Tag Archives: Bidvest Wits

PSL Title Race: Who Has The Edge In This Round Of PSL Games? [14 August]

The race for the PSL title is heating up.  With only a half dozen games to go every point matters. Who goes into this weekend with the upper hand? Be it a favourable fixture, injuries, or form.

Highlands Parks v Mamelodi Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns come up against Highlands Park tonight. Highlands Park coach Owen Da Gama has stated publicly that his team is not prepared to face Sundowns. Is he playing a Pitsoeque Jedi mind trick or is he simply telling the truth?

Sundowns will be without rights backs Thapelo Morena and Anele Ngcongca through injury. The Brazilians have not lost a competitive match to the Lions of the North but this won’t be an easy game. Highlands Park have talented players and are well-coached too. 

Polokwane City v Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs play Polokwane City tomorrow afternoon. City is 14th on the table, level on points with 15th placed Amazulu. Chiefs will know their draw with Bidvest Wits during the week should have been a win. They may take out their frustrations on poor Polokwane City. 

Ernst Middendorp and Itu Khune don’t seem to be getting along but Daniel Akpeyi has been doing a good job as Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper. Their main concerns lie with Leonardo Castro’s health


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Orlando Pirates v Bidvest Wits

The team that loses this game kisses PSL title race goodbye. A draw will have both teams being left behind in the last sprint to the championship. Orlando Pirates are coming off a dull draw with Sundowns during the week, Bidvest Wits also drew their first PSL game back from lockdown but their game had a bit more spice to it. 

Both teams may be a little bit too far behind Chiefs and Sundowns at this stage but, if any of the two could string together a run of wins it would change the whole complexion of the PSL title race.

Pirates will still be without suspended Justin Shonga and Thembinkosi Lorch whilst we don’t know if Thabang Monare will start of WIts. 

Who Has The Edge In This Round Of PSL Games?

The team with the biggest upside going to into this weekends games is Kaizer Chiefs. They do have concerns over the health of a key player but they have the easiest fixture. Polokwane City are proficient in conceding goals. They have the third-worst defensive record in the league. No game is ever a walk-over in the Premiership but I like Kaizer Chief’s chances. 

The Title Is Now Truly In Kaizer Chiefs Hands, Will They Grab It?

Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates played to a goalless draw in the return of PSL last night. The result puts Kaizer Chiefs firmly in the pole position to win the title but, will they be to capitalize? 

The game was boring. It had little goal-mouth action but big implications in the PSL championship race. Mamelodi Sundowns went into the game four points behind Kaizer Chiefs with a game in hand.  They are now three points adrift the log leaders with the same amount of matches played.

When Pitso Mosimane said it’s Kaizer Chiefs’ title to lose last week, he was trolling. As of today, the statement is 100% accurate. Even though this isn’t a result he would have wanted, Pitso Mosimane is a glass half full type of guy, “Ja, a game of two halves for us, we were much better in the first-half, second-half we have to give it to Orlando Pirates, let’s be honest and they missed two chances to be honest. Okay, we had one [chance] but not really convincing,” Mosimane told SuperSport TV.


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“The second-half they took it, you could see they were much stronger, much fresher than us in the second-half. We survived a bit, Mosa [Lebusa] calf [injury], you know. But it’s okay, it’s a good point, we’ll take a point. We’re playing Orlando Pirates remember?”

Kaizer Chiefs come up against Bidvest Wits tonight. Wits are coming off a loss against Sundowns over the weekend in the Nedbank Cup semi-final. Gavin Hunt and his men who are now mostly playing for pride, won’t be a pushover. 

I can never predict how a team is going to play after a five months lay-off but if Chiefs play anything like they did before the lockdown, then they are toast. Amakhosi, however, have the advantage of not having played a game last weekend and have a three-point buffer. It’s Kaizer Chiefs title to lose. 

By @cheezfootball (the greatest footy journo on the internet)


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Who Needs To Win This Game More, Mosimane or Hunt?

Tomorrow sees the return of South African football with the semi-final of the Nedbank Cup. As much as I would like to act like I care about the first semi-final between Baroka and Bloemfontein Celtic, the truth is I don’t and you probably don’t too. The game we are both interested in is Mamelodi Sundowns versus Bidvest Wits. Pitso Mosimane versus Gavin Hunt. The infamous spenders versus the now, infamous sellers. 

In the run-up to Saturday’s clash, Gavin Hunt has been saying all the cliche politically correct things a person who is about to be jobless in a month would say:

“It is important for us as professionals to finish as professionals and do a proper job,” said Hunt.

“Let us treat the game with respect. It will be difficult because we have so much to deal with. We will show professionalism until the end.

“It is not only the physical but also psychological issues we have to deal with.”


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Pitso Mosimane: ‘Wits priority Nedbank Cup not league’


Pitso Mosimane kept to his style of 10% complementing the opponent, and 90% playing mind games. 

“We have a big game against Wits and if you listen to their statements they’re saying that they want to go out in style,” said Mosimane.

“Wits’ players and coaches have a lot of incentives to win the cup and that’s why they’ve prioritized the Nedbank Cup.

“Over the last few days, they have only spoken about the Cup. It gives me an indication that the league is not a priority,” he added. “I am not talking on their behalf but just talking about what they have said.”

Bidvest Wits, in the public sphere, have turned into a club that everybody is feeling sorry for. Their sale came out of nowhere and no one at the club, except for the owners, knew about it or even expected it. It’s a sad way for a club that has been in the league for so long to go out.  But, and the great poet Tupa Shakur once said ‘Life Goes On’.  There is a football game that needs to be played.

Who needs to win this game more? 

Wits want to go out with a bang. The pride of the players and the coach is a stake. They are definitely going to bring the game to Sundowns. Downs have their own reasons as to why they’d like a place in the Nedbank Cup final. They are on the march for a domestic treble. They have already clinched the Telkom Knockout and they are still very much in the league race. 

With a game where both teams have about the same amount of quality, it will boil down to desire. I think Wits want this game more than Sundowns. Mosimane, like Hunt, would love to win the Nedbank Cup, but Jingles has bigger fish to fry in the Absa Premiership.

By @cheezfootball (the greatest footy journo on the internet)

Top 10 Defenders In The Absa Premiership This Season [2019/20]

After a four and a half month layoff, local soccer will return on the 8th of August. I, @cheezfootball, will be ranking players in every position. Today I will begin with ranking the best defenders of the season so far. 

10. Tebogo Langerman (Mamelodi Sundowns)

One of the most consistent fullbacks in the league for so many years.  It’s a shame how Tebogo Langerman has been overlooked for the national team. He can cross the ball. Langerman isn’t the quickest and I hate it when he takes shots at goal from seven kilometers away but he is an offensive threat.

9. Clayton Daniels (Supersport United)

Daniels at 36, has aged well like wine. Not the Four Cousins type but the type to make it to the Woolworths wine section. This year he played a key role in Supersport United’s MTN 8 triumph. He is strong, wily, and has a good positional sense. Daniels does have the habit of diving into tackles. This gets him in trouble with the referees but, overall he is solid.

8. Buhle Mkhwanazi (Bidvest Wits)

Mkhwanazi has had another great season with Wits and Bafana teammate (who we will get to later). The pair of formidable. Tyson provides the aggression Buhle the calm and composure. He is great in the air, well-composed, and knows the game. 

7. Motjeka Madisha (Mamelodi Sundowns)

After his breakout season in 2017/18, Madisha didn’t feature much for Sundowns last season. Last year he picked up the unfortunate habit of making mistakes that led to goals. Madisha has played himself back into Pitso Mosimane’s team. He is fearless, a fighter, with ball-playing skills.

6. Rushine De Reuck (Maritzburg United)

I didn’t know anything about Rushine De Reuck. He doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page. But this boy is a baller. He is a young, strong like a bull, aggressive, and has finesse to his game too.


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Pitso Mosimane: ‘Wits priority Nedbank Cup not league’

Mamelodi Sundowns host Bidvest Wits in the semi-final of the Nedbank Cup Saturday night. I use the word host loosely because (a) the game will not taking place at Loftus and (b) there will, of course, be no supporters in the stadium. Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane spoke to TimesLIVE about the upcoming clash. Mosimane touched on the sale of the Wits franchise to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM). He also said he feels Gavin Hunt’s team seem to be prioritizing the Nedbank Cup.  

“We have a big game against Wits of course and if you listen to their statements‚ they’re saying that they want to go out in style‚” Mosimane told TimesLIVE.

“Obviously there are a lot of incentives for the (Wits) players and the coaches (to win the cup)‚ so that’s why they’ve prioritized the Nedbank Cup. I’m saying what they’re saying in the media.

“They haven’t said anything about the league. They have only spoken about the cup‚ so that gives me an indication that the league is not the priority to them.

“I’m not talking on their behalf‚ but I’m talking about what they’ve said.”


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Football is a cruel game. Not only on the pitch but also in the boardroom. The sale of Bidvest Wits came as a shock to many and most surprisingly, it came as a shock to the players and team’s staff too.  

In the same interview, Pitso Mosimane called Bidvest Wits “a wounded lion”. I think he may be poking the wounded animal with a stick. I’m not too sure what Pitso is trying to achieve by pointing out Wits’ priorities. Mosimane says Wits “…haven’t said anything about the league,…” However, all statements made by players and Gavin Hunt about the game on Saturday, came when said players and coach were asked about said game.

Could this be his masterplan? Pitso’s Mamelodi Sundowns side found Bidvest Wits hard to beat in the league this season having played two draws. Is Mosimane throwing down the gauntlet to Bidvest Wits to show how much they really want the Nedbank Cup? Like: “You guys said you want to win this right? So come and win it.” This would put his team at an advantage because of the less emotional approach to Saturday’s game. 

Maybe Mosimane is right. Maybe Wits should and are focusing on winning the Nedbank Cup over the league. Wits are 6th, 10 points behind log leaders Kaizer Cheifs with 9 games left to play. I am not liking their chances to win the league. Injuries to key players and losses in big games has hurt them. And put them in a hole that may be too deep to climb out of.  All that being said, I still wouldn’t put it past Pitso Mosimane playing mind games on the eve of a big game. 

By @cheezfootball (the greatest footy journo on the internet)

‘I don’t know where I will end up next season…: Thabang Monare

Bidvest Wits Thabang Monare, like a few other senior players in the team, doesn’t seem keen on signing a contract with Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila F.C.

Monare is uncertain where he is going to end up next season.

At this point I am just focusing on playing for [Wits],” Monare told the Citizen.

“I don’t know where I will end up next season but I still have games to play for Wits and that is my main focus.”

For those of you who have been living under a rock or have been out of data because your R350 SASSA money has not made it to your bank account yet; Bidvest Wits is no more.

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM)  announced the purchase of the PSL status of Bidvest Wits in mid-June.  By the end of the 2019/20 season, all of the Bidvest Wits squad members, coaching, medical, and administrative staff will be posting their CV’s on pnet.co.za. 


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Big clubs have been circling around Bidvest Wits like sharks. Their mouths salivating at the opportunity to snatch players on the cheap or for free from the sinking Titanic. Thabang Monare has been linked with a move to Kaizer Cheifs. But, Amakhosi are banned from making transfers in the next window as per sanction handed out by Fifa. 

Mamelodi Sundowns are stacked in Monare’s position. They even had to let go Oupa Manyisa to make room for George Maluleka recently. I doubt Pitso Mosimane will be looking for another central midfielder. Orlando Pirates are another team with the rich people problem of having too many talented midfielders. The likes Fortune Makaringe, Linda Mntambo, Xola Mlambo, and Ben Motshwari are all competing for a place in the first team. 

The only team I could see Thabang Monare going to is Supersport United. Dean Furman has said he is leaving for the UK to be with his wife and family. This, of course, leaves a gap in the midfield that can be filled by the talents of Monare.


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6 Questions About The Restart Of The PSL Championship Race

Remember the PSL? Well, it’s back. I answer 6 questions about the restart, including who has the most pressure to win the PSL championship and many more.

1. Who is the team with momentum?

Mamelodi Sundowns.

It’s difficult to talk about momentum because no team has played a competitive football match for four and a half months. Going into the lockdown Sundowns had won four of their five league games.

2. Which team has benefited from the break?

Kaizer Chiefs.

Amakhosi went it to the lockdown on a run of two wins, two losses, and one draw in their last five PSL games – that isn’t championship-winning form.

Four and a half months is a long time. This feels like a new season. The time will surely rejuvenate Ernst Middendorp’s team to refocus. 

3. Who will Kaizer Chiefs replace Maluleka with?

Kearyn Baccus is a decent player. He is actually pretty good but injuries kept him out for much of the season. Baccus might not have Maluleka’s passing range but he makes up for it with his other attributes. 

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The Soccer Podcast Without A Name (Yet) S01E18 [Podcast]

https://soundcloud.com/thabang-kgeledi/the-soccer-podcast-without-a-name-yet-ep18




Bongani ‘Da Bongz’ Nkosi and Thabang ‘Da Real Cheez’ Kgeledi discuss this past week’s soccer topics. But they should hurry because each topic has a time limit.

The Discussion This Week:
1. Orlando Pirates Stretch Lead On Top
2. Mamelodi Sundowns Will Hear From The PSL
3. Bafana Bafana AFCON Draw
4. Champions League Quarter-Final First Legs
5. Arsenal And Chelsea Europa League Exploits
6. Games To Look Forward To
7. Quick Hits

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The Soccer Podcast Without A Name (Yet) S01E17 [Podcast]

https://soundcloud.com/thabang-kgeledi/the-soccer-podcast-without-a-name-yet-ep17





Bongani ‘Da Bongz’ Nkosi and Thabang ‘Da Real Cheez’ Kgeledi discuss this past weekend’s soccer topics. But they should hurry because each topic has a time limit.

The Discussion This Week:
1. Mamelodi Sundowns Beat Stuffing Out Of Al Ahly
2. Orlando Pirates Lucky Win But Go Top
3. Has Kaizer Chiefs Season Been A Failure
4. PSL Chairman Calls Urgent Presser, What For?
5. Banyana Draw Last Game At Home Before World Cup
6. Games To Look Forward To
7. Quick Hits

Please Like, Share, Follow🙃