Taking a look at Brazilian protesters....

In 2010, against all odds, South Africa brought the world the biggest football party they had ever seen (and we even gave them a rather loud souvenir too).  The Rainbow Nation was united for a month, football was the winner, and streams of tourism income was due to flow in the coming months and years to provide long-lasting prosperity for South Africans.  Or at least that's what we were told.

 

After all the hype had died down, South Africans realized that they got the crappy end of the stick.  For example, in Cape Town, R4 million rand was spent on building a stadium yet just three years later, poor South Africans who live around the stadium are still without basic sanitation and decent living conditions.  Just three years on from the World Cup, Cape Town saw angry individuals throwing faecal matter in public places to "demonstrate" this lack of access to a basic toilet.  Even those who wore the rose-tinted glasses and drank from the fountain of optimism of 2010 have now woken up to smell the poo coffee. The fact of the matter is that public funds that were desperately needed by the masses were instead spent on a hosting a very expensive soccer party; a party that promised much more to the nation than it delivered. 

 

For years, public funds have not been enough , it seems, to provide a large number of poor communities with access to decent sporting facilities. Yet, somehow, Mzansi decided to build expensive stadiums such as the Nelson Mandela stadium, Mbombela Stadium, Cape Town stadium and the Peter Mokaba stadium at great cost and these stadiums are fast becoming white elephants.  Furthermore, the Polokwane Municipality apparently pays Kaizer Chiefs around R1 million rand (per game) to play matches at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, which means even more money is coming from the public purse. There's also no need to discuss how the investment into Concert City Soccer City is going.

 

Cue the Brazilian people of 2013.  Facing similar problems that South Africans are currently facing (corruption, failing public services, large income disparities and an unresponsive government), these people did not even wait for the main event (World Cup) to start voicing their opinion. Already, only a few days into the 2013 Confederations Cup, the voice of the protestors has gotten so loud that it is getting the attention of the attention-grabber extraordinaire himself, Neymar, who recently stated that he would "enter the field inspired by this movement".

 

In case you have been living in a hole, in the past few days, more than a million people have marched against the government in major cities around Brazil. They have been protesting, waving Brazilian flags, dancing and chanting slogans such as “Pardon the inconvenience, Brazil is changing".
 

Protests were sparked this week initially by a rise in bus and subway fairs. Protesters are now also fighting for an improvement to the currently inadequate and overcrowded public transportation networks, better health and education, and for corruption to be tackled. 

 

With the football world's attention on Brazil, the people have grasped the perfect opportunity to to make their voices heard.  The protestors are accusing the government of spending billions building recreational stadiums and ignoring priorities such as as health and education.

 

For those who didn't know, hosting the FIFA World Cup is set to cost Brazil about $15 million (significantly higher than the reported $7 billion it cost South Africa in 2010).  Some reports claim that FIFA walked away from the 2010 World Cup with $3.2 billion, while the Local Organizing Committee only earned about $70-100 million. Furthermore, the tournament only added 0.4% to South Africa's gross domestic product.
 

I digress.  In 2013, the Brazilians have used football - or football's ability to draw the world's attention to a nation - to make their voices heard.  As a certain journalist pointed out, "mega sports events create a coterie of crooked politicos, corporate interests, and professional organizers indifferent to the realities outside the stadiums," and in spite of Brazilians' immense love for the game, the Brazilian people are making sure that the world is aware of the realities outside their beautiful stadiums.

 

Bill Shankly once famously said: "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."  Personally, I believe that football has been put on this pedestal and its importance has been greatly exaggerated by many.  But now, the Brazilian people are managing to put social issues back into focus.  I hope that this does not eventually come at the cost of a life. 

 

I also hope that the actions of Brazilian protestors can lead to some sort of long-lasting positive effect on their lives and while also opening up people's minds to the greater costs and disadvantages of hosting a mega-events such as the World Cup, because in the end, football is just a game.  It is a great game: a great game that provides a form of enjoyable escapism.  Governments and citizens alike should never forget that public money may be better used helping the poor escape poverty and helping those who cannot read to escape illiteracy (among other things) rather than channeling scarce resources to once-off events like the World Cup.

 

Good luck, Brazil!

Thomas  Monyepao

You can find me on twitter as @Tom_18Yards

It's time for the Birds to aim higher

Sibusiso Khumalo. Signed up by Sundowns. Gone. Bennet Chenene. Pre-contract signed. Going. David Mathebula. Pre-contract signed. Going. Katlego “Mahoota” Mashego. PSL top top goalscorer. Sundowns are negotiation. Will probably also walk out the door.

Moroka Swallows finished in 9^th place this season and will potentially lose about 3 key players. Three!

Transfers this past season included Lizo Mjempu, a leftback, who came in for free, Larry Cohen who came in for free after being released by Chippa United (allegedly for a tweet) and even Mahoota, who also came in for free. Noticing a trend?

These new players were added to other free transfers such as Roger Da Costa who came in from a US college league, Rudi Isaacs, Larry Cohen, Aubrey Mathibe, McBeth Sibaya and Dikgang Mabalane to name a few.

One of Swallows' transfer targets, transfer-listed Kagiso Senamela, although very skilful is someone who is currently not wanted by Amazulu, a club that finished in 12^th position.

Swallows has a big weakness at leftback and in the goalkeeping department. Aubrey Mathibe, a decent backup (compared to the current number 1) has just been released. One can only hope a better replacement is coming in - hope being the key word. At leftback, with Shere “Skhotane” Legkethoane as our main leftback, that position has been the weakest link this season. It can almost be described as the “bridge for opposing teams into our net”, as one tweep recently stated. With a glaring weakness in the position, who did Swallows decide to get as backup? Free-agent, Lizo Mjempu of course! That hasn't quite worked out.

Swallows' infamous leaking defence has conceded an equal number of goals as soon-to-be-relegated Chippa United – the joint second highest number in the PSL.

In the striking department there are problems too. Nomvethe is not getting any younger. An early-season injury to “Bhele” could have put Zeca Marques in a very difficult position had Mashego not stepped up to the plate to taken on the goalscoring responsibilities - with that defence, a top-of-the-charts goalscoring season was needed from somebody! The very same Mashego seems to be heading for Chloorkop. The only other out-and-out striker available is the average (really average) Mpho Maleka. So, some serious reinforcement is urgently needed up front.

In midfield, during the course of the 2012/13 season, I would often tweet about how a decent backup for Bennett Chenene was needed. Playing the relatively one-footed Felix Obada on the left has never worked. David Mathebula (although not as out-and-out winger) would also sometimes fill in and now, ironically, both Chenene and Mathebula are heading to Supersport United. The team has no recognised left winger, never mind having a backup player.

In the central postions, the golden oldies at the heart of midfield Macbeth Sibaya, Lefa Tsutsulupa and Giorgi Nergadze will have a combined age of 103 - yes, 103 years - at the end of the 2013/14 system. As previously stated, Sundowns have already taken away the much younger Sibusiso Khumalo. On the wing you can find players such as Dikgang Mabalane and Joseph Makhanya with a combined age of 66 at the end of next season.

With all these departures (departure of creative personnel, I must add), it looks like Lerato Chabangu may need to do it all by himself next season.

The point of this piece is that a team which claims to have the ambition of becoming a competitive team, needs to sign the quality players it wants and not only the players that nobody else seems to need.

This lack of investment has been a big contributing factor to Swallows dropping out of the top half of the table. In the new season Swallows fans may even be closer to kissing the league goodbye than kissing a trophy, and, well, unlike Kelly Rowland, I do not like my kisses down low. 

 

Ajax Cape Town is a good example of the rapid decline that is possible when a club (or the people in charge) continuously fail to provide good investment while letting go of key players: Ajax found themselves in a scary relegation battle this season. They were title contenders just three seasons ago. 

Da Costa recently tweeted his frustration at the recent depature of key players such as David Mathebula

 

One thing is confirmed; Swallows will not be “reclaiming the glory” of the MTN8 cup due to the final league position of the 2012/13 season. But it is now time to start retaining key personnel and also stop this approach of reclaiming the club-less, free agent. It is time to aim high...like a Bird.

Thomas Monyepao

You can find me on twitter @Tom_18Yards

Mosimane's numbers at Mamelodi Sundowns

“…As they say in football, numbers don’t lie.  The amount of points Sundowns have won, the amount of goals scored and conceded… don’t lie. It reflects the current situation.” – Pitso Mosimane following his appointment as Mamelodi Sundowns’ new coach.


As the saying goes, “you live by the sword, you die by the sword”.  It is only fair that I make judgements on Pitso based on the numbers. Here’s eight statistical facts about Mosimane’s time at Mamelodi Sundowns.


1. When Pitso Mosimane took over Sundowns, the team were second from bottom in the Absa Premier League standings. They now lie in 8th position.
2. Downs had won only 2 times from the opening 12 PSL games this season before Mosimane took over, a win ratio of 16.7%.
3. Downs have won 7 league games since Mosimane took over in 17 matches – a ratio of 41.2%.  That’s quite an improvement from the 16.2% achieved by previous coach, Johan Neeskens.
4. Downs have only lost 3 games under Mosimane in the league, compared to double that amount, six, under the Dutchman, Neeskens.  This means that Neeskens lost 50% of the matches that he was in charge this season while Pitso has lost just under 18% of his games. To add some perspective, Mosimane’s loss ratio is better (or not as bad) as the overall ratio belonging to the team currently in 3rd position, reigning PSL champs (at the time of writing), Orlando Pirates.
5. In the 17 years of the Premier League era, Mamelodi Sundowns have actually previously failed to qualify for the Top 8 Competition.  Yet, Mosimane, having taken over a team that had endured the worst start in Sundowns 17-year PSL history, has guided the Brazilians into a Top 8 position with one game left to spare.  Furthermore, if results go their way on the final day, Downs may even end up as high as 6th.
6. Downs have scored 21 goals since Mosimane took over.  Mosimane has been in charge for 17 games. Clearly, there is no need to the calculations. This isn’t exactly the kind of scoring ratio Patrice Motsepe is looking for a from team nicknamed “The Brazilians”.
7. Neeskens’ team conceded 13 goals in 12 matches compared to 12 goals in 17 matches under Mosimane. The improvement is clear to see.
8. In the games in which Mosimane was in charge, is is a fact that Downs undefeated against all the teams currently occupying the top three positions in the PSL. In the process, Sundowns have only conceded one goal against these teams. This good record includes matches against champions-elect, Kaizer Chiefs, reigning champions Orlando Pirates, and this season’s surprise package, Platinum Stars.


Having taken a look at Mosimane’s numbers (numbers that apparently “don’t lie”), it is clear to see that the former Bafana Bafana coach has really improved this Sundowns team and their results. Sundowns now lie in a respectable position on the log. The team is performing much better defensively (as we all know, defence is the foundation of most successful teams) and, as I have already pointed out, of the teams above them currently occupying the top 3 positions on the log, only Platinum Stars have managed to score a goal against them.  The players also look more willing to play and break a sweat than they did under previous coach, Johan Neeskens – this is obviously not something numbers can prove, so feel free to disagree.


However, one thing is certain, Sundowns, the Izikhotane of the Premier League, will end the season trophyless. Zero being the important number.  So despite managing to improve their league position, Pitso Mosimane has failed to guide the team to the one trophy that was realistically achievable when he took over in December 2012, the Nedbank Cup.


This weekend, Downs will be playing against the team currently in fourth position, Bidvest Wits, in their final league game, with the opportunity to improve their current position on the league table. But guiding a team from the relegation zone to 8th in 6 months still counts as a decent shift from the a coach.   This statistic alone should be enough to keep him safe in the hot seat for another season (or the at least the start of another season) at Chloorkop.


Interesting to note is that if Mosimane manages to last the whole of next season as Downs coach, he will become only the second man, after Johan Neeskens, to last a whole season since Patrice Motsepe took over the club way back in 2003.

With money to spend during the off-season, a clear-out on the cards, and a proper pre-season to get the team well-accustomed to his tactics, dare I say it, the sky is the limit in the 2013/14 season for the Brazilians.


Thomas Monyepao
Do follow me on Twitter @Tom_18yards

Playlist for the big Suarez bite

On a Monday like this, I should be hard at work but...well...I'm just not feeling up to the task.

So I decided to tweet away songs that could provide a great soundtrack for Luis "Vernaculaaar" Suarez (you will get that joke if you are a fan of Trevor Noah).



Here were my tweets for the hashtag #SuarezBiteSoundtrack (this would be an awesome playlist for the guy):

• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack Maxwell - pretty arms(wings)
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack (House fans know this one) Dennis Ferrer - How do I let go
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack Dr Dre - I need a Doctor
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack Jay Z - Arms, arms, arms
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack Eve - Hunger is blind (and it will take over your mind)
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack Drake - Best I ever had
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack Alicia Keys - Try sleeping with a broken arm
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack Skwatta Kamp - Animal
  
• #SuarezBiteSountrack Kanye West - Bittersweet
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack Drake - I get hungry too
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack AKA & George Avakian - Living on the edge
  
• #SuarezBiteSountrack Take it to the arm - Dj Khaled ft Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack Mzimba eater - DJ Cleo
  
• #SuarezBiteSountrack Bee Gees - How deep is your arm
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack Drake - Marvin's Arm
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack French Montana,Lil Wayne, Drake, Rick Ross - Bite that
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack - Rick Ross ft Drake - Stay Eatin'
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack Proverb ft Tebogo Moloto - "Biters" Club
  
• #SuarezBiteSoundtrack Notorious BIG - Juicy
  

Last but not least (sorry to my Liverpool- and Suarez-supporting friends) we can have the classic tune for every time he walks on to the pitch, simply title: Y.N.E.A - You will never eat alone.



Now let me get back to giving my laptop the blank stare in the library.



Thomas Monyepao
You can follow me on twitter @Tom_18Yards

The referee's view: Moroka Swallows vs Kaizer Chiefs

This weekend South African fans had a number of Absa Premier League(PSL) games lined up including Platinum Stars against Chippa United, Moroka Swallows against Kaizer Chiefs, and later in, Orlando Pirates played an important CAF Champions League match against TP Mazembe.


This week, I will be focusing on an incident (or incidents, rather) that happened in the PSL match that took place in Dobsonville between The Birds and Amakhosi.


With about 25 minutes having been played, The Birds were leading 1-0 when the referee, Buyile Gqubule, awarded Moroka Swallows a penalty for a foul by Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune. 


I have to admit that from the television replays, I was not as convinced as the commentators were that there was indeed contact from Khune's trailing leg. But as Paul Dirkin once said: "Although television can give you 15 different angles, the only angle they can’t show is the referee’s."  I will have to give the benefit of the doubt to referee Gqubule for seeing that incident.


From the ensuing penalty kick, Swallow's leading goalscorer, Katlego Mashego, scored. In other words, the ball entered the goal.  However, referee, Gqubule, then proceeded to order a retake for an encroachment.  According to the Laws, a player is guilty of encroachment if he/she is not located "at least 9.15m (10 yds) from the penalty mark".  Law 14 also states: "If the referee gives the signal for a penalty kick to be taken and (before the ball is in play) a team-mate of the player taking the kick infringes the Laws of the Game, the referee allows the kick to be taken.  If the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken."  


Mashego then scored the resultant penalty kick retake.  However, this time, a player from the attacking team (Swallows in this case) as well as from the defending team were guilty of encroachment.  I will refer to Law 14 again, which says: "If the referee gives the signal for a penalty kick to be taken and, before the ball is in play, a player of both the defending team and the attacking team infringe the Laws of the Game, the kick is retaken."  Simple and clear.  The referee was correct to order a retake of the penalty kick.


The third penalty kick was then saved by the Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper leaving the Swallows players and their technical team frustrated.  


A look at the third penalty kick will show us that thw Kaizer Chiefs keeper moved off his line before the kick was taken.  Law 14 states: "The defending goalkeeper must remain on his goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball is kicked."  The Laws also clearly say that if the goalkeeper infringes the Laws of the Game and the ball does not enter the goal, as in this case, the kick is retaken.  


Without even making use of replays, it was clear to me that Khune had moved off his line for at least two of the three penalty kicks, with the linesman failing to flag for this offence on all occasions.  Law 6 tells us that it is the duty of the assistant referee at penalty kicks to indicate whether the goalkeeper moves off the goal line before the ball is kicked. The assistant referee failed in this regard.  A third retake (thus fourth penalty kick) should have been given by the referee had his assistant seen and indicated the infringement.   I can understand why the Swallows coach felt so aggrieved after the match.


The game continued without another big talking point. But with Moroka Swallows fighting for a Top 8 finish and teams such as Platinum Stars and Orlando Pirates still in with small chance of wining the league title, such decisions could prove vital come May.


And that's the final whistle.

Thomas Monyepao
You can find me on twitter @Tom_18Yards

Arsenal and the EPL glass ceiling

With Arsenal now sitting in 3^rd place in the Premier League with 6 games to play, I find it rather odd that some 'experts' would call this “yet another season of predictable frustration”.

I prefer to see it as yet another season of “predictable position”.

I stopped believing Wenger’s optimistic views on Arsenal's title hopes a couple of years ago. They are contradicted by his satisfaction at Arsenal merely reclaiming their top-four 'trophy'. Wenger is an optimist of note but I doubt that he genuinely believes that this Arsenal side has the quality to be a title-contender.

Technically speaking, Arsenal are still the 3^rd best team in England (if we base it on the final league standings of the 2011/12 season). However, they finished a massive 19 points behind the winners and the runners-up, Manchester City and Manchester United, respectively. Quite the gap.

I will say, and have been saying, that – as things stand in the English Premier League - you have the two Manchester giants, then you have the rest. Manchester United seemingly have the EPL title wrapped up while Manchester City (who lie in second place) are favourites to take second biggest domestic trophy, the FA Cup on the 11^th of May 2013. This almost seems to reaffirm the notion that the two teams are currently in a class of their own.

The difference between the Manchester giants and the rest might not be of La Liga proportions but it exists, nonetheless. Logically, this means that for every other team in the league, as things stand, 3^rd place is the glass ceiling that exists for the likes of Arsenal, the work-in-progress Chelsea and Liverpool, and the ever-improving Tottenham Hotspur.

To come 3^rd is be the “best of the rest”. My realistic, and slightly optimistic expectations at the beginning of the season were a 3^rd place finish and no trophies (as usual). As things stand, Arsenal are in third place, with no chance of winning a trophy. As things stand, realistic expectation is matching reality. And if Arsenal stay in that position until the end of the season, I have no reason to feel “predictably frustrated” as others might expect.

True Gooners who are able to add in an adequate dose of objectivity and realism to their expectations will have expected nothing more. A trophy would have been a great bonus, but not a genuine expectation after losing the two key players from the previous season.

As to who is to blame for the sale of key players and thrifty use of money between Arsene Wenger and the board, I am not entirely sure. I do, however, have massive respect for Wenger in how he manages to get Arsenal into the Champions League season after season with less-than-spectacular looking team sheet.

Yes, the glory days have not returned. And yes, a “big club” should be challenging for trophies year in, year out. But excuse me, does Liverpool not count as a “big club”?

With the passing of time, comes change. Does anybody remember Nottingham Forest? They happen to have won back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980. Everton, that who are battling to stay in touch to qualify for the Champions League, were previously a force in English Football. They last won a English League title in 1987. In 2001, current champs, Manchester City, were relegated from the Premier League. 12 years on, powered by Sheik Mansour's money, they have claimed their first EPL trophy in 44 years. With the passing of time, comes change. Heck, just look at Cardiff City in the red-coloured kit! Let's say it all together now kids... With the passing of time, comes change.

The point is that big teams don’t remain big teams forever in some instances. And in this case, Arsenal fanatics have to accept that while Arsenal remain a “big club”, as things stand, expecting anything more than 3^rd place and at best one trophy is a bit unrealistic. Some may laugh at these “low expectations” but wait until Liverpool return to Champions League football to see what a few years of UEFA Champions League-less seasons affect expectation of supporters; their fans will be thrilled to return.

While experts may struggle to understand the loyalty of the #WengerIn brigade. The view that a new manager, be it Jose “The Special One” Mourinho, or Borussia Dortmund coach, Jürgen Klopp, would merely come in and turn Arsenal into a championship contender without adequate support from the board is a bit naïve.

Arsenal may not be bringing in trophies but he is doing alright in reaching that glass ceiling. Of course, Wenger is not blameless; he's responsible for giving high wages (relative to the value of a player) to individuals such as Bendtner, Squillaci, Almunia and Andres Santos to name a few. But try finding a faultless manager in the league, Sir Alex included...

Until the financial dealings at Ashburton Grove change (or Financial Fair Play rules fully kick in), Arsenal will most likely remain under the glass ceiling. Until that point, Gunners fans should let Le Professeur" continue without so much criticism because they are becoming becoming “predictably frustrating”.

Thomas Monyepao

Follow me on twitter @Tom_18Yards

Innovative solutions needed for referees in the PSL

Week-in, week-out, we, the United Social Networkers of the nation, are bombarded with a stream of tweets and status updates loaded with abusive, insulting and offensive language (referees know I am referring to Law 12) directed at the Premier Soccer League's referees.

On Saturday, we saw some of this oft-seen abusive language we read on our smart-phones turn into actual physical abuse in the match between Golden Arrows and table-toppers Kaizer Chiefs. A Chiefs supporter ran more than a hundred meters into the field and hit referee, Lwandile Mfiki, with the infamous vuvuzela.  The fan's distress seemed to have been caused by Mfiki's decision to give Chief's midfield kingpin, Reneilwe “Yeye” Letsholonyane a red card in the 33^rd minute.

This type of behaviour is embarrassing almost serves to emphasize the notion that our PSL is indeed “a joke” (as a classmate recently stated in a class discussion).

If the standard of refereeing is a problem and looks amateurish, then why is it that we, errrm, still have amateur referees?  And I mean amateur in the literal sense. This is because a lot of referees have normal day jobs outside of their duties with the whistle.

Being a referee myself (at youth level), I know how demanding it can be to stay in shape and be up to date with the laws. Life of a referee isn't easy, and even when you plan for things and study time, life happens.  It is extremely difficult.  But that's my simple, limited view, as an amateur.But I am getting sidetracked.  I believe it is time to start talking about solutions instead of merely complaining.

Many have provided their own solutions to the problem on twitter and I hope many more will offer their ideas on how we can deal with referee issues in PSL.  Some will say refs should be banned or dropped to lower divisions, other will say refs should have their salaries cut, and the less-logical among us will say that we should moer them with a vuvuzela for costly mistakes.

I just cant help but wonder if some of that Q-Innovation money could have been diverted to one aspect that directly contributes to the enjoyment of the game by fans - refereeing.  We currently have a tight title-finish coming up and instead of discussions revolving around the actual football being played, discussions mainly revolved around the referee, offside decisions and the like.  Television pundits are probably becoming more accustomed with the FIFA Laws of the Game than tactical innovations in football.

The Q-Innovation idea was supposed to generate excitement and I presume, attract even more fans to the PSL games.  It was supposed to make every game important and keep supporters interested.  I am not a fan of the idea (as usual, I put my feelings in words).  Why was the extra R6 million (R1.5 million multiplied by four) not rather redirected to improving referees or specifically, their salaries?

The powers that be were more than ready to “innovate” and introduce quarterly prizes in the league.  Why weren't “innovative” methods introduced to not improve referees performance, and more specifically, their salaries?  This could gradually evolve to having a full-time panel of dedicated referees.  Becoming a member of the PSL referees panel could eventually end up being viewed as “hitting the big-time” for qualified referees.  With a lot more money to lose for poor performance, this could also have the positive effect of increasing accountability should they be dropped to lower levels.

At the moment, the PSL does not even have a review system in place to look at poor decision made in games.  So, shocking decisions that may arise are not even corrected. In the recent case, Stuart Baxter will just have to accept the suspension of his key player and get on with it/f*** off (delete as appropriate, hehehe).

With five or so games remaining in the league for most teams.  What impact will referees have on who wins the title and who get relegated?  Will the poor referees receive better pay next season?  Will the likes of Mfiki be suspended in the coming weeks and months?  Do we have better referees waiting in the lower divisions?

I do not claim to know all the answers but I am pretty certain that the PSL now needs a solution.  An intervention of some sorts...   An innovation!

I only have one “Q” to ask, when will the men in charge introduce some sort of R-Innovation?

Thomas Monyepao

Please make use of T-Innovation and follow me on twitter @Tom_18Yards.

5 factors contributing to the rise of Amakhosi

With Kaizer Chiefs now seven points clear at the top, here is a list of five factors that have contributed to Chiefs topping the table with seven games to go.

1. Unbeaten at home

Amakhosi have simply been ruthless at home. They have not lost a single match at home. Added to that, their away record has improved compared to last season. Last season at this stage they only won 3 out of 12 matches away from home. This season they have already won 6 out of 11 away games including the 3-0 thrashing of Bloemfontein Celtic this past Sunday.

2. Taking the lead and keeping it

Chiefs have only won once from a losing position (against Free State Stars at home). When in the lead, the Glamour boys have only thrown away 4 point all season from a winning position. While this may point to a lack of fighting spirit for some, one thing it does confirm is that Chiefs know how to sniff and then grab hold of the three points, and then take the points safely home no matter what the opposition may do.

Let us also not forget that from a losing position they managed to take 2 points away from rivals Orlando Pirates while simultaneously gaining an important point in the first derby of the season. It is safe to say that Chiefs do indeed “have Balz”.

3. Change of tactics from Baxter

Many may think I will be highlighting the use of an adaptable 5-3-2 (3-5-2) formation from Baxter as a bit of tactical genius. However, the most important decision by Baxter was to simply change from what looked liked a 4-3-3 with the interchangeable three of Josta Dladla, Reneilwe “Yeye” Letsholonyane (in a deep midfield role), and Siyabonga Nkosi, to the more commonly used 4-3-3 (and other adaptations) that has Williard “Salt 'n Pepper” Katsande playing the role that Tinashe Nengomasha made his own as a “destroyer”, thereby allowing Yeye more freedom to attack. This has allowed soccer fans the opportunity to enjoy Yeye at his creative best - distributing balls all over the pitch to allow Bernard Parker and co an opportunity to knock the ball into the Auld Onion Bag.

In August, I wrote that Chiefs may rue letting Nengomasha go as I felt Katsande had not show enough consistency to fill his countryman's big shoes. I also felt that Lucky Baloyi was also not ready to play big role in a title-challenging team Fortunately for Amakhosi, “Salt 'n Pepper” Katsande showed massive improvement and his contribution has been immense ever since he became regular this season.

4. “Major” strikeforce

When you have the luxury of bringing on a Bafana Bafana striker on as an impact player, you have a quite an advantage over other teams.

With a strikeforce containing the likes of Bernard Parker, Kingston Nkhatha, and Lehlohonolo “Major” Majoro to choose from, Chiefs coach, Stuart Baxter, has been spoilt for choice as the three players have not only been consistent in their performance - contributing over 20 goals - but they have also avoided any serious injuries.

Contrast this to Pirates where Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has remained sidelined for most of the season, Takesure Chinyama has only scored twice in the league, Collins Mbesuma is a shadow of the player he was for Chiefs back in 2005, and Ndumiso Mabena... The mere mention of THAT miss in the Telkom Knockout Cup match against Celtic probably still gives coach Roger De Sa nightmares!

5. Injuries

Key players at Pirates including Rooi Mahamutsa, goalscoring centreback Siyabonga Sangweni, the experienced Benni McCarthy, Moneeb Josephs and Sifiso “Myessi” Myeni have all suffered bad injuries during the season which has contributed to the below-par performances.

As I mentioned earlier, Chiefs have had a strikeforce that, fortunately for them, avoided any serious injury problems. While in defence, their number one in between the poles, Itumeleng Khune, has remained injury-free while new signing Morgan Gould was the only senior player to get a long-term injury. Midfield kingpin, “Yeye” Letsholonyane, as a creative force, has played a big part in the title challenge while Pirates have lost their biggest creative force “Myessi” to injury at an important stage of the season.

So, while both teams have had their share of injury problems, Pirates were hit hardest with the loss of key men like McCarthy and Mahamusta for most of the season.

Conclusion

There are of course other factors that may have contributed to Chiefs currently topping the PSL table (and no, the use of brown envelopes is not what I was thinking).

However, with seven games of the season remaining, the title is not yet wrapped up and we may still witness some drama in the run-in.

Let's hope we will have a relatively tight finish(and maybe even see Pirates snatching it late) instead of a situation where Chiefs simply walk away with the title. That is, of course, unless some of you actually take the Q-Innovation table seriously.

Thomas Monyepao

Do follow me on twitter. The name is @Tom_18Yards.

Time to invest in women's football

South Africa is a great country. We have democratic elections every five years without major issues. We have successfully hosted the biggest sport events on planet Earth and whites and blacks are coming together as one unified rainbow nation. It is not a rare site to see members of a rugby union attending a soccer match or to see a soccer team attending a cricket match. We are moving away from old views and old terms such as “white sports” and “black sports”. In South Africa black, white, minority and pink groups are all moving forward in one direction.


Well...at least that is what some would have you believe.


As I mentioned earlier, it appears there is a proactive effort from franchises and clubs in South Africa's “big three sports” to publicly show their support for each other, thereby breaking down racial barriers and previously held views of the people involved in the sports, etcetera and so on. A soccer example is Kaizer Chiefs Football Club recently starting a Sevens rugby team (I wrote a humourous piece about #ChiefsRugby too).


This is a very good initiative in my opinion. This move allows the club to diversify and generate higher revenue through the sale of rugby replica jerseys and has the possibility of attracting even more lucrative sponsorships contracts. The launch will also increase brand awareness and improve the brand image to most South Africans as a club willing break barriers and embrace the South Africa.

"We are bridging the gap and taking the brand further,” said the beautiful marketing director Jessica Motaung following the launch.


When one takes a look at the history of local football, one cant help but be proud to see how far a previously disadvantaged soccer club has progressed from the dusty soccer fields in Soweto the plush rugby fields in George. But I can't help but notice “the gap” that there is still very real gap in our country for another previously – in my opinion, still – disadvantaged group. I am referring to the women in our football.


It is interesting to note that Chiefs - a large, and powerful South African soccer institution - made a move to “diversify” by moving into rugby instead of (or before) investing time and resources into forming a female football team to compete in the SASOL Women's league first.


In the times we live in, there is plenty of rhetoric regarding the empowerment of women and equalization of opportunities as far as gender goes. I am bit surprised that a club that has a woman in a powerful position decided to invest in a different sporting code without having a female football team barely a year after the female national soccer team (Banyana Banyana) were the only soccer representatives at the London Olympics. The same Banyana team finished as runners-up in continental championships too. The same Banyana players struggle to get decent competition in local leagues due to individual and powerful groups' failure to invest in and build women's football at faster pace.


Do we need women's football to sink to the levels of Bafana Bafana before we have a serious concerted effort for all role players to contribute in any way they can?


It is now 2013 and although there is a greater public appreciation for the need for development structures for Bafana to succeed, not much is being done in that aspect. How much longer will it take for development of the women's game to take effect? Big companies are not exactly falling over themselves to inject funding into the women's game. Government, more specifically our current sport minister, Mr Fikile Mbalula, have not constantly been on TV raising the issue of the development of the women's game. Surprisingly, even female supporters of the game have not been very candid about the lack of female teams for their respective favourite clubs.


I can't help but wish at the boardroom meeting whereby it was decided to form a rugby team that Kaizer Motaung had whispered similar words of advice to his child as he claims his father to him when he wanted to form Kaizer Chiefs:


“You know what, I think you should go ahead with your plans to form this team because I am also sick and tired of all these problems...”


The lack of effort into the women's game is frustrating, even as a man. For example, in celebration of August being Women’s month, the Chiefs marketing team put together an entertainment line-up that “pays tribute to the women of South Africa”, which included a curtain raiser featuring the Kaizer Chiefs Female Celebrity Team. Hmmm... Notice the irony.


In the current environment, the team that I support, Moroka Swallows, deserve a pat on the back for at least having a female team. But even they seem to be focused on the men's side of the game. The picture on the right of what I found on their revamped website shows just how seriously the women's game is being taken.

Click to enlarge

Before you unleash hell's fire on me in the comments section, please take note that the aim of this piece is not to attack Kaizer Chiefs, Moroka Swallows or any other person/group. The aim is to alert people to the fact that women's football has no chance of succeeding if those within football circles do not bother to give it the attention and effort it deserves.


There are many issues that need to be tackled to take women's football to another level.


My plea is for all professional teams to have a female team competing in the women's leagues.


My very basic recommendation to those in power is for legislation to require football clubs to have a female football team as part of the requirement to receive their PSL grant. If legislation backs up rhetoric, we will finally see action.


To use Jessica Motaung's words, it is now time to “bridge the gap” between men's and women's football.


Thomas Monyepao

Please follow me on twitter @Tom_18Yards

We don't care about Jali. We care about Bafana.

Like the situation when a naughty child does not act in the expected manner and is then sent into the naughty corner, national team coach Gordon Igesund (otherwise known as GI) has sent Orlando Pirates midfield general, Andile Jali, into the Bafana Bafana wilderness.

 

The naughty child has been sent into a dark corner to think about his transgressions and his acts of disobedience. This has been quite a lengthy punishment. The child is not wailing for attention but the silence is deafening from both parent and child. Nobody seems to know how long this punishment will last. Some of the Pirates fans neighbours seem to feel the punishment is too harsh and suspicions of abuse are abound. The bystanders (Swallows fans, like myself) are merely concerned with a positive end to the story and the growth and development of the child. It appears that SAFA the social services department has been alerted to the situation but feel the parent is handling the situation well. The other obedient children of the Bafana family have – like obedient kids should behave – not voiced their concerns, maybe for fear of similar punishment. Even the prodigal son, Benni McCarthy, has kept his mouth quiet, appearing to have learnt from a previous experience with his broer Moneeb Josephs.

To bring things back to the football field, one thing that cannot be denied is the fact that Andile Jali is one of the best players in the Premier Soccer League. He has been an instrumental part of the treble-winning Pirates sides (as my fellow Bucs tweeps keep reminding us all) and still, potentially, has plenty of years available to play for the national squad and maybe abroad. How
ever, his arrogance and, ahem, “inappropriate” behaviour off the field seems to have soured the relationship with the current Bafana Bafana head coach resulting in the player still being overlooked for the forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Central African Republic.


Jali has been consistently overlooked by Igesund for Bafana matches, which most of the public see as a form of punishment for quotes such as the following quote found in an interview in the Soccerladuma newspaper in October 2012:


“I care about my team where i get paid every month. I work for my team and I don't work for the national team”

In this particular interview, the words “I don't care” are repeated a number of times. The interview painted a picture of an arrogant, stubborn man and could have – and probably was – viewed as disrespectful by Igesund and his assistants. To the average soccer fan, the interview painted a picture of a player who he would be doing the national or the national coach a favour by playing for Bafana - like it was a privilege to have Andile Jali in your team (well, at least that's how I took it).

The only person in SA football who knows the truth is Andile Jali. He has been punished, and punished for quite a long time. But I believe it is now time that our father who art in Nasrec forgive Andile, the same way that he was willing to forgive (and have coffee) with Steven. It is time for Ntate Igesund to reach out his hand, show the young boy the way forward, whisper sweet nothings while singing the comforting words that he is “once, twice, three times” a player (just to keep up with the treble theme), and move forward together as a Bafana family. We will need all hands on deck if we are to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. South Africa is already at “itchy bum” stage regarding the state of our qualification campaign.

Winning, in the end, is what the average supporter cares about. He/she does not care about punishments. He/she does not care about egos. And he/she does not care about how many kids of wedlock a particular player has. He cares about winning or about “reclaiming the glory” (hello there, Khosis). The same applies for SAFA.

Based on my knowledge of South African football, when results are not forthcoming, the coach will end up going especially when it involves the exclusion of certain fan-favourites. Whether it takes a formal apology from Jali, some initiative from Igesund, or a special intervention from SAFA (fixing relationships not fixing anything else), at this point, personally, “I don't care'. 

I care about the best local coach we have staying in job, using all the resources available and I care about seeing one of the best local talents progress and shine for Bafana.  That is what's good for Bafana.

We, the fans, don't care about the drama behind the scenes. We don't care about Jali. We simply care about Bafana Bafana.

Thomas Monyepao

Do follow me on twitter @Tom_18Yards

2013 junior football season finally begins!

 I have found myself rather busy these days due to my Honours degree studies this year.  However, soccer season finally began this weekend and it gave me an escape from the pressure of university studies.  

It was an enjoyable day for everybody, especially the little kids.  Even the refs had a good time (parents and coaches were in a very good mood).  The fun, however, was stopped by rain in the afternoon.

Have a look at a few interesting pictures of the season-opening under-10 tournament at which I was a referee on the 2nd of March 2013.

Coaches and managers being briefed about the fixtures and the tournament structure.

Organizing little kids on tournament day is a daunting task!

Boys doing a warm-up of sorts

First game about to begin

Coin-toss before the first game kicks off

 A discussion with the more experienced referees

Call me "Shuffle"

That's me kicking out dissent very early on in their young careers

I love how youth football is all about improvisation and more about simply letting everybody play the game, even if you don't have the correct kit

A goalkeeper named Lucky who was rather unlucky to be blessed with a leaky Moroka Swallows-esque defence

Yours in football

Thomas Monyepao
Do follow on twitter