Musona transfer among top football stories in SA

it created in Zimbabwe, was one of the 16 top stories, in terms of readership, on the Kick-Off website this year.
Here is the list of the top stories.
1 – Pirates unveil new jersey
Orlando Pirates unveiled their new Adidas jersey for the 2011/12 Premier Soccer League season in July, causing a frenzy on KickOff.com.
The players wore the new jersey for the first time during the Vodacom Challenge against Tottenham Hotspur in Mbombela on July 19. Even though the jersey is very similar to last season’s – the most noticeable difference being the collar – The Ghost went wild with delight when it was revealed, and Amakhosi fans went wild with disdain.
2 – Pirates want Benni
KickOff.com spoke to Benni McCarthy, and revealed that Pirates had been in contact with his manager, Rob Moore, and that Irvin Khoza was “desperate” to sign him.
The main reason Khoza wanted Benni in his team was to bolster his squad for the CAF Champions League – and that competition was at the top of Benni’s mind too.
At the time KickOff.com broke this story, McCarthy was still training with Ajax Cape Town, and Mamelodi Sundowns were “sniffing” around . . . but McCarthy himself told Kick Off editor Richard Maguire:
3 – Parker to replace Musona at Chiefs?
Remember when Bernard Parker was still one of our ‘boys overseas’? The Amakhosi faithful were shocked when KickOff.com revealed back in July that Kaizer Chiefs wanted to bring Parker home, as a replacement for Knowledge Musona.
Parker was at Dutch club FC Twente for pre-season, but had spent the previous season on loan at Greek club Panserraikos, scoring only one goal in 12 matches.
4 – Why I left Chiefs – Masenamela
This story was a teaser for the full article in Kich-Off magazine, when Punch Masenamela opened up to Zola Doda about his controversial move from Kaizer Chiefs to Mamelodi Sundowns. Both sets of fans were eager to find out how the surprise move came about – and why – and Kick Off’s interviews with Masenamela and his manager Jazzman Mahlakgane were illuminating.
5 – Bucs put nine on transfer
Orlando Pirates shocked their fans by putting nine players on transfer in August, as requested by new coach Julio Leal, and The Ghost were eager to find out who those unlucky nine players were. The unlucky Bucs were: Josephy Kamwendo, Siphelele Mthembu, Phenyo Mongala, Dennis Masina, Wilson Shendzelani, Siyabonga Zulu, Thando Mdluli, Mzondi Mthombeni and Patrick Malokase.
6 – Benni joins Bucs on two-year deal
What KickOff.com had predicted finally happened . . . Pirates officially announced the signing of Benni McCarthy in August. Bucs chairman Irvin Khoza, who watched the Carling Black Label Cup at Soccer City alongside the striker, confirmed their new signing: “Late yesterday we concluded negotiations with (agent) Rob Moore. Now I want to welcome Benni to Orlando Pirates.”
7 – Surprise moves likely before tomorrow night
Transfer madness hit KickOff.com, with less than 48 hours left before the window closed. Rumours of player movement abounded, with both Hlompho Kekana and Anthony Laffor linked to Mamelodi Sundowns (the former making the move, the latter still at SuperSport, and frequently ‘linked’ to other clubs).
8 – OFFICIAL – Parker joins Amakhosi
After KickOff.com’s initial report on this story, on July 6, was dismissed as “rubbish”, and then later called “highly unlikely”, we confirmed the move at the end of that month – and the website went mad.
9 – Shabba in negotiations to leave Chiefs
Siphiwe Tshabalala’s agent Jazzman Mahlakgane revealed he was in negotiations about a transfer from Kaizer Chiefs to an “unnamed overseas club”.
With the grapevine humming with news of serious interest from Russia, Israel and the Middle East, Mahlakgane admitted he was discussing an offer with Chiefs’ team manager Bobby Motaung.
10 – Benni in a meeting with Irvin Khoza
The third Benni McCarthy story to make the top 10. This time, Orlando Pirates had emerged as the “overwhelming favourites” to land McCarthy’s signature, as he revealed they made him feel “more wanted.”
Despite rumours still linking him with Chiefs, Ajax and Sundowns, McCarthy told KickOff.com Pirates were the stand-out option for him.
11 – Benni signs contract with Kaizer Chiefs
It was a case of ‘truth is stranger than fiction’ back in April, when KickOff.com reported that Benni McCarthy had signed a pre-contract with Kaizer Chiefs. It was an April Fool’s joke of course, but KickOff.com readers reacted first with shock, then with delight (Khosi fans) or scorn (Bucs fans). When we revealed the joke, most readers insisted “we knew he wouldn’t come back to the PSL” – but fast forward just four months …
12 – Shabba accepts VV’s criticism
Vladimir Vermezovic yanked Siphiwe Tshabalala off the pitch in the 81st minute of the MTN Final against Pirate. Amakhosi fans were dismayed, but Shabba diplomatically told KickOff.com: “I respect the coach’s opinion and will take it like a professional. I will continue to work hard and make sure that in my next chance I double my efforts.”
13 – Bafana draw sees Niger through to 2012 Afcon
Surprisingly down at 13, the story that shocked the world. KickOff.com were the first to report, correctly, that South Africa had missed out on qualification for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations after a 0-0 draw with Sierra Leone. The rest of the country, from top media houses to the players themselves, were still celebrating, but we had read the rules.
14 – Bucs loan out 8 to First Division clubs
Two weeks after letting nine players go, Orlando Pirates loaned out another eight. The Bucs youth graduates were loaned out to get game-time, but fans were relieved considering the bloated and unmanageable Pirates squad.
The eight players and the respective teams were: Siyabonga Mkhwanazi (African Warriors), Peintjie Zulu (Blackburn Rovers), Linda Shiba (Blackburn Rovers), Siyabonga Zulu (Blackburn Rovers), Jabulani Mzizi (Atlie), Thuso Mahohoma (Atlie), Briace Msiza (Witbank Spurs) and Mbongeni Gumede (Sivutsa Stars).
15 – VV explains why he dropped Tau and company
Despite rumours of a coach/player bust up, Vladimir Vermezovic insisted his dropping skipper Jimmy Tau, Josta Dladla, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Reneilwe Letsholonyane in a 2-0 win over Black Leopards was all in the name of “healthy competition”.
16 – Musona’s R25 million sale rankles Zim
Zimbabwe, still irritated over the ‘buy one, get two free’ slight on their home-grown talent, were infuriated when it emerged that Kaizer Chiefs pocketed close on R25-million from Germany for Knowledge Musona.
When Chiefs bought Musona, Thomas Sweswe and Zhaimu Jambo no figure was revealed. However, Zimbabwean journalists point out a number of low-cost Zimbabwean deals, including Ajax Cape Town’s capture of talented midfielder Khama Billiat on a four-year deal from Aces Youth Academy for a ‘measly’ R150 000. – Kick-Off.com