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?

It's Chiefs vs Pirates - The MTN-8 Soweto Derby.

The Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs is one of the biggest matches on the planet. Given the rivalry of the teams, filling the 94000 seater FNB Stadium is quite an easy task. The fixture is in the same league as the Manchester Derby, London Derby, Rio de Janeiro derby of Flamengo versus Vasco Da Gama, Sao Paulo's Santos versus Sao Paulo and the Barcelona versus Real Madrid matches

While for so many, it makes it better to have this for a final, it usually does not matter whether it is a charity match or a friendly. It is never friendly in terms of quality and desire to dominate the streets of Soweto with the bragging rights until the next meeting. What makes this one hot is that it will be over 2 legs and both legs may be at the giant FNB Stadium to accommodate the legion of supporters from both teams.

The PSL committee will be sitting to decide the match venues. They may take the game to Durban, where they are guaranteed another full house or Cape Town or Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium where they will use the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadia. In other cities, they will get a full-house but with a stronger marketing strategy.  

For the biggest South Africa teams, anywhere is home. They would not care less. These teams only get concerned when they have to take on Bloemfontein Celtics in the Free State. The first match is classified as Pirates' home match while the return match will be hosted by Chiefs.

The MTN 8 semi-final brings new players to the fore. The new-look Buccaneers have Daine Klate who scored the winner in the quarter-finals as well as Mark Mayambela, Clifford Ngobeni and Tlou Segolela. There has been one derby already in the Telkom Charity Cup final in which Chiefs beat Pirates at the FNB Stadium but The Ghosts will be baying for Amakhosi blood as revenge.

The Ajax Cape Town versus Moroka Swallows semi-final will have to live with the fact of its minimal attention. Both teams will cherish the opportunity to engage either giant in the final. That will motivate them enough to give each other a fight for their money. In years gone by, the Soweto giants would sap the energy off each other and grind the smaller teams to submission. Things have changed and victory against either The Uburn Warriors or The Dube Birds is not guaranteed. 

It will be interesting to see especially whether The Buccaneers get their revenge or The Glamour Boys maintain their class. Do you think the Sea Robbers will carry on flattering to deceive without any trophy to show in 10 years or this is their moment?

It's Chiefs vs Pirates - The MTN-8 Soweto Derby.

The Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs is one of the biggest matches on the planet. Given the rivalry of the teams, filling the 94000 seater FNB Stadium is quite an easy task. The fixture is in the same league as the Manchester Derby, London Derby, Rio de Janeiro derby of Flamengo versus Vasco Da Gama, Sao Paulo's Santos versus Sao Paulo and the Barcelona versus Real Madrid matches

While for so many, it makes it better to have this for a final, it usually does not matter whether it is a charity match or a friendly. It is never friendly in terms of quality and desire to dominate the streets of Soweto with the bragging rights until the next meeting. What makes this one hot is that it will be over 2 legs and both legs may be at the giant FNB Stadium to accommodate the legion of supporters from both teams.

The PSL committee will be sitting to decide the match venues. They may take the game to Durban, where they are guaranteed another full house or Cape Town or Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium where they will use the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadia. In other cities, they will get a full-house but with a stronger marketing strategy.  

For the biggest South Africa teams, anywhere is home. They would not care less. These teams only get concerned when they have to take on Bloemfontein Celtics in the Free State. The first match is classified as Pirates' home match while the return match will be hosted by Chiefs.

The MTN 8 semi-final brings new players to the fore. The new-look Buccaneers have Daine Klate who scored the winner in the quarter-finals as well as Mark Mayambela, Clifford Ngobeni and Tlou Segolela. There has been one derby already in the Telkom Charity Cup final in which Chiefs beat Pirates at the FNB Stadium but The Ghosts will be baying for Amakhosi blood as revenge.

The Ajax Cape Town versus Moroka Swallows semi-final will have to live with the fact of its minimal attention. Both teams will cherish the opportunity to engage either giant in the final. That will motivate them enough to give each other a fight for their money. In years gone by, the Soweto giants would sap the energy off each other and grind the smaller teams to submission. Things have changed and victory against either The Uburn Warriors or The Dube Birds is not guaranteed. 

It will be interesting to see especially whether The Buccaneers get their revenge or The Glamour Boys maintain their class. Do you think the Sea Robbers will carry on flattering to deceive without any trophy to show in 10 years or this is their moment?

It's Chiefs vs Pirates - The MTN-8 Soweto Derby.

The Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs is one of the biggest matches on the planet. Given the rivalry of the teams, filling the 94000 seater FNB Stadium is quite an easy task. The fixture is in the same league as the Manchester Derby, London Derby, Rio de Janeiro derby of Flamengo versus Vasco Da Gama, Sao Paulo's Santos versus Sao Paulo and the Barcelona versus Real Madrid matches

While for so many, it makes it better to have this for a final, it usually does not matter whether it is a charity match or a friendly. It is never friendly in terms of quality and desire to dominate the streets of Soweto with the bragging rights until the next meeting. What makes this one hot is that it will be over 2 legs and both legs may be at the giant FNB Stadium to accommodate the legion of supporters from both teams.

The PSL committee will be sitting to decide the match venues. They may take the game to Durban, where they are guaranteed another full house or Cape Town or Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium where they will use the 2010 FIFA World Cup stadia. In other cities, they will get a full-house but with a stronger marketing strategy.  

For the biggest South Africa teams, anywhere is home. They would not care less. These teams only get concerned when they have to take on Bloemfontein Celtics in the Free State. The first match is classified as Pirates' home match while the return match will be hosted by Chiefs.

The MTN 8 semi-final brings new players to the fore. The new-look Buccaneers have Daine Klate who scored the winner in the quarter-finals as well as Mark Mayambela, Clifford Ngobeni and Tlou Segolela. There has been one derby already in the Telkom Charity Cup final in which Chiefs beat Pirates at the FNB Stadium but The Ghosts will be baying for Amakhosi blood as revenge.

The Ajax Cape Town versus Moroka Swallows semi-final will have to live with the fact of its minimal attention. Both teams will cherish the opportunity to engage either giant in the final. That will motivate them enough to give each other a fight for their money. In years gone by, the Soweto giants would sap the energy off each other and grind the smaller teams to submission. Things have changed and victory against either The Uburn Warriors or The Dube Birds is not guaranteed. 

It will be interesting to see especially whether The Buccaneers get their revenge or The Glamour Boys maintain their class. Do you think the Sea Robbers will carry on flattering to deceive without any trophy to show in 10 years or this is their moment?