I'll Keep On Scoring Goals

Within two months of the new PSL sea-son, Orlando Pirates supporters believe the club has found a striker that can be relied on for the goals they need to finally end their trophy drought. Left-footed striker Tshegofatso Mabasa has not taken a lot of time to hit his straps following his move to the Soweto giants from Bloemfontein Celtic and has received big praise from former Buccaneer Benni McCarthy, which can only be a good sign and confidence booster for him going forward. During a CSI event held at Rand Stadium recently, which saw Pirates conducting a coaching clinic for high school children, the 23-year-old spoke to Soccer Laduma’s Tshepang Mailwane about his dream start to life at the club.

That's Why I Chose Stellenbosch

Some may not read too much into it, but the fact that Waseem Isaacshas already scored four goals for newcomers Stellenbosch FC, who are currently seated at position 14 on the log standings, in a league where he himself is new, should say a lot about his attributes as a striker. He has been around, just not in the Absa Premiership, and will be hoping to use all that experience to help his side keep their status in the big league this season, which he says is the main aim. The 28-year-old who, besides a spell in Slovakia, has only played for Cape Town teams in his career, is grateful for the opportunity handed to him by coach Steve Barker. In this interview with Soccer Laduma’s Beaver Nazo, Simo – which is the moniker he answers to – talks about how he’s found things in the big league so far and recounts his experience playing abroad.

Good Football, Not Boom, Boom

In the case of Luc Eymael when it comes to South African football, it’s never really out of sight, out of mind, for even after leaving these shores to go and coach Tala’ea El Gaish in Egypt, his name continued to feature in certain conversations. That can be a good or bad thing, depending on which side of the fence you sit. Not too much of a surprise, then, that he is back, this time to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on a Black Leopards side that has not started the season as well as they would have liked. Does he have in his possession the magic wand that he seemed to possess during stints at the likes of Polokwane City and Free State Stars? What does he make of all that’s been recently said about him, mainly by fellow coach Steve Komphela? Soccer Laduma’s Beaver Nazo finds out from the 60-year-old Belgian with a sharp tongue.

It Was Not Pre-planned

Revolving Column.

In Touch With...

Themba Shabalala - Unattached (Part 6)

I Play Like Neymar

It goes without saying that in SouthAfrican football, there are a lot of players who could have made it but didn’t because of this circumstance or the other.

Game Of The Round

Midfield is where football games are often won or lost, more so n a cup competition.

Can Rhulani Steer The Bucs Ship?

High ranking sources at Orlando Pirates have informed the Siya crew that Rhulani Mokwena could very well remain head coach until the end of the season. Though there is no delusion. He is under pressure to turn the tide! Mokwena has publicly revealed that he enjoys the full support of club chairman, Irvin Khoza, and based on the team’s results under his mentorship, that is most likely why he remains the head coach. Although his role is still very much considered interim. The Siya crew unpacks what direction the club could take having already missed out on the CAF Champions League and the MTN8 – all under Mokwena’s watch.

That's My Ultimate Goal

After winning the Absa PremiershipGoalkeeper of the Season in May, SuperSport United’s Ronwen Williams went on to claim the number one jersey for Bafana Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, proving he has what it takes to take on the role permanently if given the opportunity. He’s started the 2019/20 campaign well with Matsatsantsa and is determined to keep doing well to hold on to the position with new Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki at the helm. In this interview with Soccer Laduma’s Tshepang Mailwane, the 27-year-old from Port Elizabeth talks about winning the MTN8 on Saturday and why he remains loyal to Matsatsantsa and he also reveals that there’s a new contract on the cards for him at the club.

Ronaldo And Messi What Decline?

To say they’ve dominated the game for longer than a decade probably doesn’t quite explain the impact they’ve had on our wonderful sport.

Our Journeys Are Not The Same

How, in the grand scheme of things, was a player in the mould of Mark Mayambela, hero-worshipped as he is by fans from all corners of South Africa, clubless? Why did his fortunes dramatically take a turn for the worse at Chippa United, a club where he was entrusted with the captain’s armband? Is the sunset beckoning to a career that brought the dribbling wizard a double treble, fame and a fair bit of misfortune? The 32-year-old has been glorified as much as he has been chastised, for there is the ever-present feeling that he could have achieved way more, if not for his inconsistency. Soccer Laduma’s Beaver Nazo caught up with Mayambela to hear how he feels about his surprise departure from the Chilli Boys and his eventual move to Cape Town City.

Nothing Friendly About This Friendly!

Both Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns will appreciate the opportunity to get some action during the international break when they lock horns in the Shell Helix Cup at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

I'm Living My Dream!

Thabiso Monyane’s rise to stardom is a story of dreams coming true! Having been part of the Orlando Pirates development structures for the past seven years, he watched in envy as some of his teammates got promoted to the senior team until his turn came last season. While he went to the first team’s pre-season camp, Monyane still had no contract with the club. He finally put pen to paper a day before the start of the season and, as they say, the rest is history. Read on as Monyane takes Soccer Laduma editor Vuyani Joni through his journey so far, in this interview.

Still In Touch With...Fees Moloi (Part 2)

Fees Moloi, who joined Kaizer Chiefs from Manning Rangers in 2000, says, “Of all the teams I played for, that was the most professional. That one I don’t doubt! There, they valued everyone, from the players right down to the cleaners, gardeners and security guards.” However, things did not go his way at Amakhosi and the well-travelled former striker concedes the timing of his move was not the best and that, with results not going his way and pressure at an all-time high, coach Muhsin Ertugral opted to use the players who had been in the set-up for longer. This is Part Two of Moloi’s Still In Touch…

It Really Killed Me

Thapelo Morena is in hisfourth season with Mam-elodi Sundowns and has proved to those who thought he was making a bad career move when he made the switch from Bloemfontein Celtic wrong by being one of the club’s most influential players. The 26-yearold player is not only a key player for Pitso Mosimane’s side but is aiming to contribute to what would be the side’s 10th

It Happens Even In The World Cup!

On recent controversial incidents

In Touch With

Themba Shabalala - Unattached (PART 5)

I Was Really Sad To Leave Chiefs!

Such is the universality of football that when a player goes into a completely new environment away from the comforts of home, it matters not that said player is unable to speak the local dialect.

Messi Named World's Best, CR7 Snubs Awards!

Many expected Virgil van Dijk to collect FIFA's The Best Men’s Player award after the Dutchman already claimed the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year accolade following a great season that saw him lead Liverpool to the UEFA Champions League title. However, in the end, Liverpool fans were left enraged, while fans of Cristiano Ronaldo were also stunned as Lionel Messi was announced as winner of FIFA’s prestigious accolade. He has now won it for a record-breaking sixth time and it seems Ronaldo knew it would happen, because the Portuguese snubbed the gala once again…

We Did Go On Strike!

Denis Onyango was spited in Mwanza, the second largest city in Tanzania, turning out for St George where his agility propelled the Ethiopian side to the CECAFA regional club championship and recruited for SuperSport United. He did rot immediately break into the starting XI but had to patiently bide his time, observing and learning from first Wendell Robinson and then Andre Arendse. When Pitso Mosimane, the a man who brought him to Matsatsantsa in the first place, took charge of Mamelodi Sundowns, he brought A; Onyango back from Bidvest Syr Wits where he had been on loan. In this interview with 0 Soccer Laduma's Thomas Kwenaite, the 34-year-old goalkeeper reveals what drives him and keeps him on his toes and how he became undisputed Footballer of the Year based in Africa. The gigantic net minder also shares the secrets behind his success and the man that pushes him to excel in his chosen profession.

Is Lorch Delivering?

So far this campaign, last season’s AbsaPremiership Footballer of the Season, Thembinkosi Lorch, has yet to hit his best form. In his first six appearances, he has not registered a goal or an assist and his performance levels have taken a dip. Is he simply taking a while to hit his stride or are there other factors to consider? What explains this early decline in form? Soccer Laduma puts the Orlando Pirates attacker’s displays under the magnifying glass.

I Thought The World Was Against Me

Virgil Vries was always going to be up against it at Kaizer Chiefs. His signing, as a free agent after being deemed surplus to requirements at Baroka FC at the end of the 2017/18 campaign, was met with raised eyebrows, for he did not come with a reputation. If anything, his goalkeeping credentials seemed to be dented by the odd blooper at his previous clubs, most notably one that made world headlines while still on the books of Golden Arrows. That he went on to step in for injured Itumeleng Khune is history. Noticeably, two forgettable games in the Amakhosi shirt defined his fate. In this interview with Soccer Laduma’s Beaver Nazo, an emotional VV, as he is affectionately known, talks about not living up to expectations at Naturena and reveals why Ernst Middendorp is not to blame for the club’s decision to let him go.

I Need Them, Not Their Grandmothers

Anguish turned to hope when, after suffering back-to-back relegation from first the Absa Premiership and then the NFD, and following a period of huffing and puffing in the ABC Motsepe League, Moroka Swallows found their way back to the second tier of South African football, having purchased the status of Maccabi FC prior to the beginning of the current season. The Dube Birds’ wings had been clipped and there had even been fears the club would go the way of the dodo, but those same wings are now being flapped high above in the sky, and suddenly the whole picture has changed. But there is still much to do to ensure a return to the upper echelons of Mzansi football, where Swallows enjoy a rich history. Club chairperson David Mogashoa admits as much in this interview with Soccer Laduma’s Beaver Nazo. Read on for more!