Big Three, you can do it!
It’s not something that happens often to see all three of South Africa’s big teams being in the knockout stages of CAF club competitions, namely the Champions League and Confederation Cup. Congratulations are, therefore, in order to Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. The Brazilians have carried the nation’s hopes on their shoulders in the continent in recent times and face a stern test against Club of the Century Al Ahly, who are under the guidance of Downs’ former coach Pitso Mosimane. Amakhosi, meanwhile, made it through to the quarterfinals against all odds, upsetting favourites Horoya in the last game of the group stages with a 2-2 draw that ended the Guinean side’s journey in the competition and will draw from such exploits against a Simba SC side that is making a lot of people sit up and take notice. In the Confederation Cup, the Buccaneers welcome Raja Casablanca to Orlando Pirates, buoyed by their impressive home record in the competition so far. South Africa’s flag is flying high up in the air and our big guns have a chance to put one foot in the door of the semifinals this weekend. Below are some messages of support and encouragement from the game’s most important stakeholders, the supporters, as Mzansi gets behind the Big Three!
Let’s pray for them
“When you talk about Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, you’re talking about South African football in general! For us, South Africans, to have those three teams representing us in the quarterfinals means a lot and we are very happy because our flag will be flying high in the continent. To all South Africans, this is a ‘wow’ moment that we shouldn’t allow to slip through our fingers. Let us rally behind these teams because they are going to represent us well. They will show the rest of the continent the quality football we have and you must understand that these teams have their own players representing us at national team level. That will benefit our Bafana Bafana as well. Let the boys go out there and represent us in good faith and we will be rallying behind them. Even though we are not allowed at stadiums, but we will be with them in spirit. Go out there, guys, motivate one another because this is bigger than just our clubs. I so wish that a Sundowns player can call a Chiefs player and motivate him – that’s what we want now because we need to be united as one. I don’t want to see a Chiefs supporter saying they wish Raja win against Pirates – no, that’s backward. We will deal with each other when we play domestically, but we are on a national agenda now and need positive results for all three of our teams because their win is South Africa’s win. Let’s pray for them so that they leave a mark and make sure that the continent respects us and ultimately our national team.”
We are proud of them Mama Joy – Orlando Pirates supporter
“Honestly, I’m speaking as a South African now, not just an Orlando Pirates supporter. Imagine having three of our teams in the quarterfinals of CAF competitions for the first time. It really makes us super proud of our teams. Even if we don’t win the trophies, our teams have made us proud with what they have managed to achieve so far and we are proud of them. This is a big win for South African football already and I’m sure people in the continent will start looking at us differently now. I’m really thankful for that because we are restoring our pride now. Mamelodi Sundowns must just beat Al Ahly and forget about the fact that coach Pitso Mosimane used to coach them. That doesn’t matter and it shouldn’t be something for anyone to worry about. All I want is for Sundowns to win their game so that they go through to the semis. As far as Raja Casablanca is concerned, I’m not really worried because Orlando Pirates will be playing in the final and win this trophy at all costs! To all South Africans, let us rally behind our teams because they are not doing it for themselves. I will be supporting Pirates, Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs as a South African. With these teams in the continent, our football can only grow and benefit. Viva South Africa, viva!
I want a star for Chiefs before I retire Freddie ‘Saddam’ Maake – Kaizer Chiefs supporter
“I would like to first thank Kaizer Chiefs players and our coach, Gavin Hunt, for reaching the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League. We know very well that we have not been doing well in the domestic league, but we still have four remaining games. That will be 12 points to play for and we need six points to be safe. It’s important that we are doing well in the Champions League and it is an honour for Chiefs to be playing in that competition. The first leg will be at FNB Stadium and the second leg in Tanzania, and we will need to win the home leg and try to get a draw away. If we win the away leg also, it will be a bonus. It’s a pity that we are not going to be at the stadium as the supporters to support our team. My wish is for SAFA and the PSL to communicate with Chiefs and see if there could be a way for a portion of the supporters to be allowed to go to the stadium to cheer the team. I have heard that Simba supporters have written to their Football Association to ask for permission to be allowed into the stadium for the second leg match. We are asking for at least 30 000 Kaizer Chiefs supporters to be granted entry to the FNB Stadium and maybe 10 000 other supporters who will be supporting our brothers from Tanzania. We will do social distancing and follow all the protocols with regards to COVID-19. I can see a star loading for Chiefs and that makes me very happy. As I am thinking about retirement, I want a star for Chiefs before I retire from football. Chiefs will surprise a lot of people with their exploits in the Champions League.”
This is our best chance Tlotlo Molefe – Mamelodi Sundowns supporter
“I think it’s very important… I tweeted a few months ago that I wish Sundowns, Pirates and Chiefs finish first, second and third so that we have all of our clubs doing well on the continent this season to break the north African dominance , because they have been dominating that space for a number of years now. Obviously, being their rivals, I wouldn’t want Chiefs and Pirates to win the competition, but if they can get to the quarters or semifinals, so that we represent the southern part of the continent very well. I am happy that all three clubs are into the quarterfinals of both competitions. It’s very important that three of our best teams are representing the best league in the continent. I feel like now Sundowns have the best chance of winning in Egypt. Previously, we beat Zamalek there in 2016, but that was in a group stage match, but I feel like in the knockout fixture, we cannot only get an away goal but actually win the fixture. I feel like this is our best chance. And hearing words that our former mentor Pitso Mosimane is under pressure that side, I don’t know if it’s good or very bad for us because an under-pressure Pitso Mosimane is a very different beast. But I feel like we have an opportunity to go there and get a result with the way Sundowns have been playing this season, the way they have been fearless and the way they went to TP Mazembe and won there. So, Sundowns have every chance of breaking their duck in Egypt. Going to Chiefs… they are having such a funny season because in the domestic league, they are doing so poorly, they are closer to the bottom than they are to the top, but they are playing well in the Champions League by beating Wydad Casablanca at home and getting a point in Conakry (against Horoya), where nobody goes and qualifies normally. Sundowns and Pirates went there in years gone by, but they didn’t win. So, for Chiefs to go there and get the points they needed was actually big. They are the surprise package in this year’s Champions League and I think them being unknown in that space has helped them a lot.”
I wish them all the best Robert Nkosi – Mamelodi Sundowns supporter
“Let me first greet football supporters all over the country. We will defeat this Coronavirus and get back to the stadiums to support our teams. Congratulations to the Big Three for making it this far in the CAF competitions. Our teams have really worked hard to be where they are and I thank them for that. I also want to thank Mamelodi Sundowns for opening the gates so that even those who have not used these gates in years can finally get through them. Until recently, it looked like we were banned from these competitions as we’d only have one or just two representatives, so it is great to have three. Let our teams raise the South African flag so that people in the continent can see that we are serious about football. I’m at the airport now to see our boys, Sundowns, off and give them the same message that I want to give the other two teams, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, that we have to go through to the semifinals and I wish them all the best. Remember, the CAF president is from South Africa and that means we have a lot to play for. Let’s make sure that he hands the trophy over to one of his home teams.” ❐
I’ll cut to the chase. There are players at Chiefs that need to be offloaded with immediate effect. The list is endless, but I would like to confine myself to two players whom I think are not Chiefs material and are a huge liability. Firstly, I am not sure what value Zulu is adding to the team. Defensively, he is always exposed because he is either too lazy to chase after opponents that sneak behind him or he lacks concentration. Going forward, I do not think he adds much value either. His crosses from the left side are not effective. The boy must just go. Another notable culprit is Ngezana. The boy is damn erratic. To give away penalties in consecutive games confirms how unreliable he is. Against TTM, he committed an unnecessary foul in the middle of the field, risking a yellow card or a possible red card. His concentration lapsed in the dying minutes of the game and he gave away a penalty. The boy is technically very poor and every striker in the league must be licking his lips when they see him in the Chiefs defence. The boy must go. Chiefs is a huge team with a rich history of outstanding defenders and these two players just do not cut it.
Sonwabo Ngcelwane, Gugulethu, Cape Town
Mr Hunt, please drop Ngezana for all the remaining games if you want to win them. He conceded two penalties in two games. Bring back Akumu to play with Mathoho at the back and play Cardoso as a defensive midfielder. Frosler must go back to right back. Play Sasman at left back and Zulu at left midfield. Mr Coach, in other games your selection is the one that cost the team results. Akumu is much better playing at the back. Having said all this, I think Chiefs need a whole new team. Neo Mahlangu, Tembisa
How you throw away a two-goal cushion and end up drawing a game you were supposed to win is beyond me. This Chiefs team lacks game management. When they are supposed to keep possession, they give the ball away cheaply. Yerr, iyawophula umoya womntu nyani (Man, this team can destroy your spirit). Songezo Soso Roji, Mdantsane
The long walk to freedom that was undertaken by Madiba seems trivial when compared to the journey that we as Chiefs supporters are on towards July, when the team will finally be able to sign and register players. The sooner we forget about the current season, where we have set unwanted records, the better. Even the hope of finishing within the Top Eight is diminishing quicker than the morning dew. Hopefully, next season and subsequent ones will be worth the pain we had to endure on this Long Walk to July. Speejo Tyantini, Evaton, Vaal
This season should be one to forget by most Chiefs-loving people, including the bosses. Mathoho, Parker, Katsande, Moleko, Ntiya-Ntiya, Kambole, Akpeyi, Agay, Castro and Zulu must all be released. They can’t do any good anymore for the team. We are thankful for the years they have been serving us, but now is the time for them to go. Khune must be retained for one season to lead the young Molefe and Petersen from Wits. Molefe must be thrown into the deep end as they also did with Khune as a youngster. The youngster will grow. He is brilliant. That guy is Khune’s number two. We need to bring Hlanti, Ngcobo, Mbule, Grobler, Gamildien, Mhango, Nange, Qalinge, Ndlondlo and Mkhwanazi – then we can talk business. Please, Bobby, open the chequebook. We will welcome these players with warm hands. Masiza Sidney Mbobo, Matatiele
It’s a pity and disgusting to see my beloved Amakhosi outside of the Top Eight bracket in the DStv Premiership log standings. The problem is not within the coaching staff but with the playing personnel. Most of the players have reached their sell-by date. They no longer have any hunger for success. I won’t point fingers here, but the results speak for themselves. I think the time to bring in fresh and new blood is now. Those madalas are like flat wheels. We won’t go anywhere with those players. The management must wake up before it’s too late. Nghamula Rikhotso-Nkonwana, Mageva village
Chiefs’ current season is characterised by a lot of inconsistency. After beating Sundowns in the league, we hoped that there would be some improvement, but that was not the case. Afterwards, Chiefs lost about eight points in three games as they lost to both Chippa and TTM and drew with Celtic. The remaining four league games for Chiefs are not going to be easy either as teams like Leopards desperately need maximum points to survive. Chiefs are out of the Top Eight and teams below them have a difference of a point or two and they can no longer afford any slip-ups in the remaining league games, otherwise securing a Top Eight spot will remain a dream. Sundowns must just win two of their remaining league games to defend their league title and they will surely do that as they have been consistent for the most part. Bernard Tshukudu, Ga Maria
If rumours of Amakhosi supporters’ planned protest currently under discussion among fans on social media are true, Ntate Kaizer Motaung must take an honest look in the mirror and ask himself whether he realistically allowed the brand that everyone wanted to associate with several years back to crumble like that. Truth is, Chiefs is just a name now. Some of us are just stuck there because we’ve invested our hearts and souls there. No one can actually blame the supporters because