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Every time one of the so-called Big Three – Kaizer Chefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns – dominate the league, a normal thing to do is to ask what went wrong with the other two. In the last five years, everything has all always been about how Sundowns has conquered the domestic league. And without any surprise, The Brazilians’ success has come with heavy criticism directed towards Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Of course, Pirates and Chiefs have not covered themselves in glory with both clubs winning just one trophy between them in the last five seasons. But while this criticism is well deserved, on the flip side of the coin it overshadows how well other PSL teams are doing. In 2018, Free State Stars did the unthinkable by winning…

24 April, 1996 v Brazil 2-3 (Masinga 25’, Khumalo 42’; Flavio Conceicao 56’, Rivaldo 68’, Bebeto 86’) Friendly international Soccer City, Johannesburg Cautions: Radebe 11’, P Masinga 34’, Fish 64’ Ref: David Ellery (England) Att: 75000 South Africa: Andre Arendse, Sizwe Motaung, Lucas Radebe, Mark Fish, Neil Tovey capt., Eric Tinkler, John Moeti (Joel Masilela 73’), Doctor Khumalo (Thomas Madigage 66’), Helman Mkhalele, Phil Masinga, Shaun Bartlett (Gerald Stober 83’). Coach: Clive Barker. Brazil: Dida, Ze Maria, Aldair, Alexandre Lopes, Andre Luis, Flavio Conceicao, Amaral, Jamelli (Ze Elias 46’), Rivaldo, Bebeto, Savio. Coach: Zagallo. 7 December, 1997 v Brazil 1-2 (Mkhalele 77’; Romario 11’, Bebeto 38’) Friendly international Ellis Park, Johannesburg Cautions: Moeti 46’; Aldair 66’ Ref: Alois Sesikwe (Botswana) Att: 45000 South Africa: Andre Arendse, Sizwe Motaung, Neil Tovey, Lucas…

To air your views, email your letters to forum@kickoff.com The views expressed in the letters published do not reflect the views of KICK OFF magazine, its editor or publisher. The editor reserves the right to edit and shorten letters. Letters shorter than 200 words will be given preference. Please note there are no prizes for star letters at this time. Up The Brazilians Congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns for managing to outplay the Red Devils in their very own background. That is a very good achievement looking at the standard of football that Al Ahly is playing, they’re a good side and a tough opponent to every team they come across. For Sundowns to walk away with three points away from home in such a big continental competition is not just…

1997-98 Ted Dumitru P98 W57 D28 L12 GF171 GA 79 The veteran Romanian coach had bounced around in his first decade of working in South Africa without much success but at Sundowns he finally clicked with players and was able to lead the club to league success in the second season of the new Premier Soccer League. He began with a place in the Rothmans Cup final where they lost to Chiefs on post-match penalties and ended the season by doing the double in the BobSave Super Bowl, although that shootout victory over Orlando Pirates was completed only after the 1998 World Cup finals in France, actually at the start of the new 1998-99 season. But they bombed out early in the 1998 African Cup Winners’ Cup to Zambia’s Nkana…

GOOD MONTH FOR … LEBO MOTHIBA After two years on the sidelines with serious knee and hamstring problems, Bafana Bafana striker Lebo Mothiba has returned to the pitch and scored his first goal for Troyes in Ligue 1, where he is on loan for the rest of the season from Strasbourg. BAD MONTH FOR … BONGANI ZUNGU The Bafana Bafana international is slammed by both Amiens’ head coach and chairperson after picking up an “abnormal” red card during his side’s defeat to Pau. Amiens were leading when Zungu, playing at centre-back, was yellow-carded twice in a matter of seconds. They lost 2-1. ALSO LAST MONTH… • Bongokuhle Hlongwane makes his debut for Major League Soccer side Minnesota United in a 1-1 draw with Philadelphia Union. • Golden Arrows are handed…

KICK OFF: What do you miss the most about football since you retired? Surprise Moriri: I’m still involved in the game. The difference is that I’m now coaching and no longer actively playing. What I miss is the competitive part of the game. When you are involved in training; in preparations; planning; plotting; the adrenalin on the eve of a crucial game; the adulation when you enter the pitch. Here and there I play for the over-35s in social matches, but the competitive part of the game is one thing I can say I miss most. But I’ve made peace with the fact that I’ve hung up my boots. Have you altered your lifestyle from that of a sportsman now that you are retired? Obviously when playing you are always…

KICK OFF: Coach, from the time you took over the reins at Marumo Gallants, what do you make of your progress so far? Dan Malesela: There’s a huge improvement in terms of playing. I will be selfish if I don’t say that I am satisfied with the response of the players. They are responding very well. I think people may see a very different approach from us going forward. It’s fascinating how you always stick to your beliefs in terms of playing style and philosophy. That can’t be easy for you, given that people often criticise you for playing positive football even though results are not forthcoming. Do you feel people don’t understand you? People don’t understand that sometimes you when are doing these things, whatever you are implementing might…

Promising teenage playmaker Shaun Morgan has taken a path very rarely travelled after signing for Stellenbosch FC in January without ever previously playing for a club. The talent of the 18-year-old was spotted by former SuperSport United and Bafana Bafana defender Ricardo Katza, and after trials at Matsatsantsa, where logistics scuppered a move, he has been snapped up by ambitious Stellenbosch FC. His story is an inspiring one, but also speaks to the dearth of football development in the country where so much potential talent slips through the net. Had Morgan not been spotted by the expert eye of Katza at his school in Bloemfontein, it is likely he would never have made it to a professional club and his life would be very different. It is a sad reality…

FRANCE 2 SOUTH AFRICA 1 October 11, 1997 – Lens Nine months before the teams clashed at France 98, they met in a friendly and South Africa gave a good account of themselves. In fact, Bafana took the lead through Shaun Bartlett against a French side containing all of their leading stars, including current coach Didier Deschamps, but were undone in the second half. Stéphane Guivarc’h early in the second half for what proved his only ever international goal, before substitute Ibrahim Bá scored a winner seven minutes from time as he had too much power and pace for Neil Tovey. Willem Jackson and Isaac Shai made their Bafana debuts in this game. FRANCE 3 SOUTH AFRICA 0 June 12, 1998 – Marseille Bafana were competitive in the game nine…

Matthew Pattison’s introduction to South African fans was as a young substitute for Newcastle United in the English Premier League, making his debut off the bench against Everton in February 2006. It took a while for many to make the connection to Mzansi, but the youngster’s ties to the country were strong and would lead to five Bafana Bafana caps and a solid career in the Premier Soccer League. “I was born in born in Sandton but I grew up in Alberton and from six years old, I played for Alberton juniors,” Pattison says. “I still remember going to the club for the first time. My parents were from the UK, from Newcastle, so I was always going to get involved with football, probably more so than any other sport…

Date of birth: February 5, 1992 Current club: Paris Saint-Germain Previous clubs: Santos, Barcelona 17 In March 2009, Neymar came on as a substitute with thirty minutes remaining against Oeste for his professional debut at the age of 17 playing for Santos. The match ended 2-1 in favour of his side. The Brazilian wonderkid scored his professional goal against Mogi Mirim the next week. 70 The forward has scored 70 international goals for Brazil senior national team in 116 matches since debuting at age 18 and this makes him the second highest national team goalscorer behind legendary Pele (77). 42 Neymar scored an impressive 42 goals in 60 appearances for Santos during the 2010 season. He was twice named the South American Footballer of the Year, in 2011 and 2012,…

When I look at the PSL, I would say Mamelodi Sundowns players Peter Shalulile and Andile Jali have been the been the best performers in the PSL this season. Shalulile went through a draught for a few weeks where he was not performing or scoring goals, but once he regained his old form and started hitting his straps, nothing could stop him. Those two have been playing well and are the reason why Sundowns will win the league for the fifth time in a row. I don’t see anything that can stop them. Whether they are starting or coming off the bench, they are ready to roll up their sleeves and get on with work. But out of the two, I want to talk about one player specifically and that…