Why?

Well, its going to inject an enormous amount of capital into our country, which is always needed for sure; but in the current economic crisis – isn’t the timing just absolutely brilliant? 2010 is also going to leave us improved roads, jobs, infrastructure, public transport and general policing. But we all knew that right? If you didn’t, its best you jump on the “glass half full” bandwagon.

But that’s not really my point.

Bafana Bafana have put the greatest smile on my face. It was amazing. For the first time in my life, I decided to get behind our Football team in the hope that at the close of the Confed Cup, I would be a proud supporter of yet another awesome South African sport team. I mean let’s face it, would it not be great if South Africa presented a quality team to the soccer world? Especially considering that the world cup is here next year… and that everyone the world over also thinks we’re crap at football.

South Africa have eventually got a kick ass football team!! (I’d like to here Hugh Bladen shout “Unbelievable” right now)

I actually cannot believe that Santana has done what he has done. Communication for a coach is key, yet this guy has been able to build a formidable unit from nothing; without being able to string an English sentence together. Imagine Santana began speaking Xhosa before he could speak English properly. ha ha. Well, let me tell you that Football administration got this one right. This oke has done something special. For sure, he does look like a frogs behind and shares the personality of a brown paper bag – but the guy can coach football. (although he did smile at one stage during the game against Spain). I also think Santana could give Peter de Villiers a few lessons in English and coaching. Santana inherited rubbish and De Villiers inherited a world cup winning team, yet he hasn’t proved to build much on the silver platter that he was handed by Jake White.

The coolest thing for me as a new die hard Bafana supporter is name association with the players. I haven’t watched a game of Bafana Bafana football for about 5 years (probably due to embarrassment) and I don’t watch PSL. Because of this, I never knew any of our players by name. I do now.

Here are just a few of my observations. These guys really stood out for me.

Steven Pienaar – awesome in Midfield. He really bring a host of experience to our side in terms of “big occasion” football having played for Everton.

Itumeleng Khune – Our legendary keeper. This guy is amazing in the net. I have no doubt he will find an overseas contract at some stage.

Matthew Booth – Our quota. ha ha. He’s a tall imposing figure and very tight at the back. Our Jaap Stam.

Aaron Mokoena – Our skipper. I must say that I wasn’t completely convinced with him as a player, but perhaps he offers something special in terms of motivation or inpiration in the change rooms that we don’t see.

Teko Modise – He will be offered an overseas contract. He’s an exciting player when he has the ball. I think he needs some confidence upfront though – I think he’s score many goals for his country.

Katlego Mphela – Our golden boot. I am not joking when I say this guy has a boot like Ronaldo – I saw it with my own eyes. Those of you still watching the game at 93 minutes (if you didn’t leave the TV screen like most of the crowd at 92 minutes) know what I am talking about. If you didn’t see it, you will. All over Supersport highlights and adverts. It was the best strike of the tournament hands down. And it was to level the scores wth the last play of the game in our semi final clash with the Spaniards. (where’s Hugh Bladen?)

Siphiwe Tshabalala - He’s small and quick. Nippy if you please. All over the place and an extremely high work rate.

Katlego Mashego – I am very surprised he didn’t play more. He came on as a substitute in the NZ game and although he was ahead of the offside line too many times, he showed great vision in his runs and broke on 3 potential goalscoring ocassions.

For those who are negative and refuse to change your mind about whether or not to support Bafana… Be bigger than that. These guys are representing you and they’re doing it with pride. You don’t need to be “die hard”, but all I ask is that you give these guys a chance. We lost to both Brazil and Spain with goals against us in the 88th minutes (after leading) to spoil 2 of the biggest upsets in world football history. We were a mere ball hair away from greatness. If you think rugby and cricket can unite this country – u can imagine what soccer can do.

South African soccer is on the verge of football greatness. Remember that we are competing in the largest sport in the world, and reaching the top is a process. We are well on our way. Join the movement.

I am incredibly proud to be a supporter of Bafana Bafana. Viva 2010. Viva Bafana campaign. Viva our players. Viva our Frog. Viva Vuvuzelas. Viva our flag. And Viva the future.

Cheers
]]> http://universalsport.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/join-the-movement-3/feed/ 0 universalsport Edit Delete http://universalsport.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/join-the-movement-2/ http://universalsport.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/join-the-movement-2/#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:15:24 +0000 universalsport http://universalsport.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/join-the-movement-2/ ]]> Join the movement.   1:00AM, Monday, 29 Jun, 2009 Bafana Bafana blew my mind these past 2 weeks. Before the start of the Confederations Cup, my feelings about 2010 have been extremely positive, but I thought Bafana Bafana were shit. So I thought… 2010 is going to blow the mind of each and every South African next year. Remember these words.

Why?

Well, its going to inject an enormous amount of capital into our country, which is always needed for sure; but in the current economic crisis – isn’t the timing just absolutely brilliant? 2010 is also going to leave us improved roads, jobs, infrastructure, public transport and general policing. But we all knew that right? If you didn’t, its best you jump on the “glass half full” bandwagon.

But that’s not really my point.

Bafana Bafana have put the greatest smile on my face. It was amazing. For the first time in my life, I decided to get behind our Football team in the hope that at the close of the Confed Cup, I would be a proud supporter of yet another awesome South African sport team. I mean let’s face it, would it not be great if South Africa presented a quality team to the soccer world? Especially considering that the world cup is here next year… and that everyone the world over also thinks we’re crap at football.

South Africa have eventually got a kick ass football team!! (I’d like to here Hugh Bladen shout “Unbelievable” right now)

I actually cannot believe that Santana has done what he has done. Communication for a coach is key, yet this guy has been able to build a formidable unit from nothing; without being able to string an English sentence together. Imagine Santana began speaking Xhosa before he could speak English properly. ha ha. Well, let me tell you that Football administration got this one right. This oke has done something special. For sure, he does look like a frogs behind and shares the personality of a brown paper bag – but the guy can coach football. (although he did smile at one stage during the game against Spain). I also think Santana could give Peter de Villiers a few lessons in English and coaching. Santana inherited rubbish and De Villiers inherited a world cup winning team, yet he hasn’t proved to build much on the silver platter that he was handed by Jake White.

The coolest thing for me as a new die hard Bafana supporter is name association with the players. I haven’t watched a game of Bafana Bafana football for about 5 years (probably due to embarrassment) and I don’t watch PSL. Because of this, I never knew any of our players by name. I do now.

Here are just a few of my observations. These guys really stood out for me.

Steven Pienaar – awesome in Midfield. He really bring a host of experience to our side in terms of “big occasion” football having played for Everton.

Itumeleng Khune – Our legendary keeper. This guy is amazing in the net. I have no doubt he will find an overseas contract at some stage.

Matthew Booth – Our quota. ha ha. He’s a tall imposing figure and very tight at the back. Our Jaap Stam.

Aaron Mokoena – Our skipper. I must say that I wasn’t completely convinced with him as a player, but perhaps he offers something special in terms of motivation or inpiration in the change rooms that we don’t see.

Teko Modise – He will be offered an overseas contract. He’s an exciting player when he has the ball. I think he needs some confidence upfront though – I think he’s score many goals for his country.

Katlego Mphela – Our golden boot. I am not joking when I say this guy has a boot like Ronaldo – I saw it with my own eyes. Those of you still watching the game at 93 minutes (if you didn’t leave the TV screen like most of the crowd at 92 minutes) know what I am talking about. If you didn’t see it, you will. All over Supersport highlights and adverts. It was the best strike of the tournament hands down. And it was to level the scores wth the last play of the game in our semi final clash with the Spaniards. (where’s Hugh Bladen?)

Siphiwe Tshabalala - He’s small and quick. Nippy if you please. All over the place and an extremely high work rate.

Katlego Mashego – I am very surprised he didn’t play more. He came on as a substitute in the NZ game and although he was ahead of the offside line too many times, he showed great vision in his runs and broke on 3 potential goalscoring ocassions.

For those who are negative and refuse to change your mind about whether or not to support Bafana… Be bigger than that. These guys are representing you and they’re doing it with pride. You don’t need to be “die hard”, but all I ask is that you give these guys a chance. We lost to both Brazil and Spain with goals against us in the 88th minutes (after leading) to spoil 2 of the biggest upsets in world football history. We were a mere ball hair away from greatness. If you think rugby and cricket can unite this country – u can imagine what soccer can do.

South African soccer is on the verge of football greatness. Remember that we are competing in the largest sport in the world, and reaching the top is a process. We are well on our way. Join the movement.

I am incredibly proud to be a supporter of Bafana Bafana. Viva 2010. Viva Bafana campaign. Viva our players. Viva our Frog. Viva Vuvuzelas. Viva our flag. And Viva the future.

Cheers
]]> http://universalsport.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/join-the-movement-2/feed/ 0 universalsport Edit Delete http://universalsport.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/join-the-movement/ http://universalsport.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/join-the-movement/#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:13:00 +0000 universalsport http://universalsport.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/join-the-movement/ ]]> Join the movement.   1:00AM, Monday, 29 Jun, 2009 Bafana Bafana blew my mind these past 2 weeks. Before the start of the Confederations Cup, my feelings about 2010 have been extremely positive, but I thought Bafana Bafana were shit. So I thought… 2010 is going to blow the mind of each and every South African next year. Remember these words.

Why?

Well, its going to inject an enormous amount of capital into our country, which is always needed for sure; but in the current economic crisis – isn’t the timing just absolutely brilliant? 2010 is also going to leave us improved roads, jobs, infrastructure, public transport and general policing. But we all knew that right? If you didn’t, its best you jump on the “glass half full” bandwagon.

But that’s not really my point.

Bafana Bafana have put the greatest smile on my face. It was amazing. For the first time in my life, I decided to get behind our Football team in the hope that at the close of the Confed Cup, I would be a proud supporter of yet another awesome South African sport team. I mean let’s face it, would it not be great if South Africa presented a quality team to the soccer world? Especially considering that the world cup is here next year… and that everyone the world over also thinks we’re crap at football.

South Africa have eventually got a kick ass football team!! (I’d like to here Hugh Bladen shout “Unbelievable” right now)

I actually cannot believe that Santana has done what he has done. Communication for a coach is key, yet this guy has been able to build a formidable unit from nothing; without being able to string an English sentence together. Imagine Santana began speaking Xhosa before he could speak English properly. ha ha. Well, let me tell you that Football administration got this one right. This oke has done something special. For sure, he does look like a frogs behind and shares the personality of a brown paper bag – but the guy can coach football. (although he did smile at one stage during the game against Spain). I also think Santana could give Peter de Villiers a few lessons in English and coaching. Santana inherited rubbish and De Villiers inherited a world cup winning team, yet he hasn’t proved to build much on the silver platter that he was handed by Jake White.

The coolest thing for me as a new die hard Bafana supporter is name association with the players. I haven’t watched a game of Bafana Bafana football for about 5 years (probably due to embarrassment) and I don’t watch PSL. Because of this, I never knew any of our players by name. I do now.

Here are just a few of my observations. These guys really stood out for me.

Steven Pienaar – awesome in Midfield. He really bring a host of experience to our side in terms of “big occasion” football having played for Everton.

Itumeleng Khune – Our legendary keeper. This guy is amazing in the net. I have no doubt he will find an overseas contract at some stage.

Matthew Booth – Our quota. ha ha. He’s a tall imposing figure and very tight at the back. Our Jaap Stam.

Aaron Mokoena – Our skipper. I must say that I wasn’t completely convinced with him as a player, but perhaps he offers something special in terms of motivation or inpiration in the change rooms that we don’t see.

Teko Modise – He will be offered an overseas contract. He’s an exciting player when he has the ball. I think he needs some confidence upfront though – I think he’s score many goals for his country.

Katlego Mphela – Our golden boot. I am not joking when I say this guy has a boot like Ronaldo – I saw it with my own eyes. Those of you still watching the game at 93 minutes (if you didn’t leave the TV screen like most of the crowd at 92 minutes) know what I am talking about. If you didn’t see it, you will. All over Supersport highlights and adverts. It was the best strike of the tournament hands down. And it was to level the scores wth the last play of the game in our semi final clash with the Spaniards. (where’s Hugh Bladen?)

Siphiwe Tshabalala - He’s small and quick. Nippy if you please. All over the place and an extremely high work rate.

Katlego Mashego – I am very surprised he didn’t play more. He came on as a substitute in the NZ game and although he was ahead of the offside line too many times, he showed great vision in his runs and broke on 3 potential goalscoring ocassions.

For those who are negative and refuse to change your mind about whether or not to support Bafana… Be bigger than that. These guys are representing you and they’re doing it with pride. You don’t need to be “die hard”, but all I ask is that you give these guys a chance. We lost to both Brazil and Spain with goals against us in the 88th minutes (after leading) to spoil 2 of the biggest upsets in world football history. We were a mere ball hair away from greatness. If you think rugby and cricket can unite this country – u can imagine what soccer can do.

South African soccer is on the verge of football greatness. Remember that we are competing in the largest sport in the world, and reaching the top is a process. We are well on our way. Join the movement.

I am incredibly proud to be a supporter of Bafana Bafana. Viva 2010. Viva Bafana campaign. Viva our players. Viva our Frog. Viva Vuvuzelas. Viva our flag. And Viva the future.

Cheers
]]> http://universalsport.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/join-the-movement/feed/ 0 universalsport Edit Delete http://universalsport.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/chris-lewis-bust-for-smuggling-cocaine/ http://universalsport.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/chris-lewis-bust-for-smuggling-cocaine/#comments Wed, 20 May 2009 12:05:18 +0000 universalsport http://universalsport.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/chris-lewis-bust-for-smuggling-cocaine/ ]]> So Chris Lewis has just been bust for trying to smuggle cocaine into Britain. Silly boy. I wanna know why he put it in a can? They say it was a tin of fruit – but I’m convinced that it was fruit.

The art of diversion didn’t work this time. Clearly.

Here’s how he was caught…

This guy,

Took this stuff,

And put it in these cans.

And he thought they would laugh it off because he had the cans in a cricket bag. Dude, you stopped playing proper cricket years ago?

–END–

Have you got a better idea for an ex-cricketer to smuggle cocaine into another country? Leave your comment.

It’s no hidden secret that Sabbo was given incredible golfing talent (which he has definitely taken advantage of), but the poor oke was not blessed with goods looks… I wonder how this would make Mark Boucher feel? At a guess, I’m not too sure he would be very stoked about it though…

Oh well, for what its worth – here’s are some pics side-by-side

You make up your own mind…

ha ha

–END–

Tribute

But the full Monty in this context is that of a complete rugby player; Percy Montgomery – a tribute to a gentleman, who plays a game that sometimes begins producing jocks at the age of 13 already.

If you haven’t read his Autobiography, I suggest you get your hands on it as soon as possible. Either buy it, lend it or steal it (just kidding) – but if you consider yourself any sort of rugby fan, you have to read this book. If you already think Percy is great, this book will cement those thoughts. If you think Percy was average, then even more reason to read it. You can then be an educated judge.

Another 3 points.

After his initial stint with the Boks, between leaving abroad and returning for the Jake White era, Percy hit rock bottom in his life – the book explains. The courage he showed to come back from where he was during that period, and become a player who formed such a formiddable role in our 2007 World Cup campaign is astonishing… Percy Montgomery did it the way it should be done – he proved all his critics wrong on the field of play, and kept a low down off it. He gained the respect of a nation!

Jake White Influence

It isn’t a topic that gets spoken about a hell of a lot, but Jake White was highly influencial in the “Return of Percy“. Not just because he was the coach, or because he selected him; but because he made it very clear to Percy on his return from Newport that he was predominantly in the side as a kicker. He would need his boot to win matches for his country. I guess this is a good lesson for younger coaches too; your players need to have a definate role in your team – its helps them to focus on their core responsibilities…

New Era

We now move into a new era for both Springbok kickers and Percy Montgomery. He will now head up the coaching of kickers for the bok management team as a consultant and I am interested to see how it pans out. It is a well known fact that being a great player does not automatically make you a great coach – no matter what sport it may be.

Communicate

Much of his ability as a coach will be whether or not he can communicate his knowlegde to the younger generation of Springbok kickers effectively. He has a selection of reasonable kickers in the country to work with, but at test match level, you need a great kicker – not just a good one.  The role of goal kicker surely needs to be a player who is fairly set in the team as well?

Pushed into the advertising board

Emphasis on Kicker

I wonder if Peter de Villiers will put as much emphasis on a kicker as Jake White did? We all know how imperitive this aspect of the game is. Johnny Wilkinson, Dan Carter, Percy Montomery, Neil Jenkins – these guys have all won big games for their countries. After all, it is the easiest way to collect points.

Buy the Book – It’s worth it – Was R225, Now R180

Click on the book cover to purchase

Here’s to Percy Montgomery

–END–

Published by Universal Sport Mags – click here