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 CHECK US OUT AT TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA FACEBOOK.COM/TFGSOCCERCLUB Cover_July Final.indd 1 2020/05/28 8:17 AM 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 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 4 WWW.TFGSOCCERCLUB.CO.ZA From the clubhouse.indd 4 2020/05/27 2:49 PM EARN REWARDS EVERY TIME YOU SHOP. Account customers are automatically TFG REWARDS members. Sleeveless Puffer R699 Sweater R199 Hoodie R280 Jogger R299 Merchandise available while stock lasts. Check your closest store or online markham.co.za. OE&E. Markahm.indd 1 2020/05/21 16:14 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 2020/05/27 2:54 PM PRIZES&BENEFITS SEND US YOUR PICTURE AND SoccerClub Fan Favourite WIN Meet Ms T Chilza from Pinetown and Mr M Moila from Tembisa who have won TFG gift cards 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 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 Well done. We 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. We 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.