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It seems like yesterday, but working on my first ever KICK OFF Magazine deadline on Tuesday, 8 June 1999 made me realise just how much hard work goes behind the scenes in putting together this great publication.
The field reporters, sub-editor, designers and the editor all work around the clock, taking nothing for granted until the final product reaches the hands of the loyal readers.
In those days, KICK OFF was a fortnightly magazine which went to print every second Tuesday before hitting shelves the following Monday. But the problem with the Tuesday of my first deadline was that the following day, Mamelodi Sundowns were due to play Cape Town Spurs while Kaizer Chiefs were taking on Dynamos in two simultaneous matches that would decide the league champions that season.
Afraid that we were going to print before we knew the identity of the league champions, then editor Richard Maguire informed the printers to hold the pages until the pulsating and dramatic end to the 1998/99 season had been decided.
With Maguire at Johannesburg Stadium to cover Chiefs while chief reporter Ray Nxumalo was at Odi Stadium to cover Sundowns, the rest of the KICK OFF staff sat glued in front of the television in the Cape Town office that Wednesday evening, ready to lay out and proof pages as soon as the title’s fate had been decided.
Chiefs thumped Dynamos 5-1 on the night, but Sundowns beat Cape Town Spurs 2-0 and were crowned champions with a superior goal difference. And by the early hours of the following morning, the 104th edition of KICK OFF had been put to bed and sent to printers following a gruelling but enthralling 24-hour office shift.
And now, 396 editions later, the same passion for good interviews, attention to detail and well-researched features is as exciting as it was back then, following the benchmark set by founding editor Mark Gleeson when he wrapped up the very first issue of KICK OFF in January 1994 with Sam “Ewie” Khambule on the cover.
Our passionate team made up of Lovemore Moyo, Tshepang Mailwane, Chad Klate, Fabio De Dominicis, Brent Smith and myself go the extra mile to ensure that readers are constantly provided with “Soccer at its Best”, not only in the magazine, but on our website and social media platforms as well.
In celebration of our 500th edition, which ironically comes two months before our 25th anniversary in February next year, we have compiled a star-studded list of the best footballers to have ever played in South Africa since the first edition hit the newsstands.
In 1998, KICK OFF’s May edition with Kaizer Chiefs star Robson Muchichwa on the cover smashed all records when it sold more than 88 000 copies. Twenty years later, we pay Muchichwa a visit to talk about his arrival in South Africa, the good old days and life after football.
Who can also forget the contribution made by a 22-year-old Andre Coetzee who took the National Soccer League to court, helping players earn the right to decide their future when the contracts end. Read what Coetzee has to say 18 years since the milestone ruling on page 56.
And last but not least, our 500th edition cover star Khama Billiat has been making his mark since joining Chiefs from Mamelodi Sundowns at the beginning of the season. We pay tribute to the Zimbabwean marksman while looking at whether he will be able to help Amakhosi win their first trophy since 2015.
Thank you for your great support and enjoy another great edition of your favourite soccer magazine.