Beckham to South Africa

The following piece is an unreleased track. It was written in March this year. Enjoy.

Becks to South Africa? It could have happened...

David Beckham is football’s leading celebrity, so when news broke late last year that he was leaving America’s Major League Soccer (MLS) and looking for a new home it was naturally a pretty big deal.

Everyone, from China to Paris, was speculated to be the final “adventure” in the English star’s celebrated career.

Amongst the hullabaloo appeared a story linking Beckham with South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs. According to English tabloid The Sun, Chiefs would offer Beckham R2.5-million a month to move to Naturena.

           

In his article, The Sun’s Stephen Moyes wrote: “Beckham is at the centre of a £12 million (R170 million) global tug-of-war. Big-money clubs in China, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, America and France are now ready to break the bank to get the ex-England skipper.”

“Chinese football giants Shanghai Shenhua are said to be willing to pay Becks more than £350,000 (R4.9-million) a week. But they face competition from Aussie clubs Melbourne Hearts and Adelaide United, France’s Paris Saint-Germain, Brazil’s Botafogo, South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs and the New York Cosmos.”

Although Chiefs manager Bobby Motaung was swift to deny the rumours, he admitted: “It would certainly be good for the (Kaizer Chiefs) brand and good for the PSL to have a player like him come to South Africa. It would raise the stature of the league overseas and raise the profile of the game in this country.”

“If we talk about building a brand and a global audience then these types of players give you that opportunity,” Motaung added.

Beckham has since joined Paris Saint-Germain, but the episode is none-the-less significant because it is an indication of the Premier Soccer League’s potential and a clue that it is not yet being fully exploited.

The fact a star of Beckham’s stature was linked with the PSL shows where it has come to be one of the world’s best run and most profitable domestic leagues, but more importantly where it can go.

Since the 2010 World Cup the country’s global reputation has swelled, quickening the evolution of the PSL into a competitive product.

South Africa’s top league now offers the best salaries on the continent, competitive enough for the country’s top stars to return from abroad or choose to stay at home in the first place. Benni McCarthy, a Uefa Champions League winner, and Delron Buckley have both returned home instead of seeking one last big contract elsewhere. In December the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates was broadcast to a worldwide audience for the first time; telecast in the Caribbean, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and the United States via the ESPN platform which represents 79 million homes.

Benni was in the 18-area

Considering this excellent progress it is somewhat of a mystery why world-renowned footballers haven’t been lured to the country.

Recently players such as former Manchester United striker Louis Saha and Zambia’s star winger Rainford Kalaba have been linked with moves to the PSL but both deals, disappointingly, fell through.

The question is why.

Certainly, as Motaung pointed out, these players would add value to the league and help to elevate it into the company of the world’s most respected leagues. The PSL is undoubtedly favourably blessed with both intangible and tangible elements – South Africa is a beautiful country and pleasant place to live while players have access to top-class facilities and coaching.

So, could it be the league isn’t aware of its own possibilities?

A number of leagues around the world comparable in status with the PSL have devised strategies to boost their global profile. One is the targeting of “marquee players”.

The MLS, for example, allows for clubs to have a specially designed deal with a superstar, even if it exceeds the salary cap. This allowance, which in Beckham’s case was partly facilitated by the league, has seen the likes of Thierry Henry arrive on big contracts over the years.

Australia’s A-League, which has a similar salary cap system to the US, also allows for marquee players. Sydney FC recently signed Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero while former England international Emile Heskey joined the Newcastle Jets.

Each league has consequently seen a boost, at least in international media interest.

In the US, which has had the system since 1996, there is a more measurable effect. The MLS is much stronger while the national team has become a formidable opponent. The increased credibility of the MLS has also resulted in more American talent moving to bigger leagues abroad, further strengthening the country’s football.

And, thanks in part to Beckham, average attendances across the league rose from 15,500 per match in 2006 to 18,800 last season.

It is these little things the PSL can copy as it seeks to reach the next level. For one, the PSL still suffers from low attendances (7,120 last season). Yes, there isn’t a culture of going to stadiums and, yes, teams have to work much harder to entice fans to games but having star players would help.

Having such marquee players, like Beckham or Henry, would also enhance the quality of the league which is sometimes questioned and exposed on the big stage such as the most recent Soweto Derby.

There is definitely the means within the league to afford one or two such players and it seemed things were headed that way with the Vodacom Challenge, which lured Manchester United, and Patrice Motsepe enticing Barcelona to South Africa for a friendly against Sundowns in 2007. The next step would be to see a Didier Drogba playing in the PSL.

Didier Drogba to the PSL...
A Dream

In this sense South Africa could be a leader on an African continent with the potential to be a world-power but that hasn’t quite found a way to be accepted into the big dance. There are nations with the means to attract the world’s best, north Africa and Angola for example. Perhaps they too would follow suit in attracting the type of elite quality that would go some way to putting Africa on par with the best in the world.

Certainly, in terms of the PSL’s potential, we are only still scratching the surface.

A new era for Barcelona

It’s official. It’s a new era for Barcelona.

Tito Vilanova’s departure represents a true cutting of the Pep Guardiola umbilical cord.

Yes, it was supposed to be so when Guardiola left Barcelona last year. But, now it is official. A new direction is coming.

#animstito
Tito Vilanova

First off, all wishes are with Vilanova as he once again battles cancer.

His exit as Barcelona coach, due to ill-health, was announced by club president, Sandro Rosell, at an emotional press conference on Friday evening.

Vilanova needs further treatment for the throat cancer he was first diagnosed with in late 2011. This is his second relapse. In December he had an operation before undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy in New York.

After missing two months of the season, Vilanova returned to the dugout in April guiding Barcelona over the finish line as they claimed the La Liga title – and in the process becoming only the second team after Real Madrid to reach 100 points in a campaign.

However, with his health not improving Vilanova will not be returning to defend the title.

Though Vilanova’s health struggles have always been known, this is still a traumatic moment for a club that doesn’t want to be defined by the Guardiola era.

Not a lot needs to be changed and this is a mistake Barcelona shouldn’t make.

But Barça do need to focus on hiring a long-term replacement and moving to their next chapter.

Despite reservations when he was appointment, Vilanova was undeniably on his way to creating his own legend but his untimely illness took that away for him and Barcelona. 

In his absence the importance of a coach, even for Barcelona, was clear and in the two months without Vilanova the side looked distinctly human.

So, hiring a replacement is not a straightforward decision. Barcelona wants to continue its Barça-DNA mantra and would prefer to again promote from within but similarly they need an established coach.

Winning has become routine at Barcelona

There are many reasons for this.

For example, Barcelona have just signed Neymar. They need a coach who will be able utilise the young Brazilian talent well and also manage all that comes with a star-studded dressing room.

The new Barcelona coach also still needs to make adjustments to the defence, presumably in the form of new signings.

And most importantly, the club needs a coach with sound tactical knowledge. It had become everyone’s favourite claim: “Anybody can manage, what, with Messi et al”. However, it was evident in that two months under Jordi Roura last season that this isn’t so.

Yes, they were distracted, but at times Barcelona were tactically inept. Perhaps this was most visible in the Champions League 2-0 loss to AC Milan at the San Siro when Barça didn’t have a plan beyond A, despite their dominance of the game.

Speaking of a plan B, Barcelona’s new coach has to find one – and one which doesn’t offend the Barcelona purists.

Purists shouldn’t forget, however: Barcelona have been successful in the past with a Samuel Eto’o – and a David Villa later – and having a direct attacking threat. They have the tools now, with Neymar and Cristian Tello, to add the penetration they didn’t show in the second half of last season.

The coach faces the challenge, as well, of keeping Barcelona at the top of the food chain.

Real Madrid will be stronger in La Liga this season and they will spend to win – as they always do.

In Europe, Bayern Munich have proved they are the business. Madrid will be strong. Chelsea under Jose Mourinho can only grow and improve. And PSG, with their money trees, have emerged as a genuine contender thanks to their signings and last season’s Champions League performance.

Luis Enrique is the man favoured to take over at the Nou Camp. As a player he enjoyed legendary status at Barcelona playing 300 games for the club after joining from Real Madrid in 1996. His first coaching job was with Barcelona B, when he took over in June 2008 after Guardiola was promoted to the first team.

All in Barca...

He immediately masterminded Barcelona B’s to a return to the Spanish Second Division for the first time in more than a decade. After three years, he left for Roma but experienced a largely tumultuous 2011/12 season in the Italian capital and left with a year remaining on his deal.

Now Celta Vigo coach, Enrique still represents a figure that will command respect. Gerardo Martino, coach of the Argentine side Newell’s Old Boys, and Swansea boss and former Barcelona star, Michael Laudrup, are also said to be candidates.

But, whoever comes in, this is a big decision.

This would have sounded insane two years ago… but Barcelona’s seat at the table with the world’s best depends on it.

Lesotho’s Cosafa Cup fairytale comes to an end

Lesotho’s run at the Cosafa Cup has come to an end after yesterday’s 2-1 semi-final defeat to Zimbabwe. It was a match Lesotho could have won, but a sleepy ten minute spell in the first half cost Likuena.

End of the road for Likuena...

In the end Lesotho will have to settle for a third-place playoff against South Africa on Saturday.

The game against Bafana, at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, will kick-off at 13:00 as a curtain-raiser to the final between hosts Zambia and defending champions Zimbabwe.

It has been a tournament of pleasing improvements for Lesotho. Certainly, Leslie Notši’s team has shown greater attacking intent and maturity. However, the defence has looked shaky throughout and this was Lesotho’s downfall against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe’s first goal in particular was too easy. Warriors striker Tendai Ndoro was allowed to easily receive the ball in the box from a long-throw before he effortlessly turned his marker and fired past Kholuoe Phasumane. Those are the sort of goals which take the wind out of the sails and give confidence to the opposition.

Ten minutes later Zimbabwe right-back Eric Chipeta was afforded time and space to get a cross in; the defence failed to deal with it and Ndoro was quickest to react, nipping in front of Nkau Lerotholi to slot home.

Lesotho had taken the lead in the fourth minute after good build-up play ended with Motlalepula Mofolo tapping in Thapelo Tale’s well-placed cross. Likuena showed confidence and were on top for the opening ten minutes. But perhaps overconfidence crept in. Too many passes were misplaced and that allowed Zimbabwe possession and a way back into the game when Lesotho could have grabbed it by its horns.

Zimbabwe were also physically far superior and this is another area for improvement for Lesotho. The Warriors were faster and, in close quarters, repeatedly out-muscled Lesotho which flustered Likuena.

With Zimbabwe not playing particularly well themselves the upshot was a game devoid of quality and rhythm. This is why Lesotho was unable to build any sustained pressure when pressing for an equaliser in the second half.

As stated, there were positives for Lesotho. The return of playmaker Bushy Moletsane greatly improved the team’s creativity. The result has been nine goals in five games when Lesotho hadn’t scored in three previous games.

Upfront Tale has added greater bite to Lesotho’s attack with his pace and excellent work-rate. Wingers Katleho Moleko and Litsepe Marabe also showed invention in spurts while Lioli youngster Tšepo Seturumane, in his brief cameos, proved he is indeed one for the future.

Goodbye Cosafa!
Jeremia Kamela (left), Basia Makepe and Lehlomela Ramabele

However, after playing four games in a week, Notši said fatigue had finally caught up with Likuena.

“It was a lapse of concentration and fatigue that saw us lose,” Notši said. “After we conceded the equaliser we lost composure but in the second half we really put on a good show and I am proud of my boys.”

Win or lose against South Africa, Likuena will return home on Sunday with the nation hoping they can build on their promising 2013 Cosafa Cup showing.

Teams

Lesotho (4-2-3-1): Kholuoe Phasumane – Thabo Masualle, Moitheri Ntobo, Nkau Lerotholi, Jeremia Kamela – Ralekoti Mokhahlane, Motlalepula Mofolo (Tšoanelo Koetle 48’) – Katleho Moleko,  Bushy Moletsane (Mabuti Potloane 74’), Litsepe Marabe ( Lehlomela Ramabele 38’) – Thapelo Tale

Zimbabwe: M. Nyamupanedengu, E. Chipeta, O. Mushure, P. Matizanadzo, F. Chindungwe, D. Chafa, R. Chitiyo (L. Chibwiro 71’), M. Mambare, T. Ndoro, C. Sibanda, S. Songani (N. Alifandika 58’)

Lesotho through to Cosafa Cup semi-finals

Lesotho        1

Angola         1

(Lesotho wins 5-3 on penalties)

Kitwe, Zambia

Lesotho is through to the Cosafa Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2000 after a penalty shootout win over Angola today. Likuena, in truth, should have wrapped the game up a lot earlier. but poor finishing let them down.

Thankfully, though, Leslie Notši’s side held their nerve in the shootout to seal a highly enjoyable win.

Lesotho goal-scorer Thapelo Tale battles with Angola's
Antonio Nzayinawo

Lesotho will now face Zimbabwe next. However, along with sweating over the fitness of attacking duo Thapelo Tale and Litsepe Marabe, Notši has a strike-force to fix over the next two days.

That was the main storyline of today’s game unfortunately taking some of the gloss off what was a pleasingly assured performance by Lesotho.

The prolificacy in front of goal started as early as the 11th minute when Motlalepula Mofolo, with time and space, volleyed straight at the keeper.

Inevitably (as is the football gods’ way) Angola took the lead on 24 minutes, against the run of play, when Cristovao Paciencia hit a long-range stunner after a miscue by Nkau Lerotholi. The defender’s uncharacteristic error was characteristic of Likuena’s sloppy start filled with misplaced passes and heavy touches.

Lesotho recovered well, through, and that was undoubtedly due to the confidence gained from their super 3-all comeback against Botswana and the seven goals scored in three group games. The midfield, marshalled by Ralekoti Mokhahlane and Mofolo, began to grab a foothold of the game and wingers Litšepe Marabe and Katleho Moleko found life.

Although Lesotho were out-powered physically, by keeping the ball better they began to nullify this disadvantage and Bushy Moletsane’s 30th minute snap shot on was a sign of the changing tide.

Lesotho was rewarded in the 42nd minute when Moleko, who had been Lesotho’s most enterprising player, skilfully drifted infield and his through ball was tucked in by Thapelo Tale.

The timing goal changed the psychology of the game.

After the break Lesotho were mightily assured, stroking the ball around with confidence and patience. This retreated Angola into a shell, making their physicality in the final third a less of a threat.

Tale had two glorious chances, hitting the crossbar with one, before his replacement Lehlomela Ramabele did the same with virtually the last kick of the game.

That Lesotho found their shooting boots in the penalty shootout shouldn’t distract from the hard work that needs to be done on finishing, not just by Likuena over the next couple of days, but here at home.

Lesotho’s impressive showing at this Cosafa Cup is maybe a sign Notši’s vision is coming together. Perhaps this tournament will give impetus to his plans.

Consider this: today’s match was Lesotho’s seventh this year, the most since 2009. It’s fair to say some of Lesotho rusty performances since Notši took over in 2011 are down to the fact his players don’t play enough games together as a national team and at club level.

Last year Lesotho had four competitive internationals, in 2011 it was two.

This year, however, been two World Cup qualifiers (Zambia and Ghana), a high-profile friendly against South Africa and four games here in Zambia. It’s the kind of quality practice Notši hasn’t been afforded since taking over charge of the team, the kind of run that gives a coach a chance to build his team.

Hopefully, then, there can be more matches for Likuena to play. It’s vital.

My ball!
Likuena's Thabo Masualle and Angola's Mario Manuel de Oliveira

For now the focus is the Cosafa Cup and carrying this run as far as possible.

This is now Lesotho’s best performance in the tournament since 2000 when Lesotho reached the final before losing to Zimbabwe. On Wednesday Zimbabwe will again stand in the way of a possible Lesotho fairytale… but this is 2013!

Cosafa Cup semi-finals

Wednesday, 17 July

Zimbabwe v Lesotho (17:00)

South Africa v Zambia (20:00)

2013 Cosafa Cup - Fixtures & Results

The 2013 Cosafa Cup takes place in Zambia from July 6 to 20 with 13 teams participating after the withdrawal of guest nations Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea.

There are three host cities for the regional tournament – Lusaka, Kitwe and Ndola with matches taking place at four stadiums: Nkoloma Stadium (Lusaka), Nkana Stadium (Kitwe), Arthur Davies Stadium (Kitwe) and Levy Mwanawasa Stadium (Ndola).

Teams

The teams participating in the 2013 Cosafa Cup are: Angola, Botswana, Kenya (guest nation), Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia (hosts) and Zimbabwe (holders).

Seven teams have been divided into two groups as follows:

Group A – Namibia, Mauritius, Seychelles

Group B – Kenya, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland

The two group winners will join Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi and Angola who have been given byes into the quarter-finals.

Fixtures and Results

Group Stage

Group A

6 July - Namibia 2-1 Mauritius

8 July - Namibia 4-2 Seychelles

10 July - Mauritius 4-0 Seychelles

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Namibia	2	2	0	0	6	3	3	6
2	Mauritius	2	1	0	2	5	1	4	3
3	Seychelles	2	0	0	2	2	8	-6	0

Group B

7 July - Botswana 0-0 Swaziland 

8 July - Kenya 2-2 Lesotho

9 July - Kenya 2-0 Swaziland

9 July - Lesotho 3-3 Botswana

11 July - Kenya 1-2 Botswana

11 July - Lesotho 2-0 Swaziland

		P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Lesotho	3	1	2	0	7	5	2	5
2	Botswana	3	1	2	0	5	4	1	5
3	Kenya	3	1	1	1	5	4	1	4
4	Swaziland	3	0	1	2	0	4	-4	1

Quarter-finals

13 July - Zimbabwe 1-1 Malawi (Zimbabwe wins 3-1 on penalties)

13 July - South Africa 2-1 Namibia

14 July - Angola 1-1 Lesotho (Lesotho wins 5-3 on penalties)

14 July - Zambia 3-1 Mozambique 

Plate Section
Semi-finals

16 July - Malawi 2-3 Angola

16 July - Namibia 0-1 Mozambique
Final
18 July - Mozambique 1-0 Angola

Semi-finals

17 July: Zimbabwe 2-1 Lesotho 

17 July: South Africa 0-0 Zambia (Zambia wins 5-3 on penalties)

Third-place playoff

20 July

South Africa 2-1 Lesotho

Final

20 July
Zambia 2-0 Zimbabwe

Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola

The Main Prize

Cosafa Cup Facts

Founded: 1997

Most wins: 4 - Zimbabwe (2000, 2003, 2005 and 2009)

Other winners:

Zambia - 1997, 1998, 2006

Angola - 1999, 2001, 2004

South Africa - 2002, 2007, 2008

Information from the Zambian FA was used.