League is a marathon Masandawana

The Premier Soccer League is a marathon Masandawana (Mamelodi Sundowns supporters). You win some and lose some. That's how soccer is. Our disappointing lost (Mamelodi Sundowns 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs) does not mean we cannot win the league.

We are still on course and were beaten by a team (Kaizer Chiefs) who will never take the league. We must also not forget that we are still building with a new coach (Johan Neeskens) and some new players. There are some positive things we can focus on rather than troubling ourselves with negative things.

For instance Deco (Teko Modise) is totally back. He has been consistent with his form for past four consecutive games including of Sunday’s one against Amakhosi. We have discovered a marvelous player in Themba Mangethe. He needs to be taken care of as he has a great potential.

Our supporters came in great numbers and I was pleased to see them clapping hands for encouragement to players after the game. They were also vibrant even outside the Loftus Versfeld Stadium after end of the game. Chiefs  supporters looked unhappy despite the win. Let us keep the spirit of support as we turn our focus to the next game.

By Akek Zikhali 

South African football is in a crisis

Following the recent failure of Bafana Bafana, Under-23 (Baby Bafana) and Amajita... one can boldly declare that our football is in a crisis state... only Safa (South African Football Association) President Kirsten Nematandani will dispute this material fact!

Now, a lot has contributed to this accelerated decline, for now, I’ll focus on a one 10th of the problem.

The adopted selection criteria... our fans, media, coaches, cheerleaders and all that bunch of patheticians have this misleading belief that for the national team, players should be selected based on form.

That is complete nonsense... for national team, players should be selected based on class, one should show consistent good performances over a long period of time, i.e., at least a season.

This thing of selecting playas like Wayne Sandilands, Musa Nyatama, Hlompho Kekana, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Ruben Cloete, Mzivukile Tom, Sthembiso Ngcobo, George Lebese etc are taking us nowhere, sure, at some point they were on form, but did they sustain it?

In the current crop of newcomers, only Oupa Manyisa and Andile Jali deserve their place, as they’ve been consistent for a sustained period!

Now, let this May Mahlangu boy maintain his form for at least a third of the next season, and then I’ll make noise about him.

By Sidwell 'Feesh' Francis

Testing the “adidas adiZero F50 powered by miCoach”

After getting the chance to test the adidas adiPower Predator in June, I was then give the opportunity to test out the latest intelligent football boot, the adidas adiZero F50 powered by miCoach. These are the most state-of-the-art boots that adidas has released since … well, errr ... never!

The adiZero f50 is worn by top football stars like Leo Messi (FC Barcelona), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates) Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), Daine Klate (Orlando Pirates), Thomas Müller (Bayern München) and Diego Milito (Inter Milan), to name a few.

This past Saturday in the Masidla Soccer Tournament semi-finals it was my turn to test these colorful boots – and this is what I discovered about the new adidas adiZero F50 powered by miCoach.

Breaking in the Boot

You will be pleased to hear that the adiZero F50 will suit anything from a medium to wide fit! I was a bit worried when my friend said that these boots are too light to use. Weighing in at 165 grams, the adiZero F50 are the most lightweight soccer boots on the market.

Performance

I managed to play with the boots the whole 90 minutes (we did not have any subs on our bench …) and my experience was actually wonderful, despite me finishing all my oxygen! The adiZero F50 don’t make you run fast like a cheetah, but gives you a mental advantage; it's just much easier playing in these boots.

Striking the Ball

Striking the ball with these boots is awesome. Because they are lightweight, you can generate more power in the swing of your leg, allowing for quick release shots in tight areas. The bodywork of the shoe also provides a good amount of stiffness when striking the ball.

Design

I have to say the design of the adiZero F50 is great and wearing the boots really made me stand out from all the guys – I almost felt sense I just had to perform well in such a colourful pair of boots.

Technology
The cool part of adiZero F50 is that after playing you can check your stats: data performance, which includes speed, maximum speed, number of sprints, distance, distance at high intensity levels and time. That's if you are using the chip on a smartphone thanks to miCoach – that’s why they say it’s a boot with a brain.


Conclusion
The overall look and performance of the boot is very competitive, and they offer a great mix of power with a lightweight feel. They also offer excellent comfort and traction which make these boots a very complete package. If you're looking for a pair of top quality lightweight boots, I suggest you try out the adidas adiZero F50 powered by miCoach.

Proffesor’s rating (out of 10)

Comfort – 10 out of 10

Performance – 9 out of 10

Striking – 10 out of 10

Design – 9 out of 10

Technology – 10 out of 10


By Proffesor Khumalo

Premier Soccer League getting hot

Once again, we bring you the silly stats after 13 rounds of the Premier Soccer League.  208 games played, 272 remaining (this is going to go by fast and if you not looking)

What I like about this league so far, is the consistency we observe, all the teams are playing the same amount of games (unlike before where some teams would be 5 games behind).

So, where do we start?  First league win or loss???

Guess for the hype, we could talk about the first loss… SuperSport United hitting the brakes hard!!! Ellis Park nickname that the “Ghosts” gave should move to Orlando… (House of Pain), SuperSport did not see what hit them (Orlando Pirates 3-0 SuperSport United), all they know is, and it was painful. But then again, all they have to do is focus on winning the games that they need to win as they are still in the driving seat.

Jomo (Jomo Cosmos coach and owner) done did it in style; the first goal is worth a mention… what a sublime skill to cool tuck it nicely in the top right corner… I yearn for such goals on a regular (Jomo Cosmos 2-1 Platinum Stars).

• 240 goals scored in 208 games (1.15 per game)
• 7 out of 16 teams are scoring above average)
• 6 out of 16 are conceding below the conceding average

Mamelodi Sundowns scores more goals than everyone at 10.42% of all goals scored.

Some teams in the top half are conceding @ an alarming rate, either there is little defense, (16, 18 and 15).

Defensive kingpins are SuperSport United, Free State Stars, Kaizer Chiefs, and AmaZulu with 9 conceded so far.

Enjoy!!!

By Bra Pule 

adidas Presents The Official Match Ball For The UEFA EURO 2012

adidas and UEFA presented the adidas “Tango 12”, the Official Match Ball for the UEFA EURO 2012™. The ball was unveiled on stage during the UEFA EURO 2012™ finals draw by former Ukrainian Olympic pole vaulter Sergey Bubka.

adidas Tango 12: Inspired by the classic Tango design

Based on the classic Tango design used during both the FIFA World Cup™ and UEFA EURO™ tournaments during the early 1980s, the adidas Tango 12 features a modern interpretation of the design including a coloured outline inspired by the flags of the two host nations – Poland and Ukraine. Etched into the Tango design are three bespoke graphics which celebrate the decorative art of paper cutting, a tradition in the rural areas of both host countries and link to the key characteristics of football – unity, rivalry and passion.

“The adidas Tango 12 is based on an iconic design which is known by players and football fans throughout the world, and it is great to see the design reinterpreted in such a creative fashion for the UEFA EURO 2012 tournament,” commented David Taylor, CEO of UEFA Events SA.

Complementing the design, the adidas Tango 12 features a series of triangular panels that are thermally bonded together to ensure a true, stable flight path. Covering each panel of the ball is a grip texture which supports boot to ball contact and enhances ball control. Beneath the outer surface of the ball lies a woven carcass and a new bladder for increased air retention and reduced water uptake.

The adidas Tango 12, which has been developed over a two-year period, underwent two rigorous types of testing - qualitative player testing, which was conducted across eight different countries, using players, federations and clubs from both elite and grass roots football, and quantitative lab testing, which concluded that the adidas Tango 12 meets and exceeds all FIFA Approved Standards for an Official Match Ball making it the most tested ball adidas has ever produced.

adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer commented: “The adidas Tango 12 is a combination of many years of football tradition coupled with extensive player and lab testing to make it the most tested ball adidas has ever produced.”

The adidas Tango 12 is the eleventh Official Match Ball produced for the UEFA EURO™ tournament leading on from a rich history in adidas football development which started in 1963. During that period, three Tango inspired designs have been produced for the UEFA EURO™ tournaments – the 1980 Tango River Plate, the 1984 Tango Mundial and the 1988 Tango Europa – making the adidas Tango 12 the fourth in its history. 

The adidas Tango 12 will be used on field during the UEFA EURO 2012™ which kicks off on June 8th when tournament hosts Poland take to the field at The National Stadium Warsaw. All competing federations will receive an allocation of thirty Official Match Balls during the week commencing December 5th, six months ahead of the tournament, for training and competitive use. The adidas Tango 12 is available for purchase in adidas retail outlets and associated stockists as of December 3rd.  For further information on adidas products and services please visit: www.adidas.com/football or www.adidasnewsstream.com

Mamelodi Sundowns Prayer

Father in the name of Jesus we to thank you for Mamelodi Sundowns. 

We pray for the President Mr. Patrice Motsepe and may you continue to bless him together with his family, we pray that you give them strenght all the time....

We also pray for the coach and all the technical staff. We particularly pray for the players of Mamelodi Sundowns as the are facing the team they are playing against, Lord give them strength and give them your wisdom to conquer.

Father we thank you for the supporters of Mamelodi Sundowns... Amasandawana all over the country, let them lord fill the stadiums and be joyous whenever they come support their team and not tire.

Bless them and give them strength oh God in the name of Jesus Christ I pray, May the favour of our Lord rest upon us... AMEN!

By Javas Nkambule

Mabena is not a bad player

Is Orlando Pirates striker Ndumiso “Pastor” Mabena a very good player or he just had a very good game on Saturday against SuperSport United (Orlando Pirates 3-0 SuperSport United)? I don’t think he is a bad player but what is my mind against thousand minds which rules him below par?

Are we so easy to please in that the humiliation he got before was a mistake or he is looking promising to have improved?

I may say he had a great potential but the worst weakness "Sitters" and score amazing goals. I have an advice to him:

"We all know you are no+ going to score on one on one situations either with the keeper or the empty net therefore my brotherly advice is that whenever u find yourself in that position, pass the ball into the leften side as I will order Daine Klate to wait and whip a cross for you to slot home...

That is because all your goals since you were born came from corner kicks or a square pass. Please stop assaulting Kaizer Chiefs in the bars because I heard you are a Pastor, what were you doing in the bar?"

Thugacation

By Zamile Educated-Thug Selepe

Vermezovic doesn't have the right material

I personally feel there is NOTHING wrong with Vladimir Vermezovic, he is a very good coach but the problem is that he doesn't have the right material to work with. When he takes on our players, we quickly jump in to protect them. Our players are SISSIES (excl. Josta Dladla, Tinashe Nengomasha, Lucky Baloyi, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Bernard Parker).

We do not have players that want to die for this team!! Right now I can see that there's division between the team. It is NOT because Vermezovic is failing us BUT its because the players are doing this SH!T on purpose so they can have Vermezovic fired!!

I know this for I’ve seen the same thing being done before by South African players, they did it to Mazinyo (Ernst Middendorp) and after he was fired, we saw the same Kaizer Chiefs players playing an attractive football like something had been lifted off their shoulders. I blame the management and the players for what's happening to this team.

These players do NOT care about how supporters feel!! They can lose ten games in a row if they like, they know that at the end of the month they'll get their FAT SALARIES! Vermezovic, I salute you Sir. You know your job, with the mediocre material you have, you still managed to win some trophies, if you had QUALITYplayers and NOT sissies your team would be untouchable.

I wish we could get a whole new squad, players that wants to play for KAIZER CHIEFS, players that would die for us, players that their priority, players of today only want to fill their pockets first. Keep pointing fingers at Vermezovic people, but he is NOT the one who misses sitters during the game, he is NOT the one who made mistakes that costed us the game against SuperSport United!

I am NOT surprised that even SuperSport has more quality than us, we are SCREWED!!! Even Bidvest Wits has better players now. What I would do if I had power or if I was Kaizer Motaung Senior, 1. I would first call-up a meeting, clarify everything with players especially. 2. Keep the coach but tell him to apologise for going off at certain players in public. 3. Remove Bobby Motaung from that position and give to a QUALIFIED manager, somebody who's not a Motaung family member. 4. Loan out and sell some players. 5. Buy Quality players.

These are the players to loan out and sell

1. Lucky Khune (loan)

2. Mthokozisi Yende (loan)

3. Thomas Sweswe (sell / clearance)

4. Lincoln Zvasiya (loan)

5. Abia Nale (sell)

6. Dominic Mateba (loan)

7. Sthembiso Ngcobo (sell)

8. Steven Ncanana (sell / clearance)

9. Kabelo Metsimetsi (free agent)

10. Dominic Isaacs (sell)

And these are the players to buy: Erwin Isaacs (Santos), Sifiso Myeni (Bidvest Wits), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Thabo September (Supersport United), and 3 foreigners (2 strikers and 1 center back) mainly from Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast or any African top 5 ranked countries.

And we can also try to lure George Maluleke (Ajax Cape Town). Mzuvukile Tom (Golden Arrows) and try to get Elias Pelembe (Mamelodi Sundowns), cos he'll be a free agent soon. That’s all that’s needed!

By Bongani Shez

adidas unveils Orlando Pirates "special edition" 75th anniversary jersey

adidas, the leading sports brand, today revealed the new limited edition Orlando Pirates jersey which represents the celebration of the club’s 75^th anniversary. The players will come out in their new kit when they take on BIDvest Wits during the Telkom Knockout Cup Final in Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium next Saturday.

“Orlando Pirates gave us a brief to develop an anniversary jersey that celebrated the rich history of the club as well as the bright and exciting future. The design inspiration came from the strip used by the all-conquering 1973 team that won all trophies that were on offer in that season,” says Zobuzwe Ngobese, the Public Relations Manager at adidas South Africa.

 adidas has also developed a special anniversary logo, using the round logo which dates back to the 50s and was used until the late 60s as inspiration.

“For the inner-neck logo we used the original logo as an inspiration with 1937 accompanying it. As a result of close interaction between adidas and the Club, respecting the history and celebrating the future, we have created a jersey that all Buccaneers can be proud of,” adds Ngobese.

As the defending league champions and MTN8 Cup winners, Orlando Pirates seem to be on their way to emulating the class of 1973.

“Whilst our focus is always on providing for the future, it is equally important that we look to commemorate our long and rich heritage. As one of the oldest football clubs in Africa, it is imperative that we celebrate these key milestones.

With the club turning 75 years next year, the Telkom Knockout Cup Final has presented a perfect platform for Orlando Pirates Football Club to mark the beginning of the celebrations, which will be carried throughout 2012” says Mickey Modisane, the Public Relations Officer at Orlando Pirates.

The new jersey features 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 and focuses 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.

The jersey will retail at a recommended retail price of R 599 and will be available in retail shops from Monday the 05^th of December.

Check all the Orlando Pirates "special edition" 75th anniversary jersey pictures - http://goo.gl/IvHJH

The following retailers will have stock of the new Orlando Pirates replica jerseys:

•       adidas concept stores,

•       Totalsports, Studio88,

•       Edgars, Cross Trainer, 

•       Ismail Cassim & Sons,

•       Ndumiso Sports,

•       Poobie Naidoo,

•       Beaver Canoe,

•       Mike Sports,

•       Jack Lemkus,

•       Solly M Sports,

•       Daks International,

•      Mikka and other selected retail outlets while stocks last.