Pep Guardiola / Paul Pogba / Cole Alexander / Anthony Akumu / Jorginho / Megan Rapinoe

PEP GUARDIOLA / PAUL POGBA / COLE ALEXANDER / ANTHONY AKUMU / JORGINHO / MEGAN RAPINOE

ISSUE 118 KNOW YOUR GAME

RETURN 10 POTENTIAL TOACTION PSL EXITS DE REUCK HAALAND FIRES ‘I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES’ FOR FOOTBALL JESSICA WADE MOVING UP PSL THIS SEASON KEEPING FIT 5 BEST & WORST DURING LOCKDOWN

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Vermont Sales.indd 1 2020/01/29 8:47 AM FEATURES EARLY IMPACT 20 We identify five young players who have lit up the PSL this season THRIVING THIRTIES 24 Five PSL players over 30 who have proved age is just a number 8 LOCKDOWN LIFE 28 Keeping fit has been a challenge NEW ORDER for footballers during lockdown Erling Haaland is making his mark MASTER PEP on the Bundesliga 32 Pep Guardiola has created a legacy of excellence in his burgeoning career DEFINING PERIOD 36 Manchester United’s Paul Pogba needs to make some big decisions about his future LOFTY AMBITION 44 Anthony Akumu is determined to prove his worth at Kaizer Chiefs SILENCING THE CRITICS 46 Chelsea’s Jorginho has overcome adversity several times in his career 51 ENTERTAINMENT VALUE USA women’s captain Megan Rapinoe isn’t ready to hang up her boots any time soon Tools For Every Job contentsISSUE SHORTS 118 4 FROM THE CLUBHOUSE 41 6 PRIZES & BENEFITS 15 REF’S RAP 16 PSL REVIEW 18 PERFECT XI FRUITFUL FIVE 19 WOMEN’S FOOTBALL SoccerClub looks at five standout players from the 22 MOMENT IN TIME GladAfrica Championship 27 NAME GAME 30 POSTER UNCERTAIN FUTURE 34 NUMBERS GAME SoccerClub identifes 10 players who might 39 GETTING TO KNOW be without a contract 49 ANOTHER VIEW next season 50 CALENDAR 55 BENEFITS WIN 58 EXPERT OPINION 12 6 Stand the chance to have www.torkcraft.com SUCCESS STORY Vermont Sales your account credited with a For more info and distribution enquiries, Call Rushine De Reuck overcame your share of R8 000 a on (011) 314 7711 and visit www.vermontsales.co.za tough odds to become a 52 professional footballer WWW.TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA 3

Vermont Sales.indd 1 2020/01/29 8:47 AM contents_July 2020.indd 3 2020/05/27 1:24 PM FROMTHECLUBHOUSE Time to MOGAMAD ALLIE Reflect SoccerClub Editor

he Covid-19-enforced break, which has left footballers kicking their heels T since the PSL suspended activities on 16 March, has provided the authorities with a good opportunity to reset and look at ways of improving their product. Last year there was great fanfare when the league announced it had generated income of over R1-billion. According to the annual financial statements released in June 2019, most of the organisation’s finance came from the TV broadcast deal with SuperSport (60%) and sponsorships. Together they comprise a whopping 96% of the PSL’s overall income. The pause in play around the world, which of course halted SuperSport’s live sport output, exposed the heavy reliance sponsorships and won’t be able to operate of the PSL’s business model on the pay without the grant. Small wonder the league CLUBS CLEARLY NEED TO channel’s commitment, believed to be has been agitating vigorously, often against LOOK AT OTHER SOURCES in the region of R2-billion in a five-year good judgment, for a swift return to action. deal renewed last year. The clubs clearly need to look at other OF INCOME TO MAKE In return the PSL needs to deliver sources of income to make themselves matches, which it hasn’t been able to less reliant on the monthly grant, although THEMSELVES LESS RELIANT do since the suspension of the league. this won’t be easy in what is a very tough ON THE MONTHLY GRANT If SuperSport was to claim back the money economic climate. for games not broadcast, as it is entitled to The league will have to look carefully of fans sit on the stairways instead of do, it would impact the PSL by something at how it markets games that are set to occupying the seats listed on their tickets. in the region of R240-million. be played behind closed doors for the The hiatus has also exposed a problem This, in turn, would affect its ability to foreseeable future. At the very least, in the lack of full-time sports physicians at pay the monthly grant of R2-million to its supporters will have to be distanced Premiership clubs. According to Dr Thulani 16 clubs. Many of those don’t have major in the stands. Ngwenya, Safa’s chief medical officer, Enforcing this would require efficient fewer than five clubs employ what should HOW TO SUBSCRIBE and top-notch security, which hasn’t be considered an essential member of their always been the case at PSL games technical staff. CALL 0860 117 530 in the past. Even at the highly-policed The league should, at the very least, Between 08:30 and 17:00 Soweto derby, for example, thousands make it compulsory for PSL and GladAfrica Championship clubs to employ full-time sports physicians because a number SMS ‘SOCCER’ and your Email your account number or of footballers have died while playing account number to 45176 ID number to [email protected] *Standard SMS rates apply and others have experienced near-fatal

medical conditions. SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX

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Meet Ms T Chilza from Pinetown and Mr M Moila from Tembisa who have won TG gift cards worth R900. ou too can be our monthly an avourite by sending us a picture of yourself with your latest edition of SoccerClub magazine. Not only will you receive a TG gift card worth R900, but your picture will also be published as our monthly winner in an upcoming edition of SoccerClub. Email us with your ID and account numbers at APRIL MARCH [email protected] or write to SoccerClub, PO Box 8145, Roggebaai, 8012. MR M MOILA MS T CHILZA FROM TEMBISA FROM PINETOWN HIGHBURY MEDIA Soccer Editor Wade Pretorius WHAT HAPPENED Managing Editor Nick Krige Group Deputy Sports Editor Philippa Byron ON FACEBOOK Copy Editor Mark Salter Art Director Stuart Apsey Production Manager Rushaan Holliday OVER Deputy Production Manager Maggie Wasserfall Sales Manager Ari Kasimov Media Sales Sean Cookson 125 000 Chief Executive Officer Kevin Ferguson Managing Director Tony Walker LIKES Production Director Bilqees Allie Financial Director Lindsey Makrygiannis Human Resource Director Rizqah Jakoet

SoccerClub readers react to Leonardo Cover Photo Castro extending his Kaizer Chiefs stay Max Maiwald/Getty Images/Gallo Images Bong’nkosi Matawane This guy is going to fire us to the next PSL title.

Sthe Ndlovu ell done. e hope for more goals soon.

Phiri Mopeli I hope he stays for many years, our team is starting to fire again.

Njabulo Benedict Honestly I don’t think Chiefs needs to sign new players. Our coach and his technical team must motivate the young players promoted © Highbury Media (Pty) Ltd 2004/031056/07, and have faith in them. e really need Highbury Media, 36 Old Mill Road, Ndabeni 7405, Cape Town, South Africa; ISSN: 2519 0512 to build around a team of youngsters Editorial Enquiries Tel: (021) 416-0141 Fax: (021) 421-1250 to have a solid team for years to come. Email: [email protected] Advertising Enquiries Tel: (021) 416-0141 Hlulani Collen Makhubele This news Fax: (021) 418-0132 Website: www.hsm.co.za Subscription Enquiries: Tel: 0860 117 530 comes as a nightmare to Bucs fans because every time he faces them, ISSN 2521-280X. All material in SOCCERCLUB is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction he scores without permission by TFG is forbidden. SOCCERCLUB does not accept unsolicited manuscripts for publication. Nhlakanipho Mndaweni The guy has no Every care is taken in compiling the contents of this speed and can’t dribble aren’t there magazine but we assume no responsibility in the effect younger, faster strikers in lower divisions arising therefrom. The views expressed in this publication

GAVIN BARKER/BACKPAGEPIX GAVIN are not necessarily those of the publisher or TFG.

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FSC haaland cover.indd 8 2020/05/27 08:49 ERLINGHAALAND New

AOrder series of sensational performances with RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund has turned Erling Haaland into one of the hottest properties in the game. By Mogamad Allie

t was like seeing a much-loved, long- and caution, the first weekend’s action lost relative again on 16 May 2020 went off without a hitch. when Germany’s Bundesliga took The teams arrived in several buses, the brave step of becoming the ﬁ rst so players – wearing facemasks – could top league in the world to resume be socially distant on the journey to the action after the Covid-19-enforced game. Everyone involved had been in Ibreak, which brought all sport to a halt quarantine in team hotels all week and in mid-March. were regularly tested for the coronavirus. As the pandemic wreaked havoc, The footballs were disinfected by ballboys claiming hundreds of thousands of lives before the game and again at half-time. and incapacitating millions of others, the The protocol is set to be the new normal return of top-flight sport was the subject in football for the foreseeable future. of much speculation and angst. As much The fans may have been absent but as there was a strong desire to see a the Bundesliga had the world’s attention return, it had to be counterbalanced by thanks to curious audiences craving their considerations for the health and safety fix of live action. And how fitting it was that of those involved. the first goal of the resumed campaign The rest of the sporting world watched should be netted by Erling Haaland, the with keen interest, looking for a prototype teenage sensation whose scoring ability and assurance that it would be safe to has elevated him to becoming the most engage once again in a contact sport like talked-about striker in the world. For the

MARTIN MEISSNER/MICHAEL SOHN/BACKPAGEPIX MARTIN football. With typical German efficiency record, Haaland netted his 10th goal in

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FSC haaland cover.indd 9 2020/05/27 08:49 ERLINGHAALAND

U20 World Cup, may be written off by doubters as the feats of a flat-track bully, Haaland’s scoring record in the Bundesliga, one of Europe’s big five leagues, clearly confirms his quality. Small wonder the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United have made signing him a top priority. There is still a rawness about the 1.94m striker. His touch still needs to be developed, as does his movement and intuition. His feats may suggest otherwise, but don’t forget he’s only 19 so still has lots of time on his side to become even better. Adding the finer touches to his game should make him even more of a defender’s nightmare than he already is. WATCH OUT Coming on as a second-half substitute MARKSMAN TO MATCH Haaland gatecrashed the Bundesliga – just ‘He is already a great player at 19, as he had done in his Champions League Over the past seven seasons Bayern but he could be even better and debut with Salzburg last September when Munich’s Robert Lewandowski has become one of the best attackers set the standard for goal-scoring in he netted a hat-trick in a 6-2 thumping in the world’ – Rivaldo the German league. When he netted of Gent. With his side trailing 3-1 against in the 2-1 win over Union Berlin in Augsburg he turned the game on its head October the Polish striker became just nine league games as Dortmund with a hat-trick to give Lucien Favre’s side the first player in the competition’s history to score in each of the opening trounced fierce rivals Schalke 4-0 in a 5-3 victory. nine games of the campaign. The the Revierderby. In the process, the Norwegian kicked 31-year-old, who also captains his The rise of the Leeds-born striker has off what has already become a regular national team, has netted 228 goals been nothing short of phenomenal. Signed sequence of rewriting the record books. in 314 games for Bayern and Borussia by Borussia Dortmund in January from His 20-minute triple was the quickest Dortmund since moving from Polish side Lech Poznan in 2010. He has RB Salzburg after frantic unsuccessful in Bundesliga history by a substitute on won the Bundesliga’s Golden Boot in attempts by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, his debut. Haaland followed that up, again four of the past six seasons and is on manager at Norwegian side Molde, to coming off the bench, with two more in course for a fifth accolade. With eight bring him to Manchester United, he the following game against Cologne, which games remaining he was topping the charts with 26 goals, three ahead of has made an instant impact up front makes him the first player in Bundesliga RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner. at his new club. history to score five goals in his opening two games. The signs of what was to come were already apparent when, after making his debut as a 17-year old under Solskjaer at Molde, he scored on debut in the Norwegian Cup back in 2017. The blond striker’s 16 goals in 30 games the following season secured a move to Austrian league champions Salzburg where his pace, power and goal-scoring ability saw him netting an incredible 28 times in 22 games. While his earlier record in Norway and Haaland has been in blistering form with 41 goals and 10 assists in Austria, together with a phenomenal nine

41 FRIEDEMANN VOGEL/HANNIBAL HANSCHKE/BACKPAGEPIX 34 appearances this season in a 12-0 win over Honduras at last year’s

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ushine de Reuck is the fl avour of the season right now but he TALENT FACTORY didn’t always have it so good. Although labelled a ‘selling club’, the Team of He grew up in Kalksteenfontein Choice has managed to hold on to some of its best For players looking for a route to the – an area of Cape Town riddled performers over the past few seasons – but others top, Rushine de Reuck’s progress is with drugs and crime – but couldn’t resist the urge to seek greener pastures Rthe young Maritzburg United defender, FORTUNE MAKARINGE a blueprint. By Mazola Molefe now being monitored by Kaizer Chiefs, Joined Maritzburg from the Moroka Success Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, Swallows youth development fi ve came out of it unscathed. years ago and grew into his role ‘Football is on my mind 24-7 and as one of the core players. Now at Orlando Pirates. that’s how I stayed in the right direction. There are not a lot of role models where LEBO MABOE Played over 60 games for Maritzburg I grew up, so it was hard,’ the centre half but the club couldn’t say no to an tells SoccerClub. ‘When I was about 15 offer from Sundowns in 2018. I realised I had potential to make it as SIPHESIHLE NDLOVU Story a professional footballer. Won the Young Player of the ‘Where I grew up, you can’t see that Year award two seasons ago in his far ahead. You can’t see people playing breakthrough campaign and has professional football. I was exposed to since moved on to join Makaringe at the Buccaneers. a lot of different people and backgrounds. But somehow I got inspiration along the way RICHARD OFORI The Ghanaian goalkeeper has a year to follow my dream and got the opportunity to run on his contract and remains to go abroad when I was 18. I can count an integral part of the team as the myself lucky because there are a lot of No 1 for the past three years. people from Kalksteenfontein who were EVANS RUSIKE better than me and didn’t make it.’ After 80 games and 21 goals for De Reuck took a detour to Portugal Maritzburg, the Zimbabwean was with Pacos de Ferreira before the Team allowed to move on when SuperSport United came calling. of Choice snapped him up three years ago on a free transfer. ‘The coach at Pacos was Paulo Fonseca, obviously, because it was my debut in the who is now at Roma, and he actually liked PSL but Bevan Fransman was here and me and I trained with the senior team for he guided me a lot. He’s much older, so six months,’ the 24-year-old recalls. ‘But he is smart – doesn’t need to run off the when I returned from a visit home, the ball or tackle that much. He passed that new coach didn’t know who I was. That’s experience to me, and so too did Siyanda how it ended because he brought his own Xulu and Nazeer Allie,’ De Reuck explains. players and it became diffi cult for me. But Why did it take three years before he maybe it wasn’t my time and I had to go broke through? through this – my maturity level is different ‘I feel it is always the case that when now, I am a better player.’ your team is not doing too well, people Time is on his side, but the focus is to don’t really look at the individual. In my improve and learn from the experience. fi rst season, when coach Fadlu Davids ‘I didn’t play that much in the fi rst year, was in charge, guys such as Fortune THEN AND NOW ‘I CAN COUNT MYSELF LUCKY BECAUSE THERE ARE De Reuck’s market value progression JULY 2018: R2 289 723 A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM KALKSTEENFONTEIN WHO

XXXXXXX SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX JULY 2020: R5 794 470 WERE BETTER THAN ME AND DIDN’T MAKE IT’

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TFG FRAUD ALERT Makaringe, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Lebo Maboe did very well and got noticed and, even when we were struggling, people knew what they could do. STAY INFORMED. ‘Coach Eric Tinkler has pushed me throughout the season. When he arrived at Maritzburg he told me I have the talent STAY ALERT. but just need to work hard.’ In the coming months interest will grow, possibly from ALWAYS. the big South African clubs, or perhaps from Europe again. ‘I know soccer; I have been playing since I was young For only R4.50 per month charged to your but I want to create my own identity while learning from TFG account, you can receive SMS alerts sent others. When I went to Europe I was ready football-wise, to your cellphone every time a purchase of more but not mentally. I struggled with the language and than R100 is made using your TFG account I missed home,’ he admits. card, providing you with details on the value of ‘But now I feel I know what it takes and I can go back the purchase made on your TFG account, and prepared. I am ready to go back and adapt but for now it was made. I want to concentrate on helping Maritzburg where I still when and where have a contract. The only time I think of it is when people mention it to me – but of course it’s a dream of mine.’

The year De Reuck represented AFC Cape Town at the Bay Hill tournament; he credits his displays at the event as his career 2014 lift-off moment 10h39 22 February 2019 R149.99 Markham Woodstock

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TFG FRAUD ALERT Makaringe, Siphesihle Ndlovu and Lebo Maboe did very well and got noticed and, even when we were struggling, people The Next JEROME DAMON knew what they could do. STAY INFORMED. ‘Coach Eric Tinkler has pushed me throughout the season. Former Fifa referee When he arrived at Maritzburg he told me I have the talent STAY ALERT. Chapter but just need to work hard.’ In the coming months interest will grow, possibly from ALWAYS. the big South African clubs, or perhaps from Europe again. ‘I know soccer; I have been playing since I was young For only R4.50 per month charged to your sk any professional sportsperson I must admit the first year away from but I want to create my own identity while learning from TFG account, you can receive SMS alerts sent around the world about the most officiating was the most challenging. WE VOWED THAT ONE others. When I went to Europe I was ready football-wise, difficult decision that they have had For the first time in 16 years, I was not to your cellphone every time a purchase of more A but not mentally. I struggled with the language and to make and almost 99% would agree it walking on to a football field somewhere DAY, WHEN WE HAD THE than R100 is made using your TFG account I missed home,’ he admits. is: ‘When is the right moment to retire?’ around South Africa or Africa. card, providing you with details on the value of OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE ‘But now I feel I know what it takes and I can go back It is inevitable that all good things have By mid-2015 I had serious doubts, until the purchase made on your TFG account, and prepared. I am ready to go back and adapt but for now to come to an end. For me, it was Monday, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) REFEREEING ON THE it was made. I want to concentrate on helping Maritzburg where I still when and where 16 June 2014, when I emailed the Safa invited me to their Instructors’ Workshop have a contract. The only time I think of it is when people Referees Department to call time on a in Cairo, Egypt. Here I was able to reunite CONTINENT, WE WOULD mention it to me – but of course it’s a dream of mine.’ thoroughly rewarding and enjoyable career with all my peers with whom I had refereed that started 16 years earlier in September in competitions across the continent – the when we had the opportunity to improve The year De Reuck represented AFC Cape 1998. For many days after sending the likes of Coffi Codjia, Raphael Divine, Essam refereeing on the continent, we would. We Town at the Bay Hill email, I was left wondering whether I had abd El Fatah and Eddy Maillet, who had were one step closer. tournament; he credits made the correct decision. Was I too hasty ascended to the hot seat as Caf’s head Things started moving quickly and over his displays at the event as his career in hanging up my whistle? of referees. the next two years I was invited to a few lift-off moment After all, I was only 42 and Fifa had just Maillet was quick to remind me of a Caf workshops where I got to train and 2014 abolished the compulsory retirement age conversation we had during the 2010 Africa mentor referees in preparation for the 10h39 of 45. They decided to leave it to the various Cup of Nations in Angola. We had been to various continental tournaments. My first 22 February 2019 federations to make their own decisions on numerous Fifa tournaments, interacting Caf tournament, post-active refereeing, when referees should retire. Surely I had with many match officials from around the was the 2016 Chan tournament in Rwanda R149.99 a few good years of refereeing left? world and receiving valuable insight into the where I spent a month working with match With the benefit of hindsight I now know world of professional refereeing. We wanted officials in Kigali. Markham that the time was indeed right, although this for Africa. We vowed that one day, By the end of 2016, after serving on Woodstock the Caf Referees’ Committee for a year I have become a regular instructor for the organisation. In 2018, Fifa asked me to be part of its group of elite instructors from around the globe to prepare match officials for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. My key focus: VAR. Last year I was the VAR instructor at the Fifa U20 World Cup in Poland and again, a few days later, at the Afcon in Egypt. Just before football came to a grinding halt in March, I was involved with training Caf match officials at the training centre TO SUBSCRIBE in Rabat, Morocco, in preparation for the SMS ‘FA’ & your TFG account number to 45387. now postponed Chan tournament that Standard SMS rates apply. was scheduled for April in Cameroon. So things have been moving along nicely and it’s certainly been an enriching Terms and Conditions apply and experience being on the other side, training can be viewed on our website at GERAHRD DURAAN/BACKPAGEPIX SUPPLIED/SHAUN ROY/GETTY IMAGES/GALLO IMAGES my younger colleagues. www.tfg.co.za/campaigns/tfgfraudalert

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FA advert 2714 Feb 2019 v4 print.indd 2 2019/02/27 8:03 AM Rooted to reatthe foot of the table for almost the entire season, Maritzburg United miraculously dodged relegation on the ﬁ nal day of the 2015-16 season. By Mogamad Allie Escape

Preview.indd 16 2020/05/26 10:18 AM PSLREVIEW

he Team of Choice and the date they now had to contend with relegation ‘I’m speechless trying to describe the 21 May are inextricably linked to for a fourth time. last 1 minutes of that game,’ former two of the most dramatic moments Maritzburg United’s survival must rank Maritzburg midfi elder Kurt Lenties told in PSL history. On that day in 211, as one of the greatest escapes anywhere Soccer Laduma. ‘I have never experienced they held Aax Cape Town to an in the footballing world. They had occupied anything like that in my life. ven though unexpected draw to deny them the bottom spot for 25 of rounds of I was suspended for the game. I kicked Ttheir maiden championship and allowed the league season and had been outside and umped for every ball from where Orlando Pirates to claim their third title on the relegation zone for only their fi rst I was sitting, from the fi rst to the last goal difference. Five years later they were two games. second of the game. at the centre of even greater drama as On top of that, they had to cope with the ‘It was a deeply, deeply emotional Rooted to reatthe foot of the table for almost the they held on to their top-fl ight status by death of midfi elder Mondli Cele – who was experience. I shed tears. I cried with the the barest of margins. killed in a horrifi c car crash ust a few hours chairman on that fi eld. I do not think I’ll entire season, Maritzburg United miraculously In 21, a tense Olen Park in after scoring in a thrilling - draw against ever experience anything like that in Potchefstroom was the scene for what Orlando Pirates at the Harry wala Stadium football again.’ dodged relegation on the fi nal day of the must rank as the most dramatic fi nal 1 four months previously. omo Cosmos have been in the National 2015-16 season. By Mogamad Allie minutes of a game in PSL history. rnst First Division ever since, together with Middendorp’s strugglers faced hosts omo ‘I DO NOT THINK I’LL AmaTuks who lost their PSL status in Escape Cosmos in what was basically a relegation the playoffs to Highlands Park. playoff fi nal. EVER EXPERIENCE zenkosi needed only a draw to secure their Premiership status while, in Tshwane, ANYTHING LIKE THAT bottom-of-the-log University of Pretoria had IN FOOTBALL AGAIN’ to beat olden Arrows to ensure they lived to fi ght another day. oing into the last 1 KURT LENTJIES minutes Maritzburg were heading to the NFD as Cosmos were leading 1-, courtesy of a superb long-range strike by Linda Mntambo midway through the fi rst half. Tuks were comfortably leading Arrows 2- at the same time. They eventually won 2-1. Mohau Mokate, who had come on as a substitute with 15 minutes left on the clock, gave Maritzburg a glimmer of hope by heading in the eualiser. But it still wasn’t enough – they were level on points with AmaTuks but ranked below them because of an inferior goal difference. However, things changed dramatically in the fi nal four minutes of the thoroughly absorbing encounter as a brace by vans Rusike helped them escape the relegation axe that had been hovering over them for much of the campaign to that point. The busloads of fans who had travelled from Kwaulu-Natal to support their team were delirious, while tears fl owed freely from the team’s disbelieving but overoyed management and players. Cosmos, who had been safe ust a few minutes earlier, were stunned. Having

SYDNY MAHLANUSAMUL SHIAMBUBACKPAPIX been in control for most of the game,

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Preview.indd 16 2020/05/26 10:18 AM Preview.indd 17 2020/05/26 10:19 AM PERFECTXI De Boer’s Ronald De Boer, the former Ajax, Barcelona and Netherlands legend picks his ﬁ nest Army teammates from his glittering career PLAYMAKERS PEP GUARDIOLA A very intelligent player with incredible vision. Pep was good at delaying passes, CF then playing them at the right moment. Patrick He was the brains of the team and took LF Kluivert RF a leading role in the dressing room.’ Dennis Luis Bergkamp Figo RIVALDO Rivaldo was the best I ever played with. He dribbled like no one else in the world, his shooting and free kicks were terriﬁ c and the way he cut inside was magical. He had an unbelievable left foot but his CM CM right was basically only for standing on. Jari CM Rivaldo When he won the Ballon d’Or in 1999, Litmanen Pep he gave all his teammates a small silver Guardiola plate to thank us. It was a nice gesture.’ PATRICK KLUIVERT A complete striker. Patrick was quick and incredibly powerful absolute dynamite. He LB RB could shoot with both feet but was also really Frank Danny strong in the air and technically good. He De Boer CB CB Blind reminds me a bit of Robert Lewandowski Frank Jaap – although nowadays, there are very few Rijkaard Stam proper centre forwards quite like Patrick.’ LUIS FIGO He was an outstanding dribbler for GK Barcelona, unparalleled with his twists Edwin van and turns. And one thing many people der Sar forget Luis was never injured.’

Louis van Gaal Phillip Cocu, Clarence Seedorf, Claudio Caniggia

MANAGER SUBS RAMOS/GETT IMAGES/GALLO IMAGES AI

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perfect XI.indd 18 2020/05/27 3:09 PM WOMEN’SFOOTBALL

‘Young as she is, I will not be surprised if she is called up into the Banyana Banyana squad. I always say we should afford the kids an opportunity to play and they will grow from that – not only that but also they forge more than just friendships.’ Eyeing the Wade made a historic mark as captain of the U17 team that set a host of new records in September 2019 when they A bright future is expected for Jessica walloped the Seychelles 28-0 in the Cosafa Cup in Mauritius. Wade as she hopes to help South They lost to Uganda in the final, but Wade was voted Player of the Tournament. Africa’s U17 women qualify for their She was then called into the U20 squad World Cup in 2021. By Nick Said Top for the first-round 2020 Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Zambia. But the 17-year-old says the challenge outh Africa appeared at the last U17 been played May but were postponed will be doubly hard whenever they do get Women’s World Cup finals in Uruguay and no new dates have yet been set. to take on Morocco, believing it will take S in 2018 and are aiming for back-to- It would be a surprise if South Africa hard work and discipline for the team to back qualifications for the first time in their did not advance, due to the leadership of juggle school work and national football history. The tournament moved to March powerhouse Jessica Wade, who is already duties once everything is back to normal. 2021 after the Covid-19 disruption. a key player in the U20 set-up and on the Her club, JvW, which became national Bantwana face Morocco in the final brink of a debut in the Banyana side. women’s champions in 2019, has put round of qualifiers, which were to have ‘I don’t like singling out players because together a series of online training regimes the entire team works hard,’ Under-17 and activities for the squad to keep fit as ‘YOUNG AS SHE IS, I coach Simphiwe Dludlu said. ‘But I must the country remains in a state of lockdown. say that Jessica is a hard worker; she hates The Grade 11 learner at Waterstone WILL NOT BE SURPRISED losing and plays with a lot of passion. I have College has her sights on the future: ‘My been watching her progress over the years motivation is really just to be better than IF SHE IS CALLED UP and she is destined for great things. I was the day before,’ she said. ‘I gained INTO THE BANYANA a lot of experience being able to play on the biggest stage possible at an U17 level. BANYANA SQUAD But what I think needs to be emphasised – SIMPHIWE DLUDLU is that, individually, I don’t think South Africa is as far off the pace as people think. ‘We need to look at qualifying for all the U17 World Cups, we need to start making these COLLECTIVE EFFORT U20 World Cups, and then hopefully Banyana Wade shares her views on what it getting into every World takes to make it to the top: ‘From the parents’ side, I think that it’s Cup and the Olympics that a lot of sacrifice. They need to come around.’ support their child through the Her long-term goal is to journey and need to be there for play for a club in the English them, help them to get to practice and to games. From the kids’ side, Women’s Super League you have to work hard. Life is where her favourite club, about working hard and you have Manchester United, started to believe that you will get there competing after forming a because you have worked for it.’

RYAN WILKISKY/BACKPAGEPIX RYAN team in 2018.

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Women's.indd 19 2020/05/26 10:46 AM Early REEVE FROSLER (KAIZER CHIEFS) The 22-year-old has been one of the outstanding Amakhosi players this season, turning out consistent performances in the right back position. Such has been Impact his swift rise, the Chiefs defender has been added to the Bafana Bafana set-up. SoccerClub picks five players aged 23 or under who have Frosler has played an important role in lit up the domestic scene this season. By Dylan Appolis Chiefs’ backline, which has the second- best defensive record in the league having conceded only 17 goals from 22 games. GERHARD DURAAN/KABELO LEPUTU/GAVIN BARKER/MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPI /BACKPAGEPIX BARKER/MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPI GERHARD DURAAN/KABELO LEPUTU/GAVIN

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20-21_Top five.indd 20 2020/05/26 10:49 AM PSL

TEBOHO MOKOENA (SUPERSPORT UNITED) The 23-year-old has established himself as one of the best young players in the PSL over the past two seasons and has formed a formidable partnership with Dean Furman in the heart of the SuperSport midfi eld. The midfi elder plays with great maturity and has been a standout performer for Matsatsantsa this campaign, having turned in two goals and six Early assists from 30 appearances across all competitions despite playing a deep-lying role. REEVE FROSLER (KAIZER CHIEFS) The 22-year-old has been one of the outstanding Amakhosi players this season, turning out consistent performances in the right back position. Such has been Impact his swift rise, the Chiefs defender has been added to the Bafana Bafana set-up. SoccerClub picks five players aged 23 or under who have THABISO MONYANE (ORLANDO PIRATES) Frosler has played an important role in lit up the domestic scene this season. By Dylan Appolis The 20-year-old has been touted as the Chiefs’ backline, which has the second- best right back in the league by former best defensive record in the league having coach Rhulani Mokwena, now with Chippa United, after his impressive displays for the conceded only 17 goals from 22 games. Buccaneers. The striker-come-defender graduated to the Pirates fi rst team this season and has continued to make strides in the right direction. Monyane has featured 13 times across all competitions after his eye-catching performances during the U20 Africa Cup of Nations and Fifa World Cup tournaments last year.

GOODMAN MOSELE (BAROKA) The 20-year-old is now in his third season in the Bakgaga fi rst team, where he has cemented his role in the midfi eld. Mosele has featured in all but eight matches across all competitions this term as he adds to his growing reputation. The hard-tackling midfi elder has shown signs of being a star and has been on the radar of clubs in Europe after a trial at Maccabi Tel Aviv. IPHO MBULE (SUPERSPORT UNITED) Another bright star coming out of SuperSport United, Mbule has established himself as one of the best prospects in the country. This season the central midfi elder has netted three goals to go with one assist in 30 appearances in his breakthrough campaign in the top fl ight. The 22-year-old has been tipped to challenge for the Absa CHECK US OUT AT Premiership Young Player of the Season WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ award and has already been named the TFGSOCCERCLUB Absa Premiership Player of the Month in GERHARD DURAAN/KABELO LEPUTU/GAVIN BARKER/MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPI /BACKPAGEPIX BARKER/MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPI GERHARD DURAAN/KABELO LEPUTU/GAVIN November 2019.

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20-21_Top five.indd 20 2020/05/26 10:49 AM 20-21_Top five.indd 21 2020/05/28 1:54 PM FSC Moment inTime.indd22 TIME IN MOMENT 22 Benni successive seasons. the Buccaneers’secondtreblein goal, afreekickinaddedtime,sealed their Premiershipcrown.Hissecond 2012 tohelpOrlandoPiratesretain match againstGoldenArrowsinMay a braceinthefinal30minutesof the remembered foreverashebagged homecoming fromEuropewouldbe most celebratedstrikers–ensuredhis Benni McCarthy–oneofthecountry’s WHAT HAPPENED? WWW.TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA No

Denying 2020/05/26 11:16AM

ANESH DEBIKY/GALLO IMAGES FSC Moment inTime.indd22 TIME IN MOMENT 22 Benni successive seasons. the Buccaneers’secondtreblein goal, afreekickinaddedtime,sealed their Premiershipcrown.Hissecond 2012 tohelpOrlandoPiratesretain match againstGoldenArrowsinMay a braceinthefinal30minutesof the remembered foreverashebagged homecoming fromEuropewouldbe most celebratedstrikers–ensuredhis Benni McCarthy–oneofthecountry’s WHAT HAPPENED? WWW.TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA No

Denying 2020/05/26 11:16AM

ANESH DEBIKY/GALLO IMAGES 23_EPL.indd 23

PETER POWELL/VICKIE FLORES/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/BACKPAGEPIX You can’t haveitall.Andhe’s only23. at theMaracanatarnishedhisevening. the final...beforeared-cardmeltdown last summerwithagoalandanassist in starred inBrazil’s CopaAmericavictory other gameforPepGuardiola’s men,and poacher averagesagoalinnearlyevery is SergioAguero.Still,theformerPalmeiras your rivalforastartingplaceatclublevel combination butit’s understandablewhen country soundslikeanincongruous Substitute forclubandstarteryour GABRIEL JESUS(MANCHESTERCITY) League stars whohave alongfutureatthetop SoccerClub More looks atthreeyoung EnglishPremier

goals bymid-January. either, the22-year-old hadnetted15 Lampard’s faithhasnotbeenmisplaced prolific stintonloanatBristolCity. Frank 2018-19 campaign,followingasimilarly to thetoptierwith25goalsinafine was eightyearsold–firedAstonVilla though. Thestriker–aBluesincehe have gotashotthisseasonregardless, at StamfordBridge.Hesurelywould but ithandedAbrahamhisbigchance A lotwasmadeofChelsea’s transferban TAMMY ABRAHAM(CHELSEA) to Come make theWorld Cupfinal,I’llbethere.’ The PlayersTribune: ‘Next timeFrance confidence ontheball.Ashestated in for lacking,nottomentionhissupreme Emirates Stadiumwereoftenlambasted for ascrapthathispredecessors atthe marries toptechnicalabilitywithathirst catching curls.TheformerLorientman because ofhisplayingstyleandeye- It’s hardtomissArsenal’s midfieldenforcer MATTEO GUENDOUZI(ARSENAL) LEAGUE PREMIER WWW.TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA 2020/05/28 1:56PM

PSL Thriving DANIEL AKPEYI (Kaizer Chiefs) While goalkeepers are usually exempt to the ‘age rule’, this 33-year-old has been so good for the Glamour Boys this season that it is impossible to leave him off this list. The Nigerian No 1 has raised eyebrows this campaign by keeping Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune out of the starting lineup. ThirtiesFive PSL players over 30 who have proved this season Akpeyi has been instrumental in Chiefs’ rise to the top of the table as he kept nine that age is just a number. By Dean Workman clean sheets across 19 league games. He earned the Player of the Month award for September/October and will be up for the Goalkeeper of the Season award when the campaign is finally completed. MUZI NTOMBELA/SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/GAVIN BARKER/BACKPAGEPIX MUZI NTOMBELA/SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/GAVIN

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Top five.indd 24 2020/05/26 11:20 AM PSL

HLOMPHO KEKANA (Mamelodi Sundowns) CLAYTON DANIELS (SuperSport United) At 34 the Sundowns stalwart is still defying At 35 Daniels is one of the oldest outfi eld players in the Absa Premiership. While the doubters as he continues to drive the many have questioned his legs, the centre back has been one of SuperSport Masandawana juggernaut forward from the United’s most consistent performers throughout the 2019-20 campaign. His middle of the park. Despite Sundowns coach experience has been crucial in leading a young side to the MTN8 title, while also Pitso Mosimane’s need to rotate his squad putting their name in the mix at the top of the table for long periods throughout due to fi xture congestion, Kekana remains the campaign. The defender played every minute of the season, proving he still a constant feature of the starting lineup. He has a lot left in the tank. featured in 33 games across all competition Thriving in the 2019-20 season, scoring four goals and grabbing six assists before the coronavirus- forced interruption. The ’Downs skipper was DANIEL AKPEYI (Kaizer Chiefs) also rewarded for his continued importance While goalkeepers are usually exempt to with a four-and-a-half year contract, an the ‘age rule’, this 33-year-old has been unprecedented reward in South Africa for a player in his thirties. so good for the Glamour Boys this season that it is impossible to leave him off this list. The Nigerian No 1 has raised eyebrows this campaign by keeping Chiefs legend BRADLEY GROBLER (SuperSport United) Itumeleng Khune out of the starting lineup. ThirtiesFive PSL players over 30 who have proved this season The SuperSport hitman has seen his career Akpeyi has been instrumental in Chiefs’ badly affected by injuries in recent years but rise to the top of the table as he kept nine that age is just a number. By Dean Workman he has been able to show just why he is so clean sheets across 19 league games. He highly regarded in this campaign. Having earned the Player of the Month award for kept himself fi t, the 32-year-old scored 15 September/October and will be up for the goals in 28 games in all competitions and Goalkeeper of the Season award when the remains fi rmly in the hunt for the league’s campaign is finally completed. Golden Boot with his 12 goals to date. Grobler’s performances and all-round contribution sparked interest from the likes of Orlando Pirates. He is proof it’s WILLARD KATSANDE (Kaizer Chiefs) never too late to raise your profi le. While he has not received praise from all sections of the Chiefs’ support base in recent years, the midfi eld enforcer’s impact for the Soweto giants this term has been undeniable. Katsande played in 16 of 22 league games before the suspension of the campaign, and Amakhosi lost only once when the Zimbabwean was involved. This rightly earned the 34-year-old an extra one- year extension on his contract. The struggle to replace Katsande, with Ghanaian James Koeti coming and going without playing a game, goes to show his undeniable worth to the club.

CHECK US OUT AT WWW.TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA MUZI NTOMBELA/SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/GAVIN BARKER/BACKPAGEPIX MUZI NTOMBELA/SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/GAVIN

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SoccerClub looks at the stories behind South African soccer’s famous nicknames. Call Me Next up, Doctor Khumalo ... ‘16 Valve’ ne of the country’s most adored players, Theophilus Doctorson O Khumalo, was given the nickname 1 Valve’ by Kaier Chiefs fans who took a liking to his tireless work ethic and powerful engine, which was used to 1 CARD. EXCLUSIVE OFFERS. drive Amakhosi to success during his 17-year stay at OVER 20 RETAIL BRANDS. the club.

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01330_Rewards_Mag_Ad_Autumn_198 x 260.indd 9 2020/05/05 15:58 Rewards.indd 1 2020/05/06 12:54 27_name game.indd 27 2020/05/26 11:28 AM Lockdown SoccerClub looks at how clubs and players have kept themselves fit and entertained during the suspension of the league. By Nick Said Life

FSC. psl lockdown story.indd 28 2020/05/26 11:37 AM PSL

he hardest thing for many South African players in lockdown has been the lack of group training, the chance of a bit of banter and bonding with teammates the pitch. Each of the 16 PSL Tclubs have provided detailed individual training programmes for players during the lockdown, but that does not beat the smell of grass and kicking a ball outside. When football returns, the teams that have managed their training and players the best during lockdown will prosper in the final weeks of the campaign, which provides a massive opportunity for sides lagging behind and could make or break title ambitions. Highlands Park have been at the cutting edge of the science around training, first ensuring the players understood exactly what Covid-19 is and then doing random spot-checks on their training progress ‘NOTHING BEATS MATCH FITNESS AND TRAINING ON A during the lockdown. ‘The players were given a questionnaire PITCH BUT I AM DOING WHAT I CAN’ – GASTON SIRINO asking who they live with, what transport they use and so on,’ Highlands coach have an old treadmill, a spinning bike, Owen da Gama told SoccerClub. ‘Our a home gym set-up and enough weights physios Simone Conley and Chris Kamper to get you sore. I have been training then held one-on-one workshops with the regularly, doing double sessions. Since players to establish what they knew about the introduction of Level 4 lockdown the virus and what they needed to do to I’ve also been out running on the road, follow the rules. So the players are very which has helped.’ well informed. Mamelodi Sundowns forward Gaston ‘Simone randomly selects five players Sirino has been using his small garden who must film what they are doing in at home to keep as fit as he can and has training and upload it to our Lockdown brought in a training partner in the form WhatsApp group. The other players then of his fiancee, Melania. rate the session out of 10 for intensity ‘I am working on staying sharp and and difficulty, so we are all in daily contact relatively fit. Nothing beats match fitness and doing our best to keep that human and training on a pitch but I am doing interaction going. what I can. I have a couple of drills I run ‘That is very important, because isolation with but we need to be back on the pitch. can be difficult mentally. There is no doubt We all train together a few days a week the players miss the team dynamics, being online and then I do another session in able to laugh and joke at training together.’ the evening with Melania. Highlands’ veteran defender Bevan ‘When my kids get to bed, we like to Fransman is 36 and at an age where watch some series and TV together. We training becomes difficult and requires are also getting stuck into the kitchen. greater effort to stay in shape. I watch a lot of repeats of matches on ‘I think I’ve trimmed down a little bit, TV, which makes me want to train and

MUZI NTOMBELA/SYDNEY MAHLANGU/SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX surprisingly,’ he said. ‘I am fortunate to get back on the pitch.’

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FSC. psl lockdown story.indd 29 2020/05/26 11:37 AM Poster.indd 30 2020/05/28 7:45 AM brother, son, friend ... brother, ’SGORA’ ’SGORA’ NKANYISO – 18 MAY 2020 – 18 MAY

10 OCTOBER 1989 captain, defender, Golden Arrows Rest in Peace Rest MNGWENGWE

MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX MUZI

Poster.indd 30 2020/05/28 7:45 AM Poster.indd 31 2020/05/28 7:45 AM MAYCOACH'SMAHLANGUCORNER

Master Pep Guardiola has not only won loads of silverware but he’s also produced high-quality teams that play an aesthetically pleasing brand of football. Pep By Mogamad Allie

FSC Guardiola.indd 32 2020/05/26 11:39 AM MAYCOACH'SMAHLANGUCORNER

t’s a mark of how high he has set the bar that Pep Guardiola’s critics hold up his failure to win the Champions League with big-spending Manchester City as a blot on his copybook. Those critics conveniently overlook Ithe 30 trophies he has won in a relatively brief top-flight coaching career that started in 2008 – only the great Sir Alex Ferguson (49 in 39 years) and Romania’s Mircea Lucescu (32 in 38 years) have been more successful than Guardiola. They also forget the two consecutive league titles he won with a high-class Manchester City side that he guided THE IMPACT HE HAS ON PLAYERS IS PROBABLY BEST to a domestic treble last season. ILLUSTRATED BY THE REMARKABLE GROWTH AND Before the Covid-19-enforced break that brought sport throughout the world IMPROVEMENT OF RAHEEM STERLING to a shuddering halt, City were seemingly on their way to the quarter-finals of the ‘He taught so many players, including has grown to become one of Europe’s Champions League after impressively me. We will continue to teach his ways to finest attacking talents. sweeping aside Real Madrid 2-1 at the others and they’ll continue it. Does it mean The hallmarks of a Guardiola-inspired Bernabeu in the first leg of their round- these teams will always win? No, I’ve never side were there for all to see over the past of-16 tie. The 49-year-old coach may yet thought that. I never think about losing but two seasons in England. City were utterly silence his small band of critics. Not that Cruyff’s way taught me how to prepare to spellbinding in 2017-18, tearing teams he needs to. win,’ he told Cano Football. apart at will through the incisive laser- His impressive record speaks for itself. ‘If people think Cruyff’s philosophy like passing of Kevin de Bruyne, and In 2008, He took over a Barcelona side will die, they’re more than confused. the clinical finishing of Sergio Aguero from Frank Rijkaard that had experienced Sometimes they win and sometimes and Gabriel Jesus. an unfamiliar silverware drought over the not, but Johan will never die. Never.’ Guardiola masterminded a record- previous two seasons. Guardiola delivered According to the football philosophy breaking campaign that saw City score no fewer than six trophies in his debut Guardiola follows, all 11 players – including 106 goals, amass 100 points and win campaign, the best in the history of the the goalkeeper – must be able to involve the title by a record 19-point margin. success-laden club. themselves in retaining possession and As Guardiola’s contract at the Etihad While bringing the best out of each shifting the ball at speed with one- and winds down to its June 2021 expiry date, player in his squad, he delivered the two-touch passing. there are reports linking him with a return La Liga and Copa de Rey double, the He also demands intensity from his to Barcelona, should Joan Laporta – the Master Champions League, the European and players. When his team loses the ball man who appointed him in 2008 – win the Spanish Super Cups as well as the Fifa they are expected to hunt in groups in club’s presidential election, scheduled for Club World Cup. an attempt to recover possession as next year. Pep Guardiola has not only won In the process, at 37, he became the quickly as possible. Anyone deemed to ‘I would very much like Guardiola to loads of silverware but he’s youngest coach to win the Champions be shirking his off-the-ball responsibilities come back but now he is at City and League, as well as only the sixth individual has no place in Guardiola’s team. it is a decision he should take. He is also produced high-quality to lift the trophy as player and coach. The impact he has on players is probably a benchmark for Barcelona and many Zinedine Zidane joined the group in 2016. best illustrated by the remarkable growth Catalans would like him to coach Barca teams that play an aesthetically Guardiola, who is known to pay and improvement of Raheem Sterling again,’ Laporta told the Spanish media. meticulous attention to detail during over the past three years. The England If City’s owners grow tired of waiting for pleasing brand of football. training and in his preparation for games, international’s talent was never in doubt a Champions League and allow Guardiola By Mogamad Allie credits his mentor Johan Cruyff, the Dutch, but his ability to thrill matched his to leave, there will be a line of clubs around Ajax and Barcelona legend, for his success penchant to frustrate. That is no longer Europe ready to welcome one of the all-

Pep PETER POWELL/BACKPAGEPIX as a player and coach. the case as the former Liverpool prodigy time greats.

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FSC Guardiola.indd 32 2020/05/26 11:39 AM FSC Guardiola.indd 33 2020/05/26 11:39 AM NUMBERSGAME

SoccerClub adds up the numbers on Borussia Dortmund forward oFigure Jadon Sancho. By Dylan Appolis

Through his career, the Watford youth academy product has picked up a total of seven cards; six yellow and one red. 77

117MThe current market value, in euros, for the London-born wing – who is being chased by several European giants.

The number of goals the English star has netted across all competitions over the course of his career; 31 have come in 55Dortmund’s yellow shirt.

The number of assists he has made in 134 appearances in all competitions. 53 The number of goals he scored in the Bundesliga before turning 20, which makes him the highest- scoring teenager in The number of England 2727 Bundesliga history. caps earned since making his senior debut under The price, in pounds, Gareth Southgate in Dortmund paid Manchester October 2018. 11 City for the attacker in 99 742742 August 2017. The number of minutes he has played 8M since making his first appearance for Manchester City’s U18 squad in 2016. He has won two major honours, including the Fifa U17 World Cup Sancho’s age when with England in 2017 and the DFL- he scored his first 2 Supercup with Dortmund in 2019. Champions League goal in Dortmund’s 4-0 victory over The number of goals Sancho has Atletico Madrid. scored from the penalty spot. 18 33 NEIL HALL/FRIEDEMANN VOGEL/FOCKE STRANGMANN/BACKPAGEPIX

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FSC sancho numbers.indd 34 2020/05/26 12:16 NUMBERSGAME TFG DENTAL PLAN Take the bite out of dental costs

SoccerClub adds up the numbers on Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho. By Dylan Appolis An optional dental insurance policy that provides a range of o e cover amounts for diﬀ erent claim events, from tooth decay to Figur dental emergencies.

Through his career, the Watford youth academy product has picked up a total of seven cards; six yellow and one red. 77

117MThe current market value, in euros, for the London-born wing – who is being chased by several European giants.

The number of goals the Benefi t Claim Event Payout English star has netted across all competitions Day to Day Dental Event R500 over the course of his career; 31 have come in 55Dortmund’s yellow shirt. Day to Day Severely Decayed or Damaged Tooth R500 Impacted Wisdom Tooth R750 The number of assists he has made in 134 appearances in Dental Abscess R1 000 all competitions. Emergency 53 Dental Emergency R1 000 The number of goals he scored in the Bundesliga Chipped Tooth R500 before turning 20, which makes him the highest- Accident Fractured Tooth R2 000 scoring teenager in The number of England Bundesliga history. Use this QR 2727 Knocked Tooth R2 000 code to visit caps earned since making our website. his senior debut under The price, in pounds, Gareth Southgate in Oral Cancer Oral Cancer R15 000 Dortmund paid Manchester October 2018. City for the attacker in 11 Jaw Fracture Jaw Fracture R15 000 99 742742 August 2017. The number of minutes he has played 8M since making his first appearance for The Day to Day and Oral Cancer benefi ts are subject to a three month waiting period from the starting date of the cover. Manchester City’s U18 squad in 2016. He has won two major honours, Terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations apply and can be viewed on our website. including the Fifa U17 World Cup For more information or to take up this product call 0860 576 576 or visit www.tfginsurance.co.za Sancho’s age when with England in 2017 and the DFL- he scored his first Supercup with Dortmund in 2019. 2 TFG DENTAL PLAN IS AN INSURANCE PRODUCT AND NOT A MEDICAL AID. Champions League goal in Dortmund’s 4-0 victory over The number of goals Sancho has TFG Dental Plan is underwritten by: Atletico Madrid. scored from the penalty spot. 18 33 NEIL HALL/FRIEDEMANN VOGEL/FOCKE STRANGMANN/BACKPAGEPIX Insurance Foschini Retail Group (Pty) Ltd is an Guardrisk Insurance Company Limited authorised fi nancial services provider. is an authorised fi nancial services provider. 34 WWW.TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA

FSC sancho numbers.indd 34 2020/05/26 12:16 Dental plan.indd 1 2020/05/05 10:12 ne year after he declared he was ready to leave Manchester United for a new challenge, and after a season beset by injuries and the suspension of football, the gifted Paul Pogba’s career is Oat a crossroads. Immediately after hailing his 2018-19 season, in which he scored 16 goals and provided 11 assists in 47 Defining games across all competitions, as his best yet, he announced: ‘I think for me it could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else.’ Ironically, his run of form came against the backdrop of the turbulent closing of Jose Mourinho’s tenure in the dugout and the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as head coach. Pogba suffered his fi rst injury just four games into the season and, despite returning for two games in December, he was again forced off the Period fi eld with an ankle injury which required Paul Pogba’s decisions over surgery. He has not played since. Images of Pogba on the basketball the next 12 months will deﬁ ne court and travelling the globe have his legacy as a professional angered sections of the club’s passionate support base. His stock with fans also footballer. By Dean Workman dropped when United moved for Bruno Fernandes in the January transfer window. The Portuguese international made an

Pogba.indd 36 2020/05/26 12:13 PAULPOGBA

immediate impact as Solskjaer’s side began midfi elder, and manager Zinedine Zidane to show signs of improvement, despite the has openly admitted his affection for his CHECK US OUT AT prolonged absence of the French star. fellow Frenchman. ‘I like him a lot; that is WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ Their progress, though, was halted nothing new, I know him personally. He TFGSOCCERCLUB by the coronavirus pandemic and the is a truly different player – few players can subsequent suspension of football across do what he can. He is a midfi elder who to splash the cash on someone who has the globe, which has created yet another can defend, attack, do everything. hardly played over the past season. twist in Pogba’s tale and many questions ‘But he is not my player, he is at In the meantime, the outlook at the to answer. Will any club have the fi nancial Manchester United. He has said that, Theatre of Dreams seems to be a bit muscle to lure him away? Will Manchester after Manchester, Madrid has always brighter than it was at the end of the United sanction a deal knowing they are interested him. So when his experience 2018-19 campaign. Solskjaer solidifi ed unlikely to recoup the money they paid for at Manchester ends, why not come here the defence with the acquisitions of Harry the midfi elder? Clubs will face signifi cant to Madrid?’ Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, while fi nancial constraints coming out of the Juventus were also said to be keen to Daniel James and Fernandes have hit the pandemic, which will complicate any bring the midfi elder back to Turin, where ground running. Add to that suggestions of transfer of a player like Pogba. he enjoyed the most successful spell of Real Madrid is the club with budget his career. His recent injuries may also and the closest ties to the enigmatic be a cause for concern with clubs hesitant

Pogba has only won three UNITED WILL NOT LET ONE OF THEIR awards with Manchester United: the League Cup and Europa League SUPERSTARS LEAVE FOR A BARGAIN PRICE, trophies in the 2016-17 PUTTING POGBA IN A PRECARIOUS SITUATION season, and a PFA Team of 3 the Year nod in 2018-19

IN BLACK AND WHITE FOR MAN UNITED: 31 goals in 150 appearances

PETER POWELL/BACKPAGEPIX FOR JUVENTUS: 34 goals in 178 appearances

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Manchester United have had some special French talent with Eric ‘The King’ Cantona undoubtedly the standout. He proved to be the catalyst that propelled United to significant success under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning four Premier League titles in the process. Patrice Evra also had a remarkable impact at United, winning five league titles and the Champions League in his 379 appearances in red. Mikel Silvestre, who appeared 361 times and won several league trophies and the Champions League, rounds off SoccerClub’s list of top French players at the club.

INTERESTED? deals involving the likes of Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish and SMS “ABP” and your Harry Kane and the Red Devils could be a real force should TFG store account the Frenchman choose to stay. number to 45387 Pogba may have had attitude issues under Mourinho, but for a call back (standard SMS Solskjaer has consistently insisted the World Cup winner’s rates apply) mentality has been nothing but professional since and is excited to see him blend in with the new signings – especially Fernandes – in the centre of the park. ‘Good players can always play together,’ said the United boss when asked The monthly premium is 30c for every R100 you owe on about the two linking up. your TFG store account, billed to your TFG store account. One thing is for certain, United will not let one of their superstars leave for a bargain price, putting Pogba in Terms and conditions apply and can be viewed at a precarious situation. Should he stay at United, put his www.tfginsurance.co.za. head down and buy into what Solskjaer is doing, he could be a driving force in the re-emergence of the club as a force Foschini Retail Group (Pty) Ltd is an authorised ﬁnancial in world football. This would come with the added benefit of services provider. Insurance is underwritten by Guardrisk him becoming a hero at his boyhood club. Life Limited, an authorised ﬁnancial services provider. If he looks to force a move, he may find success a little easier to come by and his reputation would be dented after

the song and dance he made when leaving Juve for United. SHAUN BOTTERILL/GETTY IMAGES/GALLO IMAGES

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PROTECTION ALLTIME BAFANA BAFANA PLAYER MOST MEMORABLE CAREER MOMENT HOLIDAY DESTINATION Benni McCarthy – all the goals Making the Bafana Bafana squad. I haven’t been to many places but I would THAT PAYS he scored make him a legend. love to visit Italy, Greece and erusalem. with Account Balance Protection. WAYS TO RELAX I enoy playing Fifa, studying, watching clips of my favourite midfielders, eating BEST STRIKER Account Balance Protection will settle the outstanding and watching movies. IN THE PSL balance on your TFG store account as at the date of your death. Accidental death will be covered immediately, FOOD but there is a three month waiting period for natural My mom’s roti and curry, and my death from the starting date of the policy. wife’s pumpkin stew, salmon and sweet potato mash with broccoli. Manchester United have had some special French talent with Eric ‘The King’ Cantona undoubtedly the standout. He proved to be the catalyst that propelled United to significant success under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning four Premier League titles in the process. Patrice Evra also had a remarkable impact at United, winning five league titles and the Champions League LOCAL PLAYER in his 379 appearances in red. Mikel Silvestre, who appeared 361 times and won several league trophies and the Champions League, rounds off SoccerClub’s TEBOHO MOKOENA BOOTS list of top French players at the club. Teboho Mokoena is one of my INTERESTED? favourites. While he’s younger than NIKE TEMPO GABADINHO MHANGO deals involving the likes of Jadon Sancho, Jack Grealish and me, I can still learn from him. He’s SMS “ABP” and your Gabadinho Mhango at Harry Kane and the Red Devils could be a real force should TFG store account a complete player because of his Pirates. He’s on fire the Frenchman choose to stay. number to 45387 work on attack and defence. Pogba may have had attitude issues under Mourinho, but for a call back (standard SMS Solskjaer has consistently insisted the World Cup winner’s rates apply) mentality has been nothing but professional since and is STADIUM TOUGHEST DEFENDER IN THE PSL excited to see him blend in with the new signings – especially Fernandes – in the centre of the park. ‘Good players can CAPE TOWN BUHLE MKHWANAZI always play together,’ said the United boss when asked The monthly premium is 30c for every R100 you owe on about the two linking up. your TFG store account, billed to your TFG store account. One thing is for certain, United will not let one of their superstars leave for a bargain price, putting Pogba in Terms and conditions apply and can be viewed at a precarious situation. Should he stay at United, put his www.tfginsurance.co.za. head down and buy into what Solskjaer is doing, he could be a driving force in the re-emergence of the club as a force Foschini Retail Group (Pty) Ltd is an authorised ﬁnancial in world football. This would come with the added benefit of services provider. Insurance is underwritten by Guardrisk him becoming a hero at his boyhood club. Life Limited, an authorised ﬁnancial services provider. I love that he is my If he looks to force a move, he may find success a little teammate because easier to come by and his reputation would be dented after I know many players say the Cape Town Stadium he fights for every but it’s so hard to beat it. inch on the pitch. SHAUN BOTTERILL/GETTY IMAGES/GALLO IMAGES the song and dance he made when leaving Juve for United. WILKISK/SDNE MAHLANGU/BACKPAGEPIX SUPPLIED/RAN

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TFG ABP.indd 1 2020/03/19 9:35 AM EUROPEANFOOTBALL Talented SoccerClub looks at three European players who won’t be 30 by the year 2030 Trio PHIL FODEN (Manchester City) MASON GREENWOOD (Manchester United) He has had to be patient but finally Foden’s Imagine you’re 17 and Manchester United need a goal with just three minutes left against PSG. moment at Manchester City is approaching. The manager then shouts your name. You are David Silva leaves the Etihad Stadium this on your debut. That was Greenwood’s reality summer and his successor is in place: a in March 2019, and within minutes he had 19-year-old from Stockport who has long watched fellow academy star Marcus Rashford been earmarked for excellence and already convert a decisive penalty. The striker has made reached 60 first-team appearances. ‘We his own mark since, becoming the Red Devils’ are not going to buy any player in David’s youngest goal-scorer in Europe. position because we have Phil,’ said Pep Guardiola in January. And that says it all.

RODRYGO (Real Madrid) His 45-million euro signing from Santos in the summer of 2018 passed fairly quietly; partly because he arrived only a year later during a 300-million euro splurge and partly because Madrid had already shelled out a similar fee for striker Vinicius Junior 12 months earlier. The winger has been no shrinking violet since, however, starting regularly and hitting a Champions League hat- trick at home to Galatasaray. A pair of Brazil caps completed a huge 2019. PETER POWELL/RODRIGO JIMENEZ/BACKPAGEPIX

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406.indd 40 2020/05/28 7:51 AM EUROPEANFOOTBALL NATIONALFIRSTDIVISION

SoccerClub selects five GladAfrica Championship players who stood out above the rest this season. Talented By Peter Raath SoccerClub looks at three European players who won’t be 30 by the year 2030 Trio PHIL FODEN (Manchester City) MASON GREENWOOD (Manchester United) He has had to be patient but finally Foden’s Imagine you’re 17 and Manchester United need a goal with just three minutes left against PSG. moment at Manchester City is approaching. The manager then shouts your name. You are David Silva leaves the Etihad Stadium this on your debut. That was Greenwood’s reality summer and his successor is in place: a in March 2019, and within minutes he had 19-year-old from Stockport who has long watched fellow academy star Marcus Rashford been earmarked for excellence and already convert a decisive penalty. The striker has made reached 60 first-team appearances. ‘We his own mark since, becoming the Red Devils’ are not going to buy any player in David’s youngest goal-scorer in Europe. position because we have Phil,’ said Pep Fruitful Guardiola in January. And that says it all. Five ABEDNIGO MOSIATLHAGA The resurgent wing, who hit his first MOEKETSI MAKHANYA Another hat-trick hero, the professional hat-trick for Ajax Cape Town JDR Stars player is familiar against TS Sporting in October last year with banging home goals in and followed it up with three braces, has threes. During the 2018-19 pressed all the right buttons when it comes campaign, he notched four to beating goalkeepers. He made his PSL hat-tricks among his total of debut for Bidvest Wits in 2014-15 and was 25 successful strikes for the loaned out on four occasions but the tricky Hammer Boys when they won promotion from the Gauteng 25-year-old has finally proved his worth at ABC Motsepe League. The the Urban Warriors. His resilience came talented ex-Free State Stars to the fore when Stellenbosch FC decided left wing was congratulated RODRYGO (Real Madrid) not to take him on a permanent deal after by the legendary Jomo Sono His 45-million euro signing from Santos in the summer of 2018 passed fairly he helped them to promotion and found after not only whacking in quietly; partly because he arrived only a year later during a 300-million euro himself clubless after Bidvest decided three goals in a 5-1 lashing splurge and partly because Madrid had already shelled out a similar fee for against extending his contract. He is top of Ezenkosi but also copying striker Vinicius Junior 12 months earlier. The winger has been no shrinking of the sharpshooters’ list on 16 goals and, the former Orlando Pirates star’s skill of balancing on violet since, however, starting regularly and hitting a Champions League hat- having looked after his body, is well set to trick at home to Galatasaray. A pair of Brazil caps completed a huge 2019. top of the ball. RYAN WILKISKY/BACKPAGEPIX RYAN PETER POWELL/RODRIGO JIMENEZ/BACKPAGEPIX flourish for many seasons to come.

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MENZI NDWANDWE The Uthongathi FC’s striker has been the team’s best fi nisher this season despite his young age. The 22-year-old scored fi ve goals in seven games to start the season and followed that up with a further six before play was suspended. The centre forward put the spotlight on himself with a spectacular long-range effort during a Durban U19 tournament between KZN Academy and Holland’s PSV Eindhoven. He’s matured into a reliable Cane Cutters’ player but was disappointed at not being included in the provisional South Africa U23 squad for the 2021 Olympic Games.

TONY ZWANE The Richards Bay FC left back has been the club’s most consistent performer and has played the full 90 minutes in every game except one this campaign. The 21-year-old learned his trade at the School of Excellence and Mamelodi GIVEN THIBEDI Sundowns Academy before a loan spell The attacking midfi elder, who helped at Stellenbosch FC. Zwane has pace, Kaizer Chiefs reserve team claim top oozes confi dence on the ball and is also comfortable as an attacking midfi elder. honours in the 2018 MultiChoice Diski He outlined his qualities by smacking Challenge Shield, has shown great value home an amazing goal against Ajax. while on loan at Swallows FC. He boasts The youngster regards Real Madrid’s impressive attributes, including accurate Brazilian star Marcelo as his role model passing and good shooting ability, which he and has big ambitions for his career as developed through Amakhosi’s renowned a pro footballer. development structures. Highly rated by Dube Birds’ coach Brandon Truter, the 22-year-old netted important winners against Richards Bay FC, JDR Stars and Jomo Cosmos, and has featured in 19 of 24 league matches so far. Thibedi is an up-and- coming star waiting for the right moment to shine in the top echelons of local football. SYDNEY MAHLANGU /GAVIN BARKER/ RYAN WILKISKY/BACKPAGEPIX BARKER/ RYAN SYDNEY MAHLANGU /GAVIN

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NFD.indd 42 2020/05/26 12:08 Solidarity Fund.indd 1 2020/05/28 14:09 ANTHONYAKUMU

Zesco. Chiefs were hosting the Zambians in the Caf Confederation Cup second round, needing to win by two clear goals to overturn a 1-3 deficit from the first leg of the tie. Akumu, nicknamed ‘Teddy’, and his teammates had other ideas. He scored Lofty a first-half goal that saw Chiefs almost give up any hope of going into the next phase. Amakhosi lost 2-5 on aggregate. A year later, the Kenyan received a call that would change his life. ‘I answered my phone and one of the Chiefs bosses was on the line. He told me he was aware my contract with Zesco Ambition was about to end and urged me not to Anthony Akumu is determined to play a big role at Kaizer Chiefs renew as Chiefs wanted me. I couldn’t when he gets the chance to settle. By Nkareng Matshe believe my ears. Yes, I had other offers but Kaizer Chiefs are too big a brand to turn down. I agreed after a few seconds,’ he recalls. ith just a handful of ‘But once I’ve found my feet I will give my The lanky Kenyan is confident he will appearances for Amakhosi best. I like these kinds of challenges.’ succeed at Amakhosi, given that he’s since signing in January, it The slow note to which Akumu is played most of his career outside the is safe to say the jury is still referring are the five matches he’s played comfort of his home country. He first out on Anthony Akumu. in the PSL. Three of them were as a late moved from Kenyan side Gor Mahia to Game time is something the substitute, while his two starts – against Sudan in 2014 for a stint at Al Khartoum. giantW Kenyan midfielder did not lack when AmaZulu and Highlands Park – ended It was there that Zesco, the ambitious he strutted his stuff at Zambian side Zesco with him being hauled off at half time. for two years. For him, it was all about getting over However, he hasn’t had too many the first-game nerves. ‘I remember my opportunities to convince the Chiefs’ debut well: it was against Real Kings in coaching staff he is ready to become the last-32 of the Nedbank Cup. I only a long-term solution to the holding got five minutes or so but while I was role that’s bossed by veteran Willard waiting to go on I had butterflies in my Katsande. It’s a battle he’s prepared for. stomach. I couldn’t believe I was about to ‘I know I started on a slow note,’ he says. play my first match for Chiefs. Once it was over, I was so happy, especially as we won.’ The game was at FNB Stadium, the 2011The year Akumu made his international venue where Akumu terrorised Chiefs debut for Kenya against Sudan in January 2019 when he was with ‘I HAD BUTTERFLIES IN FAST MY STOMACH. I COULDN’T FACTS BELIEVE I WAS ABOUT TO FULL NAME: Anthony Akumu Agai DATE OF BIRTH: 20 October 1992 PLAY MY FIRST MATCH PLACE OF BIRTH: Rachuonyo, Kenya

FOR CHIEFS’ HEIGHT: 1.84m SID KALUNGA/BACKPAGEPIX POSITION: Midfielder

44-45.indd 44 2020/05/26 12:06 Zambian side who always push boundaries in continental football, recruited him. Chiefs, though, are no ordinary side. Players with more impressive CVs than the 27-year-old Akumu have come and gone in quick fashion. ‘Players are different,’ he retorts. ‘I know some have not done well but I will give it my best shot. We can’t all have the same outcome as players. I will settle down and will not let the experiences of others define me.’ ROUTE TO THE PSL 2010-2014 GOR MAHIA 2014-2015 AL KHARTOUM 2016-2020 ZESCO UNITED 2020- KAIZER CHIEFS

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46-48.indd 46 2020/05/26 12:00 JORGINHO

Silencing the

He’s been knocked down more than once, but Jorginho is the comeback king. By Marcus Alves Critics

orginho looks back on his early it’s never been easy for me.” I’ve gone strength to work even harder, to prove Stamford Bridge struggles with through moments like this at every club to everyone that I can make it. It was a wry smile after effectively I’ve played for – those low times when like that on loan at Sambonifacese; overcoming the suspicion doubts rise and you wonder, “Should again when I returned to Verona and that he was overly bonded to I just leave this place? Maybe there isn’t the coach didn’t want me there, and then manager Maurizio Sarri. room for me here.” at Napoli I also struggled at times. But JThey had worked together successfully ‘But I embrace this kind of challenge I overcame that phase and became at Napoli – achieving a run of top-three and I’ve never backed down. It gives me loved by the fans. finishes in Serie A from 2015 to 2018. But the diminutive midfielder soon became a scapegoat after following his manager to London for £50-million in 2018, apparently rejecting Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. ‘It’s been great at Chelsea so far,’ he says. ‘Last year, fans were picking on me a lot because I’d arrived with Sarri and I heard some things that were unfair. But I’ve never challenged the views of the fans and other people who criticised me. Quite the opposite – it gave me strength, because inside I knew they were wrong. ‘Deep in my mind, I was saying, “I’m going to prove they’re wrong and work

ANDY RAIN/BACKPAGEPIX quietly, like I’ve always done, because

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46-48.indd 47 2020/05/26 12:00 JORGINHO

tried to help them as much as I can. They’ve aslo got the right mentality. None of them are arrogant and they listen a lot.’ He was once in the same position, but also thousands of miles away from home playing – albeit temporarily – in Italy’s fourth division. No matter what happens in a post-coronavirus world, getting this far is a dream come true for the boy who left his Brazilian home town nearly 13 years ago, unsure of what he might find in Europe. ‘I can’t describe this feeling,’ he says. ‘A few months ago, I was walking in Naples with a couple of friends and we ended up in the Piazza del Plebiscito – a large public square. I was quickly recognised FAST and couldn’t get to my car because people page on that Sarri chapter, with Stamford didn’t stop asking for autographs. My FACTS Bridge hero Frank Lampard now in charge friends almost called the police for help! at his old stamping ground and ushering ‘Eventually I was rescued by some FULL NAME: Jorge Luiz Frello Filho in a new era. More importantly, Jorginho ultras who were coincidentally passing DATE OF BIRTH: 20 December 1991 has shown the character to lead in SW6 by, otherwise I might still be there. This PLACE OF BIRTH: Imbituba, Brazil after the summer exits of David Luiz and is much more than I could have ever HEIGHT: 1.80m Eden Hazard to Arsenal and Real Madrid imagined when I left Brazil.’ PLAYING POSITION: Midfielder respectively. Jorginho is especially grateful to Lampard for standing by him when his ITALY DEBUT: vs Spain (March 2014) future seemed unclear. PREVIOUS CLUBS: Verona, Sambonifacese, ‘He’s always spoken very highly of me Napoli since he returned to Stamford Bridge and we started working together,’ says the Italy international. ‘Honestly, I thank him for the ‘My first season with Chelsea was really sincerity he showed towards me in public. complicated, although the results showed He didn’t have to do that and not every completely the opposite. We came third manager does it. He’s a legend at the in the league, lost the League Cup final club, so people listen to what he says. against Manchester City on penalties and ‘From that day, I felt everyone began to then beat Arsenal in the Europa League look at me with different eyes and really final. How can such a team and its players pay attention to what I do; how much I’ve be criticised so much?’ devoted myself to achieving the best I can.’ Nevertheless, Chelsea’s midfield Having been promoted among the elder metronome has definitely turned the statesmen, Jorginho says the youngsters in the team – such as Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, Reece James, Billy Gilmour and a fit-again Callum Hudson-Odoi – have adapted seamlessly to their the task of rebuilding the team. Before the Covid-19 suspension, Jorginho ‘It is normal to have a question mark had netted seven goals about what would happen with so many in all competitions teenagers around,’ he admits. ‘But they’re 7 all easy-going and willing to learn – I’ve NEIL HALL/CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI/BACKPAGEPIX

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tried to help them as much as I can. They’ve aslo got the right mentality. etting it WADE PRETORIUS None of them are arrogant and they listen a lot.’ Right Senior Writer He was once in the same position, but also thousands of miles away from home playing – albeit temporarily – in Italy’s fourth division. No matter what happens in a post-coronavirus world, getting this far is a dream come true for the boy who left his Brazilian home town nearly 13 years ago, unsure of what he might find in Europe. ‘I can’t describe this feeling,’ he says. ‘A few months ago, I was walking in Naples with a couple of friends and we ended up in the Piazza del Plebiscito – a large public square. I was quickly recognised FAST and couldn’t get to my car because people page on that Sarri chapter, with Stamford didn’t stop asking for autographs. My FACTS Bridge hero Frank Lampard now in charge friends almost called the police for help! at his old stamping ground and ushering ‘Eventually I was rescued by some FULL NAME: Jorge Luiz Frello Filho in a new era. More importantly, Jorginho ultras who were coincidentally passing DATE OF BIRTH: 20 December 1991 has shown the character to lead in SW6 by, otherwise I might still be there. This PLACE OF BIRTH: Imbituba, Brazil after the summer exits of David Luiz and is much more than I could have ever HEIGHT: 1.80m Eden Hazard to Arsenal and Real Madrid imagined when I left Brazil.’ PLAYING POSITION: Midfielder respectively. Jorginho is especially grateful to Lampard for standing by him when his ITALY DEBUT: vs Spain (March 2014) future seemed unclear. PREVIOUS CLUBS: Verona, Sambonifacese, ‘He’s always spoken very highly of me Napoli since he returned to Stamford Bridge and we started working together,’ says the Italy uch has been said about the international. ‘Honestly, I thank him for the potential benefits the coronavirus THE SHELL OF FAME AND FORTUNE FOR CLUBS ‘My first season with Chelsea was really sincerity he showed towards me in public. M could have on sport in general. AND PLAYERS ALIKE IS SO EASILY SHATTERED complicated, although the results showed He didn’t have to do that and not every I guess it’s part of human nature – to try completely the opposite. We came third manager does it. He’s a legend at the to see the positive, however small, in an in the league, lost the League Cup final club, so people listen to what he says. otherwise gloomy and desperate situation. preferring to tell their own stories. In a the world. It sells newspapers or generates against Manchester City on penalties and ‘From that day, I felt everyone began to Sport, soccer in particular, has seen way they are justified, such has been the clicks, it carries on three months before then beat Arsenal in the Europa League look at me with different eyes and really tremendous growth since it turned fully downward spiral of reporting on transfers the transfer window opens, or even when final. How can such a team and its players pay attention to what I do; how much I’ve professional – players have never been over the past decade and more. a club has a transfer ban. be criticised so much?’ devoted myself to achieving the best I can.’ better paid, fans never closer to their idols It’s been a ‘game’ with no real winners Wouldn’t it be an improvement for the Nevertheless, Chelsea’s midfield Having been promoted among the elder and brands never quicker to capitalise on – clubs have hit out at reporters for false entire process to have some introspection? metronome has definitely turned the statesmen, Jorginho says the youngsters their links to stars around the world. reports, only for the mentioned player For reporters to check their facts and in the team – such as Tammy Abraham, But in truth, and what the pandemic to arrive at the suggested club. As is the sources, for clubs to reveal transfer Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, Reece has shown, is how brittle it all is. The case in England and other foreign leagues, fees paid and contracts signed? James, Billy Gilmour and a fit-again Callum shell of fame and fortune for clubs and agents often pass on rumours of a move to All three sides to the story – the Hudson-Odoi – have adapted seamlessly players alike is so easily shattered into get players better contracts at their present journalists, the clubs and the players to their the task of rebuilding the team. a million little pieces. clubs; sometimes staff connected to the – would do well to do use this time off Before the Covid-19 suspension, Jorginho ‘It is normal to have a question mark Since the suspension of the league, club whisper news to those writing the to realign their output with their intentions had netted seven goals about what would happen with so many some local clubs have banned players news headlines. and put a little more beauty – and less in all competitions teenagers around,’ he admits. ‘But they’re from talking to the media. They have It’s not a South Africa-centric problem, sensationalism – back into the beautiful RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/GETTY IMAGES/GALLO IMAGES RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/GETTY 7 all easy-going and willing to learn – I’ve NEIL HALL/CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI/BACKPAGEPIX shut the door to impartial reporting, but an issue being grappled with around game of football.

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46-48.indd 48 2020/05/26 12:00 wade.indd 49 2020/05/28 7:55 AM CHAMPIONSLEAGUE

Catching Up ROUND OF 16, FIRST LEG Dortmund 2-1 Paris St Germain Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool Atalanta 4-1 Valencia Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Leipzig Chelsea 0-3 Bayern Munich Napoli 1-1 Barcelona Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City Lyon 1-0 Juventus ROUND OF 16, SECOND LEG Valencia 3-4 Atalanta (agg: 4-8) Leipzig 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur (agg: 4-0) Paris St Germain 2-0 Dortmund (agg: 3-2) Liverpool 2-3 Atletico Madrid (aet, agg: 2-4) TO BE PLAYED Bayern Munich vs Chelsea Barcelona vs Napoli Manchester City vs Real Madrid Juventus vs Lyon RODRIGO JIMENEZ/BACKPAGEPIX

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PSL fixtures April.indd 50 2020/05/28 2:55 PM CHAMPIONSLEAGUE Entertainment MEGANRAPINOE Value She’s conquered the world with the United States but Megan Rapinoe isn’t close to being finished. By Chris Flanagan

Going into the World Cup, did you feel ready You were crowned the best women’s player Will you be involved in Vlatko Andonovski’s to deliver the best displays of your life? of 2019 at the Fifa Awards. What was that USA squad for the 2023 World Cup? I knew my game was in a better place than experience like? I’m not too sure yet. I’ll go through the next it had ever been before but I’m not sure It was a little bizarre, to be honest. It is Olympics and see after that. We go in these Catching Up I thought I’d have the performance I did. kind of crazy – it’s all very new for me. big four-year cycles – I’ll have to see if I don’t really think about individual statistics But it was a massive honour. I understand Vlatko’s fed up of my s**t or if he wants to – if the team’s winning, everyone’s doing that I’m getting all this personal attention put up with me for a little bit longer! I don’t ROUND OF 16, FIRST LEG better. There are bigger players at certain and these accolades, and they can’t give really want to cut my career short. It’s such times – I’d gone through my whole career personal awards to the whole team, but a small period in your life where you get to Dortmund 2-1 Paris St Germain not really being that player, but also having I see a lot of these things as team awards. do this exceptional thing of playing sport Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool Atalanta 4-1 Valencia a lot of success. It’s a big win for people close to me and for a living. While a rest seems nice, I can’t Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Leipzig my team. A big win for the good guys. imagine that I’ll let myself go that easily. Chelsea 0-3 Bayern Munich What was the thinking behind your iconic Napoli 1-1 Barcelona Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City goal celebration against France? Lyon 1-0 Juventus I’d actually done it before in a pre- tournament friendly, so it was something I had in my back pocket – an ‘Are you not ROUND OF 16, SECOND LEG entertained?’ sort of vibe. I consider myself Valencia 3-4 Atalanta (agg: 4-8) an athlete but also an entertainer. It was Leipzig 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur (agg: 4-0) a joyful, defiant, ‘This is us, this is me, not Paris St Germain 2-0 Dortmund (agg: 3-2) Liverpool 2-3 Atletico Madrid (aet, agg: 2-4) hiding anything and not hiding behind anything – this is exactly who I am and exactly who I want to be.’ But it was also, TO BE PLAYED ‘This is what everyone wants, right?’ You reach all these big moments and you want Bayern Munich vs Chelsea Barcelona vs Napoli the biggest personalities to show up. You Manchester City vs Real Madrid either want them to crash and burn or Juventus vs Lyon do incredibly well – either seems fine for IAN LANGSDON/MATTEO BAZZI/BACKPAGEPIX IAN LANGSDON/MATTEO RODRIGO JIMENEZ/BACKPAGEPIX public consumption.

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PSL fixtures April.indd 50 2020/05/28 2:55 PM FSC Rapinoe Q&A.indd 51 2020/05/27 2:43 PM THELIST Uncertain SoccerClub identifies 10 players whose futures are in doubt after the lengthy break. By Mazola Molefe Future WAYNE SANDILANDS Bounced back strongly to reclaim the Orlando Pirates No 1 jersey as soon as Josef Zinnbauer settled in as the new coach. The club had begun talks on a new contract before Covid-19 halted plans but if he stays his game time will again come under threat as the Buccaneers are reportedly targeting Maritzburg United’s Richard Ofori for next season.

ZITHA MACHEKE BEVAN FRANSMAN SIPHELELE NTSHANGASE Bidvest Wits were keen to offload the The veteran defender turns 37 in October ‘Stash’ became the forgotten man at right back in January to make room and some will say it’s a surprise he’s Kaizer Chiefs with no game time during for Lorenzo Gordinho before his planned still playing. Highlands Park need his the 2019-20 season under coach Ernst Middendorp. Amakhosi have an option move to Polokwane City fell through. experience and are keen to keep him to renew his stay for one more year The Clever Boys have an option to around given that he had started and but that’s up to the coach, who has extend his contract by another season finished the last six Premiership games publicly criticised Ntshangase for being but there are doubts about whether the before the season was halted by the too casual in his approach to football intention is to actually keep him or try to coronavirus in March. However, age compared to other midfielders. sell him. will catch up with him eventually.

THE LIST JULY 2020.indd 52 2020/05/27 2:47 PM THELIST

KABELO MAHLASELA CLAYTON DANIELS JOSEPH MOLANGOANE According to his agent, the attacker A PSL veteran turning 36 in July who boasts If reports about the seriousness of his is not going back to Chiefs when the a wealth of experience. He has been a loyal horrific broken leg from two years ago 2019-20 season is eventually played servant of SuperSport for six years and are anything to go by, ‘Tight’ is expected to hang up his boots sooner rather than out. Mahlasela was loaned to Polokwane has said he is keen to carry on playing for City in January for the remainder of the later. The wing has not played an official Matsatsantsa. Should the defender renew campaign but he wants to start afresh game since April 2019 and his recovery elsewhere, given that he has battled for his deal, it'll likely be his last contract. from injury has been slow. This has led game time from the start of his stint at to suggestions that he could call it quits. Uncertain Naturena in January 2018. SoccerClub identifies 10 players whose futures are in doubt after the lengthy break. By Mazola Molefe Future WAYNE SANDILANDS Bounced back strongly to reclaim the Orlando Pirates No 1 jersey as soon as Josef Zinnbauer settled in as the new coach. The club had begun talks on a new contract before Covid-19 halted plans but if he stays his game time will again come under threat as the Buccaneers are reportedly targeting Maritzburg United’s Richard Ofori for next season.

JEREMY BROCKIE ‘Sniper’ has not been able to reproduce the form that earned him his intimidating nickname from Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane, who had to break the bank to get the Kiwi from crosstown rivals SuperSport United. However, it appears that relationship has reached its conclusion and Brockie, who was loaned to Maritzburg United, is expected to join another PSL club in the coming months. ZITHA MACHEKE BEVAN FRANSMAN SIPHELELE NTSHANGASE Bidvest Wits were keen to offload the The veteran defender turns 37 in October OUPA MANYISA ‘Stash’ became the forgotten man at right back in January to make room and some will say it’s a surprise he’s LUVUYO MEMELA With George Maluleka and Kaizer Chiefs with no game time during for Lorenzo Gordinho before his planned still playing. Highlands Park need his There’s no word yet on whether Pirates Grant Margeman due to arrive the 2019-20 season under coach Ernst Middendorp. Amakhosi have an option move to Polokwane City fell through. experience and are keen to keep him will extend his stay but he has been a core at Sundowns next season, to renew his stay for one more year The Clever Boys have an option to around given that he had started and player for the Buccaneers since he joined Manyisa’s game time will be but that’s up to the coach, who has extend his contract by another season finished the last six Premiership games them nearly five years ago. At 32, a new limited. He has been out of the publicly criticised Ntshangase for being but there are doubts about whether the before the season was halted by the deal could very well be his final big contract picture with injuries and, with too casual in his approach to football intention is to actually keep him or try to coronavirus in March. However, age in top-flight football so he will want it to be more competition, his playing compared to other midfielders. sell him. will catch up with him eventually. MAHLANGU/MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/SYDNEY worth his while financially. future appears to lie elsewhere.

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T&Cs.indd 55 2020/05/28 8:50 AM ISSUE119 General subscription terms 1. You have subscribed to a magazine published or distributed by Foschini Retail Group (Pty) Ltd (‘TFG’). 2. Your TFG account will be billed monthly for the magazine until you advise us to cancel your subscription, by contacting SOCCERCLUB our customer services department. They can be contacted at 0860 576 576. You may cancel your subscription at any time but will be billed for the magazine until we receive your cancellation request. 3. Should you not wish MARCH 2020 WINNERS to be billed for the magazine when your TFG account has a zero balance, please advise us of this by contacting KNOW YOUR GAME our customer services department. 4. TFG reserves the right to cease publication or distribution of the magazine at any time in our sole and absolute discretion. In such an event, we will no longer bill you for the magazine. 5. TFG Account Credit worth R2 000 TFG reserves the right to change or cease the benefits offered iin the magazine at any time. 6. TFG may change Ms K Thomas, High Cape the shape and the size of the magazine at any time. 7. The price of the magazine may be adjusted annually, and Ms SM Nkoana, Temba you will be billed the increased price from the date that the increase becomes effective. We will give you advance Ms M Mkwanazi, Ikageng notice of any such increase and the effective date thereof. 8. These terms and conditions can change from time to Mr GL Matlhare, Postmasburg time and you will be bound to any new terms and conditions from the date of publication thereof in the magazine. 9. We hereby notify you that it may be necessary for certain third-party benefit providers to process your personal Winning Streak competition information to enable them to provide their services to you. By subscribing to the magazine, you agree to this. IN OUR 10. TFG staff members who subscribe to the magazine are not eligible for any magazine benefits and competition R1 000 Shoprite Gift Card prizes. 11. You are contracting with Foschini Retail Group (Pty) Ltd, Registration number 1988/007302/07, VAT Mr EM Masango, Carleton number 4210187250, situated at 340 Voortrekker Road, Parow East, Cape Town. Additional terms apply to Value Mr EJ Moffat, Hexpark NEXT ISSUE Club magazine – see www.tfgclubmagazine.co.za for details.

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T&Cs.indd 55 2020/05/28 8:50 AM Next Month.indd 57 2020/05/28 9:42 AM EXPERTOPINION

Young Guns NEIL TOVEY Will Fire Back former Bafana Bafana captain

hen the Covid-19 pandemic hit Our boys weren’t in action until the end of focus will be on academics rather than South African shores, all football the year but our U17 girls were one match sport as they have to try to get this year W programmes came to an abrupt away from qualifying for the World Cup. behind them. Hopefully, the young halt. Although youth development and We have to admit that the whole year players will continue with their careers, high performance leagues aren’t taking is going to be a write-off because when it driven by passion and enjoyment of place, I don’t believe it will have a long- comes to junior clubs, their season runs the beautiful game. lasting impact of young careers. from March/April to September/October. Before the pandemic, we engaged The clubs haven’t been at training and Tovey, a stalwart for Amakhosi and with Fifa about our development and the leagues have been called off. So even Bafana Bafana over an illustrious high performance programmes. We if the players come back now, league play playing career, captained his country to Afcon glory in 1996. He serves as are improving youth development and, won’t be completed. Safa’s technical director, a position as a Safa technical director, I have put Schools’ football will also be written off he’s held since 2015. plans in place with technical directors because when classrooms reopen, the operational in each province. We have to find the right formula in each part of the country and although some talent may be missed by not being scouted at youth tournaments, young players are resilient and a few months lost in the system won’t mean their careers will be ended. A few may be affected by not being noticed this term in one or two competitions, but there are other tournaments where they will be seen post-pandemic. If they are good enough they will be involved in next year’s programme. They are still young enough to bounce back and we have to accept that it is what it is. With regard to our junior national teams, the pandemic has put a serious dent in all our qualification processes, with Caf and Fifa having delayed competitions. YOUNG PLAYERS ARE RESILIENT AND A FEW MONTHS LOST WON’T MEAN THEIR CAREERS WILL BE ENDED MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX

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Tovey column May 2020.indd 58 2020/05/26 11:52 EXPERTOPINION 1010831/E Young Guns NEIL TOVEY Will Fire Back former Bafana Bafana captain

hen the Covid-19 pandemic hit Our boys weren’t in action until the end of focus will be on academics rather than South African shores, all football the year but our U17 girls were one match sport as they have to try to get this year W programmes came to an abrupt away from qualifying for the World Cup. behind them. Hopefully, the young halt. Although youth development and We have to admit that the whole year players will continue with their careers, high performance leagues aren’t taking is going to be a write-off because when it driven by passion and enjoyment of place, I don’t believe it will have a long- comes to junior clubs, their season runs the beautiful game. lasting impact of young careers. from March/April to September/October. Before the pandemic, we engaged The clubs haven’t been at training and Tovey, a stalwart for Amakhosi and with Fifa about our development and the leagues have been called off. So even Bafana Bafana over an illustrious high performance programmes. We if the players come back now, league play playing career, captained his country to Afcon glory in 1996. He serves as are improving youth development and, won’t be completed. Safa’s technical director, a position as a Safa technical director, I have put Schools’ football will also be written off he’s held since 2015. plans in place with technical directors because when classrooms reopen, the operational in each province. We have to find the right formula in each part of the country and although some talent may be missed by not being scouted at youth tournaments, BUY A BAG young players are resilient and a few months lost in the system won’t mean their careers will be ended. A few may AND WIN be affected by not being noticed this term in one or two competitions, but A BAKKIE A MONTH* there are other tournaments where they will be seen post-pandemic. If they are good enough they will be HOW TO WIN 1 OF 4 TOYOTA HILUX BAKKIES* HOW TO WIN INSTANT DATA* involved in next year’s programme. They are still young enough to bounce back and we have to accept that it is what it is. 1 1 BUY 5 BAGS OF AFRISAM With regard to our junior national teams, BUY 1 BAG OF AFRISAM ALL PURPOSE CEMENT ALL PURPOSE CEMENT the pandemic has put a serious dent in all our qualification processes, with Caf 2 and Fifa having delayed competitions. ADD AFRISAM 082 646 9699 2 AS A WHATSAPP CONTACT FIND THE UNIQUE CODE INSIDE YOUNG PLAYERS ARE 3 SEND AFRISAM A PHOTO OF 3 RESILIENT AND A FEW YOUR TILL SLIP (RETAIN YOUR DIAL *120*22211# AND MONTHS LOST WON’T TILL SLIP TO REDEEM YOUR PRIZE) ENTER YOUR UNIQUE CODE MEAN THEIR CAREERS DETAILS IN STORE AND AT WWW.AFRISAM.COM. COMPETITION CLOSES 30 SEPTEMBER 2020. WILL BE ENDED *Ts & Cs apply. www.afrisam.com/promotions. Call 011 504 0027 for queries. Standard network and data charges apply. MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX Proof of purchase must be presented for redemption of prizes. Vehicle may differ from the one shown.

58 WWW.TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA Creating Concrete Possibilities

Tovey column May 2020.indd 58 2020/05/26 11:52 Afrisam.indd 1 2020/05/14 12:20 Stay sharp every day! Kick off each day like a boss zonke with a razor-sharp look from Lion for men.

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Unsgaard.indd 1 2020/05/22 12:42