How Dzvukamanja turned yours truly into one of his converts...

In January, when there were reports that Terrence Dzvukamanja was on his way out of Orlando Pirates, I said good riddance! He was, after all, one of the deadwood Pirates had to get rid of.

Instead, it was Zakhele Lepasa who was allowed to head SuperSport United, where Dzvukamanja was allegedly supposed to go and reunite with his former coach at Bidvest Wits, Gavin Hunt.

At that time, I was convinced that Orlando Pirates coach, Jose Riveiro, is a crazy man.

How could he possibly let Lepasa go, and keep a passenger like Dzvukamanja in the team?

Five months down the line, with the season having just ended, I am eating humble pie, and I must say, it tastes like embarrassment.

ALSO READ: Belief is key to Manchester United's resurgence, says Ten Hag: http://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/believe-was-key-for-united-this-season.html

Dzvukamanja ended the season with eight goals and two assists in 19 appearances across all competitions.

He is currently Pirates' second best hope when it comes to scoring goal, next to DStv Premiership Players player of the Season, Monnapule Saleng.

Do I still believe he should leave Pirates?

Hell no!

With his contract set to expire at the end of June, I now believe Dzvukamanja should be one of the players Pirates should be looking to tie down for next season, and beyond maybe.

His contribution to their rise to a second spot finish in the league, and his Nedbank Cup final winning goal against Sekhukhune United has turned me into one of his converts.

Speaking to iDiski Times about his future, Dzvukamanja was coy in his response, giving nothing away.

"That one I don’t think I have a say and maybe if you can contact my agent and I think he can explain a little better than me because I was focusing on my job here," said Dzvukamanja. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/nedbank-cup-hero-dzvukamanja-comments-on-pirates-future/

"I still have a contract here."

Dzvukamanja, it seems, feels he has done his job, and now it is up to the club to do the right thing, something that he has no control over.

"I don’t know,"said Dzvukamanja.

"If they come, they will come. As I have said, that is from my agent to say ‘Terry, this is what is on the table’ and if it is something good or not good, I will take it from there."

However, with Pirates having qualified for the CAFCL, Dzvukamanja sounds keen to stay, and probably keep banging them in for the club in Africa's premier club competition.

"Every player wants to play for a big team and there is also CAF Champions League [for Pirates next season] and everyone wishes to play for this team."

Will he stay? Will he go? I think Riveiro would be crazy to let him go. 

Believe was key for United this season - Says Ten Hag.

Speaking at the club's end of the season awards ceremony, Manchester United boss, Erik Ten Hag, said belief in themselves and each other was key to United's improvement this season.

United, finished third on the English Premier League table, won the Carabao Cup, and are in the final of the Emirates FA Cup to played against Manchester City on Saturday at the Wembley Stadium.

But one of the most important achievements for Ten Hag and his troops is the UEFA Champions League qualification, a tournament they missed out on last season.

"Many things are key, but belief that you [can] win the game is the most important,” said Ten Hag as quoted by manutd.com

"When you show confidence on the pitch and believe in the plan and believe in your colleagues and your team-mates, then you will win."

"I think we did it [believe] in so many games – but we also dealt with setbacks. 

ALSO READ: Marcus Rashford wins big at Manchester United awards: http://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/rashford-wins-big-at-man-united-awards.html

Ten Hag applauded his team's resilience, saying it is what they need to win trophies.

He added that the team is happy that they are going towards the right direction, although they are not yet satisfied.

"[This] is a resilient team of character and personality, that are all attributes that you need for a successful season [and] for winning trophies."

"We have seen it before the season, after the start of the season, and then where we came from – we are happy, we are [going] in the right direction, but satisfied? No, we are not."

Rashford wins big at Man United awards.

Marcus Rashford was the biggest winner on Monday night during the Manchester United end of the season awards ceremony.

Rashford walked away with the Player of the Season Award, which made him only the second Man United Academy graduate behind club legend, Ryan Giggs, to win the award.

And it didn't end there for the forward, as his teammates voted him as the Players players of the Season, ahead of another top contender, David De Gea, who has won the award a whopping four times.

It must be said, Rashford deserves his accolades, having been a notable contributor in the team's revival.

Rashford scored 30 goals, while contributing eleven assists across all competitions, playing a major role in helping United finish third in the English Premier League table.

Another winner was Antony Matheus Dos Santos, simply known as Antony.

ALSO READ: Riveiro says if Sundowns can do as well as they did in the CAFCL last season, so can Pirates.

http://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/riveiro-sets-his-sights-on-cafcl.html

The 23-year-old Brazilian winger scooped the Goal of the Year Award for his sublime strike against Barcelona.

Although he didn't contribute as much as he was expected for United this season, he did however, score four goals, and provided two assists in 25 matches.

Former Bafana Bafana forward, and AmaZulu coach, Benni McCarthy, who currently working at United as a forward's coach, must be satisfied with his contribution in Rashford's resurgence this season,

Benni was credited for his help with the player finding his scoring boots and hunger for goals, with Rashford himself, speaking highly of him.

United will be hoping to wrap up their season on a high note by winning the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday at Wembley Stadium against Manchester City. 

Riveiro sets his sights on the CAFCL.

Having had a fantastic domestic season, where they won the MTN8 and the Nedbank Cup titles, also finishing second on the league, Orlando Pirates have every right to dream of bigger fish to fry, like the CAF Champions League.

And that is exactly what Pirates coach, Jose Riveiro, has set his sights on.

Riveiro says he is optimistic that Pirates can go all the way in Africa.

With their rich history in the continent, having managed to reach four finals, with two Champions League, of which they won one, and two CAF Confederations Cup, plus their recent revival, anything is possible.

"What are we going to do in Africa, dream…dream and we have the potential to go all the way, I’m a very optimistic person, I told you guys many times, don’t get me wrong with my face, I’m very optimistic," Riveiro said as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/riveiro-makes-bold-cafcl-statement-citing-sundowns/

"So when I start a tournament, I’m going with the intention to go all the way. Then let’s see, we’re going to find difficult trips, difficult opponents, difficult decisions from the referees, it’s a difficult competition, it is."

Riveiro says if Sundowns can do as well as they did in the CAFCL last season, so can Pirates.

ALSO READ: David De Gea on the FA Cup final: http://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/we-will-try-absolutely-everything-to.html

"But Sundowns did a fantastic job this season, they showed it’s possible for South African teams to compete until the last stages, so why not? We go little by little, we all start from zero again in every competition and we will face everyone with the intention to compete."

Bucs are also expected to put on a real fight for the DStv Premiership title next season, having shown great promise in the previous campaign, and finally end Sundowns dominance in the domestic football scene.

We will try absolutely everything to win - De Gea.

Manchester United goalkeeper, David De Gea, says they will try everything to win when they take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday 03 June at Wembley Stadium.

The English Premier League Golden Glove Award winner, who saved a penalty in Man United's last 2-1 win over Fulham during the weekend, added that for the whole year they have been working to be in a position to win titles, and they will give Saturday a full go.

"Tomorrow we recover and we start to prepare for [the final]," De Gea told MUTV.

"We know it’s a big final, a special game, and the whole year we’ve been fighting to be in the position to win titles and we will try absolutely everything to try to win."

De Gea, who has been fantastic between the sticks for United this season, is happy with the improvement the club has shown compared to the 2021/22 season.

ALSO READ: Injury woes for Guardiola ahead of the FA Cup showdown against Man United: http://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/injury-woes-for-guardiola-ahead-of.html

"The improvement is there, of course, we still have far [to go] but [it is] a massive improvement from last season.

Having already won the Carabao Cup, and managed a third place finish which takes United back to the UEFA Champions League, De Gea believes they had a great season.

He also credits United boss, Erik Ten Hag for their revival this season, who always emphasizes focus and the will to win every match.

ALSO READ: Mokoena, Williams, win big at the PSL Awards: http://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/mokoena-williams-prove-their-doubters.html

"Winning a cup, finishing third, it’s never easy to finish in Champions League places in England, and then we have another final, a big final – I think at the moment it is a great year.

"The manager wants us to be focused every game, to win every game.

"He was shouting before the game ‘come on guys, we have to finish properly, winning mentality."

Injury woes for Guardiola ahead of Manchester Derby.

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, is hoping five of his key players, including Kevin De Bruyne, will recover in time from their small injuries and exhaustion ahead of the FA Cup final battle against Manchester United.

Guardiola made seven changes to his team in their 1-0 loss to Brentford on Sunday, mostly forced by injuries and exhaustion.

“We have four or five players with niggles, not big injuries, but they are injuries,” said Guardiola as quoted by amp.mancity.com

“The guys who didn’t play here were really, really exhausted the day before and mentally, they were completely drained.

“The guys who are in Manchester - Ruben didn't train for 10 days, Jack Grealish, as well.

“After the game against Brighton, Kevin felt the same feelings that he had before, weeks ago when he could not play a few games. It is what it is.

“It's not a big issue, I think they will be ready. They have to be ready for the training sessions and I am going to see them in three days and that's why today was so important to see these players and how they are.

ALSO READ: Mokoena, Williams, win big during PSL Awards: http://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/mokoena-williams-prove-their-doubters.html

“Phil is in incredible form, Riyad as well, Cole was so active in many things.

“To play the finals we have to play the guys who feel better. Not because they played a lot of minutes.

“That’s why it was good to play with these guys and rest the other ones and hopefully the other ones can recover.

“The guys who played today deserved to and it’s important for me to see how they feel.

“And Nathan (returned) after being injured. Aymer (Laporte) came back again and played 90 minutes."

Rest and recovery will be key for Guardiola's men, with the all important UEFA Champions League final to follow after the Manchester Derby.

One player though, who hasn't had much rest, is Kyle Walker.

ALSO READ: If happiness was a football club, that club would be Orlando Pirates.

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“Unfortunately for Kyle I could not give him time to rest because we didn’t have many substitutions.

“But they needed to rest now, to arrive with the right energy and that is going to happen against United and after in the next game in the Champions League.

“Wednesday they will train and recover tomorrow. Hopefully (they will be OK), but right now, I don’t know.”

Mokoena, Williams, prove their doubters wrong.

It is now history that Teboho Mokoena (Footballer and midfielder of the season) and Ronwen Williams (Goalkeeper of the season) were big winners in the PSL awards held on Sunday evening.

For Williams, who was said to have committed career suicide by switching to Mamelodi Sundowns from neighbors SuperSport United at the beginning of the 2022/23 season, winning the goalkeeper of the season is more of an egg to the faces of those who expected him to play second fiddle to Denis Onyango.

Given a chance in the beginning of the campaign, Williams quickly showed why he is South Africa's number one, by keeping clean sheet after clean sheet, pulling off some brilliant saves at times, making the goalkeeping spot his own.

More than anything, it is how Williams fitted perfectly within the Sundowns style of play that was impressive, which includes a lot of build ups from the back.

ALSO READ: If happiness was a football club, that club would be Orlando Pirates.

http://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/happiness-lives-at-orlando-pirates.html

Comfortable with the ball on his feet, Williams added an extra dimension to Downs cutting edge football.

He went on to play 26 League matches for Sundowns, conceding nine goals and keeping a record breaking 18 clean sheets.

If you include all competitions, Williams appeared 41 times for Downs, with 25 goals conceded and 22 clean sheets.

As for Mokoena, it was a season where he showed how good he can be if he worked a little bit harder, off the ball that is.

His exploits on the ball are well documented, he can play.

But it is his work out of possession that, at times, left a lot to be desired. When he replaced Andile Jali as a Sundowns number six, a lot of Downs supporters were unhappy, some went as far as saying he was not Downs material.

ALSO READ: Bucs tipped to raid the transfer market in preparation for next season: http://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/pirates-expected-to-raid-transfer.html

But Tebza, a fighter, knuckled down and did a fantastic job in the Sundowns midfield, appearing 39 times across all competitions, with two goals scored, and three assists in his name.

Williams, and Mokoena, both born leaders, played a huge role in Downs' record breaking season,

They also have a big role to play for Sundowns and the national team going forward, and their awards were well deserved too!