WHERE’S MY PAPER?

Good afternoon, Mr Editor. On Wednesday, I woke up to an SMS that promised that my favourite soccer newspaper is back on the shelves, only to be disappointed when I arrived to find that there was no Soccer Laduma at my local Engen garage in Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal. Upon making enquiries, I was told there was no Soccer Laduma as it had not arrived since the lockdown started. Kabelo Mohoto, Greytown

GOT IT, THANKS

To say that I was pleased when I got my hard copy of Soccer Laduma last Wednesday, for the first time in two months since the lockdown started in March, would be an understatement. Thank you, editor and your team, for having continued to provide us with soccer news that we could enjoy from the comfort of our homes through your digital platforms. This has indeed been a period of unprecedented uncertainty. During the hold on local football, we have been inspired by the solidarity shown in the football fraternity. We have had footballers, former footballers, coaches and all other football stakeholders engaging in social responsibility programmes in an effort to help the people disadvantaged by the Coronavirus-enforced lockdown. This has shown us that the game of football is also a fabric with the ability to knit a more humane face of society. As we wait for the resumption of professional football, let us comply with the safety regulations put in place against COVID-19. Our compliance will speed up the readiness to resume action.

Batsirai Kativu, Johannesburg JOLA’S PEARLS OF WISDOM

What an insightful interview you guys did with Bra Steve Komphela, especially where he talked about knowing the size of your blanket in regards to player acquisitions. The man has indeed been a fine student of the game and it’s a pity trophies continue to elude him. All the best to Bra Steve and may his luck change for the best as far as winning trophies is concerned.

Lesley Rankweteke, via email AN ABSA-LUTE SHAME

Well, we understand that Absa is pulling out as PSL sponsor, the reason being that South African football is like a political party whereby everybody worries for himself. There is no sponsor that will happily sponsor a poorly managed league like the PSL. Once upon a time, way back in 1985/86, former Kaizer Chiefs coach, the late Jeff Butler, once said after he was fined R10 000 by the NSL, “I’m not going to pay that fine (imposed) by the people who are busy building big stadiums without looking at football from the grassroots whereby those stadiums will stay empty because people will not waste their money and time to watch mediocre football.” Further to that, he said, “If I lose my job because of my belief, I won’t complain.” Today our soccer can be watched by less than 200 spectators and some clubs give their supporters free tickets just to fill the stadium. The bigger problem lies with Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. These two clubs are only worried about their own pockets. Well, we understand the relegation criteria, but just imagine the league with the following clubs: Chiefs, Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Moroka Swallows, AmaZulu FC, African Wanderers, Benoni United, Witbank Black Aces, SuperSport United, Ajax Cape Town, Hellenic, Jomo Cosmos, Bloemfontein Celtic etc. These are some of clubs that pulled supporters into stadiums, but because some clubs are happy to see other clubs being relegated, we will end up with these problems. Gone are those days when soccer was fantastic entertainment for us. The founding fathers of our football were much better than the current leadership – I’m talking about the likes of George Thabe and his management, but now you only have a full stadium twice in a season when Chiefs and Pirates play in the first and second rounds of the season. Chiefs are worse. They don’t buy players nowadays and expect us to go and watch Bernard Parker, while they release good players like George Lebese, Mandla Masango and, recently, George Maluleka.

Amos Motloding, Jamela Village

It is with great sadness to learn that Absa is leaving the PSL. I guess it is because of the Coronavirus. How can they put R15 million at stake for the league winners for one season and the next thing they quit the game? They are leaving us with a big question mark. We feel betrayed by Absa. Absa are like the biblical Judas Iscariot. They have betrayed the PSL. They don’t want to arrive at the Promised Land.

Moses Mokoena, Ga-Mokwakwaila

I was surprised to hear that PSL and Absa are “divorcing” after a long, fruitful “business” marriage. I must be honest, I didn’t see this one coming, as things looked rosy between the two… well, unless I am missing something. However, I must acknowledge from the get-go that Absa has played a very important role in reforming and improving our football. As we speak, the Absa Premiership is one of the top leagues around the globe. I am not comfortable with the timing of this severing of ties as we are deep in the mud, so to speak, because of COVID19. To me, it looks like a business decision more than anything. So, the big question remains: who’s going to come and rescue the PSL in these trying times because sponsors look for a lot of things before entering into an agreement and if they bring in money, they must get something at the end of the day? Let’s give thanks to Absa for coming to the party and we hope the PSL leadership will come up with a contingency plan to keep the fire burning.

Madimetja Vic Mashamaite, Renstown

The marriage between Absa and PSL has come to an end. Now the PSL is looking for a new sponsor. As much as Absa management is denying this, but the reason behind this divorce has got everything to do with this COVID-19.

Siyabonga Nkalambela, Delft

I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Absa for being with our league. They have done a wonderful job, pumping in a lot of money to our football. We as the supporters of the beautiful game also benefited through their support. As we speak, we have supporters who are millionaires through Absa. But now there are negative and disturbing remarks from some sections of supporters labelling the outgoing sponsor, with some saying there is something behind all this. I mean, yes, we will have different views, but to me, Absa didn’t sign a lifelong deal with the PSL, and if they feel that they need to stop their deal with the league, it’s their right to do so. As long as the PSL board didn’t see anything wrong there and an agreement was reached between the two parties, I’m fine. I mean, sponsors were there before and they later left the scene. So, why can’t Absa go too? We had some memorable moments with Absa and that’s what will always live with me.

Albert Khutshwa, Samora Machel, Cape Town

Let me take the given opportunity to share my observation regarding the future of South African football. The current situation looks bleak after the 13-year fruitful relationship with Absa was announced to be coming to an end at the end of this season. When two bulls are fighting, it’s only the grass that suffers. I hope by this time the teams would already have started with contact sessions to prepare to finish off the season. SAFA and PSL must sort out their differences pri

vately and speak with one voice in engaging the Sports Minister, who has already given the green light. Yet it seems there are elements within SAFA who are pushing their own agendas against our football. Even the set-up selected to oversee the resumption of our football seems to be running around like headless chickens. Why can’t they copy their counterparts around the world who have already started with their leagues? I hope the incoming sponsors of our football will not monopolize it, whether it’s Telkom or MultiChoice. One can’t ignore the proposed sales of Bidvest Wits and Highlands Park. Due to COVID-19, many teams will suffer, but as a resident of KwaNdebele, I say manna falls from heaven. Tim Sukazi can buy one of the teams after he failed to clinch the deal with Bloemfontein Celtic. My concluding point is that Pitso Mosimane must not get too excited by signing many players, as he needs to promote youngsters from our development. Aphane JM, Libangeni/ Vaalbank, KwaNdebele

HANGING IN THERE

I can’t wait for LaLiga, Serie A and EPL to return and I’m so hopeful that our own Absa Premiership will resume soon with proper measurements in place, of course. This Coronavirus has taken a lot from us, yho. Siyabonga Nkalambela, Delft

FORMER STRIKERS OFFSIDE ON POST-MATCH INTERACTION

I recently read an interesting article online, where the views of football legends Jerry Sikhosana and David Radebe were sought on Mamelodi Sundowns’ growing culture of interacting with their fans at the stadium after every game, regardless of the result. They say Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates shouldn’t copy what Sundowns are doing and that these teams’ players should only celebrate trophies with their fans, not results, more so if it’s a draw or a loss. I do understand that each football club in South Africa has its own way of appreciating its supporters. It’s just unfortunate that in Mzansi, we don’t have a unique style of play as European leagues do. They do the right things like singing, clapping hands, a standing ovation, which is rather a ‘sitting ovation’ in the Absa Premiership. If Chiefs and Pirates fans like what Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtic fans are doing, then that is good for the fans … and bad for David and Jerry. In my opinion, the two legends seem to enjoy the gap that currently exists between the players and the fans. Every supporter would like to interact with his favourable player and give moral support whether they won, draw or lost. That is the reason why Chiefs and Pirates players are always booed by fans when they underperform. Terah Maqepula, Mount Fletcher

CHIEFS, GO HUNT FOR A NEW MENTOR

If it is true that Kaizer Chiefs are looking to secure the services of Gavin Hunt, I think it is good news and the management must try by all means to get him. I think Gavin or Farouk Khan are the missing link at Naturena. These two coaches are the only ones who can turn Amakhosi into a winning team. If it’s possible for the management to get both of them, they must do it for the benefit of the club. Hunt is a serial-winning mentor, while Khan has an eye for talent. This combination can destroy lots of teams in the Absa Premiership… and even in the CAF Champions League. Nghamula Rikhotso, Mageva Village

CR7 IN THE MOOLAH!

As per the media reports last week, Cristiano Ronaldo is a billionaire superstar, the first footballer to reach such a milestone. What a surprise that is! This man has made a very huge impact in his and our lives. He is a complete footballer. I hope our boys can learn a thing or two from this Portuguese star. Moses Mokoena, Ga-Mokwakwaila