Make Your Point

EDITOR’S COLUMN TOUCHES A NERVE

Reading the article headlined, “Football’s in trouble”, I felt like crying. It’s true that football in the PSL and at international level is falling apart. From watching the EPL, one ends up losing interest in local matches, for the former turns our league into an amateur one. Our soccer bosses have allowed politics to infiltrate sport. Being card-carrying members of the ANC, they run our soccer the way their buddies run this country. The NPSL was more interesting because ANC politics were not there. There is no sector which ANC touches that remains unharmed. Our soccer bosses are players and referees. How can you play and officiate at the same time? The solution is to let soccer bosses spend their energy running their own clubs instead of having one foot in the organisation and the other at their clubs. The PSL should be run by people unattached to clubs and political parties. SA soccer will remain in shambles if it is not run by neutral people. Where there are neutral people running whatever organisation, there is an element of justness and justness breeds competition and competition breeds excitement, which is what’s currently missing. We now resort to watching other leagues because they’re tastier than ours. SAFA is to be blamed more because they hosted the 2010 World Cup. What did they do with the Legacy funds? Mahlangu, Soweto

In last week’s edition, our Editor, Mr Vuyani Joni, spoke about what he thought were the real factors behind the decline of our league. Well, you were spot-on, and please allow me to add my take on what I also believe is killing our sport. First and foremost, not everyone has a subscription with DStv and our national broadcaster has added insult to injury when it comes to airing vital games. COVID-19 might have also been one of the contributing factors. Remember how Chiefs were cruising before this pandemic came into our shores? Probably that was the season Amakhosi would have resurrected from their dull seasons. Lastly, Sundowns have been luring every influential player into their camp. Well, on that one, I won’t blame them because my team, Chiefs, has also benefitted in years gone by through this. The Soweto giants have been ranting about

Downs’ acquisitions and that all the good players are in their team, forgetting that not every great player is found in the PSL only. We can’t cry over one player when our beautiful country has nine provinces. Go out there and find your own Jalis and Shaluliles of this world. Then we will see fans flocking back into stadiums and starting to talk about games that are two weeks away before they are played. Nafie Moloantoa, Kwa Thema

My Editor, you are right in saying our football is dying a very slow death. There are a lot of reasons behind our football’s demise and I doubt we’ll recover anytime soon. Maybe the performance of the two teams from Soweto in the last couple of seasons is one of the reasons, like you mentioned. I personally believe that our standard has dropped dramatically. We’ve watched Sundowns bossing everyone in recent seasons and it looks like it will continue for some time to come. Having said that, I also believe that unemployment is contributing more than anything else. If you watch some of the European leagues’ standard compared to our own, then you’ll agree with me that it will take some time for us to reach their competitiveness. You can’t risk using your last hardearned money to go watch a PSL game with a high possibility of coming back a very disappointed fan. Until our standard reaches where we believe it’s supposed to be given what we have, we’ll continue complaining about the low numbers at our stadiums. Our big teams used to spend for quality, but nowadays, it’s more about quantity. Hopefully the powers that be smell the coffee before it’s too late. Malesela “Dance” Boya, Kanana, Hammanskraal

WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE!

It was refreshing to read an interview with a Kaizer Chiefs player after a long time. But I was expecting Mazola Molefe to go a little deeper and ask Bruce Bvuma about the situation at Chiefs, like how do the players feel about the performance of the team and about the team not winning silverware for so many years? Maybe Mazola was scared that Chiefs management would sue him or suspend the player and never allow their players to be interviewed by our favourite Soccer Laduma again. Also, thanks to Tshepang Mailwane and Rhulani Mokwena for the great interview. I really enjoyed reading it. It was top of the range! Nyambeni Samson Khuphani, Tshiawelo Ext 5

I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I saw Bruce Bvuma’s interview in our lovely paper. I couldn’t believe it and thought that maybe the journalist was doing the usual analysis about Kaizer Chiefs games or players up until I started reading the interview. Is this a sign of good things to come? Because Kaizer Chiefs supporters and football lovers at large have been longing to read about their club and its players. Even though the whole interview was mostly about Bafana Bafana and Bvuma did it while in France, we hope that whatever happened between Chiefs and our lovely paper is a thing of the past now and, if so, I say big up to Soccer Laduma and keep on fighting for the rights of players and the right to freedom of speech. Lastly, thanks to Bhotsotso Mkhize, my homeboy from Eshowe, for his words of encouragement to regular MAKE YOUR POINT contributors. Let’s keep on buying and reading Soccer Laduma, ladies and gentlemen. Sibusiso Khumalo, Melmoth, KZN

Have my team, Chiefs, finally swallowed their pride and allowed our players to do interviews with our beloved soccer newspaper? For the past seven or eight years, our players have not been allowed to do interviews with Soccer Laduma. Hopefully, finally our management have collected their senses and realised that where there are people, human error is likely to occur. I saw Dolly’s interview the

previous week and I didn’t want to make any noise, and now it’s Bvuma. Siyabonga Nkalambela, Delft

CHARITY BEGINS AT FNB

Saddam Maake, before you challenge Sundowns fans to fill 50% capacity of the stadium, please make sure you mobilise your fellow Chiefs supporters to attend games. FNB Stadium was not even 7% capacity full in the Chiefs v SuperSport game. Thebeetsile Modisaemang, Protea Glen Ext 29

PETRO-FIED… BUT GAME ON!

The game against Petro was a wake-up call to my beloved Sundowns to stay humble. The boys could have wrapped it up in the first half. What we can take away from the game is that we have an away goal as an advantage, but let’s be honest, we could have lost by more. One game at a time will see us through. The wins against Al Ahly is history now. But overall, it was a good lesson in Angola. It won’t be easy for the Angolans in SA though. We will skin them alive. Kagiso Jafta, Wonderkop, Marikana, North West

I’m very happy to see Sundowns doing so well. Scoring a total of 15 goals in three matches is no child’s play and only the Brazilians can do it in South Africa. France recently gave Bafana Bafana a hot klap of 5-0 and Downs showed the others that what Les Bleus did to our national team, they can also easily do. Thank you, Masandawana! I have no doubt that Sundowns can easily beat our national team coached by the stubborn Hugo Broos. As for losing to Petro de Luanda in the CAF Champions League, our coaches got it wrong with the team selection. Honestly speaking, the two centre-backs that they played on the day are not good enough. They are both very slow, are not comfortable with the ball on their feet, can’t start play from the back and both lack timing. I humbly request our technical team to please drop the two players and play our most trusted and solid defenders in De Reuck and Kekana. These two are soldiers. Please, coaches, bring them back. I hope my request will be considered. Not all is lost. The team has a bunch of good players who can overturn any score and proceed to the next round, but that needs good players on the field, not abo (the likes of) Lebusa and Brian Onyango. Simanga Barnes Hadebe, Estcourt Sundowns Branch

When the draw for the quarterfinals of the Champions League was conducted, a friend of mine told me that Downs got a favourable draw. I quickly indicated to him that Petro are not a Mickey Mouse team and that the only favourable thing about playing Petro is the traveling distance because this time we didn’t have to go to North Africa. The game over the weekend showed how strong they are, especially playing at home. I still believe that Downs will be able to overturn the score and win the tie. We are set for a mouth-watering second leg encounter at the Soccer City Stadium. Sundani Ratombo, ha Madodonga

If you give a player a second chance, I think it’s only logical that said player seeks to learn from the mistakes that kept him out of the team in the first place. Not Lebusa. I really am unsatisfied with his performance over the weekend. When Sundowns beat Al Ahly in back-to-back games, Lebusa was out nursing an injury. The De Reuck-Onyango combination was good enough to take the team to the Champions League final. For the first goal against Petro, the striker made a run straight in front of him and scored a tap-in. Instead of tracking the guy, he was in dreamland. As for the second goal, Lebusa delayed in closing down the on-rushing opponent and eventually disturbed Denis Onyango from anticipating the cross. I believe we can do better without him in the second leg. He is not contributing well in our journey anymore. Petro know that they are out anyway because they won’t make it in South Africa. I fully support the team and believe in them. Terah Maqepula, Mount Fletcher

The ‘three wise men’ are to blamed for the loss against Petro. How can you bench De Reuck in favour of erratic Lebusa? The De Reuck-Onyango combination has been doing well – why fix it if it’s not broken? Someone needs to remind Denis Onyango that he’s not irreplaceable. He’s been conceding soft goals of late and I think we must bring Mweene back. I can’t recall even a single game where Mweene disappointed when called upon. I believe that Maema scored a legitimate goal. VAR got it all wrong. But in my team I believe. They’ll finish the job in the second leg. On a different note, I think Arteta isn’t a good enough coach for Arsenal. As long as he’s still head coach, I can boldly say the team is just there to add numbers. He seems to have a grudge with African players. Every time Pepe comes on, he changes the complexion of the game, but come next match, he’s benched. What more should he do to be finally recognised? Maybe Vieira is the man to lead us from a land of suffering and pain to the Promised Land of honey and milk. From being “invincible” to the average team we are now is painful. I don’t see Arsenal playing Champions League unless they part company with Arteta. He is clueless and doesn’t have a Plan B. Tente Mokoka, Sepharane

BAX(TER) AGAINST THE WALL

Baxter, oh my God, what on earth is he still doing at Naturena!? If by the time you fix your eyeballs on this epistle that man has not been fired, I’ll rest my case. What a stubborn individual. I’ve said everything before that was supposed to be said and if management still feels Baxter is their man, I definitely don’t know what more to say. I read his response towards the fans that were chanting for his sacking after the loss on Saturday and I could barely pick up what the man was saying because he was speaking in riddles. He’s definitely a confused man. Coming to the players that are adding salt to injury, I’ll mention the usual names: Mphahlele, Parker and Ngezana. They must join the likes of Mathoho, Cardoso, etc on the sidelines. To the new coach, please give us those youngsters. Hofmeyr Kwitshana, via email

Let Stuart Baxter leave the team in peace for the sake of the future of the team.

Robert Siligana, via email

As a supporter of this beloved team, considering how things are going, allow me to say, “The once-mighty has fallen.” This has been long coming though, but the re-inclusion of once brilliant Mr Stuart Baxter onto the bench has a direct impact on how this once-mighty giant has become just an ordinary team with state-of-the-art premises, the best management and good sponsors. Mr Baxter is so predictable. This team struggles against all PSL teams like never before. We are a defending team, a team full of defenders. Only three players are attackers (Dolly, Billiat and Parker) – for sure, teams will come at us. We’re suffering from inconsistency. I know there is a thing called ‘rotation’, but those that we are playing cannot beat the benched ones. Mr Baxter’s team selection is as follows: Petersen (GK) – He concedes almost every game. Blom (RB) – Wrong position, he’s a proven central midfielder. You have Frosler for this position. Frosler (LB) – Wrong position, he’s a right back. The team has Ntiya-Ntiya, Mabiliso and forgotten Mashiane. Ngezana (CD) – Not as solid as the formerly trusted and even voted as the Defender of the Season Ngcobo. Mphahlele (CD) – No longer quick off the mark and gets exposed, as he sits too deep. I’d play Dube. Alexander (CM) – Not as penetrative as Baccus. Alexander sits, invites and gets exposed. Nange (CM) – Very static. I’d opt for Blom, who’d complement Baccus like Jali does at Downs. Dolly (RM) – Very good, but not on the right. Play the behaving Zuma instead. Parker (AM) – Trying very hard and getting tired, understandably. I’d play young Ngcobo here and introduce Parker later in the game. Nurkovic (STR) – He’s flat and no one on the bench for this position. Castro and Kambole are way off the mark. Sign Eva Nga. Billiat (LM) – This is the only season that we see why Downs signed him from Ajax. When he gets tired, play Sekgota or even Radebe. Lastly: head coach Zwane, first assistant Doc, second assistant Farouk, goalkeeper coach Khune.

Siyamcela Cekiso, Midrand

Kaizer Chiefs under Chuck Norris is not consistent. That man is destroying the up-and-coming stars of tomorrow. Please, Baxter, hand in your resignation. You’ve done enough damage. Ag, maan!

Elias Mapotse, via email

Baxter has reached his sell-by date and it’s time to go! I have noticed lately that all over the world, the best coaches are the new generation – Guardiola, Tuchel, Xavi, Pitso, Maduka, the Sundowns trio, Benni, et al. The old generation is struggling now, chief among them Baxter. He claims to be the only coach to bring success to Chiefs in the last 20 years – what a lie. He and Dumitru have been the most successful with four trophies each, including two league titles apiece. The only difference is that Ted did it in two years, while Baxter did it in three. To his defence, Chiefs is not too bad, but that’s not even close to enough for the club. We are used to being the best and he’s turned us into also-rans. Yes, he achieved last time out, but is doing badly this time around. During his first stint, he had players at their peak, who fitted his style perfectly. The current dynamics do not suit him. He must please go. Chiefs management must just be bold and appoint Zwane now. He knows the culture of Chiefs and has a good rapport with the players. As for Baxter, he left the team in tatters last time and we have not even recovered yet. Mzwandile Tembo, Welkom

On Saturday, the best team lost at FNB Stadium. Chiefs outplayed, outclassed and outsmarted SuperSport. Just that Lady Luck deserted us when we needed her the most. Luck is very crucial in football, so Amakhosi did their best, but I guess their best was not good enough. Teams must know that ball possession cannot win you games. Chiefs played well, but they never used the opportunities that they created, especially in the first half. But my special appeal to Khosi supporters is that please, before we crucify Baxter, let us beg him to field Mashiane. The boy has talent and I’m quite sure he can take us to second position if given a chance. He’s the key. I believe if Baxter ignores our cries, he will kiss his job goodbye come end of May. But coach, listen to the supporters and stop destroying the young boy. This is the player that can save your job and qualify us to the Champions League. Please, Sir, we need second spot so that the boy can rectify the mistake you punish him for. We are facing tough competition for that spot in Pirates, Cape Town City and Royal AM. May God bless Amakhosi. Boitumelo Vanrooyen, Schweizer-Reneke

If I had a say, this would be the list of people who should leave Chiefs with immediate effect: Bobby, Baxter, Khune, Mphahlele, Mathoho, Ngezana, Cardoso, Manyama, Nange, Parker, Castro and Billiat. Without a major overhaul, the club will continue to be the Mickey Mouse soccer team that it is today. Deadwood deserves only one thing – i.e. rejection. We are where we are today largely because of the profound complacency displayed by the Motaungs! Bait Malimela, Ntuzuma Township

In defending his tactics against SuperSport, coach Baxter waxed lyrical about Chiefs’ dominance. And while he as head coach has to take some of the blame, the problems stretch far into the past and way beyond him. The defeat felt preordained as the display was limping in a way that was simultaneously inexplicable and entirely uncharacteristic. There was no sharpness, no confidence and apparently no willingness to take responsibility. Of course, Baxter is a great coach, but there is no doubt he has lost his way in almost every department when it comes to coaching. At some stage, Chiefs were favourites to win the game, but the mood changed due to tactical decisions from the bench. The jury is out on whether Baxter must go, but management too must take the blame because too many players are not good enough. Some serious spending needed to be done to transform Chiefs into title challengers again, but this has proved too far-fetched for the Motaungs. In a radio interview, Jessica had the audacity to tell us that the team is on the right track, whereas the plummeting persists in front of her eyes. Chiefs need an overhaul to move forward and bring back the glory days. Wandile Mtana, Uitenhage

It puzzles my mind that Chiefs supporters are so blind as not to see that Mr Baxter’s hands are tied. Not that he is enjoying playing Parker, Mathoho, Cardoso, but the management ordered him to play them because they’re getting fat cheques and they can’t afford to pay them a lot of money while they are benchwarmers. He wants to play the youngsters, just that the situation doesn’t allow him. On Saturday, he played Nkosingiphile Ngcobo for the whole 90 minutes because he knew the supporters would attack him for not doing so, so he was trying to close their mouths. Veli Ndlovu, Shabalala

Chiefs losing to SuperSport has thrown a spanner in the works as far as their plan to catch Sundowns is concerned. To borrow from the great Pitso Mosimane, “I mean, let’s be honest, really”, did anyone ever think Chiefs would catch Downs at the top of the table and do what the latter did to them on the last day of the 2019/20 season? I would have suggested that we drag that person, kicking and screaming, to the nearest mental asylum. The Soweto giants never looked like champion material from the first game of the season and we just need to consolidate so that we can finish in the Top Eight. To say Amakhosi have been poor over the last two seasons would be a huge understatement. I just don’t know where the problem lies anymore – is it the players? The coach? Management? Only the

people working at Naturena will have a clue. Chiefs are a disgrace to their fans who forked out their hard-earned money to brace the cold and go watch them at FNB Stadium on Saturday. All things said and done, a Khosi 4 Life still I am.

Marvin Matseke, via email

I don’t blame the fans for what they did on Saturday. The Motaungs have disappointed us for a number of reasons. Their character is not what I thought it was. Perhaps money has instructed them to be so quiet and their silence continues to cast doubt rather than help the situation, as more questions will relentlessly linger. If they don’t fire Baxter and his madalas, we want an explanation or some sort of remorse to help travel this longest road. It’s painful. This is not a mistake but an entire scheme of wrongdoings because no one should be ashamed to be a Chiefs fan. It’s unethical. There’s not even a sign that the Motaungs are willing to be responsible to help heal the devastation they have caused us. Whenever this Chiefs team play, I feel like switching off the TV or changing the channel. I have lost interest. Ayikho lento. “Bhotsotso” Mkhize, Eshowe, Mpaphala, KZN

I wonder who still buys a ticket to go to the stadium and watch Chiefs. Actually, who bought a ticket on Saturday when it was raining like that, with the Soweto giants flopping the way they are doing these days? To be honest, Chiefs are a top flop of all-time. Moses Mokoena, Ga-Mokwakwaila

I’m trying my utmost best not to talk about Chiefs and Baxter, but they keep poking me to respond. I’ve reached a point where nothing the coach does will ever be enough based on what he did and where he’s taking us. The Sporting Director is vocal about bringing the squad average age down for the same coach who’s known to prefer the so-called experienced over young players. I don’t just criticise. We’ve just lost to a SuperSport team that could not protect its lead, leading 2-0 against Arrows and TTM and ended up losing both games. A leaky team. Xavi and Barcelona back up my criticism because they have a plan and they are executing it well despite their financial struggles. Chiefs don’t have a plan. They want position two, which will qualify us to the Champions League, the same competition we all know the club and the coach don’t take seriously. As we speak, the club is aware of the requirements, one of which is to have a professional ladies team, but we still don’t have that. Are we going to buy a status at the last minutes? Is that the plan? We are in this mess of not winning anything for a long time because of us accepting mediocrity, that the coach is on the right path. Chiefs is a big club – you either win or ship out as a coach.

Lucky Khunou, Meriting

Amakhosi’s woes continue unabated. Baxter, being the chief culprit of Chiefs’ freefall, cannot be solely held responsible for the team’s capitulation. I’ll reiterate my call for management to look for another alternative home ground. I’m not a superstitious person, but Lady Luck has deserted us at FNB. The last three home games at the Calabash only yielded one point out of a possible nine, the fortuitous draw against Galaxy, where a Mphahlele foul on Mbatha inside the box was not given. The loss to toothless SuperSport is the last straw. We rely too much on Billiat and Dolly for speed and goals. They are no longer spring chickens. Zuma and Sekgota, our young speed merchants, are wasting away on the bench. I therefore implore management to rope in Bra Shakes or Igesund. This is a hot seat, which requires a proven strong-willed character and not a novice, and both gentlemen fit the bill. In parting, I hereby pray for the safety of everyone in KZN, particularly our loyal Soccer Laduma readers “Bhotsotso” Mkhize and Sibusiso Khumalo. George Sithole, Honeydew

Quick One-Two’s

The loyalty and trust traded between Kaitano and SuperSport, for two decades, outweigh the perceived outcry over his sacking. However, Mathews, Sibiya, Hunt, Pitso and the late Madigage should be credited for mentoring and maturing him as both a player and coach. Reciprocally, the former Zimbabwe international honoured the trust and support he got from the hierarchy by leading Matsatsantsa to MTN8 success in 2019. Like a snake shedding its old skin, SuperSport have been in the process of injecting young players to build for the future. Unfortunately, Kaitano was in the driving seat of this rebuilding phase. We wish him all the best in his next endeavours. On the other hand, the month of April has been dubbed the darkest month in African football history. Although our tears have dried, our hearts bleed as we commemorate the 21st anniversary of the Ellis Park disaster in which 43 football-loving souls perished on 11 April 2001. As if that’s not enough, on 27 April, we remember the gallant Zambia national team squad that perished in a plane crash in 1993. May the souls of our fallen heroes rest in peace. The most befitting honour and respect that we can give to the precious souls that perished is to implement policies and reforms to develop African football. Footballing Africa should undress the inferiority of playing second fiddle to other continental tournaments like Copa America and Euros. The Afcon should be on equal footing with other major continental tournaments. Batsirai Kativu, Johannesburg

Coaches really ruin players’ careers. A player is seen playing in a particular position and doing well in that position, and then the coach of a certain time likes and goes out to get the player signed. When the player gets to the new team, he is now played out of position and doesn’t function like he normally does. Mentally, it affects the player because, all of a sudden, he is expected to play where he isn’t familiar. His confidence takes a big knock and, before we know it, he no longer features in the matchday squad. Many players are struggling to replicate the form they showed at their previous clubs because the system at their new clubs doesn’t allow them to play in their normal positions. In such situations, I blame the coach because he scouted that player doing well in a specific position, but once he gets to his new team, the coach no longer plays him in that position. Morongwa Zwee Mokgohloa, Ga-Mokgohloa

I’m a Pirates diehard. It’s not hard to see why Sundowns are a cut above the rest. They play like a European outfit. Ball possession is a precious commodity at the Brazilians, while their counterparts give it away so cheaply like a tree discarding its leaves in an autumn gale. They don’t hold on to the ball just for the sake of it, they knock it around while dizzying the opposition and plotting for openings before pouncing whenever a chance presents itself, and emerge victorious in their games. I was watching the game between Bucs and Baroka last Tuesday, where both teams kept losing the ball cheaply by either hoofing it aimlessly forward or misdirecting a pass to a teammate standing a mere meter from the passer. Pathetic! Hats off, Masandawana. You’ll win the league again for the next three seasons because you have no competitors in this league. Salute! Sporo Lukhele, eLukwatini

I always wonder if it’s possible for Irvin Khoza, Screamer and Floyd to relinquish their respective positions at my beloved Orlando Pirates. If so, what would it take for that to happen? Hey bo ntate, le ya re tena, re kgathetse ke lona maan! What value are you bringing to this club, actually? The less said about the two interim palookas, the better. I wonder how they even got to be appointed in the first place. Falcao, Bethlehem

My advice to Mr Thulani Hlatshwayo is to flatly reject such a plan (being offered to Arrows in exchange for Sibisi) with the contempt it deserves. “Tyson” must remember that when he arrived at the team he so loved, his mission was to lead the team after Jele retires. He therefore should not be forced to defer his ambition. If Messrs Ncikazi and Davids do not ensure that we qualify for the Champions League in 2023, and win this year’s Confed Cup, I am certain they will be fired. After Krol and “Micho”, the team has been coached by mediocrity. Mr Sibisi cannot be compared to Tyson. As captain, he and his team was thumped 6-0 (by Sundowns), and captain Tyson is expected to be sold to such minnows. In fact, Sibisi is not even better than the quality we have

at our Diski Challenge team led by Monyane. The problem with Pirates is the presence of Messrs Mbele and Tshabalala. Even if we enlist a coach like Pep, with these two there, the team will still have challenges. If Mr Khoza cannot see that, then maybe it is time that he sells the team to someone else. Tyson must stay put and soldier on. King Kaizer, via email

What happened to Paseka Mako really broke my heart. I feel so sorry for the boy and also for Ofori, who committed the accident. It was definitely a mistake. I wish the lad a speedy recovery. May all Pirates and Baroka players, as well as the fans, be healed! Christopher Mazibuko, via email

A scary moment spoiled a beautiful match between Baroka FC and Pirates. I was shocked to see Mako lying on the turf unconscious and my child also became emotional as he is still young to get a full grasp of goings-on. I had to change the channel because he was traumatised and crying. I just want to applaud the two captains, in conjunction with the match officials, for calling the game off while there was still time to play. Let me also give thanks to the medical teams from both Pirates and emergency services for their response, even though there was a delay from the ambulance in entering the field. It was unfortunate what happened to Mako and we wish him a speedy recovery. I was happy to hear that there is no fracture to the skull. Thanks to all the players from both teams for working together and protecting the image of the

injured player. That’s sportsmanship right there. Madimetja Vic Mashamaite, Renstown

Why does SS2 cover supporters in the stadiums with their advertising boards? What is the point of supporters being back in the stadiums if they are covered by those boards? Please remove your adverts as we need to see the supporters just like on SS3, SS4 and SS5 (European leagues).

Goddard Ngobeni, Pretoria

AsmuchasI’mabigfanof Real Madrid, I don’t agree with many European media houses advocating for Benzema to be this year’s Ballon d’Or winner. Yes, the guy has been in great form, but saying he should be the winner is a NO for me because it’s too early. I remember very well the year Modric won the Ballon d’Or, people were saying CR7 or Messi deserved it, but after the World Cup, they were singing a different tune. I also wonder what will happen if Mane wins the FA Cup and maybe the EPL or UEFA Champions League because the guy has also been in fine form for the past four or five seasons now. We must also not forget that he just recently won the Afcon with Senegal, where he was named Player of the Tournament. But because we know that these awards are biased, I doubt he will win it even if he wins the quadruple or two more cups. Just recently, Salah was hyped to become a winner, but after a couple of games and putting in good performances, Benzema is now a favourite. So, guys, the year is still long, this thing still has a heartbeat. Tau-Tona Molebatsi, Lenasia

The less I say about Baxter, the better. He must just go and Zwane, together with Sheppy, must take over the reins, finish en klaar. Chiefs have just lost to a coach-less team, aowa! Enough, Mr Baxter. Just pack and go, please. Meanwhile, let me take this opportunity to wish Paseka Mako a speedy recovery. What an ugly scene in a game of soccer. If Ofori should have collided with a Baroka FC player with his knee so high, then what action would have been taken by the match officials? It’s time match officials seriously ensure that all players are protected as at times we might lose lives in a game referred to as a game of gentlemen. What I noted in that game is that it was ended before time. Why did that happen? Lastly, is the PSL against Chiefs, or Zola Majavu is? All his cases involve Chiefs. Has he been hired to destroy the Chiefs empire? Now there’s a new charge for the Sekhukhune game. Hey, come on, PSL! Was there a protest, to start with?

Lebatlo Joshua Mati, Dilopye, Temba

When CR7 first scored 20+ goals, he was playing for Man United in the 2006/07 campaign and he continued for an amazing 16 seasons, including the hat-trick he scored against Norwich in the 3-2 win. It was the 60th career hat-trick for the 37-year-old, who refuses to age. I can only salute the living legend. It now looks like his old foe, Messi, won’t hit 20 goals for the first time in 13 seasons as he stands on a paltry eight goals with less than 10 games remaining. Amos “Tiger” Tshukudu, Ga-Maria