CATEGORIES

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.

PITSO COULD HAVE GONE TO EUROPE Neil Tovey Former Bafana Bafana Captain

Since departing Cairo's Al Ahly in mid-June, Pitso Mosimane has been involved with a continental coaching mentorship programme. It's wonderful that the man nicknamed 'Jingles' is giving back to the game, because player development is vital for a healthy football future.

TRIAL AND ERPOR

A number of players have left the Premier Soccer League for dream moves to Europe, but failed to fire away from home and returned to the domestic game. Nick Said picks 10 from the past few decades

SIX MATCHES TO REMEMBER

Despite their recent mauling by Brazil, South Africa's women's team have been a force on the rise. Nick Said looks back at six memorable games, for different reasons, in their history.

OUT OF AFRICA

There has been an explosion of African footballers into the European football market in the past few decades and today it is commonplace for most teams to have a player from the continent in their squad. But the man who broke the mould in the Premier League was Zimbabwean Peter Ndlovu 30 years ago.

DOUBLING DOWN

Co-coaches have become the new fad in South Africa football, but is it a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth?

MIRACLE WORKER

Gabriel Jesus was living in the shadows at Manchester City, but a move to Arsenal has made him the main man in north London - and he is revelling in the responsibility.

BACKIN BUSINESS

Thembinkosi Lorch was named the top player in the Premier Soccer League after the 2018/19 season, but a succession of injuries and loss of form have seen his career stall. Could he be getting back to his best?

IN THROUGH THE OUTDOOR

Kaizer Chiefs' decline in fortunes can be directly linked to their transfer dealings in the last seven years.

FROM THE GROUND UP

Westbury has produced some of South Africa's top footballers and now has a club in the professional ranks to nurture more talent from the area.

DREAM TEAM

The World Cup is the pinnacle of football and gives the greatest players on Earth an opportunity to showcase their talents on a global stage. Here are 10 superstars who have the potential to cement their legacies and lead their teams to glory.

WHO COULD BE KINGS

The field at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar looks wide open this year, with any number of nations able to rise from the pack and take the trophy. Nick Said looks at the major contenders

LAST-CHANCE SALOON

Qatar 2022 will most probably be the last World Cup in the glittering career of Cristiano Ronaldo. Can the Portuguese goal-scoring machine finally lift the one major trophy missing from his incredible CV?

TO ERR IS HUMAN

I WILL BE THE FIRST TO ADMIT THAT REFEREES ARE NOT PERFECT

AFRICAN DREAMS

Africa has the skills, the players and the passion to achieve greatness, so why has global success eluded the continent?

WORLD CUP FEVER

It really is the biggest show in town! Any town... at any time. The World Cup never fails to captivate and the excitement every four years is again palpable as we savour the best players duelling it out for the top prize in sport.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Robert Lewandowski has made it abundantly clear that he intends to leave Bayern Munich.

NEW DIRECTION

Manchester United begin a new era under head coach Erik ten Hag.

LEAP OF FAITH

Arthur Zwane will be under pressure at Kaizer Chiefs from day one.

JEWEL IN THE CROWN

Erling Haaland joins a squad of superstars assembled by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.