Kick Off January 2022

The last two years, 2020 and 2021, were two of the most challenging in our football history because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And with 2,000 vaccinated fans allowed to attend South Africa’s World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia, we all thought it was a matter of time before things go back to normal. Political parties were also in full swing campaigning with thousands of supporters in attendance at their rallies ahead of the local government elections. And when this happened, it just seemed a matter of time before we would be back in local stadiums. And then BOOM … the fourth wave hits us out of nowhere and now we are back at square one not knowing how long it will take before things start opening and fans and the media…

Paying the penalty These days penalties are attempted in sometimes unconventional ways. Coaching personnel must continue to emphasize the simple basics, i.e., run up, pick your spot, and hit the ball as low and hard as possible. If the keeper saves, you will at least know that you have given it your best, with no regrets. Except for the fact that not more senior and experienced players putting their hand (or foot) up to take a penalty in the recent Euro 2020 final, England lost the match due to not sticking to the basics when executing penalties. Let’s unpack. Italy’s Domenico Berardi scored, by simply picking his spot. Up stepped England skipper Harry Kane – who slotted an equally good penalty. Andrea Belotti attempted a calculated penalty, saved by England…

GOOD MONTH FOR … PERCY TAU The Bafana Bafana striker has been in red-hot form for Al Ahly in Egypt, silencing his critics who questioned whether he would fit into the team and the Egyptian Premier League. BAD MONTH FOR … KAIZER CHIEFS A COVID-19 outbreak at Naturena that infected 31 people led to Chiefs asking the PSL to postpone all their games in December. But the league had already set a precedent in this regard when they awarded points to Cape Town Spurs when Cape United could not fulfil their fixture last season. ALSO LAST MONTH… Swallows FC axe Brandon Truter after the team wins only two out of their previous 31 DStv Premiership games. He is replaced by Englishman Dylan Kerr. Baroka FC send coach Thoka Matsimela to…

As the cliche goes, Kaizer Chiefs forward Bernard Parker is maturing like a fine wine. At 35, the former Bafana Bafana star is leading from the front with second-to-none commitment and determination. Since joining Chiefs over a decade ago, Parker has seen it all. When AmaKhosi soared to greater heights with trophies flowing to when they dipped in form with a trophy drought, Parker was there as a regular feature. Parker has been a mainstay in black and gold and his longevity in the game is impressive. Years after some of his peers have hung their boots, the man from Reiger Park in Boksburg continues to lace his boots and dish out solid performances. So what sets Parker apart? “My mindset,” Parker says in a past interview. “Your mindset is…

Kaizer Chiefs playmaker Khama Billiat appears to be rediscovering the form that once had him as one of the most feared attackers in the PSL. Since joining Chiefs, Billiat has not lived up to expectations after his sterling performance at Mamelodi Sundowns, where he was a key figure in their trophy haul. However so far this season, there are glimpses of Billiat’s brilliance. His impressive form has coincided with that of his fellow attackers, Bernard Parker and Keagan Dolly. With the trio in attack, AmaKhosi have been marauding and menacing. Former Chiefs and Sundowns midfielder Jabulani Mendu is of the view that Parker’s influence and Dolly’s arrival have been a breath of fresh air for the Zimbabwean international. “Parker has been consistent, and he has been there when everything was…

The question facing new Orlando Pirates recruit Kwame Peprah is whether the Ghanaian can live up to expectations after joining at the beginning of the season. Foreign strikers have traditionally battled to make an impact with The Buccaneers, with the situation worsening in this millennium. Congolese forward Jean-Marc Makusu is the most recent to come in struggle through the single season he spent before leaving. In his company there were Augustine Mulenga, Justin Shonga, Bernard Morrison, Helder Pelembe, Mwape Musonda, Takesure Chinyama, Chiukepo Msowoya, Ezenwa Otorogu, Jerri Moreno Pires, Ralph Matema, Haytham Tambal, Fikru Tefera, Davies Mwape as well as Kabanga Tshamala. They all share a common thread in that they didn’t deliver on what they were brought in to do … score goals consistently. With Peprah, like those before…