SuperSport looking to add value to women's football.

SuperSport United are in talks with two Hollwoodbets Super League teams, with a view to form a partnership that will see Amantsantsa venture into women's football.

Mamelodi Sundowns, Royal AM, and TS Galaxy are the only DStv Premiership sides currently with ladies teams, with Kaizer Chiefs' efforts having fell through after they couldn't reach an agreement with JVW Ladies.

SuperSport CEO, Stan Matthews, says they are in talks with Tshwane University of Technology and another team, and his board will soon decide on the matter.

Matthews cites CAF requirements as one of the reasons they are looking at a partnership.

"We don't have a choice because I can't comply with the CAF requirements without an existing deal. These two clubs have both expressed their willingness to partner with us mid-season which is obviously the important criteria for us," he said as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/supersport-united-in-negotiations-for-a-women-s-football-team-stan-matthews

Matthews says forming a partnership with an existing, well-run women's team would be ideal for them instead of starting their own team from the ground.

"I think it really helps us because to start a fully-fledged women's team on our own is very difficult for us to do. So, to be able to partner with an existing setup that is sustainable, that has good brand values, that shows good potential, that if they had a little bit of extra support they could achieve something. So, that's the kind of brand that we are looking to partner with."

ALSO READ: We can’t lose our DNA - De Zerbi: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/we-cant-lose-our-dna-de-zerbi.html?m=1

JVW, according to Matthews, is one of the teams they have had some talks with.

"When I first approached them, they weren't prepared to have "Amatsatsansa" as part of their name, so they weren't on the list because that was part of our criteria. Our criteria were that whichever franchise it is, it will add the name Amatsatsansa to its name. So, apparently, they've had a second thought about that."

We can’t lose our DNA - De Zerbi.

After leading Brighton & Hove Albion to Europe for the first time in their history, manager, Roberto De Zerbi says he will not change the team's style of play.

Brighton plays a style of cutting edge possession football which borders on arrogance in its application.

While some managers would be tempted to play it more safe in continental competition, De Zerbi, it seems, is not one of them.

De Zerbi says his intention is to compete equally in four competitions, and in anticipation of losing some of his good players, he will need some reinforcements.

Brighton have already secured Joao Pedro from Watford.

"We don’t need to too many players but my idea is to compete in four competitions – hopefully the Europa League, Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup," said De Zerbi as quoted by brightonandhovealbion.com.

"It will be tougher for sure, and I think we might lose some big players who deserve to go for other targets in other teams. But we will bring in other big players and arrive ready to compete in four competitions. We will play to win, to show our quality and our style in every competition and we can’t lose our DNA. In Europe if we play against big teams we won’t forget our style."

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It is Brighton chairman, Tony Bloom that De Zerbi is happy for.

"Tony Bloom is the first fan of Brighton and I know Tony and the club don’t want to lose this level; You have to work harder when you are winning than when you are losing. It’s not good if Brighton lose this level in these next two years.

"Now is the crucial period for the club, not for Roberto and the players but for the club. We have to keep this level, to build a squad to improve our level."

Man City vs Brighton, a football romantic's dream.

English Premier League champions, Manchester City, will travel to Falmer Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday 24 May, with the kick-off at 21:00.

City have dominated this fixture, having won four out of their last five meetings.

But this will be a different game altogether, with both teams on cloud nine.

City go into the encounter already wearing their EPL champions crown, while Brighton are also in a celebratory mood having secured their dream Europa League spot.

Now, picture these two ball playing sides, both in a party mood, coming face-to-face, with nothing to lose, the stage is set, we can expect them to dance without fear nor care, as if the world is not watching.

Nothing but a superb football should be on display, in true Pep Guardiola and Roberto De Zerbi style.

Brighton boss, De Zerbi has pushed the boundaries a bit with the style of play he has implemented at the club, just like his counterpart, Pep Guardiola did with City, with much success.

To think that Brighton have managed to qualify for Europe, playing the way they do, which is considered to be a risky approach, is just exceptional.

The saying, 'the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward' is epitomized by teams like City and Brighton, but it is even more admirable when it is done by a team like Brighton, and successfully so, without the quality in personnel that City possesses.

Brighton play football without fear, cutting edge stuff at times, averaging 61% ball possession per match in the EPL this season, very close to Man City's 65% possession average.

ALSO READ: Rulani Mokwena says Downs will win the CAFCL playing their own way: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/we-will-do-it-our-way-mokwena.html?m=1

On Wednesday evening, quality might be the only difference between the two sides, with City having it in abundance.

But De Zerbi's men will play, they will definitely give it a good go, making the game worth watching.

They can even go a step further, and possibly end City's 12 match winning streak in the EPL.

We will do it our way – Mokwena.

After Mamelodi Sundowns' semi-final exit from the CAF Champions League in the hands of holders, Wydad Athletic Club, the issue of tactics and style of play has come to the fore.

The feeling is, after Sundowns had taken a 2-1 lead towards the end of the game, closing shop would have been a better tactic.

To win, in short, coach Rulani Mokwena could have opted to sacrifice the soul of Sundowns, and play a bit 'ugly'.

But the Brazilians tactician is adamant that such will not happen anytime soon.

According to Mokwena, Sundowns have a game model that is deeply ingrained in their genes, and eventually, they will win the CAFCL playing their way.

"When we don’t win, we open the door for a lot of the talk," Mokwena told iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/mokwena-not-ready-to-sacrifice-sundowns-and-own-principles/

"The topic of style of play is a very interesting topic. But it’s a topic that has been posed, not just to me so I have to understand that, first and foremost. Even greater and more successful coaches have had to answer that question.

"What I know and what I respect is that there’s more than just one way to win – but there’s also more than one way to live life and football being what it is; a reflection of society, in the bad, you’re not good enough, in the good, you’re probably still not good enough and that’s the judgment because there are others that feel they can do it different or better."

ALSO READ: Cape Town City transfer market business already sorted, according to Eric Tinkler: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/city-done-transfer-market-deals-done.html?m=1

Mokwena says they have tried different ways in the tournament before, including the use of percentage football, which did not yield any positive results.

In that case, he wants to give the Sundowns style of play a fair chance.

“But I think we’ve done it the pragmatic way a couple of times and it also hasn’t worked, we’ve done it the percentage football way and it also hasn’t worked, so let’s give this [style of play], let’s give it a little bit of time before you cast judgment.”

City transfer market deals done already!

If keeping your house in order was a football team, it would be Cape Town City.

The Citizens finished fourth on the DStv Premiership log after beating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 on match day 30, despite having a bad start to the season that saw them battle with inconsistency.

While other clubs are still pondering their transfer market moves, the Citizens, according to their coach, Eric Tinkler, are long done with that business.

"We start looking at players right at the beginning of the season. We've already made decisions on what our squad is for next season. So, there will be some new faces that are coming in which we will obviously announce at the right time," he said as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/cape-town-city-signings-long-concluded-says-eric-tinkler

The only dilemma that City is left with is the issue of foreign players.

With seven in total, Tinkler says they have to make a decisions on which two to let go as they can only keep five at the club.

ALSO READ: Lelona Daweti on Downs Ladies UJ win: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/we-left-everything-on-field-daweti.html?m=1

"We have seven foreign players and we have to make a decision on two of them because we can only keep five. So, there will be one or two changes in terms of the foreign spots. We will obviously announce that when it's the right time. With regards to Mdantsane again that announcement will be made at the right time."

We left everything on the field - Daweti.

Lelona Daweti says Mamelodi Sundowns had to leave everything on the field in order to defeat a well organized and determined University of Johannesburg Ladies 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.

Daweti scored Sundowns Ladies opening goal as early as the third minute, before Melinda Kgadiete added the second in the 46th minute.

While Banyana Ba Style walked away with all the three points, they were made to sweat by a stubborn UJ side who didn't allow them to play their normal fluid attacking football.

Daweti acknowledges the difficulty they had to go through to win the game, Daweti says she is delighted with the overall performance of the team.

"We are delighted with the overall performance of our team, especially considering the challenging nature of our opponents," Daweti told Mamelodi Sundowns media team.

"Throughout the game, we gave our absolute best and demonstrated our commitment by leaving everything on the field.

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It was in the last few minutes of the game where it looked like UJ could steal a point from the game, especially after they had pulled one goal back.

Daweti says Downs character pulled them through from UJ's late onslaught.

"Despite facing some nerve-wracking moments in the last few minutes, we displayed great character and bravery, ultimately securing the valuable three points.

"This result serves as a solid foundation for us moving forward, and we are fully determined to carry the positive momentum into our next game."

Sundowns Ladies will face 14th placed Thunderbirds in their next Hollywoodbets Super League encounter.

Clubs make it difficult for us to get players - Zwane.

While his Kaizer Chiefs future hangs in the balance after his disastrous debut season as head coach, Arthur Zwane is quietly going about the business of planning for next season.

Chiefs finished fifth with 12 defeats in the DStv Premiership in what was yet another season without a trophy.

Inconsistency, schoolboy defensive errors, and the inability to find the back of the net plagued Amakhosi's season, to the frustration of the die hard supporters.

'Zwane must go chants', and an attack on him after the SuperSport United loss have done nothing to dumpen the Amakhosi head coach's spirits, instead he is more determined to turn things around.

Part of his plans is to get quality players to bolster his squad, with Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, and Given Msimango already secured from SuperSport and TS Galaxy respectively.

"We have identified a few indviduals, and some we managed to get while some the team are still trying to make sure that they get them," said Zwane as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/arthur-zwane-hoping-new-kaizer-chiefs-signings-hit-the-ground-running

"But, again, it boils down to one thing, as you said, can they cope with the pressure of playing for a team of Kaizer Chiefs' calibre? And, look, it leaves one with thinking a lot.

"This is a season in which we've learnt a lot from, in terms of bringing in players, and also releasing certain players, and as much as there were negatives, there were also a lot of positives that can help us moving forward. 

"And, we will see who we bring on board to come and help the team."

ALSO READ: Zwane on his first season as Kaizer Chiefs head coach: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/im-believer-im-hard-worker-zwane.html?m=1

Zwane has bemoaned the fact that clubs are hellbent on making things difficult for Chiefs when they want to sign their players, but says the club has to find a way to secure their targets.

"It's a case of quality. If quality is available then we go [for it]. You know it's always been a difficult situation for the club, whenever we look for players and approach other teams, they make it difficult for us to get that player," he added.

"Because obviously, the competition is also very stiff, so we just have to find a way."