World XI - April



Basia Makepe (right)

 Team of the month – April

The Molapo Sports Centre picks its team of the month for April. No surprises really, there are a select band of players that impressed during April and they make this month’s world Dream Team.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Manuel Neuer (Schalke, Germany)

On current form Neuer is the best goalkeeper in the world and was undeniably the most impressive goalie during the month of April. All-round he is an outstanding keeper; excellent aerially and a wonderful shot stopper. Before the Uefa Champions League semi-final first legs last week Guardian writer Raphael Honigstein warned Manchester United to beware of the “morale sapping powers” of Neuer. How right he was, Neuer was almost a one man Chuck Norris mission, refusing to let United score. There was mounting frustration and dropping heads for in United’s ranks but luckily for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side Neuer is only human and their goal finally came.

Ignazio Abate (AC Milan, Italy)

AC Milan are on the verge of winning their first Serie A title since 2003/04 thanks to several standout performers during the absence and drop in form of the team’s talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic over the past month. One of them has been fullback Ignazio Abate who has added a fresh dimension to Milan’s play with his adventure and blistering pace. Defensively there are some questions marks over Abate, but going forward he is definitely one of the most exciting attacking fullbacks around.

John Terry (Chelsea, England)

Out of nowhere Chelsea are actually in with a chance of winning the English Premiership and much of that has been down to the leadership of John Terry. The Blues captain has a never say die attitude and when Chelsea were being written off left, right and centre Terry was one of the few who refused to buy such stories. Chelsea collected 16 points from a possible 18 in April conceding just four goals. Terry has also added a more adventurous side to his game, at times almost Lucio like, to go with committed defending.

Basia Makepe (Joy, Lesotho)

Makepe gets in the team thanks to his outstanding displays at the Caf African Youth Championship for Lesotho’s under-20 side, the Makoanyane XI. Makepe was superb as the team’s captain and was one of the few Lesotho players to come out of the tournament with flying colours. He was strong in the tackle, good in the air and was rarely beaten in one-on-one situations. Makepe’s distribution was also calm and his covering was exemplary as well.

Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France)

The Nigeria leftback seems to be rediscovering himself after lull over the last couple of years at the French champions. The 26 year-old blessed with a venomous left foot scored a vital last minute winner away to Montpellier in a crucial Ligue 1 match earlier in April and then six days later scored the winner in the Coupe de la Ligue final against the same opponents, finding the net with a rare right-footed shot 10 minutes from time. Taiwo has reportedly agreed to join AC Milan on a free transfer at the end of the season and he gets in the team ahead of Everton’s Leighton Baines.

Yaya Toure (Manchester City, England)

A beast of a man and a consistent performer for Man City in April. Toure scored a prized winner for Man City against their bitter rivals Man United in the FA Cup semi-final to give the blue half of Manchester a chance for its first trophy since 1976. The Ivory Coast man has played further forward for Man City this season but he gets into the Dream Team at the base of the midfield.

Philani Khwela (SuperSport United, South Africa)

The best young playmaker in Africa? Maybe. Philani Khwela is a special player and he has the cerebral skills of a vintage playmaker, almost in the mould of Argentine Juan Sebastian Veron. Khwela is also a leader and, as captain, was head and shoulders South Africa’s best player at the recent Caf African Youth Championship. Khwela is yet to make a breakthrough at club level but he is a thrilling prospect.

Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool, England)

The man who never wears white boots gets into the team thanks to his outstanding displays for Liverpool in April. Kuyt is the ultimate team player and his commitment to the Liverpool cause has never wavered. But now playing upfront with Luis Suarez he is enjoying his football again. The Dutch international has scored nine goals since the turn of the year and is now just one goal away from his best goals return in a season for Liverpool. With this Dream Team looking rather lopsided towards attack Kuyt can always be counted on to make the hard yards for the team in addition to his goals.

Matthew Etherington (Stoke City, England)

Stoke City will play in their first ever FA Cup final on May 14 and that is mainly down to the left-winger’s form. Etherington was in devastating form in Stoke’s 5-0 semi-final win over Bolton scoring the opener and being a constant menace throughout. But it’s not just in the Cup where he’s shone, his league form, including a brilliant solo effort against Tottenham, has guaranteed Stoke’s survival. Etherington and Jermaine Pennant were arguably the best twin wing pairing in Europe during April.

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United, England)

Probably the best player in world football during the month of April, Wayne Rooney has found form at just the right time for Man United. He has been given more freedom in attack but at the same time acquired the added responsibility of being the link for United’s play. Rooney was particularly outstanding in United’s Champions League first leg win over Schalke. His form has been the main reason for United’s continued pursuit of the league and Champions League titles.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Spain)

Space has to be found for both Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney in this month’s team. To reach the levels of excellence Messi does, and on a consistent basis, is truly special. Messi has scored 52 goals this season and that probably says it all. Bolton’s Daniel Sturridge gets a special mention for his form in April but Messi’s Champions League moment of brilliance against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu seals his place. Messi completes this April Dream team and it would be interesting to see how it would perform in reality.

April World XI

Manuel Neuer

 Ignazio Abate   John Terry    Basia Makepe   Taye Taiwo

Yaya Toure    Philani Khwela

            Dirk Kuyt                      Wayne Rooney                 Matthew Etherington

Lionel Messi

Substitutes

Daniel Jousse (Bantu, Lesotho)

Robert Huth (Stoke City, England)

Dani Alves (Barcelona, Spain)

Frank Lampard (Chelsea, England)

Ryan Giggs (Manchester United, England)

Thulani Serero (Ajax Cape Town, South Africa)

Javier Hernandez (Manchester United, England)