MARCUS RASHFORD / RHULANI MOKWENA / MANCHESTER CITY / REECE JAMES / DIEGO FRANCO / HAPPY JELE
ISSUE 117 KNOW YOUR GAME
HOW SA SOCCER REACTED TO COVID19 10 PLAYERS ON THE MOVE MANYAMA BACK TO UNITED HIS BEST HEROES AND VILLIANS FRONT OUR VERDICT KICKING BACK MKHULISE AGAINST COVID19 NEXT LION?
CHECK US OUT AT TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA FACEBOOK.COM/TFGSOCCERCLUB
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Totalsports.indd 1 2020/04/21 12:37 PM FEATURES FAB FIVE 20 SoccerClub identifies five players who were shining before play was suspended QUIET QUINTET 24 We look at five players who have not had the best season in the Premiership so far BACK TO BASICS 28 Lebogang Manyama has settled in and is delivering his best for Kaizer Chiefs BIGGEST CHALLENGE YET 35 Rhulani Mokwena’s move to Chippa United could be career-defining 8 JUST GETTING STARTED 37 KICKING BACK Marcus Rashford has big plans for his future at Manchester United Footballers are playing their part in the fight UNCERTAINTY IN THE AIR against Covid-19 40 The response from clubs to the PSL’s suspension has been mixed TRUE BLUE 43 Reece James is enjoying a breakout season with Chelsea BIG TIME 46 SoccerClub looks at five players who made the step up from the NFD 48 THE NEW LION contents Sphelele Mkhulise is hoping to ISSUE SHORTS follow in Percy Tau’s footsteps 4 FROM THE CLUBHOUSE 117 6 PRIZES & BENEFITS 15 NAME GAME 16 PSL REVIEW 19 WOMEN’S FOOTBALL 32 22 MOMENT IN TIME RUMOUR ROOM A NEW BALL GAME 27 THREE OF A KIND SoccerClub highlights The coronavirus 10 potential transfers pandemic has 30 POSTER when the market opens changed the face 34 NUMBERS GAME of football forever 53 GETTING TO KNOW 54 PSL STANDINGS 12 55 BENEFITS 58 EXPERT OPINION WIN 50 CASH CRISIS 6 Stand the chance to have A closer look your account credited with at Manchester City’s legal battle your share of R8 000 with Uefa
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contents_June 2020.indd 3 2020/04/29 3:18 PM FROMTHECLUBHOUSE
Killer Blow MOGAMAD ALLIE SoccerClub Editor
he Covid-19 pandemic has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and T infected millions around the globe, bringing the world to a virtual standstill since March and has left South African football with an enormous headache. Due to the massive economic impact, the continued practice of social distancing that includes limitations on national and international travel for the foreseeable future, it’s clear football in this country won’t simply be able to pick up where it left off in March. Many clubs in the PSL and the GladAfrica Championship, particularly those without sponsors, are going to pay cheques and signing-on fees that have to significantly downsize their were on offer before the advent of the MANY CLUBS IN THE PSL operations. Sadly, there may also be Covid-19 pandemic. AND THE GLADAFRICA a few that will have to put up ‘For Sale’ While income through sponsorships, signs. With the prospect of their lifeblood grants and advertising are set to diminish CHAMPIONSHIP, in the form of their respective monthly substantially, clubs can also expect their PARTICULARLY THOSE grants of R2-million and R500 000 being expenses to skyrocket, particularly when cut or even suspended, a number of one considers that the cost of travel and WITHOUT SPONSORS, clubs will have no alternative than to accommodation are bound to increase streamline their non-playing staff. significantly as a result of continued ARE GOING TO HAVE TO Players and technical teams are also social distancing. Planes, for example, SIGNIFICANTLY DOWNSIZE at risk of either having their contracts will in all likelihood be able to carry only terminated or enduring pay cuts, as a a third of their normal passenger load THEIR OPERATIONS growing number have already experienced. which would mean an increase in the The days of players demanding lucrative price of tickets. If and when action does been massively affected by the cancellation salaries are clearly numbered. Clubs resume, crowd numbers will also have of hundreds of major international and simply won’t be able to afford the huge to be limited, choking off another income national sport events. Advertisers, already stream for clubs. short of cash themselves, have been loath HOW TO SUBSCRIBE Crucially, SuperSport, the pay channel to spend on a broadcaster that has been which finances the R2-million monthly forced to screen events of yesteryear, as CALL 0860 117 530 grant to clubs through its R2-billion historic and spellbinding as they may be. Between 08:30 and 17:00 broadcast deal with the PSL, has also At a time when money is short and problems continue to mount, some creative thinking will be required to SMS ‘SOCCER’ and your Email your account number or salvage the game in this country. What account number to 45176 ID number to [email protected] *Standard SMS rates apply is clear, though, is that things won’t be
the same again post-Covid-19. MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX
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