The players, technical team and Nienaber deserve a pat on their backs for a good job well done. On a different note, Man United continue to disappoint as they lost the derby game against Man City. There is still a lot of work ahead for Ten Hag defensively and up front. In the last seven games in all competitions, the team has conceded nine goals and scored only 10, which is a cause for concern. Rashford has lost form as he has scored only one goal in the league and McTominay three – not good at all. Lastly, they only have one victory in the UEFA Champions League, against Copenhagen, with three group games to go.
Bernard "Bra Ben" Tshukudu, Ga-Maria
