Make Your P int

1300 AND COUNTING…

Too many interesting things have happened in the football world, but knowing that my beloved Soccer Laduma is celebrating its 1300th edition stands out for me. I’ve always been passionate about football, but when I accidentally became a reader of this publication, my mind was made up that this is where I’m “tying the knot”, so to speak. Little did I know that I’d go on to learn this much about the game through this publication. With me eating, sleeping and dreaming football, I’ve inspired my nine-year-old daughter to be a big football fan – she plays goalkeeper by the way. All of that happened without me imposing my world view on her. She watches a lot of football when I’m not with her and will share a lot of updates with me. Sometimes I’d even forget about a fixture, but she’ll call me with all the updates and I thank Soccer Laduma for all that. Because my daughter and I are both friends and twins, we’ll be looking to work as analysts or pundits in the next two years. She’s really good, for a ‘baby’, and it all started with me. But the seed in me was planted by Soccer Laduma. Many more! Kwazikwakhe Ngcobo, via email

This week we are celebrating Issue No. 1300 of Soccer Laduma and we are still counting. Keep up the good work, we are fully behind you. Siyabonga Nkalambela, Delft

HERE’S THE PROBLEM, VEEJAY…

To sum up VeeJay’s column of last week about the Soweto Derby in one word: “identity”. That’s what we lack or have lost in our game in general, including all national teams. We are made to believe that our football identity is ineffective and that show-meyour-number is disrespectful, disregarding the psychological effect it has on disarming the opponent. In some sports, like boxing and wrestling, it’s normal to do anything to have an upper hand against the opponent. In wrestling, in particular, they even slap an opponent in full view of millions. Tell me if that’s not disrespectful. The current generation is different to the yesteryear generation partly because of stifled and rigid coaching. It took a young Mdu Shabalala to shake up the crowd at FNB Stadium on Saturday. We don’t have special derby players anymore because they are being restricted. Nkosingiphile Ngcobo could be one of those players because he has the ability to dictate the tempo of play. Young Zwane has got the arrogance to boss the midfield like Yaya. Sekgota has to be decisive and get his precision right. Sadly, we were denied a legitimate goal as a result of VAR being unavailable after the promise that it was going to be made available. Our young lads succeeded

where our experienced campaigners failed, converting their penalties in front of a big crowd against a seasoned goalkeeper. Lucky Khunou, Meriting

RAUTMANN RESPONDS

Dear Malesela “Dance” Boya, I don’t mind being criticised, but you got your “facts” wrong. I did not contact the reporter but was phoned by one and I was asked for my opinion about the Chippa coach not having a FIFA licence or qualifications. All I said was that to coach in the PSL, you must have a FIFA A Licence, otherwise you are taking chances. Such a coach might get lucky and win games, but in the end, he might be found wanting. What’s wrong with that? It is not disrespectful. This was meant for all such coaches. You are pointing out Mammila’s comments that I only saved teams from relegation, I did not win any trophies. Firstly, to take teams out of relegation is tougher than coaching rich clubs at the top because teams at the bottom are there for a reason: bad management, no money, no sponsors, weak players. So, it’s a very tough job to get these teams to safety. How

should I win a trophy when I take all the teams from the bottom, with 12 games to go? Again, I managed to take three clubs to cup finals, as I’ve stated before. I was chosen Coach of the Week many times with Moroka Swallows, Coach of the Month with Black Leopards, runner-up for Coach of the Year with AmaZulu FC. Not bad for a coach without a trophy. I’m sure you’re still upset because I hammered your Amakhosi 3-0 with Leopards, so you decided it’s time to put me on pension, but your “facts” are not correct. Oh, and I still love to support my team Manchester City, the Citizens, the best team in the world! From Soweto, King of the Zulus, Lion of the North, Mr Fitness! Walter Rautmann, Ex-PSL head coach

DELIGHT & DESPAIR AS DOWNS

DOMINATE! It was the first time for Sundowns participating and they were crowned champions. Congrats! They showed their intentions so early against AmaZulu FC and Mothwa was helpless when Mailula pulled the trigger for the shot that deflected off Makhaula into the net. Sundowns’ ball rotation is so difficult to break down. When they attack, they do

so in numbers. Talk about men on the rampage. As for Pirates, they redeemed themselves by beating Chiefs, even if via penalties. A loss is a loss is a loss. The final was a repeat of the MTN8 semis and Downs were still bitter about how they were beaten by Pirates. Xoki was reckless and used excessive force. We don’t need those kinds of career-threatening tackles.

Pirates lost shape after he was sent off and you can’t face Sundowns numerically disadvantaged, they’ll skin you alive. Mailula is becoming better in every game. Sweet revenge by Downs, with Pirates nowhere to be found. Congrats to the Yellow Nation and good passing, rotational football. Madimetja Vic Mashamaite, Renstown

Congrats to my team for winning the Carling Black Label Cup. At Sundowns, there’s no friendly game. What a sweet revenge against Pirates. So good to see young Yellow troops being given an opportunity to mingle with the big dogs. Coach Rhulani is maturing like fine wine, Sundowns’ future is in good hands. Ka Bo Yellow Masandawana!

Simon Mogashoa, Ivory Park, Ext 2

The three Carling Black Label Cup games were very interesting to watch and worth every cent. It looked like AmaZulu FC were still suffering from the MTN8 disappointment and Sundowns showed their superiority by brushing them aside. The Soweto Derby didn’t disappoint, albeit lacking goals. To see the young talent, especially from Chiefs, was one of the highlights of the day. The boys were not fazed by the occasion but showed maturity in front of a full-capacity crowd. There’s always a villain in games like this and that prize went to Xoki. The guy had no reason to go for that reckless tackle because Domingo didn’t pose any threat. I wish Domingo a speedy

recovery. Malesela “Dance” Boya, Kanana, Hammanskraal

On behalf of Schweizer-Reneke Amakhosi branch, let me salute the entire Carling Black Label Cup organizers who managed to unite us under one roof for the whole day. Besides the rainy weather, there is nothing we can complain about. Indeed, the atmosphere was so electrifying. I mean, after so many years without being in a tournament like this, all the teams gave us what we expected from them on the field of play. We thank you so much. Ofentse Kakapa Mahatlhe, Schweizer-Reneke

The Carling Black Label Cup was labelled with phrases like “football will kill you” and “youngsters grabbing their chance with both hands”. Without VAR, Chiefs were disallowed a legitimate goal, where the assistant referee got it completely wrong. It’s such decisions that “will kill the coach completely dead”. What a sweet revenge for Sundowns against Pirates in the final. They outclassed Pirates in all departments from the start with their slick passing game. Rhulani used speed and skill to outwit his opponent. It was good to see some coaches give a run to the youngsters. The likes of Zwane and Shabalala from Chiefs and Siyasi and Mailula from Sundowns showed that South African football has talent to take our country to the next level. Take note of that name Cassius Mailula, this boy proves that Sundowns don’t just rely on Shalulile for goals. Kuzoba lit! Gavin Ryan, Emalahleni

Congrats, Masandawana, for clinching the Carling Black Label Cup in style. You came to FNB Stadium well prepared. Unfortunately, Pirates failed to see the mood you were in when you ate AmaZulu FC for breakfast, so you had them for supper. They forgot that they recently gave you a hiding in the MTN8. So, what a good revenge to beat them with the same score line and to add one more for good measure. The less said about my team Chiefs, the better. Lastly, kudos to the fans for attending the event in rainy weather. Big up to you, guys. Boitumelo Vanrooyen, Schweizer-Reneke

We had spectacular football over the weekend. What Carling Black Label did was amazing, with fans enjoying three games involving big teams in one day. We missed this kind of competition and hopefully next year it will also have a lot of spark. Lebo Blennis, Ikhutseng – Warrenton

Becoming Carling Black Label Cup champions is good for Downs, especially supporters because that shows our selection was better than the one made by the coaches. Well done to the Ka Bo Yellow nation for playing better. You tried your best, but for me, what matters the most is the performance and selection of Domingo, Kapinga, Mailula and Onyango. Thank you, Rhulani, for fielding these players, we still need them. I hope you will keep on selecting them and keep that Maema on the bench. Even Zwane must start on the bench! We have a lot of good players, we want to see them playing if the others don’t perform well. I hope next time the sponsors will include all 16 PSL teams to compete for the cup. Waya Maxazi, via email

A big congrats to Sundowns for clinching the Carling Black Label Cup. Once again, it showed their dominance and the depth in their squad after coming with almost a new team in the second game compared to the team that played earlier against AmaZulu FC. It was a good day of football and, in end, the Beautiful Game was the winner, even if rain nearly disturbed the proceedings. Leponesa Chacha, Botshabelo

What an unforgettable Saturday! We enjoyed the new version of the Carling Black Label Cup. More enjoyable was that all the teams played their hearts out. Not only that, the value of the tournament has been increased, for it is now a competitive race of four teams. The more competitive a tournament becomes, the more valuable it will become. Unlike the erstwhile two-horse race, which was regarded as a preparation tournament for a new season, the four-horse race will create an ideal atmosphere for development of local football. Congrats to Sundowns. They were unstoppable. It was a great marvel to watch them score seven goals, without conceding. The silky Brazilians are effortlessly skyrocketing without limits. Batsirai Kativu, Johannesburg

The Carling Black Label Cup was so interesting. Well done to all four teams who took part. The final was great, with Sundowns giving Pirates a big hiding. The latter were running like headless chickens, you wouldn’t have believed that they are the MTN8 champions. Sundowns scored four beautiful goals past the fluke champions. Congrats to the CBL champions! Nyambeni Samson Khuphani, Tshiawelo Ext 5

I’d like to remind our noisy neighbours that sometimes it’s good to get a taste of your own medicine. Chiefs can complain until they’re blue in the face, but the fact of the matter is that you lost the game, period. What is so disappointing about the so-called Chiefs hypocrites is that they always look at things from one angle or with a blind eye. Remember Lepasa was ruled offside when he was one-on-one with the keeper. The same ‘blind’ Chiefs supporters can suddenly ‘see’ that the linesman got it wrong on Du Preez. Oh, please! Be consistent and don’t apply double standards. The sooner you accept

that Pirates beat you, the better. By the way, let me also remind you about your so-called Chiefs legend when he said he was disappointed by Mothwa for conceding a free kick from Saleng instead of giving credit to Saleng for that beauty, yet the same hypocrite gives credit to Maart for his derby goal, yet Ndlondlo was fouled and Mpontshane was way out of his line. He could not mention that. Please, bhuti, be objective. I understand chest pains and jealousy get the better of you, but please don’t be a bad loser. Give credit where it’s due. Congrats, Mabhakaniya, our streets were dead quiet. We sorted the country. Phumezile Gaxela, Kuils River

To Riveiro and everybody who lives and breathes Pirates, I will forever thank you for winning the more important cup, which is the MTN8. The red card against Sundowns opened the floodgates for them to attack us. Even though we lost, the big one is in the bag – that’s all that matters. May you enjoy Christmas and the World Cup. After the global showpiece, come back strong, guys. We believe in you. Thokozane Dludlu, Emalahleni

OH, AND WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?

I wish our players can have professionals to talk to. Erasmus looks sick, depressed and frustrated. Applauding Xoki’s tackle on Domingo shows a psychological problem on his part. The tackle was brutal and career-threatening, but Erasmus saw it as a motivational step. It didn’t end there as he even confronted coach Rhulani. This worries me as this will not end there but to Pirates’ technical team. I want to believe the rumours that his contract was terminated because he started becoming a bad influence in the Downs dressing room. I’m worried about

his behaviour.

Terah Maqepula, Mount Fletcher

I’m so impressed by Rhulani when it comes to soccer, he is brilliant. He’s turned Sundowns into a monster team. However, his behaviour is boring. He talks a lot nowadays. His beef against Erasmus was uncalled for. What he’s done for the player, especially when his father passed away, is not an issue for us fans to know about. He did what a team official was supposed to do in that situation. He must be down-to-earth. If he continues like this, he will create more enemies. Danny “Madeenzo” Moreo, Segakwana village, Moruleng

I’m happy that Erasmus put Rhulani in his place. Truth be told, Rhulani is out of line. He’s going to be fired from Sundowns, just you wait! I know he wants to control everything and in no time he’ll want to control Tlhopie Motsepe. He destroyed Mngqithi and now he’s going for Jali, Zwane, Sirino, Onyango and all the senior players. He wants yes-men. But watch out, Sundowns is not Black Poison FC. Stephen Mpya, Mamphulo village