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Soccer Laduma
Still In Touch With... CLIFFORD MULENGA
Clifford, welcome back to the second edition of our Still in Touch. Last week, we heard all about your shenanigans in Sweden at Orgryte IS and how you got kicked out of your apartment.
3 min |
January 29, 2026
Soccer Laduma
I've found a home
Fortune Makaringe has been away from professional football for a little over half a year, but he is finally back with a move to the Motsepe Foundation Championship with ambitious outfit Leicesterford City, who have signed him on a deal until the end of the season. Makaringe, who left Cape Town City after they got relegated from the Betway Premiership last season, made his debut for Leicesterford against The Bees, playing 45 minutes as the club registered a much-needed 2-1 win to start 2026 on a high. Soccer Laduma’s Tshepang Mailwane went to Leicesterford’s training in Pretoria to talk to the former Orlando Pirates midfielder about joining the club and why it took a while before he found a new home.
4 min |
January 29, 2026
Soccer Laduma
Why Chiefs are so quiet
The January transfer window is a chance for clubs to plug glaring holes in their squads, or to acquire a key transfer target to help achieve objectives.
6 min |
January 29, 2026
Soccer Laduma
I don't want loan moves
When Lesiba Nku joined Mamelodi Sundowns in 2023 from Marumo Gallants, there was reason for the player to be excited.
4 min |
January 22, 2026
Soccer Laduma
Mzansi trio resumes CAF journey
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Inter-Club competitions are back in full swing following the month-long break and South Africa’s three representatives – Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs – are all in action this weekend.
6 min |
January 22, 2026
Soccer Laduma
Still In Touch With...
Former Zambian international Clifford Mulenga might not have reached greater heights in his career, but at least he ended it with an Africa Cup of Nations victory in 2012 when Chipolopolo stunned Cote d'Ivoire. Mulenga moved to South Africa in 2002 when he was playing for the Zambian U17 team in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Gambia. On their way to Gambia, the young Zambian team stopped over in South Africa to play a friendly match against TUKS, and that is how he was scouted by Steve Haupt. The former attacking midfielder went on to play for the likes of Bidvest Wits, Bloemfontein Celtic, SuperSport United, Ajax Cape Town and Jomo Cosmos, before retiring in 2020 at Forest Rangers FC.
3 min |
January 22, 2026
Soccer Laduma
It's been a South African identity
For over two decades, Itumeleng Khune was the heartbeat of South African football, a Kaizer Chiefs icon, Bafana Bafana captain and one of the most decorated goalkeepers the country has ever produced. His journey from Ventersdorp to the grandest stages serves as an inspiration across generations, exemplifying an unyielding pursuit of excellence. Now, with the gloves hung up, Khune is channelling his passion into shaping the next generation of stars with his Distribution 101 Goalkeeping Academy. In this interview with Soccer Laduma’s Delmain Faver, Khune reflects on the thinking behind the new venture, Chiefs' current state and why footballers need to have an eye not just on the ball, but also on life beyond the pitch.
10+ min |
January 22, 2026
Soccer Laduma
Mzansi football at a crossroads
Bafana Bafana were expected to dazzle the continent at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and perform better than they did in Cote d'Ivoire two years ago.
3 min |
January 22, 2026
Soccer Laduma
Pitso drove a work mentality
There are a lot of people behind the scenes at clubs that the public does not get to really know about, but they play a big role in the success of a team. At Mamelodi Sundowns, one of the men who worked tirelessly behind the scenes during the club's most successful years was Goolam Valodia, who was at Chloorkop for 15 years as a Performance Analyst before leaving in the second half of 2025. His early years at Sundowns were tough due to the club's struggles, but he later enjoyed great success under Pitso Mosimane and later Rhulani Mokwena, two coaches who worked day and night to ensure the club was the best. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Tshepang Mailwane, Valodia opens up about his role at Sundowns and how coach Mosimane changed things for the Tshwane giants.
7 min |
January 22, 2026
Soccer Laduma
In Touch With
CAMERON CARNELL - UNATTACHED
3 min |
January 22, 2026
Soccer Laduma
Can Arbeloa emulate Zidane?
Tust three months ago, Soccer Laduma had a look at Real Madrid's start of the season under former coach Xabi Alonso.
4 min |
January 22, 2026
Soccer Laduma
What Bucs' new signings bring
Orlando Pirates have had a busy January transfer window so far, in their pursuit of a first league title in 14 years. They've spent fees to acquire Kiwi playmaker Andre de Jong from Stellenbosch FC and the Marumo Gallants duo, Daniel Msendami and Mpho Chabatsane. We've also seen a fair few outgoings to balance the books and streamline overstocked areas. Where will the new signings fit in, as all three arrive into stacked positions in the squad? Soccer Laduma investigates.
6 min |
January 22, 2026
Soccer Laduma
Mabasa must take that as a blessing
The loan move is a second chance for him to go and play since he hasn't been getting game time at Orlando Pirates.
5 min |
January 22, 2026
Soccer Laduma
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Al-Hilal (Friday, 23 January, Loftus Stadium)
Benson Mhlongo — Sundowns have an edge
1 min |
January 22, 2026
Soccer Laduma
We are crushed
Former Super Eagles and Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo represented his country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and a year later was the top goalscorer at the African Cup of Nations in Egypt.
7 min |
January 22, 2026
Soccer Laduma
Can Cele turn things around at Chiefs?
Just under a year ago, Kaizer Chiefs announced the signing of long-term transfer target Thabo Cele from Russian side FC Fakel Voronezh. The midfield-general was supposed to bring added quality and European know-how to the table, even if he had very little experience at international level. After signing midway through last term, Cele was tipped for a big campaign this time around after a full preseason. Instead, we are yet to see the best of him in the 2025/26 campaign and rumours swirl about why he was left in the stands before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations break. In this feature, we look at the player's stats and ask if his time at the Naturena-based club is set to improve or faces a premature end. What does he bring to the team, and how does he compare to the other engine room options? Soccer Laduma investigates.
4 min |
January 15, 2026
Soccer Laduma
InTouch With...
BONGOLWETHU SIYAZI - UNATTACHED
2 min |
January 15, 2026
Soccer Laduma
I nearly shed a tear...
By the time you read this column, the Africa Cup of Nations finalists would have been finalized as the semi-finals took place before our print deadline on Wednesday
6 min |
January 15, 2026
Soccer Laduma
Are McKenzie and Broos at loggerheads?
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie went to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and attracted a lot of attention. McKenzie disagreed with Bafana Bafana
2 min |
January 15, 2026
Soccer Laduma
The truth also needs to be told sometimes...
Canada approaching, time is ticking for the striker. In the second part of our interview, the 28-year-old addresses his time away from Bafana Bafana, acknowledging personal growth while maintaining hope for future call-ups. Singh also addresses questions about the possibility of returning to play his football in South Africa.
7 min |
January 15, 2026
Soccer Laduma
World Cup Preparations
McKenzie is already planning for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
1 min |
January 15, 2026
Soccer Laduma
That’s the only challenge at Pirates
Orlando
2 min |
January 15, 2026
Soccer Laduma
You learn from failure
South African supporters have been spoilt with good results during Hugo Broos' tenure as Bafana Bafana coach, so expectations were naturally high going into the latest edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, especially after the team finished third in the last competition played in Ivory Coast. The team got past the group stages yet again, but the journey ended in the Last 16 with a defeat to Cameroon. Since then, a lot has been said about the national team and there have been some calls, from both supporters and former players, for Broos to be relieved of his duties, but with the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, would that be the right move? Soccer Laduma's Tshepang Mailwane spoke to Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ricardo Goss to talk about AFCON and where it went wrong for Bafana.
5 min |
January 15, 2026
Soccer Laduma
Paying his own way to AFCON
The biggest revelation from McKenzie’s Morocco trip was his decision to pay his own expenses after going on personal leave.
1 min |
January 15, 2026
Soccer Laduma
I took that as a wake-up call
Just last season, Athini Magokolo was playing his football in the Eastern Cape ABC Motsepe League, and a few months later the winger is making his mark in the top-flight of South African football. The 21-year-old winger joined AmaZulu FC at the beginning of the season from JDR Stars FC and has already scored four goals in 10 matches across all competitions. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Siya Gijana, Maqokolo opens up about his promising Betway Premiership debut season, sensational performances, transfer hiccup, how he plans to escape bad habits which destroyed the careers of past football players and more.
8 min |
January 15, 2026
Soccer Laduma
The title race will heat up
As exciting as AFCON has been, there is something special about the return of the Betway Premiership.
1 min |
January 15, 2026
Soccer Laduma
We play to win
Urban City’s newly-appointed DStv Diski Challenge head coach Ashraf Hendricks is stepping into his latest chapter with a unique twist. The former Moroka Swallows and Mpumalanga Black Aces defender not only carries the responsibility of guiding City’s young talents, but also faces the prospect of plotting against his own teenage son, Imaad, who is making waves at Kaizer Chiefs. Fresh from scoring a brace and earning the Man of the Match award against Richards Bay FC, Imaad could be a thorn in his father’s side when the two teams meet in a few days. In this interview with Soccer Laduma’s Delmain Faver, Hendricks reflects on fatherhood, football, and a new generation shaped by legacy.
5 min |
January 15, 2026
Soccer Laduma
I don't regret anything
Once a familiar figure in the PSL midfield with spells at Free State Stars, Polokwane City, SuperSport United and Royal AM, Moffat Mdluli has quietly transitioned into a new chapter of his football journey through the fast-growing world of five-a-side football. Now representing Orlando Pirates Fives, the 40-year-old remains fiercely competitive, proving that the love for the game does not fade with age or changing formats. In December last year, Mdluli and his Pirates teammates lifted the 5quad League title, walking away with a remarkable R500 000 prize after dominating the tournament. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver, he opens up about life beyond the PSL, his business ventures, and the rapid rise of five-a-side football as a genuine platform for elite competition and player resurgence.
5 min |
January 08, 2026
Soccer Laduma
External pressure and familiar names
As results continue to fluctuate, the outside noise around Naturena has inevitably grown louder.
1 min |
January 08, 2026
Soccer Laduma
That's what South Africa can do!
Welcome back, Soccer Laduma readers and compliments of the New Year!
2 min |