The Free State Stars Chronicle
Squad13 Dec 2027
Tempers go at Free State Stars
Thulani Dala was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Squad13 Dec 2027
A row about effort at Free State Stars
Somebody said out loud what several people thought about how hard another man trains, and Bradley Mkhize was in the middle of it. The one dressing-room argument that is genuinely about football.
The dugout13 Dec 2027
Themba Manyama gets it from the manager
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
Match11 Dec 2027
Free State Stars come up short against Jomo Cosmos
Jomo Cosmos left with the points after a 0‑1 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.
The dugout13 Dec 2027
Siyabonga Kekana: “No excuses”
“I could talk about decisions and I could talk about luck. I will not. We lost.” The manager, 0‑1, and a press conference that lasted four minutes.
Player ratings13 Dec 2027
Sifiso Grobler runs at them all day
Successful dribbles: 12. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.
The dugout13 Dec 2027
Itumeleng Dolly has become a man the manager trusts
Nobody at Free State Stars will say this on the record and the team sheets have been saying it for weeks. There is a small group in every squad who get picked when the fixture is difficult, and he has joined it.
The dugout13 Dec 2027
Keagan Dala is still being punished for one mistake
Nobody will confirm it and the team sheets confirm it every week. One error has bought him a spell as second choice that is already longer than the error deserved.
Looking ahead13 Dec 2027
Reece Braithwaite goes back to face Orlando Pirates
Every squad has one of these fixtures for somebody every season. This one is Reece Braithwaite’s: the club that knew him first, the supporters who will decide in the first minute whether to applaud, and Free State Stars needing him to play as if none of it matters.
In brief
- Market The Erick Vilakazi question follows Free State Stars around
- Market Reece Braithwaite placed on the list
- Market Talks stall between Free State Stars and Morgan Erasmus