The Free State Stars Chronicle
Squad9 Aug 2027
Thulani Mokotjo out for 56 days
The medical room confirms 56 days on the sidelines for Thulani Mokotjo, and a plan built around him now has to be rebuilt.
Market9 Aug 2027
Williams Jali is a Free State Stars player again
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
Market9 Aug 2027
Kermit Dala is a Free State Stars player again
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
Market9 Aug 2027
Dean Ngcobo comes home
The shirt still fits. Dean Ngcobo is back at Free State Stars, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
Market9 Aug 2027
As if he never left: Teboho Mothiba returns
Some transfers need a press campaign. This one needed a shirt with the old number on it. Teboho Mothiba is a Free State Stars player again, and the town has its story of the summer.
Squad9 Aug 2027
Ayanda Mtshali in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Free State Stars this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Match7 Aug 2027
Bradley Erasmus the difference as Free State Stars beat Jomo Cosmos
Ask anyone on the way out what separated the sides and you will get one name: Bradley Erasmus. 3‑2 against Jomo Cosmos, and the applause at the whistle was mostly his.
Player ratings9 Aug 2027
Evidence Dolly in the eights
A performance of 9.27 does not come along often, and when it does the rest of the team becomes scenery. He was magnificent.
Squad9 Aug 2027
The manager makes an example of Ayanda Mtshali
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
In brief
- Player ratings Evidence Lorch in the eights
- Player ratings A masterclass from Bradley Erasmus
- Boardroom Free State Stars are making the ground bigger