ALMOST NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!!

The recent achievements by our Olympic swimmers have brought up a somewhat "sensitive" issue when it comes to our ability or lack therefore to compete and win in International competitions as team South Africa, especially football (men and women). Bafana Bafana have a dismal record in International football tournaments, assuming they qualify at all. Since `96 and perhaps 1998, the state of our football has rung on like a nightmare on a broadway show and the question always begs to me as to how did the 96 team do so well and the rest have faultered so much! We have the best facilities in Africa by far, a heavily invested sports ministry and a football league thats regarded as the top 10 in the world, based on content and value, yet we fail to beat the smallest and the least funded nations in Africa?! It seems such exploits have been passed onto Banyana Banyana, whom have just been eliminated from the Olympic games and the same song is being sung "it was a great learning experience", if we wanted to go to the Olympics or World Cup to "learn", why dont we send an under 16 team, that way by the time they are 20yrs old, plenty lessons would have been learnt. The swimming team and Springboks have proved that SA is a winning nation, we can be champions of the world if we focus and prepare well, so what is the problem with football?! I think its time we asked these painful questions and answered honestly, otherwise, we will be "learning" by 2040 and billions of rands later. Bafana Bafana are a mighty African team that can beat any in the world, its time someone reminded them of that fact, Gordon, I hope thats you Coach! I hope whilst the Sports Minister and Gauteng MEC of Sports and his many delegates descend upon the london games on a "learning" trip, couple of hundred thousands later, we can come back with answers, as we prepare to launch the Gauteng Sports Village to prepare our athlethes for future competitions. We can learn a few things from the likes of Australia, Jamaica, Brazil or better yet, maybe Bafana must start in the continent and have a chat to Ivory Coast and Ghana and its time we humbled ourselves and asked for help! Lucas, Benni, Fish, Coach Jomo get on the phone guys, call your friends, its time to build a nation of winners!

PIRATES, SHADES OF MAN UTD!!!

It's the 90th minute, 40 000 fans throbbing on they're feet with deafening noise! The Chiefs fans are already counting the victory, the first sculpe of the season between the bitter rivals! The Soweto bragging rights are the most valuable in SA football season! The ref shows a sign showing 3 minutes left till end of the game, surely this is offer, surely the lone strike of Nale is enough for Baxter to claim his biggest win since signing for Chiefs in the summer!!!!!!!!! Step up Benni, when the hour calls for the man to rise, Benni picks his hand up or should I say the head and out jumps three Chiefs defenders!!!!! Benni has done what seemed impossible, scoring his 3 rd goal in 2 matches for Pirates vs Chiefs! This had Man Utd all over it, the rise from the "dead" in the last minute of the game, who would forget The CL final and Teddy Sheringham and Soljkaer scoring at the death! Benni had done, Pirates had once again come from behind to clinched a goal that would later see Pirates lift the Cup. Are we seeing the beginning of an era of domination by Pirates led by Benni or is it too soon to call a Man Utd?! We'll see!!!!!!!

THE KINGS OF ENGLAND

The new English Premiership season is upon us, teams are sharpening their claws and the market place is busy. Question begs, who is the smart money on? The current Champions, Man City must be firm favourites and Man Utd cannot be denied of theyre intentions to go right back into the leader board. Chelsea will not accept 6th position and the activity at the transfer market communicates that! Arsenal are sure to lose RVP and who knows if Walcot will be around come the new season! Liverpool have a new manager and a swag about them, surely the ambition is to climb back into the Champions League spot. Spurs have made some smart moves in the market and the appointment of Villas Boas is a strong indication that CL Football is a must for 2012/13! The scene is set, the drums are rolling, the bets are on and we almost ready to go! Question begs, who will truimph above all and will City prove many wrong and do it again and again! Rooney, Torres, RVP, or Auguerro?! Who is the smart money on?????

WHEN IS IT TOO MUCH?!

The recent outcry by the French FInance Minister on the reported salary of Ibra to PSG begs the question, whether Football player salaries should be capped by FIFA? The current economic times experienced in Europe mean that thousands of people will lose they're jobs this year, add to that not many will be able to find jobs. The football industry seems not to be affected by the global recession, as clubs are buying players at record fees and paying some of the highest salaries in Europe, competitive to any sector! It has always been said that Govt should never interfer on FOOTBALL matters, a long standing policy of FIFA. So are the utterances of the minister justified or is she scoring cheap political points? The highest football player in the world earns what is reported to be €420 000 a week, most citizens of the world will not earn this in 5 yrs! Where wil it all stop, does the influence of money take the purity away from the sport, will incubation and talent no longer matter? I'm undecided.....

THE FUTURE IS OUR PAST

I was shocked to learn that Steve Lekolea is only 32yrs old! Yet it seems he's been away from football for at least 8 yrs, this got me thinking that the system is currently not adequate in looking after current and more especially, our former players. If we are to have a successful future as a Professional football nation, we need to ensure that our ambassadors are not lost to the football system and therefore available as mentors to the many young players. Football as a car ever has a lifespan of 10-15yrs if you're lucky, thereafter, hopefully you have gained enough knowledge or skill to sustain you for the rest of your life. Unfortunately due to the lack of education, not many invest they're money and therefore become displaced and destitute. It is time that a formal programme of veterans is conducted and such players can be nurtured by starting whilst they playing football and we cannot afford losing the brains trust of our sport. The best leagues in the world has systematic programmes of how to take care of former players as they are valuable to the history of the clubs and the legacy of the league. Many former players can suffer from various conditions such as alcohol abused caused by depression as life after football can prove to be quite depressing. Our future is very much informed by our past.

THE RED DEVILS ARE IN TOWN!!!!!!

The world's richest and biggest sport brand arrived with fan fair at the King Shaka Airport yesterday, flanked by hundreds of Man Utd supporters. Many of them would have been in SA during the FIFA WC 2010 but I'm sure for Usuthu this is the most historical moment of the country's oldest club The Moses Mabhida Stadium has been sold out! Another testament of the magnitude of the game, the Usuthu supporter in me prays for a miracle tomorrow. Can the warriors from the Zulu Kingdom keep at bay the slicky strikers of Manchster? How important are pre-season games anyway you mighSkye tempted to ask, well, how important is a 100 yr history of pride and a winning mentality? Those fortunate enough to witness the game live tomorrow, will undoubtedly witness a show piece! This bay far has to be Amazulu's proudest moment, not since the visit of the Brazilian giants Flamengo has Amazulu FC experienced such a high profile match! I must congratulate the club and all it's commercial partners for successfully hosting this match! Another victory for Durban in front of the world's eyes. Hebe, Usuthu! Hebe, Usuthu!!!!! may the best Amazulu team win! LOL (that's the Arsenal in me talking) Score predictions?

WHERE DID THE FANS GO???

I will confess that I'm 29 years old, so my memory of SA soccer in the 80's is non existent. Maybe a vague picture of Ace Khuse and the great Ace Tsoeleng, inter passing each other but I can imagine that it was Ace's last few months in football. They tell me that stadiums used to be packed to capacity, with not even space to walk! I believe those were the days the mighty Swallows was a still force in SA football. The words Bhamjee and Shakoane, used to send cheers to thousands of fans, the singing and the dancing was electric! Fast forward 20 years, you can count the fans at a Wits and Supersport Utd game. The football is just as brilliant but the fans, seemingly have better things to do. Kaizer Cheifs have played to half full grounds and have moved stadiums atleast 4 times last season, unheard of in the 80s and 90s! Some blame the entry of Television that offer high tech HD of atleast 4 games per weekend, if not more and add to that English football. The fans no longer see the need to travel to the stadium, why travel and be stuck in traffic when you can whip out your DSTV remote and be in Jhb, Durban and CTN all within a flick of the channel and immediately after, centre stage in Manchster or Madrid! Yet nothing replaces the feeling of a live game, the atmosphere and the music is electric but the decision to go in the first place just seems that much harder. Yes, money is an issue that can't be ignored, it costs R40 for a PSL match ticket and for many, that's a stretch too far to watch 8 games per month so some take priority. The opportunity lies in the young market of the population 21-35 yr olds, this is a market that has a high social appetite and active enough to travel to games and also disposable income. Yet the PSL and clubs seem to ignore this fact. Man Utd is in town and you will see a different race demographic into stadiums, where are all these fans during the PSL season? SA Football needs younger supporters into the game, the only way to have a successful and sustainable franchise yet no one dares speak to this market. Twitter, Facebook and other social network platforms is the answer!!!

MESSI OR RONALDO

Lord have "MESSI" on them! If I were to meet Leo on the streets and someone told me he is the best footballer in the world, id tell you to stop smoking the "Swazi poison" and get back to work. In fact, id be tempted to challenge him to a game of 1 vs 1 and be confident enough to put my last R100 on it!

The word Messi sends fear to any defender in the world, some im sure, think of ways to fake injury at his sight! He plays as God had intented  football to be played, effortless, magestic and flawless. He brings so much joy to millions of people around the world, whether you support Barca or not, you want to see Messi play every week.

Messi is simply the best in the history of the game...

RONALDOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Rumour has it that when Sporting played Man U at Old Trafford at a benefit game, the players insisted that Sir Alex sign him when the match was over. Those that experienced that game, knew they had witnessed something special. He would later become a legend at Old Trafford, scoring priceless goals and winning the CL medal and three league championships.

Madrid came calling, he had become the most expensive player in the history of the game. One would think that with all that pressure and the under wear swim suits model shoots, the player would lose focus. The manicured nails and "perfect" hair, surely it was about time before the player flopped and got sent packing as many stars at Madrid had before him.

Guess what, he carried Madrid on his shoulders and led them to war against Barca and he would later score more goals than the brilliant Messi and win the La Liga! Ronaldo had done it again, against all odds, risen above critism, how does he do it????

He is the ultimate athlete, powerful, strong, lightning fast! He is unstoppable...

Ronaldo is simply the best in the world!!!!!!!! Or is he???

WHERE DID THE RIVARY GO?

Derby day!!!!! These words were enough to declare Soweto stand still, where friends turned into foes and family members went separate ways and donned theyre team colours and unless the score was a draw, there would be no conversation between a man and a wife if someone lost a match.

The factories and work places of the millions of mainly black South African workers will reflect on the game and the bragging rights will remain for months on end until they met again! In Soweto, you were either Chiefs or Pirates, anything in between was not really of any "importance." The Soweto derby was rated amongst the most fierce in the world.

Fast forward to 2012, the clubs have joint commercial sponsors. The teams meet atleast 4 times a year, the Chairmen of the teams, contrary to past beliefs are actually best friends. The once fierce derby has now become a meeting of friends and the supporters can sing and dance together in the same side of the stands (Yes, the same side!!!).

Question begs, does the lack of intensity do SA soccer any favours? I am not so sure.......

FAIRWELL TO KING RVP OR IS GOOD REDDENS?

RVP is Arsenal, period. The 2011-12 season was saved by one man, the flying Dutchman! Surely one cannot imagine Arsenal without RVP, surely Wenger and the board must know this fact! First, it was Toure, then Gael, then Samir but we labelled it as bad scorn and pure greed for the crude oil money. The Arsenal team is slowly becoming an incubation team for Man City and guess who had the last laugh, CITY!!!!! RVP scored more goals than Wolves last season, safe to say, Wolves are no longer in the EPL. He further single handedly saved Wenger's job. The question begs, is RVP worth breaking a long standing policy of player wages and transfer fees and how long can Wenger play CEO and coach without losing his whole team and be accused of lacking ambition?! Lets puts things in perspective, Arsenal has one of the most solid books in the EPL, low wages and CL football all year round. The board is extremely happy with Wenger, he makes Arsenal "work" and from a financial point of view, Wenger is the man for Arsenal. Where does RVP fit in this puzzle, he is 28 and fast approaching his peak. The Euros proved to Arsenal and the world that RVP is only but a man! Does Wenger risk policy to appease a player that will at best have another 2 good years at International level and fizzle into being a ceremonial player at The Emirates? The Professor vs the student? RVP was a lanky inexperienced, unknown kid when he went to Arsenal from Holland. Great strikers came before him and he knew his place in the packing order. Switch forward a few years, RVP is the main man, it's hard to think Arsenal without thinking RVP. Wenger has proposed €150k per week, a stretch from £90k that he's currently on as far as Arsenal standards are concerned. He's asking price is around £225k per week, almost 3 times he's current wage. Wenger is a professor of the game, who's groomed championship winning sides. He, for all we know has options at Arsenal stock, seeing that he has stabiised the ship for the last 15 yrs. Arsenal finds talent and grooms it for Europe, the fans are tired of it and want to win and Wenger knows it. Can he justify the philosophy any longer, can he make the fans believe again? Surely RVP leaving will further confirm our status as the Academy of Europe! Is RVP or Wenger correct? I guess history in a Man CIty color number 07 will tell us. As fate would have it, RVP goes and wins another PFA Player of the year and wins his first Champioshhip medal, now Wenger would really question his sanity. Should Arsenal bag the £25m and save on the wages for an "overrated" player who's seen he's best years? I say, either way, no one wins....

WHY THE SECRECY ANYWAY????

It's always been mind blogging to me the secrecy in salaries for football players in SA, I mean, think about it, the biggest leagues in the world in first world markets disclose salaries that players earn. This way we then can evaluate value of players and ultimately the football team but question begs, why don't we publish earnings? Perhaps at a time where SA football was semi professional and had dubious player salaries, allegedly,one can understand the need for non-disclosures. In an age where the likes of Absa, Std Bank, Supersport and many blue chip companies are investing Billions of rands into the game, the "money" talk is no longer taboo. Standard Bank has poured a Billion rands into Chiefs and Pirates, money is no longer a hush topic in SA football. We are regarded no1 soccer league in the Continent, based on sponsorship value and professionalism. That's great right? Well, so what about our players, where do they rate in the continent. How does a Black Leopards player rate to a Wits or a Chiefs player? SA needs to lift the lid on salary gags and open the market up by announcing transfer fees for players and salaries. This, I believe will strengthen the SA league by retaining best talent and also attracting African players instead of branching to a sub-standard leagues in Eastern Europe. Our top players are reportedly earning anything between R350 000 and R500 000, that's hugely competitive to any profession in this country, in fact, it rates about most CEOs. Our previous Bafana Bafana coach was reported to be earning in the region of R800 0000 a month, this is equivalent to $100 000 a month, once again, highly competitive! At the end of the transfer period, the value of transactions conducted is not only of interests to clubs but many football fans too, the game is now a commercial spinner and player salaries are no different. The argument that player salaries are a personal matter doesn't hold anymore, it's a public sport that's being funded by the supporters that pay money every weekend and as a result of that Corporate companies invest in them. I say publish the transfer earnings,mso we can shame those that continue to pay below the wage line. Sifuna ukwazi!!!!! "we wanna know!"

A DISKI WORLD

Diski!!!!! A name synonynmous with skill and God given talent, the shibobo, tsamaya, tsipa as boys in the township would refer to the beautiful game. The debate has gone on for centuries as to whom discovered Football , the rightful heirs to the game. The English have always layed claim to this discovery, the brazilians on the other hand have maintained that whilst the English claim the origin, God had chosen them to host the crown as the kings of the "beautiful" game. SA football on the other hand has experienced the highs and the lows of the game, as a 9 year old boy, I sat amongst many as Doc "16v" Khumalo slotted in that penalty against the indomnitable Lions (Cameroon), with the brilliant Roger Miller calling the shots! SA football had arrived and the world took notice! It would take another 4 years for our continental dominance as the Kings of Africa at a packed FNB stadium, who would dare forget the scenes of President Nelson Mandela, King Zwelithini and Neil Tovey lifting the most coveted trophy in the continent! If you didn't know Bafana Bafana before, you definitely took notice then! Brazil, Argentina, England, France would later visit our great nation for what would be very competitive and historical moments. Our historical sculp was the victory against the mighty Germans, the sounds of Shosholoza would cause a deafening cheer across the country, this was our moment. A new generation stepped forward with much promise, yet somehow, we just fell short of the target. Zambia are now the African champions, the mighty Chipolopolo! SA was once again absent from a continental show piece for a second time in a row, this has been a bad dream and I'll wake up any day from it, gladly! A new era beckons, the experienced and highly successful Coach Gordon has ushered in at SAFA house, with a promise of a new broom. The die hard supporter in me is optimistic, SA will win the next Afcon Championship (please let me dream) and add to that, we will qualify top of our group for Brazil 2014!!!!!!!!! You might could be tempted to ask, what is this Diski I speak of, well...... Let me try explain in one sentence: Messi, Ronaldo (both of them), Ronaldihno, Jabu Pule, Jomo Sono and Platini combined, that is DISKI. Welcome to my blog, look forward to your posts and heated exchanges on who is the best player in the world, which team will win the PSL, CL and World Cup. I am a Gunner but a closet Man City admirer. I love Barca but support Mourihno, I love Bafana Bafana but I dream of Spain in my wildest football dreams. Most of all: I LOVE FOOTBALl.