A coach who can't shut his trap....

His name is Henri Michel, a Frenchman who previously coached his native country, Morocco and Cameroon - now with South African "giants" Mamelodi Sundowns.

Michel joined Sundowns in November last year after a string of poor results while Trott Moloto was in charge. Club boss Patrice Motsepe waisted no time in making sure he acquires "one of the best coaches" around to lead his investment back into winning ways. So far, not so good. He has been in charge of seven games and has amassed only two wins, one draw four defeats. During that time he has managed to so brilliatly insult his players - calling them all sorts of names.

First he said they did not know the basics of football then not once but twice he said.....wait for it.....with his French accent, how do you say: THE PLAYERS ARE AVERAGE...Sundowns is the most expensively assembled squad in the country and its players are by no means average. Congratulations Mr. Michel - you just got yourself FIRED....!!!

Farewell to Parker

Probably one of the best young talents in our country as far as strikers are concerned. Bernard Parker is indeed a goal ace. And he has proved this by bagging 10 goals in 15 games early on in the season.

He futher complimented his club performance by delivering the goods for the national team as well. For some odd weird reason - coach Joel Santana still put him on the bench and used him as a "super-sub"....something that still bogles my mind. Now the 23 year-old striker has signed a deal with Serbian club Red Star Belgrade and leaves our shores sometime this week...Is it the right move?Will he still be a formidable force in the Bafana line up?Will he not just pay homage to the thorny issue that SA players fade out once they move to Europe?

I have complete faith and trust in Parker's ability and think despite leaving the Absa Premiership too early - he will still be one hell of a player..!! SO, there you have it....GOOD LUCK Mr. "Goals"....on your new adventure in Serbia.....hope to see you at the Confederations Cup..!!

His agents have defended the move saying: "Just because people (South Africans) are not exposed to leagues from Serbia and other countries besides the English Premiership and Spanish La Liga, does not mean those leagues are not good"....Mike Makaab also said Parker "will be a better player."

What do you think?

Let 2009 begin

This year i'm officially starting off the year as a full-time sports journalist at The Times. The previous year (2008) was trying and at some stage got too scary during the xenophobic attacks..At one point I literally thought I was going to die when these attacks escalated and as a journo I WAS IN THE THICK OF THINGS....

However, my move from news to sports was made smooth by my editor and sports photographer Archie Henderson and Sydney Seshibedi. I will continue to share these experiences with you all about how this year's Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup are going...KEEP READING THE TIMES...
http://www.thetimes.co.za/Sport/Article.aspx?id=872754

Sunday Times and The Times photographers at it again!

True art: http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/photos/2008/08/fuji-photo-award-winners/ and http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/photos/2008/08/living-inside-a-bridge/

A MEDAL AT LAST

Well done Khotso you have done us proud. Mokoena jumped 8.24 (his personal best) in the men's long jump finals on Monday to claim the first medal for the South African team in Beijing..

The boy has proven what he is capable of and needs to be given more opportunity to shine..VIVA Khotso VIVA...

Bolt of fire...

I personally had my money on Asafa Powell and I have been highly criticised for this. I thought he had it in the bag but the problem is that I had not been monitoring Usain Bolt's progress in the qualifying rounds....and wow was I surprised like Fabian McCarthy was when Kaizer Chiefs did not renew his contract..!

But my point is this: "Could this guy had run a record below 9.69 had he not stop to celebrate when he did.."? He started celebrating before he could cross the finish line even though he was way ahead of his competitors"....
Have your say...

Abafazi

You strike a women you strike a rock. Fantastic pics by photographer, Moeketsi Moticoe
http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/photos/2008/08/beautifully-women/ and included in this is my first soccer report, Mamelodi Sundowns vs Free State Stars http://www.thetimes.co.za/Sport/Article.aspx?id=819503 .