THE VOICE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL! NOVEMBER 2019| ISSUEÂ 03
SOCCERZELA FEATURE!
THE EXILED PHAROAH OF EGYPT The Makings of cr700
EXCLUSIVE!
Ex Lidoda Duvha Boss Dylan Kerr
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW!
EXCLUSIVE!
MIHLALI MAYAMBELA TAKING EUROPE BY PAGE 23 STORM
THE BLACK PRINCE OF SA FOOTBALL: JOMO NOVEMBER 2019 | FREE
2019/20 CAFCL PREVIEW!
WWW.SOCCERZELA.CO.ZA
DECEMBER 2019 | ISSUE 124
EDITOR'S NOTE Greetings fellow football lovers. Issue 3 is well and truly here. George Weah, Didier Drogba, Samuel Etoo'o, Yaya Toure, perhaps Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane as well, wait a minute! Is a list of the greatest African footballers complete without Mohamed Aboutrika? I believe not and I hope you believe so too after reading Issue 3! We also took a look at the journey of one Jomo Sono, a storyline straight out of a movie - his playing days were mesmerizing to say the least but what had me most interested was the years of service he's given and will hopefully continue to give towards the upliftment of South African football. We sat down with the man behind Lidoda Duvha's enterprising football last season and gathered the details on his abrupt departure from Limpopo. Sit back, relax and let this issue help you appreciate Africa in its natural glory.
Zaahid Nanabhay Editor-in-chief
Join the fast-growing Soccerzela online community: @soccerzela Soccerzela @Soccerzelaza +27 81 780 8942 www.soccerzela.co.za
SOCCERZELA
CONTENTS THE VOICE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL
23
- THE MAKINGS OF 05 RONALDO 700 CAREER GOALS
10 FEATURE!
THE BLACK PRINCE OF SA FOOTBALL: JOMO
13 PREVIEW!
2019/20 CAFCL FEVER HITS EXCLUSIVE!
19
23
CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH 19 UP DYLAN KERR
23 MIHLALI TAKING EUROPE BY STORM
31 FEATURE!
THE EXILED PHAROAH OF EGYPT KERR ON HIS ABRUPT LEOPARDS DEPARTURE
THE BLACK PRINCE: JOMO
FAN VOICE - REFEREEING
36 CONUNDRUM
30 WINNERS CORNER
Enquiries : info@soccerzela.co.za Advertising : soccerzela@firstwavemedia.co.za
www.soccerzela.co.za
THE MAKINGS OF 700 The date is the 10th of October 2019, although Portugal succumb to defeat in their EURO 2020 Qualifier against Ukraine, It is a historic night for Portugal football and frankly the entire World Of Football all thanks to one Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo reached 700 career goals in official matches by scoring for Portugal in their 2-1 loss to Ukraine in a Euro 2020 qualifier. "Records come naturally, I don't look for them, records are looking for me," Ronaldo said after the match.
"Without having this obsession, they happen naturally. It's a beautiful moment in my career but it turns out to be bitter because we didn't win. But in my opinion we have to be proud because we played an excellent game. Why did I look to the sky in the goal? It's not a number that everyone can reach. I thank you all, teammates, colleagues, coaches who have helped Cristiano to be the player he is, but there is a bitter taste for not winning." Ronaldo is the sixth player to achieve the feat, following ex-Germany striker Gerd Muller, Hungary legend Ferenc Puskas, Brazil's Pele and Romario, and the Czech Republic's Josef Bican. PAGE 5 | SOCCERZELA
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Key Statistics From Ronaldo's 700:
CURRY ON THE BRAIN
450 - The bulk of Ronaldo's 700 goals were scored for Real Madrid between 2009 and 2018.
69 - It was during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, in 2011-12, that he O R D S Bcampaign Y M A R A S to Y L Vdate. ESTER enjoyed his most prolific Wscoring
311 - Ronaldo broke the 300-goal barrier in LaLiga, making it his favoured competition. 442 - The Portuguese superstar added to his tally of right-footed goals with the penalty against Ukraine, compared to 129 with his left, 127 with his head and two from other body parts. 113 - Ronaldo has become an expert at converting penalties, while also crafting a speciality out of scoring direct free-kicks - 55 of them in all. 165 - The most common time period for Ronaldo to score is between the 76th and 90th minutes. 95 - His consolation penalty against Ukraine moved the prolific forward to within five goals of a century for Portugal.
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RONALDO GOALS BY COMPETITION
312 - Laliga In nine seasons with Real Madrid, Ronaldo amassed 312 La Liga goals in 292 appearances for the Spanish capital club helping them to two LaLiga titles.
127 - UEFA Champions League Ronaldo is the all-time top-scorer in the UEFA Champions League with 127 goals in 164 appearances for Manchester United (15 goals), Real Madrid (105 goals), and Juventus (seven goals).
84 - English Premier League Ronaldo scored 84 goals in 196 appearances for Manchester United from 2003-04 to 2008-09 helping the Red Devils to three league titles.
26 - Serie A In Ronaldo has scored 26 Serie A goals in 40 appearances for Juventus, in 2018-19 and 2019-20 (ongoing) helping them to the title in his maiden season during the 18/19 campaign.
RONALDO
GOALS BY
59 - Other club competitions 22 - Copa Del Rey 13 - FA Cup 7 - Fifa Club World Cup 4 - Spanish Super Cup 4 - English League Cup 3 - Portuguese Primeira Liga 2 - UEFA Super Cup 1 - UEFA Champions League Qualifiers 1 - Super Coppa Italia
COMPETITION
94 - Portugal Men's National Team Ronaldo has scored 94 goals in 161 appearances for his native country of Portugal. The goals (excluding 17 goals in friendlies) have come in six different competitions. Here is the complete list: 30 - Fifa World Cup Qualifiers 26 - UEFA EURO Qualifiers 9 - UEFA EUROS 7 - Fifa World Cup 3 - UEFA Nations League 2 - Fifa Confederations Cup
Total Goals: 702 Total Assists: 219 Total Appearances: 978 PAGE 9 | SOCCERZELA
EPHRAIM MATSILELA SONO - THE BLACK PRINCE OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL BY ZAAHID NANABHAY
E p h r a i m S o n o i s a r g u a b l e o n e o f S o u t h A fr i c a ' s m o s t b e lov e d fo o t ba l l i n g l e g e n d s . B o r n i n Q u e e n s t o w n , S o n o ' s li fe s t o r y i s o n e d i r ect l y o u t o f a m o v i e . A m a n w i t h a s t o r y t o m o v e t h e W o r ld . S o w h a t m a k e s S o n o s pe ci a l ? W e d i s ce t e d h i s f o o t b a l l i n g j o u r n e y a n d h e r e ' s w h a t w e c a n a s s u r e y o u : t h e re i s o n l y o n e P r i n c e o f S o u t h A f r i c a n F o o t a ll a n d h e ' s a ffe c t i o n a t e ly k n o wn a s 'J O M O '.
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Sono's father, an Orlando Pirates footballer at the time passed away in the 1960's in a car crash, at the time Sono was just 8 years old. After being abandoned by his mother, Sono was under the care of his grandparents. Sono was forced to become a breadwinner in his grand parents' home at a young age, he would resort to selling items like apples and peanuts at soccer games to make a living for him and his grandparents.
Sono's introduction to football came in a rather remarkable manner, while attending an Orlando Pirates game, one of the Orlando Pirates players could not attend the game and Sono was asked to stand in for him, the rest was history.
Somo become the Prince of South African Football, his flair and skill captured the hearts of onlookers in South Africa and later the world. When Sono recieved the ball, a rush of ecstasy gripped the viewer regardless of which team they were supporting.
"Sono beats 1, beats 2, beats 3, Laduuumaaa another brilliant goal by Sono." - became a norm for commentators, he ended up scoring around 200 goals. Sono made his mark at Orlando Pirates at the tender age of 16, he fast become a fan favourite at the Buccaneers and was apart of the South African Black XI that played against the first British All Star team to travel to South Africa. He also scored 4 goals in a 5 - 0 victory against Argentina. It was clear, Sono was going places.
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Sono then moved to America after a 5 year spell at Orlando Pirates, words can't describe what Sono did for South African football during his reign in South Africa but Sono's drive led him to explore new challenges. Sono played for the New York Cosmos, Colorado Caribous, Atlanta Chiefs and the Toronto Blizzards. Sono tasted great success in America, his speed, skill and passing left the Americans mesmerized just as it had left South Africans in awe previously. His career reached an all time height when he played alongside the great Pele in his first season abroad. He also played along side fellow South African star Ace Ntsoelengoe and the pair terrorized teams at the Atlanta Chiefs before he moved to the Toronto Blizzard, it was in Toronto enjoyed his most successful period in America, Sono scored 22 goals in 57 games there.
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After retiring in 1982, Sono returned to South Africa where his love affair with football continued. Sono purchased Highlands Park Football Club which later became known as Jomo Cosmo. After many years in the Premier Soccer League, Cosmos were relegated in 2008 and have since been playing between the Premier Soccer League and National First division since, they currently ply their trade in the National First Division where Sono to date is the manager. Cosmos won the Coca Cola Cup (current Telkom Knockout) on 3 occasions under Jomo as well as the Bob Saver Super Bowl (current Nedbank Cup) on 1 occasion. Sono will forever be apart of the South African football legacy. His service to South African football has been unparalleled over the years and the Soccerzela team would firstly like to thank him for all that he has done and wish him many more fruitful years of service to South African football.
2019/20 CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE PREVIEW
The draw for the group stage of the Total CAF Champions League 2019/20 was conducted in Cairo, with interesting pairings setting the tone for the next phase of the competitions. From the original 61 teams that participated in the qualification rounds, we are down to 16 of Africa's elite teams all pitted together to challenge for the 2019/20 CAF Champions League. The 2019–20 CAF Champions League (officially the 2019–20 Total CAF Champions League for sponsorship reasons) will be the 56th edition of Africa's premier club football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and the 24th edition under the current CAF Champions League title. This season will be the first to follow an August–to-May schedule
PRIZE MONEY 1970 TO 2008
Champions: US$1 million Runners-up: US$750,000 Semi-finalists: US$427,500 3rd in group stage: US$261,250 th in group stage: US$190,000 2009 TO 2016
Champions: US$1.5 million Runners-up: US$1 million Semi-finalists: US$700,000 3rd in group stage: US$500,000 4th in group stage: US$400,000 2017 TO 2020
Champions: US$2.5 million Runners-up: US$1.25 million Semi-finalists: US$875,000 Quarter-finalists: US$650,000 3rd in group stage: US$550,000 4th in group stage: US$550,000
GROUP A Premeiro de Agosto: Appearances: 3rd appearance in the CAFCL group stages Best finish: They finished as semifinalists in 2018.
TP Mazembe:
Premeiro de Agosto (Angola) TP Mazambe (DR Congo) Zamalek (Egypt) Zesco United (Zambia)
Appearances: 11th appearance in the CAFCL Group stages Best finish: Champions x5 and runners up x2.
Zamalek: Appearances: 10th appearance in the CAFCL Group stages Best finish: Champions x5 and runners up x2.
Zesco United: Appearances: 4th appearance in the CAFCL Group stages Best finish: Semi-finalists in 2016
Favourites to progress: Zamalek and Mazembe however Agosto and Zesco are no strangers to the Champions League, write them off at your own peril. PAGE 15 | SOCCERZELA
GROUP B Etoile Du Sahel: Appearances: 9th appearance in the CAFCL group stages Best finish: Champions x1 and runners up x2
Hilal: Appearances: 8th appearance in the CAFCL Group stages Best finish: Runners up x2.
FC Platinum: Appearances: 2nd appearance in the CAFCL Group stages Best finish: Group stage finish last season.
Al Ahly: Appearances: 17th appearance in the CAFCL Group stages Best finish: Champions x8 and runners up x4
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Etoile Du Sahel (Tunisia) El Hilal (Sudan) FC Platinum (Zimbabwe) Al Ahly (Egypt)
Favourites to progress: Etoile will be looking to put up a strong fight when challenging the tournament's most succesfull team in Al Ahly who are desperate to get back to winning ways. Sudan's Hilal, once upon a time a serious force, has the potential to cause an upset while for FC Platinum it may just be about damage control.
GROUP C USM Alger: Appearances: 6th appearance in the CAFCL group stages Best finish: Runners up x1
Mamelodi Sundowns: Appearances: 7th appearance in the CAFCL Group stages Best finish: Champions x1 and Runners up x1.
Petro Atletico: Appearances: 2nd appearance in the CAFCL Group stages Best finish: Semi-Finalists in 2001
Wydad Casablanca:
USM Alger (Algeria) Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) Petro Atletico (Angola) Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
Favourites to progress: Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Casablanca will renew their rivalry with the hope of taking top spot. USM Alger, a club in deep financial trouble may collapse or be spurred on to perform beyond their best while Petro Atletico most definitely won't go down without a fight. An extremely well balanced group to say the least!
Appearances: 6th appearance in the CAFCL Group stages Best finish: Champions x2 and runners up x2
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GROUP D Raja Casablanca: Appearances: 7th appearance in the CAFCL group stages Best finish: Champions x3 and Runners up x1
JS Kaybalie: Appearances: 4th appearance in the CAFCL Group stages Best finish: Champions x2
AS Vita: Appearances: 4th appearance in the CAFCL Group stages Best finish: Champions x1 and runners up x2
ES Tunis: Appearances: 17th appearance in the CAFCL Group stages Best finish: Champions x4 and runners up x4
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Raja Casablanca (Morocco) JS Kaybalie (Algeria) AS Vita (DR Congo) Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia)
Favourites to progress: It may just be the group of death! Many will see JS Kabyalie as the whopping boys of the group however write them off at your own Peril. Esperance may be in a class of their own right now but both Vita and Raja are strong enough to cause a serious upset. This group may very well provide the Champions League drama wev'e come accustom to.
SOCC E R Z ELA: FRO M YOUR OWN OBSE R V A TIONS, H OW WOULD YOU RATE T H E STANDA RD OF FOOT B A L L IN AFRI CA IN COMP A R I SON TO B ACK HOME IN EURO P E ?
Kerr: African football has a good standard of players all over Africa. It's a game where direction is missing but the way they play sometimes is an art that European football does not have. My ethics are the same in four continents: getting players trust me and getting them to play attacking football and it's worked for me as a player and a coach. FROM Y O UR TIME A T MPUMALANGA BLAC K A CES TILL YOUR RETURN TO B L A C K LEOPAR DS, WOULD YOU SAY S O U TH AFRIC AN FOOTBALL IS HEAD I N G IN THE R IGHT DIRECTION? WHAT W E RE SOME OF THE SIGN I F I C A NT IMPROVEMENTS YOU SEEN I N T HE STANDARD OF LOCAL FOOT B A L L?
In 1986-88 I was a player in South Africa and returned to assist my former team mate and friend Sammy Troughton. We were good together, he used his African experience and I brought my UK knowledge and we had the players motivated to perform against the best. Being a recently promoted team with no big players we made it work but what I did find out was that interference from others didn't help both of us and that's something that was very helpful to me later on.
EXCLUSIVE: WE GOT UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH DYLAN KERR BY MAZIBUKO AM Dylan Kerr, the well traveled football manager who during his playing days played for the likes of Leeds United, Reading and Doncaster Rovers, was most recently in charge of Polokwane Premier Soccer League outfit Black Leopards during a short yet promising spell in which he got Lidoda Duvha playing some of the most enterprising football in the league however the former Gor Mahia manager decided to return back home after seeing out the 2018/19 campaign in order to take care of his ill mother. We got some insight from the English born former defender regarding his spell in Thohoyandou, his sudden departure from the club and all things football in general. Here's what we found:
South African football has got better on the back of the world cup 2010 and yet there's still a lot of work to be done to get them to be the best in Africa. Money is a big motivation now for players and that's changed players ideologically to the game which sometimes takes away the game from the fans, the passion the fans want to see and play the African way. PAGE 19 | SOCCERZELA
FACT FILE
Qualifications:
Coaching Journey:
• UEFA ‘A’ Advanced Licence • UEFA ‘B’ Licence • SFA Coach Educator Tutor Levels 1-4 • Certificate in Youth Team Management • SFA Goalkeeper Tutor Levels 1 & 2 • SFA Coaching in the Game Level 3 • SFA Coaching Youth Footballers Level 2 • SFA Development Activities • SFA Early Touches Level 1 • FA Preliminary Licence • South Africa FA Preliminary Licence • Certificate in Recreational & Leisure Studies • SFA Physical Preparation U12’s and 12-18’s Young Footballers Level 2
• Black Leopards head coach (South Africa) • Gor Mahia FC head coach (Kenya) • Chesterfield U18 head coach (England) • Simba Sports SC head coach/technical director (Tanzania) • Burton Albion academy coach (England) • Hai Phong FC head coach (Vietnam) • Khatoco Khanh Hoa FC assistant coach/techincal director (Vietnam) • Nathi Lions head coach (South Africa) • Thanda Royal Zulu assistant coach (South Africa) • Mpumalanga Black Aces assistant coach (South Africa) • West Valley United Director of coaching (USA) • Killmarnock FC Direct of coaching (Scotland)
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YOU' V E BEEN INVO LVED WITH YOUT H F OR A LAR GE PART OF YOUR C O ACHING C AREER. 'DEV E L O PMENT' IS PERTINENT TOPI C I N SOUTH AFRICAN FOOT B A L L, IN YOU R OPINION, ARE W E ON THE RI GHT TRACK WHEN I T C OMES TO DEVE L O P MENT? HO W WOULD YOU S U G GEST WE IMPROVE OUR 'DEV E L O PMENT ST RUCTURES'?
I started coaching in 1986 with Acadia Colts following my mentor Howard Wilkinson who even at a young age gave me the bug to be a coach. When I retired early, due to a serious injury, I went straight into coaching youth first in scotland then in USA and then back to football SFA development before finally returning to Africa in 2009 (to Mpumalanga Black Aces). Football development is what It says, development. Yet you need structures that some, sorry many clubs don't have funds to have the right playing equipment fields transport even uniforms and boots yet they have to numbers of players. Again many young players get over looked because clubs buy in players or don't get the proper training to develop and it would be interesting to see how many current PSL top clubs have players now in a first team that come from their youth academy. I was involved in watching sessions and even taking them wherever I've been coaching since Mpumalanga to my last club (Black Leopards). It's my passion and also it's my chance to help coaches as well as see the talented players that are there. With development: what's your motivation? what's the best way to get young players to learn? For me it's by listening.
YOU L O S E JUST ON CE IN YOUR FIRS T 7 G AMES, AN AMAZING RUN T H A T SEES LE OPARDS CLIM B F ROM 16TH TO 12TH. WHAT B R OUGHT A BOUT SUCH A DRAS T I C CHANGE?
I did my homework in the 3 days before I arrive in Polokwane. What and who the players are and what's their strengths. Watching my first game vs wits I knew what was missing was BELIEF. They had energy, they had flair but weren't together and that's what I changed straight away working together both on and off the park. The only thing I asked was "do you want to win'.
MWAP E M USONDA. BEFORE YOU ARRI V E , I T WAS NO SECRET THAT H E WAS STR UGGLING. MANY B E LIEVED H E WASN'T CUT O U T FOR THE TOP FLIGHT, YOU A R R IVE AND I T ALL CHAN G E S . HE FOU ND THE BACK OF T H E NET AN AM AZING 16 TIME S I N JUST 21 GAMES UNDE R Y OU. THE L EAGUES TOP SCOR E R . HOW DID YOU GET THE BEST O U T OF HIM?
After the wits game I saw his body language was all wrong, he looked as if he wasn't enjoying his game and when that happens as a striker it's far worse because you're always the one people look at. So after the game I pulled him aside and said 'if you trust me I will make you the top goal scorer' and guess what he did. To be honest he should have scored 26. We had talent to provide the chances and he needed that belief from his coach and it worked.
2018/19Â ABSA Premiership Top Goal Scorer: Mwape Musonda (16 goals)
THE M O M ENTUM IS SLIGHTLY LOST T O WARDS TH E END OF THE S E A SON BUT NONE T H E LESS THE RELE G A T ION ZONE IS SAFELY AVOI D E D , TALK ME THROUGH THOS E L AST FEW L EAGUE GAME S . WAS RELE GATION A SERI O U S CONCERN FOR YOU? WHAT W A SN'T GOI NG RIGHT FOR Y O U AT THE T IME?
Teams started to take notice of leopards. They didn't see it as an easy 3 points anymore. We had clubs now changing how they played to combat our style and our inexperienced players being just back in the PSL, it was hard to adapt. If you look at it, during my time at Leopards we were on Television all the time apart from one game because we were giving the public the football they wanted to see. We played with an energy enthusiasm and desire but results started to go the wrong way because of our inexperience.We made mistakes and this costed us. our mistakes conceding goals when we were the better team, our mistakes because of the way we always attacked and missing chances in front of goal while conceding poor goals but we had the belief and never lost the desire to stay in the PSL.
YOU H A D LEOPARD S PLAYING SOME BEAU T I F UL FOOTB ALL. IT WASN'T THE ' S K O P SKIT A N D DONDER (KICK, SHOOT AND H I T ) ' FOOT B A L L MANY O F THE 'SMALLER' T E A M S I N THE P S L P LAY. TALK ME THROUGH IT?
Football is about creating chances. Today's game is about keeping possession. My philosophy is and will always be to attack and score and trust players that when they lose the ball to go back and get and to try to score again and again and again. I'm a winner and I wanted these smaller players as we were seen as and a small club as people believed to be winners and we proved we were. I do all of my own analysis and go through it meticulously because that's my job and even If I had the luxury that the big clubs have I would still do it the same wqy because if I fail it's down to me and if I plan right the success comes down to my players. To play for me I want hard working energetic and enthusiastic players that wat that Jersey and once they got it they have to keep it and play and players outside the starting 11 never gave up trying. At every team I've coached at, I arrange friendly games to have competition and having plus 30 players I didn't alienate any players and that's what made us good. We had competition within our squad and I didn't have favorites, I picked the player who smiled and enjoyed playing and it worked because we played a style of play the supporters loved and still talk about.
WHER E T O FROM H ERE FOR AS A MAN A G E R ? HAS T H E RE BEEN A NY NEW OFFERS?
I didnt want to leave leopards to be honest. My mum was ill and was given end of life in March so when I came home I didn't think I was appreciated for the work I had done and was trying to do. I respected the chairman big time I always do but mum was my priority and my football means the world to me and I gave that up. My Mum passed away 2 months ago, while she still alive I turned down lots of very good offers financially, unbelievable offers but money has never been my motivation in life and no amount would have taken me away from my number 1 fan. It's been 7 weeks now and I've sorted a lot out. I'm just waiting on an offer and I must say the offer has to be about ambition. Is the club ambitious and do they have the same ambitions that I have?
WOUL D Y OU RETUR N TO SOUTH AFR I C A T O COAC H ? MORE SO , WOULD YOU TAKE U P A N OPPO R T U NITY TO COACH ONE OF SOU T H AFRI C A ' S BIGGER TEAMS (CHI E F S / P IRATES/SUNDOWNS) IF THE OPPO R T U NITY PRE SENTED ITSELF?
I'll come or go anywhere that that club wants me. I'm good not just on a first team but I'm good through football. To see me work on and off the field, the preparation, the detail in Tanzania and South Africa shows how far we can come together because I'm a winner I want to win. My life is dedicated to football and my mum, mums still with me and always will be, so as good as I was I'm only going to get better because of the sacrifice I've made to be the best and still want to be better.
“When somebody told me that I’ve got the award I was obviously very delighted having got it at such a short time‚” - Kerr on being named Absa Premiership Coach of the month for DEC/JAN 2019.
MIHLALI MAYAMBELA THE 23-YEAR-OLD FARENSE MIDFIELDER YOU SHOULD BE TAKING NOTE OF (AND NOT BECAUSE HE'S THE YOUNGER BROTHER OF MARK MAYAMBELA!)
Mihlali Samson "Mabhuti" Mayambela is a promising South African midfielder who may have slipped under your radar mainly due to the fact that he has been based abroad since he was 19-years-old. He also happens to be the younger brother of current Cape Town City FC wizard Mark Mayambela Mihlali is a product of the famed Cape Town Old Mutual Academy while he also had stints at both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates during his youth days before being snapped up by Cape Town All Stars in 2014. All Stars proved to be just the stepping stone he needed to reach
By Mark Smith
Europe which as you're going to soon find
Photographs supplied.
out, is no walk in the park for a teenage South African. PAGE 23 | SOCCERZELA
23
SOCCERZELA: YOUR ROUTE TO PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL? Mihlali: I started playing in the streets like
IN 2015 YOU MAKE THE MOVE ABROAD, WAS IT DIFFICULT TO ADJUST? WAS THE LEVEL OF FOOTBALL DIFFERENT?
any other kid and I was always in the streets. I’m a street Boy haha..When I was
In 2015 I had a good year coming from
at Old Mutual academy my brother was a
winning MVP (Most Valuable Player) at
senior player in Old mutual and I was as a
the Metropolitan Under19 Bayhill
captain in the juniors so I was at home in
Premier Cup and I was then wanted by
Old Mutual enjoying playing football.
many clubs. I chose Sweden because I liked the club..Definitely the level wasn’t
I then got an opportunity to move to
the same and it was in 'EUROPE' so I knew
Orlando Pirates but I never got to play
it wasn’t gonna be the same but I had
much at pirates. I was always compared to
difficulties, I didn’t understand some
my brother and all that so I wasn’t playing
things and I never played a lot in
at Pirates and at the end of the year I got
Denmark.
released. I went on to Kaizer Chiefs and I played in some youth tournaments but
I faced many challenges, way too many:
expectations there were also not like
because Djurgarden is a big club and I had
other kids who were playing with no
difficulties as I said with everything, the
pressure, a lot was expected from me
weather etc..and I never got to play much
because I was Mark brother. That didn’t make things easier for me because there was too much of expectations. In 2013 I went back home and started afresh. I went back to school and I started to play in the streets again. I wanted enjoy
YOU FINALLY GET A FULL OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE AFTER BEING SENT OUT ON LOAN TO FARENSE. 32 GAMES, 5 GOALS,WHAT WENT RIGHT?
my football again and hoped someone would spot me and give me another
Yeah even the year before I went on loan
opportunity. Fortunately I was spotted by
in Sweden and I was good so whenever I
one of Cape Town All Stars coaches. I was
play I always show my ability and enjoy it,
then invited to train with them by coach
Last season I played 30+ games and
Bobbie Solomons and signed for them
almost all of them are 90 minutes so yeah
while I was writing my matric exams.
it was good season for me personally.
NOMADIC
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24
"NOPE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED. MY TIME WILL COME, I THINK." Mihlali Mayambela confirmed that despite his sterling campaign last season in which he was a standard feature for Farense out in Portugal, he was never contacted by the South African Football Association (Safa).
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23
YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MARK?
YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL FOOTBALLER? (APART FROM MARK)
We are friends we do everything together. When I say everything I mean everything
It has to be Teko Modise because he is a
together. Our kids too are the same,
good guy, by miles he is one of the best
they’re extremely close like we are.
players I’ve ever seen playing football, him and my Brother yes are my best footballers.
WHAT ROLE HAS MARK PLAYED REGARDING YOUR FOOTBALL CAREER? He was the one who paved the way for me so I walked through the way very well and managed to be where I am today. He's the one who gave me hope that I can play
Team
Games
Goals
Cape Town All Stars
11
0
Djugardens IF (Sweden)
8
0
Degefors IF (Sweden)
29
7
IK Brage (Sweden)
10
2
Farense (Portugal)
40
10
football.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR LONG TERM GOALS GOING FORWARD? I’m more focused on the present you know, day by day, game by game but I want to continue to play football and enjoy playing until I cannot play haha.
YOUR FAVOURITE INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALLER? Neymar! Because of the way he plays and the way he expresses himself whenever he steps on the pitch.
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'STATS' CORNER ABSA PREMIERSHIP - October 2019
Top Goal Scorers :
Shalulile (Highlands Park) - 6 Grobler (SuperSport United) - 5 Erasmus (Cape Town City) - 5 Mabasa (Orlando Pirates) - 5 Mutizwa (Golden Arrows) - 5 Ntuli (AmaZulu) - 5
Top Assisters:
Ralani (Cape Town City) - 3 Mulenga (Orlando Pirates) - 3 Grobler (SuperSport United) - 3 Rae (Highlands Park) - 3 Phiri (Golden Arrows) - 3 Sibeko (Golden Arrows) - 2 Mbatha (Highlands Park) - 2 Dlamini (Orlando Pirates) - 2 Manyama (Kiazer Chiefs) - 2 Van Heerden (Stellenbosch) - 2 Nyatama (Orlando Pirates) - 2 Vilakazi (Mamelodi Sundowns) - 2 Maluleke (Polokwane City) - 2 Ramasimong (Bloem Celtic) - 2 Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns) - 2 Potsane (Bloem Celtic) - 2 Baccus (Kaizer Chiefs) - 2 Hotto (Bidvest Wits) - 2 Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs) - 2 Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns) - 2
Most Cleansheets:
Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs) - 4 Ofori (Maritzburg United) - 4 de Jong (Stellenbosch FC) - 4 Williams (SuperSport United) - 3 Chipezeze (Baroka FC) - 3 Tignyemb (Chippa United) - 3 Sandilands (Orlando Pirates) - 3
Absa Premiership Standings
Absa Premiership fixtures in full (November 2019): 10 November (Sunday) 05 November (Tuesday) Bloemfontein Celtic vs Highlands Park (19:30) Orlando Pirates vs Maritzburg United (19:30) SuperSport United vs Golden Arrows (19:30)
Black Leopards vs Cape Town (15:30) Golden Arrows vs Mamelodi Sundowns (15:30) 6 November (Tuesday)
06 November (Wednesday) AmaZulu vs Stellenbosch (19:30) FC Baroka vs Mamelodi Sundowns (19:30) Cape Town City vs Polokwane City (19:30) Chippa United vs Kaizer Chiefs (19:30) 08 November (Friday) Bidvest Wits vs Supersport United (20:00) Maritzburg United vs Bloemfontein Celtic (20:00) 09 November (Saturday) Kaizer Chiefs vs Orlando Pirates (15:30) Stellenbosch vs Highlands Park (15:30) Polokwane City vs FC Baroka (19:30) AmaZulu vs Chippa United (20:15)
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Highlands Park vs Bidvest Wits (19:30) Mamelodi Sundowns vs AmaZulu (19:30) Orlando Pirates vs Highlands Park (19:30) 27 November (Wednesday) FC Baroka vs Golden Arrows (19:30) Bloemfontein Celtic vs Cape Town City (19:30) Chippa United vs Black Leopards (19:30) Maritzburg United vs Supersport United (19:30) Stellenbosch vs Cape Town City (19:30) 30 November (Saturday) Polokwane City vs Bloemfontein Celtic (15:30) Black Leopards vs Golden Arrows (18:00) Cape Town City vs Highlands Park (18:00) Supersport United vs Stellenbosch (20:15)
'STATS' CORNER GladAfrica Championship - October 2019
Top Goal Scorers :
Gamildien (Steenberg United) - 6 Nevhulamba (TTM) - 6 Chauke (TS Sporting) - 6 Mosiathlaga (Ajax) - 6 Ndwandwe (Uthongathi) - 5 Mahlatsi (TUKS) - 5 Rodgers (Ajax) - 5 Dlamini (Tuks) - 5
Top Cleansheets:
Msibi (Richards Bay) - 4 Sangare (Uthongathi) - 4
Most goals scored (team) Ajax Cape Town - 19 JDR Stars - 17 Uthongathi - 16 Pretoria University FC - 16
Most goals Conceded (team)
Ajax - 19 Royal Eagles - 17 TS Sporting - 17 Pretoria University - 10
GLAD AFRICA CHAMPIONSHIP Standings
'STATS' CORNER English Premier League - September 2019
Top Goal Scorers :
Vardy (Leicester City) - 10 Aguero (Manchester City) - 9 Abraham (Chelsea) - 9 Aubameyang (Arsenal) - 8 Sterling (Manchester City) - 7 Mane (Liverpool) - 6 Pukki (Norwich) - 6 Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) - 6
Top Assisters:
De Bruyne (Man City) - 8 Buendia (Norwich) - 6 D. Silva (Man City) - 5
Most Cleansheets:
Ederson (Man City) - 5 Henderson (Sheffield United) - 5 Ryan (Brighton) - 4 Schmeichel (Leicester City) - 4
Most goals scored (team)
Man City - 34 Liecester City - 27 Liverpool - 25 Chelsea - 25
Most goals Conceded (team)
Southampton - 27 Norwich - 26 Watford - 23
English Premier League Standings
MOHAMED ABOUTRIKA - THE EXILED PHAROAH OF EGYPT BY MARK SMITH There's two ways of introducing Mohamed Aboutrika, I'll start with the most common way, "The greatest African to never star in Europe" and I'll end with the introduction I much more prefer, "When he played, Egypt came to a standstill, when he spoke, Egypt listened, when Egypt spoke, Aboutrika listened, whether it was the Pirates of Orlando or the Mazembe of Lubumbashi when it was time to do battle with Al Ahly, both Orlando and Lubumbashi would fear yet at the same time were gripped in awe at Africa's maetstro."
Aboutrika was undoubtedly the Pharaoh of the Pharaohs during their most damaging dynasty (2001 to 2013). He was centerpiece of undoubtedly Africa's greatest club team to have played while he's one of the rare breeds who was able to transcend his club form to his national team. As if 7 domestic league titles and 5 CAF Champions League titles weren't enough, Aboutrika went one further and helped Egypt to the 2006 and 2008 African Cup of Nations titles echoing his name in African Football history as one of the all time greats.
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If I could bring as closest as an example as I could regarding what Aboutrika was to African football, I would say he was the Zinedine Zidane of Africa yet somehow he's more. Aboutrika was two-footed, brainy as hell, magical ball control, balletic pirouettes, defence-destroying passes, always elegantly balanced. You couldn't give him time or space and you definitely wouldn't dare committing a foul anywhere close to your own box when he's in an opposition shirt due to his remarkable freekick taking ability.
Individual Awards: African Inter-Club Player of the Year: 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2013 CAF Team of the Year: 2006, 2008, 2012, and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Dream Team: 2006 and 2008 World's Most Popular Footballer: 2007 and 2008 El Heddaf Arab Footballer of the Year: 2007, 2008 and 2012 BBC African Footballer of the Year: 2008 FIFA Confederations Cup Dream Team: 2009
Al Ahly :
Egypt National team:
Egyptian Premier League: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10 and 2010–11 Egypt Cup: 2006 and 2007 Egyptian Super Cup: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010 CAF Champions League: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2013 CAF Super Cup: 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2013
African Cup of Nations: 2006, 2008 Nile Basin Tournament: 2011
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Aboutrika In Exile With the recently concluded African 2019 Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt fresh in mind, you might be asking, 'where was Egypt's Pharoah? Surely if he was Egypt's greatest, he would've featured somewhere in the spectacle they threw during June and July 2019?'
The truth is, you won't find Aboutrika in the country that still reveres him as a National Hero. He lives in exile in Qatar and cannot set foot in Egypt without being sent straight to prison. Ironically, during his playing days he refused to leave 'Misr' yet fast forward a few years later and he is unable to return to the same country.
In simple, Aboutrika has been sentenced to a three year prison term after being found guilty of $40 000 worth of evasion of taxes however El Magico, as Aboutrika is affectionately known as, has been on the wrong side of the government for many years.
The humble devout Muslim from Giza was one for the people, in its truest form. Aboutrika is most fondly remembered for his handling of the Port Said disaster, when 74 Al Ahly fans were killed in a riot after a league match against Al Masry. In the dressing room, he held a dying fan in his arms. “I’m glad I got to meet you,” were the 14-year-old’s final words.
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"Aboutrika’s name was added to the Sisi regime’s watchlist of terror suspects, allegedly for donating funds to the Muslim Brotherhood. This religious and community organisation’s candidate, Mohamed Morsi, won the postrevolutionary presidential elections in 2012 before being toppled and jailed a year later by the Sisi-led military coup. Aboutrika denied making the transfer to the Brotherhood, which he said was made by a former business partner who had already left a joint venture in a travel agency." - NewFrame.
Aboutrika retired from football in 2013 at the age of 35, leaving behind a lasting legacy of 38 goals in 100 appearances for his country and an astonishing 199 in 404 league matches.
None of his political issues have overshadowed the undeniable talent Aboutrika boasted while his hero status transcended to more than football almost making him untouchable, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah has already achieved so much on the field of play however Aboutrika is undeniably the Pharoah of Egypt simply due to the fact that he was, is and always will be for the people but most importantly from the people.
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#ZelaFanVoice The Poor Culture of Officiating by Tokelo Mokhesi South African Football has a history of match officials making dreadful decisions, going back to as early as the 1990, howlers that would make one wonder if it was really ‘human error’ or it was just clear bias and favoritism. Refereeing in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), in general, is an issue that needs to be addressed. In the last 20 years or so, the standards of officiating in South Africa have been rather poor. From referees getting intimidated by club bosses, suspended, taking bribes to match officials getting banned from the beautiful game. The lively game between Highlands Park and Orlando Pirates at Makhulong Stadium could have been remembered for many things like Linda Mntambo’s impressive display which saw the central midfield walk away with the man of the match award or Pirates ending their three-match winless run against an inform Lions of the North side. Yet the game shall be remembered for the controversial goal scored by Tshegofatso Mabasa who was clearly offside when he received a pass from Mntambo before getting the ball past Highlands Park’s shot-stopper Thela Ngobeni on Tuesday night. It was such a horrific decision that Owen Ga Gama even suggested that the assistant referee Buyisile Ngqambiyana should be jailed for it. This incident is among one of many recent appalling decisions made by match officials in the 2019/20 season. From assistant referee Mervyn van Wyk getting suspended after denying Amazulu a legitimate goal in Amazulu’s 2-0 loss to Kaizer Chiefs, Mpho Makola man-handling the reigning PSL Referee of The Season, Abongile Tom and getting away with it to Mabasa’s career ending two-footed tackle on Lindokuhle Mbatha. South African Football has a referee crisis. The shocking mistakes made by match officials are dismissed to human error but when they start to occur every season and decide crucial or any game for that matter, then there is a serious problem. If we believe that it wasn’t down to human error then it is because we are convinced there is bias in the decisions of referees such as said Owen Da Gama, Benni McCarthy and Pitso Mosimane recently.
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By Tokelo Mokhesi
#ZelaFanVoice Referee Committee Surprised by the Howlers Referee Committee chairperson, Anastacia Tshiclas said she was surprised by the howlers made by the match officials. “What is puzzling is that we have just had our fruitful pre-season course in July, where match officials were taken through rigorous training on the off-side rule. We had two of our top instructors on the continent, Lim Kee Chong and Felix Tangawarima conducting the course. “These mistakes are unacceptable and can’t be tolerated. But our jon os to assist them during this suspension period and help them get back on track again. “We are confident that they will come back stronger and do a good job, “concluded Tshiclas.
Being a Part-Time Match Official is Tough The South African Football Association (SAFA) has been suspending under performance referees but the standard of refereeing in the South African football in particular the PSL is getting worse. Match officials in the PSL work on a part-time basis as some of the officials are policemen, teachers and so on meaning they probably don’t earn enough as referees and you can argue that being a match official is their second priority. There is a general perception that referees are underpaid which to a certain extent contributes to their lack of consistency and poor performances. According to the Premier Soccer league (PSL), a referee earns R6100 per match; assistant referees get R4700 and a monthly stipend of R4900 with the PSL covering their travel costs as well as accommodation. Back in 2018 there were reports stating that match officials didn’t receive their monthly stipend for three months as a result they were unhappy which affected their performance. Tenda Masikhwa, SAFA head of referees confirmed that the reports were true.
David Thidiela, Black Leopards owner directed a rant at a match official, Victor Hlungwani in 2018 that included treats and tribal references. “I’m the boss here Hlungwane. I am giving you the last warning, you come here (Thohoyandou Stadium) for the last time, you are coming here at your own risk, “said an agitated Thidiela after his side 1-0 to Bloemfontein Celtic.
#ZelaFanVoice
By Tokelo Mokhesi
History of Match Officials Making funny decisions and taking bribes There have been many incidents of corruption and match officials being offered bribes to throw away games. Almost two decades ago, SAFA found five South African officials guilty of bribery and handed them lengthy bans. This affirmative action by SAFA came after referee Soko admitted that he and his two linesman (Amos Malambo and Given Maluleke ) took a bribe to hand a win to Classic FC to gain promotion to the PSL back in 1999 in a clash against Real RoversJoseph Matiela, a former referee was found guilty of conspiring with match officials to influence the results of matches’ involving Classic while Sinky Mnisi, former Classic public relations officer was found guilty of bribery and collusion in the appointment of match officials (BBC Sport). At the SAFA’s disciplinary committee hearings, it was said that Mnisi had paid more than R3250 to many referees including SAFA officials.
“Referee Phelelani Ndaba who disallowed a Bidvest Wits legitimate goal during their recent encounter against Supersport United after consulting with the assistant referee, will not be appointed for all National Soccer League (NSL) matches with immediate effect,” Safa
By Tokelo Mokhesi
#ZelaFanVoice PSL Coaches have their Say The PSL doesn’t take kindly to criticism of match officials. Once coaches raise their disappointment at the match officials’ poor decisions they usually get in trouble with the league. Pitso Mosimane is the latest. “Benni was crying, I am crying and Amazulu were complaining, Steve Komphela was complaining and even Owen da Gama was complaining. Who doesn’t complain? It’s a joy ride. We will pray for the officials not to make mistakes that they have been making, “said Mosimane.
At times coaches tend to get emotional and frustrated by their team’s poor display, fear of losing their jobs, failing to meet their set mandates and the referees are the ones who usually get to feel the coaches wrath regardless of whether they handled the game in a good manner or not. Coaches tune abruptly changes when they benefit from the howlers made by the match officials.“That linesman on the far side, guys, I think he should go to jail. You can’t do that at this level of the game. People’s lives are at stake here. The players are working for their families. They work hard all week for somebody to do something like that? These are the words of an angry da Gama after the assistant referee missed a clear offside call which resulted in Pirates scoring a goal and winning the game against his side, Highlands.
McCarthy who admitted that he fears losing his jobs says certain big teams are afforded special treatment. “You’re there and the minute you ask, you’re told, ‘hush it or I send you off’. They want to have that kind of powers and coaches must just not say anything. In Cape Town City’s recent game against Kaizer Chiefs, McCarthy described the referees as ‘useless’. “He might as well have put on a Kaizer Chiefs shirt.” Two coaches who benefited from match officials mistakes as Mosimane would say, Ernst Middendorp and Rulani Mokwena are part of the referee defence force. “The referees are administrators and teachers…these guys do their best”. While Mokwena said match officials make mistakes and everybody makes mistakes but he thinks what is happening is a clear signal for assistance. “They (referees) are crying out for help but I don’t know what type of help. It could be technological or it could be to add more resources, I don’t know but what is happening is a cry for help,” said Pirates interim mentor. PAGE 39 | SOCCERZELA
WIN WITH SOCCERZELA OCTOBER KIT GIVEAWAY
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT The winner of our October 2019 Soccerzela Kit Giveaway is:
@_uCharles (Twitter)
Standard T's and C's apply. Winner must be able to collect the jersey from a PostNet RSA branch. Winner to be announced in the November Magazine edition. Entries close on the 24th of October 2019