What Shabalala and Zwane must know.

                                                     Image credit: Kaizer Chiefs Twitter

In Mduduzi Shabalala and Samkelo Zwane, Kaizer Chiefs have two players with the club’s DNA flowing through their veins.

Both youngsters play with flair, as well as a kind of self-confidence that borders on arrogance, a characteristic of many a great player. It is not a surprise that the two have instantly won the hearts of the hard to impress Amakhosi fans, but with that, comes added pressure to always impress.

That is a trap Zwane and Shabalala must do their best, with the help of their coach, Arthur Zwane, to try and avoid.

At their age and the stage of their careers, the two players are prone to making a mistake of playing to the gallery, in an effort to please the crowd, to the detriment of the team’s tactics and what the game requires at that moment. Zwane and Shabalala, must be careful not to be too eager to please the crowd.

To their advantage, they are blessed to have a coach like Arthur Zwane, who understands where the two youngsters come from, what they are experiencing at the moment in their careers, and what they need to do to be the best that they can be.

The coach’s thoughts on Zwane and Shabalala:

"We know when you are working on something you will have youngsters playing football on pure instinct rather than understanding the structure because everything is about [having] a [tactical] structure at this level," Zwane said as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/zwane-admits-promising-chiefs-duo-lack-tactical-structure/

“Yes, as soon as they get excited sometimes, they become a bit loose because of what they hear from the stands and then they think it’s easy and we end up losing on the structure. That is where we [as coaches have to] come in to remind them, these people are one man down, let’s murder them, let’s bury them.

"As they grow and develop, in South Africa, I think players mature at the age of 26, 27, very few that you see excelling at the age of 20, 21, they still need a lot of guidance.

"We have to play them with people who are experienced, that’s why we have players like Keagan Dolly on the field, as long as he’s there. He’s been in France [and Bafana Bafana], otherwise, if you’re not going to have a spine with leaders maybe as a front man, in midfield and in defence and goalkeeper – then you might have a problem," Zwane added.

"You need people who can lead these youngsters while we’re trying to build an identity. With them, yes, we have an advantage as they’ve been in the development and that is why with Samkelo you see these glimpses of him getting the ball at the right areas, dangerous areas where we can hurt people.

"Players like Sithebe and Yusuf, you still see a little bit of instinct here and there [not structure] and you understand why… when the results are not forthcoming, we want to win the game at all costs, and we end up losing our structure.

"So, what is key, is to grind results and as long as we grind the results, the structure will become visible [as wins pile up], everyone will see this is how Chiefs play because it builds the confidence of the team you know."

I think not enough credit is given to this group – Mokwena on his team.

To find the last time Mamelodi Sundowns lost a league match, you will have to go back to the 2nd of September 2022, when they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against SuperSport United, that was ages ago.

Since then, the Brazilians went on an amazing 16-match ubeaten run in the league, which included a 15-match winning streak, where they managed to keep a whopping 12 clean sheets.

Now, we may say the Dstv Premiership is a weak league blah blah blah...

Okay, fair enough, but the very same Sundowns team have done tremendously well in the Caf Champions League as well, winning four of their six group stage matches, with two draws, and they qualified for the quarterfinals on top of their group.

To achieve the type of results and dish out the kind of performances Downs have given us this season can take a lot out of players, their mental strength has been tested to the limits, physically they have had to push themselves to the edge, tactically they have had to apply themselves with military precision, especially in the CAFCL, yet they are still standing, and going strong.

In light of the above, and the fact that they have won the league with seven matches to spare, Downs’ head coach, Rulani Mokwena, is justified in saying that his players deserve more credit than they are given, we might not be at a point where naming a town after them is part of the conversations, but credit, that they deserve in abundance.

Mokwena on winning the league, and why his players deserve more credit:

“It was a bit difficult because we live in such a digital and social media space and whether you like it or not the players will know,” Mokwena said as quoted by Times Live.

“So my speech to them before the game was, ‘Congratulations, because you guys know about it, but now you’ve got [a game]’. 

“And really it’s something they need to be congratulated for. And sometimes in South Africa it’s downplayed, and maybe we are victims of our own success where people undermine the difficulties of winning the Premier League. 

“The league title is the hardest to win in any country. You’ve got to play against 15 opponents home and away and the competition lasts eight or nine months. There’s no other competition any team competes in that lasts as long. 

“Sometimes maybe because of the way it may be perceived, and people start to think it looks easy, that’s actually the most difficult. 

“And tonight’s was maybe a game like that where we had to not be in a celebratory mood because we’d won the championship, which was a very difficult championship. 

“And maybe people might not think that but it’s so difficult to have the level of consistency that this group has shown over the number of games we’ve played — having to win and win and win and win without getting tired is not easy. 

“There’s a level of complacency that creeps in. To not allow that and stay at a good competitive mental level is very difficult. I think not enough credit is given to this group for that.” 

 

Sundowns already know what to expect from their quarter-final CAFCL opponents.

 

                                            Image credit: Mamelodi Sundowns Twitter

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena, has proven himself to be meticulous when it comes to preparing his side for each and every game, and it is not surprising that the Brazilians are yet to lose a match under his tutelage.

Mokwena has stayed true to his nature of leaving no stone unturned, as he revealed that Downs already have an idea about their possible next opponents in the Caf Champions league, as the tournament moves to the business end.

Knowing their opponents inside out, might help Sundowns avoid the disappointment of last season, when they were knocked out in the quarterfinals by unfancied Pedro De Luanda from Angola.

The Brazilians had, like in this campaign, qualified from the top of the group, with high hopes of making it all the way in the tournament, before they came crushing down on hard earth.

“We’ve managed to send four analysts already to try to give us a bit of a profile on the next possible opponents in the Champions League,” he told SABC Sport, as quoted by iDiski Times. Sundowns Potential CAFCL Opponents Revealed - iDiski Times.

“So the next seven opponents will be watched this weekend and it was important that we watch them in a Champions League environment.”

Downs’ quarter-final opponent will come either from, JS Kabyile (Algeria), Simba SC (Tanzania), and CR Belouizdad (Algeria).

The quarter-final draw will be conducted in Cairo on Wednesday.

Four league wins in a row, a Nedbank Cup quarter-final, and the death of ‘Zwane Must Go’ chants.

Image credit: Twitter

The Story Is: Kaizer Chiefs are enjoying their best run in the league this season, having won four games in a row as the fight for the coveted Caf Champions League spot intensifies.

Amakhosi are fourth on the log table, tied on 40 points with second placed Orlando Pirates, and SuperSport united who dropped to third after their come from behind 1-1 draw against Chippa. With only six games to go, it would be interesting to see whether Arthur Zwane will be able to achieve his goal of finishing second, but at the rate at which his Glamour Boys are collecting three points per game, suddenly everything looks possible.

But maybe the most interesting part about Amakhosi’s latest run of good form, is the death of ‘Zwane must go’ chants from some sections of Chiefs’ supporters, something that was gaining momentum as the team failed to dish out consistent performances, which led to some unpleasant results, and dissatisfaction with Mangethe ball.

A wiseman once told me, “Football fans are like little children, they cry, you give them candy, and all is well again.”

I didn’t believe him then, besides, comparing grown football loving men and women with children crying for candy is disrespectful, right? I am a football fan myself, and I am a grown man. Lately though, I am forced to believe he was right, because of the Kaizer Chiefs situation. Suddenly, Amakhosi fans believe their club is ready to face Arsenal.

The Fact of the Matter Is: No coach in the Dstv Premiership has had to dodge ‘possible sacking’ bullets than Zwane this season, but the Amakhosi mentor has taken it all in his stride, patiently going about his business of reviving the fortunes of the once mighty Soweto giants.

Rebuilding a club of Chiefs’ magnitude is no child’s play. It takes a lot of hard work, patience, and a thick skin to withstand the inevitable criticism bound to be thrown your way. Zwane has had to endure the worst.

What has made Zwane’s job even more difficult must be the quality of the squad he inherited. For a football institution like Chiefs, the quality of their squad has left a lot to be desired, to expect a coach to perform miracles with that squad, would be setting him up for imminent failure.

But Zwane has done well under the circumstances, the team is not playing bad football at all, they are creating great chances each and every game, they are fighting for second spot, and they can still win a trophy with the Nedbank Cup still up for grabs.

In A Nutshell: It is a good thing that the ‘Zwane Must Go’ song is off the Amakhosi fans playlists. With the team having already taken steps to address the poor quality of the squad, Chiefs can only get better next season, firing the coach would have been a futile exercise, to say the least. Let Mangethe continue to work on his project, he is on to something.

From penalties to red cards, why Kaizer Chiefs are 'benefitting'.

                                                          Image credit: Kaizer Chiefs Twitter.

No team in the Dstv Premiership has been awarded more penalties, or had their opponents sent off against them than Kaizer Chiefs, which has led to unpleasant murmurs about the club 'benefitting' from referees in some football circles.

Stellenbosch FC, whom Amakhosi beat 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at FNB Stadium, have been hit the hardest when it comes to red cards and penalties awarded against them when facing Chiefs this season. 

Stellies have had two players sent off, and four penalties awarded against them, including a hat-trick of spot-kicks converted by Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana in the much talked about league first round encounter. Stellies coach, Steve Barker, was visibly infuriated by Saturday's happenings at FNB, where Chiefs took the lead through a spot kick, and Sage Stephens' sending off after he handled the ball outside of his area, which led to him giving a heated comment in his post-match interview.

"I think Kaizer Chiefs, they must have practice sesssions against 10 players more often than any other club. It seems that's all they play against. 10 men at training and penalties, that's all," said Barker.

But the big questions is, are Chiefs really 'benefitting' from referees decisions?

The answer to that is a resounding yes! But here is the thing, Amakhosi are benefitting within the laws of the game, in that teams commit fouls against them, and the referees are left with no choice but to apply the laws of the game.

For an example, Sage Stephens had no business handling the ball outside of his area on Saturday afternoon, he found himself in a desperate situation, and broke the laws of the game, and the man in the middle had no choice but to do what was just.

The fact of the matter is, Chiefs attackers are speedy Gonzalez's descendents, they are quick as lightning. With Amakhosi's game model based on quick offensive transitions, opposition defenders are bound to find themselves in awkward one vs one situations against the likes of Ashley Du Preez and Christian Saile Basomboli, where a tackle late by a fraction of a second will see them tumbling down, and the referee having to do what he has to do.

in a nutshell, Chiefs, as long as they have the type of attackers they have, and continue to play with the same speed in their offensive transitions, will benefit from penalties, and having their opponents sent off, it is what it is, it is a given.

They might as well, like Barker alluded, practice playing against 10-men, and a lot of spot kicks, so that Bimenyimana, Solomons, and Billiat do not miss some the next time.  

  

Sundowns win the league with seven games to spare, while Chiefs make it four wins in a row.

 

          Kaizer Chiefs players in celebratory mood after beating Stellenbosch FC 2-1. Image credit: Kaizer Chiefs Twitter.

It was an action-packed Saturday in the Dstv Premiership, that saw Mamelodi Sundowns winning the league with seven games to spare, while SuperSport United's draw against Chippa United threw the race for second spot wide open.

As things stand, Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, and Kaizer Chiefs are all tied on 40 points after 24 games, with Pirates occupying the Caf Champions League spot by virtue of a better goal difference. 

Richards Bay vs Orlando Pirates:

Amabhakaniya managed to shrug off an early resistance from the Natal Rich Boys to down them 2-0 in a match played at King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi, on Saturday afternoon.

Terence Dzvukamanja opened the scoring for Bucs in the 32nd minute after Kabelo Dlamini located him inside the box with an inch perfect cross from the right outside channel, while Monnapule Saleng finished the job for Pirates after 90+2 minutes, with a close-range finish which took his tally for the season to nine goals in the league.

Pirates enjoyed 58% of the ball, which culminated in 15 goal attempts with seven of them on target, while Richards Bay, who suffered their sixth straight league defeat, only managed five goal attempts, with a meagre two on target. 

With their win, Pirates moved to second spot on the league, after SuperSport United dropped two points against Chippa United.

Kaizer Chiefs vs Stellenbosch FC:

Amakhosi made it four wins in a row in the league as they put on a dominant performance om Saturday afternoon at FNB Stadium, to beat a 10-men Stellies 2-1.

The ghost of their first-round defeat to Chiefs, where they conceded three penalties and received a red card, came back to haunt Steve Barker's side as they gave away an early penalty, and got shown a red card in the 16th minute when goalkeeper, Sage Stephens handled the ball outside the box.

In a game they completely dominated, and should have scored more, Amakhosi took the lead through Ashley Du Preez in the 11th minute from a penalty spot, before captain Keagan Dolly added the second in the 25th minute to help Chiefs go to the half time break with a 2-0 lead, with Stellies looking dead and buried.

But Stellies came back a different side in the second stanza, as they pulled a goal back in the 46th minute through Jabaar. They almost grabbed an equalizer in the last minute of added time, but Brandon Pietersen pulled off a great close range save to deny Ortiz.

As has become the norm, Chiefs coach bemoaned his side's lack of killer instinct as they failed to kill the game off despite being dominant for most parts of the game.

Chiefs enjoyed 60% ball possesssion, 22 attempts on goal, of which only five were on target against 10-men. nonetheless, Zwane welcomed the all-important three points, and a fourth win in a row for his side, who have suffered a lack of consistency throughout the season.

Amakhosi remain fourth on the log, by virtue of a poor goal difference.  

The real reason why Mosimane was not appreciated in Egypt revealed!

Mosimane during his Al Ahly SC days. Image: Twitter

When Pitso Mosimane joined Al Ahly SC from Mamelodi Sundowns, he continued to do what he does best, which is winning trophies.

Despite his winning efforts, which included Caf Champions League and Caf Super Cup success, some sections of Al Ahly fans and legends never warmed up to Jingles.

Just recently, Al Ahly treasurer, Khaled Mortagy raised some eyebrows when he said Marcel Koller, who is their current coach, is better than Mosimane.

"As a fan, I see that Al Ahly has a very good team, and it has the best coach that came to Egypt since Manuel Jose, and his technical staff is exceptional," Mortagy said on King Fut.

"Pitso Mosimane was different, but Koller is much better than him. Mosimane achieved titles, but Al Ahly’s performances dropped massively during his last period." 

But North African Football except, Haytham Mohamed, who spoke to ThisIsFootball.Africa, put things into better perspective.

"There are some fans that believe in Mosimane, and say he deserves a better chance. But the problem here in Egypt is that the fans are demanding," he said. Watch the full interview with North African football expert Haytham Mohamed here https://youtu.be/3KXWlycVQas

"Al Ahly is the biggest team in Egypt and Africa, winning the league, and winning the Caf Champions League is a must. So they are used to it.

"Now they want the next level, that Al Ahly plays the best football in Egypt, and Africa.

"They didn't like the way Mosimane won, especially in Africa. He just won the games, knew how to win the games, but didn't play good football. That is something Al Ahly fans don't like."

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/03/doesnt-dolly-sound-not-too-eager-to.html?m=1

The Red Eagles take on Al Hilal Omdurman tonight (Saturday 01 April) at 21:00 in a must win last group stage game.

They were almost knocked out of the competition a week ago, only saved by a last minute penalty save by Ronwen Williams, which denied Al Hilal a win that would have seen Al Ahly exit.

History though, is on the Egyptians side. Each time they have endured a difficult group stage campaign, Al Ahly have gone on to conquer Africa.