Soccerzela • Issue 7 • 2020

THE VOICE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL! JULY 2020 | ISSUE 07

SOCCERZELA UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

Time out with Sandile Mthethwa

BIDDING FAREWELL TO BIDVEST WITS

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

A future in the balance

ZELA EXCLUSIVE!

MICHO’S MAGIC

WWW.SOCCERZELA.CO.ZA

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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 Managin Director: Imraan Mahomed Tel: +27 11 883 4627 imraanm@isikhova.co.za Publishing Director: Jason Aarons Tel: +27 74 400 6677 jason@isikhova.co.za Operations Director: Thuli Majola Tel: +27 11 883 4627 thuli@isikhova.co.za Creative Director: Joanne Brook Tel: +27 11 883 4627 joanne@isikhova.co.za Sales Director: Jenny Justus Tel: +27 83 450 6052 jenny@isikhova.co.za Advertising sales Ruwayda Mahomed Tel: +27 72 383 3203 ruwayda@isikhova.co.za

ED’S note Greetings beloved readers I hope when this issue reaches you all, you are of strong resolve, determination and lion-hearted! I must admit, this edition has been incredibly difficult to put together given the circumstances surrounding South Africa and the entire globe. Nonetheless, Issue 7 is well and truly here to lift your spirits, heal your soul and to share much of the courage and excitement the beautiful game has, and always will.

Despite the suspension of football in the country surpassing the four-month mark, we’ve managed to once again produce a thrilling magazine for you.

In our ‘Zela Exclusive’ we catch up in a one-on-one exclusive with former Orlando Pirates head coach, Milutin Sredejovic regarding all things African football - including his time at the Buccaneers; while Bafana Bafana international

Jonathan Yarwood Tel: +27 082 407 8627 jonno@isikhova.co.za

Sandile Mthethwa talks us through the contentious topic of

Lori Zavattoni Tel: +27 83 229 7873 lori@isikhova.co.za

A deeper look into Jomo Sono’s supply and demand

Ian Starnes Tel: +27 82 052 8428 ian@isikhova.co.za

women’s game once again comes under scrutiny - this time,

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

‘development’ in South African football.

business model makes for another telling read, while the its survival hangs in the balance following the devastating coronavirus pandemic. And we bid farewell to Bidvest Wits with a look at its near century existence.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!

Isikhova Media Address: 10th Floor, Metalbox, 25 Owl Street, Milpark, South Africa Tel: +27 11 883 4627 | Fax: +27 11 783 2677 www.isikhova.co.za

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 7 JULY 2020

CONTENTS

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ZELA EXCLUSIVE MICHO’S MAGIC

TALKING POINT THE BIDVEST WITS LEGACY

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL THE COVID-19 CHALLENGE

SPOTLIGHT ORLANDO’ PIRATES’ SANDILE MTHETHUWA

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contents

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LIVERPOOL’S MIGHT MACHINE JURGEN KLOPP’S

11 23

THE BUSINESS OF BUSINESS THE ‘BLACK PRINCE’S’ WINNING FORMULA

15 27

THE BIG RETURN GAUTENG GETS THE PSL ‘BIO BUBBLE’

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ZELA EXCLUSIVE

WE HEALED

THEIR SOULS

BY ZAAHID NANABHAY

After one of the worst campaigns in the club’s history, Orlando Pirates announced the return of Mulutin ‘The Wolf of Serbia’ Sredejovic.

The mandate was clear after a season where hearts were completely shattered courtesy of 6 - 0 drubbings, ‘Micho’ was hired to reclaim the pride of the ghost.

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– ‘MICHO’ Micho was joined at the club by one Rhulani Mokwena who together worked tirelessly to heal the souls of the Buccaneer faithful. Back-to-back runnersup positions in the league, a heart-breaking Telkom Knockout final penalty shootout loss, and rekindling the flair Orlando

Pirates are known to produce, Sredejovic - who took over an Orlando Pirates team which was in a very dark place - definitely made serious strides in making the club great again.

We caught up with the now Zambian head coach regarding his time at Orlando Pirates and his overall journey through African football which began two decades ago: Q: You arrived at Orlando Pirates after one of their worst seasons ever (finished 11th

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ZELA EXCLUSIVE

with just 33 points) in your very first season you lifted the team to a runners-up finish in two consecutive seasons.

From your point of view, what were the biggest changes and improvements made?

A: In my point of view we were making drastic changes and improvements from the point of respect to the jersey and badge of Orlando Pirates - reclaiming the pride of the badge and returning Pirates to what they’re always supposed to be. We wanted to return the team to the footballing style of Orlando Pirates for the supporters. At Pirates, it’s not enough to win.

You need to win with style and when you look at everything, I believe we have taken Pirates to a level they’re supposed to be at. Pirates have to challenge for trophies and be in the top two in the Premier Soccer League while playing a high brand of football. I believe we have healed the souls of our supporters and set a foundation for the years to come so Orlando Pirates doesn’t go back to what happened in 2016/17.

Q : The South African Premier Soccer League or the Egyptian Premier League, which one is stronger and why?

A: Both leagues are in the top three competitive leagues on the African continent. It’s very hard to choose one but when I look at everything, with all due

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respect to the Egyptian Premier League, I believe certain aspects like organization and usage of technology in teams has taken the South African Premier Soccer League ahead. Having said that, at the same moment the Egyptian Premier League is also extremely competitive and passionate.

Q: You are a master of African football after spending many years on the continent, where do you think African football needs to improve? Youth?

A: Since 2001 I believe African football has gone miles forward in improvement in terms of youth football, administration, marketing and from all competitions. You could say we have gone very far but still not as far as Africa is supposed to have as the most passionate footballing continent on this planet. We still have a lot of room for improvement. I personally believe that in years to come we shall succeed in the mission to put African football at the same level of competitiveness as in Europe and South America.

Q: With the constant pressure to win Silverware at the big clubs in South Africa, do you feel it’s difficult to integrate youth into the 1st team?

A: You’re absolutely right, with the constant pressure to win silverware at the big clubs in South Africa it is very difficult to integrate younger players into the first team because competitiveness is always at the edge and results are demanded.

Under such circumstances coaches have no space and place for the young players. For the young players you need to have the most important ingredient called ‘patience’. Patience to give them minutes and mileage in their legs and under such circumstances, it’s very hard because the knife of ‘results’ is always under the neck. Coaches usually opt for the tried and tested players making it difficult for young players to get a chance to showcase their talent at big clubs.

Q: You are now the head coach of the Zambian national team, how is life treating you in Zambia and what are you hoping to

YOU NEED TO WIN WITH STYLE AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT EVERYTHING, I BELIEVE WE HAVE TAKEN PIRATES TO A LEVEL THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO BE AT.

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achieve with the Chipolopolo?

A: I have come here as a man on a mission. Chipolopolo won the African cup of Nations in 2012 but has gradually fallen down. The team have struggled to qualify for championships in recent years and when you take that into account, you realise that the demand is huge. We need to put a technical master-plan in place which will see us being extremely competitive at the CHAN 2021 in Cameroon, and in the four remaining AFCON 2022 qualifiers.

We need to do everything possible in order to qualify ahead of Algeria, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

When you have taken that into consideration we want to build the confidence of the team so that we can make history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. It’s easy to speak but I want to say that I’m extremely happy and satisfied working with the great people of Zambia. I’m really expecting so much from the point of setting a platform for future success. I want to use all of my experience and success in Africa, 17 pieces of silverware, people who take the team where it’s supposed to be.

Q: Villa SC, Saint-George SA, Al Hilal, Orlando Pirates, Young Africans or Zamalek? Which club did you enjoy coaching the most and why?

A: There are not many coaches that can put such big clubs under their belt.Not many coaches can say they’ve coached in some

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THEY MUST TRY TO LEAVE THEIR COMFORT ZONE AND PLAY FOOTBALL SOMEWHERE ABROAD WHERE IT’S NOT EASY TO SUCCEED. of the biggest derbies in Africa and those are for me the biggest Derby in South Africa: Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs, the biggest Derby in Egypt: Al Ahly vs Zamalek, the biggest Derby in Tanzania: Young Africans vs Simba, the biggest Derby in Sudan: Al Hilal vs Al Merreikh and more.

It’s very hard to choose. My heart is divided in several rooms

for all the clubs I’ve coached on the continent. I would tell you that every single team and its supporters have a special place in my heart.

Q: It was under you when Thembinkosi Lorch played some of his best football to become Footballer of the Season. How did you get the most out of Lorch?

A: Thembinkosi Lorch is really a special player. From day one there wasn’t a single match where he didn’t give 200% of his abilities, sometimes even playing with pain and injury. He always showed dedication and love for the Orlando Pirates jersey and badge. I need to tell you, the hypersensitive nature of his personality really needs special handling and I want to express

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- along with my technical team - the honour and privilege of coaching such a special player who worked extremely hard to improve. He needed some mental support because diamonds of his calibre are very hard to handle and need special polishing. He was especially polished and I’m extremely proud of our work. I’m still in good touch with him and really wish he goes a step further and plays in Europe where I have no doubt his talent wouldl make a huge stamp on European football, l and that he will do all South Africans proud.

Q: What was it like working with your assistant coach Mr. Rhulani Mokwena at Orlando Pirates?

A: Even if I live three lives, I could

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not say enough! Thank you very much Mr. Rhulani Mokwena for the wonderful two years, all the ups and downs. A mission we took was to reclaim the pride of the Orlando Pirates badge and healing the souls of supporters.

I have nothing else to add except it has been an honour, pleasure and special privilege to work in the same demanding environment as Rhulani, and I believe we have done our mission very well.

Q: What advice can you give to young footballers hoping to make it in football in South Africa?

A: I have followed the overall development of young players in South Africa. I believe the Multichoice Diski challenge and other activities are doing so

much in giving young players a chance to showcase their talent. Apart from being ready to challenge on the local level for the PSL teams, I want to urge young players in South Africa to have the element of courage inside themselves. They must try to leave their comfort zone and play football somewhere abroad where it’s not easy to succeed. I urge them to follow the footsteps of Percy Tau and others who are playing in Europe. Showing your talent at home in South Africa is something normal but extending your talent in Europe will benefit Bafana Bafana ahead of World Cups and qualifiers. Many young players need to come through and infuse their fresh energy into the team. Ù

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TALKING POINT

BY DYLAN BETTENCOURT

With Bidvest Wits set to miss out on their 100th year anniversary in 2021, we run through their landmarks as a football club.

A media statement released by Bidvest Wits confirmed they had reached an agreement with Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) for the sale of their top-flight status, meaning the Johannesburg based outfit could cease to exist following the 2019/20 season.

“Bidvest and TTM have reached an agreement for next season subject to PSL Exco approval

THE BIDVEST WITS

LEGACY regarding the sale of Bidvest Wits Football Club,” the statement read.

“The sale is a result of our shareholder’s, Bidvest, decision to review their sports-related sponsorships and bring to an end a 15-year-long partnership.

Our people are important to us and we will treat them with respect and fairness in these challenging times.”

“The sale of the club will not affect the players’ contracts in any way. With regard to the

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TALKING POINT

sale of the club and the manner in which it was announced to the public, I would like to reiterate that at the time of the announcement, the deal had not yet been signed. Pen has now been put to paper between the new purchaser and Bidvest.”

Starting at the very beginning, the Clever Boys were formed in 1921 by the Witwatersrand University’s Student Representative Council.

Following a succession of tournaments and competing in several divisions, the club won promotion to the National Football League in 1975.

The following year they found themselves playing in the top-flight of South African football.

In 1930, almost a decade after the formation of the club, the team played their first game on grass.

The same year also saw the club form an under/20 side, the beginning of their youth policy which the club prides itself on. Wits University FC as it was known in 1943, saw the side win the Southern Transvaal First Division Title. The success in intervarsity leagues and tournaments saw Wits making the National Football League’s second division in 1961.

The 1970s proved to be a successful period for Bidvest Wits. They produced some of the leagues’ finest exports in goalkeeper Gary Bailey who went on to play for Manchester United and England.

Another impressive export was defender Richard Gough who later saw himself playing for the likes of Dundee United, Rangers, Everton and Scotland.

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The club also won their first major honour in 1978 by overcoming the mighty Kaizer Chiefs to claim the Mainstay Cup (now known as the Nedbank Cup).

The 1990s however proved to be a mixed bag for the Clever Boys, winning two trophies in the BP Top 8 (now known as the MTN8) and the Coca-Cola Cup (now known as the Telkom Knockout) in 1995. The following year saw fans biting their nails as the club dropped close to relegation in the newly formed Premier Soccer League (PSL), a win on the final matchday of the season ultimately keeping them up. The

1999-00 season saw the club finish in sixth, their best finish to date. This was helped largely by the spectacular form of Peter Gordon who is the club’s top goal scorer (55) and has the most starts for the club (415).

The following decade provided many ups-and-downs for Bidvest IN 1930, ALMOST A Wits. With Roger De Sa at the DECADE AFTER THE helm, the club managed to secure consecutive third place finishes FORMATION OF THE in the PSL in 2003 and 2004.

CLUB, THE TEAM However, the following season PLAYED THEIR FIRST saw fans’ worst nightmare come true as the club finished bottom GAME ON GRASS. of the table, only managing to score 24 goals throughout the season. The club bounced straight back into the league and three years later in 2010, Wits secured the Nedbank Cup trophy after defeating AmaZulu in the final.

Bidvest Wits hired current manager Gavin Hunt in 2013, under whose guidance the club has tasted huge success, finishing in the top three in four of the five seasons before the 2018/19 season. Fans of the club will have a difficult time forgetting the 2016/17 season as the Clever Boys lifted their first PSL title, claiming top honours by a margin of three points in a fiercely contested season. Wits also claimed the MTN8 cup in 2016 and the Telkom Cup in 2017 in what proved to be the club’s most successful season.

The 99-year legacy of the Braamfontein-based side will sorely be missed in South African football.

Bidvest Wits have proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the past decade and have become a household name as a club competing with the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. Saying farewell to one of South Africa’s oldest football clubs will surely be a tough pill to swallow. Ù

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WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL FACES

COVID-19 CRISIS

BY SINETHEMBA MBATHA

The coronavirus came at a time when women’s football was still fighting for equality and recognition. Now a new challenge has been added to their list of struggles.

COVID-19 has caused a premature stop to different leagues across the world with some teams being forced to take drastic measures such as pay

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cuts and contract cancellations.

It seems that when it comes to women’s football, the challenges outweigh the progress and success stories. Like how Lesotho’s top flight football club Kick4Life FC will be the world’s first club to pay both their men and women equally or how the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be the first of its kind with 32 teams (an increase from 24 in the previous world cup)

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and to be hosted across two confederations with Australia and New Zealand as joint hosts.

While there have been steps taken in the right direction, the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications have set women’s football back quite considerably. It’s expected it will be the women’s game which will suffer the most. The main question is, what’s next for women’s football across the world during and post the pandemic?

There are fears among female footballers with regards to their future in the sport. Speaking in an overseas interview recently, Ada Hegerberg - Lyon star and the first ever female Ballon D’or winner who is known for having a voice when it comes to challenges relating to the women’s game - expressed her concern with the future of women’s football. Hegerberg: “It’s a strange situation for everyone and its very important women’s football doesn’t lose position in the fight for survival during the Corona virus”.

more. However the Coronavirus pandemic has once again made it clear that women’s football is still not a top priority and is still not treated with the same respect and passion as the men’s game.

Cancelling the women’s football seasons seemed like an easy decision to make whereas with the men, countless discussions

THERE ARE FEARS AMONG FEMALE FOOTBALLERS WITH REGARDS TO THEIR FUTURE IN THE SPORT.

were held to ensure seasons are not cancelled but rather games played behind closed doors. The same thing could have been done for women’s football. Yet again it was evident which one is a priority and treated more seriously than the other.

Many female footballers are at risk of losing their livelihoods due to football’s global shutdown according to a report by players’ union FIFPRO. “The lack of written contracts, the short-term duration of employment contracts, the lack of health insurance and medical coverage, and the absence of basic worker protections and workers rights leaves many female players at great risk of losing their livelihoods,” the report said.

“They have been part of the industry growth, from the emergence out of amateur and semi-professional status into this transition towards professionals.

After the success and the Impact of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup there was hope Women’s football would finally be placed on the list of priorities and be given the recognition and respect it deserves. There was hope more would be done to ensure that the momentum goes beyond just the World Cup but extends to women’s club football, grass root level, broadcasting rights, sponsors, investments and so much

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It has been a long journey, and it is difficult for players to see that hard-earned recognition and visibility at risk.”

Speaking recently at the FIFA Women’s Webinar, Sarai Bareman the Chief Women’s Football Officer for FIFA assured women that FIFA is planning to invest $1 billion over the next four years. Bareman further said, “We have tailor-made dedicated development programs for the 211 member associations. We have a very specific women’s football strategy that we are implementing and there is targeted research we are carrying out currently, to accelerate the professionalization of women’s football.” (source FIFA.com) This was an indication that the international football governing body is trying to doing its part to

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ensure that the women’s game does not take the backseat.

However expects believe it will take more than FIFA to save the women’s game.

Alexandra Gómez Bruinewoud who is a senior legal counsel at FIFPro explained they have been studying women’s football and

MANY FEMALE FOOTBALLERS ARE AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR LIVELIHOODS DUE TO FOOTBALL’S GLOBAL SHUTDOWN ACCORDING TO A REPORT BY PLAYERS’ UNION FIFPRO.

that more effort was put into the study during the coronavirus pandemic due to the impact the virus would have on the game.

“We did some research and what we’re encouraging and suggesting is that actually, in this moment, it’s not enough to say ‘ok, we’ll invest the same in women’s football’, which is not even the case by far anywhere. It should be even more!

They need extra support because the structures are weak and the basis is still not there.” Gomez told those who were in attendance.

After analysing both Bareman’s and Gomez’s statements there is an indication women’s football will be injected with the necessary resources to remain post the coronavirus pandemic, but one begs to question whether there will be anything left to save when the time comes. Ù

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SPOTLIGHT

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH

SANDILE MTHETHWA

BY HAPPY MASANGO

The issue of ‘development’ has been one of the most discussed topics in South African football in recent years with many identifying it as the sole reason our national team has become notorious for underperforming.

While it’s no secret the heydays of football in the country are long-gone, the question remains: how do we return the nation back to regularly competing on an international stage? Many believe the answer to the above question lies in successfully producing young talent while most importantly integrating them into senior football at a young age.

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We caught up with Orlando Pirates defender Sandile Mthethwa who’s currently out on loan at Chippa United regarding his journey through the South African footballing system. Mthethwa has come through the junior national team ranks featuring for the U20’s

I STARTED PLAYING AT THE AGE OF 8 BUT IT WAS ONLY AROUND 10 WHEN I REALISED FOOTBALL IS MY PASSION.

and U23’s while also donning the senior team jersey at the 2019 COSAFA Cup. Q: When did your journey towards professional football start?

A: I started playing at the age of 8 but it was only around 10 when I realised football is my passion and decided I wanted to make it as a professional footballer one day. I began playing for my home town team Shooting Stars FC. I was then invited to join Thanda Royal Zulu but their academy didn’t go further at the time unfortunately, so I moved to an SAB League team called Flamengo. I then went for trials to the Kwa-Zulu Natal

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academy where we played in the international E-Lan tournament and got scouted from there.

Q: How did you end up playing for the national youth teams?

A: I would like to thank coach Thabo Senong. I can safely say he’s the reason why I went from playing reserve football for the Orlando Pirates MDC team to getting a loan move to Richards Bay in the National First Division and now being loaned to Chippa United. I wasn’t playing for Pirates but he still gave me an opportunity to go to Zambia for the U20 AFCON - he had that trust in me and saw something in me which nobody else did at the time. I took the chance with both hands and never looked back.

Q: How have you adjusted to life out on loan in Port Elizabeth?

A: Pirates sent me on loan ye.

When I got to Port Elizabeth it wasn’t too difficult to adjust.

I’m the type of guy that gels easily with players so it wasn’t

that tough. I like to laugh and I’m playful so adjusting to new environments isn’t too hard either. What was on my mind was that “I’m here to learn and I’m here to gain experience”.

Q: What was it like working with coach Rhulani Mokwena at Chippa United?

A: I would say it’s very disappointing that he was here for such a short time. I’ve always wanted to be coached by him because he’s one of the best coaches around. You learn a lot from him a lot but he also wants to learn from the player. He’s the type of coach who likes his work and pushes you to be your best, in fact, to exceed your best!

Q: What are your long-term goals?

A: I want to play overseas. Not just overseas but playing for a big team in a big league. My dream is to play at the Emirates stadium. I love that stadium and I’m a big fan of Arsenal! I’d like to one day play in the UEFA Champions League and to be recognised as one of the top defenders in the world.

Q: You’ve been through the entire system, what needs to improve?

A: I think we need to give young upcoming players a chance to play in first teams from a young age. If you look at the international countries we play against, the players we face are playing first team football. Here in South Africa teams are afraid

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to play young players. I think this is why we’ll still struggle when we play Asian, European and South American teams. If we can start throwing our young players into the deep end, our football will definitely improve in the long run.

Q: Your favourite player in South Africa and abroad?

A: My favourite player in South Africa? Hmmm yeah myself. I am my favourite player. Abroad it will be Virgil Van Dijk. He’s one of the best defenders in the world. He’s calm, strong and commanding.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: I’m a gamer. I like video playing games when I’m not playing football. Family time and chilling with friends as well. I also like travelling.

Q: Any advice for upcoming footballers?

A: If you want to be something in life, you have to believe in yourself, work hard and respect it.

Football is a’ jealous’ sport! If you mix it with other things, you won’t make it. You have to choose what you want in life and remain consistent in it. Ù

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INTERNATIONAL

LIVERPOOL MACHINE

JURGEN KLOPP’S SOCCERZELA.CO.ZA

ISSUE 7 JULY 2020

INTERNATIONAL

BY HAPPY MASANGO

After a long 30-year wait, Liverpool are once again England’s dominant team.

The champions of Europe became the English Premier League champions with a whole 7 games to go! Guided to the summit by their gregarious German manager, Jurgen Klopp, Anfield was turned back into the fortress it once was. We take a look at the makings of Liverpool’s 2019/20 history makers.

“I don’t want to describe myself.

Does anyone in this room think I can do wonders. No? I’m a very normal guy, I came from the Black Forest and my mother may be sitting in front of the TV, watching this press conference and has said no word until now.

But she is very proud. So I’m the totally normal guy. I’m the normal one, maybe, if you want this,” beamed Jurgen Klopp, in his first press conference as manager of Liverpool FC in October 2015.

When Jurgen Klopp arrived at Liverpool, he took over a team in midtable which had won one of their previous nine matches.

A team which had scored just 11 goals in their previous 11 games, while the scars of almost winning the title in 2014 had gone unhealed and key members of that promising yet heartbreaking team, were gone. Club pillar Steven Gerrard had moved to Los Angeles while star player Luis

KLOPP HAD INSTILLED SUCH BELIEF IN HIS SQUAD THAT THEY COULD OVERCOME ANY OBSTACLE

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Suarez moved on to Barcelona.

However, the charismatic German’s arrival promised change and brought about a new sense of hope at Anfield.

Unpacking Klopp’s Red Machine While it’s no surprise that Klopp inherited a team far from capable of challenging the league’s best, making key signings were pivotal in turning the tide at Anfield.

Klopp bought 23 players before landing the title for approximately £424,000,000. While many failed to live up to expectations, we take a look at the top 5 defining signings that Klopp made: 5 - Andy Robertson Despite making a slow start to his Liverpool career, initially being kept out of the starting lineup

by Alberto Moreno, the Scottish modern-day wing-back proved patience is a virtue.

season, but I’ve chosen to base Liverpool’s success on fixing up their defensive frailties.

The acquisition of the 26-yearold, and his subsequent development is a perfect example of Klopp’s incredible management abilities.

Robertson has been absolutely incredible for Liverpool along with fellow wing-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. The pair have become arguably two of the highest rated wing-backs in world football.

Proving that nice guys don’t always come last, Sadio Mane has been nothing short of sensational since his arrival in 2016. His £34million arrival will undoubtedly go down as one of the biggest bargains in Premier League history.

4 - Sadio Mane The Senegalese wizard is now without doubt, a household name and easily one of the best African players in the world. Ranking Mane’s impact at Liverpool is a weird one: he could easily be seen as Liverpool’s best player this

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3 - Mohamed Salah Much like Mane, Salah could easily be viewed as the defining signing in Klopp’s era. Goals, goals and more goals! The Egyptian king has brought the Premier League to a standstill winning back-to-back golden boot titles in 2017/18 and 2018/19.

After being ousted by Chelsea during his first Premier League

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stint, Salah’s debut season with Liverpool was a redemption story.

The Egyptian broke the record for the most goals scored in a 38-game Premier League season, and has since helped guide Liverpool to the UEFA Champions League title and a league title.

2 - Virgil Van Dijk The signing of Dutch defender Virgil Van Dijk has been critical to sorting out Klopp’s defensive problems. A breathe of calmness to Liverpool at the back, Van Dijk has become one of the top centre-backs in world football.

Loved on- and off the pitch, van Dijk is part of the brick wall that made Anfield a fortress again.

Even though Jordan Henderson is captain, van Dijk’s influence and passion reaches every player on the pitch, and there are few players you would rather have as the last man stopping an attack, with many just not being able to reach the bar he has set.

1 - Alisson Becker I know what you’re thinking, strange choice to pick a goalkeeper as the key signing right? Let me take you back to Liverpool’s heart-breaking UEFA Champions League final loss against Liverpool in 201. Karius’ disaster class was proof that a world-class goalkeeper is needed to win titles.

Becker’s arrival proved exactly that - a top class goalkeeper

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wins you titles. It’s fair to say that Alisson has provided Liverpool fans with a safer pair of hands than they could ever have hoped for since the summer of 2018, and the 27-year-old was worth every penny of the £67 million the Reds spent on him.

KLOPP INSTILLED A MENTALITY INTO HIS PLAYERS THAT DEFEAT DID NOT MEAN THE END OF THE ROAD FOR THIS SQUAD.

Klopp’s defining moments Europa League final loss against Sevilla (2016) Defeat in Basel proved to Reds players the bigger picture was more important, and instilled a belief among them that Klopp would ensure they would go on to better things. Defeat to the Spanish side was tough to take at the time, but perhaps also proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Merseysiders, who were then able to focus on domestic matters the following season.

They finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League for just the second time in seven years. Victory would have meant a return to the Champions League in Klopp’s first full season in charge.

Champions League final loss against Real Madrid (2018) Defeat to Real Madrid in 2018 was Klopp’s third final loss as Liverpool manager, and sixth final defeat in a row as a manager. Again, Klopp instilled a mentality into his players that defeat did not mean the end of the road for this squad.

The loss would see the rebirth of his machine following a difficult end to the season and they would bounce back to win the Champions League a year later.

Running the long race with Man City (2018/19) In Pep Guardiola’s mind, it was over. As he trudged from the field

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INTERNATIONAL

at St. James’s Park in late January 2019, flanked by his coaching staff, Guardiola, the Manchester City manager, was convinced defeat at the hands of Newcastle United had stripped the Premier League title from his grasp.

The next night, he was sure first-place Liverpool would beat Leicester City and restore its seven-point advantage at the top of the table. In the tunnel that night, advantage seemed unassailable. History however has it recorded differently.

Liverpool were reeled in during 2019 in a six-game stretch between January and March in which Jürgen Klopp’s side dropped eight points. That came after a 2-1 defeat by City in the first game of the new year, Liverpool’s only loss of the season. A win would have given them a 10-point lead at the top.

However Manchester City’s relentlessness saw Guardiola’s men conjure up a title-winning 100 points by the end of the season to break Anfield hearts.

Those crazy nights at Anfield Klopp had instilled such belief in his squad that they could overcome any obstacle, even after a 3-0 defeat in the first leg away against a Messi-inspired Barcelona FC. That incredible victory hasn’t been the only memorable occasion Anfield has enjoyed under Klopp. There’s been a 5-4 aggregate win over

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Borussia Dortmund after needing three goals to progress with 25 minutes remaining; a 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Champions League; then blitzing to a 5-0 lead against Roma in the semi-final.

League by three months, Liverpool have won the title in late June. No Premier League club has obviously ever won it that late in the year and this record will probably never be broken.

These nights showcased Klopp’s Liverpool around Europe and put the club back on the world stage.

The victory against Barcelona ultimately catapulted Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2019 which later transcended into league triumph in 2020.

Fastest to beat every single opponent: 31 games Liverpool 2019/20 are a phenomenal side. This much is obvious. The sheer number of records they can beat is evidence of their brilliance. But none of the records express Liverpool’s dominance over the rest of the Premier League as much as this one.

THE SHEER NUMBER OF RECORDS THEY CAN BEAT IS EVIDENCE OF THEIR BRILLIANCE. Records broken Fewest games needed to win the title: 31 What has been remarkable about Liverpool is just how quickly they have won the title.

There are still seven games left to play! Manchester United won the Premier League title in 2000/01 with five games left, having needed 33 games to break the record. Thanks to Chelsea, the Reds have beaten that record by two games.

Latest title win: June 25 Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic delaying the Premier

Most consecutive home wins: 20 Every title-winning side is built upon its home fortress and Anfield has been just that over the past couple of years. Manchester City initially set this record back in 2012, but Liverpool equalled it with a 4-0 against Southampton at the start of February and then made it their own later in the month; overcoming David Moyes’ West Ham 3-2. 23 and counting.

The records keep on tumbling for Klopp.

After a 30-year-long wait, Jurgen Klopp has delivered the league title to Anfield and in some fine fashion it must be stated. He will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest Liverpool managers to date while his team will definitely be up there with the all-time greatest teams the club has produced. Ù

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SOCCER SMART

COSMOS’ BUSINESS MODEL WAS TO FIND A TALENTED KID AND GROOM HIM, SELL ONE OR TWO TO THE BIGGER CLUBS AND INVEST MONEY BACK TO THE CLUB.

JOMO COSMOS’

BUSINESS MODEL SOCCERZELA.CO.ZA

BY PRO PHILANI

An unprecedented local footballing legacy began in 1983 after ‘the Black Prince’ of football bought Highlands Park from its owners who were seeking a way out of the sport.

Born Madoda Walletjies Mkhulwa, known as Ephraim Matsilele Sono, the son of the former Pirates legend who died in a car accident, Jomo grew up selling apples at train stations and at the Orlando Stadium.

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SOCCER SMART

Sono, a man with visible business acumen, understood the concept of buying and selling, demand and supply, and profit maximisation without a formal education of any kind. Raised by a blind grandfather, he helped his grandparents run a tuckshop from an early age. At 14, Sono probably didn’t know he’d need to practice these economic principles for an incredibly large portion of his latter life as a football boss.

Grooming and selling: the business model of Jomo Cosmos From the beginning, Cosmos struggled to find sponsors like big guns Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates had. Cosmos’ business model was to find a talented kid and groom him, sell one or two to the bigger clubs and invest money back to the club.

Cosmos invested itself in finding rough diamonds, training and developing them and giving the prospective footballer as much exposure as possible before selling him to the highest bidder.

This concept worked well for Cosmos on the business side.

Mamelodi Sundowns in the 1980s were Cosmos’ top customers. Sundowns’ new owner in 1986, the late Zola Mahobe was unafraid to splash cash and Sono was unafraid to make a profit. It made sense to him to sell to Sundowns at the time as they were willing to keep the model working and Cosmos running. The league title in 1987 proved Cosmos had the perfect balance on and off the field. They had a coach in Joe Frickleton, and Jomo focused on playing. They were equally competitive and featured in many finals.

In the 1990s, Cosmos’ model began to be affected on the playing field. Jomo was no longer finding the perfect balance on and off the field. Yes, the scouting continued to be consistent, but the results were a whole other story. Jomo would sell his best players resulting in the on-field combination having to suffer. He’d travel across

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the country to find talent for which his eye saw and knew no limit. He found the late Sizwe Motaung playing right wing for Durban Leeds United, Mark Fish played as a striker for Arcadia Sheppards, Philemon Masinga in the mines and Thomas Madigage in schools’ football.

The new decade began in 1990 when Cosmos defeated AmaZulu 1-0 to clinch the Bob Save trophy. The competitiveness of Cosmos could not be questioned by anyone as they completed their wonderful season 5th on the log. In 1991, Cosmos finished 7th with Philemon ‘Chippa’ Masinga the top goal scorer of the season with 27 goals. Their highest victory in the league came in 1992 when they beat Umtata Bush Bucks 6-0, and finished 5th on the log again. The entire country saw Cosmos campaigning in what we know today as CAF Champions League in 1993. Again, Jomo couldn’t find the balance and at the end of 1993 season,

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Helman Mkhalele was Cosmos’ most capped player with 46 matches; but that didn’t stop Cosmos from getting relegated -for the first time in 10 years since its formation. A jumbo sale began.

Pirates came first to take Mkhalele, Fish and Mncwango from Cosmos and paid no transfer fee.

Cosmos had not seen darker days prior to these.

The following season, in 1994, Pirates won the league in controversial circumstances whilst Cosmos were battling for promotion back to the top flight. In the following season, the CAF Champions league saw former Cosmos players coming to the fore for Orlando Pirates. However, Cosmos were still not paid their dues. This deal in particular affected Cosmos business model negatively. It meant Jomo had to dig deeper to find more players. Off the field, the man was being threatened in the football administration side.

Focus was lost and his vision to make Cosmos great again was faced by expulsion threats, corruption and other unwanted South African administration issues.

Midas and Sansui showed faith in Jomo as sponsors. Puma kept the faith in the ‘Black Prince’ as well. Sono continued to produce stars. In 1998, Cosmos found another gem in 17-year-old Aaron Mokoena. ‘Mbazo’ would go on to become the most capped Bafana Bafana player ever with over 100 caps. He (Mokoena) captained South Africa at

the 2010 World Cup. “Age is just a number. If the kid is good enough, whether 14 or 15, let him play,” says Jomo.

Jomo is a fighter by nature. A man who hates losing.

This is the same man who left his own wedding to go play for Pirates when he heard they were trailing Highlands Park 2-0. Even Archbishop Desmond Tutu was sent to convince him to play that day. The 1993 African Champions League was attributed as the major contributor to Cosmos relegation.

In 1994, Cosmos bounced back. 1995 they finished 10th. The PSL Era began in 1996/7 season and Cosmos returned to it usual Top 8 spot, by finishing 7th. In 1997/8 they repeated the same. 1998/9 Cosmos fell two spots down, and finished 10th. They ended a decade 99/00 season 7th again. Cosmos proved to be South Africa’s school of football, with its headmaster Jomo himself, having 7 players of the AFCON winning squad who went through at one stage of their careers. Cosmos. Sizwe Motaung, Mark Williams, Linda Buthelezi, Helman Mkhalele, Mark Fish, Augustine Makalakalane and Philemon Masinga all proved to be key members of the squad except for Makalakalane who didn’t feature in the tournament. Jomo himself was there as the technical director and coach throughout the journey which included the World Cup qualifiers, CONFED Cup and AFCON 1998.

As the country was going through transformation on the political and football fronts during the 1990’s, Cosmos remained true to its business model. Some players went overseas while Pirates continued to benefit from Sono’s eye.

Ultimately Jomo’s contribution towards unearthing the diamonds of South African football proved to be immense. Though his team have fizzled out of conversations of South African football due to their most recent slump, his contribution towards the benefit of football in the country speaks for itself. Ù

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OFF FIELD

BY HAPPY MASANGO

After a four-month long suspension, the Premier Soccer League is scheduled to return to action in a bio-bubble environment on 01 August 2020.

Gauteng has been confirmed as the bio-bubble host by Premier Soccer League chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza. “When we submitted our applications to the government the board of governors’ resolution was that we’re going to play all the games in Gauteng and North West. But we did receive a very good pitch from KwaZuluNatal, which was considered by the task team. Unfortunately, because the application had already been submitted, the venues were to be Gauteng and North West. As we speak now, the PSL has resorted to stick to Gauteng only because of the advantage that it gives.”

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THE BIG

RETURN Gauteng will now likely play host to all 32 PSL clubs, consisting of the 16 top-flight Absa Premiership teams and 16 GladAfrica Championship teams. Players will not be allowed to exit the biobubble environment after entering it and all players/staff members entering the environment will be

forced to undergo a COVID-19 test 48 hours before their entrance.

Training venues: Marks Park, Wanderers, St Stithians, Fourways High, Johannesburg Stadium, Ruimsig Stadium, Auckland Park Bunting (UJ), Chris Hani Stadium (UJ), Loftus Versveld, the University of Pretoria, Pilditch Stadium, TUT Stadium, Germiston Stadium and Vosloorus Stadium.

Matchday Stadiums: FNB Stadium, Orlando Stadium, Dobsonville Stadium, Rand

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OFF FIELD

Stadium, Makhulong Stadium, Ellis Park, Bidvest Stadium, Loftus Versveld, Lucas Moripe Stadium, University of Pretoria and Tsakane Stadium.

avoiding the spread of the virus.

Whoever goes into the bubble must be tested first, and if you are not negative then you can’t go into the bubble.

Player safety: “I’ve indicated that football, because of its nature, is seen as playing and not as a business.

All of you media at home or even at work, you leave your home to go to work and there is risk of infection that goes with that. In some instances you go to shopping centres, and you come back home where there is no social distancing or maskwearing. Imagine the risk that goes with it.” Khoza added.

“All the companies that have resumed work, give me one that has done testing before they resume work – any company?

Your company itself never tested you, but you keep on going to work, in and out. Now for us, it was good that it happened this way, because some clubs

“The issue of the epicentre and lockdown was emphasising the minimising of contact within crowds and gatherings. What we have provided as a solution is to play in a medically safe environment that will assist in

THE PSL HAS RESORTED TO STICK TO GAUTENG ONLY BECAUSE OF THE ADVANTAGE THAT IT GIVES.

have discovered that there were players that were infected, and we wouldn’t have known.

“So, by using this bubble, which is in fact now being used as a model by other sporting codes, it is the best way to manage the spread. What we have produced is not 100 percent perfect but it mitigates the risk as compared to other companies, for whom it would be a different story if they were subjected to the same kind of pre-conditions.”

August return: The coronavirus lockdown is on alert Level 3 in South Africa following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement competitive football will not return before August. This, despite the go-ahead from Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa that teams can return to training, and his letter to the PSL on June 23 giving them the green light to resume the season under stringent measures.

A delay has been caused due to the unavailability of match-officials who fall under the South African Football Associations’ jurisdiction. SAFA have confirmed that match officials will be available from the 1st of August to complete the remainder of the season in six weeks.

Our footballing teams and fans await with anticipation! Ù

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THE VOICE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL!

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