Make Your Point

DOCTOR’S GEMS

Doctor Khumalo’s column of last week refers. “Mdokisi”, you hit the nail on its head with this one, my brother. Keep them rolling as we get motivated by the day. I hope there is more from where this one came from. Well done! Isaac Moabi, via email

STU WHAT!?

This is the worst team I’ve ever seen in my 37 years of supporting Amakhosi. A clueless coach, coaching players who just don’t get it. His dubious decision to bring on two useless defenders while the team trailed really upset me – even amateur coaches in the lower divisions don’t do this. Baxter’s defensive strategy is more than the word ‘disgusting’. It’s crystal clear that the man is not clear about what he wants to achieve. Why keep him? This coach is out to destroy South Africa’s best talent. He is unfit for duty and as to why Chiefs have not fired him yet, I don’t know. I think De Reuck and Kekana should be asked to give free classes to Chiefs defenders on how it’s done because what they are doing is truly an insult to Ace Ntsoelengoe. My son inflicted a painful sting on Sunday when he asked me to buy him a Sundowns jersey, written Themba Zwane’s name at the back. As for Mathoho’s terrible mess, some things are better left unsaid. “Bhotsotso” Mkhize, Eshowe, Mpaphala, KZN

I noted with dismay how Soccer Laduma showered Baxter with praise after the derby win. My take is that we Chiefs supporters owe a debt of gratitude largely to the heroics of Petersen between the sticks. In that game, Baxter resorted to a defensive formation with the introduction of Dube and Mphahlele, with the score tied at 1-1, perhaps justifiably so when one considers that we’d lost Billiat and Castro to injuries. A clear indication that he was gunning for a point. Against Arrows, he lamented his lackadaisical defence, as if this was a new problem. We have, on numerous occasions, warned him against fielding this porous defensive partnership of Mathoho and Cardoso, to no avail. Another piece of advice, Baxter: Ngezana has now matured as a player and is your go-to guy in that central defence. Use the remaining games of the season to integrate him into the heart of that defence rather than wait for next season. I’m not calling for your head just yet, but my patience is wearing thin at your obstinate persistence with Njabulo as your playmaker at the expense of Nkosingiphile. Yes, Parker played his heart out in the derby, but I can’t fathom the idea of him playing 90 minutes while our youngsters, who are touted as our future, are given a cameo or no run at all. George Sithole, Honeydew

I hope when those palookas are finished toying with our feelings, someone in that family is sober enough to realise the damage that has been inflicted in the hearts of the faithful fans. Last week, Kaizer Motaung Jnr. mumbled something he called a Baxter mandate. Who does he think he is fooling? “We want to win all the silverware that’s on offer,” so he says. A farfetched dream indeed. Maybe he slept at Chloorkop and woke up with this beautiful dream. With a clueless coach like Baxter, the next best achievement for this team is relegation. The saddest thing is that this team has so much talent on the sidelines. My starting XI would be Khune/Petersen, Blom (RB), Frosler (LB), Njabulo Ngcobo and Dube (CB), Mashiane (CDM) Nkosingiphile (ACM), Sekgota, Dolly, Billiat and Nurkovic/Castro. If there’s any rebuilding that needs to take place, this is a start. New acquisitions would be Mbule and Letsoalo and then the use of the ornamental youngsters that are already there and raring to deliver. Cardoso, Mathoho, Parker, Mphahlele, Ngezana and Bvuma out! Hofmeyr Kwitshana, via email

I was very disappointed by the way Chiefs applied themselves in the defeat to Arrows. It seems to me that Amakhosi will never win any trophies in our lifetime and we are just an average team now. We need to finish second so we can play in the Champions League next season, but according to the whispers of my gut feeling, we’ll finish fourth or fifth. Marvin Matseke-Mabula, Burgersfort, Leboeng

Sir Baxter will never cease to amaze us as Chiefs fans. How can he add Dube and Ngezana while the team should fight for an equaliser against Arrows? Another big mistake that he made was to sit next to Sheppard instead of being in the middle of both Zwane and the former, so that he could be in an expedient position to either of his assistants for inputs and suggestions during the course of the match. Even when Chiefs scores, Baxter only celebrates with Sheppard. Such divisions have already impacted negatively on the team. A divided management/technical team often leads to poor performance. Sphelele “SS13” Shozi, Dududu Ward 19

Baxter is to be blamed for the Arrows defeat. How on earth do you defend while you are trailing? The loss has hurt the fans more than the team itself because they thought that they were going to challenge Sundowns for the league title, but the players never really took that game seriously. Is the management or the coaching structure to blame for what is happening at this big team, which is paying millions in salaries to its players and technical team, who are not delivering any good results? Only the supporters are serious at Chiefs. The players, technical team and management don’t care, as long as they get their money on payday. Kganthane Lebaka, Mamoshalele Section C

I’m very disappointed with the way Baxter is managing the team. How can he substitute an attacking player and put a defender while he is trailing? I think he has reached his sell-by date. He must do the right thing and quit before he causes more damage. Zwane can coach the team until the end of the season. Mathoho and Baxter belong in the same WhatsApp group. Nghamula Rikhotso-Nkonwana, Mageva village

Indeed, football will humble you. From a big-time high to a lowest of the low. I’m just glad that Mathoho decided to emulate Hlatshwayo and make an “assist” on Saturday night. That was a killer pass, a champagne one. At least Chiefs fans are happy because their feelings are back to their usual level. Morongwa Zwee Mokgohloa, Ga Mokgohloa

The reprieve for Chiefs regarding their no-show for two matches was welcome but couldn’t prevent the perilous form that continues to hover above their heads. The reprieve should have favoured them to improve, but this team continues to throw disappointing results on our faces. We were banking on those six points from the two games because they would have made a huge difference in terms of the club’s pride as we now play for reputation and pride of the team’s badge. We don’t deserve to challenge for the league this season after such results. Now that the case is over, I hope we take COVID-19 more seriously and encourage each other to vaccinate to avoid the same predicament that Chiefs faced. I’m glad the club went for arbitration to seek an impartial decision and ignore the League’s club bosses, who always put their clubs’ interests before fairness. The League’s DC can’t entirely be trusted despite having Adv Majavu on board as an independent-minded attorney… on paper. It’s now possible to see more cases going straight for arbitration for fairness in the near future and this could force the PSL to change its constitution to prevent club owners from running our football. Wandile Mtana, Uitenhage

As a Chiefs supporter, I’m so disappointed with the result against Arrows. Poor defensive performance, and there was no communication among the midfielders and strikers. Arrows is not a team we usually lose against. Why keep Baxter as head coach? When he took over in the CAF Champions League final, we then lost and had no direction. Why was Zwane not appointed as coach? I see strong leadership in the Amakhosi camp, but when it comes to results, we speak a different language. Why can’t we learn from teams like Sundowns? They have a lot of good quality players and competition is healthy among the players. Chiefs used to do Operation Take All Trophies… where is that now? I love this club, but I don’t feel well seeing my team struggling this much. As long as we still have Baxter in charge, we’ll still lose more easy games. Isaac Tsenene, Struandale, Gqeberha

When Chiefs beat Pirates recently, I told my Chiefs-supporting friends not to get too excited. I told them that the players that Baxter fielded would play their socks off to prove a point because they were playing Pirates, but give them a Gallants, a Arrows, they’d fall and indeed they did against Arrows on Saturday. We’ve been saying this for far too long now that Baxter was a mistake and that he cannot turn Chiefs’ fortunes around with the likes of Mathoho, Parker, Cardoso and all the other ageing players whom he likes to select come rain or sunshine. We as Chiefs supporters will have to endure this pain for more seasons to come because management have made it clear that Baxter is going nowhere and even if he were to go next season, a lot of time has been wasted by keeping him, which would have been used to start a meaningful rebuilding process with the sterling young players we have. In England, they are not wasting any time by keeping coaches who are not performing despite their past achievements – Benitez and Ranieri come to mind. Why keep Baxter? Sindile Kwitshana, via email

Having games in hand sometimes works in your favour and sometimes against you. After the verdict was delivered that Chiefs must play their games against Arrows and Cape Town City, everybody thought that maybe they were going to grab that opportunity with both hands and fight to close the gap on Sundowns, but to our surprise, they didn’t take that chance. Instead, they displayed their worst performance ever against Arrows. During half-time, coach Baxter knew that Arrows were leading and instead of increasing his attacking players, he fielded two more defenders. What was the motive behind that? Sometimes coaches can surprise you. The loss means that another drought has visited the Naturena Village and now they must try and fight for a spot in one of the CAF competitions. Chiefs and Pirates are in the same WhatsApp group, but the second and third spots in the DStv Premiership are still up for grabs and may the best teams acquire them. Sibusiso Khumalo, Melmoth, KZN

When Chiefs sent their players on leave to accommodate Al Ahly, I thought they were covered in terms of preparations. Their players were supporters at Ahly’s training session. We saw Jessica, Bobby, Kaizer Jnr. and coach Baxter cheering every shot taken by the Egyptian giants’ players in their drills. I heard coach Baxter and Dolly saying they were going to close the gap opened by Sundowns with a win against Arrows. To me, the result in that match shows that the Soweto giants are still in Egypt with their mother club. Arrows were supposed to score three goals in the first half if it were not for their mercy. I’m glad Chiefs even won their case so that they have games in hand. It’s now time that they practise what they preach, closing the gap and surprising Sundowns by taking the league in the end. Terah Maqepula, Mount Fletcher

NOT-SO-BRILLIANT, MNGQITHI

Al Ahly approach Chiefs for the use of Naturena. Chiefs magnanimously offer Al Ahly the hospitality. Lo and behold, this becomes a crime of great proportions and betrayal in the eyes of Mngqithi. We’ve heard harrowing stories from Sundowns and other South African teams who’ve ventured to play in other African countries, stories of unbelievable shoddy treatment. And here Chiefs perform an act of ubuntu and are lambasted. Are Amakhosi crucified because they practised what is emblazoned on the front of Sundowns shirts (Ubuntu-Botho)? Ironic indeed! Some Masandawana fans allegedly blocked the Ahly bus with stones. Previously, there were reports of some Downs fans waving placards with profanities aimed at Pitso. Mngqithi addresses a press conference, but utters no word to condemn this shameful display of barbarity? Come on, coach Mngqithi, we salute you and your colleagues for a job well done in the success of Sundowns, but give Chiefs a break. If there are issues of acrimony between you and Pitso, please try sort them out amicably, but do not involve our Love and Peace institution. Leave us to enjoy the Beautiful Game minus di tshele tsa lona (your acrimonies). Alexius Phiri, via email

I wonder when Mngqithi was appointed to control the facilities of Chiefs. He is not fit enough to do his job at Chlorophyl or Chlorokop … just forgive me for not knowing the correct name of your home-based structure. There’s no need to worry myself about the correct name as I’m minding the affairs of my club. I was expecting him to comment about the hooliganism of his supporters blocking Egyptian officials. Manqoba, it seems as if you don’t know about football’s motto called Fair Play. At Naturena, we do not treat our opponents in sport as enemies, therefore mind your own business at Chloorkop. Being the most senior of the Sundowns coaches, we expect you to always avail yourself to be interviewed by the SuperSport team after every match, but that role is always played by Rhulani. You’re talking about doing a favour for Chiefs by not giving their opponents an opportunity to utilise your facilities at Chloorkop. The officials at Naturena did not request any dirty tricks to be applied against their opponent because they are sticking to the rules and regulations of Fair Play. You are a disgraceful coach in our well-respected league. Sipho Robert Mpungose, Eshowe KZN

Congrats to Sundowns for a masterful display of tactical mastery against Al Ahly. Well done and thank you for displaying what Mzansi soccer can be, especially when switched on. On a sour note, I’ve noticed, over some time, the unsportsmanlike behaviour by this able team. When Al Ahly visited last time, they were subjected to shameful acts by Sundowns supporters. Pitso claimed that the office was involved and I rejected that with contempt, and déjà vu, it was repeated recently, thus spoiling a deserved double over Ahly. After listening to Manqoba’s post-match rants, I’m certain that Pitso’s claims aren’t farfetched. I mean, how does one attack hospitality towards visitors? C’mon, even visiting overseas boxers use local clubs to round up their training. This is sport, not war! How would Chiefs’ facilities have affected the outcome? This guy has lost his marbles. What do you expect from the ordinary fan if managers are unsportsmanlike hooligans? The same goes for Rhulani, who is arrogant and lacking in humility and class. Why don’t these guys learn from Steve? He’s just a breath away from them. Thanks, Chiefs, for not dropping to their level by always not respecting them with a reaction! Mzwandile Tembo, Welkom

Mngqithi is one of the coaches that I admire. Well, until he made those remarks about Chiefs. I mean, that wa unnecessary. He should have focused on celebrating sealing a double over Ahly. His remarks overshadowed the good result his team had just achieved. I don’t think there was anything wrong with Chiefs offering Ahly their facilities to use. At the end of the day, the Egyptians had to find a place to train on. They were not going to have no ground to train on. Someone had to accommodate them and in this case it was Amakhosi. Was he going to make the same comments if it was any other team or he’s just obsessed over Chiefs? There’s nothing to worry about if you’re in a very good state of mind, unless you’re obsessed about something. As far as I’m concerned, those facilities were not offered for free. The fact that they denied Wydad their facilities while in the country to play Chiefs was for their own reasons and it had nothing to do with Chiefs. I think Manqoba should start acting like a real man, if not a leader. This is real life and not a Nollywood or Hollywood movie.

Letladi wa Ga-Mphahlele, Maralaleng

It’s amazing how patriotism is practised in SA. It is a matter of when the shoe fits. We are always bombarded with calls to rally behind our teams, but I witnessed it last season when Chiefs were playing in the Champions League that Pirates and Sundowns fans were openly supporting the opposition, but when it is their turn, we are told to rally behind them. Those Chiefs supporters that feel like supporting them are free to do so, but they must not force it down our throats, for it is their choice to do so. We support them, they get a star and then they mock us about a ZCC star. Recently, we’ve been told that Motsepe invests his money in the team and if we can’t match them, we should keep quiet and not complain about them weakening other teams, but when we provide Ahly with our facilities, they want to dictate to us and preach patriotism only when it suits them. I’ll support any team I wish to support from outside our borders until a point where there is a level of maturity from all supporters. S.O. Makwe, via email

Quick One-Two’s

Sundowns are in a league of their own. I now officially declare them as the super giant of Africa. Truly speaking, what they did on Saturday was unthinkable. After the red card, I thought they would lose that game. It takes a lot of courage and determination to win a game of such magnitude. As a peace-loving person of Amakhosi, I’d like to congratulate Sundowns, the 2021/22 DStv Premiership champions-elect and wish them the best in trying to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League. To Usuthu, we are very proud of you for reaching the group stage. You did your best, but I guess your best was not good enough. Better luck next time. Sundowns, follow up your motto ‘the sky is the limit’ and represent South Africa with dignity as usual. The second star that has eluded you is within reach now. Boitumelo Vanrooyen, Schweizer-Reneke

Beke le beke have done it again, tremendously so. What’s even commendable is that it was away and they played for the most part with 10 men after Onyango got a red card. Sundowns are starting to take control of African football. Winning away in Africa is no child’s play, never mind who the opponents are. One needs to win the mental game first before getting onto the pitch. One other thing is the confidence Motsepe has shown in his son Tlhopie to hand over the ropes to him. This brings me to Khoza and Motaung, who are failing while still in charge. If they are not jealous of Sundowns, then they have lost passion for football. For Downs to be sprinting in the marathon and still have the stamina and legs to finish first, which they’ll do, and to dominate Africa at the same time, is something any club boss should to be jealous of. What’s left for them is to put the cherry on top with that CAF Champions League trophy. Meanwhile, my team Chiefs are losing to all the teams without technical sponsors. Lucky Khunou, Meriting

Let me first acknowledge the standard of SA teams in CAF games. Coming to the PSL, I wish all teams can take a leaf from Sundowns and Royal AM on how they approach league games and their game management. These two teams play according to their strengths on the field and not on paper. How you approach league games in the first six to 10 games determines your campaign. Consistency is also key instead of chopping and changing as soon as you lose a game or two. Great teams stick to their game plan and they don’t follow what is said or written in the media or in the street. Hats off to Maduka and the trio at the defending league champions. It would be great to see Royal AM in CAF.

Kagiso Jafta, Wonderkop - Marikana, North West Province

Congrats to Pirates for continuing to represent us well in CAF competition, especially being cognisant of the fact that our domestic performance is poor at best. Let’s hope our boys will bring this cup to us because currently, us winning trophies in the PSL is close to impossible. Special praise to Sundowns for representing us well. Let’s hope other PSL teams will be inspired and take CAF competition seriously. In Europe, playing in UEFA competition is non-negotiable for any team worth its salt. Hopefully even here in the mother land, that mentality starts to prevail.

Thapelo Masiapata, Ramaroka village (Bolobedu)

Congrats to both Sundowns and Pirates for advancing to the quarterfinals of the Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively. The two SA giants are making their presence felt and it’s good for our league. Being rated as the best league in Africa, we should definitely dominate in these competitions. Sundowns are looking like champions already and I hope they maintain their consistency. I think the Pirates players need to be reminded of who they are playing for because they blow hot and cold.

Sundowns’ recruitment is bearing good results because they look very stable irrespective of who’s playing. Mr Motsepe’s vision and plan of dominating Africa looks to be on track. Congrats once again and all the best in the quarterfinals. Back at home, the less said about my team Chiefs, the better. Malesela “Dance” Boya, Kanana, Hammanskraal

Congrats are in order to Sundowns after reaching the quarterfinals of the most prestigious competition on the continent. This is a team that always rises to the occasion and never disappoints. Against Al Hilal, they were so clinical and composed. Great goal by Mokoena and he is now a specialist of freekicks. I’m also happy for Morena for bagging a brace. It was an encouraging performance by Sundowns. Also, considering that Onyango got an early shower, it made it a difficult game for the Tshwane giants, but they showed resilience. Good luck to coach Mngqithi and his entire team. Let them continue to represent us well and hoist the flag of their country high. That’s patriotic. Madimetja Vic Mashamaite, Renstown

As I said before, I’ll say it again that only Sundowns can beat Sundowns, not Thando Ndzandzeka. No matter how hard he can try to block the Tshwane giants from winning the league, he will not be successful like he was in 2017 by penalizing Morena inside the box and Wits won the league. Even against Royal AM, it was him who gave that false penalty to the KZN-based outfit.

Batandwa Coko, via email

AmaZulu FC lose again, at home nogal. It’s tough times now and it’s sad that they have been knocked out of the CAF Champions League. How can you allow the visitors to play like they are the home team? Nyambeni Samson Khuphani, Tshiawelo Ext 5

Mr Editor, I’d like to take a moment to salute Mathoho for showing the world that as a player, no matter the criticism he is or was getting from everyone, he is still the most decorated defender at Chiefs. He has already scored 24 or 25 goals as a defender in less than 300 games for Chiefs. I don’t think there is a defender who has achieved that in the history of the Soweto giants. You can name all the defenders you can think about… Simon Lehoko, Jack Chamangwane, Patrick Mabedi, City Kole, Lucas Radebe, Howard Freeze, the list is endless. I salute you, Erick “Tower” Mathoho, you are the best!

Raymond “Bra Ray” Manaka, Pretoria

Re: the alleged tension between Downs and Pitso: Supporters’ meetings are held weekly across the country, not only by Sundowns but other teams. What are they teaching each other? Aren’t they teaching each other not to boo their own players or coaches and accept any result? Football is meant to unite people. I don’t see anything wrong with Chiefs allowing Ahly to use their facilities, but I was alarmed to learn that Sundowns had decided to take the game to FNB Stadium, of all venues. When we travel through Africa, we too use other teams’ facilities, not so? It’s at time like this that I miss Celtic’s faithful supporters, who always cheered, sang and danced even when their team was trailing. What did we learn from them? Under the leadership of the late Super, Sundowns’ Tembisa branch was regarded as the best as he was against the idea of supporters booing their own players or technical team. What did Pitso do to be treated like this? Why did we boo Tau? How many players and coaches have left Sundowns, yet the team remained strong? Why can’t we tell ourselves that there was Sundowns before Pitso and Tau and there will be Sundowns after them? Pitso sacrificed a lot for the wellbeing of this team and what we’re now doing to him is unprofessional and should be stopped.

Tente Mokoka, Sepharane

It’s no secret that the African game has many tactics and one of them is intimidation. There is a thin line be