Are we better than our players?

I read with interest the article, “If you know or understand soccer u won’t say those kind of comments”. Thanks Mr. Ledwaba, and please keep on bringing sanity to our articles.

I would further encourage other Diskioff readers to do the same. This should not however be interpreted as me agreeing to whatever you saying on your article, unless you give me a list of all the people who know football, which I doubt you can. Well there is a lot of people who claim to “Know or understand” football, but hey, do they?

Well I’m in Pietermaritzburg and enjoyed a great game yesterday, between the local team here and the relegation threatened, well supported Siwelele.

The rain has not stopped pouring, and I think it really contributed to the game, but again the two teams were playing on the same field, so congratulations to the home team.

But again being here made me thinking. I remember all the noise about Mbulelo Mabizela crushing a car here. And hey, he was portrayed to be reckless, ill-disciplined and all that. Well there are a lot of trees here. There is this mist I have never seen anywhere most of the time. I tell you even the Pope can hit a tree in Pietermaritzburg.

Did I say Mabizela is not Ill- disciplined? Ok, I am glad I did not. The only thing I do not know is Mabizela’s side of the story, on all this things that most people use to judge him. Players, like all of us are people. This is what I mean.

We arrived here on Monday. Had supper, then we had a bottle of Jameson, then it was finished, then it was Remi Martin coniac. Then we drove from where we were to where we booked in. We slept and life went on. This is what Mabizela might do when he is home, like most of us do when we home. Our players, like most English, Spanish and Italian players, do drink. This is not the basis for ill discipline.

Its just bojalwa gabo re tshware ka go tshwana, that’s why on Tuesday I was early at work and very productive. So people, not all our players are born again, and they are not saints, just like most of us.

Baile (Diskioff manager)
baile.diskioff@gmail.com

What’s happened Mara?

I am a Kaizer Chiefs fan. I love soccer, and maybe like Baile (Diskioff writer); I do not know nor understand soccer.

The only thing I know for sure is I love it. There is one team that I have since loved, more like it’s my second love, and this team is hurting me. What is happening mara ko Siwelele (Bloemfontein Celtic)?

This team cannot be relegated. Like any team I love, it has potential of being a big team in the near future. There are teams that really won’t be a great loss to see them in Mvela, but not Siwelele sa Masele. Just imagine all that atmosphere that the team brought to our league to disappear. Siwelele contributed largely in bringing the people back to the stadiums.

They really showed their love for the game when Bafana Bafana were in Bloemfontein the other time, oh my word, no, Siwelele cant go down, and its time like this that we have to carry our beloved Siwelele by ourselves as fans. The team needs us (Even if it’s my second love), now more than ever.

Eish, I fear the worst. But what is happened mara ko Blomo mara? We need to hold our own Polokwane conference ko Mangaung and really resolute on issues that will take us up the league. Phela its the second round manje.

Please Masokolara, maybe re bitse Ntate Molemela, a re jwetse hore re etseng, mohlomong re tlohetse meetlo ya Siwelele.

Concerned
Nkotlopane Tsokotlane

PSL is just as good as other Leagues

Some won't agree with me. However, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) is just as good as the other leagues, by this I refer to those leagues that most of our players go to. Israel, Sweden, Denmark and so on - make no mistake I did not say La'Liga, Serie A or the English Premiership.

Look at the teams in Israel. PSL is just better that them or perhaps the different in the cash involvement or just because they are next to the big European leagues. We PSL followers should support our league and stop being colonized by other leagues.

All the PSL teams are good and the league is interesting for everyone to see. Thanda Zulu Royals striker Bernard Parker has signed with a Serbian team, all they talk about is the rich history that this team enjoyed and that half of the population in Serbia support the team, what does this say?

I bet with my whole Diskioff salary that any PSL team can wallop the top team from those leagues by any PSL team. They might have money and close to the best league but that does not make them superior to PSL. Kaizer Chiefs (Amakhosi) once gave Manchester United a run for their money and I can tell you that Man United can demolish Thembinkosi Fanteni’s team (Maccabi Haifa) at any given time. We have good players with lots of skills; personally I think South Africa has the most skillful players worldwide. Not sure about the techniques.

The point of this is to urge the PSL players not to just sign contracts with any mambo jumbo teams just because it's in Europe and they pay dollars. Lots of our players went to the wrong teams and now their careers are..???

NITO (Diskioff writer)
nito.diskioff@gmail.com

DR'S ART: SANTANA, WHATS THE USE...???

What is the use of Bafana Bafana playing Zambia if we are not going to test other players? I was impressed by the Zambian coach who played all his players and on top of that he introduced 20/21 years old players in his team. While the Bafana, Joel Santana, was busy boosting about five wins in a row not that winning five games in a row is a bad thing, but we can celebrate that without a big picture.

And what is that big picture? Look at players like Siphiwe Tshabalala and Teko Modise… they are guaranteed to play in Confederations Cup - was it necessary that these players be selected for the Zambia game? I doubt so. If Modise get injured who will replace him? Ok Steven Pienaar can, but he also prone to injuries these days.

What about Tshabalala you can replace him in case of injury? No one that we know according to Bafana statistics. Game against Zambia, we were supposed to look at Franklin Cale, the replacement of Modise. But we didn’t.

And I also think Santana should not call Matthew Booth, Aaron Mokoena and Nasief Morris together. He should call two of them and replace one with the future defender guys like Robyn Johannes (23) or Bongani Khumalo (21) this will help them gain experience and come 2010 they’ll be strong enough to compete with the best.

Instead of placing Morris or Booth at the bench, this won’t help us because these guys already have experience. This game should help Santana to look for replacements not to break any important record. He can call his strong squad when he is playing with strong team like Germany and others.

This is why SAFA let Carlos Alberto recommend him so that he will continue where he (Carlos) left. Excellent Walaza was selected to go to Africa Cup of Nations and I’m sure he learnt something there. Santana should do the same for future sake.

DR NDIVHUWO (Diskioff writer)
E: doctor.diskioff@gmail.com

Remember it’s not personal but my view!

If u know or understand soccer u wont say those kind of comments!!

I hate people who pretend to know soccer. Take the issue of Gert Patrick Schalkwyk... yes he is a gud player, and i do like him a lot, but that does not give me the right to insult the Coach ( Muhsin Ertuğral) on why did he let him go.

We played several games without him, and we won. He scored 3 goals now they say why did the Coach let him go? Why not Thuso Phala? What if it was Thuso Phala who was loaned to another team, and scored those 3 goals, what will those people say?

If you know or understand soccer you wont say those kind of comments. Let us not criticised, rather encourage. If you say Muhsin is not the right coach to take AMAKHOSI to the next level, then who is right or who will be right. We are doing OK now, and thanx to Muhsin. We let go of a gud player, and brought in a gud player (NALE). Let us rally behind our team, and stop this nonsense of criticising.

BIG UP FOR THE WIN ON SATERDAY, AND LET US RALLY BEHIND OUR TEAM FOR OUR NEXT GAME AGAINST AJAX CAPE TOWN.

AMAKHOSI 4 LIFE.
by Ledwaba

Moroka Swallows chairladies

We need quality at AmaZulu

We cannot do well with 30 players and all of them are nobody.

We dont even need to break the bank. Orlando Pirates has a lot of players that can do the job. You will notice when Kaizer Chiefs are down we seem to run out of creativity.

I wonder why Lota was let go? We wont be relegated, but we wont finish anywhere if we dont buy quality.

by Mabaso

Fans trip to Johannesburg

Unfortunately this last week saw Bay United lose by a single goal in the dying minutes after a draw was on the cards....Umlilo are still holding down 14th spot and are in form with new striker Njoh Jean showing promise.

This coming weekend, Umlilo fans are being offered the chance to attend the Pirates match which will either be played at Coca Cola Park or Orlando Stadium. Tickets for the trip will cost R400, and will include your match ticket.

For more information please contact Mmhomho on 071 411 2152

Bay United's next game is away to Pirates on saturday night, followed by a home fixture against Free State Stars on the 8th of February

Watsha Umlilo!
http://www.bufc.co.za/

Bafana squad to face Zambia

Bafana Bafana squad to face Zambia at Atteridgeville's Super Stadium tomorrow night.

Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Calvin Marlin (Mamelodi Sundowns), and Shu-Aib Walters (Bloemfontein Celtic).

Defenders: Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mokete Tsotetsi (Kaizer Chiefs), Nazeer Allie, Brett Evans (both Ajax Cape Town), Morgan Gould, Bongani Khumalo (both SuperSport United), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates), and Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows).

Midfielders: Lefa Tsutsulupa (Moroka Swallows), Franklin Cale (Ajax Cape Town), Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Abia Nale, Siphiwe Tshabalala (all Kaizer Chiefs), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Teko Modise, Lebogang Mothibantwa (both Orlando Pirates), Kagiso Dikgacoi, Kagiso Senamela (both Golden Arrows).

Strikers: Katlego Mashego (Orlando Pirates), Mabhudi Khenyeza (Ajax Cape Town), and Sthembiso Ngcobo (Free State Stars).

Thank you Gert Schalkwyk

It’s been sometime since my friends agreed with me. They are Kaizer Chiefs supporters. I told them long ago that Mughsin is not the kind of a Coach that would take Amakhosi to the next level. This after He was recalled to the team, and all my friends were happy.

We left it at that, us disagreeing. Then Thabo Mooki was given a boot by the Coach, well they started to ask themselves a lot of questions about that which I told them, until Mooki was forced down the throat of the coach by management.

The very best playmaker at the team, Scara Ngobese was shown the door, and all my friends were keen they could survive without him, even if they were not satisfied by his departure. Well Mughsin was by then working on the average age at Chiefs, I was told.

Then Gert was loaned to Celtics, and all my friends were really dissatisfied and they cracked. "How on earth can this coach (Mughsin) do this to us mara?" asked one of my friends." I am bitter, angry and annoyed at Mughsin, He must simply go back to Ajax Cape Town", answered my other friend.

Then Gert, gets to Bloemfontein Celtic, and produces one of his best performances ever, on debut. nogal. Siwelele fans were ecstatic. Then my friends were asking why the hell this boy was loaned to Celtic. I personally can’t wait for Chiefs to play Celtic at Bloemfontein, with the Siwelele supporters fully behind their team as always.

Thank you Gert, for showing the Khosi family that they have a very good player destroyer in Mughsin. Where is Thabo Mooki by the way?

Baile (Diskioff manager)
baile.diskioff@gmail.com

500 days to 2010 World Cup finals

Today marks 500 days to the World Cup finals! The GREATEST show in the planet which starts on June 11, 2010. Let’s get our vuvuzelas, drums, uniforms and ect ready as we welcome the world to our wonderful land! Kuzokhala abantu come 2010 World Cup – the first ever World Cup to be staged in Africa! We are ready baba!

Jules Rimet Cup
The World Cup (The Golden Nike) was founded in 1930 by Frenchman Jules Rimet, the creator of the world championship games. The cup was designed and made by a French sculptor, Abel Lafleur. 35 cm in height, weighing 3,8 kg and made of pure gold, the sculpture depicted Nike of Samothrace (Winged Victory). In 1950 the statuette was named the Jules Rimet Cup after its founder. It was a trophy passed on to each winner and the team to win the tournament three times got to keep it (Brazil achieved this in 1970). In 1983 the Cup was stolen and it has never been found.

FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup was founded in 1971. It was designed by Silvio Gazzanigi of Italy. Made of 18-carat gold and malachite, the cup is 36,5 cm tall and weighs 6,2 kg. The sculpture depicts two triumphant football players holding a globe in their raised hands. The trophy is passed on to each winning team that gets to keep an identical (but gold-plated) replica. The making of the statue cost about $50,000, today its value is estimated to over $10,000,000. After each tournament the name of the winning country and the year of their World Cup victory are engraved in the bottom side of the trophy. Space on the base will run out in 2038 at the earliest.

SOURCE: http://www.worldcup.isn.pl/en/cups.htm
READ MORE HERE about the WORLD CUP!

Pic of the Week: "Downs For Life!"

Mamelodi Sundowns supporters: Leandro Jaftha and Eugene Van Wyk.

Extra News:
"After Mamelodi Sundowns’ remarkable 2-1 come from behind victory over stubborn AmaZulu at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday, head coach Henri Michel said he was happy with the current squad." www.sundownsfc.com

"Diyo Sibisi, the player for whom Mamelodi Sundowns allegedly coughed up R3-million, rewarded them when he scored on debut to seal victory for his new team at the Chatsworth stadium yesterday."  http://www.thetimes.co.za/

Free Soccer Management Lesson

We have had open windows before, but they were hardly this exciting. What made this one so eventful? Is it simply that we did not expect players to leave Mamelodi Sundowns for greener pastures? Is Chloorkop big enough for all the Mzansi Superstars?

Well, the open window is the point in discussion at the moment, how funny we get carried away by the events at the Galacticos. There is simply one reason why all this is happening during this open window. Three or four years ago a lot of players signed contracts which would end this year. After that the transfer market was very limited.

South African teams, unlike their European counterparts and Mmakau Sundowns (Oh sorry, Mamelodi) is that they are not willing to buy players from other teams. That is why the only team that made the transferee market was Mmakau/Mamelodi Sundowns. The boss had to make a statement to all of us about his financial status.

Most player contract comes to the end at the end of this season. Now all the teams can put forward an offer to any player. So what went wrong at Sundowns?

This was pure lack of good managerial skills. They should have anticipated this if they really looked at their player contracts. They would have noticed that the Player contracts at Sundowns, all come to an end at almost the same time. When that happens, you as a team are not the only one talking to your own player. More so with agents who will be looking to make a kill by then.

But again they never thought there is any team that can compete for a player with them. Now how on earth do they underestimate teams like Platinum Stars, who are to me are the wealthiest team in the country? So there is the simplest lesson to all this.

As a team, big or small, players are the engine. You make a spreadsheet of all your players and the end date of their contracts. If there is a situation where most contracts end on the same year, well start working on it.

Sit your players down and try to extend their contracts as soon as possible. Negotiate in time. Know who is with the team and who is not. There is nothing like players today are going for short contracts. I know a lot of Quality players, abroad and locally, who have very long term contracts.

Baile (Diskioff manager)
baile.diskioff@gmail.com

Pic of the Week: Abafana Bes'thende

Golden Arrows are a South African football (soccer) club based in Durban that participates in the Premier Soccer League.

Bay United vs Santos

Host: Bay United FC Supporters Club
Type: Sports - Sporting Event
Time and Place Date: Sunday, January 25, 2009
Time: 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: EPRU Stadium
Street: Humewood
City/Town: Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Umlilo play their last home game for the month, and will be hoping for points, as The People's Team come to grace the EPRU Stadium, YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED!

HERE TO BUY MATCH TICKETS
Seven Eleven (Summerstrand), La Roche Motors (Humewood), Total Gelvandale, New Brighton Super Spar, Spar Zonke, Daku Spar, Kwanobuhle Spar, Beetlestone Spar, Rink Street Spar, Jeya's Sports Bar, Lunga's Place, Mavela's Place, Oom Cola's Place, Monde's Lounge, Las Vegas Lounge (kwaBarbara), Kulati Tavern, The Quenchers Jazz Club, Computicket, and MTN Stores.

Tickets start at R20 - R35
Kick off scheduled for 15:30

 Watsha Umlilo

The transforming transfer market

It is starting to dawn in a number of players that playing, meaning making the starting eleven is more important than who you play for, the novelty of signing for a big team only for you to end up disappearing into thin air is wearing of now.

It is clear from players like Koketso Mmotong, Fanyana Dhladhla and Excellent Walaza that players are starting to see that no matter how much money you will get paid for sitting on the bench or on the stands, ultimately it is not good for your career, hence we are seeing awkward movements in the transfer market with some players opting to move to what may be described as rather unfashionable teams such as Platinum Stars.

My thinking is that, if you move to Platinum Stars or even Amazulu for a guaranteed starting berth, then you are making a good move. Since the advent of the Motsepe factor in our professional league, we have all players hoping, praying and clamoring to play for Mamelodi Sundowns, with little regard of their playing prospects at the team.

We have seen agents using the Motsepe factor to drive up market prices of players and we seem to have reached a plateau now. We have also seen players continue to sign for a team like Pirates even when they had almost 50 players, this always seemed to make temporary financial sense and very little career sense.

There have been players who have flatly refused to be drawn into this quagmire of earning high while playing low, Franklin Cale is one player who has been steadfast in saying he will remain playing at Ajax rather than join the Sundowns bench, Peter Peterson flatly refused to join Orlando Pirates after assessing his chances of making the right back position.

Many players are starting to realize that actually playing for Ajax Cape Town, Supersport United or Platinum Stars is actually not a bad deal at all.

However it is important for upcoming players to make these decisions after a thorough assessment, they need to balance their prospects with the desire to challenge, in other words if a player believes that he is talented enough, and the team will suit his style and believes he can make it, why not.

Mr. Mpangase is playing and so is Rooi Mahamutsa and Wayne Matle. Another new development is the fact that more and more young players are seeking shorter contracts, which is an indication that they have ambition to move to greater things.

Older players seek longer contracts as this gives them some sense of security as they approach the end of their careers all of these point to a transformation of the transfer market. Remember: I Know it ALL.

MR KNOW IT ALL
Mr. Know it ALL’s I write what I like

Mamelodi Sundowns is falling apart

With the big names signings at the beginning of the season, Mamelodi Sundowns looked like a force/troops ready to rumble any team on their way (on paper, in reality… eish).

The arrival of the new coach brought tension to the Pretoria outfit. In fact the addition of management (Coach, Manager, technical what (TED) and Trot Moloto's demotion) this had negatively affected the team.

Now that Mpho Chabangu signed with Supersport united, Dillon Sheppard is on the move to Platinum stars (signed a pre contract), Josta Dladla is on the move to Kaizer Chiefs (rumored to have signed a pre contract and Mbulelo Mabizela on Transfer! Personally I conclude that the comments made by the coach to the players contributed to this mess. It's sad to lose such influential players and still convince yourself Coach Michel) that the team is in good order.

Fanyana Dladla went to Maritzburg United, Koketso Mmotong wants out as well. The Mamelodi ace right is not happy at all, he is frustrated because of lack of game time, who wouldn't be? He had a great spell with Tycoons and now he's not even warming the Sundowns bench that is a disaster to our football.

Initially when he signed for DOWNS he was expecting to compete on the right wing but…. Here is what he told me "I expected that I would compete with Josta Dladla and Fanyana Dhladhla on the right, but the next thing you find that it is somebody playing in that position. At the end of the day you find out that the three of us are at home not in the camp because of that. I didn't expect this but it is what is happening at the moment and there is nothing I can do, so far I only started two games and came as a sub twice."

This is depressing; a big team like Sundowns operating like this… Shame! Players deserve some respect as much as the coach want respect, but treating the most skillful players like school kid! It's not right.

We might be in for another surprise during the transfer window, 2010 is just next year, in few months time is confederations cup, every player wants to attract the national selectors but if you're not even warming your team bench then the chances are below zero.

The new coach won 3 out on nine games for his profile? This is not acceptable and disrespecting our players and fellow SA coaches!! He shot himself on the foot. I foresee troubles at Sundowns if President Patrice Motsepe …….. You know what I am talking about.

Nito (Diskioff writer)
nito.diskioff@gmail.com

Siwelele Jozi Branch - General Meeting and Braai

Event Info
Host: We love Bloemfontein Celtic Football Club
Type: Meetings - Club/Group Meeting
Network: Global

Time and Place
Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009
Time: 12:00am - 6:00pm
Location: Zoo Lake - Next to Moyo
City/Town: Johannesburg, South Africa

Contact Info
Phone: 0823438937
Email: MekoGB@telkom.co.za

Description
This is our 1st General meeting for the year; you'll be briefed about the current affairs in the team. Also way forward with the Branch. Plus there's a surprise for all of you...

Sangweni - A Zulu Warrior at Last!

AmaZulu latest signing - Thami Sangweni. He is the brother of the Golden Arrows player (Siyabonga Sangweni). Watch this space - this guy will be a huge prospect for the future!

So I think I am funny?

Kaizer Chiefs have a sound administration. The administrators at Chiefs have been in the game for far too long, and the culture at the team is there for everyone to see. They have managed player contracts before the President was a millionaire. He might have the money but he honestly does not have the administration.

Unlike players, you simply cannot buy a culture of sound administration, ask SAFA. In football, unfortunately, the good foundation is the administration; you can go to Rwanda and ask Serame Letsoaka.

Players are the core of any team, successful or not. Unlike all of us who are in the corporate environment, and players do not take the salary differences as a simple issue. Like I started by mentioning Chiefs, as to how they managed the José Torrealba issue, in as far as the salary is concerned, is an applaudable thing that should be commended.

This is simply that José is not the first player to earn more or far more than the other players at Chiefs. Now let’s look at the Galacticos.

A finished Sibusiso Zuma comes on board, with an injury nogal, and earns more than everyone. For any team that has been in the business long enough, the first thing you do is check the player’s medical fitness.

Now here comes the teammate to Surprise Moriri, who is in a super form, sits on the bench if not on the stands, and earns more than him (Surprise). The question that Surprise would ask to himself is, “what is it that this Zuma is bringing to the team that is so exceptional?” Well such question deal with the player morale and confidence and the will to die on the pitch, for your coach, the team and the supporters.

Now you are Josta Dladla, and you have been with the team for sometime, when Benedict Vilakazi was a darling at Orlando Pirates. All you (as Josta) see in Vilakazi is a Pirates player. Remember, Once a Pirate, always a Pirate. Now this Pirates semi-god comes to Sundowns and he is earning four or five time more that you (Josta). Well as a senior player to the Pirates player at Sundowns, Josta calls it quits.

Sundowns is a very good team for those arriving, (Mbesuma, Vilakazi, Gaxa, Zuma, Sibisi and etc), and they are not there for the love of the team. They are there to make sure they have a good retirement fund. Do they really take good care of those that have been there? Those that are the products of Piano and shoe shine? Well the exodus of the players gives us the answer to the questions.

Do I blame management for all this? Well I will always blame the Swallows management for not marketing the big team.

I will always blame management at Kaizer Chiefs for lack of quality players.
I will always blame the management of Bloemfontein Celtic for not keeping the core of the team more so when they do not have a succession plan.
I will always blame the management at Jomo Cosmos for not firing the Coach.
I will always blame the management at Diskioff for not editing the article properly.

And yes I blame the management at my company for not breaking the bank for my services, and lastly, since I think I am funny, I blame the management at Mamelodi Sundowns for the exodus of players at the team.

Baile (Diskioff manager)
baile.diskioff@gmail.com

Ziyaduma eMamelodi these days

Clubs are busy doing their best to keep their best players. This transfer window clubs are going deep in their pocket for best players, yet some clubs are busy destroying themselves.

Oh dear Mamelodi Sundowns, I never figured you to lose it like this. Firstly what kind of technical team that chases every player and demotivate them. I mean everyone can see that Sundowns this year is doomed to fail.

You are a foreign coach and you dont know anything about Mzansi diski yet you demote every assistant coach and former coach to paive a way for your country men. Really I know Sundowns calls themselves Brazilians, but now they are French.

Recently head coach, Henri Michel, said Sundowns players are average, yet not so long ago he said he sign four Sundowns because of its quality players. Now the players are average… no Cup winning material.

For starters no one knows the players in his technical team, no one knows Sundowns brand yet the President hired him. Now Sundowns are losing best players, it was Lerato Chabangu now its Fanyana Dladla, followed by Dillon Sheppard… who just signed for Tycoons and Josta Dladla will be lost too.

It’s obvious they have lost both right and left wing players yet they went on to shock diski fans by signing Diyo Sibisi. He-he-he! Really if you don’t know diski you don’t know.

Remember Zola Mahobe bought the best and kept the best. He was calling the shots and made sure Sundowns play the brand he loved. I hope some teams are learning that money is not going to win you anything but knowledge and experience can. We hope that one of best teams in Mzansi avoid going to the First Division.

Guys till next time... Remember there’s enough Diski in Mzansi.

Tumisho (Diskioff writer)
tumisho.diskioff@gmail.com

DR'S ART: The contracts of Sundowns!!!

Is management to blame for exodus of players? Or are players just asking for impossible contracts?

Soccer people have said and are still saying; it's either management's fault or Sibusiso Zuma's salary fault (Hahaha! Everyone who have said this must enter the next “So You Think You’re Funny?” comedy show).

Let’s look at it in the management side of it according to Mamelodi Sundowns and Lerato Chabangu’s representatives - the negotiations started back in last year. Futher more Chabangu’s agent said that financial Sundowns offered him a great offer.

This was also supported by Sundowns via Sundowns website saying if Chabangu signed with Sundowns he would have been earning in the region of R3 million annual (per year for those who don’t know) and this includes bonuses from the team.

The reason given by Chabangu's agent for not signing with Sundowns is that Sundowns refuse to include the sellout if overseas teams want him. Who can blame Sundowns for that (only those who will be contenders of “So You Think You’re Funny?” next year).

For heaven or hell sake, Sundowns is a big team that is always in CAF competition, if they agreed to that and Sundowns was about to play 5 important games and Euro team wanted Chabangu by that time. Sundowns would have no choice but to release him. In this case one can’t blame Sundowns management for this; they started negotiations five months ago.

Josta Dladla Issue: Dladla's contract was supposed to be ended last season, but Sundowns erase their one year rights to previous contract. This according to me made him angry because he was getting the same money that he signed his previous contract.

Where did I get this thought? When Dladla was interviewed by Newspaper Soccer publication, Dladla sounded angry about the rights that Sundowns execises without increasing his pay. He was also asked about the rumour that Kaizer Chiefs were after him.

He didn’t say no, he just said leave them! We will see after the end of my contract. And what is happening now? This just shows you that Dladla never gave Sundowns a chance to negotiate a new contract. Verdict - I also don’t blame the management.

Dillon Sheppard Issue: The past week Sheppard wrote that Sundowns are offering him good offer financial, but the problem is the length of contract. Looking at the past two seasons Sheppard didn’t played much games at Sundowns nor make great impact.

Sundowns management where right to offer him short contract. The problem from Sundowns management was that they started late to negotiate his contract and by this they invited oppositions to discuss with their players. Verdict - Sundowns management guilt!

As for Soccer people who think Sibusiso Zuma’s salary is the issue, all I will say again is they must join SO YOU THINK YOU ARE FUNNY next year.

But if really players are concern about Zuma’s salary they must act professionally. Zuma negotiated his contract alone and they also negotiated theirs alone. Zuma was no where near their negotiations. Even if that was the case why Chiefs player aren’t leaving Chiefs cause José Torrealba is earning in Zuma's region?

DR NDIVHUWO (Diskioff writer)
E: doctor.diskioff@gmail.com

Remember it’s not personal but my view!

An interesting weekend of football

I must say I really enjoyed the games over the past weekend, mainly because I was supporting the underdogs and secondly because the games were actually very interesting to watch.

Let’s begin with Maritzburg United against Ajax Cape Town, what a stunning goal by Gary Goldstone in that game, beautiful it must be said, if our players were brave enough to shoot more like that more often, we would have more goals in the league. The second goal was also a beauty and this game proved that sometimes hard work can be more effective than just talent; the best part of this result is that it threw the league race wide open.

The walloping of Supersport United by Free State Stars was rather pleasantly surprising. There are two main things I took from that game, the first being that Dennis Onyango is no longer the keeper he used to be two years ago. His reflexes are five seconds slower and maybe he is hoping to blind strikers with his bright coloured outfit, unfortunately it did not work instead he showed us how he can be so unsportsmanlike by kicking Sthembiso Ngcobo while he was on the ground, he deserved to walk but mysteriously he and Ngcobo were both cautioned we all know it’s not the PSL if there are no referee blunders and secondly that Free State Stars are running a good business.

They have this uncanny ability of unearthing players who they sell to the lazy Gauteng clubs for big bucks and make tidy profits hence they are not worried about losing Diyo Sibisi whom they reportedly sold to Mamelodi Sundowns for 2.8 million rands.

Their two strikers, Sthembiso Ngcobo and Tebelo Mofokeng were very impressive, they sold Mbuyane and Tshabalala to Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs respectively for a bagful of cash and I bet you they will make another big sale at the end of the current season, very good business Ntate Mokoena.

Still on the issue, how on earth did Sundowns agree to pay 2.8 million rands for a striker who has scored only one goal this season? Motsepe never ceases to amaze me, especially because I don’t believe Sundowns need another striker with Katlego Mphela, Mbesuma, Monterio, Zuma and we all know that Moriri is played as a second striker.

Sunday gave us a rather amazing game in terms of missed opportunities, especially by one Sibusiso Hadebe, a so called professional player. He missed chances that even Wasui Ipayi could score, if you don’t know, Ipayi is the famous player who once played for Chiefs and got the distinction of being the worst ever import to SA football.

Abia Nale on the other hand impressed me in this game, much more than all the other games I have seen before and this player is definitely going to keep Muhsin at Naturena, he is a creator of opportunities and players of much lesser talent like Ogbona are going to be more dangerous from now on. Defensively though, Chiefs are look to be still disorganized.

I am still trying to understand why Pirates and Chiefs had to go through all that for Mthembu and can someone come out and tell us who is the real coach at Arrows, this gentleman from Brazil seems to be calling the shots from where I stand, I thought fronting happened only in BEE deals.

Yes, I know it all.......................

MR KNOW IT ALL
Mr. Know it ALL’s I write what I like

The standard of DISKI is getting THERE!

The gap has now been closed between our Premier Soccer League and European Leagues.

First and foremost I want to say congratulations to the first black US President Mr. Barack Obama, secondly congratulations to Ajax Cape Town, Franklyn Cale and Craigh Rosslee on winning Player of the Month and Coach of the Month.

Really I have been watching Franklyn Cale and this guy is the reason why Ajax are scoring. The damage he causes on the left and his quality low drive crosses that is why Mabhuti Khenyeza is scoring.

Sunday I went to watch Carrara Kicks vs Warrious… and wow Kicks are unstoppable - great job by their coach David Vila Vilakazi and some of the players who played their hearts out.

Baf’wethu this proves that our leagues in Mzansi are now on high. Going to stadiums is worth it, goals galore and brilliant display of skill. Applause to our fans, players, coaches and management - guys you are really doing a great job.

I think having our live games be broadcasted in Euro shows that we are in the right track. Players are well paid here and they deliver on the pitch.

Guys till next time...
Remember there’s enough Diski in Mzansi...

Tumisho (Diskioff writer)
tumisho.diskioff@gmail.com

Football definitions

Definition of a good referee

1) Must be fair
2) Must be consistent
3) Must make correct judgments
4) Must be able to stay in control
5) Must award your team at least two penalties and give out two red cards to opposition players

Definition of the offside rule
A player is offside if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second last player - except on alternate Saturdays when in addition the second last player must be facing in the opposite goals direction in which the ball is directed.

A player is not offside if they are in their own half of the field, or they are level with the second last opponent, or the player, opponent and referee form a triangle as perceived by an imaginary linesmen positioned on the Celestial Meridian.

All offside regulations are immediately found to be in favour of the defending team if shortly after the ball is played they all stop, in unison, and raise their right arm to the linesman and appeal for an offside decision.

MR KNOW IT ALL
Mr. Know it ALL’s I write what I like

I’m BACK and ready to serve you guys!!!

Happy New Year diski lovers! This morning it is an emotional day for as it is the first writing for Diskioff in 2009.

It’s been long and guys and I really missed you. I’m so glad because Nito, Mr. Know it ALL, Proffesor and the rest of Diskioff crew have been doing a great job in my nonappearance.

Thanx guys and now I’m back to do what I love most that is writing for Diskioff. I have been watching our diski from Vodacom League, NFD and PSL.

Mzansi players are on fire and ruthless. They play like there’s no tomorrow and out to prove a point. Applause to the fans really for getting behind their teams and players not boeing them.

One love guys and I salute you guys. This is the way of me saying I’m back and ready to write more for Diskioff. Stay glued to Diskioff as you know we bring super diski news.

Remember there’s enough Diski in Mzansi...

Tumisho (Diskioff writer)
tumisho.diskioff@gmail.com

Where is Zakumi?

Firstly, a Mascot is any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck. Zakumi is supposed to be out there bringing us luck. There was this hype on the first day Zakumi was introduced to us, and that have since died off.

I am yet to see one Zakumi T-shirt on our street. You tune into all the SABC channels; all you hear about is Barak Obama. He is not our President for God Sake. We like celebrating America so much it really does not make sense. To me Obama is just another President of America, so what? Yes He is Black, but who cares?

Our national team is up in arms in Rwanda and most people in this country do not know about it. These are the things our SAFA and SABC should be focusing on. All they do is to show us delayed games, or should I say they show us games at the SABC time, since they seem not to use the GMT?

They are so proud to be televising the American Inauguration, they advertising that every second minute. Who speaks of Generations and the money it generates? No, we should get our priorities straight as a country and we start focusing on our things. I wonder if the Americans ever promote anything we do, the way we make noise about their Inauguration.

We are hosting the biggest spectacle on the globe, and that needs our attention the next you will find Zakumi in Washington today. This tiger needs to be at our schools, making the kids aware of what’s coming. To our major events in the country - making sure we all in the same page and building the momentum of the 2010 World Cup.

I have nothing against Obama, or Kgalema Motlanthe for that matter. I simply am interested in things that benefit my country. I wish the marketing the SABC is putting to this Inauguration, could go straight into marketing our 2010 World Cup. I’m sure you’ll be a happy man, and the country will be proud of all the failures at SABC.

Baile (Diskioff manager)
baile.diskioff@gmail.com

Get your facts right Kortbroek

I read with a combination of disappointment and disgust an article in one of the daily newspapers where the columnist threw an unwarranted tirade at the Orlando Pirates coach, Ruud Krol. This columnist to whom I will refer as Kortbroek believes that there are a lot a lot of problems than meets the eye at Pirates and that being number three on the log is just a smokescreen.

He advances two major reasons, one that Ian Palmer resigned and secondly that the players like Makhanya, Mokoena, Meyiwa are not getting game time. When asked about Palmer’s departure, Krol said, “whatever made Palmer leave was his problem not Krol’s.” - A so called source (who may have been exposed as one former unpopular assistant coach now coaching a youth national team) said Palmer left because of management interference.

Now I have never heard of an assistant leaving because of interference when the head coach remains at his position without any complaints, as said by Krol, Palmer left because of his own issues, then Mr. Kortbroek advances a very tired argument which must be an indication of how out of touch or bored this man is.

He questions the Coach’s decisions on who to field. How many hours has Kortbroek or KKB as will proceed to call him spent at Pirates training sessions for him to even have a nerve to advocate for the fielding of the likes of Makhanya, Walaza and Mokena?

There are no players who have the divine right to start games at Pirates or any other teams. He goes on to refer to the likes of the late Leremi and Vilakazi, players who Krol has nothing to do with?

How many goals did Walaza score when he was the chief striker in the first six games of the season? He goes on to mention how these players were favoured by Kosta Papic and Bibey Mutombo. What did the coaches he mentioned achieve at Pirates with these players?

KBB must get an interview with Ian Palmer if he wants a scoop and stop his quest to create dissent at Pirates, for the first time in years; there are no major disciplinary problems at Pirates.

According to a fellow coach, Roger De Sa, “Pirates are getting back to their best under Krol. They are more disciplined, better structured and organized, the team has a chance to fight for the league honours, the team made it to a Cup final and players are speaking very highly of the coach,” but the bored KBB is trying to cook dissent.”

Story by MANDLA

DR'S ART: NITO BEST PSL EVER????????

Happy New Year DISKIOFF readers!!!! Reading Nito's article made one read with interest. Why is he saying this season is the best PSL ever, only to find out that he is talking about Mamelodi Sundowns. There were few lines that he spoke about Irvin Khoza, Kaizer Chiefs, Bay United and Owen Da Gama, but the whole article was Sundowns. Is this how you judge the Premier Soccer League? The answer is a big NO!

When I was reading the article I was expecting to hear at least few differences from the beginning of the Premier Soccer League (1996) up until now. What I got was all the teams were strong which implies that the past season teams were not all strong.

Let me help Nito finish his article (according to me the article was not completed).

Premier Soccer League (PSL) began in 1996 and most of us were still in shock when Cape Town Spurs won it (95 NSL) and SA Cup (BobSave), but that didn’t stop there. We were once again shocked when Manning Rangers took it. They were lots of questions asked about the fading of big teams which is still happening if the big three lose.

1997 to 2000 Sundowns surprised everyone by winning the PSL three times in a row… there in between (98/99 season) - it was a really tight finish. Sundowns were on top with +6 goal difference to Chiefs. Chiefs’ last game was against bottom team Blackpool, while Sundowns were up against a hard to beat Cape Town Spurs.

SABC did a great job by showing us both games LIVE. This was a season that to me stood out not only because of tight finish, but that season contributed to the rival between Sundowns and Chiefs. And Moroka Swallows was one of team that was battling it out at relegation zone. Even though Sundowns and Chiefs were the best by far teams - this league was interesting! If you missed it you really missed a gem.

Pirates were no where to be found in the 90s PSL, and the supporters and chairman were in pain cause of poor performances from their team. This resulted in firing of coaches each and every season.

In 2000/01 they got it right when they won the PSL Championship. This season was also the birth of Ajax Cape Town. Pirates’ victory created pressure to Chiefs. Chiefs were now the only big team without PSL trophy in the PSL. Kaizer Motaung felt being out-sided and he wanted PSL triumph and also the supporters.

However, it wasn’t to be as Santos took it the following season. The 2002/03 season was a must win for Chiefs, but it proved to be a bad season hence Mushin Ertugral was fired and Pirates took it for the second time… increasing pressure to their rivals from Soweto.

From 2000 Swallows started playing like giants and since then they are always in the top 8. Also Supersport United was becoming a formidable team and Jomo Cosmos also making a mark by winning and losing in Cup finals.

At long last Amakhosi managed to win the LEAGUE after hiring former Sundowns coach, Ted Dumitru, and he did that twice with Chiefs. And the was also another tight finish, but this time it was the Soweto Giants (Chiefs and Pirates) in the ring and SABC gave us a double header, but Chiefs came up on tops after Pirates came short of the goals they were required to score… and worst they manage a draw.

Sundowns reclaim the title in the following two seasons taking pressure of Patrice Motsepe and coaches. But this came after a bunch of coaches were shown the door. Then last season Supersport and Ajax made another tight finishing, but Supersport were crowed the champions at the end of the day.

Let’s wait until the end of this season to see if the will be a tight finish. But looking back it shows that small teams can win the league once and big teams will take it the following season.

So Nito, this PSL history will help u finish your article because you only spoke about this season not telling us what was wrong in the past seasons.

DR NDIVHUWO (Diskioff writer)
E: doctor.diskioff@gmail.com

Remember it’s not personal but my view!

Mara why why why why why??

Why didn’t SABC advertise the 2009 African Youth Championship?? Our FUTURE stars are playing in that tournament. This is the example that they’ve even failed to do that about the 2009 Confederations Cup… not even one billboard…. posters, tournaments eKasi or anything that symbolize that we are THERE… most people don’t even know that the Confederations Cup is this year in JUNE – even their “AD” about those guys who r wearing marks and doing tricks is cheap!! The marketing is crap!

And who is going to watch the games at 22:30 on a Monday… (Another example: Golden Arrows vs Free State Stars is at 22:30pm this Wednesday) – I think it’s fair if they play the game LIVE – they have 3 channels (1, 2, and 3).

SOCCER-ZONE: worse soccer program eMzansi!!!
Why MANGENA will comment about the game b4 us seeing the highlights? It’s pointless to check the highlights after SPORO has spoken about the game. And worse why do they show the English Premier League highlights like that: they r so fast and they always show: Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal… rather wait for Wednesday so people can see them on SABC3 on 7:30pm.

To the DIRECTOR of SABC SOCCER-ZONE SHOW:
9pm – Tshepo introduce himself

Highlights of Wednesdays games….
Mangena can talk

Highlights of Saturdays games……
• Mangena can talk

Highlights of Sundays games…….
• Mangena can talk

Professor (ref guru) can speak about the refs and so ON!
• Interview COACH of the WEEK
• Interview player of the WEEK
• Goal of the week
• Momi of the week

NO English highlights as u r failing and this is SA FOOTBALL!
Tshepo says GOODBYE….

Mangena mustn’t speak about the game before we see the highlights
And stop BLOCKIN’ my SMS… as I c the same guys everyday… lets not push corruption people… that’s my R2 that I was suppose to cal my lady with…

WHERE is ZAKUMI???
I was in Germany in 2006 for the WORLD CUP for 3 games… the marketing TEAM did a wonderful job – from the Conf Cup to the World Cup!

Mr. Idiot (underground  Diskioff part-time writer)
WANNA SPEAK TO HIM?
email: proffesor.khumalo.diskioff@gmail.com

The best PSL season to date

Many of you will agree with me. This has been the most exciting PSL season ever. All the teams are strong, except for few: Bay United (Sundowns medicine) and Bloemfontein Celtic (relegation candidates).

It was drama all the way, Mamelodi Sundowns signing everyone (who was good) and calling that quality, shame!! Now it proves to be quantity. Everyone wants to get the piece of them (Sundowns), changing and chopping of coaches (Part of the PSL, we are not surprised).

Bay United coming to the elite league flying, walloping Sundowns and then went to sleep, and celebrate the achievement. Kaizer Chiefs signing none contracted players (I don't blame them, you pay lots of molar for these guys only to play nonsense, and it’s a good business move, way to go Kaizer).

At last Iron Duke realized that he'll never fill all his pockets with all the money in the world, he doing wonders to Bhakajuju, he bought good players recently and Pirates’ performance is improving.

Owen Da Gama - what is happening? He did well at Platinum Stars and he said he can do better at the BIG THREE (so-called). He went to Orlando Pirates and we all know what happened. Then moved to Free State Stars, shame ODG why aim high (well too high for your shoes). Hope you have learned something and continue with Celtic even if they get relegated.

The team scored so much goals this season, I am talking about the walloping of four nil to other teams and more, Supersport United was taught a football lesson over the weekend, as for Ajax Cape Town and Mabhuti Khenyeza they are still in a good condition to win the league if they keep their milk away from the flies (PSL hungry strikers).

As for Chiefs: the usual, the refs are always the helping hand to this team. What is happened to the youngsters that were the talk in every taxi and train? They always win unconvincingly except for the perfect win against Thanda Royal Zulu on Sunday. They always get penalties for free… the same luck seems to be going to Pirates kulamalanga.

Transfer window is so close. Players moving side ways, likes of Mpho Tshabangu leaving Sundowns, Gert Schalkwyk to Bloem Celtic! WOW… Mushin Etugral is wasting our talent; it was Scara Ngobese and now Gert, what is happened to the terrible twins??

The worse signing so far is Sundown's left back Phelani Mpangase. This guy is a good player, but unfortunately he is not Sundowns material. He needs to mature and gain confidence before he can be a complete Downs material.

If Mr. Motsepe really wants to dominate Africa he must look at what players he's got (if they can wallop PSL first) Mpangase is really a hard worker, but not a smart worker. Hope he improves in time for his sake……………

Nito (Diskioff writer)
nito.diskioff@gmail.com

Come on GUYS... dont let us down!!!

It's gud to know that LGA is on everybody’s tongue these days... and they’ve stolen the spotlight…The awards have made a greater impact… Congrats to the whole team, the best player, the manager, Mnqithi and umphathi mama Mato. Yu all did a great job! Owww not 4get us the great supporters.

But eish... ay man bafana... niyazihlaza emphakathini… and NIYAPHOXA!! Couldn’t you just stay there and hold the position? Just for once, once, once!!! You must kik everybody and take things by storm…

We still love you though... Richard Henyekane yu really waited long for this moment and you’ve been very patient... Congrats boy!

by Puleng

Welcome to Red Star Brigade Mr. Parker!!

Bernard Parker is coming in my club Red Star Brigade, European champion, in 1991. I hope he is good as they said. We supporters are not racist. In Red Star we have 5 black players so no problem for Parker to be 6th.

We know what is a good player and we wish Parker all the luck in Red Star. Come on Parker to beat Partizan in your first game. You will see us supporters (http://www.delije.com/) and trust me we are the best in Europe.

See the clips and will know what I said to you. Once again good luck Parker in my country and don't disappoint us.

Welcome to Red Star Brigade Mr. Parker!!

by Tesla

GREAT job Amakhosi

Amakhosi for life! We rocked the stadium yesterday it was good atmosphere but then what good win. Nale is doing a GREAT job indeed the boy is getting it rite.

Hope the South African style does not get the best of him mean be too big for his shoes. Wish he could focus on his game and do more extra work for himself that will make him the best attacking striker in the country.

But if you could partner the two Gert it was gonna be a disaster but well its water under the bridge. For now congrats to the team again!!!

by Zwelithini

We need to start getting points

It was great to see us filling up the stadium with only 30 Mamelodi Sundowns supporters. But yes, they beat us with a long 1-0 at the end…

THANKS to a lucky GOAL by Moriri! The game last week Wednesday was not bad. We came back strongly but we never got through to score. I'm happy with the fighting spirit we have compared to last times we played against Sundowns.

At least now the management is buying players as we need to get out of that relegation zone. We are a BIG team… and we need to challenge for the LEAGUE. We play Thanda Royal Zulu on the 25th of January 2009.

That game for us it’s a must win. The players and coach must understand that we are not going to the stadium for a DRAW or LOOSE! We are going there for a WIN… nothing else, but a WIN!

by Lucas

Where are YOU soccer supporters?

Where are soccer fans? I become so worried when I see stadium seats empty like this... Fans must come to the stadiums.

When your teams loose a game, do not STOP going to the stadiums. Keep going to the stadiums even if your team doesn't perform well.

By so doing, you will bring back the winning strength to your team. Your team needs your support!

From Ngcobo 2010
Khosi 4 Life

Kushubile: Big Teams getting act together!!

Orlando Pirates is number 3 and Kaizer Chiefs is number 4, which means the big teams in SA are getting their act together, they are promising shame.

Can Iron Duke open his cheque book and buy us Itumeleng Khune from Chiefs, I can no longer stand watching Moeneeb Josephs in goals week in and week out the guy is no different 2 Zakumi, they are both popeyes.

by Sonwabile

Transfer news and Views, I know them all

I always love this time of the season, mostly because the soccer websites, newspapers, radio shows are hyper active with rumours, truths, half truths and lies.

This is the transfer window of cause, so far the biggest news has been Lerato Chabangu dumping the aristocrats of South African football Mamelodi Sundowns for Supersport United.

Abia Nale joining Kaizer Chiefs and Katlego Mashego joining Orlando Pirates, and Excellent Walaza going to Supersport United.

I suspect there is a lot more we can expect, I can bet you now that Pirates will sign two or more players in addition to Mashego if they can help it. Ajax Cape Town have made the Free State their happy hunting ground and Diyo Sibisi is said to be their target.

There has been some interesting rumours as well, notably that Josta Dladla has signed a pre contract with Kaizer Chiefs, Yoh, we shall see. Other rumours are that Gert Schalkwyk is fed up with Muhsin and has signed a pre contract with Bucs, as a result Chiefs don’t want him at their camp and have loaned him to Celtics, Yoh again!

I even heard that Nyandoro is headed for Pirates, well many of these will not materialize I assume but one thing with us football people is that we never say never. It will be interesting to see where Mabizela ends up, but don’t rule out him remaining a Sundowns player.

I think the price tag will be huge, more as a deterrent to other teams, Somehow I don’t believe Sundowns want to lose a player of such quality on the field of player though he behaves like a moron off it, they did after all buy Gift Leremi who was also a handful off the field.

One thing I am liking so far is that Pirates have been willing to release their development players albeit on loan, in addition to the Walaza move, Tlou Segolela has gone to Bloemfontein Celtics, secondly players suddenly realize that actually playing football is more important for their careers than sitting on the stands at a big club, the other Dhladla has moved to Maritzburg United.

This is an opportunity for the following players to seek moves, Joseph Makhanya, he has been at Pirates for so long… he is basically part of the training kit.

Manqoba Ngwenya, dude, stop behaving like Trott Moloto, stop begging and get a club that will field you.

Gerald Sibeko, my man you have been at Chiefs for so long but people don’t even recognize you in the street because you don’t feature, make a plan bro.

Lungisani Ndlela, please man, you know you are wasting your time, how about Swallows?

Lastly for all the teams that are in the market and are not afraid to spend money , if you want a defender, a good defender, make an offer to Golden Arrows for Siyabonga Sangweni, if you are looking at a good midfielder, try Benedict Vilakazi, a player like that on the bench!! Angazi, for a striker, try Petrus Mahlatse, he looks like he is tired of Bloemfontein, and I know I would be after three seasons.

We will revisit these and other issues next week, I Know them ALL.

MR KNOW IT ALL
Mr. Know it ALL’s I write what I like

What does Michel mean about AVERAGE!

Come to think of it......... Mamelodi Sundowns is an average team as much as Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Moroka Swallows, Bloemfontein Celtic and the whole lot except you know who. Ajax Cape Town is between good and very good with the likes of Supersport United and Golden Arrows.

I think it is about time supporters face facts and forget about sentiments or allegiance. They sometimes behave like ostriches by denying facts as they so often still want to hold on to STATS of yesteryears.

I think the Sundowns coach (Henri Michel) has the guts to say what he said as he works with his players on a daily basis and irrespective whether we want to deny it his comment), he is coming from a higher standard (Ivory Cost, Morocco, Zamalek etc) if you were to compare our Nation Team against the mentioned National Teams.

With regards to CAF club games, the least said the better for we are so far behind; we still need to cross the Sahara Dessert before we can see the fading footsteps of the year 2000 of the teams up north of the equator.

To truth is...... the truth HURTS whether we like it or not. South African soccer is not as powerful as we want or make all to believe because we are still trapped with the idea that we are the best in Africa. It is just cause of the love of the game and our teams that we are still flocking to the stadiums.

Our teams cannot even compete against teams from the SADC region, yet we want to claim the scalps of the likes of, Zamalek, Al Hilal etc. Enough is enough that we PRETEND that we know and are the best in Africa.

Even PSL teams are not consistent, yet we expect miracles when our soldiers / troops run onto the field. Maybe we should have only night games (forget about broadcasters as everybody will be at the game) to get a better product on the field of play as in Spain as the heat is killing our players.

DISKIOFF

I blame management for the DOWNFALL

Mr. Patrice MOTSEPE's name is tarnishing with time. Only because he is the president.

His way of management is liberal and he allows and takes feedback from supporters, players and management.

To Mamelodi Sundowns' downfall, I blame management. They only are interested in the money that Mr. Motsepe invests in Sundowns and forget about doing their job in ensuring that Sundowns' wins! I bet there are those that, within Sundowns, are out to see Sundowns go down.

Unfortunately, Mr. Motsepe, to my opinion, doesn’t have a lot of experience in running a soccer team. I am sure he is learning a lot, and being a person that he is, his investment in Sundowns will soon pay out. Can’t wait for that era!

So, us supporters, we can only allow Sundowns to win, loose and draw while they are undergoing this recession or transformation just like all other.

by Andrew

New Year, New Offices

Bay United has moved to bigger and better new headquarters.

Made up of three independent homes standing next to one another, the new office houses the club's management and administrative support staff for now.

Club officials have moved in even though there’s still a lot of repair and construction work being done.

The physical address is number 12 Cape Road, Newton Park, Port Elizabeth, 6055.
041 374 3829.

Umlilo face Moroka Swallows this Sunday at The EPRU Stadium.
 Tickets range between R20 - R35

Watsha Umlilo

Go on and take a bow

It is time the North West take a bow, yet again. This is a province that had not had a PSL team for sometime. Now it’s doing everything right, and not so long, we will have more teams from the province competing on the elite league. If you look at it, this province has two teams in the PSL, given that the President (Mr. Motsepe) is a Platinum Resident.

It was music to our ears, all of us in the North West, to hear that the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace is ready for the Confederations Cup. There is a whole lot of good that Ntate George Khonou and his team are doing. Their effort cannot go unnoticed. They are doing everyone in the Platinum Province proud, and making the country reliable to Fifa.

I went to Phokeng on the 30th of December and construction at the Stadium was going on and you could see that everyone is pulling all stops to complete the stadium in time. Mr. Khunou and the team are visionary, and that’s why Platinum Stars will soon be a force to be reckoned with.

I get surprised to read that Kaizer Chiefs will be the first team to own a stadium in the country, well, we at the Platinum Province have a team that owns a stadium that is ready to host the world at any given time.

Big up to everyone who had a hand in making all this a success.

Baile (Diskioff manager)
baile.diskioff@gmail.com