Danny Jordaan just fire Gordon Igesund already!!!

Contrary to the headline I personal feel Gordon has done a relatively good job with Bafana Bafana and should definitely be retained as the national coach at least until 2014 when his contract is due to expire. If SAFA is serious about uplifting South African football from the doldrums, then the first step is retaining the man who has been steadily working to achieve that task. Gordon inherited a woefully team, with failed structures and a losing mentality. In the 16 match rein of Pitso Mosimane as head coach the last of his 6 wins came 8 matches before he was fired. His predecessor had a record of 10 wins 3 draws and a massive 14 losses that’s a 52% of the matches played. Even though Gordon has a modest 44% win percentage, one has to look at the variables that lead to that percentage. In 8 competitive matches he won 4 lost 2 and drew 2 that’s a 10 points dropped out of a possible 24 points. However it is a 50% win rate and only a 25% losing rate in competitive games and keeping in mind that one of those two loses was a quarterfinal penalty shootout against a team ranked 30 places above Bafana! We have seen a change in playing style under Igesund and have seen a steady albeit slow progress toward a national team that will be a major force in Africa and at least be competitive internationally.

It is therefore with a sad heart that I request Danny Jordaan to fire Igesund as I believe he is the man to move Bafana Bafana forward. He is definitely the best local coach that we have, his record speaks for itself. 15 months is not enough for even greatest of managers to turn a pathetic team to world beaters. Sir Alex Ferguson only won his first trophy the FA cup with Man United only after 3 years in charge and his first of his 13 titles EPL titles in his 7 year in charge. If one the greatest, if not the greatest manager had to be given time to succeed. Why can’t we give Gordon the time he needs to make Bafana a force to be reckoned with? I firmly believe that the national coach of any nation should be born of that nation. The same way we cannot have a foreigner as a President, the same principal should apply in managing the national team. There is a sense of pride, honor, nationalism that goes with the job and regardless how qualified and professional an applicant is, if they are not born of that nation then they cannot lead that nation. Hence why when I look at the South African coaching fraternity I see no manager who can replace Gordon as head coach and transcend the progress that he has achieved and is still to achieve!

Having said all that I have, I find it absurd that the newly appointed SAFA President is noncommittal when it comes to the issue of the national coach. He does not have to offer him an extended new bumper contract but should at least confirm publicly that Gordon will be in charge until his contract expires July next year. As failure to do so will hamper the national team’s progress under Gordon, in that his working environment will not be conducive to obtain the required results. Already we have seen that the uncertainty is getting to him, in his last few interviews his optimism has certainly subsided. Even though he is still the consummate professional in doing his job, one can’t help but feel that he is close to losing his cool. Yesterday in an interview you could sense that he had lost his patience with SAFA’s many voices. On the one side he has been assured of his place until the end of his contract and on the other the is talk of a mandate to win of make the final of CHAN. This to and fro that is happening is counterproductive and is taking the national team backwards. If as the President has announced since his elections that SAFA will set up a committee and have conversations and build this grand plan that will propel South Africa to the top of football’s echelons is to be taken seriously. Then surely providing a productive and stable environment for the man currently in charge, is a pre-requisite to ensuring than your grand plan starts of on a good note? Whether Gordon is will be part of the “grand plan” or not, it hurts Bafana’s own cause if his last months in charge are unproductive and filled with him having to defend himself publicly for the next 8 months. His time should be spent on taking the team as far as he can in order to lay a foundation for this grand plan and to help however will be charged with implementing this plan as best as he can.

Therefore as much as I believe that Gordon is the man to lead us forward, I firmly believe that if SAFA cannot afford him the environment the will be most conducive to him obtain the best results and progress in our quest to reclaim our glory. Then it is best that they relieve him of his duty and save us a painful 8 months of self-destruction!

Kaymac @WordPress

A world class derby

It was truly a scintillating football match probably the best I’ve seen in a while. Both team came out for a fight and both gave it all they had however the beauty of a cup match means there can only be one winner. First half chiefs had the chances and Nkosi was really in the thick of things, linking up midfield with the strikers with ease. Pirate had the position but chiefs looked threatening every time they went forward. If it wasn’t for at times poor decision making by Shabba and Yeye they could have really capitalised, however it wasn’t the case. On the other end Kermit was causing havoc getting behind the defence and running at the defence. Then the goal came a well taken set piece, it seems Baxter has really worked on this part of Chiefs game not only was the one they score great but all their set pieces seems well organised and planned every player knew what they had to do and they executed them perfectly. As much as Chiefs had worked on their set piece Pirate’s defence was awful Tefu had a free header from Six meters out, at this level of football that’s unacceptable. The man who was supposed to be making him Sangweni is an experienced defender and should have done better. Being unmarked Tefu had enough time and space to power home a great header however Senzo managed to block the goal bound effect however the ball fell to Parker’s feet and he grabbed the gift with both hands. A part of me felt he should have rather parried it over the bar or toward the touch line, its rule 101 for keeper to parry away from play if they can’t catch the ball. However in his defence it was one powerful header. The tie was level on aggregate and that seems to push the panic button in the bucs team and they lost focus. This was the opportunity Chiefs should have taken to kill off the match, however they let it slip and let Pirate of the hook.

Pirates came out like a house on fire second half Roger must have given one hell of a pep talk, as they attacked from the get go. His tactical substitution of bring on Myeni for the lethargic Segolela was a master stroke. Pirate where firing from all cylinders and a goal was inevitable hitting the post and throwing everything at Chiefs. Ace was running the show and it was only a matter of time however chiefs was still threatening on the counter. However then came a moment that change the balance of the game and practically gave Pirate the game. Baxter took out Nkosi and put in Nkatha this move unbalanced Chiefs as Nkosi had kept Masalesa busy and restricted him to defensive work. Nkatha on the other hand freed him up and Pirate where on their way.

Then came the big moment when The ref gave Pirates a penalty and yes it was a penalty. Morgan Gould never even tried to contest for the ball he just played the man. It was a dangerous infringement and deserved the punishment. The sad part about this is that if Gould had just stood still and did nothing Rooi wouldn’t have even got close to scoring from the corner as the ball would have been out of his reach. Bacela stepped up and sent Khune the wrong way. Needless to say Pirate took their foot of the peddle and that’s a one of football mysteries that I will never understand. Instead of controlling the game and slowing it down looking to frustrate Chiefs, while still giving themselves a chance to increase their lead. They opted to defend and that almost allowed Chiefs to win the game in the final minutes Yeye and Majoro had golden chances but failed to take advantage. The final whistle came to the rapturous sound of Orlando Stadium celebrating Orlando Pirate’s progress in the tournament.

All in all it was a cracker of match worth watching over and over again and Myeni really ended it nicely by breaking Gould’s bones with that tapaiti at the end. South african football at its best

Kaymac @WordPress

Mata’s not the happy one :-(

In Mata we trust was the slogan sung by many Chelsea fans for the past two seasons and indeed it was justified. He was out and out the best player on the pitch for them, a technical and tactically gifted genius. One off the best attacking midfielders in the world, a player that can walk into any team in the world. A World, Europeans and Champions league winner who had earned his stripes and had looked to do so for many years to come.

On top of the world helping his nation retain the Euros, a little bird whispered in the rumour mil that he was no longer good enough for the blue jersey. This was denied by all parties however as we all have learned in the past rumours normally bear a little truth in them. We all could not understand who would come up with such a lie and dismissed this as pure speculation however 5 games into the season and it seems it was in fact the naked truth. Mata has lost his place in the starting eleven and is now a peripheral figure at Standford Bridge. Sitting on the bench and finally not even making it on to it. The excuse we have been given is that he needs to adapt his game or he will never regain his place. You might be asking yourself round about now why? Well according to “The happy one” he needs to defend more! Yes I also almost had a heart attack when I read that too. Who the hell gets a Bugatti and parks it in the garage because of its fuel efficiency. The reason given is absolutely ridiculous and actually an insult to football itself. Sergio Ramos once said Mou will never understand because he never played the game professionally and his words seem to ring true. Yes he has won two Champions league crowns however the year Porto won the cup was the dullest in all the years of the competition and Inter created a new playing style “park the Bus”. He turned Real Madrid into a counter attacking team even though he had the some of the best attacking players in the world. His Chelsea team that dominated the EPL in his first spell was more a combination of robustness and brute force rather than a technical or a tactical well-oiled machine. So its safe to say when it comes to attacking football or attacking players Mou will never understand. The Happy one will win you matches and silverware that’s guaranteed however it will never be through scintillating technical football. Johan Cryff once said Mourinho can never coach Barcalona simply based on his preferred playing style. Hence why this dilemma with Mata maybe he just doesn’t understand how to use such a great attacking gem or maybe we are looking too much into the technical side maybe the is a ulterior motive

After all Mata is spanish, born in Madrid, was developed at Castilla, is friends with Iker and Ramos, plays in that world cup winning national team that thinks it knows everything. Well it’s a possibility, think about it Mou hadn’t even met Mata and yet the rumours where already spreading that he will be sold. When Mata came back from his holiday he had already lost his place, not to insult anyone but Kevin De Bruyne and Andre Schurrle are no defensive masters in the middle of the pitch. Let’s be honest how much defensive work does Hazard put in on the left? Even if these players defended more than Mata what’s the point of Lampard, Ramirez, Van Ginkel and Mikel if its not to cover for the attacking players. Its a well know fact that Mourinho prefers to play with two defensive midfielders to cushion the back four and enable the three behind the striker more freedom upfront. This new requirement to defend can only mean Chelsea will play a more assured slow build up type of football. If that is the case then how does one explain a fast dribbling left wing with minimal defensive work in Hazard and the creative spark of Oscar in the middle and then on the right we have a box to box type of midfielder that Mou wants Mata to be? The team would be totally unbalanced especially since he already has two of those sitting in front of the back four. Anyone who has watched Chelsea play lately would have realised that something or should we say someone is missing. We all know Mou is a great manager and therefore knows exactly who is missing. If this is about football and nothing personal then all Mou would do is fill in the missing cog. They question that remains is why has he not done so.

All in all with the World Cup less than a year away Mata needs to find playing time and its either he learns how to defend or finds a new home either way the world needs to watch Mata play week in and week out anything less is a tragedy.

Kaymac @WordPress

Bale an investment worth €100 million

Many seem astonished at the price tag, some even think its desperation but madristas know that this is what we do. These kinds of transfers made the Blancos the most successful club in history. “Bale becomes an heir of the great players that wore the Madrid jersey before. We will always try to sign the best players in the world. That is the strategy which made Madrid the greatest club of the 20th century” said the president. This is a statement that emphasizes the clubs culture and its characteristics. The Royal club based in the capital needs to evoke a certain amount of extravagance. Were it not for the signings of such greats as that of honorary club President Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskus, Hugo Sanchez, Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo the history of the club would be something totally different. We have often seen during elections candidates promise big name signings should they be elected. This is what is expected at Madrid, it’s a way of life. What these signing mean for the club, is way beyond the strength they add to the team and success on the football pitch. They add tremendous riches to the team’s coffers through marketing deals and TV ratings and shirt sales. The price tag of this deal on its own is already marketing tool, in fact I can guarantee the whole world will stop to watch his debut simply because of all the hype surrounding his transfer. Even the most hardcore Cules will want to see their new enemy in action. This business concept seems hard to understand for some of the football fraternity but it’s this exact model that has proved the most successful in the history of football. Teams that spend the most often win the most bar for the once in a life time rare occurrence that has happened at Barca in that last half a decade. However even with that said if you put a price tag on those players you will find a group of very expensive players who luckily happened to be develop at the same academy. Therefore it is fact of football that money buys trophies, if that was a fantasy tale then Chelsea, Man City and PSG would all be nonexistent when it come to the champions league even in their domestic leagues. As proven by their meteoric rise since the mega cash injections that the owners invested in these teams. AC Milan, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Arsenal and Valencia’s loss of stature in world football is ultimately due to the financial troubles they’re experiencing or in Arsenal’s case lack of expenditure. Years ago teams like Porto, Villarreal, Lyon and Roma just to name a few, where worthy contenders in Europe’s elite football competition but nowadays it a totally different story. The deal does not only guarantee Madrid the third best footballer in the world but it also guarantees income for the club to enable it to remain at the top for a foreseeable future. This deal is ingenious because not only does it guarantee Madrid a 30 plus goals (some spectacular match winning ones) and 10 plus assist per season but that it also guarantees massive revenue. While Gareth Bale was being unveiled at the directors box 20 000 filled the stadium just for a glimpse of their new galactico however when they came out after the unveiling scores had decided to stay outside and instead visited the Madrid shop and got their hands on his coveted jersey,it was sold out in minutes. On the unveiling alone Madrid made millions, you don’t become a billionaire without a great business brain and Florentino Perez certainly has one. In a year’s time when the Deloitte football money league standings are announced Real Madrid will be on top and this 100 million investment will be one of the main reasons for that. In signing off I leave you with the wise worlds of the President “ great players pay for themselves”.

Kaymac @WordPress

Theatre of Dream the stage is set

Monday night football has never has never been this enticing, the weekend passed and all the pretenders strutted their skills. Some won others lost but no one really cared as all those where appetizers for tonights encounter. The theatre of dreams is the venue many dreams have been filled and dash at this venue and tonight will be no different. The heir to Sir Alex Ferguson’s throne versus the self anointed “Only One”. This match up holds what could be the key to who wins the EPL title. In one corner we have the big league novice, chosen by the legend himself to fill the enormous void he left when he retired and in the other we have a man who’s already on his way to being a legend in his own right. Moyes with all his experience as a manager is sailing uncharted waters never before has there been pressure or at worst an expectation that he needs to bring home silverware. All his life he has worked under the shadows such big match ups where ticked of as draws or loses by his boss and his loyal supporters. Now at Man U the greatest team in english history (regardless what they think at Anfield) he is expected to triumph and do so comfortably especially at Old Trafford. Against him stands a man who’s record speaks for itself, 2 champions leagues, and a grand slam of career titles (except Bundesliga). He has come home to Stamford bridge, where he is adored and held to high esteem. Wanting to repay all this affection this match up wouldn’t have come at a better time. United have the best strike in the world, pace on the wing and a solid defense however they are a bit short changed in the middle of the park. Chelsea on the other hand have some of the most talented midfield players in the world and also boast and solid defense. The only issue is the misfiring front line. Which is why this match will be won and lost in the dug out and tactics will be the deciding factor. This is why this match is more decisive for Moyes as his failure reinforce in the transfers market has some doubting his ability to manage such a big club. Therefore a convincing voctory against a Mou lead Chelsea will go a long way to silencing those murmurs and giving him the self belief he needs to survive at this level. The Only one is in a better predicament having proved himself already this for him is more of an opportunity to stamp his arrival in England and stake his claim as the King of the EPL. Whatever happeneds this goes along way to determining who will be champs come may, no disrespect to Pellegrini’s Man City but tonight we see the true contenders for the title. Who will draw first blood? Has SAF pulled a rabbit out the hat by appointing Moyes as his successor or will Mou ruin the party for the protege as he often did for the master?

Kaymac @WordPress

Soweto Derby

Its one of the best derbies in the world, watch by millions not only on this beautiful continent of ours but world wide. Who’s going to come out on top? The fans have voted the coaches have gone on record saying they’re happy with the selections. The atmosphere is already electric today on the eve of the derby both sides of supporters are branded in their respective team’s colours. The question remains who’s going to take it? Here is my review

Chiefs: They are the reigning champions and will look to remind everyone of that fact and the best way to do that is to beat their fiercest rivals and likely the only contender to their thrown.

Khune South Africa’s No.1 will definitely be hard to beat, a shot stopper of note. The captain will be the pillar of defence and his distribution will be key in mounting counter attacks consider the speed the team possess further up the field. He is a bit cagey with the high ball but I don’t see Pirate crossing the ball that much. In front of him he will have the pairing of Mathoho and Mashamaite both big and strong defenders with quite reasonable pace. They will be hard to beat. Either side of them will be Masilela and Gaxa international with experience off playing in European leagues. On any day these two wingback can pair up for the national team with no one questioning their place. These speedy wingbacks like to attack especially Gaxa and also has a venomous shot to boot whether their attacking forays will leave gaps for Pirates speedy wingers to exploit remains to be seen. In midfield we have Yeye as the general who possess both attacking and defensive abilities, he will need to be on song and pull the strings if chiefs want to win it. Though it might be too much of a burden since his midfield partner are quite attack orientated and might leave him stranded however Chiefs has been playing a defensive system that required a team effort therefore that might not be a problem. Dladla a veteran with slick passing and vision. He will create problems for the opposing team with his set of skills. Tshabalala has had some sort of renaissance in the latter part of last season his creative juice seem to have comeback to him and he will be threat. Lebese has grown into an attacking gem the speedy tricky winger will always be a threat going forward. He is sure to run at the defenders and create lots of problems his definitely on to watch. Upfront we have Parker the striker/attacking midfielder will look to link up with the midfield and a find spaces to fashion goal opportunities. Majoro the pacey attacker will look to break the offside trap and exploit spaces behind the defence. Luckily for him the players behind him possess a hell of a lot of vision and with Parker pulling defender with him, with his deep roaming trait he should have enough space to burn the heels of defenders and get scoring chances

Pirates: The wounded beast who lost the crown to the worst possible winner in their eyes. They will have a point to prove believing they lost the title, it was never won.

Meyiwa has finally cemented his place as the Bucs No1 even earning call ups to the national team. Very assured between the sticks however gives the impression that he’s beatable. In front of him one man is missing Sangweni and since his absence the defence hasn’t been as solid. However with the combination of Lekgwathi and Mahamutsa they have sort of filled the gap. Lekgwathi the captain, the veteran will use all his experience and guile to marshall the defence. Along side him is the tactically gifted Mahamutsa together they will use their strength and physicality to bully the faster smaller Chiefs duo. Happy Jele at right back is quite secure and loves his forays up the field. he will be tasked with marshalling Lebese a tough ask which might limit him going forward however on the counter that might be an advantage and Lebese may not track back often enough and that might be gap he requires for those thunderous drives. Matlaba talented left back an international who links up well with midfield. Relatively secure at the back but an attacking threat going forward and another with a venomous shot. Jali the midfield destroyer/general you name it he is it. Look to him to destroy the opposition’s attacks and be the springboard for his team’s. His partnership with Manyisa has run rings around Chiefs before and is likely to do the same. Ace they call him like in any poker game you always want an Ace in your hand. Tactical, technical, visionary are his traits will have a huge impact on the outcome, his passing and movement will create chance for Pirates and he also has a knack of scoring spectacular goals. Myeni out and out winger pacey, technical will take on defenders and get behind them expect slick inter changing passes between him and his midfield peers to create openings. Segolela if he signed a contract extension then his pace will be a handful for the defenders, has a knack of ending up in goal scoring positions expect him to get a few chances to put the ball at back of the net. Mabena a nippy kind of strike might be the only weak link in the Pirates team but he will try as hard as he can to be a nuisance to the defence but his strike partner Mbesuma will definitely be a nuisance a big strong striker with an appetite for goals. Has the ability to turn a half chance into a goal. He does not need much space but beware the inch you afford him as that might be all that he needs.

All in all two tightly matched teams with all to play for. Some might say this is pre-season but for these heavyweight no derby is ever a friendly.

My prediction a tactically entertaining duel between two top line ups, a lot of half chances but a few clear cut opportunities. It will probably end up 1 a piece and will finally be decided by penalties, in who’s favour well…

Kaymac @WordPress

Barcelona’s South American charm

Over the years FC Barcelona has been blessed with talented South American football players who’s signings has brought them trophies galore. Is it just a coincidence or does they’re success lie in this phenomenon? It started with the short stay of Maradona and Ronaldo however more recently the signing of Ronaldinho from PSG in 2003/2004 is the reference point of this beautiful charm. He arrived due to then president Joan Laporta’s failure to land David Beckham and went on to be a Barca legend. The two time Ballon d’Or winner went on to win 6 trophies at Barca including 2 La Liga titles and the Champions League to boot. With his demise up came one who is considered one of the best players of all time Lionel Messi, yeap you guessed it another South American. His story is for the ages manufacture at the famous La Masia he bust onto the scene and has helped Barca to an astonishing 20 titles including 3 yes 3 Champions leagues, 6 La Liga’s and 2 Club World Cups and the scary part is his still due for a lot more. This brings us to their latest South American import Neymar the silky smooth assassin at 21 is still learning his craft and one can only imagine what he will be capable off once he has mastered it. With Messi only halfway through his career and Neymar only beginning his one can only wonder what’s to come. Having one South American in their team and the stats are astounding and now with two one can only dream of the outcome. All we can do is wait and see what might turnout to be a dynasty.

Kaymac @WordPress

We need a break? Flip NO!!!

Good afternoon World I write this in the mist of my disillusioned state, I can’t think straight not that I ever do. I am depressed the love of my life has left me, she told me we need a break. She said we need to spend some time apart, she said it will do us both a world of good. If that was true why do I feel like this? Why do I mope around? Why don’t I have friends anymore? I am lost, I am lonely the light of my life has faded. Nowadays I spend my days watching soap operas, chatting to the wife about furniture and colour schemes , playing season 2020 with players that don’t even exist on an outdated Fifa 13. What has my life come too? Who the hell decide that the season has to end, who’s smart idea was that, did they even consider us? Flip these guys get paid millions and only work on weekends and sometimes once during the week. They don’t need a break they get that when they play those stupid internationals. Why can’t the football world work like a call centre, all day, everyday, all year. I can’t handle it anymore please come back to me, I need you. I promise never to miss a match ever again, I’ll even watch Man Utd vs Man City even though watching paint dry is more fascinating. I beg the Uefa please bring back La Liga, EPL, Bundesliga and Serie A the rest can stay in permanent off season we never watch them anyway. PS pre-season is not football!!!

Soweto Derby

Soweto Derby.