Nomvethe injured, Lefa Trains...1980 revisited

Good day!

Not the best of mornings, the weather is been acting up recently, nothing we can do much about. And today we've got bad news and a bit of good news.

First the good news. Lefa Tsutslupa was back at training on Tuesday, which is really good news. Just that he is back is good news. He's the captain of the team, he's a good player. I can't tell you how much we missed him, but I know we could have used his services in some of our past games.
He is back but obviously not match fit and correctly the coach will not want to use him on Saturday. We've come so far already without him. Saturday will be a high stakes game, he might be behind the pace and it is unnecessary to put any pressure on a player just coming back from injury.

Now 50% of the price money on Saturday will go to the players when the cup is won. Lefa mention on our official site that:

"This cup will go to the hungrier team, and I believe that will be Swallows"

That should not be the only incentive for the players. Wining the cup for football's sake should always be the primary motive, wining for the supporters should come in close second. The rest is a bonus for them and they can do as the please with it. But remember boys, your careers are fairly short, take you wining's and invest properly. Consult a financial adviser if you are unsure.

By the way, the must be about three thing that really interest man in life:

• Sport
• Money
• Woman

I blog about sport, am married and just talked about money (of which I don't have) a few sentences back.

 

To the bad news, Siyabonga Nomvethe has had to go through surgery yesterday. Not exciting news at all. He's been our focal point of attack. As stand-in captain, he's really lead from the front, quite literally. Nomvethe looks to me like a captain that wants to lead by deeds and he's been doing that pretty well. So if he doesn't make it for Saturday, it won't be a train smash but we'll miss another very useful player.

Get Better soon Bhele!!!

Those that don't know, the last time Pirates played us in a cup final was in 1980. That was the Mainstay Cup final that Pirates won. No final has ever been played by us and Pirates since then. Thanks mostly to Pirates choking when called to duty. So the final in Durban takes on a huge importance, because those days of Ace Mnini, Vadar Mophosho and the like of Jomo Sono from the Ghost side needs to be brought back to live. Football is starting to take form, to follow the natural progression.

Swallows vs Pirates in any final in a natural progression.

Cheers and see you soon.

Pirates Making noises already...Fickle supporters

Good day!

I listen and watch many sport shows as you probably do yourself. But what amused me mostly yesterday was Pirates fans, already declaring the MTN 8 cup their own even before the ball is kicked.

They can go ahead and do that at their own peril. Not long ago, it was the Other team that had they "goldish" tails wagging furiously after scoring just one away goal against Pirates in the first leg. That, to their supporters was it, one leg in the final for them and once they are through with Pirates the cup would be waiting for them in Durban for collection, according to them the had the parcel number for the trophy.

Well, we all know the Other team lost and their supporters' fickle nature shone through. Starting at the stadium by throwing tantrums missiles onto the pitch. It continues to this day in the office corridors, no hello's from them or inviting anyone for tea breaks. Ha ha ha to them!!!!

For the Birds, this is a great step in the right direction. The form we have show lately can be improved upon. Heads should be kept down, more effort in training should be the order of the day. We've come this far, and amid all the noises that are coming form the Ghost camp and supporters, we should just raise the bar once more in Durban.

As Swallows fans, we should know that our place is right behind the team. In loses and in wins, we are the Beautiful Birds supporters. Where we will compete with others  for the best supporters around. Its easier to support the team now that they in the final. This should be continued through once the cup final is over to get the team back up the league table.

Short and sweet today....I know!!! Got to go have tea with a Pirates man. The Other guys  are still grumpy...

cheers and see you soon

Pirates through...The real deal, the way football was!!!

Good Day,

What an awesome weekend this has been, both in non-footballing and footballing terms. A mate's wedding on Saturday is the reason I couldn't watch the game. I got see the highlights late on Saturday and I can tell you I was still as excited as watching the real game itself.

I had my doubts going into our game but my cup was more half full. And so the Birds did to Ajax what they did to us a few weeks back at the same Dobsonville stadium. We led 2-0, they came back and made it 2-2 and we nailed the final screw in.

Ha ha Ajax!, Their coach was talking about them being the favourites going into this game. Tail between legs must have been the order of the day going back to Cape Town. I love it when a coach can go to the media and talk about being favourites and then be made to eat a nice serving of humble pie.

Saturday's result made for and even awesome day yesterday. The onus was on Pirates to get a result against the Other team and they did. For once Pirates stood up and did not disappoint.

Thank you Pirates you completed my truly fabulous (not so long) week-end. Setting up a final to behold, something never seen in recent memory. Ladies and Gents this is what football used to be like, when legends clashed and the two teams in the final of the MTN 8 are legendary. This will be the "Soweto Derby" of note, we are witnessing in our lifetime, things we could only hear in narrations, passed down from generation to generation.
It has now come to life.

"The Beautiful Birds vs Orlando Pirates in the final of the MTN 8"

Nothing beats that and if anyone dares tell you otherwise, you can send them to Durban on October 2 to witness for themselves the epitome of South African football. Football is being brought back to life and we are the bearers of this unenviable task, many fell by the way side. Some so called Soweto Giants that wears yellow and black, the rich boys from Pretoria, one by one they all fell.

Football will be revived, something we will do with great panache for we are the "Beautiful Birds". Pirates must also count themselves very fortunate to be afforded the opportunity to play against the Birds in a Cup Final. They are the ones who've been slacking off in recent memory. So I am happy for them for seizing this opportunity to show to South Africa and the world what football once was like.

Here's to life being the way it was, here's "THE" Soweto Derby, here's to Pirates reaching the final, HALLELUJA!!!!.

Have to leave it here today.

Cheers and see you soon

National Braai Day!!!

Hello hello hello.....

What a beautiful day we have today....It is the last day of the week everybody! Hurray!!!!! When was the last time we had an extended version of the normal days?

I believe tomorrow is National Braai day!!! How much awesomeness do you need if you can have a National Braai day? South Africa rocks! I know for some every Friday in Braai day, but for us mere mortals, tomorrow is  when we try to up our game.

There was some PSL action last night. With Sundowns wining in Cape Town against Santos. A well take goal by Mphela, who form is coming back. You can have a look at the rest of the results here. Nothing of note with yesterday's result, except maybe for the Students getting a lesson from new boys Vasco.

The Beautiful Birds weren't playing as you know. The PSL had decided to postpone all games involving teams in the MTN 8 semifinal. I am not sure I agree with their reason and fail to understand how that benefits these teams. We are still in the early stages of the season, teams are fresher now, so they could do with a bit of additional midweek games. If they can't cope with a midweek game and a Saturday cup game them maybe the should not compete in the PSL.

Nomvethe says on our official site:

"We all know what a great opportunity we have of playing in a major cup final and are determined to prove to certain people who are writing us off, how wrong they are. The Birds will reach the final this time,"  

I totally agree with him. But more importantly the team needs to prove to themselves and us the supporters that we've taken lesson from our last two games and will continue to work hard and improve. He continues to talk about the spirit shown in the AmaZulu game which was tremendous coming back from 2-0 down. It is great to witness that and I hope the team knows that some teams will now let us come back from two nil down.

Our defence is leaking unnecessary goals, really soft goal and that is the area that needs attention. Defensive work in not only for defenders these days, the whole team should defend from the front. Pressing high up the pitch will also relief a lot of pressure from our defenders. When we lose the ball, there's absolutely no need to throw arms in the air if the ref doesn't blow for what we perceive to be unfair play, knuckle down, hunt for that ball again. This is futher emphasised by our coach, he says:

"We will close Ajax down. If we close the spaces and disrupt their passing game we will succeed. Also we have to be tough and hit them hard in the one-on-one situations. We need to interrupt their passing game, in other words keep Ajax under pressure from the kick-off." 

Ajax won in Dobsonville after we came from 2-0 down, they want to play the game on the ground. I think it will require a lot of running from us to press them, put them under pressure and force them to commit errors or release the ball early. Anyhow, I think it will be a game to behold, so make sure you are at the stadium.

I will be travelling this weekend to rural South Africa. If by some miracle I get an internet connection, you will get my blog over the coming days. Otherwise you have to wait for Monday. Sad I won't be able to get to the game. Its my mate's wedding so can't miss that.

Those at the game sing loud for the boys.

Cheers and see you  soon...

PSL Awards....Awesome!!!!

Good day to you...

A beautiful Wednesday morning today. After the awards ceremony held yesterday, you can't have better than this weather.

I need to explain the process of the Awards yesterday. It was purely per invite, and me being as privileged as I am, I did get my invite. And I was one of the trio of judges that included none other than David Tlale and Deon Chan. Awesome line up I know!!

As you know the PSL has all sorts of awards each end of the season. They now thought it better to have this specific award at the beginning of each season. The awards are for the best looking kit of the teams involved in the PSL.

Without further delay let me get to the result and remember you are getting this here first! What I will do is start with teams that ranked lowest and finish with the team that won. And also give a bit of and explanation next to each team rank:

16       Vasco Da Gama

The judging panel felt that the black and white of Vasco is unimaginative, added to that was that there is also Orlando Pirates that prides themselves with black and white.

14      Maritzburg United and Black Aces

These teams are ranked together here as the wear the same blue colours. As judges we felt it is a colour that is very easy to chose. You just look up the sky and no thought process follows.

12     Golden Arrows

Their yellow and green is not brought to live and then yellow is already taken by others who've been here longer. Sorry.

11     Santos

Santos only beat Arrows because their yellow is combined with red. Red is for danger but they are not such a dangerous team. Only pretending to be dangerous when the weather is horrible in Cape Town

10     Wits University

This team uses a semblance of blue but they've been in the PSL longer so the are ranker higher than those at position 14. And for students, they could pick the best brains for their design team. Lazy buggers!!

9       Ajax Cape Town

Ajax uses the colour of their mother team in the Netherlands, Ajax Amsterdam. There is no local influence to their look so they are even luck to be ranked so high.

8       AmaZulu 

This team wears a very deep green, which can be great on any other person's hands. But their kit reminds most South Africans of Nigeria as it looks very similar. As all of us judges are South Africans, we felt we can't let Nigeria continue to humiliate South Africa even in kit designs. We've had enough losing to them.

7       Free State Stars

As far as we were concerned as judges, this is the only team that uses Red currently in the PSL. They are not effective in the use of red and that danger that is associated with red does not come out. 

6       Bloemfontein Celtic

Another Free State team. They use green predominantly, they are only ranked so high because the are the only team that uses stripes in the kit. Also their fans are know to adore their teams kit and will only by original merchandise.  

5       Platinum Stars

They just fortunate to be sponsored by Puma. Puma has done wonders with their variation of blue. 

4       The Other Team

First the explanation of the Other team had to be provided to the judges by the PSL itself and it is as follows:

"The other team is explained as the team that wears yellow and black currently sponsored by mike Nike. This team when wining loves their yellow, but otherwise when they want a pick-me up and want to feel important, they call their colours Gold and Black. They also claim to be from Soweto even thought they wanted to build the stadium very far from Soweto in Krugersdorp"

Now we, as judges felt, we had to give them such a high ranking for being the first to use Yellow and the first to really call Yellow Gold and to have their followers believe it is actually Gold. Great work there!!!!

Well done to the Other team

3       Mamelodi Sundowns 

The rich boys of SA football are also sponsored by Nike, the wear the colours of Brazil so no imagination on their part. But as judges we felt as they are the team that had 44 consecutive passes against the other team, the deserved position 3.

1       Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows

We felt as judges that Pirates have regressed from their fabulous kit last season. They are the originator of black and white so that gave them a huge advantage. Their current home kit thus however resemble a rugby kit rather than that of football. What could have swayed the judges mind was that they a sponsored by Addidas which makes fabulous kits. Addidas also sponsors Bafana Bafana and we had to be really patriotic with this one!

In fact judges felt Pirates ranked at 1.5 and Moroka Swallows really remained true to their slogan of the "Beautiful Birds". Their kit looks awesome beyond comprehension. The only team that uses the fabulous maroon colour and effectively used by Puma in their design.

The PSL congratulated Moroka Swallows more than Pirates for winning this award and urged the other teams to start thinking just a tiny bit more...

And that is it from the awards ceremony.

Cheers and see you soon.

Madness in our Football....

Good day to you.....

Not the best weather we can have around today, its partly cloudy with a bit of irritating wind, the kind that makes you sneeze all the while. I seem to be coming up with some flu bug....

Talking about flu, are there online doctors, I mean,  I can just submit my symptoms online, you know the usual staff: running nose, sore throat, nasal congestion/blocked nose and a headache. All they'll have to do is check for  the latest release of anti-biotic and send a prescription to me.
Simples!!!
Whilst at it, please send a sick note as well.

Back to football, you guys must have seen the merry go round in our football at the moment. Steve Khompela in now appointed as Free State Stars coach. He was their coach not so long ago. He left in a huff, went Platinum stars, and the ever so philosophical Steve, philosophized a bit with Stars  and as always without much philosophical end product.
What is that they say in South African football when they fire a coach? Yeah!

"We have reached and amicable agreement to part ways with the coach"

Gotcha!!! So he ends up back were he started! He was at the under 23's as well.

The seat he vacates at Stars is occupied by Owen Da Gama, and as you would have guessed it, that's exactly where he started his coaching career. He was poached by Khoza when he had some success with then Silver Stars, but was fired at Pirates before we even knew he was there. Ended at Bloemfontein Celtic, and probably reached and "amicable" agreement there as well ending back at Stars.

But in all of the very merry, merry -go-round's in our football, one name keeps popping up. Khoza's pirates is there or there about. Ask Gordon Igesund, Roy Barreto, Owen Da Gama...etc..etc. Khoza's modus operandi is that:

"Any coach who show any semblance of success, just a tiny bit, that coach will be hire to coach the black and white, the Ghost. But before everyone knows we'll quickly reach an amicable agreement with them" 

But this condition doesn't apply to those that make it their business to make sure that the "happy people" don't actually win anything. Kosta Papic, anyone? Ruud Krol appears to be towing the line as well, but Krol must be at 90% of reaching his own amicable agreement. You'd know this if you listened to Robert Marawa's show yesterday.
The essence of the story is that Krol is challenging Mr K to a boxing match, Krol is implying that there is management interference with the team. Well, Mr K is apparently been seen in Durban with the ANC NGC! (I need to re-iterate that we are not a political blog). But a word of advise for Krol, I totally, honestly believe thats the quickest way to reaching an amicable agreement. So good going man!

And you all know why I am a Swallows man, and If you have ever had that wonderful dream, that dream when you are flying around and just being free flying, loving it and wanting to fly some more, mhhmmmm.

You know if you've had this dream that you are true swallows man.

Not much happening in our local football scene, I mean real football on the pitch, so I'll leave it here today.

Cheers and see you soon

Last ditch draw...Point gained

Good MonDay to you

It's a definate case of a point being gained in a very difficult away game. A slightly positive result that I had expected, anything else my head would be burried somewhere unbeknown to the rest of human kind. But as it is, I am now saved by that last minute equaliser from Ncaca. A thunderous strike from outside the box, well timed, well executed and well placed shot. Well done Gareth, and the assist deserve equal mention. And I can gaurantee you I would not have been the only one to find relief in our second goal, look no further than our coach.

You can look at my Friday blog and I mentioned already that the Zulu kingdom now just uses their spears for decorative purposes. It looked to me, with  Mangoba Mnithi on board, they had cleaned them up this weekend and tried hard to bring every Bird in the sky down. Fortunately for us, I think those spears have just gone blunt and we flew just a tad higher than we did against the Cape side in recent times.

There's something about our perfomances that I can't put my finger on. Amazulu's first goal came against the run of play dominated by Swallows. We had a neat passing game around the tenth minute that resulted in a shot by Leonard straight at the Amazulu keeper. If someone has keept count of those passes, please let me know at upthebirds@gmail.com. It was magically to watch that type of football in the local scene and something to be used as a yardstick for future perfomances. But almost immediately after that we conceded. A combination of comic defending by our team and some neat work from Amazulu, cleanly put away by Dlamini on the 12th minute.

Their second goal was another combination of our amateurish defending and a white Zulu warrior showing our defense how to take advantage of opportunities like that in the penalty area. We've got some of the tallest defenders in the PSL and we should not get beaten from a high ball like that, but we are!!!!! I did complain about our midfield combination, so far we have not used the same combination in all of our games. I understand the coach my be trying to find the right one, but how is that going to work if you don't give one combination an extended run to develop their understanding. The only result that we had something close to positive was away to Ajax. Then it was Nergazhe and Ngaca in midfield. And you will agree with me that the introduction of Ngaca brought about a change to our game yesterday. I am not a coach but it seems clear this is the combination that works for Swallows at the moment.

Our equalizer came from none other that Nomvethe. Not surprising and if anyone in that team deserve a goal, its him. At his age, a lot of the young kids would do well to learn from him. He never stop running for the team, dedicated and shows his commitment. His goal was well taken as well following some good passing moves.

Overall, its a slightly positive. But anything more positive than that will require extensive work on our defense. We cannot continue to concede like that (we've conceded in four of our five games so far) if we are to challenge for silverware. Coming back from two nil down is staff of legends. It shows great mental strength and long may this develop, Not the coming from behind, the mental strength.

Our midweek game against the Other team has been postponed, so we have enough time to gather our thoughts and prepare for Ajax in the second leg of the MTN 8.

That's were I leave it today....

Cheers and see you soon

Amazulu preview...

Good Sunday to you..

The last day of the few awesome days we have in a week. Hope you enjoy whatever is left of it. I have been outside and seen people looking really happy, a few braai smokes here and there. This can only be the effects of such a beautiful sunday...

Football is on today. We are away at Amazulu a the fabulous Moses Mabhida stadium. I hope crowds pitch up today to add some much needed atmosphere to the local footballing scene. So far Amazulu has done one better than us, having won one and I think they lost the other one. It will be a hugely important game for both of us. We desperately needs to get back to winning ways, and Amazulu will obviously out to get a scalp of one of the bigger teams of this country.

What gives me hope is that we didn't concede in our last game against Ajax away. The defensive combination that was used in that game is relatively new, with Cichon having been suspended a week earlier.  Ashraf Hendriks, who has played all our games so far understands the importance of this game. Saying on our official site, 

“The game against AmaZulu is a must win encounter for us. The turnaround has to come against AmaZulu. We have two difficult games after this one against Chiefs and Ajax and you do not want to go into those games low on morale. We need the win to this match for our confidence”

I am glad he understand what is at stake here, and what this means going forward. This should be the message that is clearly communicated to the rest of the team. But what I also hope our players don't do is to have the concentration distracted by game against the Other team midweek. Our full effort today should be on Amazulu and Amazulu alone. It is important as he says that we go in to the other games coming from a win.

We are still missing a few players as indicated here. The missing players don't worry me much, there should have been a lot of work put in at training this week. What we had in Cape Town a week ago was a slightly positive result, that should be improved on.
In other news our coach apologizes to the media for not showing up at a media day or something of that sort. Its all good a well to appologies, but such petty things will distract us from our objectives.I hope it doesn't and  we focus on our main business which is football.

Heres' to three points....

Cheers and sse you soon

Amazulu...Football is back

Happy Friday to you...

I was just thinking about Swallows...as I always do!!! We've got Amazulu on this weekend, and this is in Durban. I love Durban by the way, capital of city of India!!! I know its an old joke, just pretend its funny still.

I love Durban just because of the weather, you guys know my fascination with the weather. I've said before here that this blog is not for weather reports. Its just that each morning after waking up, I have to look outside the window and see what the weather has in store for me. I do this religiously, and on good weather days I am at my happiest. So Durban does offer a reasonably better weather especially during the winter were it doesn't get as cold as it does inland.

Anyway, Amazulu is coached by quite a useful guy. I quite fancy Manqoba Mnithi as a coach that will grow in the local game. I don't like the way he left Arrows, but to be fair to him Amazulu is a bigger challenge. His teams play good football so we will have a game on our "wings" there.

We've had a difficult start to the season, Sundowns away and Ajax at home (a game we should have had a point at least), now its Amazulu away. It will be difficult and the players know that our season has to turn around at some point. And where better than in Durban. We've lost both our games against Amazulu last season, we have to go there motivated to take something out of this weekend's game. I don't think we should go there for revenge, but if we can last season why not?

There's yet no injury update on the official site, so I am not sure if Lefa Tsutsulupa is ready for this game. Our midfield seemed to have improved against Ajax in the MTN 8 game in the Cape. That combination of Ngcaca and Nergazhe seemed like something could develop out of it. Nergazhe had improved from his first game, and I am all for giving people a chance. If he continues to improve like that, then that can only be good for us and himself.

We've really got to come back with something in Durban, those Zulu warriors just have the spears for decorative purposes these days. And those war cries, thats just for tourist. So we have to go there without any fear. That we lost both our games to them should not hold us back.
Our biggest huddle will really be mentally, so lets go there in the right frame of mind. Thats where the coaching staff comes in, work with the boys to get them mentally equipped and soon we'll be sailing very high.

Its Friday, the happiest day for many of us...we let loose from today. So go out there and celebrate.

Cheers and see you soon....

Poor Attendances...Bafana Ranks higher

Good day....

You would have heard by now, Bafana Bafana are moving up the FIFA rankings to their rightful place, 58th now from around 90th just prior to the world cup. Congratulation to the boys and more importantly to the Nation. I think Bafana has seen some improved support recently. Yes, the world cup had much to do with it, I only hope this is continued. Just a thought, what would be our ideal ranking really? Top fifty, top twenty or top ten even?

We should push to be ranked as high as possible, but what would you, as a South African be more satisfied with? I don't think we've ever been ranked higher than twenty, if my memory serves me well, I think the highest was 22. That could also just be wishful thinking!

But critically we should keep on supporting the Boys. You know I was on the issue of support yesterday, and I mention something that the Birds are doing. Swallows has taken a long term view of this, and I love long term. What they've done is attract kids to the stadium to come and watch the team play. For the long term this is ingenious. This kids will grow knowing this team and under the Birds wings. A masterstroke!!!

It will take a long time to see the fruits of this project and it will go in leaps and bounces. My plea for now you Fellow bird is that if you have bit of spare cash or know someone who has, and there's many of you out there even in these recessionary times, please support this kids with a few T-shirts in our colours (Maroon and White thank you). This is something that could be done on a season by season basis but I am sure if you get in touch with our Brand Manager, Siya here you can work out a few things together.

I really hope Swallows continues with this, but critical to this plan would be the Birds using the same Dobsonville stadium as their home base for many, many, many, many, many, many years to come. I am not privy to the lease agreements in place between us and owner/management of the Dobsonville stadium. But a good start would probably to make this very long term. In my terms that would be just about ninety-nine years, Not long term enough I know!!!
There could be a few benefits to this. It could allow us to really Swallowficate (you catch my drift) this stadium and make it into the Birds' Nest that we really want. There's a saying in one of our many local languages that says, when literally translated:

"You can't follow a snake to its hole"

Well try getting int a Birds' Nest....And this is what I am trying to get to. We have to make it just that, you go there at you own peril!!! It has ooze of the Birds.

In the short term though, getting supporters back to the stadiums is a bit tricky. And that I'll leave to those in the know. But I think we've thinking too long outside the box! Its not working....so let's starting thinking within the box for a while, get some balls rolling and who know?

Thats it from me today.....

Cheers and see you soon

No Football...Abnormal times continue...Poor attendances

Good Day....

Smack in the middle of these abnormal times. Weekdays are abnormal, I can't cope with them. Too structured, have to wake up @ 6, leave the house @ 7, be stuck in traffic for 30 min, 8 you must be at work. Then only leave work at 5, thats after lunch at precisely 12.
This is abnormal, added to that there's no football this midweek, local football anyway. Those of you who follow the European leagues would still have some football dosage of some sort yesterday and today.

I do wonder why the PSL didn't structure any games this week. Were they aware of the European Champions league, therefore the rather avoid having to compete with them for viewer-ship. Broadcast issues, such as dates and games that will be broadcast, are obviously dictated by Supersport, they would have had a big say in this.

Anyway, my biggest gripe today is about attendances, specifically at football matches. I'd really like to say this is a football problem only, it is not. Those of you fortunate to have DSTV, and watch some rugby games, even if its just highlights, would have noticed that stadiums are not full at these games either.
So to me this seems to be a very broad problem for sport in this country. I don't follow domestic cricket much to make a statement but wouldn't be surprised if the same pattern exists there.

With regards to football, I did mention in my very first blog that our football is up there with the rest. Not yet at the level of some of the top European teams, but our teams can hold their own against some of the lower teams from these leagues. What I was disappointed about was the crowds. People don't attend games and I think the PSL with all of its member teams needs to up their game with this regard. The biggest difference between our game and that of our European counterparts is the atmosphere that is created by crowds. Fuller stadium creates a better atmosphere and improve the television product, it adds tremendously to the vibe in the stadium.
There was some research done in Europe and they found Germany to be leading with crowd attendances (I am lazy to try and find the link, but you can just Google it).

What exactly is stopping people from attending games here in South Africa? I don't know, just a well as you don't but would like to hear you opinion.
But I tend to think that the PSL don't yet know how to package their "Football Product". I call it Football Product, because it is no longer just about the football on display for ninety minutes. In my own terms, added to the football itself, I would include:

• Safety in and around the stadiums. The PSL or host teams wants crowds, so make them feels safe when the come to watch football. 
• Clean the seats and seating area. I know that these stadiums don't belong the local teams as in the some of European leagues. But teams and the PSL needs to work with the municipality to make sure this is done. I attend games so I know.
• The journey to and from the stadium. Same as above, the PSL or host teams needs to work with the local municipality and traffic officials to organise transportation and make sure it runs smoothly. Talk to taxi (mini-bus) associations. Am not a big fan of the way taxi operate in SA, but we pretty much can't do with out them at this stage. 
• Match-day programs. This will mostly be dependent on each individual team. But would have to do with what happens once people arrive at the stadium, during halftime breaks and afterwards.

This does not have to be expensive solutions at all, if it becomes expensive, someone who's been paid to think is not doing that. Critically, I think the PSL with its broadcaster are doing a lot of marketing, but it seems to me to be way of the mark. 

Firstly, does the PSL know its own market? Does the PSL know who its competing with for bums on seats? People have a lot of options for entertainment these days. We can't just throw ninety minutes of football at them and hope the'll come to the stadium week in and week out, it's not happening now.... Why would the leave the comfort of their home to come and sit next guys smoking in the stadium. Why would the leave going to the malls with their buddies for a movie? Unfortunately I don't have the answers, but fortunately for me I am not paid to have those answers.

The market is there, people want to come to games. The just needs to be encouraged and enticed by better packaged products. Go out there guys make it their lifestyle to come to games. Going to the stadium should not be something to think about, it should come naturally for fans on weekends.

I am a Swallows man and they seem to be doing a host of things write now....really wonderful things. I'll tell you tomorrow...right now, have to go and pay the bills. i.e, get back to work.

Cheers and see you soon

Objectives? Success and Failure

Good day....

No midweek games this week, that explains my withdrawal symptoms. Our next game will be on the 19th against Amazulu. This will give the team sometime to recuperate and nurse all those niggling injuries. Talking of injuries, our man Lefa Tsutsulupa, should be ok by tomorrow according to our official site. I don't think that implies he will be match ready though. It might take a while for him to get back to match readiness coming back from injury. Just as well, we'd welcome him back.

On today's topic though, our coach says:

"After a lengthy pre-season period and the first official game with SUPERSPORT for the MTN Top 8 where we were the victors, I am confident that this season will be one full of success for us." 

You can read the full story here, I am more interested on the last part, where he says he's confident this season will be one full of success for us. This is very vague for me. At the end of the season we will have to look back and assess if we had success this season. Now that means we must have set some sort of objectives. I don't see that mentioned in the article, and I'd really like the coach to set them out for us.

What will be success for us this season? What will be failure? The coach continues to say:

"Our minds are set on conquering and meeting the challenges head on. We face this year with optimism and determination. Silverware is a priority for this season, while not forgetting that our objective remains to finish as high as possible in the League."

At this stage of the league its to early to make any passing statements, we've played four games, two league (lost) and two cup (one win and draw). Are we on track to reach our targets so far? Silverware must definitely be a priority every season, if that is not the case then we might as well not get involved with the PSL.

If we specifically talk about the league, for me, we have to achieve a position higher than last season. That will show some sort of progress for last season. But as I don't know what management and the coach set as objectives, it will be difficult to measure. We need clear objective and this has to merge, or at least meet somewhere in the middle, with the supporters' objectives.
This is Mr Zobel's second season, I am sure he also wants to see himself progress from the last one. My duty is to support the team and I will.
But the team needs to show improvement from last season. This includes management, the coach, players, team doctors and basically everyone involved with the Swallows.

My objective this season is to support this team even more, by attending more games this season than ever. This will be limited to home games and some away games. But so far I seem to be on target.

Well, this is my bit for today....

cheers and see you soon

A Draw...Not a Train smash

Good day everybody...

A game of mixed feelings yesterday in the Cape. I must say I was totally pleased with the weather, it look amazing watching on TV. The pitch look just as good. Keep up the good work Capetonians.

I am disappointed we didn't get the all important away goal. There's a match report on our official site. The author of the report says:

Ajax Cape Town failed to capitalise in their home leg, and Swallows will be the happier of the two teams as they will have home advantage in the second leg.

There's a few things to this quote. First I agree Ajax failed to capitalise on their home leg. As I mentioned yesterday, Ajax would have wanted to rap things up in Cape Town and they tried. They were the ones under pressure yesterday and they tried to get a result. In that sense they failed then.
Now the second part of the quote, with Swallows being happier....Well, we got a draw at Ajax, that was an away game. And more importantly we didn't concede a goal (I know about the dis-allowed goal), Which is a positive that can be taken from this game.You know by now there's a "but" coming somewhere, here it is now.
BUT that whole pressure that was on Ajax has now just shifted totally to Swallows. We now have to perform in the second leg. The critical part would be to have a clean sheet. If Ajax scores, we need to win the game. Any scoring draw puts us out of the cup and I can't take that.

The clean sheet yesterday was important. It was the first in three games. It could indicate that Ajax were blunt in front of goals, as at some stage Fanteni had a one-on-one with Mathibe but couldn't convert, but I'd rather think that our technical team worked on the defense that was really poor in the midweek game. The one-on-one by Fanteni with Mathibe was still a horror show from our defense. We gifted the ball back to Fanteni after clearing our lines. That is not acceptable.
There's also the disallowed Ajax goal, which was marginally offside. Another referee or linesman that goal would have stood. I am paying particular interest on this on because Mathibe came out of his line and couldn't gather the ball. He was left in no man's land and this happened again only this time the header from the same play hit the upright. So Mathibe please work on this but a Big  congratulations on the man-of-match award. You played a big part in keeping the clean sheet yesterday. The run of games would do a lot to boost you confidence.

The one irritating thing that I picked up from the game yesterday was Haschick throwing tantrums when he didn't get a pass from team mates. Buddy, thats not on in my book. I am sure we can find countless times when you do exactly the same thing, it happens in football. It bothers on showing disrespect towards you fellow players. I love you commitment but don't let it cloud you judgement. It affect other players as well.

I can't finish on such a bad not....Mhhhhh!!!! Am thinking....

OH....Our maroon stripe is AWESOME...truly AWESOME. I think that should have been our home kit. Each time I see you boys in it...it looks more and more better.
Obviously not as good as I look in it...Seriously you can ask Mrs Blogger here...

Cheers and see you soon....

Told You....Pirates Disappoints

A Beautiful Birdy Sunday to you...

The curse of the so called Soweto derby is over. You just need to look outside and be happy, bright and shinny, absolutely magnificent weather today. The Birds will be chirping to day. What a truly blessed team. Of course this is only up here in Gauteng, don't know how the weather is down in Cape Town, but probably no better than up here. They love their horrible weather down there in any case....

Again you know what we are here, certainly not a weather reporter, but this type of weather makes my days.

Back to football: I hate to say I told you so....Hell BUT, I told you so. Pirates loves to disappoint especially when they are playing against this other team. It was meant to be their day yesterday. The whole country was behind them, those that pray, prayed for them, the Ghosts tried to turn the weather in their favour, horrible weather yesterday. But Pirates being Pirates decided no, they just had to let that other team back into it. Pirates are now disadvantaged by the goal they conceded last night As this is a two-legged game, the other team has scored and away goal, meaning the next leg would probably be played to a dull goalless draw and still the other team will go through.

Moneeb, you should have done better with that goal! Pirates you disappointed me yesterday. Now you've made me detest that other team even more. Thanks Pirates, thanks a lot. You see, there are positives even when thing didn't go you way.

Today is a beautiful day and true football is back on. Hurray!. The Birds are up against the Capetonians again after our midweek clash with them. I am reliably told that tails are feverishly wagging in the Cape after their win on Wednesday. The makes our job more difficult but a victory will be very sweet. Here's to the Birds flying high in the Cape. We really have to up our game if we are to have a chance. Cape Town will be difficult, Ajax will not just lie down and take the Birds droppings without a fuss. They will make a huge fuss of things.

Our coach, Mr Zobel would have taken something out of the Wednesday game. Whatever issues cost us the game should have been worked on at training. I had my own issues, but I know as a football supporter my view would totally be biased by emotions. Talking of emotions, you are not a football person, if you don't get emotional about this game. Emotions are part and parcel of this game. This afternoon, I am looking forward to my emotions being a bit more on the positive side. We at least need an away goal to make things a bit easier in the return leg. Have to say the draw couldn't have made it better for us. Playing the first leg away puts Ajax under pressure to get a result. They would want to rap things up, which could play to our advantage. We need to be mentally strong and get a result there.

Lefa is still out for this game, we could do with his presence in this game. He's expected to be back on the 15th of this month. No need rushing him back. Get well Lefa and come back flying buddy!

PS: I was watching yesterday's game with a Sundowns (Sundowns is defined as the team that had 44 consecutive passes against the Other team, and I like them because I hate the Other team) man, and he totally agreed with me about the game yesterday. Mostly we agreed on how Pirates loves to disappoint!!
He's my cousin: That my friends is what cousins are for, agreeing on football matters.

Cheers and see you soon.....

Fly high Swallows....

Soweto Derby? Not in my book!!!!

Good Saturday to you,

Very late blog today. As it goes, its Saturday today and that means a host of things has to done.

Looking at the weather today, very dull. Cloudy, and windy really boring. Kids can't enjoy the outdoors with this kind of weather, they can't kick about. But wait, there's a perfect explanation for that!

I think the Gods could quite possibly be angry and I'd understand if they are!! I mean today we have the mis-fortune of the so called Soweto Derby. Now you know the two teams involved today. One Orlando Pirates, their origins from Orlando in Soweto and the other, the one that wears some yellow colours, they love to call it gold! Yeah, GOLD!!! The same team that had 44 passes against them....44 passes!!!
The love to call themselves Soweto Giants as well. According to my history, and remember history favours those who write it, they have no origins from Soweto. I don't stand to be corrected on this, its my history.

There's currently two teams that can claim anything to do with Soweto. Pirates we've already dealt with. And the other is of course the Beautiful Birds, Moroka Swallows. As the name implies, it was born and bread in Moroka, part of Soweto.
But for the past, God knows how long, this other team has been masquerading as a Soweto team. Its not and unfortunately the misconception has been fueled by the media bunch who could not just ask a simple question: Exactly where are you from in Soweto? This is the same team that wanted to build the stadium in Krugersdorp. Why, if you call yourself Soweto Giants. Couldn't you find some place in your roots? Unless Krugersdorp has now been include under Soweto.

Anyway, it is Pirates vs Goldish team, if you wondered I won't mention their name here. Not on my blog and the reason is simple. I hate that team...really...really....really....really.....really hate them. Why? You ask...BECAUSE it is part of football rules. Those un-written football rules, the one that says:
"Each and every football fan that follows a particular team in any association, is thus compelled to have at least one other team from the same football association and in the same division, that serves the purpose of being truly...truly hated without reason, nor is it necessary to have reason"

And for me, it is this Goldish with black team. I hate them and I love hating them. And so each time they play I hope the lose and so I will be rooting for Pirates today. I know Pirates loves to disappoint but there's no reason not to have hope.

Now to serious matters, to those Birds Supporters that travelled, I hope your journey was fabulous. Those that will still be travelling tomorrow enjoy the journey. The boys will need you guys in full voice. I will be watching on television probably at my in-laws. Nothing wrong with that, except they support this other team. Lord, Allah....etc please save me..

Cheers and see you soon.

Happy days are back....Its FRIDAY: HALLELUYA

Happy Friday everyone...

Indeed happy days are back again. I love my Fridays and I know you do. If you are slacking off at work today, you will be forgiven. Your boss knows this and can't run away from it. Friday is here.....Yoooo HOOO!!!!

There was no blog yesterday as you are well aware and no prices for guessing why. We lost to Ajax, those boys from Cape Town. Look people I don't like sour losers. They have no place in our society, and the reason I particularly don't like them is because I am one!!! I hate losing, its bad for my health and for you because you don't get your daily fix of my blog.
I am rejuvenated this morning, had my fix of caffeine, started my junk food campaign for the weekend, fatty fried eggs, sausage, and beans. Its only a start. If not junk enough, I should catch up later this evening.

Anyway this is a football blog, not food, but can't help it...ITS FRIDAY!!!!

The game against Ajax was disappointing from the Birds' eye view. I can't find a justification for it. But maybe the coach knows. I felt we were in total disarray. Midfield non-existent for the better part of the game bar for the moment that led to our second goal. Awesome goal I might add! We have a new midfielder from Georgia. I will not make judgement as yet on him, it was his first game. But I have to wonder why Gareth Ngcaca wasn't used at all. He appeared to have something about him during the Downs game and he could have been helpful against Ajax. As a former Ajax player he would have had the urge to try and show them what the missed on. But then again the coach work with these guys everyday at training maybe he knows something I don't.
Our defence has a lot of work ahead of them. If they are going to defend the way the did, we won't have much hope this season. To many silly mistakes, two that led to Ajax's two goals. And then the striking is overly dependant on Novemthe to carry the whole team. This man will always work hard for you, he gives his best for the team, but he needs support as well. He can't be left to do so much by himself. Leonard this is a call for you to start upping you game boet.

It was good to see us coming from behind twice, that's a positive that has to be taken from the game. We are playing the same team again this Sunday. This time its a cup game and in Cape Town. I hate the weather down there, you will have all four season in South Africa congested into one day there and people there carry on as if its normal. No....it isn't for us Gautengers.

The Capetonians will obviously be wagging their tails after their hard fought win up here. But make mistake it will be another thriller. There will be some travelling supporters...sing loud boys...sing for the boys.

That is it from me today....Here's to the "junkiest" of food today.

Cheers and see you soon!

Birds vs Ajax Preview: Here's to Three Points

Good Day...

Big one today with the boys from Cape Town. It should be a cracker of a game as I told you yesterday, the Cape Townians will always try to prove they are bigger than the Gauteng teams. I'll tell you what....they can keep on dreaming!!!!

But truth be told, Ajax is a difficult team to play. Even more so in Cape Town. But since they are coming to the Birds' Nest, this should take on a different perspective. The game will be at higher altitude than they are used, hopefully this becomes our 13th man, and aids in dishing a few bird droppings on them. Although I know they would have prepared for the altitude effects.

Our boys will have to concentrate fully on this game and not think ahead at the MTN 8 knockout game with very same team. Our assistant, Zeca, talks about it here. Three points is our priority and this is really achievable. Our performance against Sundowns wasn't at all bad. We conceded two goals that with a bit of defence training should not happen. The first was a header that our defence did not deal with and the second our marking could really improve. Also, on the offence, it seemed to me we left Nomvethe isolated upfield, he held the ball well for a short man like him against a towering Sundowns defence that includes Booth, but there was no support from midfield. At some stage, we also let Downs have the freedom of the midfield.
But that could well be that we really missed Lefa Tsutsulupa in that game.

And we will continue to miss him for a little longer, with sad news coming from the Birds' Nest as he is recovering from surgery. But this should not take away descent displays by Gareth Ncaca against the Mamelodi boys. He can only improve on that performance if he puts his head down and keep working. And this can only be a good for the Birds as it already adds to our depth and the competition for places in our team. Can't be such a bad thing that.....

The other competition for places the I see developing nicely is the goal keeping. Mathibe kept goal in our first league game, a fairly difficult game if you ask me. Greg Etafia has always been our number one keeper, but seeing Mathibe in goals will keep him on his toes and I should believe Mathibe will only be in goals if his performances are good.
I am going to the game, can't wait to meet up with the guys and sing the Birds to victory.

Some interesting game tonight as well, Celtic with Amazulu. And maybe the pick of tonight's games will be the rich boys battling it out at the Royal Bafokeng stadium, this is of course Platinum Stars vs Sundowns. And then the rest of the game not as appetising, bar for the Pirates vs Free State Stars game at the FNB stadium. If you haven't been to the stadium, this is a perfect opportunity for you.

So enjoy the games wherever you'll be watching from

Cheers and see you soon

International's Week OVER...Strike OVER

Good day to you...

The international games week, interweek, is over for us South Africans, and so is the Public Servants (is saying servants politically correct?) Strike...Pheew!!! I know the strike could well start again after 21 days, but for now we I take it its over.

Please NOTE!!!

This is not a political blog, nor do I have any aspirations to do political commentary. There's quite a lot of that in this country. What we are here is a footballing blog PERIOD Now and again, of course the will be a lot of venturing into other sporting codes. But will remain a football blog run by Birds followers. The greatest team ever seen in this country.

The reason I mentioned the strike is, it did affect some teams in terms of registering players. Especially foreign players, as they are required by law to have work permits before representing any local team. The strike meant that could not be done. I wonder what the due date for registration was/is. If that was during the strike, I also wonder what kind of recourse teams will have if they didn't get a chance to register players and want to do it now.

The International game are still on going, there are some Euro qualifiers and some interesting friendlies, particularly Spain vs Argentina. But for us in South Africa it is back to the PSL games. Awesome that! Some juicy games coming up. We have Ajax Cape Town coming up to Dobsonville stadium tomorrow. Eight O'clock kickoff.
I have to be at the game of course, but will have to get this past Mrs blogger here. But truth be told, travelling from the Pretoria/Tshwane region to Dobsonville does pose a few question especially for a night game. I do hope the guys in Dobsonville will show up for the game. The Birds will need a lot of support especially against Ajax that is trying hard to show everyone that they are bigger than the teams up in Gauteng.

It should be a cracker of a game and where ever  you will be watching from, enjoy the game.

Cheers and see you soon...

Mis-used and Angry Vuvusela

Good Day!

You would have read the topic and wondered what on earth is this about. Why would a Vuvusela be angry? Well bear with me for a moment. As we all know by now the Vuvusela is something very close to South Africans, intrinsically linked if you ask me. It was a soundtrack to the recent World Cup. This is one instrument that is loved and hated in equal measure.

Many that came to South Africa for the WC hated it at first but once they had been taught how to blow that horn, the grew into it. Many bought it and left with it as memorabilia. Surprisingly, it was reported during the WC that some 40 000 Vuvusela we sold in supermarkets in the UK. That is astonishing as the Brits seemed to dislike anything associated with South Africa and the World Cup held here.

Make no mistake the Vuvusela makes a lot of noise, irritating at times depending on the environment/circumstances. But at a football game it can really  add to the atmosphere. When you are blowing one with many others doing the same thing, trust me, it is awesome. But be warned you can't go randomly and blow the Vuvusela as you like, at your house, town and so forth. I am an ardent Vuvusela blower myself, very skilled at it and can make a host of different sounds including a sound of and elephant, but hate it when other are not being considerate with it.

Now back to the topic, and believe me If I was a Vuvusela I'd be angry as well. Here's it. In the final of the World Cup, Netherlands and Spain, Vuvuselas were blowing all around the stadium. If you were one of the guys blowing, of course you'd know who you were supporting. But take a moment and think about this. How would the players on the field have known who you were blowing for? Who you were supporting?
Hell, take the opener of the WC, Bafana Bafana vs Mexico. South Africans are used to the Vuvusela, at least you'd think they knew we were blowing for them, but would the Mexican have been affected adversely by the random noise from the Vuvuselas? No if you ask me!!! And could this be the straw that broke the camel's back? We supported Bafana, but was it the best we could do? Was this the best way the Vuvusela could have been used?

This has been happening a lot within the local footballing scene. The Vuvusela is not being used effectively to work to our advantage as South Africa, or to any of the local teams in the PSL. I'd like to believe that players would like to associate with their fans. They'd want to know when the fans are edging them on, when the fans are jubilant with thier displays. But as it stand now. It is rather difficult to tell.

But, make that a BIG but, there is hope. The first game of this season that I attend, Swallows vs Sundowns, I noticed something from the spectacularly spectacular Swallows supporters. As I've already told you from my very first blog, Swallows fans were in good voice, singing and chanting songs only associated with Swallows. I think the best example would be Bloemfontein Celtic fans. They do this tremendously well. During the game against Sundowns, I can proudly tell you the the Birds fans only used the Fabulous Vuvusela once for about 5 or so minutes. And the way it was integrated into flow of songs and chants was truly awesome.

And this, my people is my point exactly. We've been, all this while, incredibly useless at using the Vuvusela effectively to benefit our teams. This is a call to all of you to have a big rethink as how we call use this wonderful tool show our support. To indicate the different moods that flow during the game. We can't continue in this fashion, blowing randomly and hoping that somehow our team know that we are behind them.

And Until such time people, the Vuvesela will remain angry at being mindlessly used as is now.

Cheers and see you soon

PS: My deepest condolence to the families of 200 people who died on Ferry in Congo just recently.  

Bafana Bafana wins: 13-2...MYTH continues

Good Sun Day!

A good Sunday morning today, the last of the normal days. So enjoy it, tomorrow is back to abnormality.

And after such a good win from our boys yesterday can't imagine what you guys got up to. A few head aches here and there probably. But all for the greater good of human kind.

Lets start with the MYTH. As it goes, here in South Africa, there's a general believe that "No two national teams, playing on the same day both all win". People this is exactly what it is, a MYTH. If there's anyone out there who has contact with those guys from Myth Busters, please ask them to come and de-bunk this one fro us. It might be just our of their league to de-bunk this one.
But seriously, this does happen a lot, that one of the the national teams playing loses. I only remember once that both Bafana and the Boks won playing on the same day. I suppose this weekend wasn't meant to be with the Boks giving away a penalty in the dying minutes of the game and of course losing the Game and the Nelson Mandela Plate. They should go and apologies to Madiba...

All of that meant all the conditions were put in place for a Bafana win, and OH BOY!!! did they win.....13-2. No child's play. And in case you are wondering if I was watching the same game as you, the answer is a resounding YES...yes in bold and italics.
You would have put much of your emphasis on the scoreline, 2-0 thank you. For me there was also the shots at goal on target. And we trumped them 13 -2. Obviously this also indicates how badly we didn't convert our chances. Granted, we could have done better there. But we won 13-2 to Bafana.....am I allowed to gloat?
Gloating anyway.....2-0 to Bafana Bafana.
This is what sports is about, each time you win you get a chance to do just that, GLOATING. Seriously, it is not often we see Bafana Bafana create so many chances and yesterday they did, bucket load of them. You can hop on line that it was only Niger, BUT we can only beat whats in front of us and also to use and old cliché, "a win is a win is a win". Importantly for me the creation of so many chance is a crucial step in the right direction. Pitso noted that we didn't convert many of our chances in his post match interview. And surely they will work on that. 
Mphela's first goal was staff of legends. Steven Pienaar put in a massive tackle just in front of the center line, won the ball cleanly and threaded in a sweet pass to Katlego Mphela, he in turn took it well with his first touch looked up a bit and left the goalkeeper to commit himself. He then delightfully chipped the ball over the keeper. Tell me how often you see that in South African football, if ever? One nil to Bafana and just before the break a second arrive. Good work on the right side by Anele Ngcongca, put in a powerful cross and finished brilliantly by Parker with his first time shot. 
Otherwise, it was also great to see the support at the stadium. Mpumalanga showed the do only great support. A few empty seats, but generally they were in good voice.


A few shock result with some of the qualifiers, Angola were given a 3-0 drubbing by Uganda. Just a comment on the pitch here, and this is why it will be important for Bafana Bafana to win all their home games, that pitch was in a bad state. It could well have rained prior to the game, but that does not excuse the state of that pitch. If Angola used this as their excuse, I would not be surprised at all. 
A good win for our neighbours  Botswana, 2-1 against Togo. Botswana seems to have turned a corner with their football. And for me Tanzania getting a draw away to Algeria was equally a shocking results, 1-1. The rest of the result were as expect really.


From the Birds point of  view, our boy Keegan Ritchie didn't get a game, and this is not a complaint. It will take an extra-ordinary effort to displace Tshepo Masilela from his left back position. But, Keegan would have learned a thing or two from his outing with the boys. Welcome back to the nest Keegan. 


And that is it from me today...enjoy the rest of you Sunday.


Cheers and see you soon.

YeePee Friday, Casual Day...! SPORTING WEEK-END

Good Day...

Its Friday and you know what happens on Fridays. Well, at least I know what happens with my Fridays. Its a return back to normality. Late nights, maybe a movie and OF COURSE junk food here we come....and everything else that don't apply during the abnormal weekdays.

And for some its really "week-end special", that call that never comes during the week, that visit that never came, its all over. The weekend is here...you'll get your "week-end" special.

That's out of the way, now back to football. Bafana Bafana up against Niger as you know by now. In fact this is such a sporting weekend. Those of you who do sport (the TV remote workout, trips back and forth to the fridge for that all so important drink) will be absolutely thrilled. The Springboks are up against their eternal nemesis, Australia. There's also a host of other international friendlies, just take you pick. 

The Birds' interest with the Bafana vs Niger game, is of course Keegan Ritchie. Our left-back has received a call up to the Bafana, I do hope he gets an appearance. But it would obviously have to be managed well. He's young, 20 and has a lot of time ahead of him to don that jersey. I wouldn't be particularly worried if the doesn't get an appearance, but if we are leading by some ridiculous scoreline, then he should be introduced towards the end of the game.

It's critical we get a win this week-end. Our group, with Sierra Leone, Niger and Egypt the other big boys of the group, will not be an easy outing at all. The plan would be to win all our home games and make sure we get some positive result away.

It is casual day in South Africa today, for those that don't know, for a R10 you get a sticker from ABSA allowing you to wear as you like today. So you guys must be clad in your Birds gear. Forgiven if its a Bafana jersey, will understand if its a Boks jersery, being the patriot that I am, anything else.....BOO HOO. 

I've seen some rather interesting dressers today, one particular site was a guy, in jeans underneath his under pants. With a black shoe on the right and a white shoe on the left. Priceless!!!! 

Surely you don't need me to tell  you to enjoy your week-end. I know you will anyway, but I'll still say it.

Enjoy your Week-end, its back to normal for these next three days...make the most of it.

Cheers and see you soon.

Football Friday...Internationals Week. Bafana Rocks

Good day to you,

The weather is getting better by the day...no complaints on that front. And how this week has just flown past by. So officially today midnight will be the start of my weekend.

So by now you know that during the heydays of 2010 FIFA Worldcup 2010, "Football Friday" was big. We should continue with that spirit and wear our football jerseys. If you read my post yesterday, you'd know I recommended getting yourself a Swallows jersey. More so for neutral football fans. Puma did do a good job there.

This two weeks are reserved for FIFA, to continue to make money of everyone else. We had a jol during the World Cup make no mistake, but don't be fooled into thinking that FIFA were just charitable and brought WC here so we could have a bit of fun and they go home having the poor African happy...NO NO my friends, they made big money, more than any other previous world cup.  And there was never a chance for that famed Plan B to develop much. At that stage contract were in place already surpassing values of previous tourneys.

That was just by the way. Back to International Week, now referred to as InterWeek (copyright). Bafana Bafana have on paper what looks like a simple game against Niger. I'll tell you what, it wont be. Niger can be quite usefull and also we seem to struggle somewhat against West African teams. Our boys will have to be up for it but mostly we have to show the kind of support that was here before the WC. So far played two, won two (France & Ghana). It doesn't matter if you think it was a 17th string Ghana team. BOO HOO...Fact still remains we beat Ghana. So as per my request yesterday, please wear those Bafana jersey, unless you are in the Beautiful Birds Gear.

But I do have faith in the guys down in Mpumalanga, they showed great support the last time Bafana played there we had a good win against Gautemala. Please spare me the "its a week team", a win is a win is a win.

So please get your beers out whatch the game and have fun. It does help settle your nerves to sing along to the National Anthem, so blurt it out. This is not Idols, no Randall to give you those low tones...harsh words. It is also about time you learned the "Die Stem" part.
I might be travelling so probably wont get to see the game. If anyone want to do a match report....let me know.

Thats it for this wonderfully wonderful thursday.

Cheers and see you soon.

Birds Will Fly....!!!

Well...well well...!!Start of a new season. And what an awesome start to the season. You won't often get a better start to a PSL season than a Swallows vs Sundowns game. Period!!!


For those that would not know, Moroka Swallows is a legendary team. And I will get to that some time. 


First let me get through the season opener. Ok...we lost. Blah, blah, blah! But what a game that was. And the Birds supporters were really in good voice. It was great meeting all of those travelling fans. 
The result will really flatter Sundowns a bit much. They were not in the game as much as the score line would suggest. In fact I felt, the Birds biggest sin was not really giving enough support to Nomvete upfront. He was left mostly isolated with the midfield not pushing up when we were in possession. We could well have missed Lefa Tsutsulupa in the middle of the park but Gareth Naca was very useful in the middle of the park. I felt he lacked a bit of fitness, but that is understandable with the season just starting. 


But all in all our boys played well and there's no need to drop their heads. And our Bafana Bafana recruit confirmed that his call up was not a fluke dealing well with Mokoena and eventually forcing "Cheeseboy" to switch flanks.


I just have to mention our gear/kit, its awesomely awesome. If you are a neutral football fan, you'd do well for yourself getting one. Have to applaud Puma for their sterling work. Keep it up guys.


Generally the opening day dished a lot of good football. Many of the games impressed me, though I just saw mostly highlight packages. Pirates were giving a big scare by newboys Vasco. And by the way the double header in Cape Town seems to have attracted a big crowd. Good work PSL, its not often that you guys do such good work. 
Crowds were really disappointing for me, especially as I have mentioned the improved footballing spectacle, and also tickets are massively cheap at R25. I will get back to the topic of crowds but really disappointing for opening day.


We now have internationals, you know FIFA has to make some money. So here's to BAFANA BAFANA beating Niger. Guys in Mpumalanga, please paint that Mbombela Stadium in yellow or gold, is it !!! Bafana needs our support to get through these qaulifiers.


See you guys soon.