Kick Off

Kick off is Africa's biggest selling monthly sport Magazine and the leading authority on South African soccer.

KICK OFF • Juventus star, Federico Chiesa, scored the fastest second half goal in the UEFA Champions League when he only needed ten seconds to convert against Chelsea.

Kick Off

Let’s get behind Broos & Bafana

LETTERS to the editor

THE MONTH THAT WAS

Can CBD fire again? • The return of Leonardo Castro from injury towards the end of this year will finally bring back together the once famous ‘CBD’, a combination that terrorised opposition at Mamelodi Sundowns. With Kaizer Chiefs having started the campaign in poor form, could this be what revives their campaign with Khama Billiat and Keagan Dolly already showing glimpses of getting back to their best form. KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo investigates.

‘I didn’t give up’ • The true value of Happy Jele’s contribution at Orlando Pirates has always been his reliability and presence in the dressing room. He has only ever worn one club jersey through his professional career, playing for over a dozen coaches and earning legend status. KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo spoke to the veteran defender about how he has been able to keep going for over 15 years.

LONGEST SERVING PSL PLAYERS

‘I’m living my dream’ • When Grant Kekana first heard of Mamelodi Sundowns’ interest in him, his immediate reaction was that of shock as he was in the process of negotiating an extension at Tshwane rivals SuperSport United. Since his transfer, he has fitted in like hand to glove at Sundowns, playing either right-back or as a central defender. KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo sat down with the player to learn a little more about what makes him tick.

‘We will turn it around’ • From failing to make the grade at the original Moroka Swallows development in his early teens to having to sleep on the floor until he was 20, current Birds’ midfielder Lehlogonolo Matlou has always had the spirit of a fighter in overcoming challenges. KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo spoke to the lanky number 42.

‘I am more mature’ • Victor Letsoalo appears to have burst onto the scene with Royal AM this season, but the Bafana Bafana striker has in fact been building his impressive goal-scoring numbers for some time now. At the age of 28 he is no youngster, but a player who has made great strides in his own game and kicked off his international career with a bang by netting a hat-trick on debut to claim a unique piece of history for the national side. He chatted to KICK OFF’s Nick Said about where the improvement in his game has come from and what it would mean to play at a World Cup.

Captains of The Buccaneers’ ship • Orlando Pirates are still waiting to make a permanent appointment after the departure of Joe Zinnbauer but whoever arrives to take over in charge of the Buccaneers must realise that he is taking on one of the toughest jobs in South African sport. The Pirates hot seat has been too fiery for many to handle as the eclectic list of past coaches can attest to. KICK OFF’s Mark Gleeson examines all the men who have coached the club since the launch of the National Soccer League in Part 2 of this historical feature.

LIONEL MESSI • PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

My Dream Team • Former defender Thabang Rooi went about his job without much fanfare during a professional career which started at Tembisa Classic. But it was during his during his time with Mpumalanga Black Aces and Kaizer Chiefs where he made name for himself. In this edition, he picks his Dream Team from past teammates, which includes a young Percy Tau on the bench.

‘We want top five’ • In a match in which more than just three points are at stake, and where pride and bragging rights come to the fore, new Stellenbosch FC signing Judas Moseamedi rose to the occasion to down his former team,...