Look who’s reading your Soccer Laduma

RE: ED’S COLUMN

Mr Vuyani Joni recently spoke of the importance of the Hall of Fame and it’s a subject that is very close to my heart. I must first congratulate my favourite striker Haaland for smashing Andy Cole’s record of 50 EPL goals. He did this in style, requiring only 48 games. It is very frightening, considering that this young lad born in Leeds is only 23. In the EPL, stats are readily available, but sadly the same cannot be said about our PSL. If I can ask fellow supporters who the first PSL player to score 50 goals was, I’ll definitely not get an answer. While we’re still waiting for the Hall of Fame, I believe Soccer Laduma can help us by allocating a page for PSL stats which can include clean sheets, dirtiest players, dirtiest teams, clean defenders, most assists, most interceptions, first to reach 50 goals, etc. Currently, we only know about the leading goal scorers. It’s true that even new players are not told of their club history and records upon joining. We’ve previously seen players being congratulated on a certain milestone but embarrassingly not being even aware! This cannot continue as it denies us vital information about the sport we love. In parting, congrats to my three teams Chiefs, Man United and Real Madrid. I must really run naked as it might not happen again this season.

Amos “Tiger” Tshukudu, Ga-Maria

I was impressed by the Editor’s column of last week as it gave Rhulani his flowers when he can still smell them. The journey and success of the young mentor is something to be appreciated and it demonstrates that with effort and hard work, success is inevitable. For someone like Pitso to say the next big thing in African coaching is Mokwena is evidence of how respected he is. How often do we hear people saying he is achieving success because of the foundation laid by Pitso, as if that’s a crime? Rhulani was part of the technical team under Pitso. One can argue that Downs’ current team is complete. We as South Africans must appreciate this young tactician and encourage him to keep pushing the envelope and then this will inspire millions. For a guy as young as Mokwena, the way he handles the press clearly demonstrates that the man has brains and if he continues this way, who knows where his career will end. He may even compete with Pep in the EPL. Mokwena, we are proud of you, keep working

Caster Semenya – South African middledistance runner hard and keep empowering yourself. On a different note, I’m disappointed by Pirates’ performance. It means we’re playing for draw these days. Thapelo Masiapata, Ramaroka village, Bolobedu

AMAKHOSI – THE GOOD & BAD

The same boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. Khune is the captain and a long-serving member of the Chiefs brand, yet turned up for training drunk. Like any organization, coming to work drunk is a dismissible offence because it affects the production. Khune has disrespected and discredited the brand. What message is he sending to other players? We’ve lost our identity because of misconduct like his and it’s done at the expense of us supporters. When their football career is over, they want to come and educate youngsters about the dangers of alcohol and importance of saving money. Nonsense. Chiefs players are playing boring finderfinder football, they can’t even make 10 combination passes. One would be forgiven for thinking they only train “online”. I got very bored against Swallows and even changed the channel to watch Aston Villa v Spurs. Junior Khanye and Jabu Pule left the club because of alcohol, so why not Khune?

Bafana perform poorly because of too much alcohol consumption at club level. If severe disciplinary action is not taken against Khune, then our football is in ICU. “Bhotsotso” Mkhize, Eshowe, Mpaphala, KZN

In an ideal world, I’d have asked people to tell me it’s a lie that the most ‘respected senior player’ at Chiefs came to training under the influence. Shocking because our youngsters should be looking up to these seniors for inspiration. If new players like Mdantsane can come to work under the influence, can you blame them if the most senior player at Chiefs is doing the same? Cardoso was roasted alive when he said Chiefs players came to training reeking of alcohol. Just two weeks ago, Manziba said some player at AmaZulu who has played for a ‘big team’ also came to work intoxicated. Your guess is as good as mine as to which ‘big team’ he was referring to. We can deny these allegations and call them sour grapes from former players, but the truth will always out. This thing of saying players should not burn bridges doesn’t make sense, unless we are prepared to be taken for a ride. A certain article alleges that ‘coloured’ players are favoured more than their fellow ‘black’ players. I hope that’s just an allegation, failing which Kaizer Motaung will seriously have failed millions of Chiefs supporters. Lastly, Johnson must stop talking about playing the ‘Chiefs way’ as there’s no such. Arthur Zwane failed saying the same thing. Talk is cheap! Mompati Panyaza Ndlovu, Lekubu village, Zeerust

Congrats to my beloved team for a convincing 1-0 victory over Swallows. For the very first time, I was expecting Chiefs to win irrespective of previous results. I was expecting them to do what they should have done in many games, winning and winning again. I don’t know why neither

Khune nor Petersen were in the starting XI, but I’m so delighted that Bvuma kept goal on the day. He did extremely well under those difficult circumstances, considering he hasn’t been playing. It’s not normal to find in-form Castillo on the bench, but in his absence, we were able to see the very best of Mthethwa. The entire team did so well on Sunday, such that it would have been difficult for them not to win. Johnson and his technical team are obviously cooking something great and we’ve just tasted it, courtesy of master chef Saile. One of the reasons why we remain loyal to the club is the way they win games – in style. Rise Khosi rise! Vuyisile “Tata ka Princy” Bovu, Cofimvaba

I am a staunch Chiefs supporter and I believe the problems at the club are coaching-related. I humbly request the management to appoint Malesela. He’s the most underrated coach in the country and one of the few whose teams play a beautiful brand of soccer. Chiefs must first start by playing beautiful football and appease the Khosi Nation and results will naturally follow. The management has done their part by assembling a talented squad of players and they just need someone to harness their potential. Thato wa Batho, via email

Quick One-Two’s

It’s hard to believe Pirates have now failed to beat Richards Bay in two meetings. It clearly shows our lack of finishing and failure to create clear-cut chances. I hope the club can fix that in the January transfer window. Our current log standing does not reflect the stature of the club. I hope we can go back to the double treble years, those were happy days and we were truly the Happy People. Lastly, condolences on the sad passing of our former captain Papi Khomane. May his dear soul rest in peace. Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate.

Anesu Mutendi, via email

The decision by Mphahlele to bring Malesela to Baroka is proving to be a masterstroke. Baroka are now second on the log after struggling initially. If they carry on with this form, I see them gaining automatic promotion. On another note, congrats to Downs for their CAF Champions League win. Massive congrats to Ramoreboli’s Galaxy for beating Wydad. The coach was even accused by the Moroccan journalists of using Black Magic, such was the impact of the upset. Sundani Ratombo, Ha-Madodonga

I can’t recall when last I had this feeling where both Chiefs and Man United registered wins. It’s amazing! I’m enjoying it while it still lasts because it’s going to take ages for this to happen again. Siyabonga Nkalambela, Delft

I’ve come to realise that VAR is not the problem, the problem is the interpretation of the Laws of the Game by those in charge. Over the past few weeks, especially in Europe, it’s been a disaster. Players are getting away with practically manhandling with both hands opponents, especially during set-pieces – pulling, pushing, shoving, nudging, being bundled off the ball in pretence of shoulder to shoulder, which is just another form of pushing. Newcastle’s goal was allowed to stand after an Arsenal defender was pushed with both hands on his back. Atalanta’s goal against Inter was allowed to stand after Dimarco was manhandled with both hands wrapped around him and was thrown to ground, with the ball passed to Scamacca to finish off. Liverpool’s equaliser against Toulouse was disallowed in the dying minutes for handball when the ball fist touched the body before it touched Mac Allister’s hand. Spurs were penalised against Chelsea after Romero cleared the ball in the box and the followthrough caught a Chelsea attacker. A penalty was awarded to Chelsea and a red card for Spurs. A penalty was given when England’s Lewis accidentally caught a North Macedonia attacker with a swing of a hand to the face when he jumped to head the ball. All those incidents were reviewed and they had a chance to see. A lot of times when referees are called to the monitor for a review, they end up giving those decisions even though they’re wrong.

Lucky Khunou, Meriting

Condolences to the Khomane family for losing their beloved ones. Papi served the Buccaneers with honesty, loyalty and integrity. He was a true legend of the entire Orlando Pirates family. He never put a foot wrong while still playing for the club as well as Cosmos. Not even once have we read about him in the media doing wrong things. He was a true gentleman. We keep on losing people that are influential in the community. May your soul and that of your mother rest in eternal peace. You’ll forever be missed, tall man. Mhlaba kawunoni! To the whole football fraternity, we’ve lost one of our own, a son of the soil. My heart is broken! Sibusiso Khumalo, Melmoth, KZN