SADIO MANE / LORENZO GORDINHO / CLINTON LARSEN / REAL KINGS / KHUDA MUYABA / CHRISTIAN PULISIC ISSUE 115 KNOW YOUR GAME POSTER ERLING BRAUT HAALAND 10 CURIOUS GOLD EPL TRANSFERS FURMAN STANDARD WHAT’S NEXT? BUCS’ NEW TALENT GABADINHO CHASING ZUNGU WILLARD ICON STATUS KGATLANA KATSANDE STAR ON THE MOVE AMAKHOSI’S HEARTBEAT CHECK US OUT AT TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA FACEBOOK.COM/TFGSOCCERCLUB Cover_Final.indd 1 2020/02/26 1:29 PM Tools For Every Job www.torkcraft.com aa For more info and distribution enquiries, Call Vermont Sales on (011) 314 7711 and visit www.vermontsales.co.za Vermont Sales.indd 1 2020/01/29 8:47 AM FEATURES CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE 20 Dean Furman is determined to keep his place in the Bafana squad CLEVER MOVE HOT PROPERTY 26 Lorenzo Gordinho is thriving after Gabadinho Mhango his transfer to Bidvest Wits is leading from the 8 front at Pirates SOUND FUTURE 32 The signing of Nkanyiso Zungu has rounded out Bucs’ squad nicely EXPECTING EXCELLENCE 35 Is Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech the next big thing to come from Africa? DAUNTING TASK 37 Clinton Larsen needs to pull another ISSUE rabbit out of his hat to save Polokwane FIGHTING ON 44 Real Kings are confident they can 115 gain promotion to the top flight HIGH RISK 47 Polokwane City took a gamble on Malawi international Khuda Muyaba 50 AMERICAN DREAM Christian Pulisic is leading America’s renewed football revolution Tools For Every Job contents SHORTS 4 FROM THE CLUBHOUSE 6 PRIZES & BENEFITS 15 REF’S RAP PANIC BUYS 16 PSL PREVIEW SoccerClub highlights 10 questionable 19 WOMEN’S FOOTBALL EPL transfers 23 GETTING TO KNOW 54 24 MOMENT IN TIME THE MANE MAN 29 CROSSWORD Sadio Mane has become one of 30 POSTER the best strikers 12 34 NUMBER’S GAME in the world ONLY ONE LIKE HIM 58 EXPERT OPINION Replacing Willard Katsande is easier said than done WIN 40 6 Stand the chance to have www.torkcraft.com your account credited with aa For more info and distribution enquiries, Call Vermont Sales your share of R8 000 on (011) 314 7711 and visit www.vermontsales.co.za WWW.TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA 3 Vermont Sales.indd 1 2020/01/29 8:47 AM contents_April 2020.indd 3 2020/02/26 12:14 FROMTHECLUBHOUSE A Step Up MOGAMAD ALLIE SoccerClub Editor he growing number of Banyana Banyana team members playing in T Europe is encouraging for the future of our women’s national team. With the greatest respect to Safa’s national women’s league, our top players need exposure at the highest levels of club football and that’s exactly what they will be getting at their well-resourced European teams. Women’s football is growing rapidly in Europe and many well-known clubs are committing more resources to improving the standard of the game. Playing with and against better players will take our stars to a higher level and it’s encouraging to see national vice-captain Refiloe Jane and Thembi Kgatlana making an impact at AC Milan and Benfica respectively. Over the past few months others like Kelso Peskin (Toulouse), Jermaine Seoposenwe (Real Betis) and Linda Motlhalo (Djurgardens) have been signed by European clubs. They join national teammates Leandra Smeda, Stephanie Malherbe, Rhoda Malaudzi and Nothando PLAYING WITH AND AGAINST BETTER PLAYERS Vilakazi who have been campaigning overseas for a while. WILL TAKE OUR STARS TO A HIGHER LEVEL Not only playing for, but also training in – and being exposed to – a professional Africa. The players have done well to Cup of Nations. The experience gained by environment is sure to benefit the players capitalise on the shop window provided the overseas contingent, who would at the who would otherwise have been stuck in by last year’s Women’s World Cup in same time have become better footballers, a semi-professional environment in South France to secure their moves abroad. should make Desiree Ellis’ team a much After the massive disappointment of stronger outfit than the one that finished HOW TO SUBSCRIBE crashing out in the second round of the second to Nigeria at the 2018 tournament. qualifiers for July’s Olympic Games in The Women’s Afcon has eluded CALL 0860 117 530 Tokyo, Banyana have a chance to redeem Banyana, who have been runners-up Between 08:30 and 17:00 themselves at this year’s Women’s Africa no fewer than five times since they first entered the biennial competition in 1995. With a growing European-based contingent SMS ‘SOCCER’ and your Email your account number or at her disposal, Ellis will be well placed to account number to 45176 ID number to [email protected] *Standard SMS rates apply become the first coach to deliver the long- awaited continental title in November. GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO/BACKPAGEPIX 4 WWW.TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA Ed's letter.indd 4 2020/02/24 12:39 Afrisam - Promo.indd 1 2020/02/25 12:04 PM Winning YOU COULD TFG GIFT CARD BE A WINNER! WORTH R900 So how do you enter? Win a TFG gift card worth 1 All SoccerClub account subscribers will be R900 by sending us a automatically entered into selected competitions. picture of yourself with your 2 In the case of an SMS entry, simply SMS the Streak copy of SoccerClub magazine. Become a SoccerClub Email us at [email protected] keyword to 44002*. *Standard SMS rates and or write to SoccerClub, PO Box competitions T&Cs apply (see below). subscriber. It’s that easy 8145, Roggebaai, 8012. WIN BIG! STAND THE CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR ACCOUNT CREDITED WITH YOUR SHARE OF R8 000! Every month four lucky SoccerClub subscribers will have their account credited with R2 000. As a TFG account holder you are entered into the draw automatically, so there is no need to send us entries! WIN A SHOPRITE GIFT CARD worth R1 000 Win a Shoprite gift card, worth R1 000, redeemable at any of Shoprite’s stores nationwide. PLUS: FREE LEGAL ADVICE LINE Did you know that as a SoccerClub subscriber you have access to FREE telephonic legal advice? Our legal advice line offers the following benefits: Available 24 hours per day PLEASE CALL ME Unlimited general legal advice One free 30-minute face-to-face SoccerClub has a great callback service! consultation It’s so easy – just dial *130*3272*15# One free letter of demand drafting legal assistance. and our legal helpline agents will contact Simply call 0861 456 229 (subscribers residing outside South Africa should you, whenever you need assistance. call +27 11 991 8582. Readers & Prizes April 2020.indd 6 2020/02/27 12:25 PRIZES&BENEFITS SEND US YOUR PICTURE AND SoccerClub Fan Favourite WIN Meet Mr M Seomane, who has won himself a TFG gift card worth R900! You too can be our monthly Fan Favourite by sending us a picture of yourself with your latest edition of SoccerClub magazine. Not only will you receive a TFG gift card worth R900, but your picture will also be published as our monthly winner in an upcoming edition of SoccerClub. Email us at [email protected] or write to SoccerClub, PO Box 8145, Roggebaai, 8012. HIGHBURY MEDIA WHAT HAPPENED Editorial Director Gary Lemke Soccer Editor Wade Pretorius ON FACEBOOK Managing Editor Nick Krige Group Deputy Sports Editor Philippa Byron Art Director Stuart Apsey OVER Production Manager Rushaan Holliday Deputy Production Manager Maggie Wasserfall Sales Manager Ari Kasimov 125 000 Media Sales Sean Cookson Chief Executive Officer Kevin Ferguson Managing Director Tony Walker LIKES Production Director Bilqees Allie Financial Director Lindsey Makrygiannis SoccerClub’s Kaizer Chiefs fans respond to Human Resource Director Rizqah Jakoet Ernst Middendrop’s rallying cry for support Cover Photo Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Sihle Elprincipe Dlamean We got your back sir, don’t worry. Sindile Mlilo He used the same team and tactics and is now being found out. Ngwako Khunwane He must stop being stubborn and listen to those around him. Victor Jacob Don’t forget to do your job, coach, otherwise you know what happens. Lesego Lucky Ratsikana Put Itu Khune © Highbury Media (Pty) Ltd 2004/031056/07, in the starting lineup. Highbury Media, 36 Old Mill Road, Ndabeni 7405, Cape Town, South Africa; ISSN: 2519 0512 Naledi Kay If he listened and did away Editorial Enquiries Tel: (021) 416-0141 Fax: (021) 421-1250 with his arrogance, all will be well. He Email: [email protected] Advertising Enquiries Tel: (021) 416-0141 is not bigger than the brand. Fax: (021) 418-0132 Website: www.hsm.co.za Subscription Enquiries: Tel: 0860 117 530 Kabza Ngwana He lacks a football philosophy. ISSN 2521-280X. All material in SOCCERCLUB is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction without permission by TFG is forbidden. SOCCERCLUB does not accept unsolicited manuscripts for publication. Every care is taken in compiling the contents of this magazine but we assume no responsibility in the effect arising therefrom. The views expressed in this publication SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX are not necessarily those of the publisher or TFG. WWW.TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA 7 Readers & Prizes April 2020.indd 7 2020/02/27 12:26 The move to Orlando Pirates has made Gabadinho Mhango a front-runner for the Golden Hot Boot. By Mazola Molefe Property avin Hunt, Bidvest Wits’ 20-goal mark. Not since veteran Siyabonga his true potential. Only once in six seasons title-winning coach, believes Nomvethe, eight years ago, has any Absa before this campaign in the PSL has the Gabadinho Mhango is a rare Premiership striker attained that figure, Malawian marksman reached double find because he is not one- but Mhango is determined to match the digits with his goal tally.