SOUTH AFRICA COULD HAVE LED THE WAY
Football is moving away from a direct
approach to a more modern game, as is
epitomised by the likes of Christiano
Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Did the South
African Football Association have all
the information needed to get a head
start years ago?

SULLEY MUNTARI:
"I don't want people to remember me
as the bad boy of the Ghana team"

THIERRY HENRY:
"I don't think I deserve to play -
it is logical I am not in the starting
eleven"

KENNY NIEMACH:
"Perreira has to get a positive result
against Namibia to prove to us that we
are on track"

GIVING AFRICA THE COLD SHOULDER
The CAF Champions League is now
in full swing and fans of continental
football will be hoping that the PSL
clubs take the competition more seriously
than they have done in the past. Soccer
Week investigates the reasons why the
South African teams have traditionally
treated the tournament with seeming disdain.

ARSENE WENGER:
"Diaby is getting to a higher level -
he has become a very strong player"

ANELE NGCONGCA:
"The World Cup is a big platform and in
football we desire the biggest things"

KATLEGO MPHELA:
"I don't think I have done enough to
secure a place in the World Cup squad"

A NATION OBSESSED
Is South Africa's obsession with the
Soweto giants hurting the game?

AFRICAN MAKEOVER
African football needs a Jacob Zuma-like
face-saving mission at the World Cup

SPURS FAILED OJ:
"If Mabizela was guided well he would
have been an important player"

MAROUANE CHAMAKH:
"My choice is to join the Premiere League
and if I could choose, I will go to Arsenal"

WHY OLUMU'S ISRAEL MOVE FAILED

DEAR JOHN, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

HAS THE FA CUP LOST ITS GLORY?
Three of the traditional 'Big Four'
have been knocked out of the FA Cup.
Is the old magic back or have the
top sides simply lost interest?

AARON MOKOENA:
"I realised that I was not bringing
about long term, sustainable change"

ITUMELENG KHUNE:
"Our stadiums are something all South
Africans should be proud of"

TOGO BAN APALLING
"If players had quit due to their
suffering then we would have been
understanding"

ORLANDO PIRATES
HOLDING ONTO HOPE
Anything Is Possible: With six games to go
Phenyo Mongala says that the Buccaneers
haven't given up on the title race just yet

MOHAMED ZIDAN:
"Egypt had their chances to make it to the
World Cup, but couldn't take them"

GERT SCHALKWYK:
"I handled the pressure well and I proved
a point for Bafana Bafana"

RUUD VAN NISTELROY:
"Leaving Real Madrid is very difficult -
I'm going to find it hard not to cry"

THE ONE THAT FERGIE GOT WRONG

ENGLISH GIANTS IN TROUBLE

WORLD CUP RIP-OFF?
Billions Wasted?

FRANK LAMPARD:
"Joe Cole is a fantastic player and
and I really hope that we keep him
at Chelsea"

SHABBA'S COLUMN
"We missed out on AFCON but we must
now move on and focus on the camps"

ERWIN ISAACS:
"I'm putting my head on the block
and I'm telling you that we can
win the league"

FERGUSON'S SUCCESSOR
With Manchester United's stuttering form
and the club's financial problems, analysts
have predicted Fergie may soon call it quits.
Who is lined up to replace him?

BRADLEY CARNELL:
"I have to prove that I'm worth having a look
at for Bafana Bafana"

ESROM NYANDORO:
"You can't question the abundant talent that
is at Sundowns and SuperSport"

DARREL SMITH:
"I feel that my goal-scoring has improved
since I left Celtic"

WHO KILLED SA SOCCER?
Clueless football administrators,
overpaid foreign coaches,
underperforming players...

DELRON BUCKLEY:
"Steven Pienaar didn't settle
in at Borussia Dortmund cause
he's too good for them"

ITUMELENG KHUNE:
"Moeneeb Josephs is doing great
for the country and deserves a
chance to continue"

AFCON PREVIEW
Angola 2010 - an African renaissance.
Africa's best get ready for battle

LIVERPOOL IN CRISIS
But Mascherano says
there is still time to
turn things around

JOMO SONO:
"People say we are
relegated. If that is
true then the team on
top has already won"

LANCE DAVIDS:
"I think Bafana Bafana
will be very successful
at the World Cup"

TINASHE NENGOMASHA:
"Agents will promise
you heaven and earth,
but fail to honour
their promises"

THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB
After a tough World Cup draw
Carlos Alberto Parreira is
confident he can lead Bafana
Bafana into the second round
of next year's showpiece. What
does he feel is key to our
success and which of our
opponents should we be wary of?

DIOMANSY KAMARA:
"Don't underestimate the power
of a nation supporting their
team in a World Cup"

THULASIZWE KHUZWAYO:
"The number one goalkeeper
currently playing in the PSL
is Emille Baron"

MOVE ON IRELAND
Have the Irish gone from
cheated nation to pathetic
losers in just three weeks?

THEY ARE EATING HUMBLE PIE
Shabba on his season so far,
Kaizer Chiefs' inconsistency
and the state of Bafana
Bafana ahead of the World Cup

STEPHEN APPIAH:
"There were moments when I would
sit in my bedroom alone and cry
for hours"

MORGAN GOULD:
"Under Parreira Bafana Bafana were
in high spirits after losing eight games"

SYLVAIN ARMAND:
"I was close to the incident and I saw
Coupet's bone poke through his sock"

'I WILL EARN BACK MY PLACE'
Matthew Booth on Bafana bafana's
defensive options, Mamelodi Sundowns'
title hopes and his thoughts on the
latest fashion trends

A GAME FOR CHEATS
Are we bein naive to think match-fixing
doesn't exist in the English game?

CHRISTIANO RONALDO:
"Real Madrid aim to win, but we should
go to Barca with great humility"

FRANKLIN CALE:
"I would rather be at a PSL club, than
be overseas and sitting on the bench"

IN NEED OF DIVINE INTERVENTION
Considering Argentina's less than
impressive performance against Spain
and Diego Maradona's two month ban from
all football related activities, is the
Argentine legend the right person to
lead his country to the World Cup?

GAVIN HUNT:
"SuperSport, Ajax and Santos will dominate
local football for the next 10 years"

DENNIS MASINA:
"I still believe that Teko Modise is
Orlando Pirates' best player"

ALEX FERGUSON:
"International friendlies are a coach's
worst nightmare"

ENGLAND'S MIDFIELD VETERAN
CAN BECKS STILL HACK IT?

DAINE KLATE:
"I am in the best form of
my career at the moment
and I'm enjoying my game"

ANDILE JALI:
"Wherever I go I can say
that I have scored a goal
in the World Cup"

WIN MATCH TICKETS!
win tickets to the match
between SuperSport United
and Maritzburg United

THE WORLD'S GREATEST PLAYERS
Lionel Messi and Christiano
Ronaldo are regarded by many
as two of the world's finest
footballers. Who tops the
player rankings when they are
based on hard facts?

AARON MOKEONA:
"As far as I am concerned
Nasief and Benni are part
of the team"

ERIC TINKLER:
"Not enough is being done to
improve youth development in
South Africa"

SIYABONGA NKOSI:
"We don't worry about other
teams, just what we need to
focus on"

'BAFANA BAFANA IS BEING USED AS A POLITICAL TOOL'
Jomo Sono has opened up a can of worms regarding
the current state of the national team. He says
there are individuals behind the scenes who are
influencing team selections to suit their own
needs. Are decisions being made at the expense
of the national side, or has the Black Prince
taken things a step too far?

SULLEY MUNTARI:
"I fast on big match days in my bid to help
my team win matches"

SIFISO MYENI:
"Calvin Kadi and Katlego Mphela are among
the best players in the world"

WIN MATCH TICKETS!
Win tickets to the match between Platinum Stars
and Bidvest Wits

FINDING THEIR FEET
Katlego Mphela and Calvin Kadi have
been in fine goal-scoring form for
their clubs this season, fueling
speculation that the Golden Boot will
again be won by a South African striker.
What has been the secret to their success
and could a partnership between the two be
the answer to Bafana Bafana's lack of goals?

TONY ADAMS:
"If it was Thierry Henry up against me in
training I didn't want to know"

ARSENE WENGER:
"Arsenal are very close to winning the
Champions League with a young team"

TICKET GIVEAWAY
Win tickets to the derby between Kaizer
Chiefs and Orlando Pirates

FUTURE STARS
BRIGHT FUTURE: With doom and gloom dominating the talk
about South Africa's senior side, Amajita's excellent
showing at the FIFA U-20 Youth World Cup lifted the
spirits of a dejected nation. Which of the young stars
will shine for Bafana Bafana in the future?

GABRIEL AGBONLAHOR:
"It would be a big thing to come to South Africa next year"

OWEN DA GAMA:
"Where have you seen the chairman of a club applaud the
supporters?"

WIN MATCH TICKETS!
Win tickets to the match between Bloemfontein Celtic and
Jomo Cosmos

AN AFRICAN POWERHOUSE
READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD
The likes of Fabio Capello and Xavi
have tipped the Ivory Coast as
potential dark horses for the 2010
World Cup, but few have questioned
how a country so unstable has
managed to produce a side talented
enough to catch the attention of
Europe's elite. For the team led by
Didier Drogba the road can be
traced back to development football

DARREN BENT:
"It's massive to have the support of
your manager, there's nothing better"

ARSENE WENGER:
"The best moment with Arsenal was to
win the first championship in 1998"

CALVIN KADI:
"You must always have room for
improvement in your game"

WORTH ALL £80-MILLION
Many questioned Real Madrid's decision
to pay the astronomical transfer fee
needed to secure the services of star
winger Cristiano Ronaldo. But in just
his first few league games the superstar
is already proving his worth as he goes
about breaking records with the Spanish
giants. How much value does Ronaldo add
to the Galacticos?

MARK FISH:
"A local coach who has played for the
country would have been a better choice"

JOMO SONO:
"Administrators should not become bigger
than the players"

ANTHONY LAFFOR:
"If South African players do what I do
they are going to score goals"

BRING BACK BENNI?
President Jacob Zuma, Teko Modise and many others
have expressed the desire for Benni McCarthy to be
included in the Bafana Bafana squad, while others
believe his omission is correct. Is it time for Santana
and the controversial striker to patch things up?

JOHN TERRY:
"I'm not going to shirk away from any challenges
thrown at me in my career"

PHENYO MONGALA:
"I am in the PSL as an ambassador for Botswana
and I want to raise the flag high"

BONGANI KHUMALO:
"Orlando Pirates are the biggest threat to
SuperSport United this season"

A CITY DIVIDED
Rio Ferdinand has said that Manchester is not big
enough for two big teams, but after a convincing
start to the new campaign by Manchester City, the
United faithful may have no choice but to make
space for another top-four contender

SHUT YOUR TRAP, HACK
"You cannot have people investing in your talent,
even if the intention is good"

FABIO CAPELLO:
"Rooney is more mature - I think it is getting
married that has changed him"

CALVIN KADI:
"If I score 18 goals, Bafana Bafana team selectors
will not be able to ignore me"

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW
TAKING ON FORMER EMPLOTERS
Samuel Eto'o will be hoping to make an impact when he
returns to the Camp Nou to face Barcelona, while Kaka
will be out to prove it's all been worth it against
AC Milan. Join us as we preview the 2009/10 edition of
the greatest club competition on earth

ARJEN ROBBEN:
"If Chelsea are guilty I agree with Fifa - big clubs
think they are above the rules"

CARLTON COLE:
"I have a real opportunity to go to the World Cup
finals with England"

SIBUSISO HADEBE:
"We were dominating Chiefs, but we missed chances.
That's been the downfall"

CLEAN UP YOUR ACR
DISGRACE: With 2010 just around the corner, South African football has
no place for the type of hooliganism displayed at recent matches

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR:
"We expect to challenge for the title and the Champions League Next year"

BIG MATCH PREVIEW
The battle resumes as Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United

TEKO MODISE:
"I've played my best games when Benni is in the team - we need him for 2010"

WHO'S GOT THE BIGGEST POINT TO PROVE THIS SEASON?

KOLO TOURE:
"Adebayor is like my brother os I knew adapting
at Man City would be easy"

NEIL TOVEY:
"The goal is to win the next match, we are taking
it one game at a time"

ELRIO VAN HEERDEN:
"Benni is showing me everything - it's nice to have
someone to help you settle"

SILENCING ARSENAL'S CRITICS
The high-profile departures of star players and a lack of silverware
over the last few seasons have left many Arsenal fans yearning for a
new hero. Could the diminutive Russian be the key to unlocking future
success for the Gunners?

TRAGIC DEATH
Spanish football rocked by the death of Espanyol captain Dani Jarque

THE TEAM TO BEAT
"Nothing can stop us. Bucs fans must expect something this season"

RONOLDO EYES 2010
"A chance to play in the 2010 World Cup would prolong my professional career"

FRANK LAMPARD:
'WE NEEDED SOMEONE TO PUT US IN LINE'
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:
Although he plays it safe when talking about England's chances in 2010,
the Chelsea star believes Fabio Capello is just whast the Three Lions needed.

SIR BOBBY ROBSON
Soccer Week reflects on the life and times of one of the game's true greats.

KOLO TOURE:
'Look at Arsenal, all the great players have left the club and are in the past'

MARK HASKINS:
'We expect to be amongst the top sides in the league this season'

MANQOBA MNGQITHI:
'People are going to sh*t their pants this coming season'

SKAPPIE MALATSI:
'I am begging for another chance'

ENDING THE TITLE WAIT
NEVER GIVE UP:
Pepe Reina told Soccer Week that Liverpool are the best side in England and owe it to their fans to end the twenty year wait to be crowned League champions

JOMO SONO:
"We won't be making the same mistakes, we have learnt our lesson."

JOHN TERRY:
"I am totally commited to Chelsea and always have been."

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC:
'All my respect (to Inter). It is not easy to sell a player that means so much."

SIR ALEX FERGUSON:
"City is a small club with a small mentality."

KENNY NIEMACH:
"Stoichkov could fluke his way to the title."