No matter how much Mamelodi Sundowns, Moroka Swallows, Supersport United and Bloemfontein Celtic can grow... Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will always be the ‘BIG’ teams!
Supersport United won the league and might take it again, but they still won’t be as 'big' as Pirates and Chiefs!
Mamelodi Sundowns can buy any player they want with all that money, and have won the league three times in a row and a few cups, but the club still won’t be as 'big' as Pirates & Chiefs.
Bloem Celtic has the most amazing supporters - the best, biggest, loudest and most encouraging supporters, but the club still wont be as 'big' as Pirates & Chiefs.
Swallows and Free State Stars can produce top goal scorers, but the club still won’t be as 'big' as Pirates & Chiefs!
You’ll walk into a shop, stroll on the street, eat in a restaurant, and drink in a bar... wherever you go, it’s Pirates and Chiefs! Even if Bucs have another 20 years of being trophyless - they'll still be a big team. No matter how inconsistent Chiefs can be - they'll be a big team.
Other teams may grow and expand become extremely successful, but Pirates and Chiefs will ALWAYS BE THE BIGGEST!
I know it sounds ridiculous but it’s the TRUTH! These Soweto giants are the biggest, have always been the biggest and will forever be the biggest in the Premier Soccer League. You best believe it... and yes, the derby will always be the biggest event!
Let me bring sanity to this debate about the “Best Premier Soccer League Ever”. I personally think Nito and Doctor are both right in their own right. Not that I agree that Doctor had some traditional beer to drink.
For whatever reason, everyone will have his personal; best festive season, as a result we might not agree on this season. I therefore think it’s only fair to make the both respectable gentlemen see and understand that they have their different best seasons.
For most Bloemfontein Celtic supporters the season they won the lower league for promotion stands out for them and it will take time to forget it. For the Mamelodi Sundowns fans it’s surely the three consecutive league wins that will stand out. For Kaizer Chiefs fans it surely is when they snapped it from Orlando Pirates.
Now for me personally, this is my favourite year. Looking at the race, and how many teams stand a chance to win it, albeit on paper. This is going to be one finish that we never seen before, given that the big teams are still to play each other. The fight at the bottom is fierce. Having said all that, we have had a lot of interesting seasons.
So maybe we leave all this to our Diskioff readers to tell us their favourite season in the Premier Soccer League, and why.
PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE - South Africa's top soccer league, featuring the country's best 16 clubs, came into being in 1997. The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has helped raise the standard of club football in South Africa, providing the sport with better media coverage and much-improved revenue through strong sponsorship deals. It has also provided a platform for local players to make their mark and catch the eye of overseas clubs.
Sponsorship boom In June 2007, the PSL pulled off an astounding coup when it signed a R1.6-billion broadcast deal with SuperSport International.
In August 2007, corporate heavyweights South African Breweries (SAB) and Absa Bank announced a joint sponsorship of more than R500-million over the next five years for South African football. SAB is behind Bafana Bafana, while Absa sponsors the PSL's Premier Division. In February 2008, Nedbank announced that it would be putting up R20-million in prize money for the Nedbank Cup knockout competition as part of a five-year, R400-million sponsorship of the local game.
And in August 2008, cellular giant MTN committed the same amount - R400-million over five years - to the local game, while taking over the title sponsorship of the Top 8 knockout tournament.
These deals combined have made South Africa's Premier Soccer League the seventh biggest earner of sponsorship revenue among football leagues worldwide.
Ups and downs Manning Rangers, coached by Gordon Igesund, stunned all and sundry by winning the inaugural PSL title ahead of a number of more fancied opponents in 1997. Then, from 1998 to 2000, Mamelodi Sundowns pulled off a hat-trick of titles.
In 2001, Igesund moved to Orlando Pirates and helped "The Buccaneers" secure the title. The following season he repeated the trick with Cape Town-based Santos. Pirates won the league for the second time in 2003, followed by arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in 2004 and 2005.
In 2006, Igesund was appointed manager of Sundowns and was quickly spinning his magic once more, winning a fifth title for "The Brazilians" and becoming the first coach to win the championship with four different clubs.
That didn't prevent Igesund from getting the sack in February 2008, however, following a poor run of results. When it comes to passionate fans, high stakes and heated debates, South Africa's Premier Soccer League is up there with the best of them!
In May 2008, SuperSport's support of the game, through both television broadcasting and sponsorship, was rewarded when SuperSport United captured the PSL title for the first time.
FIRST DIVISION Below the Premier Soccer League, South African football's First Division is divided into two - the Inland Stream and the Coastal Stream - with each stream made up of eight clubs. At the end of each season, the winners of the two streams meet in a final, with a place in the Premier Soccer League at stake (replacing the team that finished last in the PSL). The second-placed team, however, still has a shot at making it into the PSL.
That club takes on the two second-placed finishers from the First Division, as well as the team that finished second-last in the PSL, in a mini-tournament, with the winner earning a place in the top league.
Earlier last month I was criticized by my co-worker Dr Ndivhuwo. On my article that was titled Best PSL Season Ever. The good Dr ignored the obvious and opted to go the history way, coming with all kinds of dates and so-called facts.
Dr’s first article this year after drinking too much of umqombothi(beer made from maize (corn), maize malt, sorghum malt, yeast and water) was to shoot me down. Hope you’re going to take some time and read my article Dr, I repeat “this is the best PSL season we have ever witnessed in the History of the Premier Soccer League”.
Seasons differ but this has all the qualities to be the best, in the past we knew the competition was between Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and Kaizer Chiefs or just two of these teams. Last season were Ajax Cape Town and Supersport United. It was always between two teams, even though in certain times the leagues had to be decided on the last day of the season, the current season is the best.
This season we have it all. From position one to position six; any team can still make it, that’s one of the reasons which makes it so special. We cannot predict the results just like we use to do in the past seasons. To put cherry on top this season we even got a team from a coastal stream to PSL just to cause an upset for the so called big-teams.
Bay United, this team makes me laugh. I think their motivation to come to the elite league was to come and beat Sundowns. I mean this team whipped Sundowns in every opportunity given, you can wake up United players at 3:00 am to play Sundowns at 3:20am and they’ll still smack Sundowns. Hehehe.
Their mission was to wallop Sundowns, they did and they are now going back where they belong… coastal stream. If PSL teams were Sundowns (like Kaizer Sundowns, Orlando Sundowns, Platinum Sundowns even Sundowns Ajax) United could have been number one on the log and unbeaten with maximum points.
At the beginning of the season Golden Arrows and Thanda Zulu Royals were killing everything on their way, but now, they are struggling. With the Confederations Cup knocking every player gives on hundred and twenty percent performance and this contribute to the teams and the league to be competitive as it is.
Another highlight of this best season was the MTN8 Wafa-Wafa Final, the game between Sundowns and Chiefs. To me that is the second best game of the season after the thriller between Sundowns and Supersport United second leg of Wafa-Wafa.
We all know what happened on the FINAL - Sundowns outplayed Chiefs only to lose the game on penalties. So Dr. Ndivhuwo, just take time and watch some of the PSL highlights for this season and you will see what I am talking about.
You can have all the dates of the games and so-called stats, but this season is the Best in PSL history, forget about that season when the league was decided on the last game and some Bush Bucks player just deliberately handled the ball to give Chiefs the title at the expense of the Bhaka-Bhaka.
Nedbank Cup is here and Pirates is up against Supersport; what did the “Happy People” do to deserve this tough game? Last time it was the same team that eliminated them from the Cup. Amakhosi are up against Free State Stars, and Muhsin Ertuğral said he wanted Sundowns. This Coach has no respect for the Chloorkop team. Hehehe, Tumisho Theko’s team will be up against Sundowns, it’s going to be an interesting tournament.
Once again support our teams and fill the stadiums.
Siwelele fans are over the moon with the recent strike of events. It’s as if we did not have to do anything to get out of the relegation zone. I can safely say Bay United are going straight down. Now there is only one team that has to go to the Play offs.
That team can’t be Siwelele, the guys are hungry for three points and nothing less. It is so amazing that the team with the best Coach in the country are set to go down. This is the team that plays so well against Sundowns. After looking at their fantastic win over the most expensive outfit in the country, one wonders where they got it wrong.
The remaining few games of the season are still very much crucial for Siwelele, and they need us more than ever. I think our support is what might be the difference between us and the teams that are going to bite the dust. So to all the green and white of this country, you know that unlike all the other supporters, we support our team at the stadium.
Most people ask me how we do it. How do we get to go to the stadium so often? Well first it’s the love of the game, then that of the team. Every Siwelele supporter must have a Siwelele budget. There must be money set aside for the team on your salary. The fun part of it is that you have to take someone unemployed with you.
That is how we do it. This helps us to cut down on our alcohol budget. Siwelele beats the Drums, and sings the songs of joy. We have to get out of this place, we do not belong here. We cannot afford to break so many hearts. We will sing this team to the top. We love this Siwelele, and we will be behind them all the way.
Ke Siwelele sa rona sena. Re tla dula re se jarile ka mehla.
Hi Diskioff readers, welcome to our first VIDEO – it took long for us to post a video I know. We’ll be sharing with you a series of sokka videos around the WORLD (including Mzansi). You'll See and Learn skills on how to lift your game kuDISKI… at the same time enjoying the beautiful game. Hope you’ll enjoy this new feature in our BLOG!
Best soccer tricks made ever... By the best players...
I am made to understand that the CEO and Chairperson of the LOC went to Luthuli House yesterday. They were there to discuss with the ANC president, or report progress on matters of the World Cup.
I listened to Robert Marawa, on Metro FM and all He talked about was the meeting with the ANC President. But now what comes to my mind is, who is Jacob Zuma in all this?
Why should the LOC report progress to him, or Helen Zille?
The LOC should be giving a report if there is any to give, to the State President, and my little knowledge tells me that His office is in Pretoria. The LOC does not owe the ANC anything, and if they want to go to Luthuli House for some drinks or anything, they should go there on their personal capacities.
We all know that its election time, and if the two gentlemen wants to campaign for the ANC, so be it, but not on the LOC ticket. Jacob Zuma is not the President of this country. I am not a politician, but that much I know. Are they going to give this briefing to the DA, Azapo, COPE and all this political parties as well? Why not?
I still need to understand all this. Someone please make me understand all this.
Nedbank Cup is a knockout tournament, based on the English FA Cup format, carries a 'David versus Goliath' theme. The competition was sponsored by ABSA until 2007, after which Nedbank took over sponsorship.
The 16 Premier Soccer League clubs, 8 National First Division teams, as well as 8 teams from the amateur ranks compete for the prize money of R6 million. The winner also qualifies for the CAF Confederation Cup.
The teams are not seeded at any stage, and the first 16 sides drawn out of the hat receive a home-ground advantage. There are no longer any replays in the tournament, and any games which end in a draw after 90 minutes are subject to 30 minutes extra time followed by penalties if necessary.
My personal experience in football - I wish I had all the day but so far I think we are the most advantageous and privileged generation. We are the first to witness the two major competitions in our country the Confederations Cup and World Cup.
Most people are still moaning the fact that as a country and in terms of the preparation Bafana Bafana are not ready to compete with the best in the world, I personally think the World Cup is not about Mzansi alone, but the rest of Africa as it will afford us the opportunity to show the rest world what our continent has in terms of resources and other infrastructures.
Our standard of football has increased and football has became a major force in our economy, we are currently ranked among the 15 best leagues in the world and it gives me pleasure that some teams in Mzansi can even compete with European teams in terms of players remuneration. We have nowadays the privilege of watching 2 to 4 PSL games a week and having more than 3 major football shows on our telly.
Stadium Announcer - I think I'm leaving my dream, I remember watching the Mamelodi Sundowns games at Loftus, praying that one day it should be me doing the announcement and the opportunity came and I grabbed with both hands. It has afforded me the opportunity meeting the most powerful icons in football- shaking hands with the likes of Kaizer Motaung, Ace Ngobo, Patrice Motsepe, Marks Maponyane, Brian Mathe etc.
It's about passion and the love of the game. I still feel that I haven't yet connected with the supporters, but we are working on new stuff which we will be introducing very soon.
My other dream is to become a Boxing Ring Announcer and sooner than later, don't be surprised to see me on the telly working for the public broadcaster.
This was the weekend that Supersport United will cherish. I think their six points lead opened up what might prove to be a too big gab for the inconsistent lot, that are trying to take it from United. Thumbs up to Ntate Khulu Sibiya with the brilliant job at the team.
Kaizer Chiefs coach, Muhsin Ertugral, seem to have lost the plot this weekend. He is not a championship winning coach and I must say I know why. He kept the out of sorts Simphiwe Tshabalala on the pitch for 90 minutes. Taking nothing from the talented midfielder, He was not at his best yesterday, and any coach would have taken him out at half time, together with José Torrealba. It seems he is the favorite for the coach.
Abia Nale was kept on the bench for the better part of the game. Well that’s the highly rated under-achiever for you Amakhosi. Chiefs played well, but I think with that draw they might as well kiss the title hopes good-bye. Till they get a coach that has it in him to win the Championship, they must focus on all the other cups except the League.
Orlando Pirates played well. They deserved to win on the day, even if the Free State team were unlucky not have caused the upset first half. I have to say that even if they played well on the day. Pirates are not the team that will give any headache to Supersport. I do not think they will even win three games n succession. So they must just keep on giving their all so that they just give unnecessary hope to their fans, as always.
Bay United has done it again. Do they really think beating Mamelodi Sundowns will make them number two on the log? Well they will go down to the Coastal stream with something to smile about. Seems like the coach must tell them they playing Sundowns for their remaining Premier Soccer League games.
This has been a United year. Supersport United are en-route to defending their title with little resistance from the so-called big teams. Bay United and Maritzburg United seem to be heading to the lower division. So irrespective of from where you looking this league from, It’s all about the United's.
Congratulations to Bay United for beating Mamelodi Sundowns.
However I believe United will be relegated for not respecting their elders, they whipped Sundowns in every opportunity they've got, but they are struggling with teams at a similar position.
This kind of win made United big headed at the beginning of the season, they beat Orlando Pirates and Sundowns, and then they thought they were good and went to sleep, when they woke up everyone was collecting points from them.
Now they beat Sundowns, I just hope it doesn’t get to their heads. They are still gouing DOWNS, but at least they have achieved something in the Premier Soccer League!
Whalloping Sundowns three times was extraordinary as no rookie team has ever done that since the PSL was formed. Bay ya telela yazi our chances were bigger now we have to fight even harder.
It is getting very interesting in the top half of the Premier Soccer League; Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs are all on 34 points and 6 points behind log leaders, Supersport United.
I hope everyone is ready for a big surprise coming from these teams and maybe one might clinch the title, but will Supersport United slipup and surrender the title? Ayeye!
Ok let’s look at the 5 mistakes soccer players make:
1. They don’t think, but do what they want to do - it’s because they think diski will last forever in them and everyone should respect them yet they don’t respect the very same people who support them.
2. They spend money like there’s no tomorrow - they get bonuses and fat cheaques yet they have no idea what they are using the money for.
3. Their lives revolve around alcohol and girls - they drink like it is the first time, they drink. They change girls like underwear and make babies all over.
4. They are full of themselves - they want to be noticed on the field and out of the field. When you ask for autograph its like you asked lots of money from them.
5. They don’t condomize - they think stds is for people without money and think they sleep with virgins. Every province they have a baby.
To be continued...
There’s enough diski in Mzansi...
This is the most important thing that our players forget about it. Just for kicking the soccer ball, some people get satisfaction, by just going to the field and play for nothing. You can imagine the feeling of being a professional soccer player. Getting paid for doing something that you really like doing, it is a magnificent feeling indeed.
Football career so short, I would like to ask our players especially the young players to start investing for their future, there is various ways of investing. These guys must make as much money as possible whilst their feet can carry then. They can invest in education as well because it is actually important to have some kind of qualification, one can express one self better during interviews? You all know what I am talking about. Our players seem to know all the hot nightclubs in town, but they yet to know a single investment company or how to properly manage their money and life.
It's really sad to see our local players feeling so rich and destroying their careers at the bars. I suggest that every club must have an Education system in their respective teams, this must be a requirement for every PSL team, players train in the morning and afternoon, and they have lots of time doing fokol so at least two hours of life orientation will come in handy for other players.
I challenge the under 21 players to take a look at some of their brother who failed to invest when they were famous, I won't mention names, but we all know what's happening to them now. They had all the fame and played for the good teams then but they spent most of their times at the bars (Gold Diggers) hehehe. Players from other parts of the country must be careful eJozi, gold diggers will do anything to get your last cent, I know of a player who bought a car for a lady that he didn't even know her properly, hehehe (life orientation could have helped this dude if it was implemented).
We all know that you can be a star today and be zero the next day. The teams are looking for your service but if you become a liability they'll let you go despite your history of being a good player. So it's entirely on the players to invest and make names for them when retired from football, or be one of those who say eish I use to have cash and abantwana! "There is enough diski eMzansi" (Tumisho), but there is enough players as well if current player relax there, they can find themselves in the stands or eKasi watching their former teammates making money.
Please guys invest so that people will have the respect for you even after you have long hanged you boots.
I am one of the people that love Siwelele, I must admit (I hope this makes Tsokotlane happy). The team supporters do not cease to facinate me. They should be commended all the time because I have never seen such passionate supporters in my life.
The last time I was in their midst was when they lost to Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 at Loftus in Pretoria. The next two days at work I could not take calls because my voice was finished. They were not as many as they would be in Bloemfontein.
Most of the time I visit a place called Blue Room in Pretoria. You would find a lot of Siwelele fans there, simply because they very often play Siwelele songs, and when they do, the mood changes and for a moment everyone becomes a Siwelele supporter.
It has since been my lifelong dream to be amongst the Bloemfontein Supporters in Bloemfontein, on the Bishop Stand. I would like to pose a challenge to the Siwelele Pretoria Branch to invite me the next time they go down to Bloemfontein, just to fulfill my dream.
I am not asking for a free ride or ticket, I will pay the Bill. Just want to be part of the travelling supporters, and understand a lot about them on the way to the stadium.
So let’s see if they come to the party and take me to Bloemfontein, I might come back a card carrying member of Siwelele.
Ajax Cape Town is a team based in Parow, Cape Town that participates in the Premier Soccer League. Home games are usually played at Athlone Stadium, having moved from Newlands Rugby Stadium at the end of the 2004/2005 season. They plan to move to the Philippi Stadium in the near future.
Ajax CT was formed in 1999, via the amalgation of two Cape Town-based teams, Seven Stars and Cape Town Spurs, as AFC Ajax expanded their worldwide talent-feeder network to South Africa.The Ajax CT project had limited success in the seasons leading up to 2006/2007, the club winning a solitary title - the Rothmans Cup in 2000 - with Steven Pienaar being one of the few talents to make the grade for a move to Amsterdam, back in 2002.
However, in 2006/2007, under the guidance of new coach Muhsin Ertuğral, Ajax CT claimed fourth place in the PSL and won the ABSA Cup - beating league champions Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 in the final. Another amazing talent that the Cape Town based club have produced is Stanton Lewis, the son of former Kaizer Chiefs FC star, Ramon Lewis.
Stanton is now currently contracted to Ajax Amsterdam and could be South Africa's next star forward. He is currently on loan at Ajax Cape Town for the remainder of the 2008/2009 season.After the departure of Muhsin Ertuğral at the end of the 2006/2007 season and in line with the club's development philosophy, the appointment of Craig Rosslee as the new head coach was announced. Ajax finished the 2007/2008 season in second place missing out on their first Premiership title ever.
Gordon Igesund, South Africa's most successful club coach, who won league titles with Manning Rangers, Orlando Pirates, Santos and Sundowns, coached the club from 2002 until 2006.In January 2007, Ajax CT managed to beat their mother club AFC Ajax 3-1 in a friendly game held in Cape Town.
I have been to stadiums around Mzansi but I never witnessed what I saw in Bloemfontein. I know everyone knows that Bloemfontein Celtic supporters love their team and very supportive, but hai after the Moroka Swallows game on Wednesday, I’m speechless and breathless.
I mean most of teams in Mzansi focus on giving players bonus for every win, but with Celtic it’s a different story. When Celtic plays during the day in week days, workers knockoff early from work and at night safety is guaranteed.
Wednesday night we were celebrating like Celtic has won the Absa Premier League. Hehehe in Bloemfontein everything is half price and for free when Celtic is winning.
Siwelele sa masele, they don’t need a Vuvuzela but their voice. I think its time we open Diskioff offices in Bloemfontein.
Every four years, the world's top 32 teams come together to contest the FIFA World Cup™ finals.
The tournament's big kick-off on 11 June 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa is still quite a few months away, but for fans of the world's biggest single sporting event there is another important date on the horizon: the start of the first ticket sales phase on 20 February 2009.
Anyone who wants to attend the first-ever final phase on African soil would do well to put this date in their diaries. The first of a total of five sales phases will run from 20 February to 31 March 2009, with tickets being allocated by a random selection draw for over-subscribed matches and ticket categories.
All orders will be entered into a random selection draw on 15 April 2009 at the same time regardless of whether they were submitted on the first or the last day of the first sales phase. Should demand exceed availability for a certain category or match then available tickets will be awarded by ballot (i.e. through an electronic random selection draw).
There are two ways for fans to order tickets: firstly, you can log on to FIFA.com, the official website of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa where fans can sign up for the FIFA.com Club for free.
Those living in South Africa can also order tickets via the "FNB Visa Official Mascot Pre-paid card" available at First National Bank (FNB), by filling in an official application form and handing it in at one of the participating FNB branches around the country.
The "FNB Visa Official Mascot Pre-paid card" will be the unique Ticket payment card for the fans who are successfully awarded tickets through the official paper application forms handed in at FNB branches in South Africa. As well as individual tickets for the 64 matches, team-specific ticket series are also available for the country of your choice. These are valid for anything from three to seven games. Tickets are available in three categories with category 4 reserved exclusively for South African residents.
The least expensive ticket in category 3 costs $80 USD. There will be four further sales periods for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, with the second running from 4 May to 16 November 2009.
During this period, tickets will be attributed based on the order in which the application is received and, of course, subject to availability.
All information on ticket sales is available on FIFA.com. Sign up for the FIFA.com Club for free and take part in competitions, meet new online friends, set up your own personalised version of FIFA.com and get all the latest news from around the world of football in a weekly newsletter.
A great reward is planned for the South African construction workers.
According to FIFA, they are to be given free tickets to football matches in the 2010 World Cup at stadiums that they have helped to build.
Indeed, Fifa president Sepp Blatter said that 20,000 double tickets would be given to construction workers at all the venues.
It's interesting to know that the tickets will be for the first Fifa World Cup match at the stadium the workers helped build, except for Soccer City where workers will instead receive tickets for the second match.
What's more, Chairman of the South African Local Organising Committee for the 2010 World Cup, Irvin Khiza, said that the subcommittee would determine the construction workers who would be given free tickets.
“The subcommittee should identify who should get the tickets from the people doing earthworks, overlaying, installing seats and air-conditioners, and the electricians.” he concluded.
The club was founded in the 1940s by a trio of soccer lovers, Ishmael Lesolang, Strike Makgatha and Johnny Kubheka.
They originally named the side Congregated Rovers after the firm in which most of the players and officials worked, later changing it to Moroka Rovers.
But then, on the 10 October 1947, the trio decided to change the name again to Moroka Swallows, basing themselves in the township formally known as Masakeng. The name has lasted for the best part of 55 years, a period which has seen consistent success both on the field and off it.
The 1950s and 1960s were a successful time for the club, culminating in their greatest ever achievement, winning the South African League title in 1965.
Off the field, the club was becoming a business and in 1971 they became the first ever soccer team to register as a public company.
That same year they were also the first to receive an official sponsorship when Teljoy began their association with the club.
The decade between 1982 and 1992 was a successful one for the team, culminating in four pieces of silverware.
In 2007, the club celebrated its 60th anniversary.
Tankiso
Lol ... Patrice is coming 4 yo butt Zapiro... hehhehe! did you draw him or you google searched that?
Sam
Lmao ! ! Ayeye Tsepes redhanded... got money... And u know it take it off your pocket and throw it and show it... is away got away... lol Tsepes...! !
It is approximately 478 days to go before Africa host the biggest sporting event in the World. In three month's time South Africa will be hosting the Confederations Cup - we are all happy for that and we can't wait.
This event is a big event and yet there is limited marketing for this event especially that the Confederations Cup is so close.
The Confederations Cup doesn't get the marketing that was supposed to get. I can assure you that there are South Africans who doesn't know what is happening or what is going to happen in three months time.
The Confederations Cup mood is been overcrowded by the political cloud that is hanging around. All I ever read about is Zuma and his court cases, COPE, ANC and Julius Malema's apologies.
Our sport administrators are doing little to get the Confederations Cup message across. People in other places know about the World Cup 2010, but they heard ramous about the Brazilian team and Spain coming to play in South Africa somewhere in June.
Our SABC doesn't do enough to promote the Confederations Cup and we all know most people watch SABC because they have no other choice. Those are the people who love football, but they have no information about their favorite sport.
We see people campaigning for their political parties in soccer matches! Disgrace indeed, we suppose to go to the stadiums to give the boys motivation, but instead we go there with some posters of our political parties leaders.
This is not on Mzansi, let soccer remain Diski and politics be politics at political rallies. The soccer journalists and media are doing sweet "fokol" to promote and market the event. I mean guys in three month's time we going to have the best players in the world right under our noses, but still people have no idea of what is happening.
Now as you read this article, stop for a second and look around you and count how many Confederations Cup billboards are there, I bet you will see more of Helen Zille and Jacob Zuma.
Our media is doing nothing to promote this, all they ever right about is Patrice Motsepe and his overpaid players, and his lack of football brains and average Mamelodi Sundowns players.
This is what they all write about. Now that Sundowns is doing well they don't know what to write. So people for the latest on diski news visit DISKIOFF as this is the place to be.
Congratulations to Kaizer Chiefs for winning it on Saturday night. That was one of the thrilling and exciting games I witnessed. Secondly, thank all the Bloemfontein Celtic supporters who have been encouraging me to hoist the Celtic flag high on Diskioff.
The trip from Pretoria the past weekend was one of my longest ever. It was utter silence in the car. But I know we will find our voice, and very soon. The boys showed character and determination, the combination that we need to avoid relegation.
To Gert Schalkwyk, keep your head high, we all know you wanted so much to convert against Chiefs. We still love you and you have our support going forward. I mention this as I happened to over hear some Chiefs fans saying Gert did not take his chances because He is their son. I say Gert is a quality player and a professional.
To Serunkuma for the penalty miss, hey, it happens to the very best in the world. John Terry missed one that would have made history, when Chelsea would have won the Champions League for the very first time. Forget what happened and concentrate on the battles ahead for we still need you, as we have always needed you, nothing has changed.
For the entire team, well played, hard luck, better luck next time. You did not by any means let us down. You played like you were possessed and that’s the spirit. We know you want to improve the Siwelele log standings as much as we want to see you guys out of that zone.
To all the passionate supporters who travelled to Super Stadium, and all those who were behind the team in true Siwelele spirit, this team needs us now more than when it campaigned in the lower division. For the remaining games, let’s go out there with our large numbers to support the guys, in full voice. Like I always say, Lets sing this team out of that relegation zone.
The road ahead poses greater challenge for all of us, but together we can. Le ha ho ka ba thata, sena sona re tla se jara, ke Siwelele sa rona.
iDiski is taking a new direction in Mzansi really. It was with great excitement and happiness to hear that finally there’s going to be a Women League eMzansi not tournaments, but a Major League.
In Valentines Day Absa in partnership with SAFA, they were romantic enough to launch a Women Football League to join the likes of England, Spain and etc who have Major Momen League. Honestly it was about time, we have a league for the ladies.
I want to congratulate Alice Noko Matlou who was named African Footballer of the Year, held in Nigeria. It goes to show that Mzansi has talent.
If you are a soccer player and you have a baby girl, don’t worry she will carry where you left off in Women’s League.
First of all would like to thank one of my loyal readers, a constructive critic, and a very good friend of Diskioff, Lekhosi La Lesokolara, Tsokotlane Nkotlopane. I know He is hurting over the loss of Bloemfontein Celtic.
This past weekend has been one of my personal favourates. The display of quality football, drama, skill and all that one would expect from Mzansi Diski. I had a privillage of watching a number of games over the weekend. The Bucs loss to the Beautiful Summer time Birds, The Platinum Province Stars win over Washu Mlilo, and the phefeni boys hard fought victory over Siwelele.
I have to say; it was sometime since I saw a good game since the 52 or is it 49 Mamelodi Sundowns passes against Chiefs. What a game on Saturday night. I even lost count of how many times the goal posts were hit. The fighting spirit on all the players and the eagerness to display good football to the spectators on the night.
As much as they lost on the day, Bloemfontein Celtic fought to the bitter end. Chiefs only escaped, although one has to mention the good football they displayed on the night. It was good football all-round with Pirates also giving Swallows a good run for the three points.
With such good football, why should we not fill the Stadiums?
Mr. Baile Sir. I read with great interest your article. I would gladly hand you a lesson on belonging to two teams in one league. This gives me so much pleasure because I grew up having a dream of being a Teacher. Now that you affording me an opportunity to lecture you some football lessons, here it goes:
I grew up in Bloemfontein. I grew up with my mom, who is a 100% Siwelele supporter. That's the team I knew growing up. This team was not in the NSL then. Unlike Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows together with Orlando Pirates, this is the team that buried people I know. It helped the community where I grew up. It was criminal not to follow this team.
Unlike Irvin Khoza and Kaizer Motaung, I know Ntate Molemela. To us the people of Bloemfontein, He is a God sent. There are so many things He did to the people in our province. Celtic is what it is because of this old Man. He ploughed the love you see at the stadium today. He made us own this team. He made football our life, and to us Celtics is a matter of Life and Death. It's our green and white.
The only thing was that this team was not on TV. Chiefs was. Then I had a team I love and it was Chiefs. They were and still are appealing to a lot of people. It's vibrant. It has a rich history and a culture that President Motsepe won't buy anywhere. They played good football and that's how I was their supporter. Mr. Baile, I think you as a youngster supported a home team, although it's a pity it never made it to the Premier League to play with the team you grew up supporting. Please don't blame me for that.
I suppose you know by now why I would be wearing the Green and Gold. I love Diski and I did not start following it yesterday. Do I have to dump Chiefs now that Celtic are in the same league with them? Can one be a supporter of two teams in the same league? I hope you answer that for me.
I write this with utter respect Mr. Baile, and this is not in anyway an attack. I have learnt so much from you that you won't believe. I still have your article on age cheating and still show it to my friends and they love it. I hope now you know how I became who I am.
Orori
Surprise Moriri - MODIMO WA BOLO, say it in capital letters so that it’s heard properly! I’m loving how these journalists and so called media practitioners are eating humble... THE SILENCE IS SO DEAFENING.
Machaka
Moriri ke modimo wa bolo.
Lerato
Mamelodi Sundowns are second on de log THANKS to Moriri again. Thanx maSandawana fans for fighting for our team and let’s buy Diane Klaaite please and lets 4get about Dillon Sheppard.
Thapelo
Mamelodi Sundowns will 4ever stand the test of time. Look at dose players we have, des guys r de best and we r challenging 4 the Absa Premier League.
Lethabo
Yeah, I think we as Mamelodi Sundowns need to forget about the players that left and start focusing on the future of the team. We wish them all the best in their careers even though sum made our team look like a mediocre team. They are not bigger than the Pretorian brand. We won’t boo them, its time we put faith in our youth ie; Thwala, Lentjies and mixing them with the experience of the likes of the ever-green MORIRI (MODIMO WA BALL).
Mf Benzo
Sundowns for life!
Tami
What a game by the Brazilians!!! It is so exciting to watch Sundowns these days... they are making me 4get Mbulelo Mabizela, Josta Dladla, Lerato Chabangu, Fanyana Dhladhla and Benson Mhlongo 4 real. On Sunday we killed de Students and now we are second on the log again. We are on fire and no one will stop us now.
Sandile
SHAPA sUNDOWNS SHAPA.....
Leandro
Shapa Bafana Bastyle Shapa! I dunno who went to a sangoma this weekend but it worked everything happened just as I wanted it to happen. I would like to send a special thanks to Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Ajax Cape Town, and Supersport United for loosing if it wasn’t for you all this wouldn't have been possible keep up to good work guys.
Loyd
Goal of the season - Surprise Moriri (Sundowns FC)
Player of the season - Surprise Moriri (Sundowns FC)
Player’s player of the Year - Surprise Moriri (Sundowns FC)
Midfielder of the season - Surprise Moriri (Sundowns FC)
Mu shin wami, mu shin wami, mu shin wami! Don’t worry guys 3rd place aint that bad Mara someone gotta stop Supersport United.
Morake
Eiash Mamelodi Sundowns won. We now moved to position three on da log!!!
Aobakwe
Orlando Pirates lost, but we still got kicked out of 2nd place, I guess Mamelodi Sundowns (ba fana ba style) are back on form.
Sbusy
Nice confidence shown by the team, lots a work 2 b done at the back, but that was good stuff... or Glad Orlando Pirates lost!!
Andile
What a thriller match between Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday night....very entertaining game...Congrats to the Mighty Amakhosi!
Nkosinathi
Mr. Kaizer Motaung please get us Mark Manyambela from Bloemfontein Celtic - that boy is a gem... he can bring bck the fans to the stadiums...
Sifiso
That was close Khosi! Very close anyway nice performance guys and Itumeleng Khune you did it again great staff! Think we were really lucky to escape with the 3 points on Saturday!! Celtic really gave us a run for our money. Doesn't really matter how we win them though so I will take the points and say KHOSI FOR LIFE!!
Lumko
Kaizer Chiefs are an impressive team, but it seems like the referees tend to be against our team (wanda why?) coz that was not a penalty. AMAKHOSI 4LIFE!
Kabelo
Itumeleng Khune is da bomb, he has status!!!!!!! Khosi is climbing da ladder!
Ogone
Halala Khosi, hayi it was a close game against Bloemfontein Celtic, but we walked away with 3 points in da end... Shapa Khosi Shapa!
Keletsi
Damn, that was nail biting stuff on Saturday. How many times did they hit the post? Well done Itumeleng Khune, good stuff chap. Good, good stuff.
Njabulo
Dankie Kaizer Chiefs! What a gr8 performance by our boys, but also Bloemfontein Celtic played their part. But in the end we walked away wit 3pnts, what an entertaining game!
Leorna
Damm!! I love my team... Thanks to my 2 favorite players 4 doing what they do best - Itumeleng Khune for all the saves and Kaizer Junior for scoring! Lots and lots of love, LEO.
There are times when one needs to choose a side. Sometimes it’s so very hard that one can’t do it. My friend got married recently and together with his wife and they stay in his father’s house. One day He came home to find his wife shouting with his mother. Both wanted to give their side of the story, and they both wanted him to then say who is right and who is wrong.
It would be very disrespectful to say my mom is wrong, so He thought. But again, did I bring this woman here to take up arms against her with my mother? What a situation. Now one of our writers comes and supports two teams that will be up against each other this coming weekend. Wow, Khosi la Lesokolara.
Is it really possible to support two teams in the same league? I asked my friend. Then He replies: “I was born of a Kaizer Chiefs womb. My mom loves Chiefs. I think I was born a Chiefs fan since I dont even remember when I started following the team. It’s impossible for me to support any other team. This is football, you can’t, and it’s either Chiefs or Nothing."
Then it hit home. How can a person really support two teams? Can you serve the slave and the master? Well I am still battling to find the answer. But again my late uncle's blood was black and white, but still he had space to support all the other teams except Chiefs. Then it hits me, it might be possible. I mean my uncle would whole heartedly support any team that played Chiefs on the day, but still, I know that that was only because of the hatred He had for Chiefs, and more so Chiefs supporters.
Having said all this, I honestly think you can’t support two teams on the same league. I know one can love two or more woman at the same time (Not too sure if a woman can love two men at a time), but I really want to challenge Tsokotlane to explain this Khosi la Lesokolara thing. Its sounds nice though, but is it practical though?
Playing football is fun. But it is even more fun when you are well prepared and performing at your best because you meet the needs of you body. This means optimal training, sufficient recovery time and, as important evenly, eating well.
But the fun can easily be spoiled by injuries. Whilst you cannot prevent injuries in general, there is a lot you can do to prevent certain injuries from happening to you in the first place and from happening again.
Our players don't notice that.No doubt the fun will be all gone the moment you test positive in a doping control. It will not help you at all if this positive test was even due to ignorance, e.g. because you used a contaminated supplement.
Whilst doping substances bear a considerable risk to your health and career, there is a way to enhance performance which is healthy and allowed: a balanced diet.
Make sure you can enjoy football without any limitations. The facts you need to know about clever training, preventing injuries, the right football food as well as the dangers of intentional and unintentional doping are to be found here.
Learn how you get the most out of you favourite game! So our players need to know all about this.
I have been compelled by a lot of my friends who are Diskioff faithfuls to make them understand the Sthembiso Ngcobo issue. Well I was hesitant at first, because I hardly know the boy. To be honest I hardly ever watched a single Free State Stars game.
They are a small team, and they really haven’t made any impact whatsoever on the league, since they came back. To be honest, watching Free State Stars would be a total waste of time.
Ok, now this unknown man (25) comes and give these crazy reasons for snubbing the national team: 1. Fitness level not at his best 2. He has recurring knee injury 3. His confidence level is not high enough to represent the national team, and; 4. He feels he is not yet on top of his game and does not want to add numbers to the squad, but to add value.
Well said, and Free State Stars (What a long Name), expect us to believe all this. I won’t even dwell on the crazy reasons, but try to make sense of all this situation. The team says: "The player had traveled with the team to Port Elizabeth to play against Bay United unprepared to travel back to the Bafana camp in Polokwane."
"Ngcobo only knew of his selection on Monday, February 9 at the PSL Press Conference at the PSL offices, therefore he was unable to inform the national team in time of his unavailability for the Wednesday game against Chile."
Now the two statements makes it clear who instructed the player not to go to Polokwane. It’s very clear that the team (FSS) needs the player now more than ever to try and escape the not so evidend drop from the PSL. Their other coach, still have some sour grapes with his former employer (SAFA), so I think all this will make him feel better about himself. I can already hear him (Mr. English) trying to convince everyone He had nothing to do with all this.
Let’s forget the Man, he is not even a boy. He is old enough to go play for Mamelodi Sundowns, in preparations for his retirement.
Butterfingers, wow, what a name, it has been such a longtime since a South African player has gotten himself such an appropriate nickname, the thing with players is that as soon as supporters start holding them up high, they lose it completely.
A section of Orlando Pirates fans has been inexplicably calling for Butterfingers to be the number 1 goalkeeper, a large section of the Pirates fans got their wish in the game against Bay United and all of them are upset, there is still a bunch calling for him to be given a chance, talk about suckers for abuse.
I know Moeneeb Josephs (Slimkat) or recently christened Domkat has had his off days but I really think it is pushing to it to even suggest that he should deputise for Senzo Meyiwa.
In the game against Santos, Robert Modiadie was on the bench ahead of butterfingers, it seem Mr. Krol is tired of his antics now, I like this coach, he seems a lot more independent than many coaches who have coached Pirates and even if Pirates don’t win the league this season, he has set up a good foundation for the next two years.
He is even independent from the fans who kept on calling for a substitution in the last game against Santos, Cape Town fans. They only see the team twice in a season but still make demands. Mabhakaniya, let the Coach, coach.
Then there is this interesting matter of one Jimmy Tau , who many people believe is being sidelined for getting educated, it seems people think that Muhsin Ertugral prefers his players dumber and dumber so he can shout at them like he did Mabhuti Khenyeza and is not quite impressed by Tau’s quest for education, that is one conspiracy theory.
But another reality is that Tau was one of the most criticized players by the Chiefs fans around October and November, the coach listened and now they want him back, what is wrong with Wayne Matli if I may ask? Yes, tell me, what is wrong, while you are biting your lip, the fact remains that Muhsin is best positioned on who to field than you Mr. Big fan, let the Coach, coach.
Then we have the interesting case of hat-trick hero Surprise Moriri who found himself on the bench in the game against Golden Arrows, a close friend of mine was shouting unprintable obscenities when he realized that Moriri was benched, yet my friend has not been at Chloorkop for quite sometime unlike one Henri Michel, whose livelihood depends on the successes of his team.
Somehow I doubt that he would bench Moriri with the hope that Sundowns loses, coaches make decisions so they can succeed, they make decisions based on their intimate understanding of the players and the game.
Fans on the other hand make suggestions based on what? Emotions maybe, personal favorites, maybe, what if I were to suggest to you that your girlfriend or boyfriend has fans, you never know, maybe at work or wherever, what would you do if these fans were to suggest or even demand that you try a new position with your boy/girlfriend this valentines?
Baf’wethu let the Coach, coach.
MR KNOW IT ALL Mr. Know it ALL’s I write what I like
All Absa Premier League and National First Division games are coming to an end and the fight has begun. Everyone can see the finish line. Tonight, it’s Bafana Bafana vs. Chile in Polokwane at 20h30.
Please guys lets get behind our team and our boys. Hehehe, its funny uyazi! When they don’t get a call up, club complains, when they are called, they make excuses.
Well listen guys; you will never be bigger than Bafana Bafana. Don’t you know the saying that goes when the door closes another one open, so players remember you are heroes to young boys out there and it takes only a second to be a zero to them.
Every minute a player of great potential is emerging in dusty grounds so if you think you are better then you have another thing coming. I was sad and disappointed to learn that one player refused the opportunity to play for Bafana again.
You must always remember there can be one Benni McCarthy and Benni has made a big name for himself in Euro and Mzansi, wena you start finding form now and when you are given the opportunity to play for Bafana, you make excuses and refuse.
I don’t want to blame you cause I don’t know your reasons. Lastly I want to say to the heroes of Mzansi, good luck tonight and let’s keep our winning streak. Heroes are made at home and zeroes are chickening out.
The game of football is filled with all the ingredients that even make life in general pale in comparison. Roman Abramovich has fired Louis Filipe Scolari, this after getting rid of Avram Grant and before him, the chosen one, Jose Mourinho.
All of these coaches lost their jobs for one thing and one thing only, not being better than Alex Ferguson, I am sure they do not mind at all, the severance packages are hefty enough for them not to give a damn. How is long is Chelsea going to keep this up?
It seems the only move upward in their coaching stakes is for them to get Ferguson himself. Speaking of Ferguson, Manchester United seem destined to win the Premiership again, they have not broken the bank recently, especially after being taken over by the Americans, we all know that all Americans are all broke anyway.
But they bought shrewdly and have kept some key players such as Ryan Giggs, who if he had been playing in South Africa for Kaizer Chiefs would long have been sold owing to his age or maybe a misunderstanding with a coach.
Speaking of misunderstandings, I really do not understand what has happened to Arsenal, really, yes they spent a lot of money building the Emirates Stadium and cannot really compete for the most expensive players, yes Arsene Wenger’s has eye for super young players, yes his name sounds very much like Arsenal but damn, for how long are they going to remain also rans?
It’s time the team spends some money on quality, they can fly down here and have a conference with Kaizer Chiefs fans on the definition of a quality player. Benni McCarthy is playing very well, thanks to Sam Allardyce.
He is even the first to pitch for the camp for the game against Chile, Wow!! Benni, if you keep this up I will not complain at all when you make it to the starting eleven at the Confederations Cup or World Cup, but I will complain about one Steven Piennar who is really becoming what Muhsin Ertugral would so eloquently describe as a donkey.
He is always injured when he is called up for friendlies, who is willing to take a bet with me that come the Confederations Cup and World Cup, Mr. Pienaar will be fit as a fiddle? Who, I am willing to take all your bets.
Lastly, I wish to send my condolences to West Bromich Albion for heading back to the Coca Cola Championship in such haste.
MR KNOW IT ALL Mr. Know it ALL’s I write what I like
No matter how much Mamelodi Sundowns, Moroka Swallows, Supersport United and Bloemfontein Celtic can grow... Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will always be the ‘BIG’ teams!
Every four years, the world's top 32 teams come together to contest the FIFA World Cup™ finals.
