Make Your point

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

AGREEING TO DISAGREE ON DOCTOR KHUMALO

I never thought I would write this letter, but Doctor Khumalo is too much now. Yho, this guy likes to praise himself, talking as if he was God of football. He played with guys like Muchichwa, Batchelor, Nauseb, Lebese, Ndlanya, etc, but he speaks like he was carrying Chiefs alone and played with amateur players. Yes, he was a good footballer, but not the greatest in the history of Mzansi. He didn’t even play for the “biggest clubs in the world” but acts like he won the World Cup with Bafana. There are many explayers who were better than him, but when interviewed, you won’t hear them praising themselves and saying things like, “He reminds me of myself when I used to mesmerize players.” He must talk more about his former teammates and how it was, not about how good he was and how he “changed the complexion of the game singlehandedly”. Enough now… yho! Tau Tona Molebatsi, Dobsonville Ext 3

Not sure what it is with us South Africans that we keep pushing each other down. Doctor Khumalo was a special player, whether you like it or not. Bafana won the Afcon as a team, but no one in their right mind can ignore his immense contribution. My learned friend here, Raymond van Niekerk (MAKE YOUR POINT, edition 1309), talks about Clive Barker favouring Doc over other players. Help me here, maybe I have amnesia, but I do recall Doc giving us special moments, and whenever he was out of the team or substituted, we suffered as a team. Remember the 2-0 lead we gave away against Brazil, which ended in defeat after Doc was substituted due to fatigue? Ja nhe, jealousy will make you nasty. Doctor was a darling of SA football and he still is to some of us. Please don’t get me wrong, I personally acknowledge the contribution and excellence of that team. Thanks to Shoes, Tinkler, Fish, Tovey, etc – they all delivered us an Afcon and I don’t recall Doc disputing that fact, hence I see no reason he should not praise himself. As for Mr Van Niekerk saying Doc comes across as insecure, like really now!? We’re talking about Doctor Khumalo here, one of the few players who need no validation. He’s been there, done that, got the T-shirt… and surprise, surprise, his boots are yet to be filled. Finally, Mr Van Niekerk says Doc was not that good. He mentions him as playing in the USA, referring to that league as a retirement league. Who came with the notion that if you play in England, you are the best player? In these shores, Doc gave us the best footballing moments ever. He has no reason to be validated by having played in Europe. Doc is a legend. He did well for himself and this country. Keep blowing your own trumpet, Mdokis. Themba Raymond Dladla, via email

No matter the topic or situation, somehow it has to be about him. In last week’s edition, Doctor Khumalo was paying tribute to the late John Moeti, a good gesture and well appreciated. Just as he was going nicely about paying homage to late John, he had to make it about him, writing of the Brazil game, “…people still talk about my performance…” That was very insensitive. What performance is he talking about because the entire team played well? Doctor really needs to tone it down because we are tired of his consistent bragging in his column. Each and every column, he has to gloat, but he forgets that he never played in any high-profile league or teams in the world. The very same players he played with at Bafana that he so undermines went on to play in Serie A and the EPL, while he took a shortcut to Argentina and the USA. I, for one, am tired of his bragging, more so after he did it while honouring the late John. I plead with the Editor to save us from Doctor’s bragging by removing his personalised comments. Morongwa Zwee Mokgohloa, Ga-Mokgohloa

ARROWS SHOOT DOWN AMAKHOSI!

If, for once, this team called Kaizer Chiefs thought they were rebuilding, they must think again. To me, it’s a total destruction of a team that was once the kings of SA football. This is a hopeless team, from the coach down to almost the entire squad. When I look at some players, I wonder what they are really doing at this team. What can we say? It’s a family club, let them destroy it. But one thing is certain, there’s no coming back from this quagmire. The damage has been gradual over the years and reversing it looks an insurmountable mission. Those fans that are still hopeful, I’m appealing to them to just forget it until the Motaungs sell this team to people who are serious about football. Hofmeyr Kwitshana, via email

Chiefs players lack commitment. They will get “10111” fired soon. Chiefs is a big team, it’s supposed to be on top competing for the championship. Kaizer Chiefs ayisafani madoda (is no longer the same, gentlemen), and it’s sad. Next season, they must also try and buy the best players in the league, like Sundowns, and bring the glory days back. This is a shame. Malema Jojo, Ga-Maphalle village, Bolobedu

I’m very disappointed about Chiefs. How can they lose when they were leading? We played much better in the first half to allow Arrows to come back. Chiefs play good football, but they miss scoring opportunities. We were supposed to score more than three goals in the first half. This thing of winning the one week and then losing the next is boring. We are always the laughing stock of our rivals. Nyambeni Samson Khuphani, Tshiawelo Ext 5

It’s difficult to defend Chiefs’ shameful display. It’s high time they learnt to kill off games when they

are in control. I still maintain that Chiefs don’t take video analysis seriously. They continue to make silly mistakes and fail to score when the opportunity arises. I remember Teboho Mokoena saying that at Sundowns they analyse their training session videos. One could tell that Arrows’ goals were coming. The defending was awful. We could have scored at least three goals before the break. Early in the second half, we should have buried chances, but Shabalala chose the selfishness route. Another big chance went to Du Preez, in a three-v-one situation. The same scenario will happen again in the next games, hence I question the video analysis. To make things worse, the coach takes pacey players out, in Shabalala and Saile, and replaces them with Caleb and Nange. That game was more highly intensive than tactical, it didn’t need those players. I don’t condone the booing, but those guys are on their own now. It’s time players have a meeting amongst themselves to reflect on their disrespectful performances. Lucky Khunou, Meriting

We were pleasantly surprised as Chiefs supporters to see Doc being invited to Naturena by Bobby Motaung as reported in the media. We are not sure what this visit means for the future of the club, as some of us have called for him to be roped into the technical team to assist Zwane. If this happens, it will greatly change things at Naturena as the two know the culture of the club so well and are licensed coaches who could bring the rebuilding project back on track because it’s veering off the rails right now. The players we have are generally good but are not mentally strong and maybe they are not coached properly and the addition of Mntungwa in the technical team will bring the much-needed impetus. For example, the match against Arrows could have been wrapped up early, but the players didn’t show that killer instinct. There are still unnecessary errors and lack of decision-making by almost all the players. Sithebe needs to practice shooting, Maart needs to learn when to take a shot and when to pass, Shabalala needs to stop being selfish at times. Du Preez could bring us a lot of goals if he can just learn to be calm. These are errors that could be corrected at training. Sindile Kwitshana, via email

I pen this missive with a heavy heart following our loss to Arrows, which was so unnecessary given the chances created. We should have easily killed off the game in the first stanza, but our players could not punish Arrows. Even in the second stanza, we had opportunities. Shabalala should have sealed the game for us with his second goal but chose the very difficult option of going for the last pole when the first pole was the easier option. Soon after, he was substituted. Zwane got his substitutions terribly wrong. Our defence should have done better to stop Makhubela’s solo run. What happened to taking one for the team? Sithebe should work more on his target shooting. He gets good opportunities in every game and does not convert. He positions himself very well and gets most of the second balls but fails to hit the target. Amos “Tiger” Tshukudu, Ga-Maria

If Chiefs don’t get their house in order very soon, we’ll end up going a decade without silverware. This definitely needs president Ramaphosa to also declare my team under the tag of National State of Disaster. On a serious note, the club’s demise started the day they decided to do away with a playmaker. We had guys like Doctor, Kungwane, Jabu, Skappie and Khanye. Scara was the last to excel in that role. Presently, we don’t have a player from the bench whose name we can chant so that he can come and change the complexion of the game when the chips are down. Mfundo Vilakazi played with older players in the Philly’s Games. It’s time he gets introduced gradually into the first team. If used correctly, he can pull those magical moments for us. Lastly, what are Shalulile and Mailula still doing in our league when they’re banging goals like they’re going out of business? Don’t they want to go swim with the bigger fish overseas? Nafie Moloantoa, KwaThema

Kudos to Arrows. I’m really disappointed that Chiefs lost because once they scored first, they relaxed. I thought the boys would not play to lose this time around. Why is Zwane chopping and changing the team unnecessarily? He keeps on benching Mashiane for no reason. I saw Motaung Jr. and Bobby during the match, they looked distraught. Sooner or later, management will pull the trigger on Zwane. It’s not right that Chiefs are losing games that they should’ve won easily. Pirates will teach us a big lesson on Saturday if we’re not careful. Anesipho Mabija, via email

Mr Editor, I know you always advise your readers to leave the coaches to do their work as they spend more time with the players. I fully agree, but I’m speechless after what I saw at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday. In short, we lost the game from the bench, coupled with the poor performance of the players on the field. Comedy of errors. Poor Maart cannot carry on working alone in the middle of the park, whilst people like Dolly are just strolling. As for why the latter spent more than 60 minutes on the field baffles me. Lastly, did anyone tell our players not to pass the ball to Saile? Is this jealousy rearing its ugly head? I don’t condone supporters throwing objects onto the field, but I know it’s frustration that leads to that. Mangethe and his players must know that they’re hurting millions of people out there. I left Peter Mokaba a very bitter person, seething, not about the loss but about how we lost the game. I couldn’t even watch my favourite Fan Base programme on SuperSport. Mompati Panyaza Ndlovu, Lekubu village, Zeerust

Quick One-Two’s

I was very impressed by the maturity shown by Aubrey Ngoma in last week’s issue of Soccer Laduma. He answered the questions like a seasoned campaigner. He understands that he can’t play all the games because there are younger and more energetic players in his position. He also respects his profession and contract as he never participates in kasi tournaments during the off-season. He’s representing us, the people of Hammanskraal, and inspiring the next generation. He didn’t let fame go to his head, having played for both Pirates and Sundowns. I wish him all the best for the remainder of the season. The less said about my team (Chiefs), the better. Malesela “Dance” Boya, Kanana, Hammanskraal

I’ve been following Ramovic. I noted his constructive criticism of Vilakazi. I feel sorry for the player, but I fully back the coach in this one. What disappointed me was to read Pitso’s comment, contradicting what Ramovic said. Pitso was incorrect to comment like that because he was not at Galaxy training when Ramovic was experiencing what he did with Vila. Secondly, why was Mosimane not playing Vilakazi regularly at Sundowns if he’s a hard worker and a top-quality player? I believe all these topquality players with natural talent become unbelievable if they add some hard work to their craft. Hard work, after all, has different levels. Think about the real hard workers, like Ramos and CR7. Do you think Kekana and Vilakazi were viewed with the same eye during their Downs days? It’s not a coincidence that the former achieved way more under the same technical team. Teto has been demoted under the same circumstances. In summary, I love Ramovic, he brings something different and important managing skills to our football. Lastly, the Editor’s column is too hot these days. Keep up the good work, VeeJay and the Soccer Laduma team. Kwazikwakhe “Mapholoba” Ngcobo, Umlazi

Can someone please buy AmaZulu FC from this Sandile Zungu? When he took over the club, he spoke like someone who knew football and promised the club’s supporters the world. As it turned out, he is clueless about what he’s doing. He first let go of Benni, a coach who led the club to its first participation in African competition. He then hired Truter, a coach who broke a PSL record by drawing 20 games with Swallows FC. He let go of best-performing players the previous season in Mulenga and Memela. Then hired inexperienced ‘child’, Folz. Most SA players are spoilt brats, they’ll never respect a coach their age. That Folz will lose the dressing room, if not already. Zungu said this guy is the best thing that ever came to AmaZulu since he took over. Maybe he impressed him with presentations. Football is played on the grass, not in the boardroom. Lulama Nqeketho, Delft, Cape Town