CHAIRMAN'S COLUMN 2 November 2009 Maritzburg United Chairman Mr Farook Kadodia is hopeful that the changes within the local soccer set-up will assist in ushering in a brighter, more succesful future for South African football.

"There have been a lot of changes in the South African football fraternity, the appointment of the new SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani as well as the sacking of Bafana-Bafana Coach Joel Santana. These changes signify an opportunity for new plans and initiatives to surface.

Maritzburg United Football club wish Mr Nematandani luck on his new portfolio and we sincerely hope that all South African’s in and out of the football fraternity will give him support in realisation of SAFA’s mandate to promote, advance, administer, coordinate and generally encourage the game of football in South Africa in accordance with the principles as laid down in the statutes of FIFA.

I share the same sentiments with him that we are a wealthy country, with the best football brains and the facilities, and there is no reason why we should not be number one. It’s where we belong. I believe that it would also be imperative for Nematandani and his administration to rebuild the image of the association so that we can attract big sponsors. When this is done, the nation will also start believing in the association and the team however they will have to work hard to achieve this.

At Maritzburg United we are working hard to position ourselves with the opportunities that may be brought by the new administration including the to-be appointed coach. Our team boast a lot of local talent from the highly experienced Elias Ngwepe, Peter Peterson and Fadlu Davids to the young sensational mid -fielder Chillies Madondo whom I think deserves an under than 20 national team call up.

The fact that we have the likes of Noah Chivuta, Baketa Dikulu and Rudolph Bester representing their countries that are doing far better than our national team means that our local players can contribute immensely to Bafana Bafana.

Finally I would pledge all Midlands soccer supporters to take part in our initiative to open branches and develop supporter initiatives. Our office is open and our Media &Supporters Liaison Officer Zazi Nxele was appointed to attend to those issues so if you wish to facilitate a branch opening please make use of him."