This week, we hear from Soccer Laduma Supporters Club Committee Member Botha Msila, as he touches on the Telkom Knockout quarter-finals and the upcoming semi-finals.
Hela Yalo, football fanatics
On the Telkom Knockout quarter-finals and upcoming semi-finals
This is a cup that normally produces miracles. You’d expect big teams like Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns to be in the semis, but through this tournament’s miracles, instead, you have teams like Polokwane City and Bloemfontein Celtics in the semi-finals. It is a very difficult tournament to win. Remember it’s the second cup competition of the season and we aren’t even 10 games into the season. Some teams are still finding their feet. I’m so happy for my team (Celtic) and my coach. The coach is playing a pivotal role in building a team that is going to compete for honours and be a force to be reckoned with. I want to urge all Siwelele supporters to come out and be there for our team.
On Bafana’s two upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Senegal
It is that time where we have to unite for the country’s sake. We need each other now more than ever. The only way we can win this war is when we stand together as a country. Let us stop trying to be coaches and criticising our own players. Let us rally behind them. Let us all come in numbers to Polokwane and fill up Peter Mokaba Stadium. To all the MECs of Sport in all nine provinces, let us have a bus from each one of your respective provinces that will transport supporters to the game. Please invest in football. We really need to qualify and, for that to be possible, we need all the help that we can get from all the stakeholders.
On supporters invading the pitch
I’m saddened to notice that there are still fans out there who invade the pitch. One thing I know is that the real supporters know the rules and regulations of the PSL, and they’ll never do such a thing. But it is then up to us, real supporters, to stop the hooliganism in the stadiums. Those people can harm our players and they can also steal from our team’s benches. We shouldn’t allow this to happen. The security should also take them into police custody and let them spend the weekend in the cells. I think we will have to do a 'no pitch invasion campaign' where we educate the fans on how to behave in the stadium. It is our duty to end this. It’s high time we act now because no one will do it for us.
‘Til we talk again
Botha
