THE VOICE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL! ISSUE 09 | WWW.SOCCERZELA.CO.ZA
SOCCERZELA PSL’S BIOBUBBLE
The inside story
WHAT A MESSI
What’s Lionel’s true game?
BANYANA BANYANA PLAYERS GO GLOBAL
FAME & QUINTON FORTUNE
FANtastic
Football fans matter
ZELA EXCLUSIVE!
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Q&A’S WITH YUSUF BUNTING
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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 Tel: +27 11 883 4627 imraan@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 Jonathan Yarwood Tel: +27 082 407 8627 jonno@isikhova.co.za Lori Zavattoni Tel: +27 83 229 7873 lori@isikhova.co.za Ian Starnes Tel: +27 82 052 8428 ian@isikhova.co.za Contributors Dylan Bettencourt, Happy Masango, Sinethemba Mbatha, Pro Philani.
ED’S note Welcome to issue nine of the Soccerzela monthly magazine! Speaking about welcoming, South Africa finally welcomed the return of football in the country after a five month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. In this issue, we break down the entire happenings from the PSL’s bio-bubble after three weeks of riveting action. Banyana Banyana stars have been making waves across Europe in 2020, read all about the latest South African female stars who earned deals abroad and what their moves mean to coach Desiree Ellis. Quinton Fortune remains the only South African to have earned an English Premier League winner’s medal to date. He’s currently coaching Manchester United’s under-23 but has his sights set on the very top. Does home form really matter? As football grows used to being played without spectators, we took a look at what the impact of empty stadiums had on home and away teams in Europe’s top leagues. We also caught up with former Kaizer Chiefs striker Yusuf Bunting who disappeared off the footballing scene after showing great promise in youth football. It’s a well-known fact that derbies and South African football go hand in hand, the Soweto derby being the most famous of the lot. This time round though, we went back in time to the derby that once brought Durban to a standstill. Sit back, relax and enjoy the football ride.
Isikhova Media Address: 10th Floor, Metalbox, 25 Owl Street, Milpark, South Africa Tel: +27 11 883 4627 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 09
CONTENTS
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CHAT CORNER ON THE ROAD TO FAME & QUINTON FORTUNE
ZELA EXCLUSIVE YUSUF BUNTING GETS HIS 10 QUESTIONS
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL BUNYANA BUNYANA’S PLAYERS MAKE THE BIG TIME
THE PSL’S BIO-BUBBLE THE INSIDE STORY
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contents
07 21
FANZONE FANS & FOOTBALL RESULTS
11 23
INTERNATIONAL HAS LIONEL REALLY MESSED IT UP?
15 30
REWIND A DERBY FOR THE AGES - AFRICAN WANDERERS VS AMAZULU
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CHAT CORNER
ON THE ROAD TO BY HAPPY MASANGO
FAME AND FORTUNE
Quinton Fortune remains the only South African footballer to win the English Premier League. His 15-year-long career abroad - filled with both highs and lows - will arguably go down as one of the best exports South Africa has ever seen.
Born and bred in gangster-ridden Cape Town during the apartheid era, Fortune was handed a lifeline in 1991 out of a lifestyle which saw the majority either end up in jail or killed. The midfielder was scouted by Tottenham Hotspurs and formed part of their youth academy between 1991 and 1995.
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Fortune also had the privilege of featuring at two FIFA World Cups for Bafana Bafana in 1998 and 2002 while plying his trade for European big guns Atlético Madrid and Manchester United. In 1996, Fortune joined Atlético Madrid. He later signed for Manchester United for a fee of £1.5 million on 1 August 1999, it was at the Red Devils where he made over 80 appearances for the club.
Fortune’s move to United came out the blue. Originally, he was brought in as cover on the lefthand side for Giggs, and a direct replacement for the injury-ridden Jesper Blomqvist. The South African was thought of as an attacking winger, but during his fairly lengthy spell at Old Trafford, he became a utility player, playing in all sorts of positions. Manchester United manager Sir Alex depended mostly on his
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defensive strengths, and Fortune often played in central midfield or at left-back. Following his retirement as a player, Fortune returned to United to train with the reserve team while working towards his coaching badges, which he completed in 2013. In the summer of 2014, he was appointed manager of Cardiff City’s development team working under former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - before leaving in February 2019 to rejoin Manchester United as the U23 head coach.
like the ghettos. I just wanted to get away from the crime and was lucky not to have been involved in that side of life. Even so, it was inevitable there would be fighting or cross-shooting whenever you just went to play football. “I remember everything so clearly: there were big tanks and tear gas (being sprayed) because students would be fighting against the police, and it would happen three or four times a week - I would just run home with my brothers after school. People would be throwing bricks, the tanks and army would
Q: How was life growing up in the notorious Cape? A: “My life growing up was brilliant in terms of the football, but in terms of the [overall] environment, it wasn’t so good because of the high rate of crime, gangs, drugs and alcohol which you didn’t want to be around. “Right next to where I lived we had a stadium – and every kid around played football. It was in Cape Town, the Cape Flats, it was
I JUST WANTED TO GET AWAY FROM THE CRIME AND WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT SIDE OF LIFE. EVEN SO, IT WAS INEVITABLE THERE WOULD BE FIGHTING OR CROSS-SHOOTING WHENEVER YOU JUST WENT TO PLAY FOOTBALL.
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be there. This is the growing-up environment that’s all I ever knew and to be honest I was okay – there was food on the table and I was playing football.” Q: When did your passion for football begin? A: “I played for everyone, I was that kid! I just loved playing football and I’m just glad I did because if you weren’t playing football you ended up doing something really bad, simple as that. I played for my local team but not for my school team as my first language was Dutch, and depending where you were born, you had to play rugby and I couldn’t play it to save my life! I got hurt playing my first game, went home and told my mum. Bless her! She then came into school, took me out placed me in another, purely for football reasons. It was opposite the house and that changed everything when I started playing for my new school team.” Q: How did you end up in England? A: “I got a place with the provincial team and things changed after that. Firstly I had a white coach, Colin Gie, which was the first time I’d had any interaction with a white person. Our team was the first multi-racial team. Before, I had only played with black players. When we had a mixed team, we were allowed to play with white players. We were 13 or 14 years
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old and it was totally natural for all to play together. There was no issue about race or anything - it was amazing and we ended up winning the national tournament together!. “My coach Colin came to me after a tournament and asked if I would like to go to England. I said yes, of course. It was like a ticket out of the ghettos, I was like ‘let’s go!’ He had to get permission from my parents as I was a minor but mum and dad signed the paperwork for him to be my guardian. Colin was just a local South African guy who took me out of school at 14 before I came to England. He trained me for six to eight months, three times a day at his house, on my own. “He saw something in me, helped build me up and get me ready for the competition that was to come when I came to England. This time was probably the biggest test of my career, but I
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was so desperate to get out of the country. That’s what kept me going. I never wanted to go back to life before that. I saw so much I didn’t want to see – the drugs, the fighting, the shootings . . . no kid is supposed to see that. So in the back of my mind when the opportunity came, I had that fear of not wanting to go back and that drove me on. That fear kept me going. “The contact Colin had in England was Terry Venables and when we came over around 199, that’s how it all started. When I look back now, I don’t know how I left everything I knew - my family and friends - but coming to England to play football was what I imagined
sitting on the side of the football field in South Africa. Everything was different when I came over and I remember meeting Terry, seeing Gazza and Gary Lineker and I was like ‘wow’! I even joined in with first-team training at Tottenham when I was 14, it was mad! The Sun newspaper ran a story on the front page labelling me the first million-pound kid! It was crazy. It was Christmas for me every day just being in England. I went home once a year for two weeks and it was always great to go back. But once I got the taste for life and football in England, my determination to succeed was even bigger.” Q: In 1995 you move to Mallorca> You described this as the lowest point in your life due to racial abuse. Talk me through the experience? A: “I actually signed with Atletico Madrid but they loaned me out to Mallorca. I didn’t speak Spanish which was already depressing and then my own team-mate racially abused me in training. I didn’t know what to do. I was 17 or 18, I didn’t know who to turn to, I didn’t speak the language, and on top of that, the manager didn’t
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communicate with me. I had no support. I was just told to sit on the side of the pitch. “I never prayed so much in all my life just to get away from that club. I’m sure many players went through worse experiences, but that for me was the lowest point because I had no mum, dad or brothers or anyone to turn to. This guy is a senior player in the team and he was saying all these things to me. Luckily, I got out of there. When I went back to Madrid, I was so happy I made some very good friends there and carried on with my football.” Q: You’ve now returned to Manchester United as the Under-23 coach, how is life treating you there? A: “My dream is obviously to coach the first team. I thought about my next move a lot but I’m working my way up here. Of course, I’m starting now with the U23s and learning a lot. I want to learn as much as possible because management changes so much in the game today. I want to take what I learn learn and just try to help young players get better. That’s the
main thing now for me. Yes, we want to win games of course, but the aim now for myself is to get the players to the first team. That’s the most important thing. And from there you learn how to adapt to different situations and pressures.” Q: What are the long-term coaching plans for you? A: “Look, I may have to go out and learn somewhere else and become a manager. But the dream, the ultimate dream, is to come back and be the manager of Manchester United. From what I’ve been through, I’m going for the highest level. I want to be given the job because of my ability. I want to always be judged
because of my character and what I can bring to the team, not because of the colour of my skin. When you look at the game, you see a lot of black players but why are there not many black managers? I don’t know what the reason is. I think if I go too deep into that it will block my way of thinking but I’m also all for that. You have got to put in the work. You have got to be a great manager. I want to be given the chance because of my talent. I like to think I am going to work as hard as I can, get all my qualifications, prepare myself and not let that barrier stop me. And if there is a system put in place, great, but regardless of that I’m going to go and work anyway.” Ù
WHEN I LOOK BACK NOW, I DON’T KNOW HOW I LEFT EVERYTHING I KNEW MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS - BUT COMING TO ENGLAND TO PLAY FOOTBALL WAS WHAT I IMAGINED SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE FOOTBALL FIELD IN SOUTH AFRICA.
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ZELA EXCLUSIVE
BY HAPPY MASANGO
The name Yusuf Bunting was once meant to set the footballing world alight after his goal scoring heroics sent shockwaves through youth football in the country. Fast forward a few years later and the question on everyone’s lips is, ‘where is Yusuf Bunting?’ After joining the Amakhosi youth academy at the age of 16, Bunting rose to prominence as a deadly striker under the tutelage of the likes of Arthur Zwane, Sundra Govender, Doctor Khumalo and Ace Khuse. Bunting’s dominance in youth football earned him a place in the Kaizer Chiefs reserve team shortly after joining the club and after six-years, that’s exactly where he remained.
THE FORGOTTEN YOUNG SENSATION
YUSUF BUNTING SOCCERZELA.CO.ZA
Bunting later secured a loan move to Highlands Park in 2018 where he made just two appearances for the Lions of the North. Hampered by injuries, being out of his coach’s plans and a failed move abroad, Bunting is now on the hunt for a new club to revive his career. We caught up with the former youth sensation regarding his time at Kaizer Chiefs and gathered some insight on what the future holds for the 24-year-old striker. Q1: Was it always football for you? When did your passion for the game start?
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A: Yes it always has been football for me – since the age of 5! It runs in my family and my journey is still far from finished. Q2: How and at what age did you join Kaizer Chiefs? A: At the age of 16 I joined Kaizer Chiefs. I went for an open trial and got chosen the same day. Apart from the other trialist, I was selected to start training the next day with the reserve team coached by Doctor Khumalo. Q3: Talk me through your time at the academy? A: My time at the Kaizer Chiefs academy has been full of ups and downs. I’ve had my fair share of injuries through my time. Thankfully, I had the best medical attention from Chiefs which helped me through the recovery process. In terms of being a player at the academy, I have definitely grown and learnt so much from the different coaches at the club. I was coached by Ace Khuse, Arthur Zwane, Sundra Govinder. Through my years at the Chiefs academy, I would say that I was probably the highest goal scorer in the few seasons I played in the development squads and leagues. All the coaches believed in me and that’s how I made it to the senior team at chiefs. Q4: You get promoted to the first team in 2017 after a strong U21 SAB Championship campaign. How did things change for you after being this?
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IN FOOTBALL IF YOU ARE NOT MENTALLY STRONG YOU WILL DEFINITELY NOT MAKE IT TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.
A: The SAB tournament definitely played a big role in me signing my first professional contract! I had an amazing tournament, came out the top goal scorer as well as player of the tournament. This received the attention of the Chiefs management to see I have the talent and could possibly be a future Chiefs star. Being promoted and training with the first team wasn’t initially easy; it’s at a high level and adjusting took time but was definitely a learning curve which helped me to be the player I am today. Q5: Despite being promoted, you don’t play any first team games, you go out on loan to Highlands Park - was the loan move your decision? What was the thought behind the move? A: Highlands Park contacted chiefs about taking me on loan. Unfortunately at Highlands Park I didn’t get as much game time as I thought I would. I thought moving to Highlands would gain me some experience and game time but unfortunately this did not happen due to whatever the coach’s reason was for not featuring me in matches. Q6: After being an academy star and also proving yourself in the MDC side, what made you leave Chiefs completely? Did the club tell you there’s no future for you there? Did you decide you needed a new adventure?
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A: I had high hope for my future when I came from loan to Highlands Park. A future which would see me building towards and helping the Kaizer Chiefs team reach their goals. I was let down when I got back from my loan spell: I was called into a meeting and told I’m not part of Coach Ernst Middendorp’s plans. This was rather frustrating but that’s just how South African football is. It’s unfortunate that things ended the way it did at Chiefs. I still had two years left on my contract and I am still waiting to get this sorted out by PSL – I have yet to receive my salary due to the contract’s validity for that period. Q7: Where is Yusuf Bunting playing at the moment? A: At the moment I am not playing for any club. I’m a free agent. I’ve been training and keeping fit on my own waiting for an opportunity to come through and to get my career back on track. Q8: Any advice for up-andcoming footballers? A: Work hard, stay motivated, dedicated and definitely keep your head on the ground! In football if you are not mentally strong you will definitely not make it to where you want to be. Q9: The highlight of your career so far? A: Since I haven’t played much first team football, my career
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highlight was winning the Multichoice Diski shield with a talented group of player, followed by the SAB Under-21 where I scooped three ‘Man of the Match’ awards as well as the player and top goal scorer. Another one which stays in my heart, is the pre-season friendly with the Chiefs first team played against Buya Msuthu where I actually scored my first goal for them in my debut match. Q10: Your future plans/long term ambitions in football? A: Honestly I would love to play football abroad if the opportunity arose. But I’d love to play football here in South Africa as well and show the country I can be a top player! I’m still young and an opportunity will come which will I take and make it count. Ù
Former youth coach Arthur Zwane on Yusuf Bunting: “I started working with Yusuf when he was young and he is one of the best finishers I’ve seen. He’s deadly in front of goals, and we always knew he’s a prolific striker he was just prone to injuries which delayed his initial progress in the beginning. “But, look, he’s something special. A 100% fit Yusuf Bunting can score a lot of goals for you. He needs to get his confidence back and also try and develop his game further. He is promising but I do believe he would have been far by now if it was not for injuries.”
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WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
MAJOR TALENT
IN PLAY Coach Desiree Ellis’ hope for women’s football as more players move abroad
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ISSUE 09
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
BY SINETHEMBA MBATHA
Women’s football in South Africa is still developing and is not at a level where we want it to be as compared to other big leagues across the world, However seeing our women footballers making headlines for securing moves abroad is enough proof that there is progress in the women’s game in the country. Many South African football supporters recently joined in on the celebrations of Banyana Banyana players getting contracts abroad. This is truly what it means to strive and succeed in the midst of a global pandemic. This is a big deal for the South African football fraternity because there was a time where big transfer conversations only involved male footballers. Amongst the players who will be plying their trade abroad are, Banyana Banyana captain; Janine Van Wyk who joined Scottish giants Glasgow City, in a move that could see Janine realise her childhood dream
of playing in the Women’s UEFA Champions League as Glasgow is still part of the competition that was suspended prematurely due to the Corona Virus pandemic, and is due to return on the 21st of August. The skipper’s participation will be based on her fitness level as she has been out of action for a while due to an injury she sustained while in action for Banyana Banyana in the COSAFA Women’s Championship. The injury also forced Janine to
COACH DESIREE BELIEVES THAT THE WOMEN’S LEAGUE WAS A START AND A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND IT EXPOSED TALENT WHICH WILL ASSIST IN BOOSTING THE NATIONAL TEAM.
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watch football from the sidelines as she missed the season with her Denmark club Fortuna Hjorring, but that did not prevent the Glasgow move from being sealed. Glasgow City announced Janine across all their social media platforms and labelled the transfer as “the biggest signing in Scottish women’s football”. The announcement made it to the list of trending topics on Twitter, the 33-year-old Van Wyk is the most capped player in South African and there is no doubt that her experience will contribute to Glasgow’s success. Young talent and former University of Johannesburg star Amanda Mthandi, will serve as an inspiration to other Sasol League and Varsity football players after her completed move to Spain where she joined
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CD Badajoz. Amanda won’t be the only South African player in Spain: she joins former Gintra Universitetas defender Nothando Vilakazi who joined EDF Logrono and the 2018 African Women of the year Thembi Kgatlane who joined Eibar from Portuguese side SL Benfica. Other players who moved abroad include Kelso Peskin who joined French second division side Stade Brestois 29 Feminine, Jermaine Seoposenwe who will be playing for Portugal outfit SC Braga and Mamelodi Sundowns ladies player Rhoda Mulaudzi who signed a six-month contract with Belarus Women’s League giants FC Dinamo Minsk together with another Banyana star Lebogang Ramalepe. ”It’s like as soon as you blink another one signs a contract”, Coach Desiree Ellis says with her face beaming with pride as she sits down with Sinethemba Mbatha for a Zoom interview to speak about the women’s game.
ONE CANNOT SPEAK OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL IN SOUTH AFRICA WITHOUT MENTIONING SASOL, THEY HAVE REMAINED FAITHFUL TO THE WOMEN’S GAME AND ACTED AS AN ENGINE TO ENSURE THAT WOMEN’S FOOTBALL DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED.
The coach who is a former player herself and a two time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, starts the conversation by looking back to the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations by making a comparison to Banyana Banyana’s rivals Nigeria and Cameroon squads which had most of their players playing their trade abroad, and how much it benefitted their respective teams at the tournament. She hopes that South African players will return home with this very same experience to improve our Women’s National team, and also inspire upcoming footballers to see it is possible to succeed abroad as a female footballer. After many years of promises to have a women’s league similar to the Premier Soccer League in order to professionalise the women’s game, we finally had the inaugural season of the National Women’s League which displayed a lot of talent but it was the Mamelodi Sundowns ladies that proved to be ahead of all the other teams - they finished the entire season unbeaten to eventually clinch the title. Coach Desiree believes that the Women’s League was a start and a step in the right direction and it exposed talent which will assist in boosting the national team. She continues to urge the Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates to come on
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board and establish women’s teams. “If the two giants are on board it will also get a lot of sponsors to come on board too to support women’s football” she further stated. The marketing director of Kaizer Chiefs, Jessica Motaung has previously stated in different interviews that Kaizer Chiefs is indeed in the process of establishing a women’s team though she did not give a timeframe of how long this process will take and when can we expect the team announcement. However, it will be an announcement that will certainly make Coach Desiree happy. While waiting for the Soweto giants to come on board, the hard work continues for Coach Ellis who has many goals set for the Women’s National Team and mentions they still have unfinished business as a team and owe it to themselves and the country, to go back and compete in the next FIFA Women’s World Cup but conquering Africa remains as their ultimate goal. One cannot speak of women’s football in South Africa without mentioning Sasol, They have remained faithful to the women’s game and acted as an engine to ensure that women’s football does not go unnoticed. Coach Desiree also did not hold back when it comes to Sasol as she gave credit to the organization for their role in supporting
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Women’s football, describing their contribution as one that we should be grateful for as it cannot be compared to anything. She believes it assisted a lot with displaying and exposing talent that went on to be involved in the national team. She hopes Sasol can continue to be the force behind women’s football in years to come. “This has just been incredible and beyond my wildest imagination,” added Ellis. “I am almost afraid to blink because when I wake up in the morning, there is another player signed up. The players have been fantastic with their individual work behind the scenes and through their efforts are now taking the next step on their new journeys. The experiences they will now bring to Banyana Banyana will be immense and hopefully this will
help raise the levels in the team to greater heights. “I remember going to the 2016 Women’s Afcon in Cameroon and facing the likes of Cameroon and Nigeria who had about 80 percent of their squad playing abroad and you could see the experience in their teams during certain situations. We are now possibly in a position to also bring similar experiences to Banyana Banyana.” Coach Desiree Ellis concluded by stating that, “The future looks bright, we have no idea of the talent we have” and she urged investors to follow in the footsteps of Sasol and continue to support Women’s football. A passionate and well driven coach, we have no doubt that with her at the wheel, women’s football in our country will go far. Ù
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THE PLAYING FIELD
INSIDE THE
PSL’S BIO-BUBBLE BY ZAAHID NANABHAY
The Premier Soccer League returned on the 8th of August 2020 after a five-month long absence in Gauteng’s bio-bubble. All 16 top flight teams were handed temporary homes in Gauteng for five weeks, each with the hope of completing the COVID-19 disrupted season.
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There was still a lot to play for heading into the bio-bubble with the Champions and relegation zone spots far from being sealed, while vital top-8 spots were far from secured. Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns headed to Gauteng as the front-runners in the title chase. However Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, Bidvest Wits and Maritzburg United were all in with a shout with approximately seven games left to play for each side. As far as the relegation battle was concerned, the remaining 10 teams were all mathematically relegation candidates with Black Leopards, AmaZulu, Baroka FC and Polokwane City emerging as the favourites to face the dreaded drop. Nedbank Cup Resumption Action in the PSL’s bio-bubble got underway with the semi-final round of the 2020 Nedbank Cup. Bloemfontein Celtic comfortably overcame Baroka FC in their semi-final while Mamelodi
Sundowns earned a last gasp victory over Bidvest Wits in a five goal thriller. The Nedbank Cup final is set to take place on the 9th of September. Absa Premiership resumption After three weeks of full contact training, Absa Premiership teams were officially back in action on the 12th of August 2020 after the lengthy hiatus. Teams with larger squads were expected to hit the ground running during the hectic revised schedule but not many could have predicted what was to come. After reaching match-day 28, at the time of writing, the league’s top six had shockingly accumulated just 41 out of a possible 99 points in the bio-bubble. The league’s two Western Cape teams have emerged as the strongest competitors in the league with Cape Town City acquiring 12 out a possible 15 points, their only loss coming against their neighbours Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch on the other hand have picked up 8 out of 12 possible points while Baroka FC and AmaZulu have also picked up 8 points each. Golden Arrows have suffered a torrid time in Gauteng’s bio-bubble, the Durban outfit have picked up just a solitary point. The front runners Despite picking up just 5 out of 18 points, Kaizer Chiefs remain as
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the league’s log leaders heading into the final two weekends. Their closest rivals Mamelodi Sundowns are equal with the Amakhosi on points but sit in second place due to an inferior goal difference. Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United are both mathematically still in the league’s title race with two games to go, however Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United can finish in third place at best. Who wants it most? Kaizer Chiefs last won the Absa Premiership title in 2015. Their five year long drought will definitely have management, coaches, players and fans on edge ahead of the dramatic end to the current campaign. Unlike Kaizer Chiefs, Pitso Mosimane’s Sundowns are going for a fourth title in five years. This season will also see a new record being broken, both Mamelodi
Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs are tied on 12 league titles apiece. What’s it worth? This season will see a record increase in prize money. The Premier Soccer League announced a massive increase in the prize-money for the Absa Premiership for the current campaign with the winners to pocket 50% more in the form of a R15-million pay-day. The amount is an increase from R10-million, which had been the figure teams walked away with for the last decade. The runners-up in will take home R7.5-million in prize-money, while third place bags R3.75-million. The team that finishes bottom of the league will only enjoy a R440 000 pay-day. The total prize-money for the league has been increased from R29.5million to R39.9-million, a jump of 35 percent from the last season.
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ABSA Premiership prize money broken down 1st - R15-million 2nd - R7.5-million 3rd - R3.75-million 4th - R2.5-million 5th - R1.8-million 6th - R1.56-million 7th - R1.32-million 8th - R1.2-million 9th - R885 000 10th - R825 000 11th - R750 000 12th - R690 000 13th - R620 000 14th - R565 000 15th - R495 000 16th - R440 000 Next season may very well see a change in prize money with Absa pulling out of the sponsorship of the league. While it remains to be seen who the new sponsor is, the prize money may very well
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be cut down making the current campaign all the more lucrative. What are the coaches saying? Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane has opened up about the immense pressure being felt in the PSL’s bio-bubble ahead of the remaining two match days. “Our job is pressure. As coaches, we are trained to be professionals. We are trained to take the pressure, and in our profession there is always pressure. There is always an expectation and everybody’s opinion. One day you are loved and day you are not,” he says.
“I like to look back and say to whoever said we cannot make it ‘look at us now’. Pressure and criticism, it’s okay. If you don’t want to be criticised, don’t be a coach. If you don’t want to be criticized, don’t be a football player. It’s your life. It’s an everyday story.” Kaizer Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp believes life in the PSL’s bio-bubble is all about mental strength. Teams have been playing every three to four days for the last four weeks and Middendorp believes it’s now the battle of the strongest minds. “Our preparations have been more mental than physical. In terms of us recouping‚ rejuvenating and tuning the mind into a positive
THIS SEASON WILL SEE A RECORD INCREASE IN PRIZE MONEY.
approach to the next match‚ our preparations have been going well,” Middendorp said. “We are happy that everyone is on the same page. Everyone is looking forward to win‚ which is the most important thing we have to do, and so far so good. We will see what happens on the field of play against Chippa but we are going to give 120 percent.” Bidvest Wits head coach Gavin Hunt claims coaching is a lonely path and more so inside the PSL’s bio-bubble, while sympathizing with Kaizer Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp. “In this profession, you are very lonely when you don’t win. When you are winning its fine everybody loves you. Being in the bubble means there’s nothing to take your mind off losing,” comments Hunt. “When you lose a game in the 94 minutes it is not easy to handle but as I said, they got enough experience to be calm. I wish everybody well but it doesn’t affect the personal relationship. I will still greet him. But people always think it is easy to win titles. Believe me, I’ve been there and it is very difficult, especially the last few games.” Most clean sheets in the PSL Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United) - 13 clean sheets Richard Ofori (Maritzburg United) 12 clean sheets
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Veli Mothwa (Chippa United) 10 clean sheets
Bongi Ntuli (AmaZulu FC) 13 goals
Wayne Sandilands (Orlando Pirates) - 10 clean sheets
Kermit Erasmus (Cape Town City) - 12 goals
Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs) 10 clean sheets
Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns) - 10 goals
Ricardo Goss (Bidvest Wits) 9 clean sheets
Ndumiso Mabena (Bloemfontein Celtic) - 9 goals
Elvis Chipezeze (Baroka FC) 9 clean sheets PSL Top Goal Scorers Gabadinho Mhango (Orlando Pirates) - 14 goals Peter Shalulie (Highlands Park) 14 goals Samir Nurkovic (Kaizer Chiefs) 13 goals Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United) - 13 goals Knox Mutizwa (Golden Arrows) 13 goals
Mwape Musonda (Black Leopards) - 8 goals Waseem Isaacs (Stellebosch FC) - 8 goals PSL bio-bubble results in full Mamelodi Sundowns 0 - 0 Orlando Pirates Kaizer Chiefs 1 - 1 Bidvest Wits Chippa United 0 - 1 Cape Town City Highlands Park 1 - 1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Stellenbosch 1 - 0 Golden Arrows AmaZulu 0 - 0 Baroka Polokwane City 2 - 3 Kaizer Chiefs Orlando Pirates 0 - 0 Bidvest Wits Black Leopards 3 - 2 Maritzburg United SuperSport United 1 - 1 Bloemfontein Celtic Cape Town City 3 - 2 Mamelodi Sundowns Chippa United 0 - 0 Highlands Park Bidvest Wits 0 - 0 Golden Arrows Orlando Pirates 1 - 1 Baroka SuperSport United 2 - 0 Polokwane City
KAIZER CHIEFS HEAD COACH ERNST MIDDENDORP BELIEVES LIFE IN THE PSL’S BIO-BUBBLE IS ALL ABOUT MENTAL STRENGTH.
Bloemfontein Celtic 3 - 1 Kaizer Chiefs Stellenbosch 1 - 0 Cape Town City Golden Arrows 1 - 2 Black Leopards Bidvest Wits 2 - 1 AmaZulu
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Maritzburg United 2 - 2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Golden Arrows vs Bloemfontein Celtic
Polokwane City 1 - 1 Highlands Park
Bidvest Wits vs Black Leopards
Baroka 0 - 1 Chippa United Cape Town City 1 - 0 Orlando Pirates Kaizer Chiefs 1 - 1 Stellenbosch AmaZulu 2 - 2 Bloemfontein Celtic Maritzburg United 0 - 0 Bidvest Wits Mamelodi Sundowns 1 - 0 Golden Arrows Black Leopards 0 - 1 SuperSport United Bloemfontein Celtic 1 - 1 Bidvest Wits Kaizer Chiefs 0 - 1 Mamelodi Sundowns Stellenbosch 1 - 1 Chippa United Orlando Pirates 2 - 1 SuperSport United Highlands Park 1 - 1 Maritzburg United AmaZulu 1 - 0 Black Leopards
Stellenbosch vs AmaZulu Match day 30 fixtures AmaZulu vs Highlands Park Baroka vs Kaizer Chiefs Bloemfontein Celtic vs Maritzburg United Bidvest Wits vs Polokwane City Cape Town City vs SuperSport United Chippa United vs Golden Arrows Mamelodi Sundowns vs Black Leopards Orlando Pirates vs Stellebosch The 2020/21 season will kick-off on the 8th of October while the transfer window to accompany the new season will open on 22 September and will run for eight weeks until 17 November. The revised dates for the January,
otherwise known as mid-season, transfer window have also shifted by a month from February 1 to 28. It remains to be seen whether the new season will take place in the bio-bubble with PSL president Irvin Khoza claiming a decision is yet to be take. “The bubble is an expensive thing to have, that’s why we said that the application of the BSE is going to assist us as to whether it will be a template for the future or not.” Khoza said. “For now we can’t say anything because we don’t know what the government is figuring out in terms of the [lockdown] levels or the sensitivity and severity of the pandemic. We will wait and see at that particular time in October and come up with a strategy to mitigate whatever has been presented to us, for us to go forward and continue with the games.” Ù
Golden Arrows 1 - 4 Cape Town City Bloemfontein Celtic 0 - 0 Polokwane City Bidvest Wits 1 - 0 Kaizer Chiefs Mamelodi Sundowns 0 - 1 Baroka Match day 29 fixtures Polokwane City vs Mamelodi Sundown Kaizer Chiefs vs Chippa United Highlands Park vs Cape Town City Maritzburg United vs Orlando Pirates SuperSport United vs Baroka FC
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DO FANS REALLY IMPACT
BY DYLAN BETTENCOURT
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a massive shift in sport of fans being unable to attend matches. Home ground advantage is an aspect of the game that many teams pride themselves on and depend on, to gather as many wins as possible. However, does the removal of fans remove the fear factor of playing away games? In this issue, Soccerzela looks at the top four European leagues which resumed league football in order to analyse how and if, home ground advantage was affected. Premier League Before the coronavirus paused footballing action in England, out of a possible 288 fixtures, the home team came out victorious 129 times, whereas the away teams were only able to amass 87 victories – with 72 draws in the process. These figures
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FOOTBALL RESULTS? represent a 45%-win percentage for home teams and away teams with a 30%-win percentage with the remaining percentages being stalemates. June saw the restart of Premier League action without fans in attendance. The remaining period of the top flight saw 92 fixtures taking place, with the home team amounting 43 wins and away teams winning 29 times – the remaining 20 fixtures ended as a draw. There was a slight difference in win percentages with both home and away percentages only increasing 2% each after their return. La Liga Satander The topflight of Spanish football came to a halt in March 2020. In
this period before the stoppage, the home teams were the victors 48% of the time with the away teams only managing a small 24- win rate. With 28% of fixtures ending in a draw. The return of football saw a huge change in La Liga as the away teams wins increased by 8%, winning 35 out of 110 fixtures. The home team’s dominance suffered a drop in percentage as they won 45 of the 110 fixtures, giving them a 41%-win rate, a fall of seven percent. Bundesliga The Bundesliga without a doubt saw the biggest change before and after the restart. There were a total of 224 games before the
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league paused in which the home team managed 97 wins. There were a total of 78 away victories and 49 draws.
that home teams enjoyed a greater win percentage after the lockdown, increasing from 40% to 44%.
The massive change came after the restart, as the Bundesliga became the only league amongst the top four leagues that the away team had the larger win percentage. The away teams coming away with 45%-win percentage, a ten percent increase. The home teams were only able to win 26 out of the 82 fixtures, leaving them with a less than impressive 32%-win rate compared to 43% before the league was paused.
The Italian top-flight of football saw a shift in results unlike any other league where the home teams were more comfortable without the fans present.
Serie A The Serie A was the only league in the top four leagues that saw the away teams struggle more after the restart compared to before the stoppage. A 3% percent drop from 37% to 34% after the restart was seen by away teams. This also meant
Why? There are many factors that can cause the shift in results in the
WHETHER THE FANS MOTIVATE THEIR TEAM TO PERFORM AT A HIGHER LEVEL OR ATTACK THEIR PLAYERS WHEN THEY ARE NOT PERFORMING AT THEIR BEST.
top four leagues. The fans not being able to attend can ease pressure at home, giving them freedom to perform without the home fans being able to criticise their performance. An example of this can be seen in the Serie A where the home side won a higher percentage of their fixtures. Another possible factor behind the away teams winning more often, is fans are often seen as the 12th man, supporting the home team and providing motivation for their team. The Bundesliga proves that German sides struggled without their fans backing them during the games with the away teams dominating after the restart, leaving teams without a home advantage. There is also the possibility of no fans not affecting the results on paper, but it will always be a tough task to argue that fans do not make a difference in football, for better or for worse. Whether the fans motivate their team to perform at a higher level or attack their players when they are not performing at their best. Although teams may have performed at a higher level, they will be delighted to see their fans return. The emotion, the raw passion and the craziness of football simply are/is not the same when there are no fans to drive these elements. Simply put, without fans, football is nothing. Ă™
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THE FALLEN WHERE DID IT ALL GO WRONG FOR THE MIGHTY MESSI?
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BY ZAAHID NANABHAY
Having arrived in Barcelona as a 13-year-old in the year 2000, Lionel Messi and the Catalan giants developed one of football’s ultimate love stories. 34 Major trophies in just 15-years, returning Barcelona to the throne of club football for lengthy spells and being the catalyst behind arguably the greatest football team the world has ever seen. A Barcelona side without Lionel Messi? Unimaginable! Messi, 33, spent his entire professional career with Barcelona, scoring over 600 goals, winning10 league titles and four Champions Leagues. However, in the past couple of seasons cracks have started to appear in the relationship between Messi and the club, following heart-breaking exits in the Champions League and discontentment within the club’s hierarchy. Messi had become more outspoken than ever, willing to criticise senior club figures as well as his own team-mates.
Could he really leave? The unimaginable could very well be upon us. The beginning of the end can be traced all the way back to July 2015. The month when Josep Maria Bartomeu was elected as president of the club. His opening statement was the disasterous signing of Arda Turan, Turan - highly talented but absolutely wasn’t a ‘Barcelona player.’ And that signing set the tone for a number of ill-advised purchases. Not to mention the destruction of La Masia as we knew it. The famed Barcelona academy has seen a massive decline in talent coming through the ranks since 2015. Messi was
WITH MESSI EXPRESSING HIS DESIRE TO LEAVE BARCELONA, WOULD-BE SUITORS ACROSS THE GLOBE WILL BE LICKING THEIR LIPS AT THE PROSPECT OF SECURING THE GREATEST FREE SIGNING IN HISTORY.
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18 days short of his 28th birthday when Barca last lifted the UEFA Champions League. Domestic league and cup wins aside, the Blaugranes essentially wasted his prime years as a player, according to the Argentine star. Dec. 14, 2000: FC Barcelona offer Messi a youth contract. Feb. 2001: Messi and his family relocate to Barcelona so he can join La Masia academy. Nov. 16, 2003: At the age of 16, Messi makes his first-team debut in a friendly against Porto. May 2004: Wins La Liga title for the first time. June 24, 2005: Messi signs his first contract as a senior team player. May 17, 2006: Wins first Champions League title as Barca beat Arsenal. Messi didn’t play due to injury. April 18, 2007: Messi scored his best goal ever against Getafe.
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May 27, 2009: Barcelona win the Champions League, beating Manchester United in the final, 2-0, with Messi scoring. May 28, 2011: Messi wins UCL for a third time, scoring in a 3-1 win over Manchester United in the final. March 7, 2012: Scores five times against Bayer Leverkusen in a Champions League match. March 20, 2012: Messi becomes Barcelona’s all-time top scorer with his 231st goal. He’s now got 634 goals for the club. June 6, 2015: Barcelona beat Juventus in the UCL final, 3-1, in what may be his last UCL crown with Barca. Aug. 10, 2018: Messi becomes Barcelona captain after the departure of Andres Iniesta. May 2019: Wins La Liga title for potentially the last time. Dec. 2, 2019: Messi wins the Ballon d’Or for a record sixth time. June 30, 2020: Scores goal No. 700 of his career Aug. 14, 2020: Barcelona lose 8-2 to Bayern Munich in the UCL quarterfinals it what might end up being the last game he ever plays for the team. Aug. 25, 2020: Messi informs Barcelona that he wants to leave. Messi calls it quits Lionel Messi informed Barcelona he wished to leave the club after nearly two decades with the Spanish giants. The
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club confirmed the Argentina soccer great sent a document expressing his desire to leave. The announcement came 11 days after Barcelona’s humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals, one of the worst defeats in the player’s career and in the club’s history. The defeat capped a difficult season for Barcelona — the first without a title since 2007-08 — and ignited one of its worst crises ever. Messi informed Barcelona of his intent to leave via Burofax because he is depending on a clause that will allow him to unilaterally end his contract before the end of the season — despite his contract ending in 2021. The end of the season would have been May 31, 2020,
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but due to the Covid-19 pandemic which saw football tournaments delayed by a minimum of three months, Messi and his team believe he has had added time in which to break the deal under the current clause. Messi’s contractual situation explained Inserted into Messi’s contract was a staggering 700 million Euro buy-out clause that wouldbe suitors would have to pay in
INTER HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY VOCAL IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO LAND LIONEL MESSI.
order to lure him away from the Nou Camp. The clause, coupled with Messi’s commitment on renewal until 2021, makes a Barcelona exit financially and emotionally unviable; but this week’s incredible developments mean it is now more possible than anyone could have ever imagined. Also inserted into Messi’s contract back in 2017 was a clause which states he could leave Barcelona for free at the end of every season should he wish to - so at the end of the 2020/2021 season. With Messi expressing his desire to leave Barcelona, would-be suitors across the globe will be licking their lips at the prospect of securing the greatest free signing in history. In theory that may be the case, but things are not as
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simple as that. The coronavirus pandemic and suspension of the La Liga season meant Barcelona finished their campaign in August instead of May. Messi’s lawyers are arguing that - in the spirit of the deal and good faith - the clause is still active after the rescheduled Champions League final on August 23. LaLiga side with Barcelona La Liga on Sunday released a statement saying Lionel Messi’s Barcelona contract was still valid, days after his shock announcement that he wants to leave the club and hours after he failed to attend a pre-season medical. The ruling body said the only way a club can sign the Argentine forward is if he triggers his release clause. ”With regard to the various interpretations (some of which are contradictory) published by a number of media outlets in recent days in relation to the contractual situation surrounding FC Barcelona player Lionel Andrés Messi, after having studied his contract with the club, LaLiga considers it appropriate to clarify that: The contract is currently in force and features a release clause to be applied in the event that Lionel Andrés Messi should decide to activate the early unilateral termination of the contract, pursuant to Article 16 of the Royal Decree 1006/1985 of 26 June, which regulates the specific labour status of
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LIONEL MESSI FAILED TO SHOW UP FOR A CORONAVIRUS TEST AT BARCELONA’S TRAINING GROUND ON SUNDAY (AUGUST 30), CASTING FURTHER DOUBT ON HIS FUTURE AT THE LA LIGA GIANTS.
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professional athletes. In line with the regulations and procedure that apply in such instances, LaLiga shall not proceed with the release required for the player to be deregistered from the Spanish Football Federation unless the aforementioned clause has been paid.” Messi’s potential next move Paris-Saint Germain The French Ligue 1 champions hold two trump cards in the race to land Lionel, the first of which being Neymar. Lionel Messi has publicly urged Barcelona to sign the Brazilian star in recent times while PSG also have the financial muscle to bring the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to the French capital. If any team can afford to reach a financial agreement with Barcelona, its Paris-Saint Germain. Messi’s exit also comes at a time where PSG may very well be looking to add the final piece to their puzzle following their heart-breaking UEFA Champions League final loss against Bayern Munich. Having already splashed the cash on Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Mauro Icardi, Angel Di Maria and more, it would make little sense not to swoop on arguably the best player in the world in a bid to finally win the illusive European trophy. Manchester City Two words: Pep Guardiola! With Pep Guardiola, Messi’s former boss in arguably his most-fruitful years at the helm, there is always the possibility of a move for the Argentine forward. The Barcelona captain, of course has never played in the Premier League, and this could be incentive enough for him to want to make his mark on previously unchartered territory. Messi joining the star-studded City outfit could very well be their final piece in the puzzle in light of the UEFA Champions League crown. Much like PSG, Manchester City are another club that can afford the services of the Argentine. A reunion with Pep Guardiola will definitely entice Messi into heading towards Manchester with the hope of tearing apart the English Premier League.
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Juventus A Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi attack? Just a couple of months ago, Juventus were amongst the favourites to sign Messi when his situation at Barcelona reportedly soured. But the Turin giants are reportedly looking to part ways with Ronaldo this summer, and new boss Andrea Pirlo could try to replace their highest earner with Messi. Messi may very well replace his foe in Cristiano Ronaldo at the club with reports in Turin claiming Ronaldo may be heading for the exit door at Juventus. Inter Milan Inter have been extremely vocal in their attempt to land Lionel Messi. The case for Inter is rational: pretty big club, with money, vision and in a big league which also features Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s arch rival. Messi goes to Italy and challenges for the Serie A title
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that Ronaldo’s club has won nine years in a row, it’s all well scripted. Newell’s Old Boys Messi’s boyhood club in Argentina. Some think he’ll end his career there. But the end isn’t that near. So Newell’s probably isn’t on the radar yet. Messi will definitely still be looking at competing in Europe for at least two more seasons before contemplating a move back home. Messi’s statement of intent Lionel Messi failed to show up for a coronavirus test at Barcelona’s training ground on Sunday (August 30), casting further doubt on his future at the La Liga giants. Under La Liga rules, without passing a test, Messi will be unable to take part in pre-season training under new coach Ronald Koeman, with the 2020-21 season set to start in two weeks. Messi was the only absentee at the test. Sunday’s
missed test will only increase speculation that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is determined to end his 20-year association with the Catalan giants. While it remains to be seen whether Lionel Messi actually makes the shocking move away from Barcelona, the writing was on the wall for some time now. Earlier this year when Barcelona’s players announced they would be taking a 70% pay cut to help the club through the coronavirus pandemic, Messi took another not-so-subtle swipe at the board for the way they had publicly handled negotiations. Eventually, the offfield battles with his own club, coupled with the team’s failings on the pitch to have become too much. It has now been five years since Barcelona won the Champions League while their 8-2 hammering seems to be the last nail in the coffin for their superstar. Ù
Messi speaks out There’s trouble in paradise as Lionel Messi spoke out last night (Friday 04 September) for the first time about the continuing saga. In short, he slammed the board saying Bartomeu and his management are a disaster, basically holding him to ransom to his €700-million clause. Wanting to avoid a legal dispute with the club, he confirmed he’ll remain at Barcelona until the end of the season.
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ISSUE 09
REWIND
BY PRO PHILANI
Life was full of enjoyment in the 70s, 80s and 90s in central Durban, but more so when African Wanderers played their arch rivals, Usuthu. These two football clubs were traditional clubs formed by Zulu workers who moved to Durban to earn a better living. They were like the biblical story of Cain and Abel. One was loved by the kingdom, the other, unfortunately, not that much. Walking down West Street - the most popular street in Durban back in the day - conversations were erupting at traffic lights, traditions and bragging rights were explicitly maintained. And those in mines, busses, trains were nothing compared to what usually went down in West Street! ‘Traffic light talk’ was a way most men from northern KwaZuluNatal used to introduce to, or help their youngsters distinguish
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AFRICAN WANDERERS VS AMAZULU Usuthu from Abaqulusi. When the traffic light turned green, old men would scream out aloud “aluwele Usuthu” meaning those who are Usuthu followers should cross the road, as green matched Usuthu colours. When the traffic light turns red, “abawele Abaqulusi” those who follow Wanderers, should do likewise, as red was the colour of Abaulusi. Meaning of nicknames: Usuthu is a war cry, associated with the royal household of the Zulu empire. Abaqulusi
is a region in the north west of KwaZulu-Natal province. Abaqulusi can be loosely translated as ‘that [don’t sit, but] squat’. Of course, whenever African Wanderers were playing at Princess Magogo Stadium, Kings Park soccer stadium, King Zwelithini stadium or across the country, their fans were not allowed to sit down during matches. They were forced to squat for the entire 90 minutes. Anyone who sat would be accused of sitting on goals.
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Administration: 1971, Usuthu replaced African Wanderers in the top league because of administrative issues which surrounded Abaqulusi. They won the league the following year. The issue never sat well with Abaqulusi faithful. AmaZulu were far more superior than Abaqulusi on the administration side. Usuthu had been unfortunate not to find a perfect balance between admin and footballing. They’re always spot on off the field, but not on the field.
In 1987, Usuthu returned to glory days under their favourite son, Clive Barker. Barker led Usuthu to both the Mainstay Cup final and Charity Spectacular final in which they lost both to Kaizer Chiefs. In 1990, Usuthu lost yet another final. This time, the Bob Save Super Bowl final [1-0] to Jomo Cosmos. They avenged their loss in 1992 by beating Chiefs 3-1 in the Coca-Cola Cup final. Usuthu always maintained
On the field: Usuthu challenged Transvaal teams. Coming to KwaZulu-Natal was never an easy task for outside teams. Each time the KwaZuluNatal derby came, Usuthu would emerge victorious. The African Wanderers boys would walk around the pitch showing great confidence, and the crowd in red would squat, blow whistles, and in deep voices sing “Mqulusi”. If you’re found seated as a man, anything from a slap to insults will follow you. Those African Wanderers watchmen didn’t want the culture of Abaqulusi and the meaning of ‘ukuqulusa’ to die.
THESE TWO FOOTBALL CLUBS WERE TRADITIONAL CLUBS FORMED BY ZULU WORKERS WHO MOVED TO DURBAN TO EARN A BETTER LIVING.
The ‘green mambas’ on the other hand appealed more to the Zcultural side of the Zulus. Traditional Zulu wear, shields, knobkerries and spear, were carried whenever Usuthu played. Traditional songs were sung with exhurberance, as was traditional dancing, with women ululating the royal boys.
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its status despite changes in management or ownership of the club, but eventually lost their competitive edge mid- to end1990s, unlike rivals, Abaqulusi. In 1985, Abaqulusi shocked naysayers when they reached the Mainstay Cup and lost to eventual winners, Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1. In the 1990s, under Gordon Igesund and Henri Cele, African Wanderers brought a new spark: first to challenge AmaZulu in the hearts of KZN people and also to challenge Transvaal teams.
African Wanderers never ceased to beat Kaizer Chiefs of all teams. They will beat Chiefs in Durban, and lose a probable six matches in a row and have fa ew draws here and there. But come the AmaZulu match, Abaqulusi would become a brand new side. They never wanted to lose against, first AmaZulu, then Chiefs. Besides the fight and pride, Abaqulusi had only finished twice above Usuthu in the history of South African football. Though both teams had a fair share of poor results on the field, Abaqulusi earned themselves the nickname, “yo-yo team” as the side always failed to avoid relegation. In the 1980s, AmaZulu were strong, and always finishing in respectable positions. In those days, Durban Bush Bucks had Calvin Petersen and Mlungisi Professor Ngubane, who was the star of the day and the biggest player in KZN. AmaZulu had the late ‘Sugar Ray’ Xulu, Mafa “Ace” Nduli, Joel “Fire” Faya, who were the stars in different eras. Abaqulusi had Samora Khulu, ‘Ten-Ten’ Nzimande, ‘Bizzah’ Dlamini in the 70s who were later poached by Chiefs. African Wanderers continued to struggle against AmaZulu until the day the club disappeared off the the South African football scene. The derby There’s no doubt these two sides had an abundance of talent. Even today, the KZN province continues
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to produce superstars for both local and international leagues. Ilanga newspaper played a huge role reporting on this derby. Radio Zulu [now Ukhozi FM] also had its fair share marketing and promoting this derby. The derby was fiercely contested. KZN was divided. It was war on and off the pitch. Hostels, train stations, schools, would welcome debates of who was the best. Usuthu mostly had an upper hand and dictated the narrative of the derby. KZN football was respected because of the achievement of AmaZulu in particular, when they won the league in 1972. Abaqulusi on the other hand never really took SA football by storm like their rivals, but had their presence felt whenever it was their day. Muthi played a psychological role in both camps. African Wanderers muti men were respected throughout the province, because the Abaqulusi region had ones who were well known. Nevertheless,
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it didn’t work in Abaqulusi’s favour. Usuthu dominated them, season in, season out. There are even stories of black cats, man-made thunder, man-made wind, which were credited to these muthi men, but they never changed results for Abaqulusi or brought any form of luck. Instead, Abaqulusi always went up and down, experienced boardroom fights and struggled for sponsorship. At the stadium the cheer was loud: “Mqulusi! s’dindi somtshiki, angihleli ngiqulusile” while on the other it was “hebe!!! Usuthu! Usuthu olumabheshu ankone… “ This was football at its best. This was what men from the hostels were proud of. The songs, the praises, the dancing at the stadium defined their cultural heritage. Threatening to beat each other on the stands was like a game to them. Abaqulusi fans knew the best they’d come out with - whether at CJ Smith Stadium or Princess Magogo or King Zwelithini stadium - was a draw.
But who can forget the day a young kid from KwaMashu, straight from Umzuvele High School who scored a hat trick, and for the first time, Abaqulusi had beaten Usuthu convincingly by a whopping 6-0 margin at the now refurbished Kings Park Soccer and Athletic stadium. There was joy in the trains. The hostels were buzzing with joy. The ignored son of the kingdom had beaten the favorite son, convincingly. Abaqulusi enjoyed an upper hand for the first time, the pain of 1971 was forgotten. Being the second best in the province was no longer an issue, Abaqulusi were back to their best, one would think. But the usual came to haunt them again and they were subsequently relegated, and continued with their yo-yo status. Siyabonga ‘Bhele’ Nomvete, Sibusiso ‘Rhee’ Zuma and Phumlani Mkhize were the last trio to give AmaZulu a hard time. Abaqulusi might be gone today, but history will always remember them. The KZN derby history will always remain as one of the most fiercely contested derbies in South Africa. Usuthu are still campaigning in the South African top flight football. The culture on the stands is still same, but against Arrows or Maritzburg United. Tthere’s no clash of heritage like there was when Abaqulusi were also boxing amongst the heavyweights. Ù
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THE VOICE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL!
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