Soccer is life in South Africa and around the world. And, ss soccer players and fans gear up for another bumper season ahead of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) which kicks off in August, downloads of mobile soccer apps are set to peak.
While some professional players turn to social media to market themselves and engage with their fans, others like Wayne Rooney, have launched their own apps, either to help aspiring players or enthusiasts.
Speaking to smartphone manufacture, Itel, a couple of local stars shared their preferred apps which keep them connected to the pitch. Here’s a round-up of some of their favourite apps to help you feed your soccer fixation:
Thabo Nodada: Turns to Soccer Laduma & Goal.com
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Thabo Nodada, a Bafana Bafana and Cape Town City midfielder who made his international debut in 2020, told Itel that he likes to turn to the Soccer Laduma app for his local soccer news.
However, when it comes to international football, he prefers Goal.com which updates on transfers, news, tables, leagues, and cups.
Says Nodada: “I also like to watch current highlights on YouTube, they have some great drills which can help a lot with your technique. There are clear explanations, so you can watch the videos and then imitate what you’ve seen.”
William Mugeyi: Loves BBC Sport
Like Nodada, former Zimbabwe captain and Bush Bucks legend William Mugeyi, who scored twice in the final to win the Cosafa Cup in 2000, is a big fan of Goal.com.
“I like Goal.com because it’s very updated, every hour there is something new. You get all the news from the big leagues in England and Spain,” he says.
BBC Sport is another favourite of Mugeyi, providing up-to-the-minute soccer news.
Mugeyi is the manager of BCM Stars, an affiliate and feeder for PSL side Chippa United which reached the final of the 2020/21 Nedbank Cup. His role as a coach makes it important that up-and-coming players are kept abreast of the latest developments in the game, and mobile technology is a big help in this regard.
“The game is always changing in modern football, so it’s important for them to follow updates and changes in tactical aspects. They like to follow training videos available on the apps overseas, and I encourage that.”
Fan apps are growing
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Clubs investing in their own digital apps is also a growing trend with the Kaizer Chiefs app boasting tens of thousands of users. An app for another leading Soweto club, Orlando Pirates, has also garnered rave reviews from fans who love the fact they can connect directly with the team.
Unsurprisingly, the official PSL app has a huge following, providing a complete overview of the latest happenings in South African soccer. It has more than 50,000 installations.
Of course, we have our favourites football apps as well. Check out our top picks below:
Premier League
Official and free to download, the Premier League’s app (PL) is your definitive companion to the world’s most-watched league. A new way to manage your Fantasy Premier League team, research 25 years’ of statistics, and watch some of the greatest moments in the League’s history.
Available free on Android and iOS
EUFA Champions League
The official UEFA Champions League app provides comprehensive and immersive coverage of Europe’s premier club competition on your handheld device.
FIFA Mobile
Playing soccer has never been more exciting than in the new FIFA Mobile! Build and manage your team, go head-to-head, and keep coming back for daily content. Whether you’re a savvy veteran or just starting out on the soccer pitch, FIFA Mobile is bigger and better than ever. All-new features this 2020-21 season allows you to play as your favourite team for the first time ever in League Matchups and face off for top spot on the leaderboards weekly in Division Rivals’ brand-new Weekend Tournament.
Smartphones for football fans
With the growing shift towards digital content, storage capacity is more important to South African mobile users now than ever before, especially if you’re downloading apps for all your hobbies and interests. Luckily, investing in a smartphone with a decent amount of storage capacity doesn’t have to cost a pretty penny.
Affordable entry-level devices a like the Itel Vision1 Pro are a great option for South Africans looking for flagship smartphone features on a budget. Powered by AndroidTM 10 Go, with a 32GB storage memory and 2GB RAM, the Itel Vision1 Pro features a 6.5 inch waterdrop fullscreen display, designed to optimise the user viewing experience. Plus, at a recommended retail price of R1,699 it’s a no-brainer!
Find the best price on entry-level smartphones online with PriceCheck now: