On The Whistle

In this week's pod we gaze into the African football's crystal ball with one of the continent's most respected journalists, Lorenz Köhler, who gives you his predictions on what's going to be a bumper year. From the CAF Champions League, to the FIFA Club World Cup, and the Christmas Africa Cup of Nations, we've got you covered. Host: Courtney Freese Guest: Lorenz Köhler (iDiski Times) #afcon #premierleague #cafcl #salah  Follow us on IG: @otw_podcast Follow us on Twitter: @otw_podcast Like us on Facebook: On The Whistle Podcast Show Notes00:00 - Intro 01:20 - Starting the 1-on-1 braai 02:20 - African stars to keep an eye on 07:45 - CAF CL Predictions 16:30 - How will our teams perform at the FIFA Club World Cup 23:00 - FIFA Club World Cup will showcase global football 26:30 - A Christmas AFCON prediction 29:45 - Looking back at the CAF Awards 34:00 - Barbara Banda is a genuine superstar 39:00 - Should Rowen Williams be SA's Minister of Defence Duration: 44:30

This week we have a very special show for you as we have an illuminating roundtable about the lack of diversity in management across the world's top leagues and countries. We have been given special permission by Trinity Media and Events to run this panel discussion recorded during the summer with Sports Journalist Association president Darren Lewis, Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke, Premier League stalwart Kevin Davies, and The Athletic's David Ornstein. Dwight in particular was candid about the lack of opportunities he's received despite being endorsed by the great Alex Ferguson, winning a trophy in Australia's A-League, and doing his necessary coaching badges. The good news is that Dwight is now managing Trinidad and Tobago, but the wider points and perspectives from the roundtable are still as relevant now as they were then. So sit back, pump up the volume and enjoy this deep dive on the subject. Merry Christmas for those who celebrate and Happy Holidays to everyone during the festive season.Roundtable panel: Darren Lewis (SJA President and host), Dwight Yorke (Man United treble winner), Kevin Davies (Premier League stalwart) and David Ornstein (The Athletic football correspondent) #diversity #football #management #dei #manunited #premierleague Follow us on IG: @otw_podcast Follow us on Twitter: @otw_podcast Like us on Facebook: On The Whistle Podcast Show Notes00:00 - Intro02:00 - Leaving Man United role to coach in the A-League 14:00 - 11 Black Managers in 32 years of the Premier League, why? 22:00 - Feeling among ex-Black Players that they not seen as "competent" to run organisations 36:00 - Dwight answers social media questions around management ambitions 43:00 - Kevin apologises to Dwight about past criticism 49:00 - Sir Alex Ferguson has endorsed Dwight, but he still can't get a job in management 54:00 - Final thoughtsDuration: 59:50

In this highly entertaining pint-sized pod, South African legend Benni McCarthy picks Africa's Premier League GOAT (Greatest of All Time) as he's presented with 5 of the continent's most successful players ever to blind rank.#football #premierleague #drogba #salah #mane #chelseafc #liverpool #mancityFollow us on IG: @otw_podcastFollow us on Twitter: @otw_podcastLike us on Facebook: On The Whistle PodcastShow Notes00:00 - Intro00:30 - Let the rankings begin...01:00 - Kanu, Essien, and Obi not on the list02:10 - Mo Salah up there with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo03:15 - Didier Drogba "was brute force" and his "technical ability" was not as good as Salah03:45 - Salah and Sadio Mane were "scary" and "a deadly duo"04:00 - Should Bruce Grobbelaar or Jay-Jay Okocha be in the top 5?Duration: 5:45

In this pint-sized episode former SA international Clinton Larsen reveals his career highlights, weighs in on the eternal debate about Durban vs. Maritzburg and reveals a hilarious anecdote about one of our host's PSL initiations at Manning Rangers.Hosts: Zayn Nabbi and Courtney FreeseGuest: Clinton Larsen (former SA midfielder)#psl #betwaypremiership #southafrica #durban #carlingcup #guardiola #ancelotti #mancity #realmadridFollow us on IG: @otw_podcastFollow us on Twitter: @otw_podcastLike us on Facebook: On The Whistle PodcastShow Notes00:00 - Guardiola vs. Ancelotti00:30 - Favourite Food00:45 - Courtney's initiation after a few beers...02:15 - Favourite stadium in the world03:30 - Durban vs. Maritzburg04:15 - AFCON predictionsDuration: 5:45

In this episode former Bafana Bafana midfielder Clinton Larsen looks back at Magesi FC's epic Carling Cup success over African-giants Mamelodi Sundowns. The former PSL winner was in fine form talking about how he took the underdog club to their finest hour, and also gives his overview on the local soccer scene in South Africa. Hosts: Zayn Nabbi and Courtney Freese Guest: Clinton Larsen (Magesi FC coach) #psl #betwaypremiership #southafrica #magesifc #sundowns #carlingcup 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 00:20 - Reliving the win over Sundowns 13:03 - Building a team on a tight budget24:34 - Finding a way to get the best out of your players30:50 - An end to Sundowns’ PSL dominance? Duration: 38:00

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