About Ebrahim Sadien

Ebrahim Sadien is a Serie A and Italian football writer who also covers Bafana Bafana and local South African football.

Author Archive | Ebrahim Sadien

Brand Pogba Storms Manchester

By on August 14, 2016 in Features

We are all fascinated with celebrities. A desire for tales of fame and fortune, trial and tribulation and victory over defeat. Present day popular culture creates idols out of sports stars. And inversely, for many decades, sport has had an effect on modern popular culture. As an example, fashion now reflects sports clothing and it […]

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Shakes Mashaba Fails to Prepare: Arrogance Leaves Bafana AFCON Hopes in Tatters

By on September 7, 2015 in Analysis, SA Football

On Saturday, Bafana lost 3-1 away to 114th world ranked side, Mauritania. Numerous reasons have been given for such a shock result but when looking at how coach Shakes Mashaba failed to prepare for his opponents, this is no surprise. The arrogance of the coach and his long outdated beliefs has led to a defeat […]

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Will Bafana Bafana Ever Find Another Benni McCarthy?

By on April 1, 2015 in Analysis, SA Football

There are many issues surrounding Bafana Bafana currently but a nagging consistent question for all too long now is – Where is South Arica’s goal scoring striker? The number 9, the go-to-man, the predator in the box! Current coach Shakes Mashaba has utilised the likes of Tekolo Rantie, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Bongani Ndulula and Lehlohonolo Majoro […]

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Rafa Benítez: How the Spanish Coach Has Revolutionised Football

By on January 18, 2015 in Analysis

Much criticised and even ridiculed in certain quarters, Rafael Benítez has achieved more in football than many care to acknowledge. Some managers are hailed for the amount of titles they win; fewer managers are recognised for revolutionising the game, and even fewer are recognised for accomplishing both. With a quick review of Rafael Benítez Maudes’ […]

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Andile Jali: Former Orlando Pirates Man is Key For Bafana Bafana in 2015 AFCON

By on December 17, 2014 in Analysis, SA Football

Bafana Bafana’s turnaround under Shakes Mashaba has been remarkable. They have managed what looked impossible – qualification for a tournament with a game to spare. South Africa qualified for Afcon 2015 comfortably as they went unbeaten in a group which included the defending champions Nigeria. There are a number of reasons for Bafana Bafana’s turnaround […]

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Italy FIFA World Cup 2014 Preview: Prandelli is Azzuri’s Ace

By on June 9, 2014 in Analysis

The four time world champions arrive at FIFA World Cup 2014 not amongst the general favourites. Determined to correct the embarrassment of 2010, the Azzurri have been drawn in the group of death alongside Uruguay, England and Costa Rica. Since the debacle in South Africa four years ago, Italy have been revitalised under the former […]

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The Regista And the Evolution Of The Playmaker

By on July 5, 2013 in Analysis

THE deep-lying playmaker. This position from which a player conducts his orchestra is known as the regista to Italians. From Spain where Xavi and Xabi Alonso weave their tactical magic from deep, to Germany where İlkay Gündoğan plies his trade, the regista is the modern day phenomenon that has taken football by storm. Perhaps the […]

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Massimiliano Allegri: A Look At The Milan Manager’s Tactics This Season

By on April 15, 2013 in Analysis

MASSIMILIANO Allegri was heavily criticised at the beginning of the current campaign as AC Milan had one of their worst starts to a season in the entire Silvio Berlusconi era. Milan struggled in accumulating only seven points in their opening seven games including four league defeats. Director, Adriano Galliani, was forced to publicly voice his support for […]

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