READERS BARE THEIR SOULS…
A happy and prosperous New Year to the entire football fraternity! As it is said that “past reflections inspire the future”, therefore let me register my compliments about the past year. Firstly, I applaud the Soccer Laduma readers and MAKE YOUR POINT contributors for the impartation of rich football knowledge throughout the year. You are the breath of this publication. I have particularly gained a lot of football knowledge from fellow letter writers who continue to contribute to Africa’s leading soccer publication. I cherish their invaluable input as my treasured possession. I salute all of you for sharing the green pastures of football knowledge with all of us. Let me further extend my gratitude to Clint Roper, Vuyani Joni, Lunga Adam and the entire Soccer Laduma team, whose great exploits in objective journalism have enabled this publication to achieve substantial success. What a pleasant surprise the introduction of the crossword puzzle, if only to train and sharpen our brains soccer-wise. Thanks, Lunga, for giving us some shots of fun and amusement through the Two Feet Up newsletter. Dear Editor, also thank you for your personal engagement with contributors on this page. We have noted that you have been occasionally replying to some of the views and comments (Editor’s note). It is such joy to see that the views and suggestions are graciously considered by the editor. This is a clear testament that there is existing interactivity between the editorial team and the readers. It is quite pleasing to know that a reader’s contribution is part of editorial proposition. We can’t wait to feast on the delicacies that the publication will be dishing out this new year. Hooray!
Batsirai Kativu, Johannesburg
Doctor Khumalo’s column is a miss. Let’s look at it under the microscope to see how it turned to be the flop it is now. Firstly, I hope we all remember that the current version of Mntungwa’s column was introduced in September 2022. Prior to us witnessing this version, Doc himself told us that it would be changed and assured us that he will not be the only one writing his column. That there will be a lot of guest contributors to make it appetising for us as readers. That has never happened and I’m sure he forgot his words. Instead, he keeps scrambling around to see which coach or football figure to feature in the space assigned for coaches he has worked with. I mean, for example, how do you tell us about your relationship with David Thidiela under the subject of ‘Coaches I’ve worked with’? This column is interesting in so many ways, but change the way you frame it now because Doc will never be able to talk about another coach he worked with. He only worked with a certain number of coaches anyways. He can’t keep on bringing us another coach he worked with every week, unless otherwise he wants to be irrelevant just like he was after only two months of this version being introduced. This column has been a big flop, while VeeJay’s (Vuyani Joni) column has been excellent. There was a time when Soccer Laduma would bring us some best-performing players
Kwazikwakhe Ngcobo, via email and call them The Select. I know most of you remember that and I felt that page was interesting and used to make players work their socks off to be recognised as part of a “select few”. How about we replace Doc’s column with something like that. And please, my good people, you should know that I love and respect Mr Khumalo. However, I feel his column was better in the previous version than the current one. but can they convert that to a performance worthy of the most coveted crown in the continent? We are in for a very interesting one. There might be dark horses who can surprise a lot of people. Had it not been for the absence of Lyle Foster, Bafana would have been in with a shout. Anything is possible and anyone can win it – discard Bafana at your own peril. The only snag about the tournament is its timing, and the powers that be in African football should sort this out because it works against our players who are plying their trade in Europe.