Jassat Wins TataBox Jan 2009 ODI League
16 January 2009
Uwaiz Jassat has yet again surpassed all the odds and achieved victory in a nail-biting end to the TataBox Takafol League. The victory will go down in history as a remarkable truimph for the young lad who came from nowwhere to snatch it at the death. Jassat was presented with the trophy by Sir Alex Ferguson.
New Boots ... A great new Start
08 January 2007
The return of Spurs veteran Ziyaad Adam heralded a new chapter for Lusitano Spurs. The past few seasons have seen Spurs threading along without the enthusiasm and vigor of a team that was once the best in the world.
With new boots and a "Tablighy Look" Adam has done what Eric Cantona did to Manchester United in the early 90's. His goal scoring appetite together with his sublime vision made Adam unstoppable on Friday night. Spurs eventually ended up winners by a 5 goal margin but that did not do justice to the electrifying performance. Adam's play seemed to ignite the other players and superb goals from Fahim Patel and Ridwaan Kaka brought back memories of past glory.
Tameem Kardamey also seemed invincible in goal and the support of Basheera in the stands seemed to spur him on.
This victory was achieved without club captain Moosa and influential playmaker Munshi. Its no wonder the fans are licking their lips in anticipation for the match this week. It promises to be a cracker ...
Spurs want buzz of real action
05 January 2007
Lusitano Spurs Club Captain says his team are itching to get the new campaign underway with their first competitive match after a long summer break.
"When your pre-season games come along there is a nervousness around them and you just want rid of them," Moosa told the SABC television channel.
"You need them, but equally you want rid of them because they don't serve the real purpose that real games do. When the important games start there is a buzz of anticipation that everyone gets.
"That's the great thing about football -- you have that summer break and see all the great games on TV and all the terrific players. It gives you an itch to get going again."
Moosa and his team will be hoping to have Ziyaad Adam back before the season starts after the play-maker announced his plans to leave Tigers.
One player almost certain to feature is Ziyaad Munshi, who has been given a huge vote of confidence by his Manager on the eve of Spurs' new campaign.
The striker has himself admitted to a series of below-par displays for the club last season.
The Manager said: "I always feel footballers have things in their own hands -- particularly those with ability. There's no question Munshi has fantastic ability and I think there has been an unfairness towards him. But the answer lies with the player and he has the ability to light up a football field anytime. He was outstanding early last season and everyone knows that when he is on form, there is no stopping him."
"With Munshi I feel he has a great challenge, but he won't shirk it and he could have a fantastic season.
"There's no need for us to pander to all the screams and shouts about what he is not doing -- its important to remember what a player can add to the party."
So Spurs are optimistic about the coming season. Let the games begin ....
04 January 2007
Lusitano Spurs club captain Nabeel Moosa has sensationally completed the annual Hajj pilgrimage unscathed and spiritually cleansed.
In a statement issued at the club Headquarters, the Board stated: " This was a wonderful opportunity for Nabeel to reflect on his past and to look to the future with renewed vigour an enthusiasm. On Behalf of the club we wish hi a Hajj Mabroor."
Moosa has not made any statements yet but we can expect some comments from Moosa soon.
Reporter Raju, our Powerlines correspondant, apparently has exclusive photos of the bare-head and long beard Moosa was sporting at the OR Tambo Airport. As soon as those photos are available we will post them on this site.
29 April 2003
Lusitano Spurs have received confirmation of the transfer of Zaheer Bhoola to Tigers Football Club. The R100 asking price for Sammy was slashed by Tigers to R2.00. Tigers officials said that the player was not worth more than that.
In a letter to the Spur's board, Sammy had this to say:
"I have decided that the form currently displayed by many of the lusitano spurs players has been lacking in recent games. Surely a player of my calibre is not expected to remain with a club which consistently under-performs. In my professional opinion, the team's weak performance can be directly attributed to poor management decisions.
I would like to inform the club that my transfer to Tigers Football Club has been finalized.
To all the Lucitano fans out there,I regret that this unfortunate incident has come to pass. I would also like express my best wishes to all the current Lusitano players and management on the upcoming events .... But you guys know you will never win anything without Sammy.Lucitano is nothing without my talent. Remember ... in 6-a-side ....one talented man makes the team.
Kind Regards
Sammy the Great"
Many at Lusitano Spurs will be glad to see the back of Sammy as he has been the catalyst of many problems at Spurs.
Fans from all over the world have come out in support of the Board's decision to get rid of the erratic striker.
22 December 2002
The Kaizer Chief's Cup image could be damaged beyond repair if Lusitano Spurs become the first major club to duck out of the competition in its 2-year history, according to a Johannesburg daily paper.
Lusitano Spurs are reportedly set to withdraw from this week's Cup in an unprecedented and controversial move that will anger sponsors and fans. Spurs chairman said last night that after days of negotiations with the Soccer Association and the indoor Soccer League that the only sensible option for the club was to withdraw.
Balan Singh, chairman of the Football Balance Movement said: 'It will be really sad to see Spurs pull out of the club. We were hoping that the involvement of Lusitano Spurs would attract smaller clubs but now it seems that we are going to loose that balance.'
The decision from the board comes in the wake of rumours that the club is in a financial crises. Although the financial director of Spurs has made no comment, it is strongly belived amongst the football fraternity that the club's decision not to play was based on the limited advertsing revenue that was being offered.
These rumours and the fact that there has been no official word from Lusitano Spurs have affected the fans the most. The fans are up in arms, claiming the club has lost it's pioneering spirit which has made Lusitano Spurs one of the world's leading football clubs. The chairman of the Independent Lusitano Spurs Supporters' Association said: "It's all about money - it's as simple as that"
Fahim Patel's hopes of staking a late claim for a World Cup spot have suffered an injury setback after he was the victim of a freak accident.
The Spurs midfielder had been due to be watched by Jomo Sono in the Lusitano Reserves'friendly match against Swaraj Sporting at Powerlines this evening. But Patel had to pull out of the game after falling down a flight of stairs at the Internet Solutions building this morning.
Sono had hinted at the weekend that Patel could still play a part in his plans for Japan and Korea after his return to action following ankle and knee problems. But this latest setback will deprive the SA coach of watching him in action before he names his squad for the finals.
Spurs spokesman Reporter Raju said: "It was a freak accident that Fahim suffered the morning. Doing his usual bounce, he missed a step and rolled down the flight of stairs. As yet, we cannot comment on the severity of his injuries but Fahim is obviously devasted by this setback."
Lusitano Spours are ready to launch an audacious raid to sign £12million-rated Noor Habib in a transfer that will send shockwaves through football. Spurs are confident that the 26-year-old striker will be prised away from London this winter.
Many of the old folk will remember with fondness the days Habib spent at Powerlines before he was lured in a money spinning move to England. Reporting at a Lusitano Spurs fixture for the first time I will never forget a overhead/scissor/bicycle combination that Habib scored at Powerlines to seal the match just before the Maghrib azaan.
In England, Noor has proved himself as a stiker of note. And now, with all the interest from around the world, Habib is certainly making front page headlines.
Spurs management want to add even greater strength to their all-conquering squad. Spurs chairman said: 'There will be no repetition of the million we spent last summer but there are funds available and it's up to management to come to us with the names of players they wants to sign.'
Persuading Habib to return to Powerlines would be a momentous coup, but given the recent striking problems at Spurs, Habib might be keen to return to his former club. As yet, we have not been able to get any official word from the club or the player's agent.
If the response of the fans to these rumours are anything to go by, then the Lusitano Spurs management will have no alternative but to pull out all the stops to bring their Golden Boy home.
The Lusitano Spurs board yesterday accused player’s agents of being on "an ego trip" as they insisted that Spurs would not pay exorbitant wages to their senior players. Spurs are currently in negotiations with Fahim Patel, Ridwaan Kaka, Ziyaad Munshi and Nabeel Moosa to secure their services for a further 5 years.
The Board indicated that the salaries reportedly being sought by Moosa (£4m) and Patel (£3m) were excessive and being bandied about solely by their agents. "It is more important for them to get huge salaries for their players than it is for the players themselves," said the MD.
It means that agents, he added, "can go around to their other clients and say, 'I got this for so and so.' Agents asking for such and such is just rubbish. It's just an ego trip for them."
11 April 2002
Mohammed Kaka is seriously considering quitting Lusitano Spurs in search of regular first-team football and more recognition.
The South African, 26, says he does not want to finish his career on the bench and can no longer see a future for himself at Powerlines. Since the emergence of his younger brother in the team, Kaka senior has always lived in the shadows of his sibling. He declared: "It has not been an easy decision for me but I am planning to leave at the end of this season."
"I need to play regular football and, with the strength of our squad, I have had to be realistic about my chances. All I can hope is I end my career here on a good note. They have given me so much and I will feel like a Spurs man for the rest of my life."
Kaka became one of Spurs most important and influential signings when he joined in 1990. He soon emerged as a reliable player both in defence and midfield. Kaka has played 171 games during his 12 years at Powerlines. Kaka admitted: "When I first arrived here, I don't think I had the respect of the fans. "But I am determined, I always give 100 per cent and I feel the supporters gradually came to appreciate that and to accept me.
"I don't know where I will end up. In the past, I've felt I might be interested in playing for Tigers. But I have made no decision yet."
5 April 2002
But it has also been suggested that Koor and his associates - the "K Mafia" - are set for further negotiations to buy part of Spurs. The other members of the group remain unknown at this stage.
Koor refused to comment on the talk that he was part of a group intent on buying into the club, but one of his close sources said: "It's like any business proposition - one would have to take a close look at it."
Spurs have officially also declined to comment on the speculation, but sources claim Jassat could be on the verge of accepting an offer to buy part of his shareholding - while retaining his power base and place on the board.
18 March 2002
The media have slammed Spur's "careless" display after seeing them exit from the group stages of a tournament for the first time in their history.
Spurs dominated their group matches but failed to convert their chances. They paid the price for their sloppy finishing. Nabeel Moosa, who was given the striking responsibility after Sammy had to pull out late Saturday night, had a shocking tournament and could face the full wrath of his manager.
Jassat said: "I am very disappointed. It was a careless and scrappy performance from us today. For us to have lost this tournament was ridiculous. We contributed to our own downfall with the individual errors that we made.
"In the final match, we were up against a side full of running. They employed an extra man in midfield and that made them slightly more aggressive. Full credit to them for that. We should have been able to handle that with our experience. I never thought that we would be so thoroughly outplayed."
"We had chances today but we were quite careless with our finishing. But at the end of the day, this is the knock-out tournament and these things can happen. We have experienced it many times."
14 March 2002
The Spurs directors have denied claims Munshi has been suspended indefinitely.
Corporate Soccer promoter Greg Smith is said to have threatened to withdraw Spurs's appearance in any future tournaments because Munshi did not appear in the season opening one day tournament. But Spurs are currently negotiating with the promoters to resolve the situation.
"That matter is being resolved as we speak," a Spurs spokesman said. "I don't think there is an issue between us and Corporate Soccer which will not be resolved amicably and sensibly." Spurs boss Jassat says there is no truth in reports that Mushi has been called in for a disciplinary hearing.
"There has been no bust-up. Ziyaad was always doubtful for the tournament and should be available for any future fixtures," he said.
Weeks before the tournament Spurs announced that Ziyaad Munshi would miss the pre-season tournament but this caused a stir with the organisers because of the marketing potential that they feared lossing if the Super Star did not appear at the tournament.
Corporate Soccer believes the threat to not include Spurs in any other fixture would ensure that all future matches would atleast contain some, if not all, of Spurs Superstars. "I'm 80-90 per cent sure that this action will have the desired effect," said spokesman Bertie Mariani. "We've received verbal assurances and are seeking confirmation in the next 24 hours."
Watch this space for details.
11 March 2002
Uwaiz Jassat is confident Lusitano Spurs have got the experience to handle the nerve-wracking one day tournament this Sunday. Spurs have seen it all before over the last 5 years and Jassat feels this will stand his players in good stead as they battle for title.
Jassat is happy with the form of his team going into Sunday, even though the champions have lost in the closing stages in their last three tournaments. "We were disappointed going out in the last tournament by penalties. It was a match we should have won by six or seven," he said.
"The chances we created in that match were amazing for a team away from home. "But in the run-in you are always going to get games where you make little mistakes.
"There will be nerves involved and there will be a lot of things involved. "That's all part of it and we have the experience to handle it."
Jassat is relishing this upcomming battle and feels that it is bringing the best out of his side. "I think it suits us better this year," he said. "coming as underdogs. It's a good edge."
Although Zaheer "Sammy" Bhoola is likely to miss the tournament, Jassat still has the luxury of choosing from some of the world's best players, and with the return of the influencial midfielder, Arshad, it would be a silly man to bet against Spurs.
01 April 2001
Uwaiz Jassat insists he won't go back on his decision to get married in April 2001.
Spurs's new chief director, Nabeel Moosa, says he intends to persuade Jassat to postpone or cancel his plans altogether. "The situation is deperate and everyone at the club is concerned about the future of the club."
"I made it obvious for quite a while that I would like to move on in my life," said Jassat. "I am finished with management and coaching, that is without question," he told The Times. "In the last few months I have come round to a clean break from my own perspective. I have accepted it and got on with my life. I'm not asking for anything. I don't need to ask for anything. I shouldn't have to ask for anything. If they don't give you any options, you make your own plans. It's as simple as that."
The was some suggestion that Jassat will have some involvement with the new manager but the current Manager of the year had this to say: "I don't want it to be daunting for my successor. I don't want to be some sort of ogre. Lusitano Spurs is bigger than any one person including myself. The show must go on, with or without me".
Spurs midfielder Riaz Timol has sensationally revealed he keeps a book listing people he feels have wronged him.
In an extract from his book "My World" serialised in Time magazine, Timol, who was named Spurs vice-captain earlier this week, said he first took note of some of the people who "slaughtered me after Pretoria". Timol came in for some heavy flak from players, coaches, the public and media after some erratic behaviour in Spurs Cup vistory at the German High School in Pretoria.
"I've got a little book in wich I've written down the names of those people who upset me most," says Timol in his book. "I don't want to name them because I want it to be a surprise when I get them back. I know I will get them some day."
Ross admits he is no angel and has done things which he has regretted but after the German Tournament he feels he was "treated as a criminal".
Many old folk will remember Bhamjee and Munshi making their first team debuts. Their performances were reminiscent of Jassat (Ubaid) and Moosa (Anees) in their early days.
Lusitano Spurs, with the help of its sponsors, have now been able to develop coaching clinics in other parts of the world. One of the Directors explained : " We felt the need to start developing players in other countries so that we can have an international pool of players. It is becoming too costly to lure big name players, so by developing local talent in the different countries we can create and develop our own international stars. The process will take time and money but the rewards are limitless. Jassat added : " to be successful in continental competitions we need to diversify." The local players have been warned, their places in the squad in now far from secure.
The financial Director has admitted that all this development is coming at a substantial cost. Jassat responded to this by saying : " Who will it take to replace Ziyaad Munshi? Ryan Giggs is my first guess! But at what cost ? 25 million Pounds ? We rather spend 1 million now and make 10 Munshi's then spend 10 times that for one replacement.
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This page was last updated on 05 Jan 2007