Inside Maluleka's Shock Move
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BEN MOTSHWARI / ANSU FATI / JAMIE WEBBER / BRUNO FERNANDES / TSHAKHUMA TSHA MADZIVHANDILA ISSUE 116 KNOW YOUR GAME POSTER MAMELODI SUNDOWNS 10 TITLE BIDS BEHIND THAT FLOPPED COVID19 ENEMY LINES GAMECHANGER NEYMAR INSIDE MALULEKA’S READY TO MOVE ON THE SHOCK MOVE ZUNGU ROPES SALUTE BANYANA’S DLAMINI CHECK US OUT AT TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA FACEBOOK.COM/TFGSOCCERCLUB Cover_Final 2.indd 1 2020/03/27 12:29 PM SOCCERCLUB AD March.indd 1 2018/09/03 12:16 The FIX.indd 1 2020/03/30 2:26 PM FEATURES NEVER TOO LATE 22 Ben Motshwari is finally starting to flourish at Orlando Pirates MOVING WITH THE TIMES 26 Amiens FC’s relegation could be the best thing for Bongani Zungu’s career CALM APPROACH 32 Jamie Webber’s level-headed attitude will stand him in good stead TURNING THE TIDE 35 Jan Olde Riekerink had a mountain to climb when he took over at CT City 8 RED DESIRE 37 Bruno Fernandes has quickly become BOLD MOVE a favourite of the Old Trafford faithful George Maluleka’s Sundowns switch has GOING AGAIN ruffled some feathers 46 Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila still believe they can win promotion SAINT IN THE MAKING 48 Kgaogelo Chauke is making his dreams come true at Southampton 50 DOWNHILL SLIDE Neymar’s off-field antics are beginning to take a toll on his career contentsISSUE SHORTS 116 4 FROM THE CLUBHOUSE 20 6 PRIZES & BENEFITS 15 REF’S RAP 16 PSL PREVIEW 19 WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LETTING IT SLIP 24 MOMENT IN TIME SoccerClub highlights 10 famous title 30 POSTER bid collapses 34 NUMBERS GAME 44 GETTING TO KNOW SHOPPING LIST 53 OFF THE RADAR SoccerClub identifies some 54 CALENDER of the brighest 57 BENEFITS talent in Europe 58 EXPERT OPINION WIN 40 6 Stand the chance to have 12 your account credited with PUSHING ‘PAUSE’ The coronavirus your share of R8 000 pandemic has caused chaos WWW.TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA 3 across the globe SOCCERCLUB AD March.indd 1 2018/09/03 12:16 The FIX.indd 1 2020/03/30 2:26 PM contents_May 2020.indd 3 2020/03/27 10:13 AM FROMTHECLUBHOUSE Crisis MOGAMAD ALLIE Management SoccerClub Editor f we didn’t already know it, the head- butting between the PSL and Safa in I mid-March amid the growing coronavirus pandemic laid bare the leadership crisis in South African football. The day after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national disaster on 15 March, PSL chairman Irvin Khoza revealed that the league, after consultation with sports minister Nathi Mthethwa, was considering continuing their programme by playing matches behind closed doors. This was despite the number of people infected by the coronavirus growing daily in countries like Italy and Spain. These countries are particularly noteworthy because they had already tried the tactic of playing games in empty stadiums. Among the thousands who tested positive for a virus that had already claimed over 8 000 lives by mid-March were dozens of footballers from some of Europe’s top EVEN MORE DISCONCERTING WAS KHOZA PULLING OUT clubs, including Chelsea’s Callum Hudson- Odoi and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. OF A MEETING WITH SAFA PRESIDENT DANNY JORDAAN At a time when it was imperative for them to speak in a unified voice, Safa Jordaan a mere half an hour before the Football Association and the Premier addressed the issue at a media briefing time, citing ‘another urgent engagement’, League met on 18 March after which on 17 March, while the PSL had its according to Jordaan. they jointly communicated their decision own media session a day later. Even At least sanity prevailed when the PSL to extend the season indefinitely beyond more disconcerting, given the gravity was forced to fall into line with Safa’s the original end date of 1 June if they of the situation, was Khoza pulling out decision to suspend all football until at were unable to find ways of safely of a meeting with Safa president Danny least 4 April. That date was pushed out resuming the season on 30 April. to 16 April after Ramaphosa announced If Safa and the PSL are unable to HOW TO SUBSCRIBE the 21-day shutdown in late March. unite in the face of a life-threatening Contrast the discordant South African issue like coronavirus, is it any wonder CALL 0860 117 530 response with the unified front presented that German legend Lothar Matthaus, Between 08:30 and 17:00 by England’s football authorities. The speaking during a visit to the country in March, was moved to say South African football must have been ‘doing something SMS ‘SOCCER’ and your Email your account number or wrong’ not to have grown in strength account number to 45176 ID number to [email protected] *Standard SMS rates apply since hosting a highly successful 2010 World Cup? SYDNEY MAHLANGU/BACKPAGEPIX 4 WWW.TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA From the clubhouse.indd 4 2020/03/27 12:30 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 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.indd 6 2020/03/26 12:47 PM PRIZES&BENEFITS SEND US YOUR PICTURE AND SoccerClub Fan Favourite WIN You 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 Human Resource Director Rizqah Jakoet SoccerClub’s Kaizer Chiefs fans react Cover Photo to George Maluleka’s impending move Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix to Mamelodi Sundowns Mfundisi Mbushe I’m saddened to see him go. But as a football supporter, I fully understand his reasons. This thing is about business. If the Chiefs’ offer didn’t make business sense for George why should we hurl insults at the player? Let him go in peace. He served us well. Mosweu Letlhogonolo Seleke Let him go. He’s not worth the hassle ... he has become an average player anyway. © Highbury Media (Pty) Ltd 2004/031056/07, Highbury Media, 36 Old Mill Road, Ndabeni 7405, Mabaka Matsaung They must let him go. Cape Town, South Africa; ISSN: 2519 0512 Editorial Enquiries Tel: (021) 416-0141 Fax: (021) 421-1250 Whatever Pitso Mosimane told him will Email: [email protected] make him lose focus when on the field. Advertising Enquiries Tel: (021) 416-0141 I wonder who he thinks he’s going to Fax: (021) 418-0132 Website: www.hsm.co.za replace at ’Downs? Subscription Enquiries: Tel: 0860 117 530 Siboniso Sikamamthembu Bench him for ISSN 2521-280X. All material in SOCCERCLUB is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction the rest of season and then let him leave. without permission by TFG is forbidden. SOCCERCLUB does not accept unsolicited manuscripts for publication. Vucinator Setenane He must leave so that Every care is taken in compiling the contents of this he can be a benchwarmer at Sundowns. magazine but we assume no responsibility in the effect arising therefrom. The views expressed in this publication BACKPAGEPIX are not necessarily those of the publisher or TFG. WWW.TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA 7 Readers & Prizes.indd 7 2020/03/26 12:49 PM XXXXXXX george cover feature.indd 8 2020/03/26 2:34 PM GEORGEMALULEKA George Maluleka’s switch from Kaizer Chiefs to Mamelodi Sundowns has huge implications.