Sponsorships have an impact in South African football

(On the left is chairman of Kazer Chiefs, Kaizer Motaung and on the right is chairman of Orlando Pirates, Dr Ivan Khoza at the launch of the Carling Black Label Cup.www.soccerladuma.com) 

Six days back, Orlando Pirates FC and Kaizer Chiefs FC both sponsored by Carling Black Label locked horns in the second edition of the Carling Black Label Cup which Pirates won on penalties (5-4), after a one all draw. The match popularly known as the Soweto Derby proved that sponsorships are becoming a key factor in football clubs enhancing their image, performance and getting their supporters fully behind them.

The match against Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs was a sponsorship activity, where supporters where given the opportunity to select the starting line-up for both teams, and it was a success as over 10.5 million votes were casted by football fans. The match was played at FNB stadium and was fully packed. Stadium Management SA released a statement saying, "we are confident that this year's edition will be sold out." (www.mtnfootball.com) 

It is a mutual benefit deal
Sponsorship deals between organisations and football clubs are made to benefit both parties involved as the organisation seek to create public awareness, brand loyalty and work on attitudes in order for the public to view them in a positive light. For example, Orlando Pirates are also sponsored by Vodacom, therefor its supporters may see it good to use Vodacom network as its sponsors their favourite team. Clubs on the other hand may benefit in a form of receiving money from their sponsors.

Some South African football teams have had long-lasting relationships with their sponsors. For example, Vodacom and Orlando have been have had a solid sponsorship deal for more than five years. Organisations are aware that they might not benefit directly as clubs do but they expect a return in terms of publicity.

Successful sponsorship deals in South African football

• Orlando Pirates and Vodacom sponship deal
• Kaizer Chiefs and Vodacom sponsorship deal
• Moroka Swallows and Volkswagen sponsorship deal
• Supersport and DSTV sponsorship deal 

Robin finally showing his full potential

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wemger, insists that Robin van Persie will stay with them after the star-striker has had a fantastic season.  On Thursday, Van Persie was crowned Footballer of the Year at the Football Writers' Association awards in London, after being consistent in front of goal mouth. His future has been subject in the media while his club, Arsenal, has not signalled information to the media concerning his next move.With many believing that he will move to a bigger club such as Real Madrid or Barcelona, the striker emphasised that he will always be a 'Gunner'.

Left, Robin van Persie was happy to receive the Player of the Year award on Thursday

Arsenal cannot afford to lose Robin 
With Arsenal lying third in the English Premiere League and are on the brink of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, Robin Van Persie has proved to be a worthy player as he has scored thirty five goals this season in all club competitions. It is evident that Arsenal cannot afford to lose its forward as the club's supporter love him and his fellow teammates have praised him for his professionalism. Arsenal also needs to ensure that there will not be a repeat of last season, when prolific players such as the likes of Cesc Febregas and Samir Nasri were snatched by clubs with bigger budgets. Arsenal is prominent for being a club that does not buy expensive players but develop ordinary players into football stars. In the past seasons, Arsenal have rather been reactive in the transfer market as they have sold their players without replacing them immediately. 

Van Persie has expressed his happiness at Arsenal and one would not imagine him with any other team than Arsenal. His manager is also confident that he will stay with the team. He mentioned in a press conference " I think what is important for us is that we find an agreement with him to be happy and to stay and finish his career here. I cannot guarantee that it will go well, but I am quite confident." Massages communicated by clubs are often accurate, I am not an Arsenal supporter but I would be delighted to see Robin stay and finish his career with 'The Gunners'.

Van Persie's goal scoring record since his arrival at Arsenal

Seasons                                Appearances                                 Goals

2004-05                                     41                                          10
2005-06                                     38                                          11
2006-07                                     31                                          13
2007-08                                     23                                          09
2008-09                                     44                                          20
2009-10                                     20                                          10
2010-11                                     33                                          22
2011-12                                     45                                          36

Pep has called it quits at Barcelona

Today, FC Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola announced that he will not continue managing Barcelona in the next season. His contract ends at the end of the season in June 2012. He took over Barcelona in 2008 as aged 37, as year young manager who nobody expected wonders from. Barcelona offered him a new deal but he refused it, insisting that the team needs a new manager who will bring fresh ideas in the Barcelona system. He is now hot property and any team would be delighted to have him as a manager as he has earned himself legendary status in the period he spent at FC Barcelona.

Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola during a confrence meeting as he announced that he will not continue with his team.
(http://www.yahoo.com/)



Will Barca manage without Pep?
Guardiola's departure will have have an impact in Barcelona's performance as players adapted easily to his coaching style. Football analysts and supporters have expressed their views, insisting that Barcelona is heading for its downfall. The team has lost three games in a row, an experience they have not had in two years. They were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by English team, Chelsea, which star player Messi missed a penalty in the second leg. They also lost in the El Classico against arch rivals Real Madrid, a game which most defined it as the league decider. Since Pep arrived at Barclona, the am has played beautiful football, which saw them winning thirteen trophies, dominating in Europe for four years.Their mini-slump has caused them both the Spanish league title, which Real Madrid are favourite winners, leading them by seven points with only four games remaining and the Champions league as they lost in the semi-finals.

Pep had kept everyone waiting including Barcelona on his decision whether he would continue coaching the Spanish giants. Rumours have also been circulating around the 41-year old manager's destination, with many speculating that his next job will be at Chelsea. At a conference, he apologised for keeping the team, supporters and the media waiting on his decision, he said at a conference " I am very sorry for all of the uncertainty i created over this time over my future, maybe it was an error of mine." Fans grew impatient over his silent behaviour as it created a tense atmosphere in the Barcelona camp. Players were also affected by his silence as the mood was as good as it should during the past three games. His reason for leaving is fair because he mentioned that the team needs someone who will bring something new that he cannot. (http://www.news24.co.za/)

Pep's triumphs at Barcelona

UEFA Champions League winners

• 2008-2009
• 2010-2011

FIFA Club World Cup winners

• 2009-2010
• 2012-2013

Spanish League Championship

• 2008-2009
• 2009-2010
• 2010-2011

Super Cup

• 2009-2010

Spanish Cup

• 2008-2009

     



Players were astonished as Fabrice Muamba collapsed during a match
(http://www.thesun.co.uk/) 


While the global football community was put to relief over Bolton Wonderers player, Frabice Muamba being discharged in hospital after collapsing during a football match on 17 March, football was hit again with tragedy by the death if Italian footballer, Piermario Morosini. It had been reported that the 25 year old Livorno player had suffered from cardiac arrest but it is unclear where it really is cardiac arrest as the post mortem shows otherwise.

There is unity in football
As a football fan, I was delighted by the support that the football community gave over the two incidents that have occurred. Football players and supporters all over the world showed support as they posted on Facebook and Tweeter messages of support to the family and friends of both the players. Bolton Wonderers manager, Owen Coyle, thanked everyone for their support, he added, "it is absolutely fantastic news that Fabrice has been discharged from hospital." Players and football fans took their support to the stadiums as they wore t-shirts in support of the incidents that have occurred. Furthermore, the global football body, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), have also showed their support as president Sepp Blatter wrote to Bolton Wonderers chairman, "the football family's thoughts and prayers are with Frabrice's family, club and loved ones at this difficult time," (www.cbc.ca/sports). FIFA has also stated that it will ensure that all professional football players are checked for heart related diseases.Football influencers have called for governments to invest more in sports with regards to their health. These sad events have showed that not only football is affected but sports in general.

Sad day for football as family, friends and the global football community attended the funeral of Piermario Morosini
(http://www.dailynews.com/)

Should there even be comparison between Messi and Neymar



Messi, Pele and Neymar at the UEFA awards.(http://www.elitedaily.com/)



Brazilian legend Pele, has once again dismissed claims that Barcelona FC player, Lionel Messi, is the greatest player in modern football. On Wednesday, Pele minimised Messi, saying that his countryman Neymar is better than Messi. Pele however, said " there's always this Maradona comparison, saying that he's better than Pele. Now some are saying that Messi is better than Pele. Well, he has to be better than Neymar first, which he isn't yet." Some Pele supporters including him have insisted that Messi would have to win the World Cup to be included in the conversation of the greatest football players of all time.

Who is the best
However, Messi has broken almost all of the football records globally and has recieved the best player award for three consecutive years. The humble Argentine has not even once responded negatively to Pele's allegations but has instead proved himself on the pitch. Scoring more than fifty goals this season, Lionel Messi has remained in top form since getting an automatic selection in the Barcelona squad five years ago. Though one cannot deny that Neymay is also a good player but he is still young and has to gain experience.

Will Neymar join Barcelona 
Rumours have circled around the global football community that Neymar will transfer to Barcelona next season. Having both Neymar and Messi pairing up front would be a football heaven for Barcelona or rather football itself. While Pele is going around stating that Neymar is the better than Messi, it could negatively impact the team's chemistry. Also, from a public relations point of view, Pele should rather encourage and influence both players to develop a friendship rather than making individual comparison, as there is a possibility of the players teaming up.

Lionel Messi's goal record for Barcelona in the past five years

• 2007/2008 Season        16 goals
• 2008/2009 Season        38 goals
• 2009/2010 Season        47 goals
• 2010/2011 Season        53 goals
• 2011/2012 Season        61 goals as yet

Seems like Bafana Bafana is going nowhere

One can argue that South African football has improved but there are still factors that challenge the development of South African football. One thing that has always been a problem is the inconsistent form of the South African senior national team. The South African national team, popularly known as Bafana Bafana has not performed well in recent years, failing to qualify for both 2010 and 2012 African Cups of Nations. 

Bafana Bafana logo ( http://www.faraitoday.com/)

                                                                                                                                                
Embarrassing moment for South Africa
The national team embarrassed themselves in October 2011 by celebrating after playing a draw against Sierra Leone, thinking that they had qualified for the 2012 African Cups of Nations tournament. It was a game which South Africa needed to win in order to qualify but drew and misread the rules of qualification. The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) mistakenly announced that Bafana Bafana had qualified for the cup finals while the South African Football Association (SAFA) president, Kirsten Nematandani complimented the national team for achieving, before realisation that SABC had communicated a false message. In a statement released by SAFA, it stated that it would appeal to the Confederation of African Football but later withdrawn. Damage had already been done as South African football supporters were furious and confused and SAFA became the scapegoats of what had been called " South Africa's football shameful moment". (http://www.sport24.co.za/)

  An exclusive interview with Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane as he gives his overview of future plans.(http://www.youtube.com/)

Way foward for Bafana Bafana

There has been a handful recommendations on how Bafana Bafana can improve their play and start winning games. Bafana Bafana coach, Pitso Mosimane has called for SAFA and the Premiere Soccer League (PSL) to work together in developing football in South Africa. Both SAFA and the Premiere Soccer League board should work on strengthening their relationship as there had been reports that some PSL soccer teams refuse to release their players to go represent the national team because of the busy schedule set by the PSL board. "We are working on a policy that will help us work with clubs as far as releasing players is concerned. As an organisation we have to flex our muscles and make sure that the national pride is not compromised by owners of clubs," said SAFA vice-president, Mwelo Nonkonyane. (http://www.supersport.com/)

Bafana Bafana's last five games results (http://www.safa.net/)

• 08 October 2011          South Africa vs Sierra Leone           Draw 0-0
• 12 November 2011       South Africa vs Cote d'Ivoire             Draw 1-1
• 15 November 2011       Zimbabwe vs South Africa                   Lost  2-1
• 06 January 2012           Equatorial Guinea vs South Africa    Draw 0-0
• 29 February 2012         South Africa vs Senegal                   Draw 0-0

Nothing can stop Messi

Barcelona FC player Lionel Messi, has being hailed as a living legend by the media. This was after he made history by being Barcelona's highest goal scorer of all time. He scored his 234th goal on Tuesday 20 March in their 5-3 win against Granada. It was claimed by the Spanish media that the 24 year old  Argentine could become the greatest player in football history.(http://www.bleacherreport.com/)

Record breaker Messi celebrating one of his goals on Tueasday's game against Granada
(http://www.faniq.com/) 

                                               

Messi relates well with teammates 
Messi has mentioned before that not only skill and speed is important in football, but also communication and understanding play a vital role in the success of the team. Messi communicates well with his teamates on the pitch, especially with likes of Xavi and Iniesta who have contributed more in assisting Messi to score goals. Messi and his teammates play well on the field and Barcelona's manager, Pep Guardiola, has emphasised that his players  also get along very well off the pitch and their relationships amongst each other are strong and encourages brotherhood. (http://www.supersport.com/)

Football record breaker 
The Argentine's record breaking deed has left many football fans wondering if his arch-rival Real Madrid player, Christiano Ronaldo should still be matched with him. In a press conference held by Barcelona after their win against Granada on Tuesday, Barcelona's Pep stated that "I feel sorry for those who would like knoch off his throne, because that is impossible." Football spectators have interpreted this message as being directed to Ronaldo.(http://www.sport24.co.za/)
                                                        The two best players in the world

Desperate Ronaldo is living under the shadow of Messi[www.blearcherreport.com]

Messi's  heroics has given Barcelona the spotlight. With a handful number of organisations wanting to be associated with the team in terms of sponsorships and player indorsements. Having close to 24 million fans, Barcelona FC has managed to reach out to its fans argueably more than any other team. They can also be refered to as a SocialCorp as it uses social media such as blogs and a Facebook page to interact with its stakeholders.

                      Messi's goals against Granada on Tuesday(http://www.youtube.com/)