Is Premier League a two-horse race?
NGLISH Premier League fans would have taken notice that the battle for the ongoing title seems to be a close fight between a couple of neighbours from the same city.
Both coached by former rivals who went toe-to-toe in La Liga not too long ago, while managing the top two clubs on the planet.
One a traditional powerhouse and the other a “noisy neighbour” who has pinned their hopes on “buying” success through serious financial injection.
A round of applause, you’ve guessed it!
Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have raced out of the starting blocks this term with the city itself firmly divided between blue and red.
After a disappointing and trophy-less 2016/17 season, Guardiola splashed the cash and strengthened his squad immeasurably.
Mourinho, having more success in his first term than his rival, also spent a fair amount with both coaches seeming to prioritise the league as their main objective.
By the conclusion of matchday 5, both clubs led the standings with the same log table figures (P: 5, W: 4, GD: 14, P: 13), with City merely being ahead alphabetically.
Saturday’s results saw both further strengthen their positions.
Such a scenario reminds one of how Guardiola’s star Barcelona team went head-to-head with the ‘Special One’ and his Galacticos of Real Madrid.
Both squads inherently formed the core of Spain’s World Cup-winning team in 2010 (not to mention legends Messi and Ronaldo) and revolutionised football.
The rivalry seems to have made its way onto English soil as both look to impart their unique ideas into the EPL and try to rekindle the good times.
Defending champions Chelsea are also looking strong but the Manchester teams seem to have the edge currently.
THE best Fifa football award nominees were announced with the usual suspects heading the list.
Will the men’s player of the year be Ronaldo, Messi or Neymar?
‘CR7’ should run away with this one (and equal Messi’s haul of five awards) after Madrid’s amazing success.
Meanwhile, South African interest is also right up there with Baroka FC’s goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke nominated for the Puskas award – goal of the year. Good luck all!
CRICKET fans will be excited for the start of the Proteas home summer campaign, beginning with an assignment against Bangladesh in the first test tomorrow.
With new coach Ottis Gibson taking over, the match will also usher in the dawn of a new era.
With legendary veterans AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander looking to all be fit and ready for the marquee Indian tour, the team announced is certainly not the strongest but should have enough fire power to douse any hopes the Tigers may have.
Chris Morris is injured which unfortunately means that Wayne Parnell has been given yet another chance.
Where is Dwaine Pretorius? Young and exciting Aiden Markram however, will finally get his long-awaited chance to strut his stuff on the big stage.
THE Indian tour has finally been confirmed, which will be preceded by a four-day Boxing Day test against Zimbabwe.
Why four days? Will the ICC even approve this? The Indians will arrive in late December and it has been ratified that the fourth test will be cut in order for an extra ODI game.
Again, why? A full test removed for a sixth ODI! When have you ever heard of a sixmatch ODI series? Something not too right with this picture! The BCCI at it again?
RUGBY fans would have been furious with the dismal Springbok showing at the hands of the All Blacks, which resulted in our biggest defeat in history (57-0). Can dear Mr Allister Coetzee, who is seriously out of his depth, gracefully resign now or will a meaningless victory against the Wallabies on the 30th of this month mean that all is forgotten?
A delusional Coetzee stated: “I saw many positives and the team is on the right track”. What have you been smoking sir? God knows what will happen against the Kiwis at Newlands.
IN CLOSING, well done to Kevin Anderson on making us proud at the US Open this month.
If only more fans cared and showed support instead of showing more passion and love for Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs and United – teams that inherently have nothing to do with us (sigh)!