Amakhosikazi taken to the cleaners!

Tomorrow's derby between Orlando Pirates and Amakhosikazi should be a thrilling encounter. The two Soweto giants last met in a cup final in 1989 at Orlando Stadium. Many soccer commentators have tipped Amakhosikazi to take this one because they have notched two successive victories in their last games, while the mighty Amabhakabhaka, have taken a break by letting other clubs taste victory. Now, this break will end tomorrow, at the expense of the beautiful Amakhosikazi.

Bookmakers have rightly tipped the glorious Buccaneers to wallop the beautiful Amakhosikazi. So, if you are a punting fellow, and want to make some money, you have been warned. If you have moollah to throw around, back them and you will cry like Maradonna.

Ha ba shwe!

Juju Man off-side

Our country's constitution guarantees its citizens freedom of expression. That said, it is no longer surprising that the Young Lion of the North, aka, Juju Man, comments on everything under the sun. He has also added his two cents worth on who should be the next Bafana coach saga.

Well Joel Santana, the former Bafana Bafana coach, is packing his bags en-route to Sao Paolo. The new SAFA regime is preparing to make an announcement about the imminent return of Carlos Alberto Parreira tomorrow, Juju Man is calling for the appointment of Lucas "Rhoo" Radebe as head coach of Bafana Bafana.

Radebe boasts an incredible career as a football player. He captained both Leeds United in England and Bafana Bafana with class and distinction. However, to agitate for his appointment as head coach of Bafana is absolutely nonsensical. The man has no coaching credentials to talk about. He might be even worse than Santana.

One sincerely hopes that the new SAFA regime will not settle old scores and appoint someone who can raise the moral of the players and lift the country out of an embarrasing FIFA ranking we now find ourselves in. As for Juju, he must not try to overplay his (ANCYL's) kingmaker's role in football matters.

Amakhosi to beat Sundowns!

The much awaited clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns tomorrow at the Super Stadium in Atteridgville promises to be a humdinger. Both teams come into this match after posting impressive wins two weeks ago against Ajax and Maritzburg United respectively.

Both teams are known for playing carpet football. Who can forget the game between these giants when Sundowns made a record breaking 30 touches with Amakhosi chasing shadows? This game could see the return of midfield maestro Suprise Moriri from injury.

Both Mabhuti Khenyeza and Josta Dladla would like to prove to the former teams that they still have what it takes.

My heart is with "Menwana phezulu" but my money is on Amakhosi to win this one.

Santana must NOT go!

It looks a matter of time before Joel Natalino Santana is sacked. If comments by the new SAFA regime is anything to go by, the man will enjoy Christmas at home in Brazil with his family. At that time, he shall have been bought out of his contract, with a hefty sum for that matter.

The poor coach was showered with praises after the Confederations Cup in July. He was hailed as someone who brought shape to the squad. Three months down the line, the man from Rio de Janeiro, is regarded as clueless and tactically naive. How sad!

Santana was employed to prepare a team for the FIFA World Cup in June, 2010. I believe that the man is on course to prepare a team that will compete in the biggest soccer extravaganza next year. So these calls for him to be sacked are premature. I believe the man is the real deal. He is tactically suave and techically brilliant. This man must see his contract out.

Now the Juju Man has also entered the fray in calling for his dismissal.

If the truth be told, Santana has had to work with some mediocre players. This country has no players in the mould of Samuel Eto and Ronaldo. It is also a fact that there is no player in the current squad who can play for Real Madrid or Chelsea. The best we can do is to ship players to the lower leagues in Europe and Africa, and then call them international players. We have players plying their trade in Botswana and Swaziland. How sad!

Even if the best coach is brought here after the imminent departure of Santana, he will still be faced with the same bunch of mediocre players. Even Sir Alex Ferguson would be regarded as a failure after only six months with the national team.

The path has now been cleared for Jomo Sono to take over! Yawn!