COMITIS ON NGOMA’S UNCLEAR FUTURE

Cape Town City will not put any pressure on Aubrey Ngoma in the final few months of the season, with his loan spell set to come to an end in June.

Ngoma joined the Citizens on loan for a season from Mamelodi Sundowns, where he was struggling to break into the first team. The left winger, though, has been struggling with injury and returned to the City line-up last weekend against Swallows FC. He was on the bench but did not come on, however, he did get a run-out in the Nedbank Cup loss to Chippa United over the weekend.

The younger version of myself used to enjoy catching a glimpse of my favourite players on TV, reading about them in the newspaper and listening to Bab’ Joe “Mazweni” Hudla on Ukhozi FM taking me straight into the stadium with his beautiful voice. But that was not enough. I wanted to meet all these people who made me enjoy the football life. Thus I developed a burning desire to go to the stadiums. I still remember the first time I saw Doctor Khumalo and Robert Marawa at Kings Park Stadium in Durban. I was so excited because I only knew them from seeing them on the telly. From that moment, I never looked back. I kept going to the stadiums until the Coronavirus put a spanner in the works, so to speak. I saw Putco Mafani with mynakedeye,andboy,didheentertain all in attendance. I saw my favourite player, Doctor Khumalo, doing “those things” on the field. Mission accomplished! All the above said, however, the only regret I have is that I have not met the Soccer Laduma staff, people who are doing an excellent job for football in our country. Mr. Editor, I know you are a very busy man, but should your schedule permit, I would very much appreciate you taking time to meet with me. Just allow me to meet with Soccer Laduma’s winning team. “Bhotsotso” Mkhize, Eshowe, Mpaphala, KZN

BUCCANEERS’ MIXED FEELINGS

Let me start by extolling my beloved Buccaneers for their sublime performance against the Team of Choice. Yes, we can all see our tactician’s philosophy. Even though it’s not convincing enough, but it is starting to yield positive results. As for our netminder, Ofori, we are not going to tolerate those kind of bloopers in future and hopefully he has learned his lesson. Our coach should be aware of the fact that this is supposed to be the easiest season in the history of the Buccaneers because of the following reasons: Firstly, there is a transfer ban hovering over the Phefeni Glamour Boys and the new tactician is still finding his feet at the helm of this powerhouse. Secondly, the departure of Sir Pitso from Sundowns would have affected them somewhat, compounded by the passing on of Motjeka Madisha and Anele Ngcongca. Thirdly, there was the sale of Wits and, lastly, the inconsistencies of SuperSport. In a nutshell, we should by now be on the apex of the league table. We supplicate that our coach wins at least two cups domestically this season if it is not too much to ask for. Phakama (Stand up) coach Zinnbauer, ixesha lifikile (the time has arrived). Papi Netshivhale, Bloemfontein & Sharpeville

Whatever our coach JZ is smoking is very strong for his thinking and reasoning capacities. The game against SuperSport was there for the taking, but the coach decided to do otherwise. An experienced player, Lorch, got injured very early in the first half, but instead of the coach fielding an experienced player, he decided to implement a wrong option by putting Tshobeni in. Later, on realising that he made a mistake, he substituted the young player. The boy is still young and trying to find his feet in the DStv Premiership, but what the coach is doing is to destroy the young man. Playing in the MDC is not the same as playing in the DStv Premiership. The boy loses the ball cheaply all the time and his passing is not yet polished, and I wonder how an experienced coach doesn’t see that! Zinnbauer is not cut out to be the coach of Orlando Pirates, period! I so wish Sundowns give him the biggest hiding in the Nedbank Cup so that maybe Floyd and Screamer can fire him. Once and Always I remain. Sibusiso Khumalo, Melmoth, KZN

If ever there was a time to reclaim the name of the mighty Buccaneers, it was on Saturday during the Nedbank Cup match against Maritzburg. In recent times, Pirates were no longer seen as mighty, nor were they seen as Sea Robbers. Instead of ‘robbing’ points from teams, they were donating them to other teams. But against Maritzburg, they played with determination, purpose and intent. It was a matter of time before they would equalise and ultimately overcome a stubborn opposition. However, this display must be maintained and more vigilance in defence is needed as the team will be sailing rougher seas in terms of league, Nedbank Cup and CAF Confederation Cup games. That Nedbank Cup game should show that Pirates players can overcome early setbacks and come back like wounded tigers after conceding an early goal. Well, not that they should always concede first. Up the Bucs! Ephraim Sinxezi, Vanderbijlpark

It will be like the return of the innocent when Pirates lock horns with Enyimba in the CAF Confederation Cup. There is history between the two teams as they have met in the past. By the look of things, Pirates have got a fair draw and if they can play their cards well, they can top this group. Yes, Enyimba is no longer a powerhouse, but they have managed to qualify for group stages and it tells you that they can pose a danger to Pirates. It won’t be an easy trip to Aba for Pirates, but I think they will have things relatively easy in Algeria and Libya. It’s time that coach Zinnbauer and his troops change gear as the tough get going now. Good luck to the Buccaneers and I hope and believe that they will represent us well. Madimetja Vic Mashamaite, Renstown

THE CHIEFS HORROR MOVIE CONTINUES

I’m surprised by Chiefs’ performance lately. Not long ago, they won two or three games in succession and we were singing: “Rise Khosi Rise”! But all of a sudden, the wheels have suddenly come off. As it is, I think it’s unrealistic to expect anything from Chiefs this season. They have failed us, the supporters, for the past five years, so this season is no different. Some are arguing that the very same players are the ones that finished second last season, but it can still be argued that we were not convincing even then. I think the most important thing now is to fight for a Top 8 position at the end of the season and see what transpires next season. We can’t be beaten by teams like Maritzburg and

Richards Bay and expect to beat teams like Wydad, in their home games nogal. If every Monday the technical team must submit the report, that report must be put on Bobby’s table and he’ll discuss it with his father, meaning they must simply acknowledge that the team is in a mess because of the poor signings that we’ve been subjected to. I’m careful not to use the words “poor administration” because I know that there are people who are doing their work exceptionally well at Naturena, but they are failed by people who have the last call. Mompati Panyaza Ndlovu, Lekubu Village, Zeerust

Chiefs are only in the CAF Champions League to embarrass us. How does a big club like Chiefs lose to Wydad by such an embarrassing scoreline? Chiefs are a flop. Moses Mokoena, Ga Mokwakwaila

I foresaw the result against Wydad, but I expected a bigger margin. Much was made of the postponed fixture against Wydad in the media, with Chiefs said to be pressing for the result to be decided without kicking a ball. Grave mistake by the Soweto giants as this added to the Moroccan club’s growing rivalry with South Africa (mainly Pitso and Sundowns). There’s a saying: People living in glass houses should not throw stones. On the weekend, Khune was in goal, with Ngezana the right fullback, Mphahlele and Agay the centre-backs, and Frosler the left fullback. Katsande played as the defensive midfielder, with Baccus and Blom the roving wide-centres. Manyama played in the hole, with

Castro and Nurkovic soaring in wide. Many Soccer Laduma articles have identified Chiefs’ weaknesses. The team cannot defend half spaces. That is why Pirates, with Pule, Lorch and Hotto, cut through Chiefs. Also, the team lacks width, more so with the diamond shape, which lacks cover wide. This leaves the fullbacks having to track the movements of the opposing fullback, plus the winger who’s looking to exploit the half spaces. Cardoso playing at left fullback and Frosler in midfield might be a temporary solution. Vuyolwethu Matsolo, via email

Chiefs have lost a number of quality players because teams are always on the lookout for their targeted players. We know that Chiefs have a good relationship with Swallows. The Soweto giants are targeting Njabulo Ngcobo and, all of a sudden, Sundowns want him too and not long after that, Pirates will join the race. Please let Chiefs sign their targets without any disturbances so that we can beef up our squad and compete with Sundowns and Pirates. Unless the two teams are afraid of competing. Like I said before, Chiefs must not reveal their targets. Negotiate in secret if you don’t want to lose players. Neo Mahlangu, Tembisa

CAF SHAMBLES

I just want to wish President Motsepe everything of the best in his quest to become head of CAF. As a Sundowns supporter, I just hope this is not to the detriment of our beloved club. But with all the shenanigans that are happening at CAF, we hope the leadership of Motsepe will be able to steer that ship to calmer waters. It also gives us, the Southern African region, hope of recognition as we all know that North and West African countries are more favoured. An important issue that I wish could be addressed if Motsepe wins the elections is that of the television rights. It is so sad that the rights to broadcast CAF Champions League games have been given to a European company. As a result, we are not able to watch or follow our teams that are participating in the tournament. I am hoping to see improvement in all aspects of the game by whoever will be elected to lead the federation. Africa cannot afford to always be at the tail end of football’s evolution. Fresh and new ideas are needed to put us toe-to-toe with the rest of the world. Sundani Ratombo, Chiawelo

I wish Mr Motsepe could become CAF president, as in yesterday. I’m sick to my stomach of CAF officials with their (allegedly) corrupt ways. Games are (allegedly) being bought and match officials (allegedly) being bribed left, right and centre. This thing has been happening for years now, but FIFA are just folding their arms. CAF is always favouring teams from North and West Africa when it comes to the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. Southern African teams are always undermined and not taken seriously. Every time teams from other parts of Africa come and play in Mzansi, they sleep in fivestar hotels. They are then driven to the match venues without any obstacles, given their change rooms in clean conditions and