The mood at Platinum Stars has turned into something else
Supporters who sing when it goes badly are supporters. Supporters who gather afterwards are a problem, and everybody inside the building knows which of the two this now is.
The offer from Chippa United for Erick Mkhize was heard out and sent back the same day. First bids are rarely meant to succeed; they are meant to find out how loudly the door closes.
The deal with Orlando Pirates is done in every sense but the one that puts him on the pitch. Nothing goes wrong at this stage, except on the occasions when it does.
Not now, not at any price the club was prepared to say out loud. Mamelodi Sundowns have kept their man, and Platinum Stars go back to a list with one name crossed off it.
Somebody said out loud what several people thought about how hard another man trains, and Bokamoso Taukobong was in the middle of it. The one dressing-room argument that is genuinely about football.
The deal with Kaizer Chiefs is done in every sense but the one that puts him on the pitch. Nothing goes wrong at this stage, except on the occasions when it does.
Itumeleng Zungu 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.
The phone has started ringing about Erick Mkhize again, and this time the name on the line is Chippa United. Platinum Stars are listening politely and promising nothing.
Squad18 Jan 2027
Words at Platinum Stars training over how hard people work
Somebody said out loud what several people had been thinking. Itumeleng Mabunda is at the centre of it, and the squad will now find out whether the standard rises or the pair of them simply stop speaking.
Somebody said out loud what several people thought about how hard another man trains, and Itumeleng Mabunda was in the middle of it. The one dressing-room argument that is genuinely about football.
It is not much of a headline and it is the reason players believe the next promise. Platinum Stars told Aden Dreyer something would happen and then it happened, which in this industry passes for remarkable.
“I know what people will say. I know what I want, and it is here.” Tusker had the fee agreed and the shirt ready; they did not have the player, and now they will not.
A medical, a signature, a shirt held up in front of a sponsor’s board. Platinum Stars have done the hard part with Wa All Stars, and the part that remains is the part supporters actually see.
Terms were offered and declined. Whether it was the wages, the role or the town, nobody at Gimnasia La Plata is saying, and nobody at Platinum Stars is enjoying the guessing.
Platinum Stars asked and Belgrano said no without discussing a figure. It is the least ambiguous answer in football and the one clubs most often come back to test.
At 23 he is being sung about by people twice his age, which is an affection a signing has to earn over years and a local kid gets for turning up. It is also the hardest thing in football to live up to.
“I know what people will say. I know what I want, and it is here.” Al Gaish had the fee agreed and the shirt ready; they did not have the player, and now they will not.
The offer from Orlando Pirates for Evidence Mokoena was heard out and sent back the same day. First bids are rarely meant to succeed; they are meant to find out how loudly the door closes.
A medical, a signature, a shirt held up in front of a sponsor’s board. Platinum Stars have done the hard part with Gimnasia La Plata, and the part that remains is the part supporters actually see.
Itumeleng Zungu and a teammate said things this week that will take longer than a week to unsay. It was not about football, and both of them play on Saturday.
Squad24 Aug 2026
Words at Platinum Stars training over how hard people work
Somebody said out loud what several people had been thinking. Evidence Mokoena is at the centre of it, and the squad will now find out whether the standard rises or the pair of them simply stop speaking.
Not now, not at any price the club was prepared to say out loud. Golden Arrows have kept their man, and Platinum Stars go back to a list with one name crossed off it.
“A point is a point and I will take it, but we should have had all three.” Dean Dolly after the 1‑1 draw, and the sentence every manager in the country said at some stage this weekend.