adminCosmas Zulu Talking Football
WATCHING these two teams which are yet to lose matches so far in the Castle Lager Premiership, one concluded that the reason they drew was as a result of few creative moves.The reason why we could not witness more goals in this match was that the goalkeepers were pumping high long goal kicks upfront.
Defenders were guilty of the same offence in a match which ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Because the midfield was being bypassed there were no creative moves being implemented by the linkmen. Most of the times the high balls were played to no one.
The to-whom-it-may-concern passes make midfielders run back and forward all the time.
Poor runs in attack
What I realised was that strikers from both teams do not know how to make runs which can beat defenders. They don’t even turn to face goal most of the time.
Here is a comment from a Chronicle reader: “I totally agree with what you said on scoring. I have observed that the reason why we are seeing very few goals locally is simply that players lack the courage to shoot. Top strikers world over make an average of six attempts at goal per game whereas ours make the same in five games. Everytime I watch a match my heart bleeds because local strikers play more or less like midfielders. Tsano, you will agree with me that what made the late Shaky Tauro a great striker was not just technique but the courage to make an attempt at goal.” – [email protected]
Penalty kicks
The importance of penalty taking has increased in recent years with penalty shootouts now widely used to decide matches in cup competitions. All players and not just one or two specialists should practise taking penalty kicks. Successful penalties come as a result of the combination of the right temperament and technique.
The ideal penalty taker should have a calm temperament; he should be able to shut out everything around him and concentrate on a confident and positive technical performance. There are basically two techniques for taking penalties, placing and power.
Players who place their efforts tend to use the side-footing technique to stroke a shot inside the post. Power kickers attempt to force speed to beat the goalkeeper. The penalty taker should make up their minds about what they are going to do and stick to it.
Nothing is worse in a penalty taker than indecision. If the goalkeeper anticipated correctly and the ball lacks power, then the shot is saved.
The best technique is to aim for either corners and hit the ball accurately with pace.
More feedback
Hope I find you well, I was reading your column Talking Football with Cosmas Zulu. It was a very interesting and informative article please do keep it up. – Collin Nyabadza, Canada
Dear Tsano, I have been following your weekly editorial on sport and I am quite enthused as it is informative, keep up the good work Tsano. – Nhlanhla
Saying of the Century
After England drew in the 1966 World Cup during the interval before extra time Alf Ramsey, then England coach marched on to the field and told his players that they had won the tournament once and now they must win it again, England won it that year.
Until next week
Feedback [email protected], 0773842671 and 09-402021.
derick.khumalo