In Touch With...

back-to-back wins in the CAF Confederation Cup. Against SuperSport, they only managed a 1-1 draw. In the first period, Bucs pressed very effectively and gave Matsatsantsa no room to feed their strike pairing of Bradley Grobler and Thamsanqa Gabuza. Zinnbauer’s team defended high up the pitch in the first period and had several regains of the ball in the SuperSport half. After Pule’s goal, they went in ahead. However, they never rammed home their advantage. For the second period, they defended deep and exposed themselves to crosses from substitute Giuly Manziba, who gave Paseka Mako – largely very good this season in his games at left back – a torrid time. Going forward, Bucs were also far too reliant on potshots from distance, with Pule particularly wasteful.

Against Maritzburg, a mix-up between Ofori and Hlatshwayo led to an early goal conceded. The Team of Choice had a side full of young players and pressed Bucs with energy and aggression, committing plenty of fouls. Zinnbauer’s team selection to play Fortune Makaringe on the right flank and Linda Mntambo as a number 10 didn’t work particularly well, whilst Siphesihle Ndlovu had a rare tough match in one-versus-one situations as Sibusiso Hlubi ran him ragged. A very good adjustment at halftime changed the match though. Ben Motshwari was taken off, Makaringe moved deeper, Mntambo played a narrow role on the right and Kabelo Dlamini came on as number 10. He contributed a goal and an assist in a fine turnaround. However, some luck was involved as Pirates scored twice in a minute whilst Maritzburg were

Kyle, good to have you. Hopefully your sense of humour is ‘In Touch’, as opposed to ‘out of touch’. Ha, ha, ha. Thanks for having me, my brother. Let’s give it a try…

What funny stories do you have in your collection?

The first story I can think of happened when I was playing for Highlands Park. So, we were playing against Cape Town City in a league game at Cape Town Stadium. I tell you, it was a funny incident this one. Our striker, whose name eludes my memory now, was one-on-one with the goalkeeper and he fluffed the opportunity. Obviously, the coach was angry, so he turned around and visited his frustrations on the bench, in the form of a dramatic kick. Boy, did he kick that bench. So, we were sitting on the bench and the coach thought we had not seen him ‘fouling’ the bench. Unlucky for him, we saw it all unfold! He turns around, pulls his face in agony and walks away from the scene of the crime. Only to come back later and act like nothing happened, whereas you could see he was keeping the pain in, ha, ha. It was sore after he kicked the bench. What a funny moment!

Ha, ha, ha. Mind telling us who the coach is?

Ha, ha, ha. The coach is going to hate me if I say his name. In that case, he will kill me when he sees me again one of these days, ha, ha. Do you want me to mention the name?

Yes, out with it! Is this when you were playing for Highlands Park?

Yes, I was at Highlands Park, so obviously you know who I am talking about (Owen da Gama). And oh, the striker who missed the opportunity was Peter Shalulile. But after that, the coach told him, “It’s fine, my boy. I know you can miss 10 chances, but you will score one for us.” The funny thing is that it did not happen. Shalulile did not score, ha, ha, ha. It was just funny how the coach kicked the bench and thought that we did not see that he was in pain, ha, ha, ha. I remember we just spoke in the bus about it and we were laughing as players on our

way back after the game.

What’s interesting is that you’ve played with Ricardo Williams at Highlands Park and are now teammates at Cape Town All Stars. He had a stint on ‘In Touch With…’ sometime last year, regaling readers about some of the crazy things he gets up

to. Tell us more about him…

Ha, ha, ha. That one is crazy. You know what the thing about Williams is? That’s the one thing I can tell you about him. He is a liar. Yoh, that guy can lie. That’s all he knows. Seriously!

What does he lie about?

The time we were together at Highlands Park, he would tell people in Cape Town that he was sponsored by Puma, but that was not the truth, ha, ha. So, people would ask him for boots and then he would tell them that he still needed to go to Puma and fetch the boots, but that never happened. He did not give them boots, ha, ha. So, he was lying about being sponsored. The thing is, he wears Puma clothes now and then, but not all the time. We would never listen to anything that he said. We would make it look like we were listening to him, but actually we were not, ha, ha.

Shame man…

He is a very funny character that guy. If you come to training with a funny shirt or something, then he will be on your case. Like the last time, Toriq Losper was wearing a Caribbean-looking shirt with flowers on it when he came to training. It was blue in colour. Williams was on his case and people started laughing when he was walking around wearing it. Losper has been more of a target for most of the players. The guys always pick on him.

Ha, ha, ha, why?

I don’t really know hey. He is just a target. It’s been like that for many years hey, but he would never get angry when people pick on him. That’s why we’ve been able to make jokes with him. You can say anything to him, but he won’t take it to heart. He is really a cool guy.

There must be more about some of the characters you have played with.

Waseem Isaacs is the laziest. When we train, he is so relaxed. It’s just he does not want to train at all. He is so lazy. He wants to run when he feels like running, so sometimes we are always on his case at training because he does not want to run, ha, ha. The coaches don’t say much to him about it. They just look at him.

Thanks for your time, Kyle. Thank you for the opportunity.

“Hunt is right for Chiefs. Khanye is very wrong…”

“There’s no way Katsande would make it into our team.”

Talking to Soccer Laduma’s Sipho Kekana, former Kaizer Chiefs fan-favouriteThabiso “Skapie” M alatsi, who is as outspoken as they come, does not hidehis feelings on theSoweto giants’ less-than-impressiveseason so far, which includes an embarrassing defeat to Richards Bay FC in theNedbank Cup. A dribbling wizard of notein his heyday, and a murderer in one-on-onesituations, but whosecareer was cut short by a lifeof ill-discipline off thefield, the Daveyton-born man provides a sobering account, in his opinion, on what’s going wrong at his exclub. N otably, heis q uite criticalof the contribution madeby some of thesenior players at N aturen a. Readon!

Sipho Kekana: Hola “Skapie”. Long time. How have you been keeping? Thabiso Malatsi: Hola Siga.Ke monate, ngwaneso (I’m alright, my brother).So, I have been busy w ith development ko kasi (at the tow nship).

SK: Tell us about that. TM: So, it’s all about helping youngsters around here in Daveyton, helping them get focused in life and developing their football skills.I’m also involved w ith Sanca (South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence), w here w e help these young kids w ho are hooked on alcohol and drugs, w ith getting into rehab and stuff.We also do donations to young school kids w ith things like school uniforms, grocery, career guidance and so on, because someofthesekidsweworkwith are orphans.Because it’s really sad to see w hat’s happening out there.Young kids are getting consumed in drug abuse; it’s all about gangs, fighting, stabbing and killing one another.We try to get them off the streets and into environments w here they can become better people and, so far, it has all been going w ell, except for a couple of challenges…

SK: What challenges? TM:

Siga, it’s a problem w hen our ow n government and municipalities are closing dow n parks and letting stadiums go to w aste and allow ing these places to be turned into places w here these youths gather to smoke, fight and rape and sometimes even kill one another.That is very, very sad because, as much as w e try, w e feel like it is not the government that’s contributing to the problems w e’re facing.You look at w hat’s happening w ith school sport.It’s completely dead and you ask yourself: w hat are they really thinking? I, for one, ntjaka (my friend), I come from w here I w as given a chance to shine at school.We’d have inter-school matches w here you’d find my school facing Jabu (Mahlangu)’s school and w e got that opportunity to shine and attract attention of the right people, wa nthola (you understand)?

SK: Your former team, Kaizer Chiefs, finds itself in treacherous waters this season, and are currently in the bottom half of the log standings. To make matters worse, they lost to a team like Richards Bay FC – no disrespect. What is your take on what is happening there?

TM: Eish ngwaneso, honestly, I am very disappointed w ith w hat is going on there.Nna, I support (Orlando) Pirates, but I am not happy w ith w hat is happening at Chiefs as a team I have a history w ith. I suspect there may be groups at play w ithin that team, w hich is affecting the team on the field.While I w as still at Chiefs, there w ould be groups w here senior players w ould not be so w elcoming to the youngsters and so on, and I suspect it could be w hat is happening there if you look at the number of senior players that they have and the fact that the club has to rely on promoting youngsters because of their transfer ban.I mean, that team is so flat, flat this season and it’s not something you w ould expect from Chiefs.We never experienced that during our time.In fact, rona wewereOperationVat Alles.I don’t know .Maybe also the fact that supporters are not allow ed to games is affecting them, wa nthola?

SK: Loud and clear... TM: And another thing … these players no longer care about the supporters like during our time.We used to understand that w e w ere w hat w e w ere because of the supporters and, w ithout them, w e w ere nothing.So, these players just play for themselves.They no longer think of those people w ho travel from afar, from Kuruman, Cape Tow n and so on, coming to Jo’burg to w atch them play.Ah, they just play nje.We w ere told that w hen you get onto the pitch, you need to think of those supporters first. I don’t think these players are still told the same thing.That’s w hy people no longer w atch football. They w ill bet and then just check the results after that.That’s it, because there is not much to w atch anymore. And not Chiefs alone.Mzansi as a w hole.It’s bad! I mean, it’s really frustrating to w atch w hat is happening now , know ing w hat these players are really capable of, wa nthola Siga?

SK: Sure, me outhi... TM: And the other thing, I think, it’s also the amount of money that they are earning.They know w hether they play or w hether they deliver, come end of the month, R250 000 w ill be in my account.They no longer respect the supporters.Rona ne re e shapa (We used to display) tsamaya, shibobo and so on, just so that the supporters could get value for their money.But today, no one w ants to take responsibility.And the situation is then made w orse by the coaches, alw ays playing transition football, long balls, wara, wara (blah, blah).There are very few coaches w ho w ould play formations like 3 -5-2 and 4-4-2.Most of them are just playing bo ma (systems like) 5-4-1, playing not to lose.The game has not started yet and the coach is already thinking of protecting that one point from a draw , and they are happy w ith that as long as they don’t lose.Look at Brazil.They also don’t play that Samba football anymore and now they can’t dominate anymore.I think w e all have to go back to our roots.We all w ant to be like Germany now , eish.Siga, tswikiri ke yona (kasi flavour is the ‘it’).That’s w hat w e used to do at Chiefs and now that’s w hat they lack.They have no playmakers; no one w ants to take responsibility.

SK: Talking about money, how much were you earning during your days?

TM: When I first joined the senior team from development, I earned R1 200, but it w as a lot at the time because at the academy w e used to earn R250 just to buy toiletries.After I established myself in the team, I started to earn R10 000, but it w ould be around R8 500 after tax.I don’t remember ever R10 000 getting into my account during my playing days. Never! But I am happy to see our players today earning bo ma (in the region of) R250 000.It show s football is improving on that side.I mean, w e w ere still better than the likes of the late Ace Ntsoelengoe, bo Ace Khuse … some of them, during their time, w ould not get paid and they w ould earn a sack of oranges.

SK: Anyway, going back to Chiefs. Do you think they made the right appointment in Gavin Hunt?

TM: Siga, for me, a coach must be judged on his history.Who has he developed and so on? And I know Hunt from his time at Hellenic w here he groomed players like bo Albert Kometsi, Vuyo Mere and so on.So, yeah, I think Chiefs made the right appointment, wa nthola? He has also w on trophies and has proven himself as a coach.I w ould like to see Chiefs give him a chance, maybe tw o years just to build.If you check, he has Arthur Zw ane next to him.Zw ane has been w orking w ith youngsters at MDC and this tells you Hunt believes in giving youngsters a chance.

SK: Is it because he believes in youngsters or they are forced onto him by the transfer ban?

TM: Obviously, the ban has affected the team a lot.But w e have to be honest w ith the quality at Chiefs. I mean, look at their defence, for instance; no, no, no, Siga.That backline is not up to scratch.Obviously, if it w as not for the ban, he w ould sign better players.So, before I go on about the quality of the players, to answ er your first question, Hunt is the right coach for the team.People must not rush to judge.I also heard Junior Khanye saying Hunt is not Chiefs material.You can’t judge him yet.Give him a chance.I differ w ith Khanye on that one.I think he w as w rong.Hunt is right for Chiefs.Khanye is very w rong, ga kgolo e bile (a lot even).

SK: Ok, so what did you want to say about the quality of the players there?

TM: I w ill blame some of those senior players.Siga, some of the senior players there, w ith all due respect, the like of Parker (Bernard), bo Katsande (Willard), bo Mphahlele (Ramahlw e), kaofela (all) w ho are already old there, I think, personally, e chaile, s’kolo se tswile (it’s over, school’s out).So, they need to make w ay for the youngsters, because youngsters are still hungry. Because I really think that is the problem.And Chiefs must be careful.The senior players w on’t like those youngsters.They are a threat to them.So, they must decide, otherw ise there w ill be issues in the camp.I think it’s high time Chiefs let the senior players go. And it’s not personal.I respect that and I am not saying ba kena ko groundong bare bo jesa team (they w alk onto the field to make the team lose).Ke bolo, ra chiftelana (It’s football, w e shift for one another), so it is time they made w ay for the youngsters.Something has changed at Chiefs.Look at our quality then. Look at Katsande.I mean, w ith all due respect, there’s no w ay Katsande w ould make it into our team.Never!

SK: Hmmm... TM:

Kao chaela (I’m telling you), Siga.We had Thabo Mooki, Patrick Mbuthu, wa nthola? We had Tinashe (Nengomasha).Katsande w ould never make it into our team, w ith all due respect.We used to have quality youngsters w ho w ould get promoted, and not just for the sake of it.They w ould get promoted and actually play in the first team and not for a lot of money.I earned R1 200.So, they need to fix that.I mean, for example, ka (w ith the) salary ya (of) Katsande, you could pay about three youngsters or more, and youngsters w ho w ould be hungry and give you more.Bo (The likes of) Katsande, hayi, e chaile (no, it’s over), Siga.And the other senior players, it’s time now .They must go rest. So, at Chiefs, they need to fix the w hole thing, wa nthola, Siga?

SK: Totally! TM:

I am telling you ka (about) U13 that had the quality of Itumeleng Khune and w e w ere there in other divisions, U15, U17, U19 and the Reserve Side.We had proper coaches w ith a vision and w ere also father figures to us. I am talking about the late Terror Sephoa, the late Ace Ntsoelengoe, the late Ryder Mofokeng, Ntsie Maphike, Ace Khuse, How ard Freese, Farouk Khan.There w ere also managers like bo Ta Vincent, Mr Mushonga from RAU University, bo Mr Chris. The structure w as so tight. They need to go back to their roots.

SK: So, how do you handle the issue of Khune when you let go of senior players? His brand has become one with Chiefs now.

TM: I remember those tw o mistakes that he made in tw o successive games.Let me tell you something.I know Itu from his time w ith the U13 . I w as one of the people w ho asked that they allow him to come stay w ith us at a clubhouse in Melville because w e could see he w as struggling with coming to Jo’burg and traveling back home to Ventersdorp, sometimes sleeping at the train station e sale ntwana (w hile he w as young).And over the years, Itu has done w ell for Kaizer Chiefs and even for Bafana Bafana.So, mamela (listen), Siga, you can’t judge him based on just tw o mistakes after so many years saving the club.

SK: Skapie, let’s leave it there.

TM: Thanks for the opportunity, my brother.p

It seems we will run short of superlative adjectives to describe the performance of the silky Manchester City, for the Citizens are on a glorious mission of breaking records. They are well-disciplined in all departments. They have now addressed their major concern, that of a leaky defence. I’ve been pleased to note that the youthful Foden is fitting in well in the position left by legendary midfield supremo David Silva. He is growing in stature and is an ideal replacement for Silva. Sometimes old branches are pruned for new branches to shoot up. Pep Guardiola had spiced up English football to a point where it is now phenomenally competitive. The former Barca boss has polished the glamour of the English football game with his immaculate style of play. The greatness of this adventurous Spaniard cannot be disputed, but he is still to bring UEFA Champions League glory to the foot

The record has stood for 49 years, with Gerd Muller creating history back in the 1971/72 season. The then-26year-old was at the prime of his career and had a breathtaking campaign. If you include friendly matches, appearances for representative XIs and games indoors, Muller scored a remarkable 151 goals in 100 games in 1971/72. The record that counts, though, is his 40 Bundesliga goals – the most any player has ever scored in a single German topflight campaign. Many have since tried to match his incredible record, which saw him score at a rate of 1.18 goals per game, but the only player who came really close was Muller himself, netting 36 times in 1972/73 and 38 times in 1969/70. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored 31 Bundesliga goals in 2016/17, while Lewandowski netted 34 last season, although he missed three games.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane to Muller’s record-breaking campaign. It did not start as he wanted and did not look like anything special after his first few appearances. In fact, Muller scored only four goals in the opening 10 games, which were also marred by three missed penalties. It did not look like it would be a historic season. However, a brace against Hannover on matchday 11 kickstarted his campaign. Two more goals followed in the next game against Duisburg, before he netted a 13-minute hattrick against Hamburg to climb to the top of the goalscoring chart on 30 October 1971. He also scored four times in Bayern’s biggest-ever Bundesliga win, an 11-1 victory on 27 November over Borussia Dortmund, who were relegated that campaign. At the midway stage of the season, Muller had scored 17 goals, but it was the second half of 1971/72 that saw him set the incredible record.

Again, though, he started slowly, scoring only once in the first three games. However, when Oberhausen arrived in Munich on matchday 21, Muller “bombed” five times in a 7-0 win. Those five strikes took his total to 23 strikes in 21 games. Muller now hit top form, scoring 11 goals in his next six games, meaning he was on 34 goals after just 27 matches. After failing to add to his tally in the next two fixtures, he scored another six goals between matchday 30 and 32, reaching the 40-goal milestone with a hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt. Although he did not add any more goals in the final two match rounds, his record remains unmatched, and Muller topped an incredible year by scoring four of Germany’s five goals on their way to the 1972 UEFA European Championship title.