‘NO NEED TO PANIC'

Stofile allays fears about SA’s readiness.
Next year’s Confederations Cup will be a great platform for South Africa to prove to people around the globe that the 2010 World Cup will definitely be a roaring success.
This is according to Makhenkesi Stofile, the minister of sports and recreation, who is adamant South Africa is well on track with preparations for the World Cup.
The minister has also urged South Africans to rally behind the Local Organising Committee in their preparations for the Confederations Cup and the World Cup.
In an interview with Ramatsiyi Moholoa (RM), Makhenkesi Stofile (MS) said they were monitoring the preparations of the two events on a regular basis. Click here for more...

PREMIERSHIP - SEASON REVIEW

Great season of mixed fortunes...
The teams, the players, the coaches - who performed, who flopped. Find out with Ramatsiyi Moholoa's end of season review... Click here

Pitch Moves

Awi - A throw in.

Scissors - A bicycle/overhead kick.

Bebeto - (Origin: Bebeto was a Brazilian striker who scored in the first ever meeting between SA and Brazil.) Side way scissor kick.

Huku - A corner kick.

Inkomo - A player who runs straight with the ball but struggles to make a turn after being tackled.

Khweli Hashe -(Pronounced ukhwele ihashe) Meaning to ride a horse. When a defender is behind the striker, the striker will move the ball back and front - the defender will move back and forth as if he is riding a horse.

Show me your number - Pretending to take a shot so that your opponent can turn, therefore showing you their jersey number.

Spytwoo or Shibobo - Putting the ball between the opponents legs.

Tsamaya - Putting your feet on the ball, holding the ball still and moving it back and forward, shaming the opposition

Want to move like a soccer player?

Click here to see how it's done.

Jomo has a solution

While the Premier Soccer League hopes to address the complexities of the National First Division for the coming season, Jomo Sono believes the issue should first be left in the hands of the clubs involved. For more click here...

Kit

Diski- Soccer Balls
Kousi - Socks
Skindi - Shorts


Digathara - Shin Guards



Skipa - Jersey


Toks - Boots



Matswele - Soccer boots studs

Teams

Amagluglug - The South African under-23 national soccer team.

Ajax Cape Town - The Urban Warriors AmaZulu - Usuthu

Amajita - South Africa's under-20 national soccer team.

Bafana Bafana - "The boys the boys". South Africa's national soccer team.

Banyana Banyana - "The girls the girls". South Africa's national womens soccer team.

Basetsana - South African under-20 womens soccer team.

BidVest Wits - 'The Clever Boys'

Black Leopards - Lidoda Duvha

Bloemfontein Celtic - Phunya Sele Sele

Free State Stars - Ea Lla Koto

Golden Arrows - Abafana Bes'thende

Jomo Cosmos - 'Ezenkosi'

Kaizer Chiefs - Amakhosi

Moroka Swallows - The Beautiful Birds

Orlando Pirates - Buccaneers

Platinum Stars - 'The Lions of the North'

Santos FC - The People's Team

Mamelodi Sundowns - The Brazillians

SuperSport United - 'Matsatsantse a Pitori'

Thanda Royal Zulu - 'Amabhubesi'

Soccer Chat

Doing a Benni - Origins: Saying comes from the formerly much-lauded Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy's "uncharitable habit of turning his back on his country", following many instances of failing to turn-up to play for South Africa's national soccer squad. Means showing disloyalty and being irresponsible.

Inkomo - A wack (bad) soccer player.

Khanjana - A match ticket.

Laduma - A cheer to celebrate when a goal has been scored.

MIB - Refers to the Referee.

Scheme - Refers to the starting line-up. Uses: "What's the scheme for Bafana Bafana?"

Vuvuzela - A large plastic trumpet blown enthusiastically at soccer matches.

This has become a uniquely South African experience

Soccer, football, diski, the beautiful game – call it what you may – is South Africa’s staple pastime. It no doubt brings out the best and well, sometimes, the worst in us. On big, or even not-so-big match days the excitement is palpable as all descend on the various stadiums. Click here for more...

Grandstand

THE GHOST OF ORLAND PIRATES
“In football there are 11 players, but there is another player that makes a huge difference - and that person is called the fan.” We introduce you to a die-hard Orlando Pirates supporter, Calvin Cook. Click here to view the video.

How Do I - Learn the basics of soccer from dribbling the ball to scoring a goal

How do I run with the ball? Our experts show us how to run with a soccer ball with more control.
How do I turn with the ball? - Manoeuvre the ball away from opponents by using this technique. Check how this is done

How do I dribble a soccer ball? - You wanna dribble the ball but feel like you got two left feet... Learn how to do this correctly with the help of our expert soccer coach and his team

How do I score a goal? - Become the ultimate goal scorer with these tips.

How do I perform a penalty kick? - Our expert and his soccer team show us how to score a penalty kick

How do I juggle a soccer ball? - Learn how to juggle a soccer ball correctly

How do I head a ball? - Learn how to 'head' a ball with tips from the expert


HERE'S A WAY TO SAVE FOR THE 2010 TICKETS
Finance Minister Trevor Manuel says football fans can save for their 2010 World Cup expenses - and for their future - by buying government’s Retail Bonds. Click here for more

Players' Nicknames

Kaizer Motaung - "Chincha Guluva"
Ephraim Sono - “Jomo/Trouble Maker/Black Prince”
Irwin Khoza - "Iron Duke"
Jack Sello - "Big Daddy"
Thomas Hlongwane - "Who's Fooling Who"
Andrew Ngubane - "Professor"
Patrick Pule Ntsoelengoe - "Ace/Mabheka Phantsi"
Nelson Dladla - "Teenage/Botsotso"
Jan Lechaba - "Malombo"
Moren Khulu - "Samora"
Mafa Nduli - "Ace"
Cyprian Maimane - "Mahala"
Lucas Radebe - "Rhuu"
Sibusiso Zuma - "Rhee" or "Zuma the Puma"
Brian Baloyi - “Spyderman”
Neil Tovey - "Mokoko"
Patson Banda - “Kamuzu/The Black Cat/Sparks”
Jabu Pule/Mahlangu- “Problem Child/Shuffle”
Gift Leremi - "Zorro/Continental"
Mike Mangena - “Sporo”
Marks Maponyane - “Go man go”
Trevor Mthimkhulu - "Kae kapa kae /Triple K"
Zebulon Nhlapo - "Sputla "
Johannes Molatedi - "Chippa/Telephone exchange "
Johnny Masegela - "Black Sunday”
Vincent Makroti - "Last born"
Rabi Moripe - "Bambezela siyajika"
Mandla Sithole - "Metroblitz"
Guts Lekhuleng - 21 Jump Street "
Petrus Mokgatle - "Stopper"
Mark Anderson - "Doom/Lesilo Rula"
Andy Karajinski - "Jesus"
Patrick Wasmuth - "Sgantsontso"
Harold Legodi - "Jazzy Queen "
Harris Choeu - "TV4"
Mike Ntombela - "Nanana"
Lucky Molefe - "Oshkosh"
Johannes Moday - "Bricks"
Daniel Modau - "Mambush"
Mike Mhlanga - "Lollipop"
Cedric Xulu - "Sugar Ray "
Doctor Khumalo - "16 V"
Linda Buthelezi - "Mercedes Benz"
Brendan Silent - "20/20"
Simon Lehoko - "The Bull"
Webster Lechaba - "City late"
Tarvner Hartze - Dancing shoes"
Shaka Ngcobo - "Valdez is coming"
Jingles Perreira - "Mama ka Sbongile"
Helman Mkhalele - "Midnight Express"
Mongezi Joel Mnini - "Ace/Mkhuthuzi"
Milton Nkosi - "Walk tall"
Nick Seshweni - "Bazooka"
Johanes Makhathini - "Roadblock"
Thomas Hlongwane - "Who's fooling who"
Ernest Chirwali - "Wire"
Joseph Rapelego - "Maneloh"
Lovemore Chafunywa - "Rambo"
Amos Mkhari - "Heel Extension"
Zacharia Lamola - "Maria Maria/Computer"
Nkosi Molala - “Let Them Dance”
Bashin Mahlangu - “Ayashis’ amateki”
Ephraim Mashaba - “Shakes”
Johannes Khomane - “Yster"
Phil Setshedi - “Mr Jones”
Joseph Setlhodi - “Banks”
Kagiso Mohale - “Zero”
Pitso Mosimane - “Jingles”
Lawrence Siyangaphi - "Sister Monica”
Andries Mpondo - “Chaka Chaka”
Alex Bapela - “Barnes”
Joel Masilela - “Fire”
Elias Mokopane - “Shuffle"
Daniel Mudau - “Mambush”
Pollen Ndlanya - “Trompies"
Jerry Sikhosana - “Legs of Thunder”
Lawrence Maake - “Killer”
Lesley Manyathela - " Slow Poison"
Aubrey Leokwane - "Sense of knowledge"
Ernest Makhanya - "Botsotso"
Sello Mhlangu - "Page"
Errol Sweeney(referee) - "The hanging judge"
Moeneeb Josephs - "Slim Kat"
Calvin Kadi - "Dolezar"
Moses Spandeel - "Mara"
Katlego Mashego - "Mahoota"
Siphiwe Mkhoza - "Skizo"
Arthur Zwane - "10111"
John Moshoeu - "Shoes"
Edward Malinga - "Madiba"
Jonathan Armogam - "JJ"
Phil Evans - "Lekgowa"
Sandile Ndlovu - "AK-47"
Steve Lekoelea - "Chippa"
Aaron Mokoena - "Mbazo"
Mbulelo Mabizela - "OJ"
Nkosinathi Nhleko - "Chippa"
Stanton Fredericks - "Stiga"
Isaac Kungoane - “Shakes”
Mark Fish - “Feeesh”
Phil Masinga - “Chippa”
Samuel Khambule - “Ewie”
Chris Katongo - "Tsunami"
Ernst Middendorp - "Mazinyo.Com"
Sipho Sephadi - "Spaghetti"
Lucky Mhlathe - "LaCoste"
Dikgang Mabalane - "Terminator"
Johannes Mofokeng - "Ryder"
Meshack Mukwevho - "Touch"
John Mabizela - "OJ"
Quinton Fortune - "The Phantom"
Siyabonga Nomvete - "Bhele"
Tsholofelo Modise - "Teko/Deco"
Lesley Manyathela - "Slow Poison"
Benedict Vilakazi - "Botsotso/Tso/Little Napoleon"
Lungisani Lionel Ndlela - "Cut & Paste"
Bryan Aldave - "Cabeza"
Fanyana Dhladhla - "Fire"
Koketso Mmotong - Mnini"
Thando Mngomeni - "Kanu"
Manqoba Ngwenya - "Shakes"
Esrom Nyandoro - "Yellowman"
Josta Dladla - "JD"
Dillon Sheppard - "Sheppy"
Phelani Innocent Mpangase - "JJ"
Peter Shere Lekgothoane - "Scorpion"
Dumisa Ngobe - "Isiphithiphithi"
Zane Moosa - "Magic Feet"
Steve Mokone - "Kalamazoo"
Fetsi Molatedi - "Chippa"
Archie Radebe - "Juluka"
Clive Barker - "The Dog"
Rowen Fernandez - "Spider"
Godfrey Sepula - "Godfather"
Hareaipha Simba Marumo - "Rastaman"
Emmanuel Asanda Ngobese - "Scara"
Isaac Mabotsa - "Yster"
Rudi Charles Isaacs - "Boucher"
Maimane Alfred Phiri - "Ngubo"
Ian Wright (ENG) - "Dr Jerkyll"
Romario (BRA) - "Shorty"
Ronaldo (BRA) - "Phenomenon"
Pelé (BRA) - "King"
Diego Maradona (ARG) - "Pelusa (Dishevelled One)"
Ruud Gullit (HOL) - "Black Tulip"
Paul Gascoigne (ENG) - "Gazza"
Roberto Baggio (ITA) - "Golden Ponytail"
David Beckham (ENG) - "Spice Boy, Becks, Goldenballs, DB7"
Ronaldinho - "The One Man Show"
Franz Beckenbaeur - "The Kaiser"