Make Your P int

THE DEADLINE FOR NEXT WEEK’S ‘MAKE YOUR POINT’ IS MONDAY, 10AM.

HAPPY READERS, A HAPPY FAMILY!

I enjoyed the Khabo Zondo interview in last week’s edition of Soccer Laduma. Congratulations to coach Zondo for being hired by Royal AM. Zondo teaming up with Dan Malesela and Abram Nteo may be productive. The style of football that he wants to play will really work, as he mentioned playing an attacking brand of football. I hope Royal AM will be aggressive, like he says. Lastly, compliments to Soccer Laduma letter writer Thapelo Masiapata of Ramaroka Village in Bolobedu. You are really doing a good job, together with all other MAKE YOUR POINT contributors. I love your letters. Moses Mokoena, Ga Mokwakwaila

I’ve been reading Soccer Laduma since 2004, when I was 15 years old and in high school, but surprisingly, I’ve never written even one letter to the paper. Today, I decided to break the curse, ha, ha, ha. I always look forward to reading letters from Malesela Dance Boya from Kanana in Hammanskraal and Moses Mokoena, my homeboy from Bolobedu, not forgetting Thapelo Masiapata. These three have interesting views. I support SuperSport United because of my all-time favourite player, Jabu Pule, since he joined them in 2005. Now that I’ve “made my point” on MAKE YOUR POINT, I’m never going to stop. Soccer Laduma is my favourite football publication and I still prefer the hard copy. Call me old school, ha, ha, ha. To the abovementioned guys, I’d love to meet up with you over chesa nyama one day and talk about soccer all day long. Please welcome me to this lively page! Malema Jojo wa Letsatsantsa, Atteridgeville

AMAKHOSI’S EARLY HICCUPS

If it was any other team, I’d have said it’s understandable that they lost their first game’, but it’s Chiefs we’re talking about here. There simply is no room for mediocrity and hence this defeat is just not acceptable, especially at the hands of Royal AM. You had ample time to prepare for the new season, coach Zwane, so no excuses. Your rivals have hit the ground running and that is exactly what’s expected of you. Your continued fielding of Ngezana is your demise. The guy is just not Chiefs material – he’s the weakest link in that defence. The rest of the team is promising, it’s that clinical finishing that is still lacking in the final third. I’m not sure whether you need a defensive coach to assist you because that’s where this team is drastically lacking. We all know that defence is the backbone of any successful team. All clubs have bolstered their squads, so it’s going to be a very tough season for everyone. Fix that defence soon or face criticism all year round, good luck. Hofmeyr Kwitshana, via email

New season, same old Chiefs. Zwane has his work cut out and one can only wish him luck and strength for the journey ahead. I don’t know how other Chiefs supporters are feeling, but I’m really worried about this team because nothing has changed. To concede a goal two minutes into your first game of the season is a cause for concern. Realistically, we have to aim for the MTN8 because that’s the easiest trophy to win as this team is still a long way off from challenging for the coveted Premiership title. To win the league, you have to minimise your losses and we’ve already lost a game, so my view is that Chiefs will lose five more games this season, which will automatically rule them out of the running for the league. Having said that, I’ll still be rallying behind that team and I wish them all the best for this season. On a parting note, we’ve lost so many games when Bvuma has started and I plead with coach Zwane to give Khune another chance because I think he still has a lot to offer. I have nothing against Bvuma, but I don’t think he’s the right man to guard our poles. Marvin Matseke-Mabula, Burgersfort, Rutseng Leboeng

All Chiefs need to be a complete team is for our management to sign strikers… at least two, then we will see what Zwane can do for us. One other thing I saw on Saturday is that we will definitely struggle to score via headers because we don’t have tall players anymore. If we don’t sort these two issues out, then we will forever play nicely but fail to score. Nafie Moloantoa, KwaThema

Penalties are part and parcel of the game. It is thus not a crime to commit a penalty, especially when it comes from the ball hitting the hand as opposed to rough-tackling an opponent inside the box. I’m directing this statement to Ngezana, who seems to have developed an annoying penchant for playing with his hands to his back in a vain attempt not to concede a penalty. During the goalmouth melee which resulted in Royal AM scoring, he was once again caught with his hands to his back. Mr Ngezana is attempting to do the impossible. I’ve never seen a player playing with his hands to his back and still being effective. This inhibits one’s balance and movement. Zwane was justified in calling development player Vilakazi to order for kneeling on the ball, yet he turns a blind eye to Ngezana’s unorthodox style of play. Ngezana, I punted for you to be a regular in that central defensive position, so please, Sir, cut us some slack. You have the physical attributes to be a top defender, but your style of play leaves much to be desired. George Sithole, Honeydew

First game of the season, Chiefs suffer defeat. I’m so disappointed in my favourite team. We must win our first match to show that we are going somewhere. I know that some will say it’s too early to press the panic button, but we dropped all three points. It is better to be early than late. We are going to be a joke to our enemies, Sundowns and Pirates, for the whole week because they collected full points on the weekend and we didn’t. We must do much better going forward. Khosi 4 Life! Nyambeni Samson Khuphani, Tshiawelo Ext 5

Definitely not the start that we wanted and hoped for as Chiefs faithful, but lots of positives to take. It was very disappointing to concede in the first minutes and unfortunately, it turned out to be the winning goal for Royal AM. In the two games that Amakhosi lost to the KZN side last season, the latter had all the possession and attacked the Soweto giants, but on Saturday, it was not the case. Chiefs dominated the game and I think that’s what Arthur wanted from his team. Their passing game was good to watch, albeit in patches, but that’s something that can be fixed. My worry though is the left back position because I don’t think Frosler is comfortable operating there. If Mabiliso is not up to the task, maybe they should loan him out instead of wasting his talent. In conclusion, congrats to all the winners and tough luck to the losers. Malesela “Dance” Boya,

Kanana, Hammanskraal

Chiefs must sign two or three strikers ASAP if they want to win any silverware this season. Coach Zwane must act fast or kiss the job goodbye. The team has made good signings and we don’t expect them to struggle with such quality. To make matters easy for the coach, he must believe in all the players at his disposal. Against a team like Royal AM, he must play guys like Sekgota and Mahlatsi. They are very good against a team that parks the bus. They are skilful and can take on players. Most defenders struggle against skilful players and end up committing silly fouls. Neo Mahlangu, Tembisa

The better team lost. In terms of stats, one could see a better Chiefs. To my fellow Khosi Nation supporters, let’s be patient with our coaching staff. Let’s remember Rome was not built in one day. Even the now excelling Sundowns struggled before they got their act together. Pitso was in some instances saved by Casspirs. Man United also lost their opening game, but that is not the end of the world. As always, winners fall, but they don’t stay down, they rise. 2022/23 will be a better season for my beloved Amakhosi. Once a Khosi, Always a Khosi! Lebatlo Joshua “Mr Cool” Mati, Dilopye, Temba

I’m credulous and assured that Chiefs is in good hands. Even though we lost against Royal AM, I believe that we are on track judging by the performance we displayed. We just need to tweak a few positions, then we’ll be a nightmare for our opponents. I think Zwane must ignore the gigantic fatuity by some section of the media, the likes of Junior Khanye and others, and concentrate on his job. Because when it comes to Khanye, there is nothing positive he has uttered regarding Chiefs. There is something luminous I see coming our way. Let the guys stop listening to lucid comments from the media. Thulani Wogqoyi, eNkanini,

Cape Town

They say the more things change, the more they stay the same. That every season is different. They also say it’s not how you start but how you finish. But then again, a strong start sets a good tone for the rest of the season, and yet complacency can creep in and others will improve and catch up. Whatever the case may be, it’s going to be ‘lit’. The likes of Man City, Bayern Munich, PSG and Sundowns are continuing where they left off last season, while the likes of Man United and my beloved Chiefs are doing the same (continuing where they left off) on the other side. The season is long enough for twists and turns. It’s not what it looks like until the last five games of the season, plus there’s a lot to play for considering the knockout competitions. As for my team, I don’t have high expectations for this season. I vouch for Zwane for the same amount of time that was given to Komphela to build a team. Patience. Lucky Khunou, Meriting

My team Chiefs never cease to amaze people. I watched the game against Royal AM with keen interest and I must confess that I was impressed by some of the new signings, such as Sithebe, who had a great game considering he had not played competitive football for the past five or so months. But I still think coach Arthur could have played Nkosingiphile Ngcobo instead of Alexander. The boy is more creative than Alexander and he isn’t shy to take responsibility. I still think we need to sign a natural goal poacher as we are yet to replace Nurkovic and Castro. Khama Billiat’s performance is questionable. He looks disinterested. The less said about Man United, the better. By the looks of things, I still think that Sundowns is the team to beat this season once again. Winning away against one of the best teams last season, with some of their best players such as Jali and Lakay on the bench, proved beyond doubt that they mean business. Lekiya Magoai, Nelly (Ga-Malope)

When we used to misbehave during the first week of our military courses, one instructor used to say,