Kick Off

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

KICK OFF

Kick Off

From the editor • All good things must come to an end

LETTERS to the editor

STAR LETTER

THE MONTH THAT WAS

‘Chiefs fans need to be patient’ • Kaizer Chiefs’ popularity in domestic football always means that they must win trophies regardless of the situation that they are faced with. And the same will be expected from new coach Arthur Zwane. KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo seeks the answers as to whether the club record seven-year trophy drought will finally be ended this season.

Pirates chart adifferent course • Orlando Pirates continued their recent precedence of left-field picks for the head coach role but have taken a slightly different road with the appointment of Spanish coach Jose Riveiro. He comes with a fine reputation as a tactician who likes to play attacking, structured football and has proven himself in Finland, where he spent the previous eight years as an assistant and a head coach. But the Premier Soccer League, peculiarities of South African football, and Pirates as a club, is a different ballgame. KICK OFF’s Nick Said profiles the new captain of The Buccaneers’ ship.

‘I still want to playfor Bafana’ • The influence and effect that Themba Zwane has had through the years at Mamelodi Sundowns as they dominated domestic football is evidently clear. Though ‘Mshishi’ still remains modest about his success, he now feels the urge to inspire in every sphere of life by being the example to follow. He spoke to KICK OFF’s Lovemore Moyo.

‘I wasnot looking to leave’ • TS Galaxy defender Given Msimango was one of the standout defenders in the second part of the 2021/22 season. His good form attracted interest from other clubs and 25-year-old was at the centre of reports linking him to a move away from club. There was even further confusion when he recently renewed his contract with TS Galaxy. In this telling interview with KICK OFF’s Siya Ndlela, the Rockets captain opens up about his meteoric rise, being captain, and sets the record straight on transfers rumours.

One last shot at immortality • Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarkable goalscoring feats over the last two decades have ensured their names will live long in the history books. Fated to grace the pitch at the same period in history, the duo have shared one of football’s most famous rivalries – one which has seen them score more than 1,500 goals between them and win almost all there is to win in the game. Their record-breaking achievements have already earned them recognition as two of the best to have played the beautiful game, but the 2022 FIFA Would Cup could provide an opportunity for one of them to go one step further and immortalise himself as football’s greatest ever player. KICK OFF’s Liam Bekker considers their chances.

KICK OFF

My Dream Team • Such is the profile of Nikki Papavasiliou that he was the first Cypriot to feature in the English Premier League after signing for Newcastle United in August 1993, getting to play under Kevin Keegan. He is now a coach who holds the English UEFA A and Pro Licence. He picks his Dream Team of former teammates.

Queens of the co ntinent • Banyana Banyana ended a near three decade wait to be crowned African champions when they lifted the continental crown at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. They had been one of the favourites going into the finals but had to overcome the mental scars of past disappointments to claim the gold medal. In doing so, they have also qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year, where they will take on some of the best teams on the planet. KICK OFF’s Nick Said picks five reasons why Banyana came home with the top prize.

The next...