The close season is already delivering spectacularly news worldwide. There’s the very welcome news that FIFA expects the 2010 World Cup in South Africa to gross US3.4 Billion, proof that you can make money in Africa. Then who could ignore the election of Florentino Perez as with his spectacular football project that has kicked off with the equally spectacular signing of Kaka from AC Milan for a record-breaking 70 million Euros.
It’s been reported that Manchester United have just inked the biggest shirt sponsorship deal ever. This, in a recession and, another surprise, with another financial services firm. The deal is with Aon Corporation, one of the world’s leading Risk Advisors and Human Capital Consultancy – the deal is for GBP 20 million a season and begins when their AIG one ends in 2010. However, back here in South Africa with the minor news of Kaizer Chiefs just having let their Nigerian striker Ogbonna go for free.
But the signs are that Sundowns as usual will provide all the spectacular headlines. We have just recently learnt that the club quietly let go of Collins Mbesuma and have just shown Sibusiso Zuma the door. Lungisani Ndlela has also been sent packing. What I can’t understand is why our clubs let players that they paid monstrous sums for go for nothing because for irrational reasons.
Why did Chiefs not put Ogbonna up for transfer and get something for him rather than to say that give him his clearance and cart him off for nothing. They could have got something for him. The same applies with the three Sundowns players I mentioned above. Their exits from the club could have been managed in such a way that the club could have recouped some of the obscene amounts it spent on these players.
And this is exactly why I expect spectacular news for Sundowns. This publicity loving club and their equally publicity loving President have been awfully quiet of late, not surprising as there has not been really much to shout about from Chloorkop. I know this club will want to get back into the public eye with a bang.
I hope they do this with something positive like the R70 million sponsorship the President demanded – and obviously didn’t get – from MTN. This would be a welcome surprise. However recent experiences suggest that we could in for some spectacular gaffes like the signing of Mbesuma and Zuma on salaries of about R200 000 a month and the even more spectacular signing of Henri Michel on a salary of over R700 000 a month. We all know how this saga has ended and consequently where Sundowns finished on the PSL log. All I can say for now is watch this space.
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June 5, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Really what makes a good player here in South Africa. I am refering to Kaizer Chiefs Nigerian Striker Ogbonna. I still believe the guy has what it takes to be the best striker in SA. Injuries aside, he is an impact player who is always in the box and gives defenders sleepless nights. The same with Mshangazike. These are impact players who protect the ball and allow supporting strikers to score.
As much as I support Pirates, but I feel that Ogbonna was hard done by the decision to release him, especially if the injury is not permanent.
June 6, 2009 at 9:58 am
I think it’s not a very clever move by the club. The advances in medicine today mean that with the right therapy most injuries can be sorted out. Pierre Spies the Blue Bulls and Springbok rugby player was out for a while due to a serious heart condition which many feared to be carreer-ending. After correction of his condition the man is back starring in the recent Bulls Super 14 success and now back in the Springbok squad for the Lion’s Tour. If the problem is corrected the player becomes valuable again and I hope this proves to be the case with Ogbonna.
January 8, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Wayne Rooney is set to be handed the Manchester United captaincy next season.
The Sun says United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes Rooney, 24, is ready to take over the armband.
Fergie sees the striker as one of United’s most vocal players and somebody the others look to for inspiration.
He has said of Rooney in the past: “Wayne is determined, hungry and has a desire to do well. He always tries no matter how the team is playing.
“These are wonderful qualities for a captain.”