The World XI - May

Captain Fantastic

It’s that time again… early in the month when the birds’ morning chirp still sounds pleasant because debts have been paid, the fridge is stocked and Mocha-o-chele airtime seems that little bit cheaper. It’s also a time to reveal our tenth wonder of the world, the steroid-pumping Loch Ness monster we like to call the Molapo Sports Centre Dream Team – where wearing white boots doesn’t guarantee you a place.

Sam Ketsekile (LCS)

Ketsekile saved a penalty in a 1-0 victory over Matlama at the Setsoto Stadium in the second to last game of the season, and it is possibly in that very moment that LCS won the Lesotho Premier League. Ketsekile was superb again on the final day of the season dealing with a barrage from LDF, as Masheshena held on for title clinching 1-1 draw with their closest rivals. Lesotho’s national team Likuena is returning next year after a three-year hiatus and Ketsekile has put up his hands in the race to be first choice goalkeeper. His performance is more noteworthy considering he spent last season either warming the bench or being labelled a major liability whenever he played. Now Ketsekile is the undisputed number one at LCS

Cristian Zapata (Udinese)

Barcelona’s Dani Alves has been knocking loudly at this rightback door for the past three months. Although Alves is the rightback of the season, his pleas for entry into the May Squad have been ignored. Instead the place goes to Udinese’s Colombian hardman Cristian Zapata. Udinese have arguably been the story of the Serie A surging in the final month of the season to qualify for the Uefa Champions League. That was largely thanks to a crucial 2-1 win over Lazio at the start of May, a match in which Zapata did his job admirably, and a win which ultimately enabled Udinese to finish above Lazio in fourth spot on goal difference. There are other players who have caught the eye for Udinese. Antonio Di Natale’s feats at club level for Udinese over the past four seasons, as captain, have been almost Diego Maradona-esque. There is also hotshot Alexis Sanchez and Ghana’s Kwadwo Asamoah. Zapata gets the nod though… he is just a mean-looking defender.

Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)

Man City’s captain fantastic for the final few weeks, and their rock in defence. Even though Carlos Tevez periodically returned to do his thing during the final of the season Kompany was the true leader of City’s push to FA Cup success and Champions League qualification. Kompany was imperious in the vital 1-0 win over Spurs and again in the FA Cup final against Stoke City. The Belgian international is more than fulfilling the talent that was so much talked about when he emerged at Anderlecht. He is powerful, quick, good on the ball and very cool – all the attributes that make Kompany, without a shadow of doubt, one of the top five central defenders in world football.

Aurelien Chedjou (Lille)

Lille clinched the French league and cup double in May to cap a truly memorable season. Rudi Garcia’s charges have had so many stars this season, stars that have contributed to their success and almost childlike attacking play – a breath fresh of air in a French Ligue 1 that has in recent seasons embraced the more defensive arts of football. Ivory Coast wunderkind Gervinho, Senegal’s Moussa Sow, Eden Hazard and Yohan Cabaye have all been amazing this season. But although attack wins games, it is defence that wins championships and Cameroon defender Aurelien Chedjou’s partnership with French international Adil Rami at the heart of defence has been quietly impressive.

Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund)

Everyone loves an attacking leftback, it’s the fantasy that was forged by many an adventurous leftback in the past and cemented by the legendary Roberto Carlos. Borussia Dortmund’s Schmelzer is one such leftback and his adventure has been one of the keys to Dortmund’s unexpected yet stylish Bundesliga triumph. He also made strides on the international scene winning two Germany caps. Schmelzer has also intermittently been linked with a move to Barcelona through this past season, which probably says all you need to know about Schmelzer.

Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates)

Andile Jali has been immense in Pirates’ record-breaking season. In May the Buccaneers clinched the ABSA Premiership and Nedbank Cup crowns to go with their MTN Supa 8 triumph to clinch an unprecedented Treble. Astonishingly Pirates also played the full competitive calendar in South African, losing to Kaizer Chiefs in the Telkom Knockout final, a feat unlikely to be repeated anytime soon. Jali has been a mainstay. Although his form dipped slightly at the turn of the year he returned full force for the final push. Came up with a moment of magic in the Nedbank Cup semi-final against Mpumalanga Black Aces when the lottery of penalties was looking like a distinct possibility and shone brightly in May. Jali’s physical abilities are phenomenal and slowly they are being supplemented by great decision making. A very special mention goes to Porto’s Fredy Guarin, a wonderful midfielder – powerful and skilful – and surely one of the best on the planet.

Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)

Andres Iniesta is arguably the ultimate big match player out there. He just always performs on the big stage when it really matters. He was superb for Spain against Germany in the Euro 2008 final, he was the difference in the 2009 Rome Champions League final and scored the winner in the 2010 Fifa World Cup final. Iniesta added another chapter to his divine greatness in this season’s Champions League final. Apart from Lionel Messi there is no better footballer on the planet than Andres Iniesta, and even that, in pure footballing terms is arguable…

Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)

Didn’t have the best of games in the Champions League final and looked overawed, but Valencia scrapes in on the right-wing because he was a major reason United got to the final in the first place. His return from injury was incredibly timely and Valencia was an amazing out-and-out cutting edge weapon on the right. He completely destroyed Ashley Cole in the United/Chelsea decider and always gave United a never-ending out-ball whenever he played. Pity Valencia never really took on Eric Abidal, like he is capable, in the final.

Hulk (Porto)

At times he did as he pleased against Braga in Porto’s Europa League final win and has been outstanding in the Portuguese side’s record-breaking season. Sometimes he looks too good for his opponents and with all due respect to the Superliga Hulk may need to move to a more high-profile league. He has everything required in modern football, speed, power and that Brazilian Samba. Usually plays on the right for Porto but he simply has to play for the May Dream Team, and that’s not just because of his name…



Litšepe Marabe (Matlama)

Apart from that missed penalty against LCS Marabe was all but flawless. Stylish and extremely confident on the ball, in full flow Marabe is a wonderful sight to behold. He is another who is beginning to look too good for his league. Marabe was the thorn that popped Bantu’s title dream when Matlama won 2-1 in Mafeteng, the Makoanyane XI starlet tormented A Matšo Matebele all afternoon and scored the decisive goal.

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

The undisputed King of Football gets into the team of the month again, despite protestations from the board of directors. They say it’s unfair, how can a player be picked for consecutive months they say… but world-class doesn’t even begin to describe Lionel Messi, he is out of this world. The Uefa Champions League final is the biggest stage in world football and if you shine on it, you’ve done enough. This month Messi gets into the team ahead of several star performers – Porto’s Falcao who scored a wonderful winner in the Europa League final, Udinese hero Di Natale, Lille hitman Moussa Sow and Real Madrid’s goal-fiend Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi not only moonwalks into the May Dream Team, but he captains the side… we need his celestial inspiration.

Coach: André Villas-Boas (Porto)
Villas-Boas is now the most wanted manager in football after his feats with Porto this season. It was a remarkable campaign. Many would have thought Jose Mourinho’s remarkable records would never be broken, but not only did Villas-Boas smash them, he did it in consummate style.

            World XI - May   

        Ketsekile

          Zapata         Kompany     Chedjou       Schmelzer

       Jali    Iniesta

    Valencia          Marabe            Hulk

         Messi ©

Substitutes

Maarten Stekelenberg (Ajax Amsterdam)

Gerard Pique (Barcelona)

Rolando (Porto)

Jamie O’Hara (Wolves)

Luka Modric (Tottenham)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Antonio Di Natale (Udinese)