Kick Off

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KICK OFF

Kick Off

Banyana are doing the county proud

LETTERS to the editor

STAR LETTER

THE MONTH THAT WAS

‘We want to make people happy’ • From adistanceit appears a calculated risk worth taking by Kaizer Chiefs after they chose to appoint Arthur Zwane as the head coach following seven years without a trophy. KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo looks into the appointment of the man who despite being new in leading the bench at this level, is very familiar with the club.

Boarding Pirates’ship • The ins and outs during the current transfer window have seen much change at Orlando Pirates. The Buccaneers were in the final of the 2021/22 CAF Confederation Cup but were disappointing in the local league and this has forced them to reshuffle with Thulani Hlatshwayo, Kwanda Mngonyama, Abel Mabaso, Justice Chabalala, Elson Sithole, Wayne Sandilands and Thabang Monare making up the first group of players to leave. Coming in has been six potential stars and KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo provides analysis on what they might bring to the side.

The new Chiefs • With so many players leaving Kaizer Chiefs during the current transfer window, the club has gone into the market to sign players that will refresh the squad. KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo details the signings made by the Soweto giants to date and how they may fit into the n squad.

Eight-ball • The MTN8 quarterfinals will be staged on the weekend of August 12-14 in what will be an early test for some new-look sides in the South African topflight, not least Kaizer Chiefs who have made wholesale changes to their squad. The teams are just four games away from not only a coveted trophy, but also R8-million in prizemoney that will be a nice early Christmas present. KICK OFF’s Nick Said looks ahead to the four quarterfinal matches.

Ready for bigger challenges • Fledgling club Cape Town City will embark on a new adventure when they compete in the CAF Champions League during the 2022/23 season, reward for their second-place finish in the last campaign. It will be an exciting adventure with South African clubs having been regular visitors to the pool stages of Africa’s elite club competition in recent years. City’s Terrence Mashego tells KICK OFF’s Lukhanyo Mtuta about the daunting task ahead.

‘PSL players need a mindset shift’ • Following a seven-year stay in the PSL playing for Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, Colombian forward Leonardo Castro has packed his bags and headed back home. Just prior to his departure he spoke to KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo, revealing what happened at both Chloorkop and Naturena, and then questioning the mentality of South African footballers and labelling kasi football “nonsense”.

RICHARLISON

My Dream Team • Former Portugal youth international Zequinha came through the ranks at FC Porto but was unfortunate not to establish himself in the first team. He did play in the Primeira Liga, featured at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and in the Europa League, and had spells in Greece and India before returning to sign for hometown club Vitoria Setubal – one of the most decorated Portuguese clubs outside the top three. He picks his Dream Team XI from the best of those that he has played with in his lengthy career.

‘Football needs change’ • In recent times, Ria Ledwaba’s voice has reverberated across the country during her failed campaign for the role of president at the South African Football Association. While going up and down the country, Ledwaba took time to talk to KICK OFF’s Hosea Ramphekwa about her now defunct club Ria Stars, the state of football in the country, Bafana Bafana and her future plans.

‘I will be a coach one day’ • Daniel Cardoso has joined Sekhukhune United after...