Is the Orlando Pirates ship sinking fast?

The game of football is hard to understand. Of course, football is football but it is not just football. There are teams and coaches who get away with breaking fundamental rules and things go well for them. It is not always given to depend on fortune. In many ways, teams make their own luck, but what does that mean.

In the modern game, and the future game as the English are working on right now, you do not play the same way against everyone in your league nor in a different competition. Neither do you play home and away matches with blinkers. This is barring the philosophies and beliefs of the clubs and coaches. The complexity of playing styles and patterns are fundamental in any coaching and planning and often revolve around the question of 'what' and 'where'.

Under Harry Redknapp and to a lesser noticeable extent, in the current campaign, Tottenham Hotspur produced scintillating performances and miraculous results in Europe and lost domestic fixtures will chilling regularity. For many, that was bizarre. For coaches and managers, that was normal, as long as the understanding of the demands of the competition differences were never factored in.

Cup football and league matches very different and balancing the two is no mean task. It is a tough ask indeed., especially when the team is running rings around opponents in one tournament or competition. The theory is never to change a winning team or formula. This phenomenon is true, in my country and your country, in Africa, in Europe, big leagues, small leagues.

During their campaign in the Africa Champions League, South Africa's Orlando Pirates played football last seen in Africa decades ago. This made them conquer all and sundry until they reached the final. They lost under very unfortunate circumstances. That football was not sustainable in the league in South Africa. The Ghosts started suffering the same Champions League syndrome by trying to play catch-up in the ABSA Premiership.

Roger De Sa would soon pick up that there must be a clear difference between the domestic league and African football. The level is much higher on the continent, the demands are tactical and the professionalism more sound. The impatient Irvin Khoza showed the coach the road but until the incoming coach realises to disengage the continental football mode, Pirates will continue to be the sterile attacking team they are right now.

Pirates are playing brilliant football but the penetration is lacking in a huge way, especially the patience in delivering the final ball. There is usually too much space at higher levels of the game and no space to play in a domestic league. I believe RDS was well suited for the Ghosts and that he would have turned things around very soon. With all their efforts and no goal to show for it, the incoming Vladimir Vermosovic will ride the crest if the team scores the first goal in his first match.

The goal has been eluding the Happy People despite their entertaining football. With time, the Champions League syndrome will die a natural death and VV will get the credit of steadying the Bucs ship. Not that VV is a bad coach, he is coming to a good team already. Anyone can coach the Pirates now and get away with murder because the players are committed but results are not forthcoming. Not yet.

By contrast, Kaizer Chiefs do not even know where their goals are coming from. Everyone gets comfortable hitting the ball from anyway and it flies in. They do not even need to score some of the goals themselves. The same is true in their defensive areas. They can all take a break off the field and their match still goalless. Such is football sometimes as you will remember that we said that one creates their own luck.

As for the Sea Robbers, if VV fails to deliver in the first few matches, the players will begin to doubt his philosophies and attribute his departure from Chiefs a few years back as something coming to haunt them. African players usually do well under foreign coaches, especially the whites. VV does not need to be astute to turn the Pirates fortunes, but needs to be fortunate enough to be at the right p[lace at the right time, and I think he is. If not, the Pirates ship will be sinking, and fast.

Pirates' ABSA Premiership wrecked as Chiefs rule, just though

After Orlando Pirates were held to a 0-0 draw by the University of Pretoria in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday night, it was evident they had hit a brick wall. The TUKS defended for dear life and The Ghosts coach, Roger de Sa complained that the students came just for a point.

He had a point but the point is the season begins with everyone on 30 points. The University of Pretoria's best bet was to keep the point they had before kick off, that lose it or indeed donate to the Sea Robbers. That result saw the defending champions on 43 points, trailling Amakhosi by a cool 7 points after the Naturena Boys beat Bloemfontein Celtic 3-0.

"They came here for a point and sat back and waited for the counter, we expect that and have to expect that from all teams," De Sa said after the match.

Chiefs huffed and puffed earning the respect of the linesman and the referee on several occasions as Siwelele could have had penalties that could have changed the match result and probably the championship destination. They created their own luck and that is football.

The obvious fact of Pirates failing to defend their title is as bare as the truth of Chiefs being not good enough to do it for themselves despite an extremely talented line-up that makes Mamelodi Sundowns jealous. Manchester City would do with what Stuart Baxter has, really, but they have not lived up to their billing save that The Happy People are a pathetic lot at the moment.

Andile Jali and Oupa Manyisa suddenly look as over-rated as I initially suspected. Their contribution to the title fight favours Kaizer Chiefs. The usual suspects in Collins Mbesuma, Dane Klate and Tlou Segolela blatantly fire blanks with chilling accuracy and one can only cry for the return of injured Thulasizwe Mbuyane.

Suspicions of Benni McCarthy destabilising RDS following their last season fall-out while at different camps does not hold water but one cannot help smelling a rat. Pirates are pathetic to be polite. Camping in enemy territory and remaining that blunt in front of goal is something Africans attribute to being 'tied'. I think one could use the word 'curse' if it makes for good understanding.

Kaizer Chiefs on the other hand start and stutter and hope that the Pirates ship remains wrecked for the next few weeks. It may be high time the Glamour Boys took the honours as the complacent Orlando boys wake up from their slumber. One hope the wake up call will be enough to have them out of the blankets by the dawn of the next season.

Could it be RDS cannot handle Pirates, or that just that they are going through a patch to be overcome in due course, given that Chiefs are not doing much either, other than gleaning on the misfortune of a struggling neighbour? Whatever the answer, Kaizer Chiefs will grow in confidence and believe they can actually do it for themselves. From past experience, Pirates do not want to build a monster they will fail to destroy and so far, they are doing a very bad job of it.

As for pushing RDS into sea, I do not see it as a solution and especially now. The coach should remain until the end of the season and probably steady the ship in time to challenge for the lost titles. There is however a risk of doing a 'Sundowns' if Irvin Khoza does not nip the bud on the head. Even Kaizer Motaung knows that for now, their fortunes are purely the misfortunes of Pirates.

High-landing Highlanders FC- The dear owners

Let us call a spade a spade. Highlanders Football Club is supported by people both full of jealousy and lacking in vision. They do it by heart and less brain. It is time that we have a reality check and to thoroughly examine ourselves with total honesty.

One of the best commercials ever on TV, feature a desperate beggar on the street. As much as sentimental the only available item is to the SUV lady driver who stops at the traffic light, out of pity, she thinks twice before she gives away the very lovely designer dress. The begging tramp lady takes it in her hands, fascinated and bewildered, admiring the artistry of the apparel before looking back at the giver with a scornful look.


'Thanks madam, but RED!!!!. I'm sorry, it's not my colour.' throwing it back to an unbelieving proud owner. As a club fan, so are you.

The over-rated notion that Bosso will supernaturally over-ride its financial woes solely based on goodwill is grossly exaggerated. If those harbouring the idea that Highlanders deserves everything from everyone for free is nothing but malicious mischief and fallacy.

Brandishing the concept of the larger than life Bosso brand as a casino slot-machine where throwing cow-dung coins out millions at the flick of a finger took the team nowhere since 1926. In that point in history, all else did not matter or count. This is a different era.

Doubtless to say that the name has power, the institution requires classy thinking to harness its power and strength as a meaningful brand to reap from its potential. Most of the blame has always been thrown at the management, with due reason of cause.


Coming from the fatalist-fan group, they are the product of a poverty complex buttered with cheesy undertones of not underselling the club. The killing of that backward mentality began with a strong start of the season by the team, and usually, at that point, the disease engulfs everyone on board with a saddening grip that lasts well after the doom becomes a permanent resident of the system. 


For instance, the team engaged in that ancient routine begging bowl antic after the alleged usual financial doldrums. Many thanks to the donations and pledges made by the invited guests. I trust many were willing to give but their circumstances did not allow. It was sad that some preferred to donate anonymously for the very reason that 'red is not our colour'.


If the club's bank balance read zero, it is never in the mind of the management and worse off the fans, that a man, a body, who has a family first to risk his fortunes and then rescue a public property. 


The process comes at a price to both the fans and the club. No one accepts this. Only after other clubs from Harare have engaged in some insightful projects do the Tshilamoya supporters feel left behind. They must be commended for the loud talk but action speaks louder than words. 


The man risks $10 to generate $20 for the club and the traditional thinking is that the $20 belongs to the club. Noble as it sounds, the Mantengwane growth has been nil and will continue in that vein until Dynamos use BF as the home-ground. 


'Delusionaries' tried to enter into such ventures, albeit for a while and the club is still begging for funds. All people can do, is acknowledge and applaud the love for the team by those who enjoy the limelight of appearing to be assisting Highlanders. 


It is not right for Bosso to be a perennial donor recipient. Charitable organisations have their mission to fullfil in other social circles. Sustainable financial stability and independence materialises only on business concepts that are either long lasting or permanent. 


The $10 that the man risks is sacred but as for the other $10 generated by the man-Bosso partnership, it becomes the cake for both parties, and in a way that promotes symbiosis. Only that way, will the team realise its financial potential.


The idea is to make the man keep generating cash using the Highlanders brand in a very serious business and not charitable way. Donor funds dry, but enterprises like Nokia have been around since the 1800s. 


To many people, this is faulty and I can tell you right now, that it is that kind of thinking that is very faulty. Highlanders have depended on the emotionalisation and sensationalist behaviour to override logic, not just because of the behaviour of fans venting out their anger invading the pitch and the like. 


All relationships with the corporate world come to naught at one point or another. The sugar-coated truth is that the club belongs to the people. How unlucky can an elite institution like Bosso be to belong to such people? 


The calamity of this club ends with the death of the prescription that any individual or business benefiting from the name of the club is bad. That idea is very bad. As soon as focus is on the individual or person and not the club, we are in the wrong business.


To think of the of this club with a small mind is to kill the club slowly. In financial terms, the club has been wheel-chair bound since birth. The much needed surgery always gets aborted on the notion that the procedure hurts the patient. What a lame protectionist measure of disproportionate barbaric nature. 


Looking at the club potential, match-fees at basically $2 a week by a few thousands of people could be 'moneygrammed' or 'Western Unionied' monthly or annually, but lack of trust kept threatening the concept of those in the diaspora. The club reportedly accepted assisting those calling the office with funds going directly into its account.


More ways and means of injecting cash are being coined and the means of transacting may be a challenge, but then, those with noble intentions get a way to forge ahead and materialise their pledges.


That does not leave out my book that was meant to permanently boost the club cash as an ongoing income. To many, use of credit cards and accessing the book online is a huge challenge. To others, it is the calculation that after selling a million books, $10million will be realised. With more than 50% publishing costs, it is the $2.5 million that goes to my pocket that is a bother. Nobody looks at the $2.5 million Bosso is missing. Typical rural mentality that always killed Bosso. 


In South Africa, the marketing strategy aggression saw people going to great length digging deep to unearth hundreds of millions of rands to finance the game, first from ABSA Bank, then Nedbank and Supersport. The success of the deals was borne out of rewarding that negotiating excellence generously. Figures of up to R80 million per individuals are normal and the relationships between the game and sponsors flourish


Orlando Pirates operated on the model that Highlanders are constituted until sober minds prevailed. It does not necessarily mean that  Bosso should change based on that, nor should the come, that it be in the model of the Bucs.


The team has not lost a single match and the brand of football so far exhibited has been refreshing. To think that after the players' magnificent shows they have nothing much to show for it, is just but pathetic. Al we want to do is hear the results, cheer and sing praises. Thanks for that but it does not feed the players. 


At this point, to cultivate enthusiasm in the players and team management, would it not befit the worth of your salt, not only to pay the necessary lip service, but think like a businessman whose company is Highlanders Football Club?

Do not bet on Tevez going to Man U, he is heading back home

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are squeezing hard the back of Mamelodi Sundowns in the ABSA Premiership after victories over winless Moroka Swallows and Bidvest Wits respectively over this weekend. Pirates put 2 past the Birds with Teko Modise on song and Knowledge Musona punished the Students with a low free-kick. Nyasha Mushekwi made sure the Mimwana Phezulu remained on top with a solitary strike that kept Sundowns clear at the top.

TP Mazembe seemed overwhelmed by the occasion withdrawing into a cocoon in which they were buried by Inter Milan in the FIFA Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi. The Africans took too much caution in their approach and their attack was even more lethargic for a team that have an excellent scoring record in the Cup.

The midfield was ever erratic in throwing away possession easily and the defence was ever in tatters, leaving too much spaces between personnel. The finishing was so pathetic that even without the goalkeeper, it is hard to say where the goals would come from. The team lost all cohesion and compactness and were over reliant on the long balls and distance shooting that would make rugby penalty takers a little jealous. Inter scored 3 beautiful goals and the win ensured Samuel Eto'o has won all club football accolades in his fantastic career. Better still, he scored one of the goals in the final to ice the act.

Carlos Tevez will play for Manchester United in the next life. To expect Sir Alex Ferguson to take him back after he left throwing sinks and kitchen tables at every one and everything in sight, is to grossly underestimate the ego of the best manager in the history of the game. I am not a fan of SAF but surely, at his worst, he will not accept Tevez for free even to make him an 11th player in a crisis where he needs numbers against arch rivals Man City.

It is hard to see how he will leave Manchester City to start with and surely, not many will be keen to have a problem child who does know what he wants. Spurs would do with his skills but they do not have the kitty for his appetite. Spanish clubs may fancy their luck aside Chelsea and the Italians. My bet is, if he leaves City, he may as well head back home. He made far too much for his expectation and it is confusing him.

New South Africa League Match Concept Cool Or Not?

The South Africa Premier Soccer League kicked off in spectacular fashion on Friday, with a Greenpoint Stadium double-header concept in Cape Town, that should have been also used for a Bidvest Wits vs Supersport United match at Coca Cola Park Stadium. Wits beat defending champions by a cool 3 goals without reply.

The eye-sore as mentioned earlier, was the size of the crowd. There is something very wrong about African football. Supersport have been South African champions a million times in a row, yet one can count their followers on one hand. There will always be a full house in most Pirates, Chiefs or Celtics matches. Sundowns pull good crowds but are not in the same class.

Orlando Pirates beat new league comers, Vasco Da Gama 2-1, with veteran Sibusiso Zuma playing a pivotal role for the Cape side. Zuma had come back from overseas to join Mamelodi Sundowns, but the move proved to be a big flop despite his R200 000,00 monthly pay cheque. On Friday, he was actually on fire and scored Vasco's only goal. The Buccaneers scored through LuckyLekgwati's acrobatic overhead, just an inch before the goal-line.

The double-header was completed with a Bloemfontein Celtics match against Ajax Cape Town who triumphed 2-0. Celtics were their own enemies missing seater after seater. The atmosphere was vibrant and almost a full house. Is this the answer to small crowds pulled by teams like Supersport, Platinum Stars and Wits?

Frankly, I am not sure how small teams will benefit from the double-header arrangements except with gate taking which I am not sure how they are split. Usually, team fans are a decided lot that are not easily swayed over night.

Platinum Stars were fortunate enough to get an injury time winner from Coldrin Coetzee who had come in as a sub against Mpumalanga Black Aces. The teams seemed headed for a 2-2 draw at Puma's Atlantic Stadium in Witbank.

Kaizer Chiefs beat Golden Arrows 2-0 at the Rand Stadium and Mamelodi Sundowns overcame Moroka Swallows by the same margin, Zimbabwean Mushekwi scoring a debut brace. Santos and Sunday Chidzambwa's Free State Stars paled to a goalless draw. 

By far the game of the week was the KZN derby, Amazulu vs Maritzburg. The action packed match was deadlocked at 2-2 when an injury time clinical strike separated the boys from men, to win it 3-2. Former Chiefs defender had a spectacular own goal. Simphiwe Mkhonza lobed over his goalie when the ball struck him unawares. Pernell McKop should be pleased with the performance of his goalkeeper.

As a matter of interest, Bafana Bafana match tickets will cost R50,00 minimum. There was a comparison of Rugby test match tickets that go for R350,00. Maybe while figures don't lie, the catchment areas differ, but of course, R50,00 for an international event is not much.

Are for the idea of double headers to boost least supported teams?

New South Africa League Match Concept Cool Or Not?

The South Africa Premier Soccer League kicked off in spectacular fashion on Friday, with a Greenpoint Stadium double-header concept in Cape Town, that should have been also used for a Bidvest Wits vs Supersport United match at Coca Cola Park Stadium. Wits beat defending champions by a cool 3 goals without reply.

The eye-sore as mentioned earlier, was the size of the crowd. There is something very wrong about African football. Supersport have been South African champions a million times in a row, yet one can count their followers on one hand. There will always be a full house in most Pirates, Chiefs or Celtics matches. Sundowns pull good crowds but are not in the same class.

Orlando Pirates beat new league comers, Vasco Da Gama 2-1, with veteran Sibusiso Zuma playing a pivotal role for the Cape side. Zuma had come back from overseas to join Mamelodi Sundowns, but the move proved to be a big flop despite his R200 000,00 monthly pay cheque. On Friday, he was actually on fire and scored Vasco's only goal. The Buccaneers scored through LuckyLekgwati's acrobatic overhead, just an inch before the goal-line.

The double-header was completed with a Bloemfontein Celtics match against Ajax Cape Town who triumphed 2-0. Celtics were their own enemies missing seater after seater. The atmosphere was vibrant and almost a full house. Is this the answer to small crowds pulled by teams like Supersport, Platinum Stars and Wits?

Frankly, I am not sure how small teams will benefit from the double-header arrangements except with gate taking which I am not sure how they are split. Usually, team fans are a decided lot that are not easily swayed over night.

Platinum Stars were fortunate enough to get an injury time winner from Coldrin Coetzee who had come in as a sub against Mpumalanga Black Aces. The teams seemed headed for a 2-2 draw at Puma's Atlantic Stadium in Witbank.

Kaizer Chiefs beat Golden Arrows 2-0 at the Rand Stadium and Mamelodi Sundowns overcame Moroka Swallows by the same margin, Zimbabwean Mushekwi scoring a debut brace. Santos and Sunday Chidzambwa's Free State Stars paled to a goalless draw. 

By far the game of the week was the KZN derby, Amazulu vs Maritzburg. The action packed match was deadlocked at 2-2 when an injury time clinical strike separated the boys from men, to win it 3-2. Former Chiefs defender had a spectacular own goal. Simphiwe Mkhonza lobed over his goalie when the ball struck him unawares. Pernell McKop should be pleased with the performance of his goalkeeper.

As a matter of interest, Bafana Bafana match tickets will cost R50,00 minimum. There was a comparison of Rugby test match tickets that go for R350,00. Maybe while figures don't lie, the catchment areas differ, but of course, R50,00 for an international event is not much.

Are for the idea of double headers to boost least supported teams?

New South Africa League Match Concept Cool Or Not?

The South Africa Premier Soccer League kicked off in spectacular fashion on Friday, with a Greenpoint Stadium double-header concept in Cape Town, that should have been also used for a Bidvest Wits vs Supersport United match at Coca Cola Park Stadium. Wits beat defending champions by a cool 3 goals without reply.

The eye-sore as mentioned earlier, was the size of the crowd. There is something very wrong about African football. Supersport have been South African champions a million times in a row, yet one can count their followers on one hand. There will always be a full house in most Pirates, Chiefs or Celtics matches. Sundowns pull good crowds but are not in the same class.

Orlando Pirates beat new league comers, Vasco Da Gama 2-1, with veteran Sibusiso Zuma playing a pivotal role for the Cape side. Zuma had come back from overseas to join Mamelodi Sundowns, but the move proved to be a big flop despite his R200 000,00 monthly pay cheque. On Friday, he was actually on fire and scored Vasco's only goal. The Buccaneers scored through LuckyLekgwati's acrobatic overhead, just an inch before the goal-line.

The double-header was completed with a Bloemfontein Celtics match against Ajax Cape Town who triumphed 2-0. Celtics were their own enemies missing seater after seater. The atmosphere was vibrant and almost a full house. Is this the answer to small crowds pulled by teams like Supersport, Platinum Stars and Wits?

Frankly, I am not sure how small teams will benefit from the double-header arrangements except with gate taking which I am not sure how they are split. Usually, team fans are a decided lot that are not easily swayed over night.

Platinum Stars were fortunate enough to get an injury time winner from Coldrin Coetzee who had come in as a sub against Mpumalanga Black Aces. The teams seemed headed for a 2-2 draw at Puma's Atlantic Stadium in Witbank.

Kaizer Chiefs beat Golden Arrows 2-0 at the Rand Stadium and Mamelodi Sundowns overcame Moroka Swallows by the same margin, Zimbabwean Mushekwi scoring a debut brace. Santos and Sunday Chidzambwa's Free State Stars paled to a goalless draw. 

By far the game of the week was the KZN derby, Amazulu vs Maritzburg. The action packed match was deadlocked at 2-2 when an injury time clinical strike separated the boys from men, to win it 3-2. Former Chiefs defender had a spectacular own goal. Simphiwe Mkhonza lobed over his goalie when the ball struck him unawares. Pernell McKop should be pleased with the performance of his goalkeeper.

As a matter of interest, Bafana Bafana match tickets will cost R50,00 minimum. There was a comparison of Rugby test match tickets that go for R350,00. Maybe while figures don't lie, the catchment areas differ, but of course, R50,00 for an international event is not much.

Are for the idea of double headers to boost least supported teams?

New South Africa League Match Concept Cool Or Not?

The South Africa Premier Soccer League kicked off in spectacular fashion on Friday, with a Greenpoint Stadium double-header concept in Cape Town, that should have been also used for a Bidvest Wits vs Supersport United match at Coca Cola Park Stadium. Wits beat defending champions by a cool 3 goals without reply.

The eye-sore as mentioned earlier, was the size of the crowd. There is something very wrong about African football. Supersport have been South African champions a million times in a row, yet one can count their followers on one hand. There will always be a full house in most Pirates, Chiefs or Celtics matches. Sundowns pull good crowds but are not in the same class.

Orlando Pirates beat new league comers, Vasco Da Gama 2-1, with veteran Sibusiso Zuma playing a pivotal role for the Cape side. Zuma had come back from overseas to join Mamelodi Sundowns, but the move proved to be a big flop despite his R200 000,00 monthly pay cheque. On Friday, he was actually on fire and scored Vasco's only goal. The Buccaneers scored through LuckyLekgwati's acrobatic overhead, just an inch before the goal-line.

The double-header was completed with a Bloemfontein Celtics match against Ajax Cape Town who triumphed 2-0. Celtics were their own enemies missing seater after seater. The atmosphere was vibrant and almost a full house. Is this the answer to small crowds pulled by teams like Supersport, Platinum Stars and Wits?

Frankly, I am not sure how small teams will benefit from the double-header arrangements except with gate taking which I am not sure how they are split. Usually, team fans are a decided lot that are not easily swayed over night.

Platinum Stars were fortunate enough to get an injury time winner from Coldrin Coetzee who had come in as a sub against Mpumalanga Black Aces. The teams seemed headed for a 2-2 draw at Puma's Atlantic Stadium in Witbank.

Kaizer Chiefs beat Golden Arrows 2-0 at the Rand Stadium and Mamelodi Sundowns overcame Moroka Swallows by the same margin, Zimbabwean Mushekwi scoring a debut brace. Santos and Sunday Chidzambwa's Free State Stars paled to a goalless draw. 

By far the game of the week was the KZN derby, Amazulu vs Maritzburg. The action packed match was deadlocked at 2-2 when an injury time clinical strike separated the boys from men, to win it 3-2. Former Chiefs defender had a spectacular own goal. Simphiwe Mkhonza lobed over his goalie when the ball struck him unawares. Pernell McKop should be pleased with the performance of his goalkeeper.

As a matter of interest, Bafana Bafana match tickets will cost R50,00 minimum. There was a comparison of Rugby test match tickets that go for R350,00. Maybe while figures don't lie, the catchment areas differ, but of course, R50,00 for an international event is not much.

Are for the idea of double headers to boost least supported teams?