Chiefs will be business as usual for Ditlhokwe.

New Kaizer Chiefs recruit, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, says joining a huge institution like Kaizer Chiefs doesn't give him a runny tummy at all.

The 24-year-old Botswana national team defender, says he is used to challenges, having captained his country at the age of 21.

"One thing I can tell you is that I'm the captain of the national team, I'm a player for the national team. I've captained my national team at the age of 21 so I don't think there's any pressure which can come more than what I've already passed through," said Ditlhokwe as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/thatayaone-ditlhokwe-kaizer-chiefs-is-just-a-normal-challenge

"It's just a normal challenge that every player can face. That's why I said for you to grow you must have challenges, there's no player that can grow without having challenges."

Kaizer Chiefs have not won a trophy in eight years, but ironically, Ditlhokwe says he wants to win trophies and play in the CAF Champions League, which makes one wonder if he joined the right club.

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"I need to win trophies. I need to play in continental competitions like the Champions League and CAF, so that's what I'm looking forward to as a player. That's what I'm trying every time and at every training session so that I can grow as a player and win those things because you don't just win them for the sake of winning."

Ditlhokwe will be Amakhosi's player from July 1, with his SuperSport United contract running out at the end of June.

No blues for Broos as he announces Bafana squad.

Bafana Bafana boss, Hugo Broos, has announced his preliminary squad for the final AFCON qualifier against Morocco on June 17 at FNB Stadium.

With both sides having already qualified for Ivory Coast 2024, the match will give Broos an opportunity to begin his preparations for the final tournament early.

While the squad includes mostly the usual suspects, with Broos possibly looking to maintain some consistency, one glaring absentee from the squad is Burnley forward, Lyle Foster.

Among the new faces, the squad includes Iqraam Rayners who has been a revelation since returning to Stellenbosch FC, Given Msimango from TS Galaxy, and Kobamelo Kodisang, a player whom a lot of mzansi's football supporters have been calling for.

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Broos will announce his final squad early next month, but before that, a mini camp will be held from May 31 to June 7, and it will give Broos enough time to prepare and make a decision on his final squad.

Bafana Bafana 34-man preliminary Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu FC)
Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)
Melusi Buthelezi (TS Galaxy)

Defenders:

Sydney Mobbie (Sekhukhune United)
Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns
Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Given Msimango (TS Galaxy)
Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates
Nkosnathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)
Siyanda Xulu (Toran Tovuz)
Taariq Fielies (Cape Town City)
Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Aubrey Modiba(Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders:

Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Bathusi Aubaas (TS Galaxy)
Njabulo Blom (St Louis City)
Grant Margeman (SuperSport United)
Miguel Timm (Orlando Pirates)
Sphelele Mkhuilise (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Luke Le Roux (Varberg BoiS)
Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Thapelo Maseko (SuperSport United)

Forwards:

Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates)
Zakhele Lepasa (SuperSport United)
Cassius Mailuila (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Kobamelo Kodisang (Moreirense)
Khanyisa Mayo (Cape Town City)
Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limissol)
Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minessota)
Percy Tau (Al Ahly SC)
Pule Mmodi (Lamontville Golden Arrows)
Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC)

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."

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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.

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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.

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"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."