On The Whistle

The road to Morocco 2025 continues and in this pod we look at the teams making their way to AFCON 2025. Is there a more inspiring story than war-torn Sudan qualifying, more despair than giants Ghana falling, and what about South Africa, Tanzania and the Comoros all looking good during the qualifiers. Host: Zayn Nabbi (OTW host) and Alasdair Howorth (OTW Cross Platform Reporter) #ghana #sudan #southafrica #tanzania #comoros  Follow us on IG: @otw_podcast Follow us on Twitter: @otw_podcast Like us on Facebook: On The Whistle Podcast Show Notes00:00 - Reaction to Morocco racism 04:18 - Ghana’s despair as Sudan soar into Afcon20:24 - Bafana could be tricky opponents25:44 - Tanzania and Comoros heading to Morocco34:19 - Favourites for the crownDuration: 42:30 

Wydad Casablanca head coach Rulani Mokwena says that an opposition official racially abused him following his side’s 2-2 draw with Ittihad Tanger in the Moroccan Botola Pro League last weekend. In this pod we highlight what happened, and explain why this situation needs to be dealt with swiftly and decisively, as racism has no place in our game particularly on our continent. Hosts: Zayn Nabbi and Courtney Freese #southafrica #morocco #racism #mokwena #wydad Follow us on IG: @otw_podcast Follow us on Twitter: @otw_podcast Like us on Facebook: On The Whistle Podcast 00:00 - Intro 03:00 - Disgusting scenes like this should not exist 06:00 - Racist abuse since day 1...09:00 - So sad to see racism in Africa 11:00 - Morocco need "a clean bill of health" as they prepare for major tournaments Duration: 14:00

In this episode the boys do a special road trip to Coventry to cheer on the South African women's team who played against England's Lionesses. The day after Banyana Banyana bravely went down 2-1 they spoke to Desiree Ellis who gave insight into the reasons wanting more games against top nations and how these clashes help the team's prep for the defence of their WAFCON crown. Hosts: Zayn Nabbi and Courtney FreeseGuest: Desiree Ellis (South Africa coach) #southafrica #england #banyanabanyana Follow us on IG: @otw_podcast Follow us on Twitter: @otw_podcast Like us on Facebook: On The Whistle Podcast 00:00 - Intro 03:00 - Celebrating improved performances 04:30 - Banyana bring "kasi flavour" not physicality 07:30 - Domestic league "going in the right direction" but "not helping us yet"14:00 - Were the Lionesses there for the taking if SA put "two at the top" 17:45 - SA "have to do a little bit more in our final third" against top teams 20:15 - "We've had players withdraw because they can't get off work"24:00 - "You don't know what Thembi will do" Duration: 29:20

Arguably the most successful foreign coach in South Africa, Muhsin Ertuğral helped to shape the modern PSL. The Turkish coach sat down with the pod to discuss his success with Chiefs, Bafana Bafana and this season's PSL.Host: Courtney FreeseGuest: Mushin Ertuğral (Former Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates manager)#Bafanabafana #oncealways #Amakhosi4Life #kaizerchiefs #orlandopiratesFollow us on IG: @otw_podcast Follow us on Twitter: @otw_podcastLike us on Facebook: On The Whistle PodcastShow notes0:00 - Intro01:51 - Historic success with youth development at Chiefs09:13 - How Kaizer Chiefs rediscover their winning formula19:17 - The next step for Bafana Bafana28:18 - PSL Predictions, talking tactics and a legacy to rememberDuration - 37:28

Coach Simphiwe Dludlu is back on the podcast to talk about Banyana Banyana ahead of their international friendlies against Denmark and England. We talk you development, the WAFCON and make predictions ahead of the gamesHost: Courtney FreeseGuest: Simphiwe Dludlu (Coach of Banyana Banyana and U17 team)#BanyanaBanyana #WAFCON #woso Follow us on IG: @otw_podcast Follow us on Twitter: @otw_podcastLike us on Facebook: On The Whistle PodcastShow Notes 00:00 - Intro01:42 - Developing the future for Banyana Banyana09:04 - Tough challenges on the horizon17:09 - Predictions for BanyanaDuration: 25:12

Kaitlin Hunt is on a mission to become the first woman coach in the PSL and she sat down with the pod to talk about football being in her blood, and the constant battle for women in football in Africa.Host: Courtney FreeseGuests: Kaitlin Hunt (Sports Scientist and S&C coach)#bafanabafana #BanyanaBanyana #psl #dstvprem #woso Follow us on IG: @otw_podcast Follow us on Twitter: @otw_podcastLike us on Facebook: On The Whistle PodcastShow Notes 00:00 - Intro01:50 - Football in my blood and in my qualifications05:25 - CAF coaching license10:00 - Trying to break into professional coaching14:34 - What I bring to coaching22:00 - Disparity in gender treatmentDuration: 31:34

In the second part of our interview with South African legend Benni McCarthy, the former Champions League winner gives us an insight into how he gets the best out of players and his coaching philosophy which has been developed both in South Africa, Europe and Britain. Benni also opens up about the current Bafana Bafana crop, who he says can achieve great things "with the right coach."Host: Zayn Nabbi (OTW host / founder) Guest: Benni McCarthy (former Manchester United assistant coach)  #manunited #premierleague #psl #bafana Follow us on IG: @otw_podcast Follow us on Twitter: @otw_podcast Like us on Facebook: On The Whistle Podcast Show Notes00:00 - Previous success illustrates Benni's value as a head coach04:00 - "Good generation" of Bafana players can achieve great things "with the right coaching" 06:45 - Lyle Foster "super important" for World Cup qualification09:00 - Benni's coaching philosophy has "a little bit of everything"14:30 - Goals to coach in MLS or an African giant or Bafana Bafana 15:30 - "They don't know I know..."Duration: 16:20

In today's show we'll be bringing you the first part of our interview with Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy. The former Manchester United assistant spoke about his goals to coach in the United States, and Africa, but began the conversation by reflecting on his time in England.  Benni offered good perspective on the significance of the two trophies won at United during an era of unparalleled dominance by Manchester City, while also talking about his role in getting Marcus Rashford in top form when he joined the club, and explained why things didn't work out with Jadon Sancho.Host: Zayn Nabbi (OTW host / founder)Guest: Benni McCarthy (former Manchester United assistant coach) #manunited #tenhag #rashford #sancho #chelsea Follow us on IG: @otw_podcast Follow us on Twitter: @otw_podcast Like us on Facebook: On The Whistle Podcast Show Notes 00:00 - Intro from Durbs 01:30 - Achieving success and developing players despite "troubles" at United03:45 - United a season or two away from challenging for the title04:30 - Winning trophies despite Man City's Barcelona-esque dominance06:40 - Marcus Rashord "doesn't look himself"11:15 - Sancho didn't work out at United, because of "communication problems"13:30 - Hunger to coach in MLS or an African powerhouseDuration: 16:30