Yacoob Cassim

Kaizer Chiefs has recruited an Angolan Soccer player to join the club during the Premier Soccer League (PSL) era, according to Kick Off Magazine. Portuguese born Angolan citizen Inacio Miguel has become the first ever soccer player from Angola to be recruited by a South African Soccer Club. The PSL has traditionally seen limited representation from Angolan players. While Angola has been relatively underrepresented, other Southern African countries have had notable players at Chiefs. Botswana has seen representation from Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Eswatini from Sibusiso ‘Spoko’ Dlamini, and Lesotho from Lekoane Lekoane. Malawi’s Patrick Mabedi and Mozambique’s Dove and Jossias Macamo have also contributed to the team’s diversity. Namibia provided players like Virgil Vries, Robert Nauseb, and Mohammed Ouseb, while Zambia has seen Lazarous Kambole, Lewis Macha, Rotson Kilambe, Aaron Lubunda, Songwe Chalwe, and Collins Mbesuma. Zimbabwe stands out with a substantial number of players, including Cleopas Dlodlo, Teenage Hadebe, Robson Muchichwa, Tinashe Nengomasha, Khama Billiat, Willard Katsande, Edmore Chirambadare, Michelle Katsvairo, Ovidy Karuru, Kingston Nkhatha, Matthew Rusike, and Lincoln Zvasiya. This extensive list also includes Jimmy Jambo, Knowledge Musona, Thomas Sweswe, Abbas Amidu, Onismor Bhashera, Kelvin Mushangazhike, Liberty Masunda, and Luke Petros Jukulile. Representation of players from South Africa’s neighbours in its soccer teams is all well and good but what should matter is talent. The soccer players mentioned in the extract above were clearly chosen on the basis of their merit and skill. They would not be where they are today without it. These players clearly came from poorer back grounds depending on their home countries. This means they had little to no prospects when they were recruited to join the soccer teams. The players would definitely jump at this opportunity when it was given to them. They would have more than made up for it on the soccer field. As it stands, they would have been subject to a tough vetting process. It can be noted South Africa has more opportunities in terms of soccer and other sports when it comes to attracting players from other parts of the southern African region. Meanwhile local South African players are seeking new opportunities abroad. An increase in demand for South African players abroad has signalled a much-needed beam of hope for domestic football as well as Bafana Bafana. The last two or three seasons have seen South African players become the point of discussions involving moves to either Europe or much more lucrative North African countries. The names of Bafana internationals like Siyabonga Ngezana, who moved to Romanian side Steaua Bucuresti at the start of last season, and Yaya Sithole (Gil Vicente, Portugal) spring to mind. The most recent ones have been the glittering duo of Khanyisa Mayo and Elias Mokwana, who opted for moves to CR Beloiuzdad (Algeria) and Esperance (Tunisia), respectively, following a trail blazed by another Bafana star Percy Tau all those years ago. The amount of soccer players flocking abroad for new opportunities such as the ones stated above shows that they no longer see greener pastures in South Africa. Some of the countries in question that they are moving to for their careers are not even the wealthiest. Romania and its soccer team Steaua Bucaresti for example do not exactly run in the wealthy circles. For those who have the ambition and talent its about getting new opportunities for them and their families. More money to provide back home. South Africa is well known for its enthusiasm for soccer. This is why so many international soccer clubs look to here apart from other nations such as Brazil, Mexico and others in Latin America, for new players. Being in professional soccer is not a long-term affair. (Percy) Tau’s return to Africa to join Egyptian giants Al Ahly from English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion was seen by many as a terrible career move as the country beckoned for another South African star to represent in arguably the biggest league in the world. Step up Lyle Forster, the Soweto-born striker who gave defenders all over that league nightmares in one-on-one duels, sprints and with his work inside the box, but was unable to save his Burnley from being relegated last season. Now having put his off-field mental health issues aside, he is rejuvenated and has already started to cause a stir in the Championship in England this season. While all of these events might be life-changing opportunities for the players concerned, they might also be pioneers for a new ‘golden generation’ in South African football. South African foot ball players are facing seduction from all sides. Their decision and desire to play for a different team depends on what incentives they are given. Percy Tau for example while it cannot be known what incentives could be offered to play for the Egyptian Soccer team Al Ahly, he must have been offered some thing by way of persuasion. Playing for a major national soccer team comes by way of having a lot of pressure on the athlete’s life. They face significant challenges both personally and professionally. Lyle Foster for example when we are referring to his mental issues, we should be weary of the risk that he could be at risk of suffering from depression. I hope among the incentives, soccer players are offered are a good health plan that includes a therapist. Sports including soccer is not easy it comes with its own risks that need to be dealt with on a professional level.

As Kaizer Chiefs Recruit Soccer player from Angola Local Players are taking their Careers abroad

Sports /

Kaizer Chiefs has recruited an Angolan Soccer player to join the club during the Premier Soccer League (PSL) era, according to Kick Off Magazine. Portuguese born Angolan citizen Inacio Miguel has become the first ever soccer player from Angola to be recruited by a South African Soccer Club. The PSL has traditionally seen limited representation […]

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Durban Business Woman admits to Collaboration with Construction Mafia

Durban Business Woman admits to Collaboration with Construction Mafia

Business /

Durban Business Woman and CEO of the Zikhulise Group Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize has admitted to working with the “construction mafia,” who are known for using violence and intimidation to extort money from business in the public work sector. Mkhize’s confession comes weeks after her name trended in relation to an assassination attempt on a SARS

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President Ramaphosa signs into Law Electricity Bill and Compact Health Bill

Business /

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill at the weekend, which is meant to create a competitive electricity market. The bill amends the Electricity Regulation act of 2006 to “open up pathways to greater competition and reduced energy costs; increase investment in new generation capacity to achieve energy security; establish

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Palestinian Parties Move to hold Washington Accountable for Genocide

Palestinian Parties Move to hold Washington Accountable for Genocide

Trending News /

As Israel continues this relentless genocide against the Palestinians with out thought for a reprieve, the Palestinian factions condemned the brutal massacre committed by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) after bombing the Mustafa Hafez School. The school which housed hundreds of displaced families west of Gaza City. Hamas and its allies will be holding the

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South Africa continues to pursue new Industrialization along side BRICS Partners

Business /

South Africa has made a new commitment to industrialize, re-industrialize, transform and establish a capable state through economic growth based on constitutional principles aimed at building a better future for all. This was the message given by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) Parks Tau on Friday, during his virtual participation in the eight

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South Africa Coach has ambition for Proteas to grow and move closer to WTC Final

South Africa Coach has ambition for Proteas to grow and move closer to WTC Final

Sports /

The Proteas Cricket Coach Shukri Conrad said that South Africa’s national cricket team have the belief of making their way through to the final of the World Test Championship 2023-2025 at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. On Saturday, the Proteas won their Test series 1-0 against the West Indies after winning the second test by 40

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Expired Food confiscated in Phoenix while Monkey Pox is on the Rise

Food /

In Phoenix, north of Durban, the city’s Metro police conducted an operation to ensure business compliance. Durban metro police spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu, said yesterday in a concerted effort to maintain order and safety with in our community, City teams, including the Durban Metro Police and the South African Police Service and other departments. The

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Palestinian Representative calls for Sanction on Israel While IDF in Gaza uses Civilians as human shields

Trending News /

The war in the Gaza Strip continues to be waged with relentless cruelty. Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour to the United Nations, urged the Security Council on Tuesday to impose sanctions on the Zionist state of Israel amid its ongoing deadly attacks on civilians across Gaza. “Israel continues taking human lives and every action possible to

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South Africa Hosts Zimbabwe Opposition Leader

South Africa Hosts Zimbabwe Opposition Leader

Trending News /

South Africa has hosted the former leader of Zimbabwe’s opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change party, Nelson Chamisa. The still active opposition politician has warned against calls for Zimbabweans living in South Africa to return home and participate in the country’s elections, referring to the notion as “futile” and a return to “hell”. This sharp response

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