Why is the Soweto Derby losing its spark?

Tomorrow Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates meet in the inaugural Carling Black Label Cup at the FNB Stadium. Soweto derby one of the most fiercely contested matches in world football.

Back in the day there used to be so much hype and excitement heading towards this game. It used to be the talk of the town with so much anticipation. But why is our derby turning into another ordinary game in the South African soccer calendar?  Why is the derby losing its spark and who is to blame? The answer is simple coaches, commercial interests and lack of ambition. How?

The coaches’ approach

Over the years both clubs have preferred overseas coaches to come and lead them in their quest for titles. There is a belief that these foreign managers are the right man to take the club to the land of promise. They are always highly recommended when they come into the clubs with claims that their CV’s speak volume.

New and different philosophies are brought into the table with these new men on the driving sit but a lot of our players seem to be struggling with their style of football. Most of their approaches are based on direct football which requires a lot of physique and this is where they fall out of favour with our local boys. Players are restricted to express themselves because they are afraid to make mistakes before they find themselves sitting on the bench. This makes the game dull and boring because teams want to get results and move on. Go get results is not the kind of exciting football.

Commercial interests

Too much commercial interests are also having a negative impact on this Soweto derby. Derbies are suppose to be special not an everyday thing.  But this doesn’t seem to be the case in the Soweto derby. The clubs are clashing every now and then and this just renders the derby useless and not interesting. At this point of time the clubs have met in the Vodacom Challenge, tomorrow they are meeting again in the Carling Cup and who knows what will happen if they both win their MTN8 quarterfinal matches.

As the season progress there is also a possibility that they will meet in the Telkom Knockout Cup as they did in last season’s final. It doesn’t stop from there because you will remember that there is also the Nedbank Cup.  Last season, Chiefs and Pirates met six times thus in the Telkom Charity Cup, twice in the MTN8, once in the Telkom Knockout and twice in the league.

 Now is there need of so many derbies if the rivalry is to stay fierce. Obviously there is need of cash injection and sometimes it’s often too much to resist but the club bosses need to check what it’s at stake before they allow their clubs to meet now and then especially with these useless pre season tournaments.

Lack of ambition

The Bucs and Amakhosi haven’t really made their mark in the league lately. Before the previous season ended Pirates had gone for years without winning any silverware. Chiefs on the other hand have gone for six years without winning the league. They are the cup specialists but it would be much exciting if they make their mark in the league because that’s the big one.

If these two giants can make their presence felt in the league and when they head towards the derby they are occupying the first and second spot on the log, it’s going to be fireworks. Pirates chairman DR Irvin Khoza decided to part ways with Coach Ruud Krol after he won the treble and this is just another example of lack of ambition. How often do you see that happening? On other hand Chiefs have been signing players that are out of contract. Let’s hope with the signing of Majoro and Parker, the Moutang’s will keep their cheque book open.

The big question now is what can be done to keep the fire burning in this derby so that sparks can be witnessed when these two giants collide?

By Terence Mthembu

Mphela and Musona: Is Europe really worth it?

With the Carling Black Label Cup just around the corner, it might be easy to forget that Katlego Mphela turned out for Glasgow Celtic against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a pre-season friendly match last night.

As his team-to-be slipped to a 2-0 defeat, Mphela was substituted at half time, a move that probably does not bode well for his ambitions to play overseas.

If he does manage to win a contract, what next for him? I’m stating the obvious here but Scotland is not South Africa. He might be fooled into thinking that it’s actually a warm place, having travelled from a Mzansi winter to a Scottish summer (it does exist!) but what will he be feeling in the depths of the Scottish winter? It’ll be freezing.

If it’s not raining, it’ll be snowing or gale-force winds. It’s little surprise that the English language has many words to describe rain. Daylight hours quickly disappear in the winter. I’ve been there when it never truly got light. He might start to forget what the sun looks like.

And let’s not forget the cultural differences. Yes, they speak English but the accent is so different from SA English that Mphela might need a translator. What about food? There’s no pap. NO PAP!! No Black Label. Life is generally more expensive. I struggled to adjust to life in the UK after living in SA and I’m English!

Congratulations to Knowledge Musona on his move to Hoffenheim, but is he aware of the culture shock ahead of him? Are any of Mzansi’s players conscious what a move to Europe will actually mean for them personally. Some, like Steven Pienaar, can adapt but many can be left isolated and self-destruct (Jabu Pule/Mahlangu). Further afield, there are many talented players who sacrifice their personal lives in pursuit of football glory and struggle.

Tevez, Adriano and Robinho have all suffered from severe homesickness during their overseas stints. European clubs are signing South American players who are little more than children. How can they cope with the pressures of moving country?

Is it really worth all this anguish and trouble to play in Europe? I’m not so sure. The pursuit of money often appears to override the wellbeing of players. Football players are human, just like you and I. Don’t let their high-profiles and large pay cheques fool you otherwise.

By Marc Fletcher

Manchester ready to welcome Orlando Pirates ahead of the MUPC

Orlando Pirates juniors descend on the United Kingdom to participate in the annual Manchester United Premier Cup Global Finals

The Orlando Pirates under-15 squad is one of twenty of the best under-15 football teams from around the world to participate in this year’s Manchester United Premier Cup Global Finals in Manchester, United Kingdom from 3 to 6 August.

Orlando Pirates are no strangers to the global finals of the MUPC tournament, as this year marks their sixth appearance at the MUPC Global Finals.

The tournament, sponsored by Nike, will be hosted by Manchester United at their Carrington Training Facility from 3 to 5 August, with the grand finale to be played at Old Trafford’s Theatre of Dreams on 6 August. The opening ceremony and official draw will be held on 2 August. 

“Nike is proud to have Orlando Pirates representing our country and enabling these youngsters to experience competitive football at the highest level in their age group,” says Seruscka Naidoo, Communications Manager, Nike South Africa.

“Orlando Pirates have earned their right to compete in the MUPC Global Finals in Manchester, and Nike has ensured that all criteria is met with.”

The squad has been involved in intensive training since winning the South African regional finals in June, edging Bidvest Wits out in the Final.  They will depart for Manchester on Saturday, 31 July.

Orlando Pirates will be hoping to build on past experience at the MUPC and are determined to ensure that a minimum objective of qualification to the knockout stages is achieved this season.

The hosts Manchester United will be joined by fellow England representatives Chelsea FC who have qualified for the tournament for the first time.  

Holders FC Barcelona will not defend the crown they successfully won last year as Valencia FC qualified to represent Spain on the global stage. Valencia FC lead a whole host of first-time qualifiers from Europe that include FC Metz (France), Catania Calcio (Italy), Fenerbahce (Turkey), Hannover 96 (Germany) and PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands).

Pachuca of Mexico, last year’s beaten Finalists, will be hoping to go one better in 2011 and lift the coveted MUPC trophy. The United States of America will be represented by Jomo Sono’s former team New York Cosmos. Illustrious Argentinean super-club Boca Juniors will be joined by fellow South American outfits Sporting Club Bahia of Brazil and Chile’s Universidad de Chile.

Japanese representation comes in the form of Kyoto Sanga who will be playing their second consecutive MUPC tournament and will be joined by Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai Middle School who are also familiar qualifies. Also qualifying from Asia are China’s Hubei FA and Thailand will be represented Bankok Christian College.

New Zealand will represent Oceania with Onehunga Sports qualifying for the first time. Orlando Pirates will be joined by fellow African qualifiers Right to Dream Academy from Ghana who are making their third trip to Manchester.

“Carling Black Label Cup” - Bra P’s opinion

I have never took a liking of the Carling Black Label Cup; I could never really understand the hype around it.  As a football fan, I am hugely insulted by this gesture.  I share so much with what Vladimir Vermezovic (Kaizer Chiefs coach) said and I would like to add on to it.

Football is being played somewhere in the world, as we speak there is a game starting and there is a game ending.  The difference is Professional Football is a little different; it incorporates other factors like, Infrastructure, Media, Management, Agents, Sponsorships, Technical team, Playing Staff, Backroom Staff and The Fans.

Those factors are very important to the cause that makes this game the best viewed in the world.  It seems that we as South African fans we are that arrogant that we feel we need a place in the many structures of the game.  As a fan, your role is simple, be a supporter of the game… in anyway, form, shape or size… also respect the other factors of the game, you are not a player… you are not a coach, damn… you are not even an assistant coach.

I understand why as a fan we feel like we should be coaches… maybe it is because the other factors do not recognize how important we as fans are… it seems we are more on the bottom end of the food chain.  Reality check… everyone feels like they could be high up when we should strive to work together.

Now getting back to the Carling Black Label Cup… as much as this is pre-season, the aim here is to prepare the team for the upcoming season… it does not mean just the players, but the coach and his technical staff has to prepare and work towards gearing and making a team as COMPETITIVE as possible. 

As a coach, you have to create a harmonious efficient team that is built on players strength and weakness, also to ensure that they work together as a team/unit to achieve a goal.  Given that when you are the coach, you use your knowledge of your players to best create that COMPETITIVE SPARK.

Now with the Carling Black Label Cup, it takes away the opportunity for the coach to prepare for his own sake… it gives nothing to the coach and all it tells us is FOKOL (nothing) about the team going forward.

If fans are so desperate to coach… let them take up coaching lessons with SAFA or take good care of your local U12 team… this is a professional outfit, people’s lives and careers depend on this.  This is their livelihoods and this is what they have worked hard for… and a fan, who by the way, has his own job elsewhere decides not to do what they did but take a SHORT CUT via an sms competition???

If SAB is desperate for people to be coaches, then let them offer coaching courses… lord knows we need them.  Take a look at last season, top 5 teams in the league and only 1 is locally born is the 5th best coach in the Premiership.

This is yet another business decision that largely benefits SAB with all the sms sent… and no one else. (All it does is alienate other players by providing a popularity contest more than anything)

By Bra Pule

What is really going on at Bucs camp?

I must say that after watching Orlando Pirates in this Vodacom Challenge, we are in trouble. These guys are taking Pirates soccer backwards, playing to many touches in the box I thought this was long gone at Pirates but it seems its back.

I was so heart broken by the level of soccer displayed by my team and the coach did nothing about it.

I mean we took a squad of 30 players to this tournament and we only got to see 17 of those players, so what was the point?

Now it’s the MTN 8 and by the look of things we going out in the first round because most of the guys who played in the tournament are looking really tired, Julio Leal was suppose to try out players who did not see game time last season.

I won't be surprised if Benson Mhlongo, Phenyo Mongala, Chiukepo Msowoya and the other guys who traveled with the team are put on transfer. I wish someone can tell us what is really going on in that camp.

UP THE BUCS!!!!!!!!!

By Bongani Mkhize

I can’t wait for 2011/12 season to start

Our league has some positive signs and most promising for the future, expectations are high, the pressure is there and my attention is in this coming up season.

Almost every team have already signed the players whom they believe they are the best for the new campaign; adding to the quality already there.

When Jomo Cosmos got promoted Bra J made it clear that he will do whatever it takes to remain in the top flight and later Black Leopards joined in singing the same song.

It is going to be interesting when Orlando Pirates try and defend their title in front of a very hungry Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Ajax Cape Town to mention a few. It is also going to be interesting to see which teams will be fighting in the relegation zone and I hope that Moroka Swallows won’t like to find themselves in the same situation like last season.

I don’t see any coach sitting down for the whole 90-minutes even the AmaZulu coach, to me it remains unclear who will be crowned champions and who will be relegated.

All the best to all the 16 teams in the Premier Soccer League! Let the league starts!

By Alungile Sifolo

Who is most likely to win the Derby tonight?

Your views - will Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates be the winner tonight? 

Not calling for the usual rhetoric “3 mabone” fortune-telling, fuelled only by nothing but the love of our clubs. 

I am asking for some analysis – the way the coaches would approach it. List a few strengths and weaknesses of each club and how you think that will affect the game tonight. 

And if you were the coach – what kind of game should each team play to skew the odds in their favour; having said that, now your (somewhat educated) guess of the outcome.

My Opinion

 Kaizer Chiefs strengths

1. Itumeleng Khune

2. Good strikers (Last season’s top 2)

3. Creative and quick attacking midfield

4. Coach who knows them

5. Play well when they have the ball

6. Generally better at keeping team structure

Kaizer Chiefs weaknesses

Defence - Back four

Defensive play in general i.e. winning the back when they lose it

Khune is usually the busier keeper on the field in tough Kaizer Chiefs games

Other plus and negative factors; they are not trying a new system – should therefore be more comfortable under pressure; down side, easier to plan to neutralise them. Also, the big win against Spurs may have done well to boost player and coach confidence. However, VV and the players’ sense of invincibility after big wins has been their downfall in the past; e.g. Baroka FC beat Chiefs after they walloped BidVest Wits 4-0 in the Nedbank Cup; loss to Vasco and Free State Stars after beating Pirates.

Orlando Pirates strengths

1. Solid backs four

2. Good at winning the ball back all over the field

3. Pressing and ball possession means they generally control the midfield

4. Good wingers – (who may drift in & allow right & left back up the wings)

5. Unpredictable attack – nearly all the players can and have scored

6. Fluidity – more versatile players than KC. Wingers & midfielders switch flanks & roles quite often; harder to mark. Negative – can also leave costly holes and confusion when too many players are crowding one area of the field.

Orlando Pirates weaknesses

 Relatively weaker strikers

Other plus and negative factors

New coach, new system; they may be less confident under pressure; plus is that they may still be hard to plan effectively against.  Despite being treble champs, they may be the slight underdogs in the minds of SA media and some fans – who are mostly pro-Kaizer Chiefs. They may have the confidence to dominate their rivals.  Confidence gained by a sterling performance against Spurs and the treble – which have both been downplayed by some people).

Game plan: How Orlando Pirates can win it

Chiefs’ main strength is the striking power they pack in Musona and Majoro. But without the ball, it will be ineffective. So Leal should seek to neutralise that.

Leal was not around when Pirates played that 1-1 draw against Chiefs in February. In that game Pirates used Khune for target practice while Chiefs had two shots the whole game; VV said in the post match interview “I do not know why Chiefs defended so much…” I hope now he knows. Luckily the passing game Leal has introduced plays well to existing Pirates strengths – control of the midfield via pressing and high ball possession.

Pirates should play more of the passing game in the midfield to create spaces and frustrate and tire out Chiefs. No ball no attack. Pirates should press more (close down people quicker) to ensure high ball possession, stopping them from launching their own attacks.

They should use the likes of Mayambela, Segolela, Doutie to show-boat just a little (even when trailing behind). This will keep the ball, distract the opposition (the vuvuzelas following the tsamayas will also help) allowing a quick transition to fast attacking. Further, it will help the players relax more around the ball which should improve composure in the box.

If Pirates were to successfully keep Chiefs in their won half most of the game – the increased numbers in their own half will not necessarily mean they can defend well – if general defensive play is not a strength.

Game plan: How Kaizer Chiefs can win it

First thing VV should get right is the mental attitude of the players. Tell them “history counts for nothing. This will be a tough game – although I think you will win it.” Not “you can beat anyone. My team is the best”. Without the addressing the mindset, KC might not up their game enough to win the battle. They might play like they are playing Baroka FC or Nathi Lions and lose, despite that attacking power. Chiefs’ priority should be not to allow their quick attacking midfield and strikers to be pushed back too much where they cannot threaten Josephs.

Chiefs should not try and match Pirates on ball possession since Chiefs can be more effective with the little they get. They should not run too hard to get the ball in the midfield, since they will get tired and create spaces for Pirates.

But Chiefs should remain organised and push up as a unit – refusing to play in their own half. A few long balls into OP’s 18 area plus some defense-splitting passes and a few deliberate offside runs should be enough to scare the OP defence back, creating more space for Chiefs attacking midfielders to work.

Attacking through the middle might prove tough – getting the ball wide, especially in their own half, Chiefs might be able to open up space to launch quicker attacks since Pirates wingers may not be operating strongly there under Leal. All the last 5 goals conceded by Pirates either came from long balls; dead ball situations or both – Supersport United, Santos, Golden Arrows, Black Leopards and Spurs.

My prediction

I see a Pirates win. Not because I am a Bucs fan, but because I think by playing to their strengths, Bucs can neutralise Chiefs’ strength; whereas, for Chiefs to neutralise Pirates, they would need to somehow bypass the middle – by long balls etc, which is not Chiefs’ game.

By Mduduzi Mthembu

My view on showboating

We do not have to discuss this further, but I needed to put my perspective regarding our players showboating.

Showboating is fine, but at the end of the day, does it win you a contract overseas?  Yes the Orlando Pirates / Tottenham Hotspur game was just a friendly and I am also of the opinion that Pirates were just giving the supporters something to cheer about as the game was stagnant.

Do we really expect thee Spurs team that played so competively against Inter Milan and Real Madrid to play that way against Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates?  Of course not. So basically, the European teams are just here for a holiday, financial reward and yes to scout for possible players.  But this is where our players are shooting themselves in the leg.

I don’t think Harry Redknapp is going to recommend to his board to take a player who dancers on the ball with no purpose of scoring.  How is that going to benefit Spurs?  Do you think any of the Spurs contingent, players will recommend these players to any team in Europe.  Our players should take the Vodacom serious, although Spurs might not, to win them that lucrative contract.

Now look at Lehlohonolo Majoro, he played straight forward football, and Spurs were impressed.  It could be that Spurs will recommend scouts to come and look at him, and word might get to other clubs in England.  And who knows – Majoro will be gone from KC.  But who is going to recommend a person who showboats without any purpose to anyone in Europe?  So although, it could be fine to showboat because of the nature of the games, it does not do any good to our players.

Why do you think only Benni, Pienaar, Bartlett, Radebe, Fish, Morris made their mark in the top leagues?  These players are capable of showboating, but in Europe that type of football will bring you nowhere.  History shows that the shibobo, tsamaya stars who we so adore, Jabu Pule, Steve Lekoelea, Junaid Hartley, Zongo’s, were never invited to Europe. Can’t make it in the NFD or Swaziland mind you.  So will our current ‘show me your number’ stars, Mayambela, Yende and etc.

It is a sad indictment of our soccer if Tshepo Masilela, Morgan Gould, our top Bafana players cannot make in the Championship league of England.  And please do not compare the “showboating” of our teams to Barcelona.  I would advise Shameeg Doutie not to emulate the Pirates players and try too hard to impress the crowd, by unnecessary showboating.  He nearly tripped himself when he tried some stupid thing.  At Ajax he never did that.

Lastly, I know some of you think that European teams are full of big headed egoist individuals, but for our players to succeed in their turf, they have to play like them.  Most of our African brothers are playing all over Europe and are successful, and name me one player who is a supposedly “shibobo” player among them.  This type of football just does not work over there.

By Adwin Marsh 

Thank You Mabhakabhaka

Before Baba Mthethwa and his followers tell us ‘once touch too many’ once more, I would like to say "Thank You Mabhakabhaka”…

Baba Mthethwa and his technically challenged co-commentator, De Loca, accused Orlando Pirates of playing too many touches, but isn’t that our type of football? Isn’t that the philosophy we are trying to establish in our game?

Why is it that when the likes of Barcelona do it, we applaud, but when its Sonono's father's team, we complain?

To add to that, the same Baba Mthethwa, and I’m sure many other spineless football observers, criticised Pirates for showboating in the closing stages... why?

Isn’t a 'friendly' meant to entertain when tactical studies have been exhausted? Is it because the English claim that 'our' football is showing disrespect?

For me, showboating frustrates Europeans, I’d say we should employ this tactic often when we play this untalented hard workers... if Pirates had a striker, they’d have scored at least two in that last 5mins…

In closing, I’d like to say, Thank you Oupa Manyisa, Thank you Mark Mayambela, Thank you Sameeg Doutie, Thank you PIRATES!

By Sidwell 'Feesh' Francis

Interview - Gerard Pique on FC Barcelona and Spain

World Champion, European Champion, La Liga winner … and all in just one year. That’s not bad.

No, it’s not bad at all. It’s been an incredible year. Playing for the best national team in the world and the best club team in the world at the same time allows you to aspire to that kind of record. I have been fortunate enough to be part of those teams – that is what allowed me the opportunity to win the World Cup, which Spain had never achieved before. As for the Champions League and the Spanish league, that was special too: to be able to win the league for the third year in a row and win the European Cup again after 2009 is an amazing experience. I think we played brilliantly in the final against Manchester United – it was a great performance.

Are you surprised at everything that has happened? And the way it happened too… This has been an intense season, marked by four clásicos in just eighteen days.

Not really. We knew there would be nerves in the semi-final against Real Madrid, we knew that both sides would play the way that suited them – using the weapons that work for them. In the end, I think we were able to impose ourselves on the pitch, playing football the way we know, faithful to our philosophy. The best team went through. The truth is that in the final against United we felt like we were the better side all the way through. That confidence and conviction shows in the end. We played superbly; from the first minute to the last you could see how focused we were and then when you add the quality we have in the attack to that, well … it was a great game.

Not just because of the clásico series – although, quite honestly, that was the focal point – it feels a little like this has been the hardest season yet for this Barcelona team. The feeling seems to be that not only did Barcelona have to show their class but also their competitiveness. Is that a fair assessment?

Yes, because off the pitch we have had lots of accusations thrown at us – accusations that are not true. It is always hard to live with that because you know that there are people who believe the media, that there are people that believe what they read even if it’s not true. You try to ignore it but that’s not easy. We felt we had to prove ourselves day after day on the pitch, to show that if we’re the best it’s because we work hard, because we have talent and because we play the kind of football that right now no one else in Europe plays.

In that sense, Barcelona’s title celebrations really stand out. First there was the throwing of peppers into the stands, to symbolise the team’s guts. Then, there was the moment that you took the microphone to declare: “We don’t take drugs, we don’t dive, we don’t buy referees, we just play football”. That seemed like an act of vindication. Does it anger you for people to keep questioning what Barcelona have done, to keep inventing things?

Of course it does but we can’t really do anything about it. Those are the weapons they have chosen to use to shoot us down – to annoy us or try to distract us, to try to stop us playing at our best. We just try to do our job and focus on what we can control. We have to concentrate not on what they say but on winning titles. And for the moment, it’s working. The challenge for us now is to keep that going.

You’ve been a Barcelona fan all your life, your grandfather was a club director, you’re Catalan … this year must have been all the more special for you. Can you explain a bit what it is like being a culé in a moment like this?

I think all culés are very proud of this team. We have performed, we have done the club proud. We have shown what we can do for Barcelona and when you win tittles people are happy. That reaches you and what we want now is to do the same thing next season and keep them happy.

How will you go about trying to repeat that feat for next season? On the face of it, it would appear quite difficult to maintain the same level of motivation after a year in which you have won virtually everything …

Every year is harder than the last but not because of a lack of motivation but because your opponents continue to improve to try to beat you – you know that they are going to sign great players and constantly strengthen, you know they keep fighting. But we’ve been very consistent over the last three years, we have been able to maintain our level. Looking back, people thought that the second season would be hard because we had won everything in the first season, but we won another league. Then people thought that the players would relax after winning the world cup, that we would not fight so hard as we had, but instead we have won a league and European Cup double. I think we have shown that we can continue to be hungry and that we have won the respect and admiration of lots of people because of that. Our idea is to continue and try to carry on winning titles.

But how do you do that? Frankly, I’d retire after winning the treble! You’re never going to better that.

Yeah, but you always aspire to more. You know that your trophy cabinet always has room for more. You want to be able to look back on your career and say that you were at a great club, that you experienced great moments. Also, there’s something less concrete than that: when you’re a footballer and you retire, I think the thing you look back on is the moments as much as the titles – those moments that make you happy. So you keep wanting to have that experience. You keep striving for that. Success brings great satisfaction.

Was there a key moment during the season in terms of the motivation of the team? From the outside there seemed to be a shift between the lost Copa del Rey final and the Champions League semi-final. What happened during those few days? Did Guardiola motivate you in any specific way?

The Copa del Rey final was a real blow, very hard to take, but we have always shown that we are able to come back from those kinds of moments. Then we went from that to playing the first leg of the semi-final at the Bernabéu and we were ready. Guardiola has a huge influence on us – his words reach you, they convince you. He knows how to motivate us and I think he has done an exceptional job over the last three years. We feel very privileged to be with him.

So what did he say to you after the Copa del Rey final?

That we were still the same team, with the same talent: if we kept on working as we have, he said, we are better than them. We showed that at the Bernabéu and at the Camp Nou.

What impact has Guardiola had on you personally?

The way we play, the centre backs have a lot of work. But it is not just defensive work, it is offensive work too. There’s a lot of responsibility on me when it comes to bringing the ball out from the back and starting the moves. Also, from the back you see the whole pitch and you have a duty to help organise the team, to make sure players are well positioned – it’s your job to read the game. Those are the things he asks of me. The coach is very demanding and that’s why we have had such good results.

Barcelona play with the defence very high. Is that a relief or a disaster for a centre-back? The team pressures high to make sure that teams can’t begin to attack you but when they do they tend to have a lot of space and men over on you.

It’s a relief when we are controlling the game, when we have a lot of possession and we’re focused. But when we struggle to move the ball with pace and keep possession then we are exposed to quick counter-attacks and that’s hard because you find yourself running back towards your own goal, which is the worst position to be in. That’s where it becomes really demanding but we know what club we’re at and we know what is asked of us.

Tito Vilanova, the assistant coach, said the other day: “Without Gerard, the whole thing would have collapsed.” What did he mean? What is your specific role in the Barcelona machine? Why are you so important for the model to work?

I imagine he said it because there was a time during the season when Abidal was ill, Puyol was injured, and we didn’t have many centre-backs. I imagine he was referring to the fact that if I had been injured as well we would have suffered more.

But there’s a systematic importance too, isn’t there? It’s not just about numbers. You’re the starting point of everything …

Everyone has a role and of course I try to help as much as I can. That’s what Pep does – he shows us exactly what each person has to do, what role they have to play. Whoever plays at centre-back, whether it’s Mascherano or Busquets, has shown that they are talented enough to play there. But of course, the fewer injuries we have the better.

What about your role alongside Puyol? It feels like the perfect partnership: he imposes upon you what you maybe didn’t have and you give him what he lacks … But it seems to work on a person level as well, not just a professional one.

We compliment each other very well. From the first minute I arrived here we have understood each other perfectly on and off the pitch. Sometimes a look is enough to know what we need from each other. I hope we can play together for years until he finally retires.

He seems almost younger alongside you … it’s like your personality has rubbed off on him and he has got a new lease of life.

Puyol has always been young in spirit. He works very hard, he has a great attitude and despite being 33 I think he has the body of a younger a man – he is a real athlete and he’ll be playing for years yet at Barcelona

To what extent are Barcelona’s players conscious of history? Does that provide extra motivation? For example, a fourth league in a row would equal the Dream Team, while a second successive Champions League has not been done before … is this not about a season so much as en epoch?

That’s the thing: every season you find new points of motivation. Right now there is no way of judging this team. People talk about the best in history but we won’t know that until afterwards, until we retire. What we have now is the opportunity to keep winning and the privilege of having come together at the same time. We know that we have lots of very good players here and we want to enjoy that for as long as we can. Chasing those kind of historic records helps. When our cycle comes to an end then we will be able to evaluate how good this team was and whether it was one of the best in history. Right now, we want to enjoy the moment. We believe we can win more.

You just used a key word: enjoy. Sometimes it seems like people don’t allow themselves the time to enjoy success. As soon as you win something they’re already demanding more.  This is already historic. Is it hard to not be allowed to just enjoy the moment a bit more?

Yes but everyone has very short memories in football. You win things, the summer comes and soon it’s all forgotten; you have to win all over again. If the following season you don’t win anything, well … We know that for a club like Barcelona it is important to win something every year, and that is what we are going to try to do. We know we have won the league and the Champions League but we also know that does not allow us to take it easy – we are aware that the fans will again be demanding success.

Is it hard to live with that kind of pressure?

It’s hard when the first season is like it was for me, when you win everything and they start asking for the same thing every year, which is impossible. But you get used to that and you know that at a great club that’s always going to be the case. You have to be at the very top all the time.

Fans always say it’s easy for footballers – it’s only a sport, you’re paid very well, it’s an easy life … that message must reach you. How does it make you feel? Are fans conscious of the pressure you live under? Is it harder than it looks?

We’re not machines. We’re people and in the end there are lots of factors that can affect you. Sometimes people don’t understand that you’re a person and you have a private life. There are things that get to you and sometimes that shows on the pitch. That’s when you have to try to isolate yourself from everything that’s going on and try to play as best you can regardless of everything else.

How do you rid yourself of that pressure?

It’s hard, it really is We’re people and it does have an impact. But I just try to be professional. When you go into a dressing room you know you have 90 minutes ahead of you, you focus on that and you have to try to give everything you have got.

What are the most important characteristics of a football boot for you?

These are great boots, they are very comfortable, the contact with the ball is good – you can really feel it, which is vital. That helps you control the ball better, it gives you a better feel for it, better touch. The leather is incredible; it adapts perfectly to the foot. It’s an elegant boot too. Orange stands out a bit but it goes well with the black. Nike have done a great job. I think they’re very good boots.

Part of the obsession in the development of these boots is the touch … that’s very much the signature of Barcelona too …

Definitely. Barcelona’s style is about touch, about maintaining possession of the ball, controlling games. These boots fit that and I think they’ll be great for me.

How does that Barcelona philosophy get so ingrained? What’s the mantra at the club? How are players educated in the Barcelona approach?

The model is the same at all levels of the club. The day I joined was the same as it is now. The fundamental idea is to have the ball, to control games, to impose ourselves always. There is continuity and at first team level Barcelona have managed to achieve that over the last three years; we have brought that philosophy to the field. 

Is it an exaggeration to talk of  Barcelona DNI?

I think it’s reality. Every player that comes here from another club struggles to adapt, even if he is a great player, because our personality is special and very specific. It is a kind of DNI. Our players have lived with that from a very early age, they have been brought up on it. That means that those kids who have been here for a long time find the step up to the first team easier – because there is a continuity of style.

But your style is a Manchester United style too. Or, at least, your education is … What did you learn there and what are the biggest differences?

Football is much more physical there. It is more direct, the are fewer touches on the ball, it is less elaborate – there are more long balls, it’s more aerial. Teams look to get into the opposition areas as quick as possible and force chances. You have to adapt to everything so when I was there I had to work hard on the physical side of the game and increase my speed – English football is very fast. That added to my game.

Are you a better player because of that time there?

I think it was very good for my career. I didn’t play as much as I would have liked and that made me strong mentally. I also learnt new things and experienced something different. I was 17 or 18 and I was playing with Rooney and Ronaldo … that was hugely enriching. Right now I am enjoying great times thanks to them.

There has been lots of talk about the players Barcelona have to sign; people are focusing on the weaknesses of the team. Which seems bizarre …

Yes, but a team that wants to win things all the time like Barcelona has to renew itself each year, it has to improve. Even if you have won tittles there are things you can do to get stronger.

There’s also the European Championships at the end of the season. You weren’t there in 2008 so that must be a particular target for you. It’s the only trophy you haven’t got.

True. But right now my aim is simply to have a good preseason, prepare well and get ready. It is going to be a very long season which will start with two tough Super Copa games with Real Madrid and then with Porto in the European Super Cup. We want to win that because those are trophies we want to see in the club’s museum. Then we’ll try to win the league, the Champion League  … and then, after that, we’ll think about the European Championships with Spain. Hopefully we’ll get there in good shape, 100%, and ready to win it for Spain. 

Tales of an English Chiefs fan

While some of you were lucky enough to be at Peter Mokaba stadium last Saturday to watch Chiefs beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 and many watched it on TV, I had the less exciting experience of watching the game in a pub in Edinburgh, Scotland, without any sound.

It hadn’t occurred to me that Spurs’ tour of South Africa might be televised in the UK until an hour before kick off. Finding out that satellite channel ESPN was broadcasting it was infuriating as I only have the basic channels at home. I immediately rushed out to find a pub that had ESPN and would be prepared to show it.

Found one just in time but they were playing the sound to some cricket match going on in the background. No-one else seemed interested in watching what was just another insignificant pre-season warm-up game to them.

So there I was, on my own with my Chiefs jersey on and my membership card in my wallet, although sadly missing my Chiefs makarapa and vuvuzela, in storage at my parents’ house. I tried in vain to stay calm but ended up excited and frustrated in equal measure as Lehlohonolo Majoro should have scored (again and again).

The locals looked at me in confusion and I tried explaining who Chiefs were but they didn’t seem interested. Probably best that I didn’t have my vuvuzela with me then.

Without the sound, I had to imagine what the post-match analysts were saying. I could just imagine the usual excuses: “it didn’t mean as much to Spurs as it did to Chiefs”, “Spurs were tired after travelling”, “it was a meaningless friendly” and so on.

I didn’t care. After all, it’s not everyday that your team gets to play against a UEFA Champions League quarter-finalist and beat them. Of course the result means very little in the context of the season, but still, things look promising for Chiefs.

I’ve since found a friend of mine who has ESPN at home so I will be watching the final on Saturday with the sound on (the derby match isn’t being shown over here) with my Chiefs jersey and hoodie on, but still sadly without my makarapa and vuvuzela. Amakhosi, please don’t let me down. Beat Pirates on Thursday so I can watch you beat Spurs again!

It’s not often that I wish that I was in Polokwane but last Saturday, I really wished that I was.

By Marc Fletcher

SA fans must understand pre-season

SOUTH AFRICANS HAVE A MISCONCEIVED VIEW OF THE PRE-SEASON MATCHES.

I thought we all knew that pre-season matches or tournaments have the sole purpose of preparing a team for the upcoming season... however, judging by recent talks presiding these matches, one is made to see a different picture.

People say, the Vodacom Challenge is an opportunity for Mr. Leal to prove himself, even my favourite Premier Soccer League player since 2003/04, Jimmy Tau, says the game against a useless Spurs, is more than just a preparation for the PSL season... what is it then? This is utter nonsense!

In the past, we’ve had Black Leopards and Free State Stars firing their coaches after one match in the league due to their poor results in pre-season matches…

I have since concluded that the majority of our football public do not understand the conjunction "PRE-" and de word "PREPARATION"...

By Sidwell 'Feesh' Francis

2011 VODACOM CHALLENGE FIXTURES:

Sat, July 16 - Kaizer Chiefs vs. Tottenham Hotspur - Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane (15h00)

Tues, July 19 - Orlando Pirates vs Tottenham Hotspur - Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela (20h15)

Thu, July 21 - Kaizer Chiefs vs. Orlando Pirates - Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth (20h15)

Sat, July 23 - Derby Winner vs. Tottenham Hotspur - Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg (15h00)

New Amazulu home and away kit for 2011/12 season revealed

AmaZulu Football Club and adidas today unveiled the new home and away shirts for the 2011/12 football season.

Inspiration & Design

According to Kevin Jooste, the Football Category Manager at adidas SA, the home shirt takes inspiration from AmaZulu’s heritage. “We decided with the club to incorporate some forrest green into the jersey, creating a link with the heritage of the club,” he says.

In addition, there is an embossing of the AmaZulu logo on the back of the jersey to add value to the jersey. For the away kit the club has stuck to the traditional white with twilight green stripes.

“We are grateful to adidas for the world class kit that they have produced for the club. We would like to urge our fans to go out and buy the new jersey and wear it with pride when attending our matches,” says Lunga Sokhela, the Marketing Manager at AmaZulu Football Club.

Technology

Both jerseys feature Climacool Technology- a combination of performance fabrics, open mesh and ventilation channels which keep cool air flowing in and heat and sweat flowing out. Climacool works by considering how and where the body produces heat and sweat, focussing on specific fabric and garment features in those zones.

The effect is that athletes stay dry, comfortable and perform at their peak in even the most heated competitions.

Retail

The new home and away kits will be available in retail stores from tomorrow 16th July at a recommended retail price of R449.

The following players will be going to the adidas store at the Gateway Shopping Mall tomorrow to sign autographs for the fans from 11am until 12pm:

·         Ayanda Dlamini

·         Bongani Mbele

·         Mzwandile Khwela

·         Allistar  Wallis

·         Thamsanqa Sangweni