ShakingInk

Mamelodi Sundowns mentor, Pitso Mosimane, celebrating his seventh year anniversary since his appointment in 2012. By Malose Wa Ga Lamola Mamelodi Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe is still cherishing the moment he picked up his phone and called Pitso Mosimane to succeed former Downs coach Johan Neeskens at Chloorkop. Read: She Is The Man The business magnate, along with Mosimane, put together a number of winning team and has invested millions into the squad in terms of player recruitments and club infrastructures. Motsepe lured celebrated former players cum-coaches to Chloorkop, with the likes of ex-Barcelona greats Neeskens and Hristo Stoichkov trying their luck at Chloorkop but with nothing to show at the club. Also Read: Coaches Not Benefiting From Referees When Mosimane came to Sundowns in December 2012, the Brazilians trophy cabinet was seemingly dry but Mosimane turned fortunes around soon thereafter. 'Jingles' is not a coach who will be sitting on t

Kaizer Chiefs marketing manager, Jessica Motaung, showing of her prowess on the golf course. By Malose Wa Ga Lamola Fresh from a CAF course in Egypt, Kaizer Chiefs Marketing manager Jessica Motaung, is set to establish a women’s side that will coexist along the male side. Read: Can Norman Survive The Chop? As a veteran scribe noted, women footballers are less dramatic com- pared to their male counterparts. We were subjected to drama kings for quite some time in the PSL and the country nearly forgot we have female footballers. Ladies walk like real gentlemen when they take to the field. They are more physical than wrestlers, no handbags thrown, no weird hairstyles but sharply-cut mohawks. Also Read: Coaches Bite The Dust With PSL stars spending more time before their mirrors, flocking to their hairdressers on a weekly basis, SA needs women with balls. Jessica is a woman with balls. Just bring those balls to the training base in Naturena and grant other women an opportu

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola The appointment of Norman Mapeza as the head coach of Chippa United rose enough eyebrows but his sacking will not. With a trigger happy chairman at the helm of the club, it is advisable to Mapeza, not to unpack his bags. His sacking will come before the stamp authorising his signature dries up. The Chilly Boys barely uses indeliable inks for coach signatures. Perhaps the one South Africans used in the national elections earlier this year is the prefered one in Port Elizabeth. Read: Why Coaches Are Getting Fired? Mapeza is coming in with an ample of experience but that won't be enough if he doesn't hit the results are not on his side. Football is a results orientated business but at Chippa even victories can't save a coach's head from the chop. Mpengesi doesn't care about stability in his team, he just wants consistancy. Former Zimbabwean outfit, Platinum Football Club coach, is not immune to the Siviwe Mpengesi boot. Mapeza said h

Former Cape Town City coach, Benni McCarthy, points out his disatisfaction in one of his former club matches. By Malose Wa Ga Lamola Cape Town City has amicably parted ways with coach Benni McCarthy. McCarthy is the first to bite the dust following a string of poor results. He has led City to a mere two victories in all competitions this campaign. When the PSL gives match officials a few Read:  Middendorp Automatic Mandate weeks off for their weekly blunders, club bosses, show coaches the exit door. McCarthy has been outspoken about poor match officiating that led to his team losing games they should not have lost. Referees decision is final and those decisions have decided McCarthy's fate. McCarthy is tactically astute, that is unquestionable, but losing his job because of the people who continue to commit the same errors must be frustrating to coaches. Also Read:  Can Chiefs Star Help Bafana?  SAFA and PSL will write more letters to coaches but that won&#

Kaizer Chiefs mentor Ernst Middendorp             (Picture by Backpage Pix) By Malose Wa Ga Lamola Ernst Middendorp has reverse engineered Giovanni Solinas blunders and Kaizer Chiefs is back to where it belongs, at the top. The German mentor is the man Chiefs needed to rise above the clutter. Perhaps the players understand his philosophy better due to his language. Language barrier was the major factor in his predecessor's failures. Chiefs had no structure and direction under Solinas. Read: Chiefs star on Ntseki's plans Middendorp has had a full pre-season with the team and he has surely instilled his ideas in the squad. Big teams barely give coaches mandates. When a coach accept a job at a big club his mandate is automatically to win titles. Middendorp is no different to his counterparts at Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. Though it was unrealistic to expect Chiefs to challenge for hounors this season after finishing in the bottom half on the standin

Kaeryn Baccus eligible to play for South Africa but he is a Socceroo at heart By Malose Wa Ga Lamola Kearyn Baccus has been tipped to keep the momentum as Bafana Bafana mentor, Molefi Ntseki, has kept an eye on him and would consider calling him up for national duty in the future. Unlike other foreign-based players eligible to don national colours, South Africans have watched Baccus play first hand. Baccus is a great footballer with a high work rate.  The Kaizer Chiefs midfield anchor has raised eyebrows when his name was thrown into the hat, due to his Australian connection. The 28-year old was born in South Africa, but his family left for cooler temperatures of Sydney. The 28-year old has only appeared for the Aussies at junior level, allowing him to play for Mzansi. Read : Why TS Galaxy Plays Proper Football The Durbanite should not worry about national team colours, since both these nations turn out in green and gold. However, he should have sleepless nigh

TS Galaxy mentor, Daniel 'Dance' Malesela showing off his skills (Picture by Soccer Laduma) By Malose Wa Ga Lamola Thanks to the man at the helm, Daniel 'Dance' Malesela, TS Galaxy does not need Amapiano to dance across the African continent. Malesela is the lover of possesional football and proven that in his many stints with Chippa United. The product of Mamelodi Sundowns' Piano and Shoe-Shine, Malesela is a master of carpet football. Galaxy plays possesional football that frustrates opponets. Despite plying their trade in the Glad Africa Championship, Galaxy has made a mark in continental football, amid reaching the group stages. Also Read: Cup Kings of the new era It is not by fluke that Galaxy is the first team from the second tier league to win the national tournament, Nedbank Cup. Winning the tournament was a passport to go deep and further in the continent. Playing in the Glad Africa Championship and having to juggle that with conti

Supersport United crowned the 2019 Kings of MTN8 By Malose Wa Ga Lamola Supersport United have established themselves as cup specialist in recent years, playing their third MTN8 final on the bounce, at the weekend speaks volume of the Tshwane based outfit. Last season finalists have finally get their grip of the heavy metal. Dethroning Cape Town City wasn't going to be easy as Supersport had to put a stubborn Highlands Park to the sword. It was Matsatsantsa's night to leave their finger prints on the MTN8 title again. Also Read: Gabuza kept the sad news to himself Despite being on the losing side, Highlands Park has put in a good shift, using their pace to good effect and threatened to seal the game in the first half. The Lions of the North created enough chances but stage fright got the better of them. Supersport proved to be the big boys and their experience in finals came to the fore. Kaitano Tembo won his first piece of silverware in his maiden season as

Supersport United' Thamsanqa Gabuza celebrating MTN8 victory By Malose Wa Ga Lamola Supersport United striker Thamsanqa Gabuza has found a new lease on life in the Capital City of Pretoria, regaining his form at the right time to help his side to MTN8 victory. Gabuza had kept mum on the sad passing and burial of his son to protect the camp building up to their final enounter against Highlands Park, proving the selflessness of this gentle giant.  The lanky goal poacher is enjoying his football under the mentorship of head coach Kaitano Tembo. Tembo is using Gabuza to his strength and is getting the best out of him. His partnership with goal-scorer of the championship winning goal, Bradley Grobler, is one of the most lethal combinations in the Premier Soccer League. The duo has scored six goals between them in this tournament, with Gabuza netting four times and Grobler grabbing the other important two. Gabuza came in full circle to where it all begun. Ironically, Gabuza

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola Khama Billiat of Kaizer Chiefs. (Picture by Sydney Mahlangu/Backpagepix) Without adding fuel to the fire, but Khama Billiat is not appreciated at Naturena, hence he wants to force his way out of the club. In one of the media conferences held by Orlando Pirates prior to the mouth-watering encounter against Kaizer Chiefs, Rhulani Mokwena had pointed out that the Buccaneers opted against signing the Zimbabwean to protect the dressing room. If 'Mourinho's' statement is anything to go by then Khama is certainly dividing the dressing room at Naturena. The rumours making the rounds of his former side Mamelodi Sundowns attempting to lure him back was put to bed when Downs manager Yogesh Sigh admitted to be in talks with the Glamour Boys. Anything can still happen between now and transfer deadline day. Also Read: Can't lose Khama now If Khama wants to don the Brazilians' colours once again then it would only be fair for Chiefs to let go

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola Pitso Mosimane is boasting a decorated CV in the domestic league therefore, it is disheartening to learn of the arrival of a technical director at Mamelodi Sundowns. Mosimane has proven beyond any reasonable doubt- that he is capable of doing his job- under no supervision. All the coaches that came after Trott Moloto and before Pitso have failed so dismally at Chloorkop. Appointing a technical director to boss Pitso is a sign of disperect. In exception of Ted Dumitru Europeans have come and gone at Sundowns without winning any title. The reigning coach of the season has accumulated more trophies than all his predecessors. Sundowns is showing a middle finger to Pitso. All the reported factions at Chloorkop are bad for the club. Pitso can be labelled arrogant and all but his work ethic is unquestionable. Patrice Motsepe wanted to conquer Africa and Pitso has ticked that box. Why are we still doubting our own? Without sounding xenophic but Europeans are

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola The Carling Cup has been glorified as the most unique tournament in the world- but the truth is- there is nothing extra ordinary about the competetition. South Africans must be sober minded to take football in the country foward. This is nothing much than promoting the biggest two teams in the country. Soweto derby needs no markerting- it is the most firce rivalry in our domestic calender. Telkom Charity cup was sacrificed for the most exaggerated competition. We should let go of the pretence. There is no logic in pretending this beer tournament is benefiting anyone- except the breweries. Four teams that participated in the one day Telkom Charity spectaculer have been trimmed to two. Black Label is using the same method used by Telkom by allowing fan participation. Football supporters were voting for their teams to take part in the charity cup- by no virtue of coincidence- Black Label urges fans to vote for their favourite player. In both competetions

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola When Khama Billiat swapped the blue and yellow stripes of Mamelodi Sundowns with the famous gold and black of Kaizer Chiefs- many expected him to change Amakhosi's fortunes instantly- but even reality has it's boundaries. Although Billiat is yet to win any piece of Silverware with the Naturena based outfit- his presence has be felt at the club. Chiefs cannot afford to trade Billiat for any amount of money. A player of Billiat's calibre will always attract interest from all corners of the world but Chiefs can't let go of their star player. No team is a one man team but one man can make a team tick. Chiefs has not won a trophy in three seasons- and with their backs against the wall Billiat has to rise to the occasion and be counted on. The Zimbabwean international has blown hot and cold in his two season stay at Chiefs. The once mighty Amakhosi needs his form to end their unwanted streak of trophy drought. Billiat can cause havoc to any tea

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola The city of Tshwane has disowned midfielder- George Lebese- after he crossed the Juksei river to the north of Jozi to join Mamelodi Sundowns from Kaizer. Lebese joined his boyhood club but had it difficult to break into the star-studded line up. He didn't have to look far as he swapped the yellow jersey with the blue and white of Supersport United. It wasn't a smooth sail at Matsantsa a Pitori though. His loan spell with the three times Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions- and the club opted against aquiring his services on a permanent deal. Lebese was expected to return to Sundowns this season- but from this vintage point- Lebese is not ready to compete for a spot at Chloorkop. There where high fives and fist bumps as the people of Tshwane rejoiced the return of the prodigal son. Lebese was outspoken about his bitter relationship with coach Pitso Mosimane. Perhaps his utterances have burnt bridges with the mentor and their relationship is beyond

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola South Africans were calling for the inclusion of Thembinkosi Lorch in the Bafana Bafana line up and the reinging Footballer of the year repaid their faith in him. In his first appearance at he Afcon 2019, Lorch, proved to be a cut above the rest. Goals win matches but perfomance creates those goals. The speedy attacker brought elements that Bafana lacked in his absentia. Bafana did not pose any danger to the opponents in the group stages- with no attempts to rattle the opposition's net. The annointed Lorch was waiting on the sidelines to lead South Africa to the land of milk and honey. 'Nyoso' took five shots at goal- three of those on target and one passionately kissing the back of the net. In Biblical terms Lorch can be compared to Moses who delivered the Israelists from the claws of the Egyptians. Lorch may be a late bloomer- coming into the professional football scene a bit late- but he is on time to rescue Bafana. The speedy attacker cam

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola There was never going to be any other perfect moment for Teko Modise to hang up his Puma sponsored boots than the just ended season. Modise could have still played one more season- but he saw it beffiting to call it a day and we ought to respect his willingness- to leave the stage when he is still a star. No matter how a good dancer you are- you are bound to leave the stage at some point. Good things come to an end after all. Google Earth will undoubtedly remain in the memories of the football lovers as the orchestrator of the piano. Memories are the only things that never fade away and thankfully Modise has created great ones. Making history is a priveledge never lost. Modise remains the most decorated footballer in South Africa- with his clean sweep of domestic titles and the major one- the Caf champions league title as well as the super cup. His glittering career saw The General doing everything double as better. Modise can now watch other footballe

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola Maritzburg United's Premier Soccer League (PSL) status is hanging by a threat- but still has a chance to maintain it- and survive automatic chop to the National First Division. The Eric Tinkler mentored side- is sitting uncormfortably at the basement- of the log standings. Based on the performances Maritzburg has been ditching out, one wouldn't dare write their chances of cheating Dr Newton's law of gravity out. Certainly it was not the Team of Choice's choice to lead the race to the NFD. At this stage of the season- the picture shouldn't be as blur at the top and the bottom. With the gap between teams at the bottom so narrow- everything is still possible. The former Cape Town City coach- comes with a master plan to see off his opposite number but he needs his charges to execute it on the field. With Fortune Makaringe- pulling the strings in the middle of the park- to ease the work for a much celebrated Allan Kateregga- Maritzburg is

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola Bidvest Wits had their claws fully inserted in the Absa Premiership title for the better part of the campaing- but have drastically loosen up and let go of the number one spot. Until the twenty second matches, Gavin Hunt, coached side has been at the summit of the log. Hunt has an ample of experience- the four times league winner- has somehow lost the grip and allowed Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates to remain in the contest. The 2016 Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions has failed to keep the dream of adding a second title in three seasons alive. Wits has only one league title in their near a century of existence. In this merciless game of football- only the fittest survives. The Premier Soccer League is very competitive and hunters can easily become the hunted. With the league edging closer to the finishing line- one don't really relies on thyself. Sometimes the best attack- is a helpful friend. In a PSL jungle- even the best in camouflage ha

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola Mamelodi Sundowns is set to lock horns with the- Egyptian giants Al Ahly in a highly anticipated Caf Champions League first leg quarter-finals clash at- Lucas Moripe Stadium in Tshwane. Sundowns is arguably going into this encounter as favourites- given their good run at home in the group stages. The Brazilians boasts a hundred percent win record at home. The Tshwane giants won all their three Caf Champions League home games on their own backyard to book a spot in the quarter-finals. Their visitors have had it hard on the road. Al Ahly has managed to secure a single point away from home- something Sundowns will surely capitalise on. With Ahly being bad travellers- one can't take away the fact that- they know how to handle pressure away from their familiar surroundings. Sundowns mentor- Pitso Mosimane- has alluded to the fact that his side always has a goal at home. In his words Pitso said that- you can bully them anywhere but not- in Atteredgeville.

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola When Orlando Pirates lock horns with Mamelodi Sundowns in a fierce- El Kasico encounter- there is barely a draw. This clash has a champions league pedigree. Sundowns mentor, Pitso Mosimane, has said that Pirates is the only team in the Premier Soccer League [PSL] that can match his side pound for pound. Though when Sundowns hosted Pirates in the first leg at Loftus Versfield- they played to a goalless draw- but usually there is a feast of goals in this encounter. This is not a derby match but it is the closest rivalry to the derby. When Pirates faces their fierce rivals in one of the biggest derbies in the world- Kaizer Chiefs- the Soweto derby produces little to no goals. Sundowns play Supersport United in the Capital city derby. But the Tshwane derby is so one sided- with Sundowns dominating. One cannot be as in denial and write off this fixture as one of the baddest fixtures in a domestic calender. Going into this fixture- Pirates rely heavily on form

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola When John Commitis bought Mpumalanga Black Aces back in 2015- a little was expected- from the relocated and renamed club. Not a big fan of club sales myself- but Cape Town City- gave the people of Cape Town a sense of belonging. Commitis appointed Eric Tinkler to lead his team. Tinkler's two seasons stay at City exceeded expectations. Surely Commitis must have had a headache of finding Tinkler's successor. But he couldn't have appointed any other better man to take charge of his club than Benni Mccarthy. McCarthy has taken City to new heights. The future looks bright for a team that has a Capetonian coach and a drive to play a total brand of footbal. City is set to lock horns with Kaizer Chiefs at Mbombela Stadium- in a fierce Nedbank Cup quarter-finals clash. With the two sides having already met twice this season- each team claiming victory at their own backyard- this match will be more than a grudge encounter. Benni has outdone himself

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola After a performance that goes beyond industrious- Bafana Bafana- has qualified for the Afcon finals set to be staged in Egypt this winter. Congratulations on your commendable victory against Libya. Percy Tau has led the team from the front. Tau's brace was adequate for Stuart Baxter's men to claim a 2-1 victory over a stubborn Libyan side at Tunis. The Royale Union Saint Gilloise star player continues to be in a fine form- as he emerged through the pack to seal the deal for Bafana. Baxter has qualified for two Afcon finals in his two stints with Bafana. The Brit first qualified for the 2006 Afcon finals coincidentally held in Egypt. Baxter has now led Bafana to yet another Afcon finals. South Africa has celebrated the class of 1996 for too long- the current generation has to emulate their big brothets and conquer Africa again. With the type of football Bafana is ditching out- winning the Afcon won't be too much to ask for. Bafana is capable

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola A lose can turn even the most spellbound spectator into a whinging critic. In the not so distant past- Mamelodi Sundowns- Supporters were baying for coach Pitso Mosimane's blood. It was in 2015/16 season to be precise when the now- celebrated fans needed policemen to- calm their hooliganism at Lucas Moripe stadium. The Yellow nation wanted to end their relationship with Pitso with immediate effect. With their club not doing well- they saw it befitting to get rid of the man that- they are now referring to as 'The only one'. Sundowns fans were chanting the then infamous 'Ka tjeko re koba Pitso' loosely translated- today we dismiss Pitso. They were dropping words you wouldn't hear at church. Pitso needed the team's first member- in President Patrice Motsepe- to back him up. Motsepe had to make it clear that- Pitso is not leaving the Chloorkop based outfit. The mining magnate Motsepe- went as far as comparing Pitso- to the great Sir

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola  Bafana Bafana are in another all or nothing encounter to book a spot in Cameroon. With the Premier Soccer League edging closer to the finish line and in its most fierce contest- Bafana remains the least of footbal fans worries. A cynical adage has it that- fix your home before- you impress the streets. Football identity has won the World Cup before and those without it are yet to make a mark at the global showpiece. South Africa is trying too hard to emulate English football- which is also not yielding results- even for the English themselves. Mzansi's way of playing football has won Bafana the only precious trophy in AFCON 1996. Clive Barker allowed his players to play in a way that only South Africans know how. Kasi flava is what brought spectators to stadiums in late nineties and early 2000s. What Europeans refer to as showboating is exactly how we play. It may be showboating to them but it is our own identity. Showboating to them is Kasi flava h