Soccerzela • Issue 12 • 2020

THE VOICE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL! ISSUE 12 | WWW.SOCCERZELA.CO.ZA

SOCCERZELA THE PUSKÁS AWARD

2O2O VISION

FINAL WHISTLE BLOWS FOR MARADONA

IT’S MERRY-GOROUND TIME FOR PSL COACHES!

Will Kekana triumph?

The Year in Review

A N

Always and forever football stars

EL 19 E N 87 GC -2 O O NG 2O C A

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

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EDITOR’S NOTE

THE VOICE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL www.soccerzela.co.za Editor-in-Chief: Zaahid Nanabhay Tel: +27 61 495 1387 info@soccerzela.co.za Managing Director: Imraan Mahomed imraan@isikhova.co.za Publishing Director: Jason Aarons jason@isikhova.co.za Operations Director: Thuli Majola thuli@isikhova.co.za Creative Director: Joanne Brook joanne@isikhova.co.za Sales Director: Jenny Justus Tel: +27 83 450 6052 jenny@isikhova.co.za

ED’S note Welcome to issue 12 of the Soccerzela monthly magazine! What a roller-coaster of a year 2020 has been but we’ve made it! After an unthinkable five-month football suspension in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, play eventually resumed with majority of the world’s league’s completing their respective seasons.

The past month has been a near perfect summary of the year with South Africa with the football world being left in mourning following the deaths of football icon Diego Maradona and South African star Anele Ngcongca, we pay tribute to the two in this month’s edition.

As far as 2020 went, ‘change’ took an unprecedented position in the lives of just about everyone. We’ve had to change the way we

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live, touch and communicate due to COVID-19. The Premier Soccer

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at who’s patiently waiting to jump into the action in the coming weeks.

Jonathan Yarwood Tel: +27 82 407 8627 jonno@isikhova.co.za

Fifa Puskás Award comes to the fore after yet another Hlompho

Contributors Dylan Bettencourt, Happy Masango, Sinethemba Mbatha, Pro Philani.

League and ‘change’ are an ongoing recipe for either success or disaster with teams consistently changing coaches. We take a look

South Africa’s unique love-hate relationship with the prestigious Kekana nomination, we take a look at all of the nominees for the upcoming ‘The Best’ awards while we relive the 2020 Champions from across the major competitions in pictures.

On behalf of the Soccerzela team we would like to thank every reader for sticking with us throughout this highly challenging year.

Our condolences, love and strength to those that have lost loved ones and jobs or are fighting other personal battles. We wish you a

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prosperous new year.

Zaahid Nanabhay Editor-in-chief

The views and statements expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor or the publishers and neither the publishers nor Soccerzela accept responsibility for them. No person connected with the publication of this magazine will be liable for any loss or damage sustained as a result of action following any statements or opinions expressed herein. The same applies to all advertising. Soccerzela© 2020. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publishers.

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ISSUE 12

CONTENTS

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15

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contents 03 23

THE PSL COACHING MERRY-GO-ROUND WHO’S WHO IN THE COACHING QUEUE

THE PUSKÁS AWARD WILL KEKANA TRIUMPH?

09 25

COVID-19 THE LATEST UPDATES (14 DECEMBER 2020)

ARGENTINE HERO DIEGO MARADONA – THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

15 26

THE YEAR IN REVIEW 2020 IN PICTURES

GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN RIP ANELE NGCONGCA

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LOST HEROES

ANELE NGCONGCA

GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

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LOST HEROES

BY HAPPY MASANGO

The roads have claimed yet another South African footballer’s life. This time, Mamelodi Sundowns’ defender Anele Ngcongca. The former Bafana Bafana star defender passed on tragically after succumbing to injuries following a motor-vehicle accident on the November 23, 2020.

In a then statement, South African Police Service brigadier Jay Naicker said: “At 05:00 this morning (23 November), a vehicle with two occupants lost control and overturned on the N2 freeway near Mtunzini. A 33-year-old man was declared dead. The driver sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital for medical attention.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation. A case of culpable homicide has been opened for investigation by Mtunzini SAPS.” The tragic news was later confirmed by the Kwa-Zulu Natal IFP. “The news of the passing of the former Bafana Bafana and Sundowns defender has shattered the country, and the soccer fraternity as a whole.

Much more was still expected from this talented player as he had just signed a lucrative contract with AmaZulu FC uSuthu Olumabhesh’ ankone last Friday.

The lanky Cape Town-born de-

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IT IS DEVASTATING THAT ROAD ACCIDENTS CONTINUE TO ROB US OF OUR YOUNG TALENT.

fender will be remembered for his exceptional gift, which saw him flying the SA flag overseas in the Belgian KSV Roeselare, and many other teams.

“It is devastating that road accidents continue to rob us of our young talent. The IFP would

like to send heartfelt condolences to Anele’s family, soccer fans, Sundowns FC and the AmaZulu FC CEO, Dr Sandile Zungu, who recently assumed ownership of the KwaZulu-Natal based club.

We hope this tragic accident will not lessen his motivation to grow the team. May Anele Ngcongca’s soul rest in peace.”

Ngcongca‚ born in Gugulethu in Cape Town‚ moved to Genk from that city’s first-division FC Fortune at 19 in 2007. There, he won the Jupiler Pro League title in 2010-11 and three cup trophies. Ngcongca later moved to French Ligue 1 side Troyes FC

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before returning back home to Mamelodi Sundowns where he formed part of Pitso Mosimane’s dream team.

He went on to win the ABSA Premiership on three occasions with Mamelodi Sundowns while also winning the Telkom Knockout, CAF Super Cup and Nedbank Cup under coach Pitso Mosimane. He earned over 50 national team caps for Bafana Bafana between 2009 and 2016.

Following the death of his former player, Pitso Mosimane recalls how he convinced Anele to come back to South Africa because he was going through injuries. “He was in France [for Troyes] but not playing‚ in

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HE EARNED OVER 50 NATIONAL TEAM CAPS FOR BAFANA BAFANA BETWEEN 2009 AND 2016.

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Belgium‚ having injuries. But I would check him and watch his games [online]‚ and I said‚ ‘No‚ Anele is too good’.

“I used to check on Anele ahead of the [2010] World Cup and travel to Belgium and watch him‚ and speak to Parreira‚ and say: “Hey‚ this boy will do well in the World Cup”. It’s big history. We played him against France [in Bafana’s 2-1 World Cup win in Bloemfontein]‚ it’s unbelievable‚ against Franck Ribery - we never regretted it.

“He had never played Premier League in South Africa and I went to Belgium to fetch him‚ and brought him to play for Mamelodi Sundowns. When he arrived he was injured and out for about four months. I was patient. And what a player he was.

“We used him at right-back instead of Thapelo Morena in the big Champions League games. Local games‚ attack a lot‚ play Morena; when you want to wrap the game quickly‚ play Morena. Against Wydad‚ Al Ahly‚ Esperance‚ all those big games‚ we used Anele. Experience.

He told Thapelo‚ ‘This is what you do at right-back‚ this is how you play right-back’. Not a competitor. One of those guys who says‚ ‘I need to take the jersey at the right place.’

[Tiyani] ‘Sugar’ Mabunda‚ Hlompho Kekana‚ Denis Onyango‚ the big boys‚ they kept it quiet. And‚ ja‚ to lose him like that - young guy. Ja‚ it’s very sad for me. He was in KZN. I don’t think he would have been playing for AmaZulu if I was the Sundowns coach.”

South Africa has lost a growing number of footballers to motor vehicle accidents over the recent years while many players have also suffered career ending injuries on the roads, the list includes: Lesley Manyathela – 9 August 2003 Gift Leremi – 3 September 2007 Richard Henyekane – 7 April 2015 Cecil Lolo – 25 October 2015

“He used to be part of my dressing room - Wayne Arendse‚

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Mondli Cele – 17 January 2016 Mlondi Dlamini – 8 October 2017 Mogau Tshehla – 15 February 2018 Sinethemba Jantjie – 1 April 2019 Thembinkosi Mbamba – 25 May 2019 Anele Ngcongca – 23 November 2020 Motjeka Madisha 13 December 2020

I CANNOT EXPLAIN ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF ADHERING TO SPEED LIMITS AND OTHER DRIVING REGULATIONS.

South Africa pays tribute to Anele Ngcongca: “AmaZulu FC and Mamelodi Sundowns FC extend their deepest condolences to the Ngcongca family‚ team-mates‚ supporters and the broader football fraternity‚ as well as everyone who was touched by the life of this exceptional football ambassador. At this point‚ both clubs would like to request that maximum privacy be afforded to the Ngcongca family during this very difficult time and allow the pertinent authorities to conduct the relevant investigations.” - Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu

a number of our players through road accidents and I cannot explain enough the importance of adhering to speed limits and other driving regulations. Do not drink and drive. Do not speed beyond the allowed speed limit and take rest when you’re tired‚” SAFA President Danny Jordaan.

“2020 has been a terrible year‚ economically‚ socially and we have lost many of our beloved ones. Anele’s death just sums up this dreadful year. We have lost

“It is with sadness that one has to make this tribute to Anele Ngcongca. I have been struggling the whole time to be able to put these words across and I

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felt it was unfair for the public not to know the feeling we have for having Anele for five years.

Anele was a special child of the soil, having represented us at an international space in Belgium playing for big teams, Genk being one of them, going all the way to Holland and representing the country with Bafana Bafana.”Manqoba Mngqithi.

“The only way to come out of this difficult time effortlessly is to support one another. You shared rich moments with Anele, and nobody can understand that.

You know what you experienced with him and you know the love that you had for him. Let us learn to face the circumstances of reality and not be in denial. It is a tragic moment and we have no choice but to try and accept what has happened. Emotional scars are not easy to heal,” – Steve Komphela.

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“Anele went beyond being a football player but he had a deeper role that he played in the squad and we’re all saddened and in a moment where we really feel the loss.

It will take a long time for us to recover the moment but as much as we have to mourn, we have to celebrate his life and achievements in South Africa, national team and in Belgium.

You can see the response in Belgium and that really goes to show how much impact he had, if you see Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois also celebrating his life. A club like Genk retiring his jersey signifies his personality, how important he was and how many lives he touched.” – Rhulani Mokwena.

“And as a football player, probably one of the best I have ever seen represent our country, he played for Genk for many years as you know. He was in the team of the century at Genk with players like Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Curtois, Romelu Lukaku. I watched Anele play in Belgium and honestly if you speak to people in football in Belgium they will tell you he was one of the best right-backs.”

Mike Mekaab.

Both Mamelodi Sundowns and Genk are set to retire Jersey number 16, the number which the deceased football star wore at either side. Anele Ngcongca, gone but never forgotten - 1987 to 2020. Ù

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INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

SOUTH AFRICA’S LOVEHATE RELATIONSHIP

WITH THE PRESTIGIOUS PUSKAS AWARD SOCCERZELA.CO.ZA

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INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

BY ZAAHID NANABHAY

Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana was named among the 11 nominees for the 2020 FIFA Puskás Award, for his stunning goal against Cape Town City during the 2019/20 Premier Soccer League season.

The Bafana Bafana midfielder was up against goals by Son Heung-min, Luis Suarez as well as Shirley Cruz for the world football governing body’s best goal of the year award.

It’s not the first time that Kekana has been nominated for the illustrious award while South Africa has been nominated on four previous occasions as well.

Four nominations for a prestigious award like that of the Puskás, is

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indeed something to be proud of!

While no South African has ever won the award, the feeling this year might be the first triumph, is completely warranted.

I DON’T KNOW ANY LIFE THAT HLOMPHO KEKANA LIVES EXCEPT FOOTBALL.

During a 1-1 draw against Cape Town City in the league on 20 August 2019, Hlompho Kekana received the ball from his Mamelodi Sundowns team-mate Rivaldo Coetzee in the middle of their opponent’s half. The 35-yearold took three deft touches before unleashing a blistering, longdistance drive that ricocheted in off the right-hand upright of Peter Leeuwenburgh’s goal.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes that if Hlompho Kekana can win the illustrious FIFA Puskás award, it can change the landscape of SA football. “I wish Hlompho could win one of these awards, more especially the Puskás because it is not the first time he’s been selected. It will also speak

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FOUR NOMINATIONS FOR A PRESTIGIOUS AWARD LIKE THAT OF THE PUSKAS, IS INDEED SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF! volumes to the landscape of the SA game if he receives it. After all, he has been very instrumental for us: he works very hard and is very committed to the game. I don’t know any life that Hlompho Kekana lives except football.

“It will be sad for me if Hlompho does not get such recognition.

If you were to look at the goals he has scored, [they are] goals of the same magnitude as the goal that has taken him to this Puskás award [nomination]. I would love for Sundowns to one day be featurde on ‘The Sky’s The Limit’ television show, to showcase the goals Hlompho scored over the years.

“When it comes to our captain, the skipper is one boy who

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deserves everything that comes his way -he a true professional.

We have won many trophies with him, I think 11. He is a machine and he works very hard.

“Others are looking at him, those who are not playing at the moment. They think maybe he has reached his sell-by date, but we know what we are doing.

We are trying to freshen him up because at a certain point in the league he’s going to be very important for us. If you look through the past few seasons,

he has been playing almost all the matches.”

South Africa’s love affair with the Puskás award In the 2009 Confederations Cup, Katlego Mphela placed the ball down for a free-kick some 30 yards away from goal. South Africa were 2-1 down in the final minute against Spain. Mphela took a short run-up before thumping the free-kick into the top right corner, out of the reach of the best goalkeeper in the world at the time, Iker Casillas.

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His stunner subsequently made it onto the first nominees’ list for the Puskás Award in 2009.

Fast forward just a year later and another South African made it onto the list, this time with the goal could very well be labelled as Africa’s biggest goal. The 2010 FIFA World Cup opening goal scored by Siphiwe Tshabalala. He volleyed a left-footed beauty past Mexico for the opening goal of the tournament earing himself a Puskás nominee.

Hlompho Kekana earned his first Puskás nominee in 2015 during a clash against Cameroon.

The Bafana Bafana scored an unthinkable goal from his own half after spotting the opposing goalkeeper off his line. Kekana later repeated the feat, proving it wasn’t a fluke, after scoring a near replica goal against Orlando Pirates. His strike for Bafana Bafana however earned him a Puskás nominee.

Next up, Oscarine Masuluke! The clock read 95 minutes during a local league match between

giants Orlando Pirates and minnows Baroka FC. Baroka were trailing 1-0 and were awarded a corner in the dying minutes.

As we often see, In a sign of desperation, Baroka goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke pushed up to add numbers in the box. The corner kick swung to the back

post and was fisted away by the Pirates’ goalkeeper to the edge of the box. Oscarine chased the ball with his back to the goal and, after a single bounce, defying physics the goalkeeper produced a bicycle kick into the top right corner to level matters with seconds left to play.

This year’s FIFA ‘The Best’ awards will take place on 17 December 2020. Nominees list in full: The Best FIFA Women’s Player Lucy Bronze (England / Olympique Lyonnais / Manchester City WFC) Pernille Harder (Denmark / VfL Wolfsburg / Chelsea FC Women) Wendie Renard (France / Olympique Lyonnais) The Best FIFA Men’s Player Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Juventus FC) Robert Lewandowski (Poland / FC Bayern München)

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Lionel Messi (Argentina / FC Barcelona) The Best FIFA Women’sGoalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi (France / Olympique Lyonnais) Christiane Endler (Chile / Paris Saint-Germain) Alyssa Naeher (USA / Chicago Red Stars) The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Alisson Becker (Brazil / Liverpool FC)

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach Emma Hayes (England / Chelsea FC Women)

– Ceará SC v. CR Flamengo [Brasileirão - Brazil] (25 August 2019)

Jean-Luc Vasseur (France / Olympique Lyonnais)

Son Heung-min (KOR) – Tottenham Hotspur FC v.

Burnley FC [Premier League England] (7 December 2019)

Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands / Dutch national team) The Best FIFA Men’s Coach Marcelo Bielsa (Argentina / Leeds United FC) Hans-Dieter Flick (Germany / FC Bayern München)

Manuel Neuer (Germany / FC Bayern München)

Jürgen Klopp (Germany / Liverpool FC)

Jan Oblak (Slovenia / Atlético de Madrid)

FIFA Puskás Award Giorgian De Arrascaeta (URU)

Luis Suárez (URU) – FC Barcelona v. RCD Mallorca [LaLiga] - Spain] (7 December 2019) All winners, including those of the FIFA Fan Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award, will be crowned on 17 December 2020 in a TV show broadcast live, starting at 19:00 CET on FIFA TV, YouTube and social media. Ù

THE PUSKÁS AWARDS STORY The FIFA Puskás Award is an award established on 20 October 2009 by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), at the behest of then-president Sepp Blatter, in order to award the player, male or female, judged to have scored the most aesthetically significant, or ‘most beautiful’, goal of the calendar year.

The award is in honour of Ferenc Puskás, the striker of Real Madrid during the late 1950s and the 1960s, and central member of the highly

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successful Hungarian side of the same era. Puskás is widely considered by many to be the most powerful and prolific forward European football produced in first-division football and scored a once world record of 84 goals in 85 internationals. He is one of the top scorers of the 20th century, with 512 goals in 528 matches.

“It is important to preserve the memory of those footballing greats who have left their mark on our history. Ferenc Puskás was not only a player with immense talent who

won many honours, but also a remarkable man. FIFA is therefore delighted to pay tribute to him by dedicating this award to his memory,” said Blatter at the inauguration of the award in Budapest.

The time-frame for the first award was July 2008 to July 2009. The annual award was presented for the first time during the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year Gala on 21 December in Switzerland, with the Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo being the first (1st) prize winner.

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DIEGO MARADONA THE BEST AND WORST OF THE CAPTIVATING FOOTBALL ICON When news broke that Diego Maradona had passed on earlier this month of a heart attack at age 60, not only the footballing world but the entire globe came to a standstill. But who exactly was this captivating figure?

The Argentinian soccer legend is one of the more intriguing sporting figures of our generation. He fought drug and alcohol addiction, depression, obesity and paternity claims.

However, he’ll most fondly be remembered for the magic he produced on the field of play.

Diego Armando Maradona, the most transcendent soccer player of his generation, perhaps of all time, lived a chaotic, tabloidready life which began at the tender age of 15. Yes, you’ve read that correctly, Maradona made his professional debut at just 15!

He was born in Lanus, Buenos Aires and grew up in Villa Fiorito, a poverty stricken town on the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires. He was the first son after four daughters born to Diego Maradona and Dalma Salvadora Franco, who was of

BY HAPPY MASANGO

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Italian decent. Maradona would go on to become arguably one of the most intriguing figures in Argentine history.

After receiving his first soccer ball at age 3, Maradona immediately fell in love with football. He would later reveal that Brazillian star Roberto Rivellino and Manchester United winger George Best were some of his favourite players growing up. Maradona was then spotted by a talent scout while playing in his neighbourhood at the age of eight.

Maradona then joined Los Cebollitas, the Buenos Aires junior team, where he played for three years before being promoted to the senior team at just 15-years-old. He became the youngest player in the history of the Argentine Primera Division when he made his debut at for Argentinos Juniors in October 1976. In five years at Argentinos Juniors, Maradona scored 115 goals in 167 appearances and had Argentina’s big guns desperate for his signature.

Napoli’s revival was largely thanks to the brilliance of their Argentine maestro.

Napoli won its second league title in 1989-90, finished runners up in the league twice, in 1987-88 and 1988-89, won the 1987 Coppa Italia, the 1989 UEFA Cup and the

1990 Italian Supercup during the Maradona era. Maradona was the all-time leading goalscorer for Napoli, with 115 goals, until his record was broken by Marek Hamsik in 2017. The Argentina wizard captained Napoli but most importantly captured Europe and most importantly Naples under his spell through his sublime touches and goals.

Maradona returned back to Argentina in 1993 after joining Newell’s Old Boys for just five games before making a comeback to the mighty Boca Juniors. He retired from club football in 1997.

Argentina’s best?

When you speak about Argentinian football, two names stand out: Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. While Lionel

HE’LL MOST FONDLY BE REMEMBERED FOR THE MAGIC HE PRODUCED ON THE FIELD OF PLAY.

He went on to play for the historic Boca Juniors team, winning a national championship there before leaving for Europe where he played for the likes of Barcelona, Napoli and Sevilla. It was at Napoli where Maradona really left his mark, he earned over 180 appearances while scoring 115 goals at the club.

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Messi has proved himself in club colours as probably one of the most remarkable footballers to walk the earth however when it comes to the national team, Diego Maradona managed to guide Argentina to World Cup honours while Lionel Messi is running out of time to match Maradona.

Maradona made his international debut with the Argentina national team at just 16. He went on to score 34 goals in 91 appearances.

Maradona and fellow Argentinian Lionel Messi are the only players to win the Golden Ball at both the FIFA U-20 World Cup and World Cup, with Maradona doing so in 1979 and 1986 while Messi emulated that in 2005 and 2014.

Maradona appeared in his first World Cup tournament in 1982, in which Argentina failed to make it out of the second group stage with losses to Brazil and the

eventual winner, Italy. In 1986 however, everything changed for Maradona and Argentina!

Playing like a man possessed, Maradona finally left his mark on the international stage.

Maradona’s dreams came true as he led Argentina to a 3-2 victory over West Germany in the World Cup final in Mexico. Argentina were champions and Maradona was crowned king of the

MARADONA AND FELLOW ARGENTINIAN LIONEL MESSI ARE THE ONLY PLAYERS TO WIN THE GOLDEN BALL AT BOTH THE FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP AND WORLD CUP.

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LEGENDS

footballing world after he almost single-handedly won the elite cup for his country. His performance in Mexico World Cup is generally regarded as the greatest by any player at World Cup. Maradona’s partying habits When he wasn’t busy mesmerizing fans with his football skills, Maradona was unfortunately constantly finding himself in trouble. Maradona’s addiction to drugs and alcohol is well-documented and was called ‘slow-motion suicide’. The Argentina great, who died at 60 on Wednesday, was certainly living on borrowed time after all the health issues he had faced in the past. His issues came to light in 1991 after he was handed a 15-month ban from football for doping.

Maradona suffered the lowest point of his career when he was sent home from the 1994 World Cup for drug usage. The Argentina great was slapped with another 15-month ban, this time ending his international career that spanned for over 17 years. Maradona carried on playing but a third drug test failure in 1997 led to the end of his professional career.

supremely-fit athlete, who could storm his way past opposition defence, to a drug junkie in a short space of time.

In 2004, he suffered a heart attack. Maradona was forced to have gastric bypass surgery in 2005 while in 2007, he was hospitalized once again, this time for life-threatening alcoholinduced hepatitis. 2008 seen a change in ways and lifestyle for Maradona after he was given a new lease on football life, this time on the coaching side of things.

Maradona was handed the reigns of the Argentinian national team at the 2010 Fifa World Cup however his side disappointingly crashed out in the quarter-finals.

He later enjoyed rather inconsistent coaching spells in the United Arab Emirates were followed by a stint in charge of Mexican second-division club Dorados de Sinaloa, before returning to Argentina to take over Gimnasia y Esgrima in 2019.

This proved to be his last football involvement before his death.

In January 2019, Maradona had surgery after a hernia caused internal bleeding in his stomach.

Maradona later underwent emergency brain surgery to treat a subdural hematoma and was released on 12 November,

Following his retirement, Maradona continued to struggled with drug and alcohol addiction.

In 2000, he suffered heart failure due to his cocaine addiction.

Maradona went from being a

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thirteen days later Maradona died of a heart attack.

The circumstances of Maradona’s death are being probed with authorities raiding the home of his doctor, Leopoldo Luque, as they probe a possible case of involuntary manslaughter. Maradona died at 60 after a lifetime of cocaine and alcohol usage. He had mental breakdowns, emergency surgeries and a lengthy list of forgettable moments. However, what the Argentine great most importantly brought to football during his playing days will undoubtedly go down in history for life.

The undeniable statistics Maradona scored 34 goals in 91 caps for Argentina between 1977 and 1994. His finest hour came at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, scoring five goals and providing two assists, leading his country to the ultimate glory. He won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball and FIFA World Cup Silver Shoe award at the tournament.

Maradona started his professional club career at Argentinos Juniors, making his debut aged 15. He scored 116 goals in 166 appearances for the club between 1976 and 1980, before leaving for Boca Juniors in 1981.

After netting 28 goals in 40 games and winning the Argentina first division with Boca,

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HIS FINEST HOUR CAME AT THE 1986 WORLD CUP IN MEXICO, SCORING FIVE GOALS AND PROVIDING TWO ASSISTS, LEADING HIS COUNTRY TO THE ULTIMATE GLORY. Maradona moved to Barcelona for a then world-record transfer fee, where he scored 38 times in 58 appearances in two seasons at the Nou Camp.

In a six-year spell in Naples between 1984 and 1991, Maradona scored 115 goals in 259 appearances.

Maradona then single-handedly led Napoli to their success. He

won two Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia, UEFA Cup and Italian Super Cup in an illustrious spell at the club.

He then enjoyed a single season at Sevilla between 1992 and 1993 before returning to Argentina to play for Newell’s Old Boys. His time there was brief having made just five appearances before rejoining Boca Juniors for a second stint until retirement. Ù

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Hol i

da

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eeting r s! g

WISHING ALL OUR LOYAL SOCCERZELA FANS, FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS A FANTASTIC FESTIVE SEASON AND A TERRIFIC NEW YEAR. Remember to be safe, be kind, be responsible.

And please don’t drink and drive!

The Isikhova Media Team – Proud publishers of Soccerzela – The Voice of South African Football

Our offices will be off the field from 18 December 2020 until 11 January 2020 when we’re back with the ball!

Proudly published by Isikhova Media Address: 10th floor, Metal Box, 25 Owl Street, Milpark, Johannesburg, South Africa Tel: (011) 883 4627 • www.isikhova.co.za

23

MAKING MOVES

PSL COACHING MERRY-GO-ROUND

PICKING UP SPEED

BY ZAAHID NANABHAY

As we reach the quarter way mark of the local domestic season, we’ve already seen a number of coaching changes take place. The coaching world is notorious for being cut-throat and this creates an imperfectly perfect balance - it’s easy to lose your job as a football manager however it’s equally as easy to find a job as well.

A number of high-profile coaches find themselves jobless although their situations could quite literally change overnight.

We took a look at who’s in the coaching queue and here’s what we found.

Eric Tinkler Two-months on from lifting Maritzburg United to a top eight finish, Eric Tinkler was sacked by The Team of Choice. Tinkler who

SOCCERZELA.CO.ZA

quite literally took Maritzburg from rock bottom all the way up, finds himself looking for a job. But given his pedigree, he’s definitely not going to struggle to attract interest from struggling Premier Soccer League clubs.

Tinkler has tasted great success at the likes of SuperSport United and Cape Town City while his time at Orlando Pirates will undoubtedly give him the confidence to manage a PSL heavyweight.

Owen Da Gama Former Highlands Park head coach Owen Da Gama found himself without a job after the Lions of The North sold their topflight status to TS Galaxy at the end of the 2019/20 campaign. Da Gama had formed a solid team that could create problems for just about any opposition in the league and will undoubtedly find

his name at the top of the pile for any PSL vacancy. He’s a welltravelled coach in South Africa and can be trusted by just about any team in the league.

Benni McCarthy The former Cape Town City manager left a lasting impression in his first professional head coach gig out in Cape Town. Though his tenure ended on a sour note, his MTN8 winning side produced some of the most enterprising football the league has seen in recent years which will definitely earn him a spot atop the cv list for a PSL vacancy. What he lacks for in experience, he definitely makes up for it in bravery and courage. He’s been tipped to return to the touchline at AmaZulu however the reports remain unconfirmed at the time of publishing.

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MAKING MOVES

Shaun Bartlett The former TUKS head coach spent the last two years at Kaizer Chiefs acting as an assistant coach. He will undoubtedly be keen on taking a head coach position in the PSL after parting ways with the Amakhosi at the end of last season.

Gordon Igesund Gordon Igesund has managed as many as 11 Premiership sides before while also coaching Bafana Bafana between 2012 to 2014. He won four Premier Soccer League titles with Manning Rangers, Orlando Pirates, Santos and Mamelodi Sundowns respectively.

Igesund also won the BP Top eight in 2000 with Orlando Pirates, the SAA Supa in 2007 with Mamelodi Sundowns and the 2014 Telkom Knockout with SuperSport United in 2014 making him a manager fit to lead just about any team in the South African top flight.

Clinton Larsen After failing to save Polokwane City from the dreaded drop at the end of last season, the former PSL coach will be eyeing up a top-flight vacancy. Larsen The 2012 Telkom Knockout winner has shown his pedigree at the likes of Bloemfontein Celtic, Chippa United, Maritzburg United and Golden Arrows

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Zeca Marques The former Moroka Swallows FC coach has been out of the big leagues for quite a number of years, though his name will be down the pecking order, the UEFA PRO Licence graduate will definitely be an option for selected teams in the league.

Ruud Krol Former Orlando Pirates coach Ruud Krol will go down as one of the most successful coaches in the PSL, his name is sure to pop up when coaching vacancies are spoken about.

Norman Mapeza Former Chippa United coach Norman Mapeza was close to returning to the PSL. His deal

though at TTM fell through at the last moment. He will however definitely be on the radar of selected teams during the current campaign and may find himself returning to the side-line sooner rather than later.

With the season still in its infancy, we can expect many of the names above to return to the dressing rooms while a number of other names may suddenly find themselves on this list before they know it. The Premier Soccer League’s coaching merry-goround is likely to pick up speed during the busy festive period and none can take their position for granted. Ù

A NUMBER OF HIGHPROFILE COACHES FIND THEMSELVES JOBLESS ALTHOUGH THEIR SITUATIONS COULD QUITE LITERALLY CHANGE OVERNIGHT.

Who do you think will be the first coach to find employment and who will he replace?

Let us know on our social media profiles.

Facebook: Soccerzela Twitter: @Soccerzela

ISSUE 12

24

COVID-19 UPDATE BE SAFE, BE KIND, BE RESPONSIBLE & STAY STRONG!

Hi Soccerzela fans and supporters

Sale of alcohol curbed

This festive holiday season and New Year will be different. But we’re all in this together. Please remember the new COVID-19 regulation updates announced by President Ramaphosa on 14 December 2020.

Beaches •

All beaches will be closed in all of the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route district, from 16 December to 3 January.

•

In KwaZulu-Natal, beaches will be closed on 16, 25, 26 and 31 December as well as 1, 2 and 3 January.

• Beaches and public parks in the Western Cape and Northern Cape will remain open.

• Beaches that are open, can only be visited from 09:00 and 18:00.

•

Retailers may only sell alcohol from 10:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Thursday, but wineries may continue to offer tastings over weekends.

• Alcohol consumption in all public spaces is strictly prohibited.

New curfew, and bars and restaurants must close earlier •

A curfew has been extended and will now be from 23:00 to 04:00. Bars and restaurants must close at 22:00 to allow staff to get home.

• The hours of curfew also apply to Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Size of gatherings • Gatherings, including religious gatherings, may not be

attended by more than 100 people for indoor and 250 for outdoor events.

• All gatherings must show social distancing measures and provide hand sanitiser.

• All post-funeral gatherings are prohibited.

Stricter enforcement of Alert Level 1 restrictions •

Drivers and operators of any form of public transport must ensure that all passengers wear masks.

•

Owners of buildings, and managers of offices and stores must also make sure that everyone entering wear masks.

•

Those who do not enforce compliance will be liable for a fine or imprisonment of up to six months. Ù

“These festive season restrictions will be reviewed in early January based on the state of the pandemic across the country.”

SOCCERZELA.CO.ZA

ISSUE 12

2020 THE YEAR IN PICTURES

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ISSUE 12

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS - 2020 NEDBANK CUP CHAMPIONS

(IMAGE VIA @MASANDAWANA)

ABSA PREMIERSHIP CHAMPIONS - MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

(IMAGE VIA @MASANDAWANA)

2020 MTN8 CHAMPIONS - ORLANDO PIRATES

(IMAGE VIA @ORLANDOPIRATESFC)

2020 CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS - AL AHLY

2020 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND SUPER CUP CHAMPIONS - BAYERN MUN

NICH

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