Exclusive: Themba Zwane Interview
Bafana Bafana might have lost their opening 2023 Africa Cup of Nations match against Mali on Tuesday, but ‘Mshishi’ was at his usual menacing best, before being replaced towards the end of the match. He remains one of the highly-rated players in South African football, having helped Mamelodi Sundowns to numerous trophies in recent seasons, and many feel he has a few more years ahead of him before calling it quits. What keeps him at the top of his game? Which player would he like to face at the Afcon? What makes a great number 10? Zwane answers these and other questions in his interview with Soccer Laduma this week.
2023 Afcon Focus
Technology was put to the test in an attempt to identify the teams most likely to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. However, as the first round of fixtures has taught us, anything can happen in the continent's showpiece tournament. Players like the current CAF African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, Mohamed Salah, World Cup semi-finalist Achraf Hakimi, Sadio Mane, Yassine Bounou, Andre Onana, as well as South Africa's very own Percy Tau will all be in action for a month that promises twists and turns, throwing supporters directly into a turbulent whirlwind of emotions. This week, Soccer Laduma takes a look at the favourites.
Orlando Pirates Transfers Feature
Between July 2017 and September 2019, Bucs went out and signed 28 new players. We could call nine of those success stories (32%), but only Paseka Mako and Vincent Pule are still at the club. Some of the flops in that time included Thamsanqa Sangweni, Phetso Maphanga and Brazilian defender Caio Marcelo. Since then, the club has had 35 new signings come through the door in eight transfer windows. In this feature, Soccer Laduma asks how many of the players signed have met expectations so far. How many have failed due to poor scouting or others reasons? Makes for interesting reading…
Also In Issue 1357…
Siya Special: Edmilson Dove
The transfer window is upon us and the Kaizer Chiefs defender is one of the names to possibly dominate the headlines. Currently on national duty with Mozambique at the Africa Cup of Nations, his work-rate hasn’t gone unnoticed, with well-placed sources confirming that scouts are keeping an eye on the versatile player, who did an incredible job of bottling superstar Mohamed Salah against Egypt in their opener. He has entered the last six months of his contract with Amakhosi and the possibility of him leaving for greener pastures has been bandied about. But how realistic is this possibility? The Siya crew takes a look in this Siya Special!
Junaid Hartley Interview
A footballer’s career is very short, so they say, and Hartley is a living testimony of such. Following a promising career that started in his teens at Wits University, he failed to live up to the expectations after he was forced by unforeseen circumstances to hang his boots prematurely. One of the skilful players of his generation, the former midfield genius played for the junior national teams at big youth tournaments, as well as Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows. However, he is now on course to pick up the pieces after losing all he had. In his interview with Soccer Laduma, Hartley speaks openly about his challenges.
Revolving Column
This week, we hear from prominent supporter Saddam Maake, who has travelled to Ivory Coast to get behind Bafana Bafana, as he talks about the trips he’s undertaken with the national team over the years. The outspoken Tembisa resident also reveals the big argument he had with a former Bafana coach at one Africa Cup of Nations tournament!
Siyagobhoza
In this week’s edition of the popular Siyagobhoza section, there is news on Orlando Pirates’ struggles to offload a fringe player, a PSL club that could be eyeing a Kaizer Chiefs star, a former World Cup winner who is keen on a move to South Africa, and more…
Grab a copy of the latest edition of Soccer Laduma at your nearest outlet tomorrow. Don’t miss out!
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