Kick Off

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

KICK OFF

Kick Off

Where are the fans?

LETTERS to the editor

STAR LETTER

THE MONTH THAT WAS

In stant success • Midfielder Neo Maema joined Mamelodi Sundowns from Bloemfontein Celtic at the beginning of the season and didn’t need a great deal of time to stamp his authority in the star-studded dressing room. He won the MTN8 in the first few months of his stay, before clinching the league title in his debut season. In this interview with KICK OFF’s Zola Doda, the 26-year-old opens up about his success and days playing for the now defunct Siwelele.

Did Chiefs fire Baxter too early? • Having masterminded Kaizer Chiefs’ last league triumph back in 2015, Stuart Baxter’s return to Naturena last year was hailed as the turning point in the club’s fortunes after more than half a decade of disappointment without silverware. However, the former Bafana Bafana coach’s second coming proved to be a false dawn and an inconsistent run of form in the league and early exits in the domestic cup competitions resulted in Chiefs terminating his contract in April. On the back of his departure, KICK OFF’s Liam Bekker compares Baxter’s two spells at the helm of the Soweto giants with an eye on some of the figures that may have ultimately contributed to his sacking.

‘We need closure’ • Prior to his untimely passing, Senzo Meyiwa was within touching distance of etching his name into South African football folklore. The Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper was on top of his game for both club and country but death left a nation cursing that fateful Sunday of October 26, 2014. Those who have seen, closely, the late keeper at his best take KICK OFF’s Hosea Ramphekwa down the memory lane. Though the aftermath of Meyiwa’s passing has been shrouded in mystery, with questions abounding around circumstances that led to his demise, there is no question about his quality on the pitch.

Top transfers • Clubs recruit players in the hope it will improve their performances, but for every ‘hit’ in the transfer market, there are usually a similar amount of ‘misses’. It can be a bit of a lottery, as there are so many factors to consider beyond ability alone. Who were the best signings among DStv Premiership clubs ahead of the 2021-22 season? KICK OFF’s Nick Said picks 10 to have caught the eye since their moves.

How Sundowns won the league • The DStv Premiership title this season always looked assured for Mamelodi Sundowns as they never faced no real threat of being dethroned as the kings of domestic football. They might have come short in the CAF Champions League but the convincing way in which they won the league will have sweetened that bitter pill a little. KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo delves deeper into their triumph in discussion with several players who have worn the famous yellow jersey.

‘Time caught up on Jomo’ • Jomo Cosmos’ relegation from the GladAfrica Championship this season is a sad chapter for what has been one of the great institutions of South African football over the past 40 years. They went from title winners and a club who regularly produced some of the country’s top talent, to fighting for survival at the foot of the second tier. Three greats of yesteryear, two former Cosmos players and someone who enjoyed many a battle against the club, share their memories of Ezenkosi with KICK OFF’s Nick Said and try to understand where it has gone wrong.

TOP CLUBS TO DISAPPEAR FROM THE PRO RANKS

DEON HOTTO

My Dream Team • Former Mozambique international Manuel ‘Tico-Tico’ Bucuane had an international career which took him from his native country to Jomo Cosmos, Tampa Bay Mutiny in United States and back to South Africa. The former forward picks his Dream...