I hope the festive season was filled with blessings and happiness and that you are all back in one piece, ready and raring to go all out at 2009 which somehow seem to be divine.
The second round of the domestic football season started on the 7th and 11th of January and as has been the case in recent seasons it started without a glitch. Well done to the organizers and management of the PSL.
The markets might be in recession but the PSL was definitely not on the same boat as the markets on the opening day of the second round.
Due to the mid-season break there wasn’t too much happening in the PSL with regards to news and transfers, with the only notable transfers being that of Katlego Mashego from Supersport to Pirates, Zito from Cluj to Chiefs, Abia Nale from Arrows to Chiefs, Jabu Mahlangu from Osters to Platinum Stars and Lerato Chabangu allegedly signing a pre contract with Supersport.
Prior to the break Ajax defeated Pirates 1-o in the TKO Final with Mabhuti Khenyeza proving to be the difference between a Pirates victory and a Ajax loss.
On the international front the football hierarchy (FIFA), stakeholders, managers flooded to South Africa in November for the 2009 Confederations Cup draw and once again South Africa displayed its sense of hospitality and humanity. The draw coincided with the Miss World pageant which was also hosted in Jo’burg, what a show it was, filled with glitz and glam! Personally I believe that the two events were a true reflection of what SA is capable of; the ability to host the biggest in the events in the world, albeit at the 11th hour as was the case with the Miss World show. Next up should be the Olympic Games in 2024.
The draw for the Confed Cup was favourable to the host nation, with SA pitted against Iraq, New Zealand, and Spain in group A. Brazil, Italy, USA and Egypt in group B complete the eight-nation tournament widely regarded as the dress rehearsal for the World Cup. Without sounding too arrogant, SA can win group A and at the very least bow out at the semi-final stages. In a nutshell, I’m saying that South Africa will either reach the final or lose in the final.
Still on FIFA related matters, the FIFA World Player of the Year was announced on the 12th of January 2009 at a glittering function in Zurich, Switzerland, where the who’s who of the football world met to witness Christiano Ronaldo being crowned the best player in the world, not that it wasn’t expected! Ronaldo was the most prolific and consistent player in the world last year, having led the Manchester United attack to the Champions League, Premiership and the Club World Cup glory during the past season. It’s not often that you hear of a player scoring 42 goals in one season at his age, not in South Africa atleast! He deserves all the accolades that are bestowed on him now!
2009 is the year in which South Africa and, indeed, the whole African continent welcome the world to our shores to experience the greatest event in the world, the FIFA WORLD CUP.
May you enjoy our beautiful country and continent! Witness Africa’s humanity whilst watching this great spectacle of 32 nations from all the continents.
Tjovorove!
Signed and sealed
Chicco’chiccoslav chiccovskivich’ kgoete
