The 2017 Cosafa format not good

(www.wikipedia.com)

The 2017 Castle Cosafa format is bad and unfair. The thinking behind the idea of denying other players game-time is unclear. 

The Fifa ranking used byes should have been used for group seeding. As it is, lower ranked teams like Zimbabwe, Angola, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and Madagascar come and play 3 matches. 

Lesotho, Swaziland, South Africa, Zambia and Namibia join in at a later, play 90 minutes and go home, if unlucky. 

A nation must not prepare, camp and travel for a single match, because as seeded teams, they only play quarter finals.

Few players come in as substitutes, play 10 or 5 minutes, lose and go home, just like that. To be fair and for developmental purposes, all teams must play group stages.

Those 10/15 minute players do not have an opportunity to showcase their talents. They come to the tournament looking to audition for the Absa Premier League showcase. Eve though their national teams are ranked higher, coaches get a chance to see more of the unseeded team players. 

Most players want to play more. There is no incentive to be highly ranked if it means playing less. Hopefully, the organisers will have a look and see if their format can be made to benefit all equally. It could be cost related, but then rather compromise on the overall prize money.

Seeded teams can win it after 3 matches, while the qualifiers need 6 matches to win it. These have an advantage of having warmed up to the finals long enough, though burn out and fatigue due to short recovery periods between matches can be counter-productive.

What has been your Cosafa moment so far?

Football coaches need to invest in themselves

(Courtesy of KickOff)

Watching Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs play, most Absa Premier League teams for that matter, it is easy to see the backgrounds of these players lacks fine details required to play well at that level. Furthermore, how much coaching contribute in formulating attacking patterns of the country’s biggest teams, remains to be seen.

One African coach was on my case after the 2010 Fifa World Cup opening match, South Africa versus Mexico. His point was that the best South African player leading to the tournament could not control the ball, not once, not twice. In all cases, losing great scoring opportunities that could have put the match to bed, before Simphiwe Tshabalala scored and after he did, and before the Mexican goal as well as after. Just the conduction of the ball, choice of controlling surface and direction of the touch was enough to conclude that our best player was bad. (and so were his coaches).

Kaizer Chiefs thrive more on their superior defensive behaviour rather than the incisive penetrating patterns. The teams swing hammers at them until they cannot lift their arms and then get battered. As to why the defence is that solid, it is the foreign elements comprising the European nature of the English coach, Stuart Baxter, local players with foreign experience and the massive destruction efforts of bulldozing Zimbabwean anchor, Willard Katsande.

Katsande, like the rest of the best of the South Africa’s central midfielders over the years, comes from Zimbabwe’s development production responsible for products like Tinashe Nengomashe and Ezrom Nyandoro, just to name the recent like for like. The northern neighbours’ systems are flawed but are streets ahead of their local counterparts in many aspects.

In Zimbabwe, each city or town has a strong and active junior committee that is responsible for the fixtures, referees appointment and competitions. The same goes with the schools’ program. The massive differences lie in the hunger to do well by the Zimbabwean coaches. They hunt for information and update their skills at every opportunity.

The support they give to each other spurs them to obtain even superior quality and they utilise every resource available. It is unbelievable the extent to which they can go to seek advice and information. They pay through their nose to attend local and foreign courses and the best part is that they share whatever they get. They sell houses and property if necessary.

By contrast, getting a full house to a free seminar in most parts of South Africa is a huge luxury. Coaches feel they are doing someone a favour by attending. Some feel they know the game, and that exact mentality prove how much they do not. Imagine how hard it would be to have people pay for their coaching education, but proper coach education is expensive.

The cause for this occurrence is simple. Few ‘accidental’ successes made people believe that they are good, and therefore, they became comfortable. They may have been, but the game evolved and they remained in one stubborn spot. Forming solid coaches’ structures may assist, if they can germinate to start with. Coaches need to meet weekly in known informal settings. This is good for the public image and the aspiring coaches get to meet the best mentors in their society.

That platform, above all, affords concrete and relevant discussion about football development, exchange of ideas as well as referrals and recommendation of players. Interaction by coaches from different levels of the game evens out the inequality of the perceived huge gaps between different leagues.

Professor Neto Esphezim attacks South African coaches at the SAFCA symposium

I could not believe my eyes when I saw Professor Neto Esphezim, my mentor at the Brazilian Football Academy in Rio de Janeiro in 1999. Together with Carlos Alberto Perreira and Julio Cesar Leal, they formed a formidable team of instructors for the Advanced Diploma on Brazilian Football for Foreign Coaches and Trainers.

Professor Neto humbly introduced himself as an expert of the game with over 60 years of experience working all over the world with associations and Fifa. He has been an instructor of the Fifa since 1978 while sitting in their technical committee.

The Prof allowed for the excited coaches to laugh at the 7-1 before he began a frank address. In a symposium attended by the country’s top coaches from the ABSA Premier League clubs, former Bafana Bafana coaches and junior coaches and legends of the South African game, he began with the state of the Brazilian coaching arrangement.

In their 21 states, with each having an association for the coaches, he explained how their 100 000 registered members obtained police clearances to weed off paedophiles. All coaches worked full-time and earned a minimum of $1,500.00 per month.

He went a level higher to ask how many coaches were in the room. As excited as we were, we raised our hands. He asked who had read a football that day, then that week, month and year. None raised their hands. He barked that loudly with a disappointed voice, how the room was full of imposters.

This was in reference to the Amazulu versus Moroka Swallows match that appalled him.   The biggest problem with that game was the great athleticism and hard running from the very beginning. ‘If you score a goal in the first minute, how do you spend the next 89 running like headless chickens clocking the ball forward like that? When do you breathe and when do you think? Incredible!!’  

Prof Neto authored many books and he informed the audience how he read over 960 football-coaching books in his coaching life. Coaches needed to update their knowledge with changing trends of the game and training methods. ‘You are all nothing.’

He wondered if we could plan and conduct a proper professional training session and even read and analyse the game. H expressed his disgust at what he saw on television. He watched 6 matches during the past week which were fair. He saw something else he never had a clue what it was. He had to ask someone what it was and the answer was that it was ‘soccer’.

That answer proved that he could have never known since he was a football man, and not a soccer man. Already he was addressing the people who coached soccer and not football. The challenge for all to up their game and work professionally was emphasised as the most important aspect for all.

He made this point stronger with an example of single mothers who struggle to make ends meet in poor Brazil. The women prefer lunch boxes for the boys, take them by hand to school, go back to school later to pick them up and head to the football training grounds.

These children feel the need to come daily from training due to their love for the ball. Parents invest money and emotions as these children mean everything to these mothers. However, more often than not, the children drop out of school before even reaching high school to pursue football. What justice is there that these football-loving children end up with coaches who coach them wrongly?

Who would love to bear the conscious of knowing that they have been robbing the children’s future with bad technical and tactical training from inception? The obvious truth is that the human spirit dictates that no effort is spared to equip youngsters with the best ever coaching possible and by the best possible coaches dedicated to the game.

He briefly went through the 2014 Brazil Fifa World Cup Technical Report. African teams played 5 % higher than normal except for Ivory Coast who were below par. Costa Rica and Columbia were 10 % better than normal. The world top nations from Europe and South America played below par.

The African problem remained that of poor mentality and inability to handle pressure. They failed to handle the excitement to qualify to a higher level and collapsed when they needed to be firm. That lack of competence to deal with the pressure of success destroyed the inroads made in technical and tactical improvements.

Chile and The Netherlands were the most productive teams while Algeria and Germany fixture was viewed as the most interesting match of the tournament tactically.    

‘In Brazil, we don’t like football. We are in love with the ball’. He concluded to a huge round of applause.

Hail to the Kings, the Kaizer Chiefs

With a single fixture of the ABSA Premiership to go, the title has been taken. Kaizer Chiefs won their first title in 8 years after that famous draw with draw specialists in Supersport United. With that, it may be worthwhile to declare Black Leopards relegated. Chippa United and Ajax of Cape Town will decide amongst themselves who goes for play-offs by playing for their lives.

There is a couple of things of concern here. A team of the magnitude of Amakhosi can never be allowed to go without a title for so long. While congratulating them and appreciating the efforts of Kaizer Mutoung and his family for this feat, it underlines what has been gross under-achievement by their very high standards. 

Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and to a lesser extent, Moroka Swallows and Supersport United should never go for so long without a title. Rotating the title among the Soweto rivals should be the norm. This is due to their following and financial muscle. Sundowns provide the financial stability that all teams envy. 

As for Supersport, their is the stability in other resources that are not necessarily financial They have all the equipment and facilities anyone can dream of. They have access to archives and material including continental football records that can be accessed by their technical stuff. This should see them do better in the African safari, but like Chiefs in the local scene, they misfire constantly.

Let us not take away the shine away from the Naturena Boys. They were a solid unit of note for the first time in years. This is mainly based on their recruitment of the correct material for their campaign. One cannot really say the right material, but the best local talent money could buy. Their line-up is basically the national squad by any measure.

In Itumeleng Khune, save for the poor penalty saving record, they have probably the best goalkeeper in Southern Africa, maybe Africa. His distribution of the ball is the best I have ever seen in my life. The timing and accuracy sends chills down the spine of the observer. 

Formerly based overseas and playing in the UEFA Champions League, Tshepo Masilela covered the wing back position the way he did in La Liga and Israeli league. His Bafana colleague in Sibusiso Gaxa has much of that overseas experience and their defensive roles were as important as their defending; fast-flowing and ruthless.

Morgan Gould is another national team defender of note, aggressive and intelligent. In Mashamaite, he had a solid partner who can play anyway in the world. The solid holding role of Katsande and the offensive prongs of Reneiloe Letsholonyane and Simphiwe Shabalala ensured a complementing structure that was both unbreakable and unstoppable.

The reasonable width came from the wing backs but Bernard Parker drifted well in supporting Lehlohonolo Majoro. Majoro was signed a season earlier after a good run in KZN but people were beginning to doubt his goal-scoring prowess until this season. He became a beacon in national team colours too. With that kind of skeleton, any flesh thrown in there would bring the title home, provided the management was sober enough.

Not being a big fan of Stuart Baxter, he really did not need to be good to win this one. Any average performance from this line up over 12 months will yield something for sure. It must be mentioned that he had a big role to play standing along the touch line talking to the 4th official and sometimes the linesman. Baxter's supporting men also played a big role considering the weight of their names, e.g Doctor Khumalo worth his weight in gold (and black) for sure.

Not that these gentlemen are unqualified. Their colourful CVs are an envy to many and a close ally tells me they are shrewd too. While for sentimental reasons, many see VV, the former mentor as more tactically aware (I'm not sure of the measurement used here), he did not win much to talk about. They then want to blame his failures on his material.

Earlier on, I mentioned the credit that must be given to the whole management of Kaizer Chiefs because after spending so much money and a huge wage bill, they were likely to eat from the same plate as Sundowns. However, they conquered Mzansi by their solid performances and discipline approach with flying ego that sought massage from those also seeking massaged. How they kept this in check should be a lesson to all. They applied the principles of monkeys, that 'you scratch my balls I scratch yours'. This they did faithfully and religiously in all their matches.

Having mentioned the 'galatico' in Sundowns, everyone there wanted their balls scratched but no one had the will to scratch. As we now all know, the recipe for that is disaster. One can assume they learnt a thing or two, in which case Chiefs will find it harder to retain their title. Not only Minwana Phezulu are the threat. There is still the wounded Sea Robbers.

Orlando Pirates feel the sabotage mission of a few individuals led to the loss of their title. Their run in Africa is very much alive and kicking and they think they had the potential to do that at home. How far they go in the safari may be a problem for Chiefs. If they win the Champions League, they may be the real deal. Pirates are not necessarily solid but crafty and tactically aware by a mile in comparison. If they are going to be a threat in reclaiming their title they had domesticated for the last 2 seasons, they may have to enter the market and get rid of bad apples.

In Roger De Sa, they have a astute mentor with experience. They need a back-up for their crucial positions upfront in younger and agile goal poachers. With Chiefs' title celebration still not and vibrant, it must be remembered that if overdone, it may be their undoing and the momentum for next season may be lost, but they have monster characters in Bafana players. 

Regardless how one looks at how they came of age, it is worthy to note that their giant mentalities won it for them against weak Platinum Stars who were pretenders to the throne in the later part of the season. In time to separate boys from men, Kaizer Chiefs, Amakhosi, the Glamour Boys of Naturena proved their league involvement this season was no child's play. 

Whether or not they have the pedigree to perpetuate their dominance over a period spurning two overlapping seasons remains to be seen. Only time will tell but for now sithi 'Alala Amakhosi Alala'.   

Mamelodi Sundowns' sun is up

There is no way to properly describe Mamelodi Sundowns. There is however one and true word to describe the owner, Patrice Motsepe: educated. Now Minwana Phezulu are in the Telkom KnockOut final, a miracle indeed.

Never in our lifetime have we imagined Minwana Phezulu would be that rock bottom without anyone rocking the boat. Not to say that it was the right thing to do and we may never see it again.

Motsepe of old would have wielded the axe and romped in a new and costly replacement, but he believed in a project that is not bearing fruits, unfortunately. Sundowns have been hit by a bad patch that will see the change in regime soon. It may also come with a mass exodus of players as there is no way to pick up the pieces, judging at the behavioural signs exhibited by the players’ body language. There is so many wrong things about the team.

Their woes are music to the ears of the Kaizer Chiefs fans who look forward to landing the crown to Naturena after their cosmopolitan troops seem to savour the purple patch. Amakhosi have been sublime in front of goal, with Bernard Parker and Lehlohonolo Manjoro enjoying the time of their lives.

Orlando Pirates on the other side are experiencing a yoyo of emotions as Roger de Sa slowly gets to grips with the Buccaneers movement. Pirates’ woes in their quest to defend their title are enhanced by their injury list making their camp resemble a hospital ward.

This is besides the over-weight problems they deal with in Benni McCarthy, Collins Mbesuma and Thulasizwe Mbuyane. It is likely that Moenoeb Josephs will have to negotiate his starting 11 place hard and strong with Senzo Meyiwa. Rooi Mahamutsa, Benni, Andile Jali and many others on the sidelines are team that can actually challenge for the championship. It is hard to raise one’s hand and bid for the top prize under the circumstances.

Platinum Stars seem to be shinning so far and their slow progress up the ladder impresses friends and foes but whether they are championship material will be answered when the Sea Robbers return to full strength, if Chiefs do not take advantage and run with the thing.

It must be mentioned that Sundowns’ neighbours on the standings have done wonders to come from a very amateur team into the Second Division Vodacom ranks for a season, pass into the National First Division and shoot to the ABSA Premier League.

The meteoric rise detrimentally affected their vision and zeal as seen by their three coaches who bit the dust in less than a third of the league matches played. The popular 2-match record for Mangqoba Mnqithi will remain a record for years, even though elsewhere, coaches were hired and fired even before they arrived at the football ground. Chippa United will need patience and I am confident that they have a project going.

It is however still early days to see the shape of the whole ABSA Premiership and soon enough, we will know.

Pirates start the long journey in style

ABSA Premiership result: Pirates 2-1 Arrows
Venue: Orlando Stadium

A stunning strike from Tlou Segolela gave Orlando Pirates a winning start to their ABSA Premiership campaign after they beat a lively Golden Arrows 2-1 at the Orlando Stadium on Friday. Thulasizwe Mbuyane struck late in the first-half to cancel out the opening goal from Bonginkosi Ntuli and Segolela buried a sensational winner in the second-half.

Neither side really managed to get into their stride in the opening 10 minute but Arrows were lively and Stanton Lewis forced Moeneeb Josephs into a good save in the 16th minute with a low curler that the goalkeeper tipped around the post. The opening goal would arrive moments later when Sifiso Myeni was stopped dead in his tracks with an excellent tackle from Thanduyise Khuboni. He then picked out Lewis who forced Josephs to parry and Ntuli was following up to tuck away the rebound from close range.

Pirates had the chance to hit back immediately with a free-kick inside the area but Arrows did well to clear the danger. The Sea Robbers then suffered a blow when Ndumiso Mabena went down clutching his leg and was soon replaced by Mbuyane.

Benni McCarthy produced a weak header at the far post in the 28th minute while Siyabonga Sangweni made a fantastic tackle to deny Ntuli his second on the night. Khuboni was a monster in defence for Arrows and crucially took the ball away from Mbuyane who looked set to get a shot on target in the 42nd minute.

Pirates would not be denied though and Mbuyane buried a sensational header from a Myeni corner to draw the game level just before the break. The Buccaneers started the second period with more purpose and saw Myeni smash a shot just wide of the target three minutes in.

McCarthy then unsuccessfully looked for a penalty in the 50th minute before Myeni lifted another opportunity over the crossbar. Andile Jali should have scored two minutes later when he was picked out by Thabo Matlaba but his first-time shot was unable to trouble the goalkeeper.

Segolela replaced Myeni in the 63rd minute and almost made an immediate impact only for his shot to be blocked before Daine Klate also saw his effort charged down moments later.

Lewis tried to respond for Arrows, who had been less effective in attack in the second-half, but his powerful drive flew just wide of the target.

The winning goal would then arrive in the 78th minute and it was well worth the wait as Segolela latched onto McCarthy's header from far out to the left of the target and let rip with a stinging drive that touched the hand of the goalkeeper en route to the top corner.

Arrows failed to really trouble Josephs in the final few minutes of the game while Pirates could have extended their advantage, but no more goals arrived and the defending champions picked up their first three points of the new season.

Pirates: Moeneeb Josephs, Thabo Matlaba, Lucky Lekgwathi, Siyabonga Sangweni, Patrick Phungwayo, Daine Klate, Andile Jali, Manti Moholo, Sifiso Myeni, Ndumiso Mabena, Benni McCarthy.

Arrows: Pavels Steinbors, Siyanda Zwane, Ritus Krjauklis, Musa Bilankulu, Sibusiso Hadebe, Philani Shangwe, Souleymane Keita, Thanduyise Khuboni, Nkosinathi Ogle, Stanton Lewis, Bongi Nutli. By Sbue

Cry the beloved Orlando Pirates

The home advantage myth suffocates football progress perennially. The recent ousting of Orlando Pirates from the Africa Champions League by the Angolan champions is the latest example. Home advantage is not an advantage. It must be made such.

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana‘s failure to participate in the AFCON 2012 was a

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result of thinking the home ground scores goals for the hosts. Both situations were repeats. The teams approach matches with an attitude of getting one result here and finishing it off there.

I coached teams that suffered the same fate. The amount of complacency in the technical department and the players can be annoying. Experience would have taught many clubs, but, year in and year out, the story is the same.

Football never responds to muti or juju anymore. Bafana turned on the style during the Confederations Cup and lulled in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. All African teams thought playing on the continent was a license to the Cup. Save for hosting,South Africa have a tall order to participate at any stage on merit.

The problems lie with the administrative and operational attitudes. The developmental structures are tertiary worries of the industry. The slide in the packing order is accelerated by easy targets from Zimbabwe. The northern neighbours are not even benefitting from dominating the ABSA Premier League.

The Zambians garnered enough experience to go on and win the AFCON. It would be mischief to say they must be thankful to South Africa, as some alluded. Chipolopolo had hearts of oak and the fighting spirit of a buffalo mother.

The South African league is not in the Top 10 leagues in Africa, thanks to the performance of Supersport in previous Africa Champions League and Orlando Pirates in 2012. The league lost the two spots to Zimbabwe who benefitted on the exploits of Dynamos in previous years. The Castle Premier Leagueranks higher than the ABSA Premiership.

The north and western African countries dominated these competitions at club levels and then their national teams bullied the south of the Sahara. To restore order, Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns,Supersport United and Kaizer Chiefs must find it worthwhile to play to win these Cups. The domestic league and Cups must be lucrative enough.

Maybe after all the troubles of fixtures, travelling and competing outside the borders, whatever price tag is on the prize is not worth the sweat to the club bosses. That affects the clubs themselves, the nations and the continent.

If players get paid well in their clubs, good business practise would dictate wasting fewer resources on futile continental commitments and national duties. This is great for their families and national teams suffer. Africa will remain a laughing-stock, but tho cares about Africa!

As for the Buccaneers, they did not defend at all when playing at the Orlando Stadium. The game became a proper match in Angola, but their fate was already sealed. Is there a chance they will make the cut next year? Time will tell, but given their erratic domestic form, only die-hard fans will put their treasured private tools on the vice.

From this desk, we can only say, ‘God willing’.

South African football such a shame.

South Africa football is one of mixed fortunes both literally and figuratively. The game is moneyed and success is scarce. Who is to blame? Let us start pointing fingers as usual.

I would love to look at the league and then the national team. There is no secrecy about the funding of the ABSA Premier League as it is bankrolled by one of the biggest money houses in Africa. ABSA pumps a cool sum as they do for the Rugby. Springboks are a leap ahead, naturally, as you know that it is a sport enjoyed by the majority of the people who have R18 billion at ABSA.

You should remember how the African majority race complained about SA Rugby being not black enough. ABSA were warned not to raise a voice because they will have R18 billion out of the door by noon. The bank 'shooshed'. That is politics and you know how dumb I am on the subject.

Calls from all foreign coaches who have come to South Africa as national team mentors have been that the league should depot all aliens and play the Kasi boy so as not to dilute style and give local jimbos more play time. That fell to deaf ears even to the Oliphants that you would expect to hear well low-frequency resonance given the big ear flaps.

The other issue especially articulated by Carlos Alberto Pereira was that of the reserve league. As noble as the suggestions are, they meet the standards of the association and the league, but club owners have a different agenda. If the locals do not give them the mileage they need to be on top, requesting for extra expenses running a reserve team is not business at all. Here, the game dies.

 My personal opinion has always been a COSAFA or CECAFA Champions league. Surely, the PSL can influence ABSA to fund the project. This gets Southern African teams enough international practise for the Africa Champions league and even help moderate players get international game time.

Supersport also pour huge sums into the game and they would benefit with a wider viewership. I understand they have arrangements with the league for a few appearances here and there, which is commendable, but they would increase the interest with Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs playing in Kampala, Dar es salaam or Kinshasa regularly. That exposure for the teams and the Superdiski will be healthy for business.

That will render the issue of getting less foreigners in South Africa and even in cases where that is not the case, it will build healthier relationships amongst the nations and their players. I would actual advocate for the Bosnian rules to apply in the region. 

The average national team of South Africa get a cold from the cough of the league, naturally. Bafana Bafana are struggling to be a noticeable African force, even at COSAFA level, pretending it is not so important sometimes. If the league be dead, they national team is rotten. 

Further from the bad quality from the league players, coach Pitso Mosimane called closer cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure the national team is thoroughly prepared for the their games. There is risk of failing to qualify for 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2014 Fifa World Cup starting in June this year. What am I talking about by saying risk? The team has not qualified for the current tournament, so it is actually more normal to fail to qualify.

Mosimane has failed to get Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows players recently for the 0-0 South Africa draw with Equatorial Guinea fielding five uncapped players in the starting line-up and handing three more rookies their maiden caps in the second half. That drama continued forcing the coach to call five more players to replace those called by their clubs.

At the earliest convenience, Pitso's head will be on the block for a poor job done. Really? The love for success at national level and our contribution to that are way parallel. Mosimane was quoted saying, "We need to look at how serious we all are about preparing Bafana for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament that we are hosting, as well as the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers that start in June." Knowing what we know, that is a long shot call and all I can do is wish him luck for both the cooperation he desires and keeping his job.

Bafana Bafana have never been good enough to be world beaters and gliding through luck in the earlier years gave the impression that the squad is world-class. The time to work for the results came and there were no answers.The collective effort demanded by the coach to ensure the team's readiness for tournaments ahead will be a chorus he will sing until he enters the job market soon, probably because of his hoarse voice and SAFA will be seeking for more melodious vocal chords to sing the same tune. 

What never ceases to amaze it the audacity to question the Bafana FIFA ranking. SAFA and the nation forget that like a bank account, it is what you put in the football that counts, and not the size of the egos. When it comes to the playing field, Bafana are just like ball boys. 

The best defender of the country warms the bench in lower divisions in England. The best midfielders does the same at the Barclays Premier League. The nation's number goalkeeper is going for trials with lower divisions in England soon. Compare that to the best player in Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Nigeria, Mali and Ghana. For most of the time, Bafana are not even a top 10 African team, yet the resources and facilities are world-class. 

In any case, the boys from Kasi should be taking their game from the streets and try to make a statement in big teams in the league. All youngsters are glued to TVs and PCs playing video games, but the nations needs them to carry the flag high. All that the parents can do, is take these gadgets away and let the boys take to the field and hopefully, one day, Bafana Bafana will be what we once thought they were. 

As it is now, it is a big shame.

Pirates restore order

As order of things were to have it, the owners of the ABSA Premier League top spot have taken their rightful  place for once. Orlando Pirates needed a bad defensive behaviour of The Students, Bidvest Wits, who led 2-0 at half time and eventually surrendered 3 second half goals. The Sea Robbers did not need the support of the Happy People, only 5000 coming to watch the match. That is a shame.

Supersport United came into the party with a handy 1-0 victory over local archrivals and championship pretenders, Mamelodi Sundowns, in the Pretoria derby. The faded champions eased the worries of coach, Gavin Hunt, who used the sniper instincts of Erasmus. Matsatsantsa a Pitori may be on their way back.

It was all tears after tears in the Dube Birds camp, as Moroka Swallows were hit for 4 by Usuthu. Swallows coach, Gordon Igusend was frustrated by the way they gave too much space to Amazulu. Trying to get out of the relegation zone may be a tough call, but not impossible for Izinyoni, who had a cool 3-1 victory a few days back.

One team assured of not being in the league next season by their own undoing, is Mpumalanga Black Aces. Amaziyoni just managed to keep their heads over the water in the play off last season, by they are not Premier League material. Recycled football may bring a glimmer of hope here and there, but their case was concluded by yet another defeat, this time a 0-1 margin to Santos.

Hopefully, there will be something to say about Kaizer Chiefs soon.

Where to South African football?

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have always been the symbol of South African football, regardless of their lackluster performances. They command huge followings in and around the country. This is despite the dominance of faded Supersport United and the riches of Mamelodi Sundowns. It must be said that Bloemfontein Celtic draw probably the biggest crowd in South Africa in their home matches if all things are equal.

As it stands, South African football has represented the continent well by its coverage on TV and cyber space. The quality of play has not matched the promise expected by both locals and outsiders. Many coaches and observers have tried to get SAFA and the ABSA Premiership management teams to implement one form of reform or another. The easiest thing to do has been nothing and that is exactly what we got.

Super diski, as we call our football, has always had an Achilles’ heel. The game here has depended on foreign material since the early days of the end of apartheid. In those days, Orlando Pirates won the Africa Champions League with players like Jerry Skhosana, Helman Mkhelele, Mark Fish, Sizwe Motaung and William Okpara name but a few. Not long from that point, Mzansi were the African champions in 1996.

From the dizzy heights of being both club African champions and continental big fish, South African football has been a laughing stock, as seen by the CAF league ranking a few weeks back. Ranking 17^th in a league that is well funded and has that much history and general pride and self esteem, is such a shame. Details of what might have gone wrong may vary and excuses may be given, but the bottom line is that there must be change. That change will not be coming anytime soon anyway.

The past decade has seen South African Footballer of the Year accolades going to foreign players for the majority of the times. That goes for the Top Goal Scorer and Rookie of the Year Awards. From the days of Wifred and William Mugeyi, George Nechironga, Collins Mbesuma, Benjani Mwariwari, Tico Tico and now, Knowledge Musona, you will see the point. True comparison result proves our players are just inferior. It would be necessary to find out why.

Supersport United won the championship so many times and failed to make an impact in Africa despite the resources they have. Rounds going about nowadays is how the top teams in the league are coached by foreigners. While I do not want to believe that these guys are better, Sundowns, Chiefs, Pirates and Ajax are indeed under the tutelage of aliens. What I can not confirm is whether it is the quality of the coaches that makes the difference or the quality of the squads they have. For me, the later is true.

Another argument is whether foreign players, in this case, Knowledge Musona the current top goal scorer, is a cut above the rest. That is an undisputed fact as of now. What is the South African football strategy to get players of the same quality? Nada. What I can tell you is that there are people of the same quality who are not playing football. I have coached a tertiary institution and I can tell you that for a fact. The system must encourage such people to see it worthwhile to play football. It could be also, that the most fans going to the stadia are foreign too.

Given that South Africa is rarely a force even in the SADC region, with all the potential sponsorship for its benefit, a COSAFA version of clubs maybe something worthwhile for the nation to consider. This will measure the clubs’ preparedness for the champions’ league and measure any progress of the nation’s football; first at club level, then higher.

Knowledge Musona is a world beater

It is now common knowledge that Knowledge Musona played no league football in his native Zimbabwe and that his signing by Kaizer Chiefs was subject of the ridicule of a 'buy one get 2 free' deal synonymous with Chinese $1 shops. His performance yesternight against Mpumalanga Black Aces has underlined the fact that he is arguably the best thing that has ever happened to South African football in recent years.

There is one thing where this is pointing. Zimbabwean is of age, and it has no money. This is supported by the fact that Zimbabwe players earn about $200,00 a month, but then, the ABSA Premiership players will take home a 100 times more. Statistically and officially, the Zimbabwe Premier League is stronger and a better league that South African football. This is according to CAF. This is despite the fact that South Africa is loaded by sponsors and attracts the best African players. Their development structures and level of competition are not good enough.

But then, how then is South Africa lacking?  In so many ways. The South African Premiership Champions League representatives have not gone anywhere since Orlando Pirates won it in 1995. SuperSport United have been representing South Africa in this league for ages. With the resources as they can have any coverage and footage of any match of their choice at any time, they have not made an impact at all. They could only manage to subdue Pirates, Chiefs and Sundowns and then nothing else. They flattered to deceive.

Generally, South African football receives way too much attention and television coverage from Supersport and the SABC-TV that even fans do not go to the stadia any more. It was a sore sight seeing empty seats during the Soweto derby. The huge sums of money and TV coverage becomes a quick fix for clubs and no one really cares about tomorrow and hence the whole thing is just a big fuss.

As a result, the South African Premiership is now ranked as the 16th best topflight league on the continent compared to Zimbabwe's 12th position. They have 7 points and Zimbabwe has 17, a point behind Cote d'Ivoire and Angola — who occupy joint 10th place. For this reason, Zimbabwe have 2 Champions League slots while South Africa has one, with Motor Action and Dynamos getting those slots. Dynamos' exploits in this league are the reason why Zimbabwe football has this rating and they have a preliminary round bye.

Who is the best, you may ask. The Tunisian football league is.Tunisia stood top with 96 points followed by Egypt (87), and Nigeria (75). Others listed in the order of merit include Sudan (54) Democratic Republic of Congo (46), Algeria (27), Morocco (20), Mali (20), Cameroon (19), Cote d'Ivoire (18), Angola (18) and Zimbabwe (12).

What a sporting weekend

Highlanders achieved a feat many believed to be impossible. They recorded a 7th straight league victory under caretaker Mkhuphali Masuku. The PSL assembled a team to look at the BancABC semi-final issue involving Bosso and Dembare and hopefully it will bear fruits. Tom Saintfeit, a badly recruited Warriors coach, was denied a work permit and ZIFA will be meeting to map the way forward with the coach. They may appoint or readvertise the post.

Chelsea lost at home to a spirited Sunderland in a Barclays Premeir League encounter. Liverpool's fine run after new owners took over received a check and came to a screeching halt. Arsenal beat Everton at Goodison Park and the host failed to bring that injury time come back they had against Manchester United.

Kaizer Chiefs beat Orlando Pirates comprehensively in the highest scoring derby of our time. Chiefs won by a whooping 3-1 goal margin. Mamelodi Sundowns were beaten by Bidvest Wits at the magnificent Mbombela Stadium, but Mimwana Phezulu remain top of the ABSA Premier League. Moroka Swallows have played 8 matches in the league without victory but the reached the MTN-8 final, where they were beaten by the Sea Robbers.

Nigeira has made 9 appearances in the Africa Women Championships and won it 8 times. They beat the defending champions, Equatorial Guinea by 4 goals to 2. Guinea scored the four goals. Banyana Banyana came 3rd after beating Cameroon.

Sebastian Vettel deservedly won the F1 championship in the Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina, beating Fernando Alonso and team-mate Mark Webber. Alonso paid for a Webber tailored strategy. The race finished with Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button on the podium. Red Bull completed a memorable double while McClaren were second on the Constructor's Table.

What was the peak of the week?

Chiefs put Pirates to the sword

Orlando Pirates were slaughtered by Kaizer Chiefs in an entertaining ABSA Premier League Soweto derby at the FNB Stadium. It was one man, Knowledge Musona, that Chiefs were indebted to with winning the crucial match that keeps Amakhosi in the hunt for the championship, together with Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates. The Soweto giants took the points and the bragging rights that come with it. He converted a penalty and Klate scored against his own goalkeeper in the first half.

It was a fast paced match and a palatable performance by both sides. It has been a very long time since we saw such a lively derby, something we had missed in years. The passing and ball control was superb and with better finishing, we could have seen more goals and of good quality. Pirates were the main culprits, wasting glit-edged chances especially at the end, and were duly executed by the Chiefs.

Chiefs revenged the MTN-8 semi-final 0-1 defeat at the same venue a few weeks back and gave themselves a psychological advantage, should the teams meet in the Telkom Knockout Cup final. Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneiloe Letsholonyane and Tinashe Nengomashe were imposing and dominant in midfield to strangle the efforts of Clifford Ngomeni, Happy Jele and Andile Jali. While Musona was red hot, Daine Klate was a disappointment considering he wanted to be a Bafana Bafana regular and Msowoya was erratic in front of goal.

Knowledge Musona was at it again in the 60th minute to kill off the match. The Zimbabwean latched onto a defensive error and raced to beat Munoeeb Josephs, delicately touching the ball over the keeper and heading it home. He was later replaced after suffering an injury, and hopefully not a serious one. The Bucs gave up for a moment after this goal as Amakhosi began to enjoy life and attacking at will. It just depended on them how many goals they were going to put away as the Ghosts were invisible.

Substitutes, Tlou Segolela and Ezemwa Etorugu combined well for the later to blast past Itumeleng Khune in the 75th minute. The goal gave the Happy People the impetus to attack Chiefs who in turn retreated. Sithembiso Ngcobo was very instrumental in pushing Chiefs with his deceptive pace and artistry in keeping the Pirates attacks on check.

Segolela and Mayambela were a thorn in the Chiefs defence after coming in the second half. Khune had to pull fine saves in the dying minutes of the match to deny the Sea Robbers any hopes of an amazing come-back. Chiefs relied on luck at the last minute barrage and Mayambela, Mbuyane and Etorugu were chief culprits in denying Pirates at least a point.

It will be vital for Pirates' title hopes to know that they must beat title contenders themselves than rely on other teams to do it for them. Amakhosi survived to be lunched on by the generous Pirates, who themselves just like wheelburrow robbers.

What did Pirates say to Chiefs? - 'Khosi for lunch'

It is that moment when Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chief negotiate for the 3 points. The Soweto giants are engaged in a derby this afternoon fighting for the bragging rights and the ABSA Premiership title. Pirates robbed Chiefs of R8 million in the MTN-8. Amakhosi are 2nd and the Bucs are 3rd on the race. They will both want to topple a Pretoria side, Mamelodi Sundowns. The Jozi teams have been a shadow to the Tswane rivals, Supersport United for far too long and the championship should be coming home soon.

Common knowledge as it is that local derbies are self motivationary, Knowledge Musona's form will be key. The Zimbabwean can win any match single handedly. Abia Nale will be a man to watch for the Bucs. Itumeleng Khune is a shot stopper of choice and could have played his football overseas if someone was not greedy. Mandla Masango has not done much to deserve a mention.

The Glamour Boys of Naturena fired blanks against Santos, much to the disappointment of coach VV. That loss showed how much Chiefs are a normal team and having nothing special about them. For them to have a shout today, they need to come out all guns blazing to dispatch the Sea Robbers. The Ghost will be intending to haunt Chiefs once and for all to prove that the victory in the MTN-8 semi-final was no fluke.

Both teams progressed to the Telkom Knockout Cup and meet each other in the final for yet another derby which will be a final. It has been a long while since we have seen a proper derby final and these league derbies will be setting the tone for the bigger one. As of now, it is a fight for points and just as important. Pirates have been like a new Mercedes Benz S-Class until the last match. Chiefs were more or less been like a E-Class, being less imposing. 

Chances are that Isaac Chansa will be dictating things in the middle of the park to clip down the wings of Siphiwe Tshabalala and Rene Letsholonyane. Clifford Mngomeni has been a revelation for Pirates. Andile Jali is evergreen and his ball distribution will be a cause for concern for Chiefs. The Happy People will also hope in the industry of Happy Jele as a ball winner with Chansa.

It will only be seen this noon who is actually less nervous or too desperate to win it. Coach Krol will be hard pressed to lift his team's scoring spirits after the disappointing 0-0 with Amazulu at the Princess Magogo.
The pressure of one of the much anticipated fixtures in the world, among the Manchester Derby, Barcelona vs Real Madrid, River Plate vs Boca Juniors, Santos vs Sao Paulo and Vasco da Gam vs Flamengo, may make it a lazy and boring affair.
 
Tactically, teams may cancel each other out and squeeze the juice out of the orange before the match even kicks off. Very few goals have been scored and usually at the dying minutes when concentration levels just crush. Set pieces are usually the deciding factor and it will be seen how much far the teams have matured after the experience of the players after the weekend results.
 
Will the ghost haunt the chief? If the dry bones come together, there may be no shine for the Glamour boys.

Kaizer Chiefs suffer defeat as Orlando Pirates earn a point

One man Orlando Pirates fans will really love to love, it is Sekou Camara of Santos. With the same passion, Kaizer Chiefs fans will not be having nice vibes for the former Jomo Cosmos player. Camara scored the goal that ended Amakhosi's unbeaten run and collected maximum points for the visiting Cape Town team. The Absa Premiership match played at the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg was a poor affair by Chiefs who seemed to have their thought glued to the weekend Soweto derby as they lost concentration to concede an 87th-minute goal.

There was a few chances for both sides here and there but still no clear cut domination of the Naturena Boys. Amakhosi had Siphiwe Tshabalala crushing the crossbar with a 20-metre free kick just 15 minutes into play. They dominated possession especially in midfield but their penetration was restricted to the middle third of the pitch. The People’s Team seemed to be playing for a point and made it difficult for Amakhosi to enter the final third. Bafana Bafana player, Reneilwe Letsholonyane played a vital role in midfield for Chiefs but his contribution was restricted to futile long-range shots.
 
There was better luck for the other Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates, as they picked up a point on the road at the Princess Magogo Stadium from Amazulu. This may be the difference on Saturday as they ride the confidence wave against a demoralised Chiefs. What was disappointing for the Bucs is how much they fired blanks. They Happy People had been prolific in front of goal, but they failed to make meaningful impact, which will worry coach Ruud Krol. Chiefs may actually come out as a wounded lion against Pirates as they seek to salvage lost pride and atone for poor results.
 
AmaZulu were never in the match and were content to contain the attacking Pirates forward who were ably supported by the gifted Andile Jali. Clifford Mgomeni fought crucial midfield battles and had a shot going wide from a good lay-off outside the penalty box. Thulasizwe Mbuyane, Dikgang Mabalane and Daine Klate combined well and found Usuthu not giving anything away.
 
Pirates could have done with Tlou Segolela earlier on, but when 240km/hour came in, they never bothered utilising him and his speed, shifting the attack into other channel. It can be misconstrued that they wanted to use him as a decoy, letting him get the attention and then taking the attack line in the other direction. As it turned out, it was a naive case of hope without any intelligence. The Sea Robbers pinned AmaZulu and could have retreated once in a while and then catapulted using the man the speed traps cannot detect.
 
Pirates striker Chiukepo Msowoya brought the best out of Amazulu keeper in the 36th minute when Mbuyane flew down the AmaZulu left flank and played a measured pass to Msowoya who held off a defender and hit a low shot. Goalkeeper Mzimela was equal to the task and parried the ball to safety. Pirates will need to increase their game for the weekend derby in order to kick-out Chiefs as they did in the MTN-8 semi-final.
 
Moroka Swallows lost a home match 0-1 to Golden Arrows after Siyabonga Nkosi was on target in the 76th minute. Maritzburg United followed their crushing of Mamelodi Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout Cup with a draw with another Tswane team with a 2-2 scoreline. Supersport needed a crucial 74th minute goal from defender Morgan Gould, to rescue a point. Sundowns made their comeback with a crucial 2-0 win over Free State Stars by goals from Mathew Pattison and Mabhuti Khenyeza. Bloemfontein Celtics beat Platinum Stars by 2 goals to 1 while Mpumalanga Black Aces came from behind to draw 1-1 with visiting Bidvest Wits.

Rahman Gumbo and Willard Khumalo In Trouble?

Rahman Gumbo's Mochudi Centre Chiefs started the Be MOBILE Premier League in Botswana like a house on fire, scoring 12 goals in 2 matches. That wonderful run must have  drowned in complacency as evidenced by a shock 2-0 loss to Extension Gunners 2 weeks ago.

This was then followed by a 1-0 humiliating by struggling TAFIC at the Francistown Stadium, agitating Chiefs' supporters to uneasiness as they began to worry about their dominance being a thing of the past before it even began. Matters were not helped by the progress of their nearest rivals who were picking up points. ECCO City Greens, Township Rollers and Gaborone United suddenly found their voices and are giving Rush a run for his money.

However, Chiefs lost a key man to the ABSA Premier League debutants, Vasco da Gama of Cape Town. The  services of talented midfielder Dirang Moloi will take time to be filled despite the hard work Gumbo is putting into the team. Mochudi Centre Chiefs bounced back this week to register a 2-0 win over visiting Nico United at the University of Botswana (UB) Stadium.

Nico United, formerly coached by Madinda Ndlovu, are in dire need of form to pick up points themselves. Willard Mashinkila Khumalo's team, have seen their efforts rewarded here and there and their thin squad is now desperate to pick up essential points. Khumalo believes they got a valuable lesson in this fixture and are ready for the weekend. 

It was lamentable for Khumalo that the team conceded an injury time goal in the first half. The goals came courtesy of Lesego Galenamotlhale with virtually the last kick of the half. The second half saw Nico fluff easy chances. The inability to be clinical in front of goal saw Moemedi Moatlhaping seal the deal with 20 minutes of play remaining. While the expectations are too high from both camps, Gumbo and Khumalo are great visionaries who will undoubtedly steady their ships with time.

Meanwhile, the rise and rise of Botswana's Zebras is the talk and pride of Africa and FIFA. The Zebras clobbered Tunisia and Togo as well as playing to a draw with Malawi in the AFCON 2012 qualifiers. They beat Zimbabwe Warriors in a friendly match as well. Despite all that ground covered, the coach's head is on the block. Like all Africa administrators, that success is itching that they bring an expatriate coach form Europe to teach the Tswanas how to play football. Previous coaches from abroad only managed to milk Botswana of Pulas and nothing else, as they have done in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

You will remember that South Africa tasted AFCON success with a local coach. Zimbabwe qualified for the same tournament twice with local coaches. Foreign coaches failed to take these nations near to those glory days, yet the national associations are adamant in labelling that success as better than failure. They always bring in these coaches from abroad so that African coaches can learn. I think I am the mad one here. 

Do you suppose it is fair to criticise coaches after just 5 matches?

Rahman Gumbo and Willard Khumalo In Trouble?

Rahman Gumbo's Mochudi Centre Chiefs started the Be MOBILE Premier League in Botswana like a house on fire, scoring 12 goals in 2 matches. That wonderful run must have  drowned in complacency as evidenced by a shock 2-0 loss to Extension Gunners 2 weeks ago.

This was then followed by a 1-0 humiliating by struggling TAFIC at the Francistown Stadium, agitating Chiefs' supporters to uneasiness as they began to worry about their dominance being a thing of the past before it even began. Matters were not helped by the progress of their nearest rivals who were picking up points. ECCO City Greens, Township Rollers and Gaborone United suddenly found their voices and are giving Rush a run for his money.

However, Chiefs lost a key man to the ABSA Premier League debutants, Vasco da Gama of Cape Town. The  services of talented midfielder Dirang Moloi will take time to be filled despite the hard work Gumbo is putting into the team. Mochudi Centre Chiefs bounced back this week to register a 2-0 win over visiting Nico United at the University of Botswana (UB) Stadium.

Nico United, formerly coached by Madinda Ndlovu, are in dire need of form to pick up points themselves. Willard Mashinkila Khumalo's team, have seen their efforts rewarded here and there and their thin squad is now desperate to pick up essential points. Khumalo believes they got a valuable lesson in this fixture and are ready for the weekend. 

It was lamentable for Khumalo that the team conceded an injury time goal in the first half. The goals came courtesy of Lesego Galenamotlhale with virtually the last kick of the half. The second half saw Nico fluff easy chances. The inability to be clinical in front of goal saw Moemedi Moatlhaping seal the deal with 20 minutes of play remaining. While the expectations are too high from both camps, Gumbo and Khumalo are great visionaries who will undoubtedly steady their ships with time.

Meanwhile, the rise and rise of Botswana's Zebras is the talk and pride of Africa and FIFA. The Zebras clobbered Tunisia and Togo as well as playing to a draw with Malawi in the AFCON 2012 qualifiers. They beat Zimbabwe Warriors in a friendly match as well. Despite all that ground covered, the coach's head is on the block. Like all Africa administrators, that success is itching that they bring an expatriate coach form Europe to teach the Tswanas how to play football. Previous coaches from abroad only managed to milk Botswana of Pulas and nothing else, as they have done in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

You will remember that South Africa tasted AFCON success with a local coach. Zimbabwe qualified for the same tournament twice with local coaches. Foreign coaches failed to take these nations near to those glory days, yet the national associations are adamant in labelling that success as better than failure. They always bring in these coaches from abroad so that African coaches can learn. I think I am the mad one here. 

Do you suppose it is fair to criticise coaches after just 5 matches?

Rahman Gumbo and Willard Khumalo In Trouble?

Rahman Gumbo's Mochudi Centre Chiefs started the Be MOBILE Premier League in Botswana like a house on fire, scoring 12 goals in 2 matches. That wonderful run must have  drowned in complacency as evidenced by a shock 2-0 loss to Extension Gunners 2 weeks ago.

This was then followed by a 1-0 humiliating by struggling TAFIC at the Francistown Stadium, agitating Chiefs' supporters to uneasiness as they began to worry about their dominance being a thing of the past before it even began. Matters were not helped by the progress of their nearest rivals who were picking up points. ECCO City Greens, Township Rollers and Gaborone United suddenly found their voices and are giving Rush a run for his money.

However, Chiefs lost a key man to the ABSA Premier League debutants, Vasco da Gama of Cape Town. The  services of talented midfielder Dirang Moloi will take time to be filled despite the hard work Gumbo is putting into the team. Mochudi Centre Chiefs bounced back this week to register a 2-0 win over visiting Nico United at the University of Botswana (UB) Stadium.

Nico United, formerly coached by Madinda Ndlovu, are in dire need of form to pick up points themselves. Willard Mashinkila Khumalo's team, have seen their efforts rewarded here and there and their thin squad is now desperate to pick up essential points. Khumalo believes they got a valuable lesson in this fixture and are ready for the weekend. 

It was lamentable for Khumalo that the team conceded an injury time goal in the first half. The goals came courtesy of Lesego Galenamotlhale with virtually the last kick of the half. The second half saw Nico fluff easy chances. The inability to be clinical in front of goal saw Moemedi Moatlhaping seal the deal with 20 minutes of play remaining. While the expectations are too high from both camps, Gumbo and Khumalo are great visionaries who will undoubtedly steady their ships with time.

Meanwhile, the rise and rise of Botswana's Zebras is the talk and pride of Africa and FIFA. The Zebras clobbered Tunisia and Togo as well as playing to a draw with Malawi in the AFCON 2012 qualifiers. They beat Zimbabwe Warriors in a friendly match as well. Despite all that ground covered, the coach's head is on the block. Like all Africa administrators, that success is itching that they bring an expatriate coach form Europe to teach the Tswanas how to play football. Previous coaches from abroad only managed to milk Botswana of Pulas and nothing else, as they have done in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

You will remember that South Africa tasted AFCON success with a local coach. Zimbabwe qualified for the same tournament twice with local coaches. Foreign coaches failed to take these nations near to those glory days, yet the national associations are adamant in labelling that success as better than failure. They always bring in these coaches from abroad so that African coaches can learn. I think I am the mad one here. 

Do you suppose it is fair to criticise coaches after just 5 matches?

Rahman Gumbo and Willard Khumalo In Trouble?

Rahman Gumbo's Mochudi Centre Chiefs started the Be MOBILE Premier League in Botswana like a house on fire, scoring 12 goals in 2 matches. That wonderful run must have  drowned in complacency as evidenced by a shock 2-0 loss to Extension Gunners 2 weeks ago.

This was then followed by a 1-0 humiliating by struggling TAFIC at the Francistown Stadium, agitating Chiefs' supporters to uneasiness as they began to worry about their dominance being a thing of the past before it even began. Matters were not helped by the progress of their nearest rivals who were picking up points. ECCO City Greens, Township Rollers and Gaborone United suddenly found their voices and are giving Rush a run for his money.

However, Chiefs lost a key man to the ABSA Premier League debutants, Vasco da Gama of Cape Town. The  services of talented midfielder Dirang Moloi will take time to be filled despite the hard work Gumbo is putting into the team. Mochudi Centre Chiefs bounced back this week to register a 2-0 win over visiting Nico United at the University of Botswana (UB) Stadium.

Nico United, formerly coached by Madinda Ndlovu, are in dire need of form to pick up points themselves. Willard Mashinkila Khumalo's team, have seen their efforts rewarded here and there and their thin squad is now desperate to pick up essential points. Khumalo believes they got a valuable lesson in this fixture and are ready for the weekend. 

It was lamentable for Khumalo that the team conceded an injury time goal in the first half. The goals came courtesy of Lesego Galenamotlhale with virtually the last kick of the half. The second half saw Nico fluff easy chances. The inability to be clinical in front of goal saw Moemedi Moatlhaping seal the deal with 20 minutes of play remaining. While the expectations are too high from both camps, Gumbo and Khumalo are great visionaries who will undoubtedly steady their ships with time.

Meanwhile, the rise and rise of Botswana's Zebras is the talk and pride of Africa and FIFA. The Zebras clobbered Tunisia and Togo as well as playing to a draw with Malawi in the AFCON 2012 qualifiers. They beat Zimbabwe Warriors in a friendly match as well. Despite all that ground covered, the coach's head is on the block. Like all Africa administrators, that success is itching that they bring an expatriate coach form Europe to teach the Tswanas how to play football. Previous coaches from abroad only managed to milk Botswana of Pulas and nothing else, as they have done in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

You will remember that South Africa tasted AFCON success with a local coach. Zimbabwe qualified for the same tournament twice with local coaches. Foreign coaches failed to take these nations near to those glory days, yet the national associations are adamant in labelling that success as better than failure. They always bring in these coaches from abroad so that African coaches can learn. I think I am the mad one here. 

Do you suppose it is fair to criticise coaches after just 5 matches?