Phakaaathi - Ballz 2 the Wall

New Year, same old Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs have started 2023 in fairly dismal fashion, losing their opening three DStv Premiership fixtures of the year. Arthur Zwane has preached a long-term vision for the side and surely deserves the continued backing of Amakhosi management, as Chiefs' problems hardly started with him. The most popular side in…

23 Jan 2023 27 min

The Atlas Lions fly the flag for Africa

Morocco sprung the surprise of the last 16 of the Fifa World Cup when they stunned Spain to reach the quarterfinals, leaving Africa as the only continent outside of Europe and South America to have a team in the last eight. The Atlas Lions have defended brilliantly in this tournament…

7 Dec 2022 29 min

2022 Fifa World Cup Matchweek 1 wrap - Unedited

It was quite the first round of matches at the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar, with two massive surprises (see Saudi Arabia and Japan), some absolute hammerings (see England and Spain), and a wonder-goal from Brazil (see Richarlison). In this week's Ballz to the Wall Podcast, Phakaaathi editor Jonty…

25 Nov 2022 28 min

Who will win the 2022 Qatar World Cup?

The 2022 Qatar World Cup kicks off on Sunday, a tournament mired in controversy, where organisers will hope the football can distract from the myriad of issues that mean a World Cup really shouldn't be taking place in Qatar at all. It's hard to pick a favourite for the competition,…

17 Nov 2022 30 min

The Beer Cup - Do Chiefs and Pirates fans know what they want?

Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu will do battle in the Carling Black Label Cup on Saturday, the final action of the domestic season before a break for the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar. The Black Label Cup used to be only for two teams - Chiefs…

10 Nov 2022 23 min

The Soweto Derby - will Chiefs or Pirates fans leave on a high?

Kaizer Chiefs head into the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates on Saturday in no sort of form at all. Arthur Zwane's Amakhosi have been as unreliable as British Prime Ministers this season, and were booted out of the MTN8 last weekend by AmaZulu. Pirates are in much better form in…

26 Oct 2022 23 min

The Bimenyimana boogie - Are Kaizer Chiefs dancing their way to the top?

Whisper it quietly, but Kaizer Chiefs' season is on an uptick, with three straight DStv Premiership win propelling Arthur Zwane's Amakhosi up the table. Caleb Bimenyimana, Chiefs' new Burundian striker, has been at the heart of this revival, bagging six goals so far, including a hat-trick of penalties against Stellenbosch…

13 Oct 2022 31 min

Feeling Kaizer Chiefs-y? Is it time for Amakhosi fans to start to panic?

In the latest Ballz to the Wall Podcast, the team discuss another poor result for Kaizer Chiefs and whether patience with Arthur Zwane is starting to wear thin. Phakaaathi editor Jonty Mark, along with football writers Sibongiseni Gumbi and Tshepo Ntsoelengoe, also discuss another win for Orlando Pirates, with some…

15 Sep 2022 27 min

Are we all set up for a Chiefs-Pirates MTN8 final?

Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates were kept apart when the draw for the MTN8 semifinals took place late on Monday, meaning a Soweto derby MTN8 final is a distinct possibility. Then again, Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu will have plenty to say about that, especially the former, who are the defending…

31 Aug 2022 28 min

Mhango and Mntambo show Pirates what they are missing

While Orlando Pirates were failing to hit the proverbial cow's behind with a banjo on Sunday against SuperSport United, Gabadinho Mhango and Linda Mntambo were both among the goals in this weekend's DStv Premiership action. In this week's Ballz to the Wall podcast, Phakaaathi editor Jonty Mark, along with soccer…

23 Aug 2022 19 min

Sundowns show Kaizer Chiefs who's boss

Mamelodi Sundowns showed exactly why they are chasing a sixth successive DStv Premiership title on Saturday with a 4-0 evisceration of Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Stadium in Tshwane. The result gave Chiefs a clear indication of the task at hand if they are to mount any sort of title challenge,…

16 Aug 2022 23 min

Does Zwane-ball have lift off at Kaizer Chiefs?

Kaizer Chiefs bounced back from an opening weekend defeat to Royal AM in the DStv Premiership by beating Maritzburg United 3-0 on Tuesday evening, to give Arthur Zwane his first victory as permanent Chiefs head coach. The Phakaaathi team discuss Chiefs' displays so far this season and ask exactly what…

10 Aug 2022 25 min

Episode 2: Benni in the Manchester United area

Benni McCarthy hit the headlines this week when he was named as the striker coach at Manchester United ahead of the 2022/23 English Premier League season. Bafana Bafana's all-time leading goalscorer, and a lifelong Manchester United fan, suddenly finds himself working with stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Martial and Marcus…

2 Aug 2022 23 min

Banyana Banyana get a welcome home to remember

Phakaaathi editor Jonty Mark hosts Phakaaathi soccer writers Tshepo Ntsoelengoe and Sibongiseni Gumbi to discuss Banyana Banyana's amazing triumph in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Tshepo tells us what the atmosphere was like at the airport as Banyana were welcomed home on Tuesday morning, while we also discuss the…

28 Jul 2022 18 min