There’s no time for that

After spending almost a year without a club since leaving Chippa United in 2019, Lerato Manzini finally got a chance four months ago to revive his career when he was signed by Cape Town Spurs. However, it came as somewhat of a surprise when the 29-year-old striker decided to leave the Mother City outfit three months into his contract after being promised heaven and earth by the one and only Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC, a top-flight outfit that would give the Boswell Wilkie Circus a run for their money in the entertainment world and away from football. It ended in tears for the Welkom-born player as he now finds his name back on the list of clubless players after the Limpopo-based club backtracked from signing him even though he had already requested his clearance from Ikamva. Where to now for Ibrahimovic, as the former Chippa United player is known in football circles? Masebe Qina caught up with him and tried to find out what really happened on the proposed Vhadau Vha Damani deal, as well as how he’s dealing with the situation and his plans for the future in this Soccer Laduma interview.

lacking game-time. This serves as a wake-up call to all players not to make uncalculated decisions. Lack of game-time does not mean you are a bad player, but it happens that the coach has seen some shortcomings in you, such that he intends to give you a reprieve to do self-examination and improve. Instead of groaning in desperation, due to lack of game-time, footballers need to endure and worked harder in the training sessions, and surely they will regain their regular positions in the line-up. Batsirai Kativu, Johannesburg

The race to claim the English Premier League title is heating up with every passing game. How i would have loved for Liverpool to be giving Manchester

City a run for their money like they did three seasons ago. Interestingly, Liverpool’s decline coincided with their captain Van Dijk’s injury. It is now clear how influential Van Dijk is to that side. Meanwhile, Manchester City have taken full advantage of the situation and are looking to run away with the title. I am hoping Manchester United can offer some resistance, but knowing them and their inconsistencies, you just can’t put your money on them. Whatever happens, it’s going to be an interesting finish. Sundani Ratombo, Chiawelo

Quick One-Two’s

Dear PSL players. Fame comes with bad influences and has destroyed so many talents, but still, you are not learning anything from it. Everybody has spoken, yet you turn a deaf ear. You are genuine football players when you don’t have money. Football should be your first priority. You are heroes on the field, inspiring youngsters and exciting crowds. Once the money starts rolling in, a love for the nightlife instantly follows. You become so famous that the nightlife takes priority, and suddenly the football takes a backseat. When you become a celebrity chasing after women, you are likely to stagnate where it matters most. This way, you gradually destroy your incredible careers. Some of you are meant to play for some of the biggest clubs in Europe and become the next biggest thing in Mzansi football. If you can’t learn from what happened to other PSL players, then it means no one will ever teach you anything. Will you enjoy hanging your heads in shame when you look back one day? Keep your “associates” at arm’s length and change while you still can because a day will come when you will be bankrupt. “Bhotsotso” Mkhize, Eshowe, Mpaphala, KZN

Time was 1996, when Bafana Bafana won the Afcon and, a year prior, Pirates conquered Africa. As the masses, football was in our DNA. We used to scribble our idols’ names on the back of our playing shirts. Today’s kids will never fully grasp the sheer pleasure of it all. It was the times of Botende Eshele, the great keeper. Mokgoba Mokwena of Ga Matipane’s German Chiefs was called “Botende”. Cyril Moloto, at the same team, used to be compared to Thabo Mooki. There was a team in Polaseng next to Ga Matipane, called Polaseng. Left-footed Jomo, of Polaseng, used to terrorise Ga Mokwakwaila’s Golden, who had talented twins Eddie and Rakheala, who were compared to William and Wilfred Mugeyi. Comparisons were also drawn between Maria Maria of Ga-Moroko and Eric Tinkler, for their shooting ability. Senopela’s The Juice had a galaxy of stars. Culture from Belview in Limpopo also played for Winners Park. Motswalo Ramollo, nicknamed Spoiler, was a great dribbler. Like father, like son – that was Davey and Sia of German Chiefs. They used to play like peers, for the love of football. The man who never kicked a ball but was so knowledgeable about the game, Moseki of Senakwe, was the Jose Mourinho of our times. John Mahlangu, for Coastal in Kanana Ext 4, Tembisa, used to terrorise Colchester FC, led by John. This earned him comparisons to Josep Ngake. All these people I mentioned here read Soccer Laduma from the first page to the last. Moses Mokoena, Ga Mokwakwaila

The incoming president of CAF and his administration must present a bold vision for the development of football in Africa with the aim of seeing an African team winning a World Cup. They must start by introducing a CAF U23 inter-club Champions League, with the aim of exposing young players to international standards as early as possible. This means every team that wins its respective league will see their U23s competing. This will raise the standard of development on the African continent. Benny “Lebone” Manikela, Mothotlung, Brits

Sundowns is one team that’s killing our soccer. They take quality players from other teams and bench them. Then how will Bafana perform? I’m talking about players like Goss, De Reuck and Motupa, and I hear they’re also looking to sign three talented players from Arrows. They will bench them. Their careers will be affected and our national team suffers because of greedy teams that sign any players that are doing well. When these players arrive, they change them from their original positions. If Ntseki calls De Reuck up, where he will play? Danny Moreo, Segakwana village, Saulspoort

Segregated development limits what football could be in the country. An emotional burden is placed on international call-ups. Why not call up Leeuwenburgh and Nascimento? Williams needs competition, Leeuwenburgh needs a dream. Nascimento is the missing piece in defence. Then have Nyauza at right fullback, Hlatshwayo and Nascimento in central defence, and Maela as a left fullback. What about Sirino? Can you imagine Lorch at left inside-forward, Serero and Sirino in the hole, and Tau as a right inside-forward? Midfield is strong, though we could add Roland Putsche. Chiefs should sign Putsche. Brazil, 1958 world champions, 4-2-4 formation. Vuyolwethu Matsolo, via email

Our soccer has come under scrutiny on account of dubious blunders by match officials. The PSL/SAFA have cheated the European ideology to