SHOCKED!

Academics love to have their say on sport and the statistics nerds at Nielsen Gracenote have put together their list of biggest ever World Cup shocks following the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Nicknames make up an important part of African football and across the continent, there are some intriguingly christened sides. But there is power in a name, too.

THE NEW BOSS

Gone are the days of Alex Ferguson's famous 'hair-dryer' treatment of players; there is a new style of manager emerging in England.

WEST AFRICAN CHALLENGE

Bafana Bafana need four points from their home and away Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Liberia to book a place at the continental finals. But it will not be easy, writes Mazola Molefe

ON THE UP

One of the surprise hits of the 2022/23 DStv Premiership season has been Orlando Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm.

MAGPIES EYE SILVERWARE

Newcastle United's rise up the English Premier League table this season will be a worry for rivals, because the Magpies are only just getting started, writes Nick Said

TIME TO SHINE

Mamelodi Sundowns simply have to step up to the plate in the CAF Champions League this season, writes Mark Gleeson

GOLDEN BOY

Richarlison was once criticised as an overpriced flop, but is now one of the best strikers in the world.

DOUBLE DUTY

National Under-23 coach David Notoane is a busy man as he takes on dual roles in the game.

ALSO-RANS

Much hope for the future of Bafana Bafana was placed on the South African side that competed at 2009 Under-20 World Cup in Egypt. So what happened to them?

SWEET 16

The draw for the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League has thrown up some tasty ties, including a reprise of last year's final.

TARGETMAN

Zakhele Lepasa has put his injury nightmare behind him and is ready to fire for Orlando Pirates.

SLOW BURNER

It may have taken Taariq Fielies a number of years to become a regular in the DStv Premiership, but he is now among the best defenders in the league. By Dylan Appolis

CHAMPIONS ELECT

The group stages of the CAF Champions League are tough and require more than just skill alone to advance. Mark Gleeson gives a rundown of the 16 participating teams

Back in the Hunt

After a short-lived tenure at Kaizer Chiefs and an even shorter spell at Chippa United, Gavin Hunt returned home to SuperSport United and has rediscovered his Midas touch.

NET POSITIVE

Goal-scoring goalkeepers are fairly rare in the game, but during the 2016/17 season in South Africa, it temporarily became a trend.

YOUNGGUNS

The ten best teenagers in world football.

AGENT'S AGENDA

Ex-Orlando Pirates coach and first licensed players' representative in SA football

GAME TIME

The knock-on effect of the first ever mid-season World Cup in Qatar will be keenly felt by PSL clubs. What does the future hold?

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

Inspired by male counterparts like Pitso Mosimane, Bradley Carnell, Quinton Fortune and Benni McCarthy, who are all coaching overseas, Simphiwe Dludlu has set her sights on following suit

HOT RUNS

Which club has won the most consecutive matches in the DStv Premiership since the formation of the league ahead of the 1996/97 season? Nick Said looks at the records for each club competing this season

JOURNEYMAN

Late bloomer is a coach's dream with his dogged determination.

KING KERMIT

Will Kermit Erasmus provide the goals and assists to help Orlando Pirates to a title challenge this season? He may be their best chance

MASTER CREATOR

Kevin De Bruyne has cemented his status as arguably the best midfielder in the world this season, playing a key role in Manchester City's bid for the Premier League title

IN SAFE HANDS

Goalkeeper Darren Keet is back between the sticks for Cape Town City and has recaptured some of his best form in the 2022/23 season. He tells Nick Said about his injury nightmare and national-team ambitions.

READY TO FIRE

Can Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang solve the scoring woes of Chelsea after his arrival at Stamford Bridge?

BACK HOME

Bongani Zungu has returned from a mixed spell in Europe to don the Mamelodi Sundowns jersey once more. But will he get back to his best?

FROM POT BELLY LITE ATHLETES

That header pretty much sums up the physical transition up the physical transition that referees around Africa, and indeed South Africa, have undergone in the past 20 years. I remember that when I first started refereeing in the South African PSL, there were numerous 'pot-bellied' match officials in the league. However, when I retired in 2013, there were none!

NO GOLD

Kaizer Chiefs have extended their barren trophy run into another year. When will it end?

EDITOR'S LETTER

A new year brings with it new hope, a clean slate and expectation about what is to come over the next 12 moths.