Football: The ultimate soap opera

The beautiful game has once again delivered one of the most gripping seasons both on the domestic front and abroad. The drama has surpassed anything a daily soap opera could deliver with particularly the managers feeling the pressure. Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp has had no such qualms as his juggernaut Reds chase an unprecedented quadruple in England and in Europe.

Klopp’s biggest concern, though, has been trying to secure his star forward Mohamed Salah on a new long-term contract. However, with the sand running out of the hour glass in relation to Salah’s future, the German mastermind may have already secured a replacement in Diogo Jota. The Portuguese international has silently become a club hero in his short time at Anfield and is fast shaping into the future of Liverpool. He is our cover story for this month.

Other managers have not been as fortunate with Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy seeking new pastures after being axed at AmaZulu just one season after leading Usuthu to the CAF Champions League, while Kaizer Chiefs may finally realise that “local is lekker” with the appointment of Arthur Zwane and Dillon Sheppard on a permanent basis after Englishman Stuart Baxter was shown the door.

The Fifa World Cup is, of course, also happening later this year in Qatar and everyone on the continent is crossing their fingers that the Arabian desert will be a happy hunting ground for Africa’s Big Five.

We certainly hope that you enjoy our “Football Special”, although we haven’t forgotten your other favourites, such as the South African team’s rise up the United Rugby Championship table and the groundbreaking Proteas women’s team’s continued quest.

Until next month …

Zaahier Adams