I may not be the “Money Man”, but those that know me call me “Shaba The Man”.
And one trait I have is owning my bad calls and, at times, being honest to a fault.
Last week, my calls were slightly bipolar, but ke, this is a risky business!
The derby is in town bafethu, and Durban will witness Orlando Pirates and Kaizer “I own an Apple phone” Chiefs. This is the highlight of the sporting weekend.
Last time these teams met, at the Calabash, the boys in black came up trumps 2-1.
I suspect that the result may be the same, with the Buccaneers winning and, dare I say it, with an identical score-line. That should be a saucy price at the bookies on the correct score option.
☠ There is nothing like Durban's warm embrace ❤🙅🏽♂️🙅🏽♀️
— Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) November 23, 2018
There’s the small matter of a top-of-the-table clash in Spain between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona later tonight.
My brain says that Barca should win, but my gut gives the home team grumble. So, in the spirit of not sitting on the fence for a draw (which I suspect it may be), I reckon the boys in stripes may pip this one.
Now on to the sauce in England, where West Ham host Man City in what should be a cracker, with the Hammers looking better than I’ve seen them in a while. As much as I see the home team’s improvement, I still see a City win.
The main portion, though, is in London. Tottenham Hotspur versus Chelski. This game is going to be hot hot, as our favourite curry house says!
Black Friday should have worked you out, so sit back and feast your eyes on this – maybe on your new plasma!
As for the result, something tells me that this is the day the Spuds come out looking like mash and gravy. Get involved.
In other footy, our darling Banyana Banyana meet Zambia. After calling their victory last week, it would be amiss for me to not back them again this time round. Back our beautiful ladies to do the business here.
Getting ready for Zambia. @Banyana_Banyana final training session for the last group stage match against Zambia at the Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana. Kickoff is at 18h00 SA time #limitless #afcon2018 @SAFA_net @SasolLeague @SasolSA pic.twitter.com/woWd49MNEU
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) November 23, 2018
Zuma-ring on, we have one of the iconic F1 races in Abu Dhabi, not far from Gupta-land. The season is all wrapped up as all winners have been decided, so this should be an all-out risky and exciting race.
Lewis Hamilton is a consummate professional, and I reckon he will want to prove why he is this year’s World Champion and notch up another ‘W’. Lookout, though, for Max Verstappen, who was on course to win two weeks ago in his Red Bull.
Cross-kick to the oval-ball action, where we have three games that are worth our while.
The Springboks are in Cardiff, facing a rejuvenated Welsh squad that have won eight Tests on the trot.
A “learned” friend dubbed the money man seems to think we will clean them up by 10 points or more, which may seem like a fair call.
However, ngiyiSangoma mina, and I beg to differ. Rumour has it that their trump card Meneer Halfpenny is not playing, but Dancin’ Dan Biggar may want to show his worth after a tough year.
Okay, this is risky, as I may get lambasted for this call, but I’m going with a Wales win. That’s a no-look pass for you.
Malcolm Marx and Eben Etzebeth going through their warm up routines at the #Springbok Captains Run inside the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. #boksontour #WALvRSA #CastleLagerOutgoingTour pic.twitter.com/WVgsuQx6wM
— South African Rugby (@Springboks) November 23, 2018
Then we have England, who have made a bunch of changes to face Australia.
David Pocock isn’t playing, and I suspect Kurtley Beale’s omission and that Twickers effect at the crowd will get the Poms over the line.
In local and lekker cricket, we also have the pleasantly surprising Mzansi Super League continuing.
The Cape are blitzing everybody, Durban is Heating up, and the Spartans of Tshwane are yet to locate their killer instinct!
Sangoma just landed in Jozi, so it’s over and out.
Hope you all have a cracker weekend.
Sangoma uit!
@shabsgunner