Kick Off

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

KICK OFF

Kick Off

Dr. Lushozi is a great example to all of us

LETTERS to the editor

THE MONTH THAT WAS

The best of his generation? • It is clear for all to see that Mamelodi Sundowns are reaping the rewards of having kept their faith in experienced Andile Jali even when they were not getting the best out of him following his return from Belgium. KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo looks at how the midfielder has turned his fortunes around after a difficult start in Chloorkop.

JALI THROUGH THE YEARS

Is Pirates a sinking ship? • Following another coaching change at Orlando Pirates with Josef Zinnbauer making way for the caretaker duo of Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi, questions have been asked about how long it will take The Buccaneers to come good again. Will it be this season, the season after or even further into the future? KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo investigates.

TROPHY DOESN’T GUARANTEE NEW CONTRACT

A case for the defence • When their FIFA transfer ban was lifted, Kaizer Chiefs went for more defensive reinforcements than attack as they obviously had concerns over that area of the pitch. Two left-backs in Sifiso Hlanti and Sibusiso Mabiliso, two central defenders in Thabani Dube and Njabulo Ngcobo, goalkeeper Brandon Petersen and two defensive midfielders in Cole Alexander and Phathutshedzo Nange were brought in. Still, coach Stuart Baxter is yet to settle on his preferred options. KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo investigates.

KAIZER CHIEFS’ DEFENDERS

Ready for the next step • Teboho Mokoena says that when he looks at himself in the mirror, he sees the best midfielder in South Africa and tracking his development in the Premier Soccer League over the past five seasons, few could argue against that. Plucked out of the Harmony Academy by SuperSport United, the Bethlehem-born star developed from a promising teenager to one of the first names on the team sheet for Matsatsantsa and the new-look Bafana Bafana under Hugo Broos. KICK OFF’s Lorenz Köhler caught up with the 25-year-old to find out about his incredible rise to become a leader for club and country, and whether he’d consider joining a DStv Premiership rival should his dream overseas move not materialise.

‘We want a top eight finish’ • Born in Atlantis, just outside of Cape Town, Yusuf Maart emerged following a dream move to Orlando Pirates eight years ago. After starring in their reserve team, a first-team contract followed and much was expected from the box-to-box midfielder. But after only seven minutes offered at the Soweto giants, he was released and returned to the Mother City. KICK OFF’s Lorenz Köhler caught up with the 26-year-old to find out how he emerged from that disappointment to become the captain of PSL newcomers Sekhukhune United and on the verge of potentially helping the South Africa qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

‘I believe in myself’ • Morena Ramoreboli is just 41 years old but with more than two decades of coaching experience in South African football. He is known for his passion for developing young talent, thrashing Orlando Pirates 4-1 in the Nedbank Cup with Maluti FET College and unearthing the likes of Kagisho Dikgacoi and Thembinkosi Lorch. But his career has suddenly reached remarkable new heights after he won the 2021 COSAFA Cup as caretaker Bafana Bafana head coach and helped Botswana champions Jwaneng Galaxy reach the CAF Champions League group stages. KICK OFF’s Lorenz Köhler caught up with the eccentric tactician.

BERNARD PARKER

My Dream Team

‘I regret leaving Pirates’ • When Augustine Mahlonoko burst on to the scene as the youngest player ever to don the famous black and white jersey in the PSL era five years ago, much was expected from...