Category Archives: Local Soccer Feature

Chiefs v Sundowns: Who Has The Upper Hand Going Into Tonight’s Title Decider?

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Tonight log leaders Kaizer Chiefs face second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns in an Absa Premiership title decider. Kaizer Chiefs are at the top of the PSL table with 53 points, Mamelodi Sundowns are behind them by 3 points. 

Like I said yesterday, I believe if Sundowns win this game, they win the title. If Kaizer Chiefs win this game, they win the title. If this game ends in a draw, Kaizer Chiefs win the title.

Let me start off by stating the obvious, Mamelodi Sundowns need the 3 points more than Kaizer Chiefs do. This should worry Pitso Mosimane because his team has been trash post-lockdown. They recorded one loss, three draws, and only one win. That’s 6 out of a possible 15 points.

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BUT! Sundowns go into this title decider after a morale-boosting win against a negative Golden Arrows team on Monday. Sundowns haven’t clicked in attack as of yet but the team has started playing better in the past couple of games.

Kaizer Chiefs have had an equally disappointing post lockdown run, picking up 5 from a possible 12. In all fairness, Ernst Middendorp’s team had been below standard even before the Coronavirus. It seems as though teams have figured out their one-dimensional play of crosses and set pieces.

Speaking of set pieces, tonight they will be without Samir Nurković and Leonardo Castro. The loss of their aerial threat from set-plays is a huge loss for Kaizer Chiefs. 

Sundowns have struggled to breakdown teams with well-structured defences. They have even struggled even more to stop teams from catching them on the counter-attack.  Will Ernst Middendorp is brave enough to replace his two good but slow strikers with an average but pacier attack. Kambole, Billiat, and Zuma might do the trick. Scrapping the 3-5-2 for a 4-3-3, and playing on the counter-attack.

With all that being said, you’d have to say Mamelodi Sundowns has the edge going into the game. Kaizer Chiefs confidence is low and their defence leaks goals for fun. They have conceded 7 goals in their 4 bubble games. Chiefs have scored 6 on the other end but four of them have been from through set-pieces and they are without two of their best headers of the ball. I don’t see how Chiefs will score and how they will keep out one of the best attacks in the league. 

By @chizfootball (the greatest footy journo on the internet)

Who Needs To Win This Game More, Mosimane or Hunt?

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Tomorrow sees the return of South African football with the semi-final of the Nedbank Cup. As much as I would like to act like I care about the first semi-final between Baroka and Bloemfontein Celtic, the truth is I don’t and you probably don’t too. The game we are both interested in is Mamelodi Sundowns versus Bidvest Wits. Pitso Mosimane versus Gavin Hunt. The infamous spenders versus the now, infamous sellers. 

In the run-up to Saturday’s clash, Gavin Hunt has been saying all the cliche politically correct things a person who is about to be jobless in a month would say:

“It is important for us as professionals to finish as professionals and do a proper job,” said Hunt.

“Let us treat the game with respect. It will be difficult because we have so much to deal with. We will show professionalism until the end.

“It is not only the physical but also psychological issues we have to deal with.”

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Pitso Mosimane: ‘Wits priority Nedbank Cup not league’

Pitso Mosimane kept to his style of 10% complementing the opponent, and 90% playing mind games. 

“We have a big game against Wits and if you listen to their statements they’re saying that they want to go out in style,” said Mosimane.

“Wits’ players and coaches have a lot of incentives to win the cup and that’s why they’ve prioritized the Nedbank Cup.

“Over the last few days, they have only spoken about the Cup. It gives me an indication that the league is not a priority,” he added. “I am not talking on their behalf but just talking about what they have said.”

Bidvest Wits, in the public sphere, have turned into a club that everybody is feeling sorry for. Their sale came out of nowhere and no one at the club, except for the owners, knew about it or even expected it. It’s a sad way for a club that has been in the league for so long to go out.  But, and the great poet Tupa Shakur once said ‘Life Goes On’.  There is a football game that needs to be played.

Who needs to win this game more? 

Wits want to go out with a bang. The pride of the players and the coach is a stake. They are definitely going to bring the game to Sundowns. Downs have their own reasons as to why they’d like a place in the Nedbank Cup final. They are on the march for a domestic treble. They have already clinched the Telkom Knockout and they are still very much in the league race. 

With a game where both teams have about the same amount of quality, it will boil down to desire. I think Wits want this game more than Sundowns. Mosimane, like Hunt, would love to win the Nedbank Cup, but Jingles has bigger fish to fry in the Absa Premiership.

By @cheezfootball (the greatest footy journo on the internet)

Top 10 Defenders In The Absa Premiership This Season [2019/20]

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After a four and a half month layoff, local soccer will return on the 8th of August. I, @cheezfootball, will be ranking players in every position. Today I will begin with ranking the best defenders of the season so far. 

10. Tebogo Langerman (Mamelodi Sundowns)

One of the most consistent fullbacks in the league for so many years.  It’s a shame how Tebogo Langerman has been overlooked for the national team. He can cross the ball. Langerman isn’t the quickest and I hate it when he takes shots at goal from seven kilometers away but he is an offensive threat.

9. Clayton Daniels (Supersport United)

Daniels at 36, has aged well like wine. Not the Four Cousins type but the type to make it to the Woolworths wine section. This year he played a key role in Supersport United’s MTN 8 triumph. He is strong, wily, and has a good positional sense. Daniels does have the habit of diving into tackles. This gets him in trouble with the referees but, overall he is solid.

8. Buhle Mkhwanazi (Bidvest Wits)

Mkhwanazi has had another great season with Wits and Bafana teammate (who we will get to later). The pair of formidable. Tyson provides the aggression Buhle the calm and composure. He is great in the air, well-composed, and knows the game. 

7. Motjeka Madisha (Mamelodi Sundowns)

After his breakout season in 2017/18, Madisha didn’t feature much for Sundowns last season. Last year he picked up the unfortunate habit of making mistakes that led to goals. Madisha has played himself back into Pitso Mosimane’s team. He is fearless, a fighter, with ball-playing skills.

6. Rushine De Reuck (Maritzburg United)

I didn’t know anything about Rushine De Reuck. He doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page. But this boy is a baller. He is a young, strong like a bull, aggressive, and has finesse to his game too.

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Are We Sure Supersport United Is Out Of The Title Race?

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Games in the Absa Premiership will officially resume next week on the 11th of August. A lot of attention has been given to the title prospects of Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Orlando Pirates but what about Supersport United?

Should they also be considered as contenders for the championship this season? 

Before you tap, swipe, or click away from this article, hear me out.

Pitso Mosimane insists that the Absa Premiership title is in the hands of log leaders Kaizer Chiefs but, warned that Supersport United still have a chance. 

“Anybody can win the league even SuperSport United can,… Football is not the way we say it. Football is on the pitch and it’s played on the pitch: and then it’s a different story. Mosimane told the SundayTimes.

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Pitso Mosimane: ‘it’s Chiefs’ title to lose…’

I always take anything Pitso says with a grain of Himalayan pink salt because he is always playing mind games. After doing my own research, I realized that Mosimane may be onto something. 

Supersport United are third on the Absa Premiership table. They are 8 points behind Kaizer Chiefs and have played two more games than Amakhosi. After reading that you probably thinking to yourself:

‘Why didn’t I tap, swipe, or click away from this article again?’  

If you take a look at their last six games, Supersport only play one team in the top eight (Orlando Pirates). They have the easiest remaining fixtures among the teams in the top five of the log. 

Yes, Supersport United are undeniably inconsistent.  It doesn’t seem likely that Kaizer Chiefs are going to drop 8 points in their remaining eight games. But, stranger things have happened in football.

Sundowns have injuries. Orlando Pirates have yet to click on all cylinders under coach Josef Zinnbauer. The pressure of being league leaders seems to have affected Kaizer Chiefs’ form. The Bidvest Wits team must be an emotional wreck after the sale of the club. 

Supersport United have won four cup competitions in the past five seasons. They are clearly good at it.  If they could harness their cup form and play every one of their half dozen games like was a cup final, they could make things interested at the top of table.

By @cheezfootball (the greatest footy journo on the internet)

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6 Questions About The Restart Of The PSL Championship Race

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Remember the PSL? Well, it’s back. I answer 6 questions about the restart, including who has the most pressure to win the PSL championship and many more.

1. Who is the team with momentum?

Mamelodi Sundowns.

It’s difficult to talk about momentum because no team has played a competitive football match for four and a half months. Going into the lockdown Sundowns had won four of their five league games.

2. Which team has benefited from the break?

Kaizer Chiefs.

Amakhosi went it to the lockdown on a run of two wins, two losses, and one draw in their last five PSL games – that isn’t championship-winning form.

Four and a half months is a long time. This feels like a new season. The time will surely rejuvenate Ernst Middendorp’s team to refocus. 

3. Who will Kaizer Chiefs replace Maluleka with?

Kearyn Baccus is a decent player. He is actually pretty good but injuries kept him out for much of the season. Baccus might not have Maluleka’s passing range but he makes up for it with his other attributes. 

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Should Ernst Middendorp be axed if Chiefs don’t win the League?

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Word on the internet streets is Kaizer Chiefs are considering sacking coach Ernst Middendorp at the end of the season. Bobby Motaung was quick to dispel rumours about his team bringing the hammer down on Middendorp: 

“Unfortunately we’ve not even had that discussion as a club,” Motaung told TimesLIVE.

“So, it’s a rumour that you find and talk which is out there‚ which we don’t know of.

“So, at this moment, I don’t want to entertain the coach’s issues because there is nothing – we have never had a discussion. We have not sat down and discussed his future.”

“The coach has a contract. He still has one more season to go and we have not even sat down to said, ‘the coach must leave’ or anything [like that],” Motaung continued.

“And we don’t know anything. These are just rumour and rumours. We don’t know anything. We have not had those discussions.”

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Oupa Manyisa Time At Mamelodi Sundowns Comes To An Inevitable End

Middendorp’s contract with Kaizer Chiefs will come to an end in June 2021. One thing I’ve learnt in football is where there is smoke, you need to memorise the numbers of your local fire station. 🧑🏿‍🚒

As I’ve said previously, as of right now, Middendorp is my coach of the season. His Kaizer Chiefs team has shown character doing what they have to do to win games. Their attack and defence is well structured. Everybody knows how they are going to play but not many teams have found a way to stop them. 

BUT! ✋🏾

The season isn’t over yet. 

And as you know, It’s not over till the overweight woman sings. Kaizer Chiefs are on top of the Premiership right now but only by four points. It can turn into one if Sundowns win their game in hand.  Their run going into lockdown was poor, they lost a key member of their squad in George Maluleka, and they will be playing the remainder of their games this season without their 12th man (not the referee, I’m talking about their supporters). 

Are Bobby Motaung and Kaizer Chiefs well within their rights to wield the axe should Middendorp not win the league? Especially after leading the pack for most of the season? 🤷🏿‍♂️

Pre-Lockdown Absa Premiership Awards

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If the PSL would have declared an end to the season after the lockdown, these are the players who would have snapped up the Absa Premiership awards: 

Absa Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season:

Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United) – Williams was has been the most consistent keeper in the league again this season. He has bailed his ageing defence out on may occasions. 👴🏿

Absa Premiership Defender of the Season:

Eric Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs) – I thought Eric Mathoho was finished. 💀

For the past couple of years, Mathoho missed games due to injuries and dip in form. Mulomowandau used to dominate opposition players on the ground and in the air. But, not anymore.

This season, however, he is back to his old self. Mathoho is a very important player in Ernst Middendorps log leading team. His defending has been sublime, when not in the team his absence has been felt, and he has even pitched in with a couple of important goals. 

Absa Premiership Young Player of the Season:

Sipho Mbule (SuperSport United) – Sipho Mbule has had a breakout season. Mbule is a highly skilled midfielder. He has an excellent range of passing, a very good setpiece taker, and has a sprinkle of flair to his game. 

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Absa Premiership Midfielder of the Season:

Teboho Mokoena (SuperSport United) – At only 23, Mokoena has a bright future.  Being one of the best players at a position that takes years to master is a testament to his talent. Mokoena is technically sound and his work rate both in attack and defence is excellent. Let’s hope he gets a move abroad sooner rather than later. ✈️

Absa Premiership Goal of the Season:

Cole Alexander (Bidvest Wits)

Enough said. 

Absa Premiership Top Goal Scorer:

Gabadinho Mhango (Orlando Pirates) – Mhango moved from to Pirates from Bidvest WIts this season. It didn’t seem as though he was Gavin Hunt’s cup of tea beside the obvious talent. ☕

Mhango had to fight his place in the first Pirates team. Mhango now could be the Buccaneers most important player due to the goals he scores. ☠️

Absa Premiership Coach of the Season:

Ernst Middendorp (Kaizer Chiefs) – Don’t lie Kaizer Chiefs supporters, don’t act like you were all juiced up when you heard Chiefs brought Middendorp back to be your coach.

Mazinyo did okay in his stint from 2005-2007 but some fans still blame him for the departure of Scara Ngobese from Chiefs. That’s another story for another day.  📅

Like him or not you’d have to admit, Middendorp has improved as a coach. He doesn’t have the most talented team but it functions well as a unit. 

Absa Premiership Player’s Player of the Year:

I do not know who the players would have voted for as their player of the season. 🤷🏿‍♂️

But, most of the time it ends up being the same player as the: 

Absa Premiership Footballer of the Season:

Lebogang Manyama (Kaizer Chiefs) – Manyama another player who resurrected his career this season. He has on occasion single-handedly won a game for Chiefs. He is intelligent, skilful, can pick a through ball and scores occasionally.

Ernst Middendorp has given him the keys to the Chiefs offensive and he has single-handedly driven it to the top of the standings. He is the footballer of the season. 🗝️

Well, sort of…

Top 14 South Africa Players Who Surprisingly Didn’t Have Outstanding International Careers

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There have been players who’ve had very good careers domestically but, failed to impress or even get the opportunity to dazzle for Bafana Bafana at international level. Here are the top 14 players who had below par international careers:

Notable mentions 

Emmanuel ‘Scara’ Ngobese

14. Tefu Mashamaite

Caps for Bafana Bafana: 8 

Reason for the below-average international career: His overall ability didn’t suit the international game. 

Tefu Mashamaite as a central defender came into prominence in Stuart Baxter’s Kaizer Chiefs.  Those sides prided themselves on defending well and attacking their opponents in broken play on the transition.

He helped Chiefs win a league and cup double in 2012/13 and captained them to another league double in 2014/15. 

Mashamaite was very intelligent at shutting down passing lanes and clearing aerial balls that came into the 18-area. 

In 2015 he won Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season and Absa Premiership Defender of the Season. 

His lack of game time at the international level may have been due to his lack of overall athleticism. Tefu was somewhat slow and wasn’t the strongest of defenders. 

13. Michael Manzini

Caps for Bafana Bafana: 3

Reason for the below-average international career: His prime came at a time when there was a glut of better players in his position. 

Michael Manzini was a defender who started and finished his career at Mamelodi Sundowns between 1995-2009.

He was a reliable and efficient captain who made well over 250 appearances for the Masandawana.

Manzini was a mainstay in Gordan Igesunds 2006–2008 Sundowns sides. Those teams could be described as one of the best in the PSL era. 

Unfortunately, not many national coaches thought he had what it takes at the international level.  

12. Lebohang “Cheeseboy” Mokoena

Caps for Bafana Bafana: 8

Reason for the below-average international career: Decisions on and off the pitch

A pimple-faced 17-year-old Cheeseboy burst onto the scene in the early 2000s. He graduated from the Orlando Pirates academy to their first team coached Kostadine Papic.

Mokoena is one of a few young players in South Africa who has the record of having represented his nation at all levels. Starting at Under-17, U-20, U-23, and then the senior team. 

He was lighting quick, with awe-inspiring skills (embarrassing to some), and a good finisher in front of goal. 

In the 2004/05 Mokoena won Orlando Pirates’ Most Improved Player of the Year award. A few months later he made his senior national team debut. 

After being disillusioned by failed moves overseas Mokoena’s form dropped. A move to Sundowns in 2009 saw his game time diminish. His career took a nosedive after that.

Mokoena was supposed to be South Africa’s next Steven Pienaar or Benni McCarthy. He let situations he could not control dictate the things he could.

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