Kick Off September 2020

The day soon-to-be-defunct BidVest Wits were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup semifinals by Mamelodi Sundowns, Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM), released a media statement which almost broke the internet. In it, the Polokwane-base side said: “TTM FC would like to congratulate Bidvest Wits for making it to the Nedbank Cup semifinal despite losing 3-2 to Mamelodi Sundowns FC in the dying moments.” The statement continued: “We expected the Clever Boys to go through to the Final but we knew it was never going to be easy facing Masandawana. The game was tough but you played very well as a team. TTM would like to wish you the best of luck in your upcoming games in the league.” This comes a month after TTM CEO Sello Chokoe did a radio interview…

Sarri fired by Juventus I always wondered why Maurazio Sarri was appointed in the first place. He likes playing aeroplane football and Bush Mechanic Football, and just hopes for the best. By Vho-Comfort Scara Mashavela, via Facebook They should have told Sarri the mandate is Champions League and don’t get under Cristiano Ronaldo’s skin … simple. The man won Serie A for them, what more do you need from a coach. By Vusi Ka Mfene, via Facebook Sales of teams must be reviewed The PSL need to review their constitution on the sale of soccer teams. All over the world clubs are sold to the highest bidder but they still maintain the name, staff, players and home ground. It is in South Africa where, after purchasing a team, you are…

GOOD MONTH FOR… SA FOOTBALL It was important to finish the 2019/20 domestic season to protect the sporting integrity of the competition and ensure there were no damaging court cases. For one of Africa’s top leagues, deciding the season on the pitch and not the boardroom was vital. BAD MONTH FOR… BOBBY MOTAUNG Kaizer Chiefs suspended their Football Manager Bobby Motaung up to August 31 after he was caught on video at a social gathering in contravention of South Africa’s lockdown regulations. It was embarrassing for Motaung and the club. ALSO LAST MONTH… • Maritzburg United coach Eric Tinkler belatedly wins the Absa Premiership Coach of the Month award for February and March, while Daylon Claasen picks up the Player of the Month prize. Kaizer Chiefs’ Lebogang Manyama is awarded…

Another season without a trophy has now left Orlando Pirates supporters worried as the team completes six seasons with nothing to show for their on-field performance. The Buccaneers have not won any silverware since lifting the 2014 Nedbank Cup under Vladimir Vermezovic, a victory that feels like a lifetime ago for many of the loyal Ghost. This is not a club that should find comfort in just being amongst the elite because since the start of the National Soccer League in 1985, this has been their second longest run without silverware. After winning the league in the 2002/03 season, they had to endure seven dry seasons before they finally managed to quench their thirst by landing the MTN8 in 2010 in what marked the start of the ‘Double Treble’ era.…

LEAGUE Orlando Pirates have won the league on four occasions through the PSL era. Having now gone eight years without lifting the league, it means they are now on their longest run without winning the championship since 1996/97. Prior to this run, they also endured a seven-year barren spell between 2004 and 2010. In the National Soccer League era, which stretched from 1985 to 1996, Bucs had to wait almost a decade before a boardroom judgement meant they were crowned champions in 1994 before going on to be crowned the Kings of Africa the next year – the only time they have bossed the continent. NATIONAL CUP The country’s main knockout competition stretches back to 1971 when it was known as the Life Challenge Cup. Pirates have been in the…

KICK OFF: You recently signed a new four-year deal despite being in your mid-30s, which is rather unheard of in South Africa where there is an obsession with judging players based on age rather than performance… Hlompho Kekana: [Laughing] I can’t tell you how many years I still have on the football field. All I know is that my legs can still push as far as I want to go. It is just a matter of mindset and doing what I need to do while I still have the opportunity. It is not for me to put myself under pressure because I have seen players overseas like Rivaldo, Paolo Maldini and Ryan Giggs playing into their 40s, while Cristiano [Ronaldo] is not slowing down at his age and will play…