Kick Off May 2021

In 2019, after Stuart Baxter left his post as Bafana Bafana coach following the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt; instead of replacing him with an experienced tactician that has a know-how of international football, SAFA decided to give the job to former national Under-17 coach Molefi Ntseki. Ntseki has worked wonders with the youth national teams and those who worked with him can attest to his knowledge of the game and understanding of local of players. When he went to the 2019 Afcon in Egypt as Baxter’s assistant, players in the camp spoke highly of him, even in off-the-record conversations. And that is something rare in South African football. But the truth is, as good as he is with players, he was rushed into the Bafana Bafana hot…

To air your views, email your letters to forum@kickoff.com The views expressed in the letters published do not reflect the views of KICK OFF magazine, its editor, publisher or CT Media Publications (Pty) Ltd. The editor reserves the right to edit and shorten letters. Letters shorter than 200 words will be given preference. Please note there are no prizes for star letters at this time. Development must be prioritised in Bafana The lack of development of players has been Bafana Bafana’s obstacle to fulfil their progressive ambition. We have young players that want to breakthrough into the highest-level of football but are being deprived by senior club coaches that opt for old players with vast experience. The football governing body has no plan to protect these young players that would…

GOOD MONTH FOR … KAIZER CHIEFS Kaizer Chiefs qualify for the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League for the first time in their history with a gutsy 2-2 draw away in Guinea against Horoya. A rare ray of light in a dismal 2020-21 season. They join Mamelodi Sundowns in the Last 8. BAD MONTH FOR … MOLEFI NTSEKI The players backed him and enjoyed his methods, but in football it is results that count and Molefi Ntseki’s surprise tenure as Bafana Bafana coach is brief after their failure to reach the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals. WORDS: “It’s just happy days‚ and happy for the Zulu nation. Because to find AmaZulu at second place with eight games to go‚ it’s remarkable. It’s something that’s unfamiliar with AmaZulu. So I…

• Al Ahly head coach Pitso Mosimane is named the Best Manager in Egypt at the annual Sports Critics Association ceremony, as voted for by the media in that country. • Mamelodi Sundowns see their club record 28-game unbeaten run ended by Algerian side CR Belouizdad in a 2-0 home CAF Champions League loss. Sundowns had fielded a second-string side as the games come thick and fast. It is short of Kaizer Chiefs’ all-time record of 31 games unbeaten. • AmaZulu sign former Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United winger Thabo Qalinge after he impressed on trial. • Chippa United appoint controversial Belgian coach Luc Eymael as technical director, but rescind the decision just days later after a public outcry following controversial comments made by the tactician in Tanzania last year.…

KICK OFF: Mshishi, welcome back to the pages of KICK OFF. Mamelodi Sundowns seem to be cruising on their way to the title for the fourth year – what makes this season different to others? Themba Zwane: Honestly, competition between clubs is still high just like previous seasons. In fact, this season it’s much higher because of the intensity our coaches want us to play. You can see, whenever we have the ball, we use speed to attack and whenever we lose it, we use speed to win it back, and we are always trying to press opponents. Our style of play is also different because we are now using a 4-3-3 formation and last season it was 4-4-2. We are trying to have the ball all the time and…

KICK OFF: So, the boy from the township of Mondesa is now living the life that was only a dream those years ago in your early days at Swakopmund FC juniors. How was your family upbringing and rise into football? Deon Hotto: I am the last born from a family of three boys and three girls but lost my mother when I was in Grade 3, so I have grown up for most of my life with my father. He is still a bus driver at Rossing Uranium Mine, but is so popular after my achievements that he can’t cope anymore! Both my brothers, Moses and Theoder, played in the First Division and were far better than me, according to what their friends always tell me. My mom was a…