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.

Highlanders' Champions League draw

The Mighty Bulls of Harare, Motor Action, lifted the championship in Zimbabwe, with Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League runners-up spot going to Dynamos, perennial power houses in CAF Champions League. Dembare have been excluded from the first round of the Confederation of African Football Champions League first round.

The Zimbabwe champions, Motor Action drew Cnaps Sports of Madagascar in matches to be played on the weekend of 28-30 January next year. They will be looking to doing well and emulate Monomotapa and Dynamos, who have played in the mini league of the championship. It will be seen how they will fare after rolling past the Madagascarns.

The most disappointing team of all time when it comes to the Champions League, is Highlanders FC of Zimbabwe, who were drawn to play against Nchanga Rangers of Zambia in the first round of the Caf Confederation Cup. Bosso may seem to have the material to take them far, but their resources and management is still to convince me they can lead a lead past the first half of any international match.

Nchanga have been a power-house before and need to be taken seriously. Zambian football has since lost the shine of the 1980s and 1990s, hence they are bouncing back and mean business. With more funding and better preparations, Bosso will have done a lot to get to the next draw. The leadership should give caretaker coach the funds to attend preliminary coaching courses and further studies as the time goes by. He has 'men skills' to manage the players, but the game is so dynamic and scientific than it was a year ago.


The Draw

First round (First leg: January 28-30, second: February 11-13)
ASFAN (NIG) v JC Abidjan (CIV); St Michel Ouenze (CGO) v Enyimba (NGR); US Bitam (GAB) v Astres Douala (CMR); Real Bangui (CAF) v Mouloudia Alger (ALG); InterClube (ANG) v Township Rollers (BOT); East End Lions (SLE) v Djoliba (MLI); Diaraf (SEN) v Ports Authority (GAM); ASPAC (BEN) v Deportivo Mongomo (GEQ); ASEC Mimosas (CIV) v Cansando (MTN); Motor Action (ZIM) v Cnaps Sports (MAD).

Raja Casablanca (MAR) v Tourbillon (CHA); Ulinzi Stars (KEN) v Zamalek (EGY); APR (RWA) v Club Africain (TUN); Recreativo Caala (ANG) v St George (ETH); Elan Club Mitsoudje (COM) v Simba (TAN);Mighty Barrolle (LBR) v Kano Pillars (NGR); Wydad Casablanca (MAR) v Aduana Stars (GHA); Fello Star (GUI) v ASFA Yennenga (BUR); ; Vital'O (BDI) v Cotonsport Garoua (CMR); Ocean View (ZAN) v Vita Club (COD); SuperSport Utd (RSA) v Matlama (LES); Young Buffaloes (SWZ) v St Michel Utd (SEY); Zesco Utd (ZAM) v Liga Muculmana (MOZ).

Highlanders Needed This Win Badly, More Than Dynamos.

[caption id="attachment_1607" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Coach Fathi (mis)lead The Team Off The Pitch Against Dynamos."][/caption]The Bosso versus Dembare BancABC Cup semifinal's fate that was played and abandoned is yet to be decided. Highlanders messed up a match they should have won. They needed to win and badly. The $40 000,00 winners' cheque would have poured cold water on the very bad debts the Executive has been patching from their pockets.

The Ernest Maphepha management left huge sums to be paid after they travelled to Sudan for a CAF assignment. As we speak, The Chronicle reports that Bosso were making frantic efforts to avoid attachment of property last night by the Deputy Sheriff over a US$4 000 debt, which the club owes to Vusumuzi Dube. "The money is part of interest accrued and legal fees from the total debt of US$36 000. The club have since cleared the actual debt." reports The Chronicle.  

Dynamos can do with a coin or 2 but they are playing Champions' League football. They do not owe anybody much. If they owed as much as Bosso, still, they have the opportunity to fight harder in the Africa Champions' League, where they can access a $1 000 000,00. So while it was careless on their part to be stupid, Highlanders could not afford the same mistake. Dembare may decide to win the Championship again as they have a realistic chance of doing so. As for Bosso, let us leave that one alone.

 The report says the money came from club members who paid their US$5 monthly subscriptions, to whom I applaud the efforts and encourage all other fans and supporters to dig deeper into their pockets and rescue the team. "Some was raised through the SMS fund-raising method as well as from donations from members and sponsors, Karcher".

Things are now so bad that there seems to be no way out. Themba Ndlela's executive have been everywhere doing everything but with less success. While it can not be guaranteed the stance the legal practitioners of those that Bosso owe the money, winning this Banc ABC Cup would have given leverage for negotiation by the Bosso legal team, to prevent the property attachment.

Highlanders FC deserves all the sympathy, looking at the circumstances under which they sank into debt, but the team shot themselves in the foot when they let the 40 grand slide through their fingers (feet in this case) like wet fish. I am not a believer in luck but God works with those who fight. There was a still a fighting chance, which was within Bosso's reach and capacity when the coach ordered the team to leave the pitch. 

Those who watched the match feel that Highlanders were under pressure from Dembare. They do not think Bosso could have turned the tables on The Glamour Boys. Fair enough, given the debts and the loss of the semi-final. 

Asking for the fine from PSL and bringing the game of football into disrepute may have been better than rain of sulphur and brimstone, but who said it was going to rain anything?

Have you made your contributions to help the team out and how?

Highlanders Needed This Win Badly, More Than Dynamos.

[caption id="attachment_1607" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Coach Fathi (mis)lead The Team Off The Pitch Against Dynamos."][/caption]The Bosso versus Dembare BancABC Cup semifinal's fate that was played and abandoned is yet to be decided. Highlanders messed up a match they should have won. They needed to win and badly. The $40 000,00 winners' cheque would have poured cold water on the very bad debts the Executive has been patching from their pockets.

The Ernest Maphepha management left huge sums to be paid after they travelled to Sudan for a CAF assignment. As we speak, The Chronicle reports that Bosso were making frantic efforts to avoid attachment of property last night by the Deputy Sheriff over a US$4 000 debt, which the club owes to Vusumuzi Dube. "The money is part of interest accrued and legal fees from the total debt of US$36 000. The club have since cleared the actual debt." reports The Chronicle.  

Dynamos can do with a coin or 2 but they are playing Champions' League football. They do not owe anybody much. If they owed as much as Bosso, still, they have the opportunity to fight harder in the Africa Champions' League, where they can access a $1 000 000,00. So while it was careless on their part to be stupid, Highlanders could not afford the same mistake. Dembare may decide to win the Championship again as they have a realistic chance of doing so. As for Bosso, let us leave that one alone.

 The report says the money came from club members who paid their US$5 monthly subscriptions, to whom I applaud the efforts and encourage all other fans and supporters to dig deeper into their pockets and rescue the team. "Some was raised through the SMS fund-raising method as well as from donations from members and sponsors, Karcher".

Things are now so bad that there seems to be no way out. Themba Ndlela's executive have been everywhere doing everything but with less success. While it can not be guaranteed the stance the legal practitioners of those that Bosso owe the money, winning this Banc ABC Cup would have given leverage for negotiation by the Bosso legal team, to prevent the property attachment.

Highlanders FC deserves all the sympathy, looking at the circumstances under which they sank into debt, but the team shot themselves in the foot when they let the 40 grand slide through their fingers (feet in this case) like wet fish. I am not a believer in luck but God works with those who fight. There was a still a fighting chance, which was within Bosso's reach and capacity when the coach ordered the team to leave the pitch. 

Those who watched the match feel that Highlanders were under pressure from Dembare. They do not think Bosso could have turned the tables on The Glamour Boys. Fair enough, given the debts and the loss of the semi-final. 

Asking for the fine from PSL and bringing the game of football into disrepute may have been better than rain of sulphur and brimstone, but who said it was going to rain anything?

Have you made your contributions to help the team out and how?

Highlanders Needed This Win Badly, More Than Dynamos.

[caption id="attachment_1607" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Coach Fathi (mis)lead The Team Off The Pitch Against Dynamos."][/caption]The Bosso versus Dembare BancABC Cup semifinal's fate that was played and abandoned is yet to be decided. Highlanders messed up a match they should have won. They needed to win and badly. The $40 000,00 winners' cheque would have poured cold water on the very bad debts the Executive has been patching from their pockets.

The Ernest Maphepha management left huge sums to be paid after they travelled to Sudan for a CAF assignment. As we speak, The Chronicle reports that Bosso were making frantic efforts to avoid attachment of property last night by the Deputy Sheriff over a US$4 000 debt, which the club owes to Vusumuzi Dube. "The money is part of interest accrued and legal fees from the total debt of US$36 000. The club have since cleared the actual debt." reports The Chronicle.  

Dynamos can do with a coin or 2 but they are playing Champions' League football. They do not owe anybody much. If they owed as much as Bosso, still, they have the opportunity to fight harder in the Africa Champions' League, where they can access a $1 000 000,00. So while it was careless on their part to be stupid, Highlanders could not afford the same mistake. Dembare may decide to win the Championship again as they have a realistic chance of doing so. As for Bosso, let us leave that one alone.

 The report says the money came from club members who paid their US$5 monthly subscriptions, to whom I applaud the efforts and encourage all other fans and supporters to dig deeper into their pockets and rescue the team. "Some was raised through the SMS fund-raising method as well as from donations from members and sponsors, Karcher".

Things are now so bad that there seems to be no way out. Themba Ndlela's executive have been everywhere doing everything but with less success. While it can not be guaranteed the stance the legal practitioners of those that Bosso owe the money, winning this Banc ABC Cup would have given leverage for negotiation by the Bosso legal team, to prevent the property attachment.

Highlanders FC deserves all the sympathy, looking at the circumstances under which they sank into debt, but the team shot themselves in the foot when they let the 40 grand slide through their fingers (feet in this case) like wet fish. I am not a believer in luck but God works with those who fight. There was a still a fighting chance, which was within Bosso's reach and capacity when the coach ordered the team to leave the pitch. 

Those who watched the match feel that Highlanders were under pressure from Dembare. They do not think Bosso could have turned the tables on The Glamour Boys. Fair enough, given the debts and the loss of the semi-final. 

Asking for the fine from PSL and bringing the game of football into disrepute may have been better than rain of sulphur and brimstone, but who said it was going to rain anything?

Have you made your contributions to help the team out and how?

Zimbabwe Warriors Beat By Botswana Zebras

(Image from BBC Sport)

The Zebras of Botswana are on a rampage. They beat Zimbabwe Warriors in a friendly international in Selebi Pikwe, blasting in 2 goals without reply. The Warriors themselves are even considered by Malawi and Togo as small fish, both teams refusing to give them a friendly match on the 11th of August, 2010. Zimbabwe will play Ghana on the 8th of September, 2010 as they prepare for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Swaziland.

There is clear evidence that Botswana football is on the rise. They have attained a level of understanding and a brand of football that suits them. Botswana beat both Chad and Tunisia  by 1-0, in the Africa Nations' Cup qualifiers.

The rise and rise of Botswana football can be credited to proper football education. Stanley Tshosane, the Botswana Zebras coach has an Advanced International Coaching Diploma for Foreign Coaches and Trainers on Modern Brazilian Football, attained from Rio De Janeiro from October 29 to December 3, 1999  at Brazilian Football Academy. He was my class-mate with other 18 international coaches.

Meanwhile, the investigations of corruption at 53 Livingstone Road got two officials suspended. A Malawian agent is reported to have offered Dynamos USD400 000,00 from TP Mazembe,  to help them fulfil their Champions' League fixture. Somehow Dembare are said to have not taken the cash.

Monomotapa are said to have been offered the same bundle last year when they on to beat Heartland of Nigeria. Mazembe benefited from the result by topping the group. Monomotapa later sold 3 players to Mazembe and are owners of a very nice liner luxury coach. Nobody is saying these incidents are related.

Zimbabwe Warriors Beat By Botswana Zebras

(Image from BBC Sport)

The Zebras of Botswana are on a rampage. They beat Zimbabwe Warriors in a friendly international in Selebi Pikwe, blasting in 2 goals without reply. The Warriors themselves are even considered by Malawi and Togo as small fish, both teams refusing to give them a friendly match on the 11th of August, 2010. Zimbabwe will play Ghana on the 8th of September, 2010 as they prepare for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Swaziland.

There is clear evidence that Botswana football is on the rise. They have attained a level of understanding and a brand of football that suits them. Botswana beat both Chad and Tunisia  by 1-0, in the Africa Nations' Cup qualifiers.

The rise and rise of Botswana football can be credited to proper football education. Stanley Tshosane, the Botswana Zebras coach has an Advanced International Coaching Diploma for Foreign Coaches and Trainers on Modern Brazilian Football, attained from Rio De Janeiro from October 29 to December 3, 1999  at Brazilian Football Academy. He was my class-mate with other 18 international coaches.

Meanwhile, the investigations of corruption at 53 Livingstone Road got two officials suspended. A Malawian agent is reported to have offered Dynamos USD400 000,00 from TP Mazembe,  to help them fulfil their Champions' League fixture. Somehow Dembare are said to have not taken the cash.

Monomotapa are said to have been offered the same bundle last year when they on to beat Heartland of Nigeria. Mazembe benefited from the result by topping the group. Monomotapa later sold 3 players to Mazembe and are owners of a very nice liner luxury coach. Nobody is saying these incidents are related.

Zimbabwe Warriors Beat By Botswana Zebras

(Image from BBC Sport)

The Zebras of Botswana are on a rampage. They beat Zimbabwe Warriors in a friendly international in Selebi Pikwe, blasting in 2 goals without reply. The Warriors themselves are even considered by Malawi and Togo as small fish, both teams refusing to give them a friendly match on the 11th of August, 2010. Zimbabwe will play Ghana on the 8th of September, 2010 as they prepare for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Swaziland.

There is clear evidence that Botswana football is on the rise. They have attained a level of understanding and a brand of football that suits them. Botswana beat both Chad and Tunisia  by 1-0, in the Africa Nations' Cup qualifiers.

The rise and rise of Botswana football can be credited to proper football education. Stanley Tshosane, the Botswana Zebras coach has an Advanced International Coaching Diploma for Foreign Coaches and Trainers on Modern Brazilian Football, attained from Rio De Janeiro from October 29 to December 3, 1999  at Brazilian Football Academy. He was my class-mate with other 18 international coaches.

Meanwhile, the investigations of corruption at 53 Livingstone Road got two officials suspended. A Malawian agent is reported to have offered Dynamos USD400 000,00 from TP Mazembe,  to help them fulfil their Champions' League fixture. Somehow Dembare are said to have not taken the cash.

Monomotapa are said to have been offered the same bundle last year when they on to beat Heartland of Nigeria. Mazembe benefited from the result by topping the group. Monomotapa later sold 3 players to Mazembe and are owners of a very nice liner luxury coach. Nobody is saying these incidents are related.

Bosso Will Win The Champions' League.

 

Ngubani Owayekhona.....?

Introduction.   

There is two things I know, that one day Bosso will win Africa Champion's League, and that one day, I will win Africa Champions' League. I can not tell if that will happen the same year, and if it does how sweet. One, or both, of these things will happen in the next 10 years. Is it the incompetence of the current leadership or a financial crisis basically a sin inherited from the Ernest Maphepha leadership? Somewhere in between, is the truth.   

Depending On Luck.    

As it stands, sheer luck will give Bosso any silverware. Neither performance nor planning is of acceptable standards. At 7th on the log standings, the crown is out of reach. The ongoing BancABC Sup8r is the only hope for honours. Dynamos are the immediate threat, being semi-final opponents. If Bosso wins it, a CAF Confederation Cup beckons. By design, this Cup has no much prize-money.   

Genuine Leadership.   

Bosso will one day have a sound and knowledgeable Executive, better than we have seen in our lives. It will be the solution. They will some how do things differently, get better resources. No names are coming forth to replace the current committee, only the 'has been' are mentioned by fans. Why are those people not coming forth if they are the solution? It seems hard to get to know what the Committee is doing that they should not, or, what they are not doing that they should be engaging, and the reasons thereof.     

Good Coach.   

A great coach with vision, knowledge, tactical ability, an ambitious winner and schemer will coach Bosso. The Egyptian coach, Mohammed Fathi has a good CV but won't be getting my kisses any time soon. This new executive will have a local coach. They will not waste energy and money for coaches from elsewhere when good local coaches are unemployed and available. Local coaches won more Championships and Cups. They know the systems and have been assistants to all coaches of the world. They cannot die learning from experts. They have graduated now.   

Better Players.   

There will be a cream of players for the Africa Champions' League. Bosso will breed quality players who will be groomed knowing that they are future African Champions and be addicted to winning. Their blood must be black and white. Now that I tantalised my self with the possibility of coaching Bosso tomorrow, I need 5 years to achieve my goal. The Highlanders School Of Excellence (HSE) is a condition of my employment. The only person in the world to do this job, as you know by now, will be Madinda Ndlovu. This guy is Midas when it comes to spotting and nurturing talent.   

The Fans.   

BF will look and feel small once again. There will be talk to extend the Stadium and fit the roof. After the Champions' League victory, wild celebrations will spill to the Club House, in a prossession convoy of flags and car horns and vuvuzelas. Braai and drink will be in abundance. You will forget what is barberque. The football arenas of the Highlanders School Of Excellence at the Club House will be bedrooms to thousands. Tears of joy will not cease to dry, without anyone not knowing whether they are laughing or crying. Some will prefer long drive to the quieter outskirts of the City Of Kings: West, North West, South or the Drive-In straight north.      

Schools' Programmes.   

Bosso will be having a High School Football feeder programme whereby junior coaches visit and coach each school's football teams and basic equipment like balls, uniforms, shin pads and boots will be provided by the club to these schools. The players identified from further and isolated areas will be enrolled is schools within reach. The manager and assistant will liaise with the parents and teachers of these football players for their social and academic needs. They will feel part of the bigger picture in their school days. 

Big Money.    

Highlanders FC will attract big money, huge sponsorship. The team will open a full-time merchandise shop at BF, displaying everything the team has ever won, the pictures and selling memorabilia. The CEO who will foresee the Bosso Business Agency (BBA) will ensure a smooth operation of a Highlanders FC Funeral Insurance (HFP). A Bosso Medical Aid (BMA) is an option, but is usually susceptible to abuse by members.   

Highlanders Funeral Policy.   

The HFP will take the world by storm. It will be designed in a way that will make all burial societies redundant, or a very remote secondary option. It will be something available to people all over the world. Those who run this, will be very selfish but astute business people who know and love money. It will be the day that Highlanders has never seen, but will give hope that better things don't come to those who wait, but those who graft hard for their success.   

Would you join a Highlanders FC Funeral Policy? If so, please 'Like' and 'Share' article, so we can see the impact of this by the numbers. One day, surely, we will be the Champions Of Africa!

Bosso Will Win The Champions' League.

 

Ngubani Owayekhona.....?

Introduction.   

There is two things I know, that one day Bosso will win Africa Champion's League, and that one day, I will win Africa Champions' League. I can not tell if that will happen the same year, and if it does how sweet. One, or both, of these things will happen in the next 10 years. Is it the incompetence of the current leadership or a financial crisis basically a sin inherited from the Ernest Maphepha leadership? Somewhere in between, is the truth.   

Depending On Luck.    

As it stands, sheer luck will give Bosso any silverware. Neither performance nor planning is of acceptable standards. At 7th on the log standings, the crown is out of reach. The ongoing BancABC Sup8r is the only hope for honours. Dynamos are the immediate threat, being semi-final opponents. If Bosso wins it, a CAF Confederation Cup beckons. By design, this Cup has no much prize-money.   

Genuine Leadership.   

Bosso will one day have a sound and knowledgeable Executive, better than we have seen in our lives. It will be the solution. They will some how do things differently, get better resources. No names are coming forth to replace the current committee, only the 'has been' are mentioned by fans. Why are those people not coming forth if they are the solution? It seems hard to get to know what the Committee is doing that they should not, or, what they are not doing that they should be engaging, and the reasons thereof.     

Good Coach.   

A great coach with vision, knowledge, tactical ability, an ambitious winner and schemer will coach Bosso. The Egyptian coach, Mohammed Fathi has a good CV but won't be getting my kisses any time soon. This new executive will have a local coach. They will not waste energy and money for coaches from elsewhere when good local coaches are unemployed and available. Local coaches won more Championships and Cups. They know the systems and have been assistants to all coaches of the world. They cannot die learning from experts. They have graduated now.   

Better Players.   

There will be a cream of players for the Africa Champions' League. Bosso will breed quality players who will be groomed knowing that they are future African Champions and be addicted to winning. Their blood must be black and white. Now that I tantalised my self with the possibility of coaching Bosso tomorrow, I need 5 years to achieve my goal. The Highlanders School Of Excellence (HSE) is a condition of my employment. The only person in the world to do this job, as you know by now, will be Madinda Ndlovu. This guy is Midas when it comes to spotting and nurturing talent.   

The Fans.   

BF will look and feel small once again. There will be talk to extend the Stadium and fit the roof. After the Champions' League victory, wild celebrations will spill to the Club House, in a prossession convoy of flags and car horns and vuvuzelas. Braai and drink will be in abundance. You will forget what is barberque. The football arenas of the Highlanders School Of Excellence at the Club House will be bedrooms to thousands. Tears of joy will not cease to dry, without anyone not knowing whether they are laughing or crying. Some will prefer long drive to the quieter outskirts of the City Of Kings: West, North West, South or the Drive-In straight north.      

Schools' Programmes.   

Bosso will be having a High School Football feeder programme whereby junior coaches visit and coach each school's football teams and basic equipment like balls, uniforms, shin pads and boots will be provided by the club to these schools. The players identified from further and isolated areas will be enrolled is schools within reach. The manager and assistant will liaise with the parents and teachers of these football players for their social and academic needs. They will feel part of the bigger picture in their school days. 

Big Money.    

Highlanders FC will attract big money, huge sponsorship. The team will open a full-time merchandise shop at BF, displaying everything the team has ever won, the pictures and selling memorabilia. The CEO who will foresee the Bosso Business Agency (BBA) will ensure a smooth operation of a Highlanders FC Funeral Insurance (HFP). A Bosso Medical Aid (BMA) is an option, but is usually susceptible to abuse by members.   

Highlanders Funeral Policy.   

The HFP will take the world by storm. It will be designed in a way that will make all burial societies redundant, or a very remote secondary option. It will be something available to people all over the world. Those who run this, will be very selfish but astute business people who know and love money. It will be the day that Highlanders has never seen, but will give hope that better things don't come to those who wait, but those who graft hard for their success.   

Would you join a Highlanders FC Funeral Policy? If so, please 'Like' and 'Share' article, so we can see the impact of this by the numbers. One day, surely, we will be the Champions Of Africa!

Bosso Will Win The Champions' League.

 

Ngubani Owayekhona.....?

Introduction.   

There is two things I know, that one day Bosso will win Africa Champion's League, and that one day, I will win Africa Champions' League. I can not tell if that will happen the same year, and if it does how sweet. One, or both, of these things will happen in the next 10 years. Is it the incompetence of the current leadership or a financial crisis basically a sin inherited from the Ernest Maphepha leadership? Somewhere in between, is the truth.   

Depending On Luck.    

As it stands, sheer luck will give Bosso any silverware. Neither performance nor planning is of acceptable standards. At 7th on the log standings, the crown is out of reach. The ongoing BancABC Sup8r is the only hope for honours. Dynamos are the immediate threat, being semi-final opponents. If Bosso wins it, a CAF Confederation Cup beckons. By design, this Cup has no much prize-money.   

Genuine Leadership.   

Bosso will one day have a sound and knowledgeable Executive, better than we have seen in our lives. It will be the solution. They will some how do things differently, get better resources. No names are coming forth to replace the current committee, only the 'has been' are mentioned by fans. Why are those people not coming forth if they are the solution? It seems hard to get to know what the Committee is doing that they should not, or, what they are not doing that they should be engaging, and the reasons thereof.     

Good Coach.   

A great coach with vision, knowledge, tactical ability, an ambitious winner and schemer will coach Bosso. The Egyptian coach, Mohammed Fathi has a good CV but won't be getting my kisses any time soon. This new executive will have a local coach. They will not waste energy and money for coaches from elsewhere when good local coaches are unemployed and available. Local coaches won more Championships and Cups. They know the systems and have been assistants to all coaches of the world. They cannot die learning from experts. They have graduated now.   

Better Players.   

There will be a cream of players for the Africa Champions' League. Bosso will breed quality players who will be groomed knowing that they are future African Champions and be addicted to winning. Their blood must be black and white. Now that I tantalised my self with the possibility of coaching Bosso tomorrow, I need 5 years to achieve my goal. The Highlanders School Of Excellence (HSE) is a condition of my employment. The only person in the world to do this job, as you know by now, will be Madinda Ndlovu. This guy is Midas when it comes to spotting and nurturing talent.   

The Fans.   

BF will look and feel small once again. There will be talk to extend the Stadium and fit the roof. After the Champions' League victory, wild celebrations will spill to the Club House, in a prossession convoy of flags and car horns and vuvuzelas. Braai and drink will be in abundance. You will forget what is barberque. The football arenas of the Highlanders School Of Excellence at the Club House will be bedrooms to thousands. Tears of joy will not cease to dry, without anyone not knowing whether they are laughing or crying. Some will prefer long drive to the quieter outskirts of the City Of Kings: West, North West, South or the Drive-In straight north.      

Schools' Programmes.   

Bosso will be having a High School Football feeder programme whereby junior coaches visit and coach each school's football teams and basic equipment like balls, uniforms, shin pads and boots will be provided by the club to these schools. The players identified from further and isolated areas will be enrolled is schools within reach. The manager and assistant will liaise with the parents and teachers of these football players for their social and academic needs. They will feel part of the bigger picture in their school days. 

Big Money.    

Highlanders FC will attract big money, huge sponsorship. The team will open a full-time merchandise shop at BF, displaying everything the team has ever won, the pictures and selling memorabilia. The CEO who will foresee the Bosso Business Agency (BBA) will ensure a smooth operation of a Highlanders FC Funeral Insurance (HFP). A Bosso Medical Aid (BMA) is an option, but is usually susceptible to abuse by members.   

Highlanders Funeral Policy.   

The HFP will take the world by storm. It will be designed in a way that will make all burial societies redundant, or a very remote secondary option. It will be something available to people all over the world. Those who run this, will be very selfish but astute business people who know and love money. It will be the day that Highlanders has never seen, but will give hope that better things don't come to those who wait, but those who graft hard for their success.   

Would you join a Highlanders FC Funeral Policy? If so, please 'Like' and 'Share' article, so we can see the impact of this by the numbers. One day, surely, we will be the Champions Of Africa!

Will Bosso Win The Africa Champions League?

The first time I met Clemence Westerhoff,  in 1997, he told me about how West Africans, especially Nigerians, will promise to deliver the moon in a minute without a blush. As a humourous man, I thought he was joking. Maybe he was. Since then, I wondered how North or West Africa dominated everything, including  football.

The only nation ever to win the Africa Cup Of Nations outside those areas, was South Africa in 1996. Besides having the best team in their history, which included Ace Khuse, Doctor Khumalo, Fanie Madida, Mark Williams, Lucas Radebe, Neil Tovey and Shoes Moshoeu, Bafana Bafana were hosts and Nigeria did not turn-up in that tournament. Otherwise, it has been a territory for Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Cameroon.

Only South Africa has represented the continent at the FIFA World Cup from this region. Ok, let's count Angola for their maiden 2006 appearance, but then there has always been representation from North and West Africa. To make it sound a little more respectable, Zaire was at the FIFA World Cup in 1974, where they were embarrassingly trounced 9-0 by some ruthless dudes from Europe. Morocco, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon and Tunisia have been there most of the time.

Africa Club Championships have been a domain of countries from up there. Again, South Africa's Orlando Pirates represented the region by winning it in 1995. They had a great team of Jerry 'Legs of Thunder' Skhosana, Helman 'Midnight Express' Mkhelele and William Okpara among others. Power Dynamos and Nkana Red Devils of Zambia were always close contenders. A few years ago, Angola was producing potential winners, but the fell flat. There was also DR Congo's TP Mazembe as well. I must say that Dynamos of Zimbabwe have come close, losing in the finals. Here, names like Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak of Ghana, Canon Yaounde of Cameroon, Rajah Casablanca of Morocco, Asec Abidjan, Asec Mimosa of Ivory Coast, Julius Berger of Nigeria, Jets and Esperance  of Algeria and Egyptians' Ali Ahli, National SC and Zamalek have dominated this competition.

The Sub-Saharan region only produced Zambian Kalusha Bwalya for African Player of the Year. Roger Milla, Thomas Nkono, both of Cameroon, Salief Keita of Mali, Yousuf Fofana of Ivory Coast, Rabah Madjer of Algeria, Abedi Pele of Ghana, George Weah of Liberia, Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast, Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon and Frederick Kanoute of Mali are a few of the winners, all from up North/West. A mention of Peter Ndlovu and Bruce Grobelaar comes as a favour by these guys. Lucas Radebe is a figure of note as well.

World Player of the Year for Africans naturally comes from winning the above accolade, hence you will find George Weah, who ran for the Liberian presidency against the incumbent Head Of State in post Charles Taylor Liberia's last election, had it in the pocket. He was honoured twice. There has been mentions of Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o of late but they are all from up North.

Looking at all youth and women championships, Southern Africa has come unstuck. The Olympic Champions, Nigeria and Cameroon, have been world beaters, dominating teams with the best players in the world. The teams competing here are usually under-23 and can have 3 over-aged players. Only South Africa managed to go to Sydney Australia for the Olympics.

Ghana's exploits in the FIFA World Cup Under-20 last year in Egypt, where they emerged as Champions, proves a point. These trends go for women teams as well. The Nigerian Falconets succumbed to the pressure of hosts, Germany last weekend, when they lost the FIFA World Cup Under-20. Nigeria are perennial participants in the Cup.

The Black Stars were the revelation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, reaching the quarter-final. Cameroon achieved the feat in 1990 in Italy. The team of Cyril Mackanaky, Oman Biyik, Roger Milla and Thomas Nkono was the finest African outfit of anytime. They were unlucky, falling to some scandalous refereeing. Senegal were there lifting the African flag in 2002 when Hadji Diouf was inspirational. Africa in general showed a step back after these achievements and a new force would emerge, also from North/West Africa.

Highlanders FC have never been near enough to be mentioned when it comes to Africa. Their rich history is so boringly local. Things must change quickly. The team needs to dominate the domestic scene by being a solid unit. The team leadership will do themselves good by looking at ways that keep all stakeholders together. It helps no one to be mediocre.

There is something going on in North/West Africa we don't know. Until we find out, we will be the weeping boys (and girls) of the sport. Do you think it is the weather, the food,  the mental strength of the tribes of these regions, or its sheer talent?

Will Bosso Win The Africa Champions League?

The first time I met Clemence Westerhoff,  in 1997, he told me about how West Africans, especially Nigerians, will promise to deliver the moon in a minute without a blush. As a humourous man, I thought he was joking. Maybe he was. Since then, I wondered how North or West Africa dominated everything, including  football.

The only nation ever to win the Africa Cup Of Nations outside those areas, was South Africa in 1996. Besides having the best team in their history, which included Ace Khuse, Doctor Khumalo, Fanie Madida, Mark Williams, Lucas Radebe, Neil Tovey and Shoes Moshoeu, Bafana Bafana were hosts and Nigeria did not turn-up in that tournament. Otherwise, it has been a territory for Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Cameroon.

Only South Africa has represented the continent at the FIFA World Cup from this region. Ok, let's count Angola for their maiden 2006 appearance, but then there has always been representation from North and West Africa. To make it sound a little more respectable, Zaire was at the FIFA World Cup in 1974, where they were embarrassingly trounced 9-0 by some ruthless dudes from Europe. Morocco, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon and Tunisia have been there most of the time.

Africa Club Championships have been a domain of countries from up there. Again, South Africa's Orlando Pirates represented the region by winning it in 1995. They had a great team of Jerry 'Legs of Thunder' Skhosana, Helman 'Midnight Express' Mkhelele and William Okpara among others. Power Dynamos and Nkana Red Devils of Zambia were always close contenders. A few years ago, Angola was producing potential winners, but the fell flat. There was also DR Congo's TP Mazembe as well. I must say that Dynamos of Zimbabwe have come close, losing in the finals. Here, names like Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak of Ghana, Canon Yaounde of Cameroon, Rajah Casablanca of Morocco, Asec Abidjan, Asec Mimosa of Ivory Coast, Julius Berger of Nigeria, Jets and Esperance  of Algeria and Egyptians' Ali Ahli, National SC and Zamalek have dominated this competition.

The Sub-Saharan region only produced Zambian Kalusha Bwalya for African Player of the Year. Roger Milla, Thomas Nkono, both of Cameroon, Salief Keita of Mali, Yousuf Fofana of Ivory Coast, Rabah Madjer of Algeria, Abedi Pele of Ghana, George Weah of Liberia, Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast, Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon and Frederick Kanoute of Mali are a few of the winners, all from up North/West. A mention of Peter Ndlovu and Bruce Grobelaar comes as a favour by these guys. Lucas Radebe is a figure of note as well.

World Player of the Year for Africans naturally comes from winning the above accolade, hence you will find George Weah, who ran for the Liberian presidency against the incumbent Head Of State in post Charles Taylor Liberia's last election, had it in the pocket. He was honoured twice. There has been mentions of Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o of late but they are all from up North.

Looking at all youth and women championships, Southern Africa has come unstuck. The Olympic Champions, Nigeria and Cameroon, have been world beaters, dominating teams with the best players in the world. The teams competing here are usually under-23 and can have 3 over-aged players. Only South Africa managed to go to Sydney Australia for the Olympics.

Ghana's exploits in the FIFA World Cup Under-20 last year in Egypt, where they emerged as Champions, proves a point. These trends go for women teams as well. The Nigerian Falconets succumbed to the pressure of hosts, Germany last weekend, when they lost the FIFA World Cup Under-20. Nigeria are perennial participants in the Cup.

The Black Stars were the revelation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, reaching the quarter-final. Cameroon achieved the feat in 1990 in Italy. The team of Cyril Mackanaky, Oman Biyik, Roger Milla and Thomas Nkono was the finest African outfit of anytime. They were unlucky, falling to some scandalous refereeing. Senegal were there lifting the African flag in 2002 when Hadji Diouf was inspirational. Africa in general showed a step back after these achievements and a new force would emerge, also from North/West Africa.

Highlanders FC have never been near enough to be mentioned when it comes to Africa. Their rich history is so boringly local. Things must change quickly. The team needs to dominate the domestic scene by being a solid unit. The team leadership will do themselves good by looking at ways that keep all stakeholders together. It helps no one to be mediocre.

There is something going on in North/West Africa we don't know. Until we find out, we will be the weeping boys (and girls) of the sport. Do you think it is the weather, the food,  the mental strength of the tribes of these regions, or its sheer talent?

Will Bosso Win The Africa Champions League?

The first time I met Clemence Westerhoff,  in 1997, he told me about how West Africans, especially Nigerians, will promise to deliver the moon in a minute without a blush. As a humourous man, I thought he was joking. Maybe he was. Since then, I wondered how North or West Africa dominated everything, including  football.

The only nation ever to win the Africa Cup Of Nations outside those areas, was South Africa in 1996. Besides having the best team in their history, which included Ace Khuse, Doctor Khumalo, Fanie Madida, Mark Williams, Lucas Radebe, Neil Tovey and Shoes Moshoeu, Bafana Bafana were hosts and Nigeria did not turn-up in that tournament. Otherwise, it has been a territory for Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Cameroon.

Only South Africa has represented the continent at the FIFA World Cup from this region. Ok, let's count Angola for their maiden 2006 appearance, but then there has always been representation from North and West Africa. To make it sound a little more respectable, Zaire was at the FIFA World Cup in 1974, where they were embarrassingly trounced 9-0 by some ruthless dudes from Europe. Morocco, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon and Tunisia have been there most of the time.

Africa Club Championships have been a domain of countries from up there. Again, South Africa's Orlando Pirates represented the region by winning it in 1995. They had a great team of Jerry 'Legs of Thunder' Skhosana, Helman 'Midnight Express' Mkhelele and William Okpara among others. Power Dynamos and Nkana Red Devils of Zambia were always close contenders. A few years ago, Angola was producing potential winners, but the fell flat. There was also DR Congo's TP Mazembe as well. I must say that Dynamos of Zimbabwe have come close, losing in the finals. Here, names like Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak of Ghana, Canon Yaounde of Cameroon, Rajah Casablanca of Morocco, Asec Abidjan, Asec Mimosa of Ivory Coast, Julius Berger of Nigeria, Jets and Esperance  of Algeria and Egyptians' Ali Ahli, National SC and Zamalek have dominated this competition.

The Sub-Saharan region only produced Zambian Kalusha Bwalya for African Player of the Year. Roger Milla, Thomas Nkono, both of Cameroon, Salief Keita of Mali, Yousuf Fofana of Ivory Coast, Rabah Madjer of Algeria, Abedi Pele of Ghana, George Weah of Liberia, Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast, Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon and Frederick Kanoute of Mali are a few of the winners, all from up North/West. A mention of Peter Ndlovu and Bruce Grobelaar comes as a favour by these guys. Lucas Radebe is a figure of note as well.

World Player of the Year for Africans naturally comes from winning the above accolade, hence you will find George Weah, who ran for the Liberian presidency against the incumbent Head Of State in post Charles Taylor Liberia's last election, had it in the pocket. He was honoured twice. There has been mentions of Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o of late but they are all from up North.

Looking at all youth and women championships, Southern Africa has come unstuck. The Olympic Champions, Nigeria and Cameroon, have been world beaters, dominating teams with the best players in the world. The teams competing here are usually under-23 and can have 3 over-aged players. Only South Africa managed to go to Sydney Australia for the Olympics.

Ghana's exploits in the FIFA World Cup Under-20 last year in Egypt, where they emerged as Champions, proves a point. These trends go for women teams as well. The Nigerian Falconets succumbed to the pressure of hosts, Germany last weekend, when they lost the FIFA World Cup Under-20. Nigeria are perennial participants in the Cup.

The Black Stars were the revelation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, reaching the quarter-final. Cameroon achieved the feat in 1990 in Italy. The team of Cyril Mackanaky, Oman Biyik, Roger Milla and Thomas Nkono was the finest African outfit of anytime. They were unlucky, falling to some scandalous refereeing. Senegal were there lifting the African flag in 2002 when Hadji Diouf was inspirational. Africa in general showed a step back after these achievements and a new force would emerge, also from North/West Africa.

Highlanders FC have never been near enough to be mentioned when it comes to Africa. Their rich history is so boringly local. Things must change quickly. The team needs to dominate the domestic scene by being a solid unit. The team leadership will do themselves good by looking at ways that keep all stakeholders together. It helps no one to be mediocre.

There is something going on in North/West Africa we don't know. Until we find out, we will be the weeping boys (and girls) of the sport. Do you think it is the weather, the food,  the mental strength of the tribes of these regions, or its sheer talent?