Nothing will cost you in life than your incapability to say no to people. This thing of wanting to show up great in everyone's book will paralyze you. Turn individuals down if you need to, disappoint people if you have to. Soft nature will leave you emotionally paralyzed.
55 Test wins as captain. Passing the legendary John Smit to become the most successful Springbok captain of all time. 🇿🇦🐐
History rewritten once again by Siya Kolisi.
#TeamSA#ForMyCountry
THREAD 🧵
SOUTH AFRICA'S UNDERWORLD: THE MEN BEHIND THE HEADLINES
South Africa's organised-crime landscape is far bigger than gangs and drug dealers.
Taxi bosses. Tenderpreneurs. Alleged hitmen. Mining kingpins. Security businessmen. Construction extortionists. Nightclub operators.
And increasingly, alleged links to the police & state. Those heists, hits on important people, political killings, carjeckings, kidnappings, systematic corruption, the rogue law enforcement agencies... There is still a long way on these!
Here is a look at some of the names emerging from court cases, investigations and the Madlanga Commission. 🇿🇦👇
Inside Kaizer Chiefs' Second-Half Tactical Dominance📝
Kaizer Chiefs produced a far more balanced and purposeful attacking display in the second half. There was greater tactical flexibility in their movement, improved intensity in and out of possession, and better decision-making in the final third.
The constant rotation of positions made it difficult for Kruger United to maintain their defensive shape, creating more space and allowing Chiefs to attack with greater fluency and control. A far more dynamic display in attack with Vilakazi mostly receiving inside that wide.
■ Chiefs showed patient but purposeful ball circulation, refusing to force attacks but moving the ball a bit quicker than usual. There were quick passing sequences, one-touch combinations and improved third-man movements which manipulated Kruger's defensive block, creating spaces to penetrate in the half-spaces and from both flanks. We made it difficult for them to break out and progress when we decided to press.
■ Ethan Chislett was the tactical heartbeat in the 10 role. He freely roamed across the final 3rd, creating overloads between the lines and dragging defenders out of position. His pressing was good, contributed directly to the sequences that led to both goals. His movement allowed both Baartman (LW) and Vilakazi (RW) to invert into central pockets without sacrificing width.
■ The chemistry between Chislett, Baartman and Vilakazi created constant positional rotations that made Chiefs unpredictable. As Kruger narrowed to protect central spaces, Monyane and Frosler aggressively attacked the wide channels, stretching the defensive block while remaining tactically disciplined after offensive actions. You'll see Frosler moving into a more inverted role when Monyane pushes to cross and vice versa.
■ Despite committing numbers forward, Chiefs remained structurally balanced. I was impressed with the aggressive counter-press which saw the team recover possession very quickly, preventing Kruger from transitioning and also it allowed us to sustain relentless attacking momentum. The goals came from continued attacking momentum, and good ball circulation.
■ The team built attacking moments on controlled possession, repeated ball circulation and well balanced off-the-ball movement rather than individual brilliance. Every ball recovery immediately initiated another attacking phase, pinning Kruger United deep until the pressure eventually produced the goals that sealed the victory.
This team delivered an impressive performance despite being without key talents like Asanele Velebayi, Mduduzi Shabalala, and new signing Langelihle Phili.
■ The depth, structure, and quality on display should give Kaizer Chiefs supporters plenty of encouragement.
Kaizer Chiefs of coach Fernando Da Cruz...📝
Adolf Mtasingwa Bitegeko | Scouting Report | Player Profile📝
Age: 27
Position: DM/CM
Club: Kaizer Chiefs
Adolf Mtasingwa arrives at Kaizer Chiefs as the natural successor to the role vacated over a year ago by Edson Castillo and most recently by Thabo Cele at the base of midfield
TACTICAL PROFILE
■ Operating primarily as a holding midfielder, Mtasingwa prioritises occupying central spaces, protecting the back line, and maintaining compactness rather than pressing recklessly and leaving his zone exposed. That quality alone would significantly improve Chiefs' rest defence. He is not easily drawn out of position.
■ His defensive game is built on spatial awareness and anticipation rather than aggressive defending, he is not a strong tackler or has elite ball winning abilities, but he competes strongly in duels. He constantly scans his surroundings, which helps recognise danger early.
■ He is the type of defensive midfielder who naturally drops into the back line during build-up when passes don't reach him, effectively becoming a 3rd CB to have greater control in the 1st phase. He wants the ball to flow through him. He will remind many of Edson Castillo when he 1st arrived, before the goals got him moved into offensive areas.
TECHNICAL QUALITIES
■ Mtasingwa's technical profile is built on efficiency rather than flair. He keeps the game simple, controlled, and structurally sound. Most of his actions are directed towards maintaining the team's shape, progressing possession through positive forward passing, and providing stability. A true technician.
■ While not a high-volume dribbler, goal scorer, or chance creator, he possesses the technical security to operate consistently under pressure, finding line-breaking passes that move the team forward.
■ He provides the defence with a reliable passing outlet during build-up, something only Thabo Cele consistently offered last season. For a change, Chiefs have moved intelligently in replacing an outgoing player with a similar profile.
PASSING
Passing is the strongest aspect of his game. Mtase also enjoys playing the trivela pass🤌🏾
■ His range extends far beyond simple circulation. He can execute accurate long diagonals to switch play, exploit the weak side, or release wide players into space. Chiefs possess pace in attack but have lacked a specialist capable of consistently playing accurate balls in behind. Mtasingwa addresses that, giving the team another dangerous attacking weapon. Castillo was the last midfielder to consistently hit those long diagonals.
■ Mtasingwa understands when to recycle possession and when to accelerate the tempo with progressive distribution, making him a reliable deep-lying playmaker without sacrificing structural balance. His former national team coach compared his passing ability to Paul Pogba's. To justify those comparisons, he will need to elevate his game at Chiefs.
Tactical Fit at Kaizer Chiefs
Mtasingwa is an ideal fit for Fernando Da Cruz's structured, possession-based game model.
■ Whether as the lone 6 in a 4-3-3, the deeper midfielder in a 4-2-3-1, or the main 6 in a 4-4-2, he provides the defensive platform that allows attack-minded midfielders greater freedom while giving the defence security.
■ A positionally disciplined DM and DLP who brings structural balance, and control that made Castillo/Cele such important components of the system whenever they operated as the team's main 6
His arrival ensures Chiefs retain a midfield profile capable of orchestrating the 1st phase of build-up. Mtase is a willing and reliable receiver in build-up, always making himself available to connect or initiate play from the back.
Ultimately, what Mtase is capable of and what he delivers are 2 different things. On paper, he possesses all the traits required to improve the team, but success at Chiefs will depend on how quickly he adapts and elevate his game further under the high demands and expectations of a big club.
Adolf Mtasingwa📝
Being South African has been the best thing ever for the past years now
From Music, UFC, Cricket, Rugby and now football
We are simply the best country in Africa 🇿🇦
We need to stop this tendency to go after players that Orlando Pirates are willing to release. I really don’t know what lessons we are taking from history.
The last 2 transfer windows we repeated the same error of buying deadwood for our LB position from Pirates when better players are available across the league and continent. This even delayed some of our promising youngsters because we are happy with getting 20% performance from a 32 year old than getting 50% from a youngster.
■ 50% of the signings we made last season did not improve us. While some didn't play enough to, others played but were not good enough to improve us.
Now we are linked with a Kabelo Dlamini, who Pirates put to the stands to win the league. I don't even want to say it's just a rumour because we signed a Bongani Sam who was on the stands, too, from Pirates🚮
At some point, we need to start asking serious questions. When are we going to see tangible results from the restructured scouting and recruitment department?
In Bellville, a woman listed a couch on Facebook Marketplace for R4,500. A buyer contacted her and sounded normal, sent proof of payment, and said the money was “held” until she verified her bank account.
By 21:14, R42,870 was gone from her bank accounts. The bank said it was authenticated and they could not help her.
A Thread