February Challenge - African Warriors

**dafuge** · 01-02-2008 15:17

This is the second in a series of monthly challenges which will run for one calendar month and involve playing just one season with a chosen team. Anyone can take part as many times as they like. The aim is simple, just do as well as possible in your one season in charge.

A running medals table will be kept, with only the highest entry form each user being entered. The current table looks like this:

Medals Leaderboard

Code:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Username                    Gold    Silver    Bronze      Challenges Played
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NeoAC                       1       0         0           1
dafuge                      0       1         0           1
CoachFlu                    0       0         1           1
Jimbokav1971                0       0         1           1
migwar                      0       0         0           1
Boskovic                    0       0         0           1

African Warriors

With the Africa Cup of Nations at the Quarter Final Stage, it seems like a great time to take a visit to Africa.

The chosen team is African Warriors who play in the South African First Division (the Mvela Golden League). They are a club with almost no history since they were established in 2006, gaining promotion in their first ever season.

The Rules

Load a game with the South African leagues only, a large database (or smaller if preferred) and the attribute masking and the transfer boxes ticked. No additional players from any nation should be loaded.

The extra levels of detail that you can change while in the game are up to you.

Add a manager with automatic past experience and South African nationality only.

When you start the challenge, make sure you post a picture of your manager profile.

You may only sign players for whom you can obtain a scout or coach report for, this means you can only sign players from within your scouting restrictions or players who you can attract on trial to the club.

No external scouting utilities should be used and the database should be the official SI one with no non-graphical changes.

Exploiting the setting up of friendlies for reserve teams in order to make money is considered cheating.

Anything related to the challenge may be discussed in this thread, including players, tactics etc. Feel free to update as you want, I think a monthly update should be sufficient.

When you complete your season, post the following screenshots in your review:

League Tables
Squad
Transfer History
Finances Summary

The Expectations

The media prediction is 16th.

I ran a holiday game and the result ended in a 16th place league finish, with a 1st round exit in both cups and the embarrassment of a 14-0 league loss at the hands of F.C.A.K. can you do any better?

**dafuge** · 01-02-2008 15:17

This is the second in a series of monthly challenges which will run for one calendar month and involve playing just one season with a chosen team. Anyone can take part as many times as they like. The aim is simple, just do as well as possible in your one season in charge.

A running medals table will be kept, with only the highest entry form each user being entered. The current table looks like this:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Medals Leaderboard

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Username Gold Silver Bronze Challenges Played
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NeoAC 1 0 0 1
dafuge 0 1 0 1
CoachFlu 0 0 1 1
Jimbokav1971 0 0 1 1
migwar 0 0 0 1
Boskovic 0 0 0 1

</pre>

African Warriors

With the Africa Cup of Nations at the Quarter Final Stage, it seems like a great time to take a visit to Africa.

The chosen team is African Warriors who play in the South African First Division (the Mvela Golden League). They are a club with almost no history since they were established in 2006, gaining promotion in their first ever season.

The Rules

Load a game with the South African leagues only, a large database (or smaller if preferred) and the attribute masking and the transfer boxes ticked. No additional players from any nation should be loaded.

The extra levels of detail that you can change while in the game are up to you.

Add a manager with automatic past experience and South African nationality only.

When you start the challenge, make sure you post a picture of your manager profile.

You may only sign players for whom you can obtain a scout or coach report for, this means you can only sign players from within your scouting restrictions or players who you can attract on trial to the club.

No external scouting utilities should be used and the database should be the official SI one with no non-graphical changes.

Exploiting the setting up of friendlies for reserve teams in order to make money is considered cheating.

Anything related to the challenge may be discussed in this thread, including players, tactics etc. Feel free to update as you want, I think a monthly update should be sufficient.

When you complete your season, post the following screenshots in your review:

<UL TYPE=SQUARE> <LI>League Tables
<LI>Squad
<LI>Transfer History
<LI>Finances Summary[/list]

The Expectations

The media prediction is 16th.

I ran a holiday game and the result ended in a 16th place league finish, with a 1st round exit in both cups and the embarrassment of a 14-0 league loss at the hands of F.C.A.K. can you do any better?

**aaberdeenn** · 01-02-2008 18:53

Profile.

**aaberdeenn** · 01-02-2008 20:11

Boy this is darn hard and no flipping scouts will apply.

Possible bug. The man of the match in this U19's game happens to be this 37 year old fella.

**Jimbokav1971** · 01-02-2008 22:34

I've heard about dodgy African passports but that's pushing it a little.

Still, it's all experience

.

**Jimbokav1971** · 02-02-2008 01:24

Just an idea dafuge, but if you make this the bottom sticky rather than the top sticky it might have more of an impact.

I have got into the habit of ignoring stickies and looking for the thread below the bottom sticky. It means that the sticky that most often catches my eye is the bottom one and not the top one.

This might be just because I have a low resolution and have to scroll down straight away just to see anything.

**McMaster#28** · 02-02-2008 02:13

Might as well have a go

http://img172.imageshack.us/my.php?i...profilewm3.png

**McMaster#28** · 02-02-2008 02:48

This is our stadium

**Jimbokav1971** · 02-02-2008 03:07

I thought you were dead, (or at least on the other side of the World somewhere)

.

**dafuge** · 02-02-2008 03:12

Profile

Things look bleak when faced with a squad full of 16 year old regens. Looks like my first task is going to be trying to find a squad from somewhere.

**aaberdeenn** · 02-02-2008 03:26

No scout will bloomin' apply so it looks like I might have to scrap my LLM approach for this game and do a spot of headhunting.

**Jimbokav1971** · 02-02-2008 03:42

I've got to admit that I didn't play the January challenge by LLM rules because I couldn't get a scout either.

**aaberdeenn** · 02-02-2008 03:51

The January one was slightly easier though; at least you had a decent enough team to work with from the start. This is just a bunch of random 16 year olds.

I lost the first cup game 7-0.

**PoopyPants** · 02-02-2008 04:02

My Profile

This is my best player. A seven star winger!!!

Just signed him. My first captain

**Jimbokav1971** · 02-02-2008 04:11

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PoopyPants:

Just signed him. My first captain

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Are you sure?

He has influence of 3

.

**PoopyPants** · 02-02-2008 04:40

Still the highest in my team

**McMaster#28** · 02-02-2008 06:03

Just got my first point in the league.
This is a tough challenge

**CoachFlu** · 02-02-2008 07:35

I'll have a go as well. Profile.

See if I can avoid getting the sack this time. A lot of work ahead, at first glance. 18 crappy youth players at the club, and the wage budget is already 90% spent.

Then again, expectations are a bit lower at this club, so maybe I'll last longer than three months this time.

**XaW** · 02-02-2008 07:48

I didn't see the challenge last month, but I'll have a go this time!

Profile

After a quick look at my squad(all 16 yr old regens), I'm terrified...

**dafuge** · 02-02-2008 07:50

Pre Season Review

I set out with the intention of finding some good players to fill my squad. I soon lowered my standards and just settled for any player I could find for each position. The players I have got are just hopeless, they are so far behind the other players in the league it is untrue.

My opening friendly against FS Stars ended in a 6-2 defeat with my team full of 16 year olds. A tour of Botswana followed, with three defeats and a draw. I did manage to beat my reserves 2-0 though which was a result.

My first game was in the cup vs FCAK. After getting excited at going 4-2 up, it all went downhill finally losing 4-6.

I seem to be 50/1 outsiders for every game apart from Hannover Park, where I am 1/10. I can't wait to see how bad they are if I am clear favourites.

**XaW** · 02-02-2008 08:28

Great start...

**dafuge** · 02-02-2008 08:29

Hannover Park are really awful, just beat them 4-0

**XaW** · 02-02-2008 08:56

No no no no no

**XaW** · 02-02-2008 08:58

That is the biggest loss I've had in my CM/FM playing ever....

**dafuge** · 02-02-2008 09:00

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by XaW:
No no no no no </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes yes yes yes yes

**CoachFlu** · 02-02-2008 09:05

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by dafuge:
Yes yes yes yes yes </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nice. The most pleasing aspect for me is that your only goal came from a striker I just signed as well. (before I saw your screenie)

**XaW** · 02-02-2008 09:07

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by CoachFlu:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by dafuge:
Yes yes yes yes yes </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nice. The most pleasing aspect for me is that your only goal came from a striker I just signed as well. (before I saw your screenie)

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey, I've signed him aswell! but he and the whole lot of my other players wheren't eligeble for that match....

**XaW** · 02-02-2008 09:10

Why Oh Why are all my players ineligeble for my matches....all my DC's have a pace of below 3.....NOOOOO

**dafuge** · 02-02-2008 09:15

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by XaW:
Why Oh Why are all my players ineligeble for my matches....all my DC's have a pace of below 3.....NOOOOO </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Did you register them with squad numbers?

**XaW** · 02-02-2008 09:21

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by dafuge:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by XaW:
Why Oh Why are all my players ineligeble for my matches....all my DC's have a pace of below 3.....NOOOOO </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Did you register them with squad numbers? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, for my fist match, none of my signings were available, for my second match 3 of them were eligeble, and hopefully to my next match most of them will be able to play....I dunno why

**Truegunner** · 02-02-2008 09:37

I want to have a go!

**McMaster#28** · 02-02-2008 10:07

At the half way stage.
Anyone even escaping relegation will have done very well

http://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?im...tdivisizn4.png

**PoopyPants** · 02-02-2008 10:17

My new striker.

On his debut.

Pity about the score

**dafuge** · 02-02-2008 10:51

Half Way Review

Results

Although there have been a lot of defeats I am pretty happy with the way the results have gone. I'm losing games, but not by a lot, hopefully in the second half of the season I can turn a few losses into draws. The two Park teams were dreadful so I'm glad I didn't drop any points there.

League Table

This is actually my lowest position of the season. Relegation looks unlikely due to the two awful Park teams, so I'm going to set myself a target of finishing 12th.

Squad

All of them were brought in on free transfers, the striker is looking like my best signing.

**DodgeeD** · 02-02-2008 10:56

Nice to see you went with an African Challenge this month

(though not my African Nations idea

)

Anyway, I didn't have time to join the January challenge and my other game is starting a bit slowly so I'm going to give this a shot.

Here's my profile. Now to find some people who know how to kick a ball

**Ridleys** · 02-02-2008 11:29

I'll give it one a go

.

Profile

**ThfcJoe** · 02-02-2008 12:05

Ok, i'll give it a go.

**aaberdeenn** · 02-02-2008 12:35

It may seem like I'm being a bit of a quitter but after giving it a go by LLM rules (I wanted to at least try) I've discovered that there is simply no point in progressing with this save. I'm getting thumped every game with my team of 16 year olds, no scouts will apply meaning I can't sign no-one, the season is already in pieces.

I do still have the save from the beginning so playing on the same profile I'll be starting again, and just sacking the whole LLM way for this game.

Sorry.

**ThfcJoe** · 02-02-2008 12:45

I'm starting the game, heres some screenshots:

Create Game

Profile

Tell me if any of these are wrong.
Oh, and btw, can I post updates? Eg. Every month I say results, new signings etc.?

**ThfcJoe** · 02-02-2008 12:54

Oh crap. Just noticed I didn't mask attributes. I've created a new game with it ticked, will I have to send profile again?

**dafuge** · 02-02-2008 12:58

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ThfcJoe:
Oh crap. Just noticed I didn't mask attributes. I've created a new game with it ticked, will I have to send profile again? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The profile should be the same, just start again.

**ThfcJoe** · 02-02-2008 13:07

Ok. I'm sorry for asking too many questions, but do you think I could have a friendly with my U19's side? I'll get Â£0 of revenue.

**ThfcJoe** · 02-02-2008 13:18

Pre-Season Games:

African Warriors 3-5 FS Stars

**aaberdeenn** · 02-02-2008 13:21

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ThfcJoe:
Ok. I'm sorry for asking too many questions, but do you think I could have a friendly with my U19's side? I'll get Â£0 of revenue. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That would be perfectly fine.

**dafuge** · 02-02-2008 13:37

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by aaberdeenn:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ThfcJoe:
Ok. I'm sorry for asking too many questions, but do you think I could have a friendly with my U19's side? I'll get Â£0 of revenue. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That would be perfectly fine.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Arranging friendlies in pre season is fine, the rule was just put there to warn people about exploiting the friendlies for cash issue.

**ThfcJoe** · 02-02-2008 13:42

Ok, I think i've got a starting XI for my first league game

**Milky2k6** · 02-02-2008 14:15

Profile

**DodgeeD** · 02-02-2008 14:22

Pre Season Round-up

The main priority, of course, was bringing in new players. It seems I ended up signing half of the squad from Tambo Cosmos

and a few from Luso Africa too. I also got Orlando pirates as a parent club. They will pay a whopping 500 quid a season. Unfortunately the two players they sent on loan were AMCs and I had already signed a couple of guys there...

Anyway, down to business. A decent result in our first friendly as we came back in the second half to secure the win. We then had a pre-season tour of Namibia, where we won one, drew one and lost two.

We got a home tie against FC Cape Town in the First Division cup. Predictably we were 50-1 outsiders for the win. However, we defies those odds as we pulled off a 2-1 win!!! We have a quarter final tie now away to Maritzburg United. Let's see if we can make the semis

**CoachFlu** · 02-02-2008 14:41

September 1st 2007

Pre-season over, and the season is underway.
I managed to sign 17 players on a free transfer, and a handful more on loan.
I'm reasonably pleased with squad depth and quality. I think it'll still be a fierce battle against relegation, but I did manage to bring in some decent players for every position.

Filling the goalie position was the toughest task. I only managed to find one goalie willing to sign, who is better than the 16 year olds in the squad, but still not all that good - as the first results will show. Luckily I managed to find a loan goalie just before the transfer window closed. He's still injured for 3 weeks though, so we'll have to make do until then.

Our first official match of the season was a First Div Cup match against the Nathi Lions. And a great debut it was for an all-new squad! This made me quite hopeful before the start of the league matches.

League results:
Tuks - African Warriors: 2-2
Ikapa Sporting - African Warriors: 3-3

First Div Cup Qtr Final:
Black Aces - African Warriors: 3-0

Except for the Tuks match, where we were a bit fortunate, we had at least as many chances as our opponents each time. We're quite vulnerable at the back though. Hopefully that will improve once the new goalkeeper is fit.

But so far I'm quite hopeful of being able to avoid relegation.

**Milky2k6** · 02-02-2008 14:43

pre-season

Signed 10 players before the league started with hopefully a few more to come.

0:1 Reserves (embarassing!)
2:3 FS Stars (good result IMO, they are Premier Div.)
2:1 U19's (Too close for my liking)

I also sold a record-breaking 47 season tickets

First Few Games

A massive 50-1 for the 1st round tie versus F.C.A.K, we were always going to be up against it. The games went like so...

1:2 F.C.A.K - Gutted, but was chasing the game from the kick-off, consolation from new midfielder Ranyawa on 90mins.
3:4 Ga-Rankuwa Utd - Ouch. 2-0 and 3-2 up, but went on to concede late on. The signs are promising but if we keep leaking goals then it may be a long season. New midfielder, Ngaka, got a double and was named Man of the Match.
1:3 Durban. Yet another consolation goal at full-time, scored by Ngaka who now has 3 in 3.

So, three games in, I'm out the First Division cup, but at least I'm not sitting bottom! The Dynamos have that specific honour. Things can only get better - can't they? I'll report back in Jan 08.

**McMaster#28** · 02-02-2008 14:50

Well, only a few games left of the season.
Staying up looks increasingly impossible.

Good fun, but far to hard for me

League Table

**dafuge** · 02-02-2008 15:12

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Francis Cole:

Good fun, but far to hard for me

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I must admit, it has been far harder than I expected.

**Milky2k6** · 02-02-2008 15:24

It's now january and I havn't won a game since I beat my own U19s! haha. This is a solid challenge but great fun.

**dafuge** · 02-02-2008 16:22

End of Season Review

Second half results

Had a pretty poor finish to the season, including a 7-0 loss to Ikapa Sporting.

Final League Table
League Positions Graph

I think this was a pretty good result, although I'm still disappointed I didn't finish higher. I think I could have finished 12th if a few results had gone my way.

Squad
Transfers

Didn't spend a penny on a player, but they did quite well.

Star Player

I think I would have been in real trouble without his goals.

Finances

Started the season in debt, finished the season in debt.

**nick...** · 02-02-2008 16:50

How does the medals table work?

Appologies if it's obvious, I've neve played the south african league.

**CoachFlu** · 02-02-2008 16:51

September 30th 2007

League results:

African Warriors - Maritzburg Utd: 0-3
African Warriors - Nathi Lions: 4-1
African Warriors - Witbank Spurs: 3-0
W.P. United - African Warriors: 2-2

League table

A good month, with two great home wins. Granted, they were against the teams in the relegation spots, but still.
The valuable away point, after being 2-0 down, also showed that the team has resilience.

We're nicely in the middle of the pack now, but it's early days still. We'll probably drop a few more places again once we meet a few more of the top half teams. Based on these early performances though, I think a 10th-ish place finish should be possible.

**dafuge** · 02-02-2008 16:52

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by nick...:
How does the medals table work?

Appologies if it's obvious, I've neve played the south african league. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The medals table is an overall table to keep track of how people are doing in the monthly challenges. First place in a monthly challenge = gold, 2nd = silver etc.

**CoachFlu** · 02-02-2008 16:57

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by dafuge:
Finances

Started the season in debt, finished the season in debt. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yikes, did your board start building a new stadium or something?
My finances look quite decent. Not rich, but at least we're in the black.

**dafuge** · 02-02-2008 17:00

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by CoachFlu:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by dafuge:
Finances

Started the season in debt, finished the season in debt. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yikes, did your board start building a new stadium or something?
My finances look quite decent. Not rich, but at least we're in the black. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nope, that's pretty much how I started the season.

**Ridleys** · 02-02-2008 17:07

I'm actually surprised that despite everyone saying it was a hard challange, i found it realtively easy

I think i must have chosen the right tactics

anyway here is how it went...

Pre Season Review

Relatively poor pre-season, with an unconvincing 4 - 1 defeat to FS Stars, with my only goal coming from a penalty. I managed to sign about 13 players on free transfers (although, for some reason, only 6 of them show up on the transfer history?). I had a fiddle about with my tactics so that it would suit every player and match with all there abilities. Now for the proper action...

Half Way Review

I was literally amazed with how well the first half of the season went! I was top of the league after my first 2 games after hammering in a mighty 11 goals in just my first two league games! I struggled in the cup though, being knocked out by Black Aces 4 - 0, but this challenge isn't about the cup it's about the league so i wasn't that bothered. By the end of December I was still lying in 5th place and only 10 points off the leader, and one place outside the playoffs!

End of Season Review

Well.. the second half of the season.. pretty much the same as the first. Sitting in a comfortable 5th place at the end and only 1 place off a playoff place. My Star Player managed to net 25 goals in the league and basically i would have sucked without him. I don't know how i managed to get him actually seeing as if you compare him to Dafuge's star player mine seems to be a bit better

League Table and League Positions Graph.
5th place, with 52 points if you can't be bothered to look.

Squad
Decided to sell them all towards the end

Transfers - Only 6 of them show up despite me signing at least 10?
Some of them were really quality players for me and were vital throughout the whole season.

In Dept But Who Cares?
I always struggle with finance but oh well it's not a long term challenge so it's all good

Thanks for this challenge Dafuge (especially as i'm top at the moment :P i expect somebosy will do better though

)

Good Luck To All Others Taking Part!

**dublx** · 02-02-2008 17:14

Will give this a quick go.
Profile

**CoachFlu** · 02-02-2008 18:32

October 31st 2007

League results:

Bay Utd - African Warriors: 0-2
African Warriors - Durban Stars: 5-2
African Warriors - Hannover Park: 1-1

A short but great month, as we stretch our undefeated streak to six games. Ironically we almost lost the only match for which we weren't huge underdogs, but a late goal saved the day.

League table.

**dafuge** · 03-02-2008 04:20

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">February Challenge Leaderboard

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Username Achievements
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ridleys Finished 5th with 52 points
dafuge Finished 14th with 24 points
</pre>

**CoachFlu** · 03-02-2008 07:24

November 30th 2007

League results:

Winners Park - African Warriors: 2-0
African Warriors - Black Aces: 2-2
FCAK - African Warriors: 2-3

League table.

A bad loss against then-last-placed Winners Park started the month poorly, but a great comeback against title challengers FCAK turned this into a good month after all.
Almost half-way. So far so good.

**bob66** · 03-02-2008 09:30

I shall have a go at this, here is my profile!

]

[/URL]

**bob66** · 03-02-2008 09:35

Sorry, here is a bigger profile pic.

]Profile[/URL]

**PoopyPants** · 03-02-2008 09:48

Will the leaderboard be based on your position or on your points?

**dafuge** · 03-02-2008 09:57

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PoopyPants:
Will the leaderboard be based on your position or on your points? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Position first, then points.

**PoopyPants** · 03-02-2008 10:01

OK, just making sure.

Tho at the moment it looks like I'm going to do even worse than you

**CoachFlu** · 03-02-2008 11:49

December 15th 2007 - Mid-season.

League results:

African Warriors - Dynamos: 2-3
FC Cape Town - African Warriors: 4-2
African Warriors - Ga-Rankuwa Utd: 4-1

Mid-season table.

Two narrow losses against upper mid-table teams bumped us back down a few places. It's pretty tight above us, though, so fourth place - maybe even third place - is still within reach. Below us the gaps get bigger, so barring a spectacular collapse, we shouldn't drop down lower than 11th place.
I'll set myself a goal of 8th place.

In general, I'm quite pleased with how we're doing. This message, from after our 15th match, pretty much sums it up.

**NeoAC** · 03-02-2008 12:48

NeoAC - August 18th - It begins again......

So we're all set to go here in Qwaqwa. The swaggering young manager with a boatload of ideas and absolutely no clue on the working of the South African football system is going to see if he can work some magic.

Here we go.

As you can see, the oddmakers don't think too highly of us.

What the exchange rate for rands?

I've been busy here, trying to get a team together.

The locker nameplate guy is going to be busy.

Preseason Results
African Warriors 1 - 3 FS Stars (Moleko)
African Warriors 1 - 3 Amazulu (Ntsoane)

So, its a winless preseason, what can be expected from facing all top-flight competition. This might be a long season.

**cookie15** · 03-02-2008 13:00

I'm taking this to be open to any challengers! If so i'll start ASAP

**cookie15** · 03-02-2008 13:34

Well here he is the new manager of African Warriors - Marcus Evan Cook

**Ridleys** · 03-02-2008 13:35

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by CoachFlu:
December 15th 2007 - Mid-season.

League results:

African Warriors - Dynamos: 2-3
FC Cape Town - African Warriors: 4-2
African Warriors - Ga-Rankuwa Utd: 4-1

Mid-season table.

Two narrow losses against upper mid-table teams bumped us back down a few places. It's pretty tight above us, though, so fourth place - maybe even third place - is still within reach. Below us the gaps get bigger, so barring a spectacular collapse, we shouldn't drop down lower than 11th place.
I'll set myself a goal of 8th place.

In general, I'm quite pleased with how we're doing. This message, from after our 15th match, pretty much sums it up. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Goals are scored as often as Drogba dives in the South African First Division, i think i was at 32 goals after my 15th game in charge and i got exactly the same message

**CoachFlu** · 03-02-2008 14:39

February 28th 2008

SAFA Cup 1st Round:
African Warriors - Real Rovers: 4-2

League results:

African Warriors - Ikapa Sporting: 2-4
Maritzburg Utd - African Warriors: 3-1
African Warriors - Tuks: 2-2

League table

A tough start of the second half of the season, facing two teams out of the league's top three. But heck, at least we got those out of the way, then. The draw against Tuks was decent, though doesn't help us much.
As it stands now, it looks like we'll be fighting for 8th-10th place.

**Jonny Kaufman** · 03-02-2008 14:47

Might aswell give this a go.

Profile

**sebzilla** · 03-02-2008 19:46

Here goes nothing.

Profile

Let's hope Ron can work his magic on the S.A. League!

**DodgeeD** · 04-02-2008 05:28

Halfway down the line

The first half of the season has been better than I expected. It didn't start too well as we only picked up 1 point from our first 4 games and got dumped out of the cup in the quarters at the hands of Maritzburg United. It all started to turn round with this win away to Durban Warriors, which was the start of a 5 match unbeaten run.

We had a mini-slump when star player Nombe was out injured for three games but once he was back in the team we put together another 5 game unbeaten run to bring us up to the halfway point.

We are currently 9th in the league on 22 points having scored 26 and conceded 26

. An 8 point gap has opened between 10th and 11th so we should be able to hold on to a top 10 spot. We are 4 points adrift of 7th however, so there's a bit of work to do in the second half of the season to improve our position.

Come on you warriors!!

**dublx** · 04-02-2008 09:07

After 2 defeats we finally got a win in our third game, a convincing 3-0 home win, actually used a DC as one of the strikers who ended up man of the match with 2 goals. Which was nothing but a fluke as we then went back to what we do best, LOSING!! Over the next few weeks we surprisingly lose a lot and never seem to be able to beat the 'impossible odds' given to us pre match. Somehow though we manage two 1-1 draws. Our position of 14th is a true reflection of our gross overachieving so far this season. If they don't sack me soon i may just walk and head for the nearest South African beach.

**CoachFlu** · 04-02-2008 09:32

March 31st 2008

SAFA Cup 2nd Round:
Welkom Stars - African Warriors: 5-2 aet

League results:

Nathi Lions - African Warriors: 2-0
Witbank Spurs - African Warriors: 2-3
African Warriors - WP United: 5-1
Hannover Park - African Warriors: 1-2
Durban Stars - African Warriors: 2-1

League table.

After a poor February with 1 point from three matches, we started March with two more defeats (league and cup), so morale was dangerously low. Luckily we turned things around with three straight wins. A red card messed up the important match against Durban, but it was still a fairly decent month.

On the bad side, though, star striker Sisa Nombe is out for the season after picking up a torn calf muscle early in the month. He wasn't quite our top scorer, but with 11 goals and 11 assists in 23 appearances, he was an important part of the team.

7th-10th place seems to be the range we'll be finishing in. I'll be happy with 8th place.

**Jonzii** · 04-02-2008 10:00

Profile

**cookie15** · 04-02-2008 11:46

The season is about to commence so i thought i'd post a screenie of the new squad to be gracing the African Warriors.

African Warriors transfers

Erm... still need a GK. Best get the scouts out there looking!!!

1st round of the cup is a home tie

against FC Cape Town

Who knows?

**CoachFlu** · 05-02-2008 02:52

April 30th 2008

League results:

African Warriors - Winners Park: 2-2
African Warriors - Bay Utd: 3-5
Black Aces - African Warriors: 2-2

League table

Well, at least we're consistently inconsistent. Another poor month, with only the draw against Black Aces as a decent result.
Four matches to go, two of which are against teams in the top 4, so 8th place is probably out of reach. I'll settle for holding on to 9th place.

**Milldem** · 05-02-2008 08:07

Profile, in honour of a SA legend!

**spider90** · 05-02-2008 12:20

Jamie Webb Manager Profile

B]Season Expectations[/B]
Avoid Relegation
Wage Budget - Â£1.1K
Transfer Budget - Â£24K

**spider90** · 05-02-2008 13:21

1st September 2007
Summary:
Only 47 season tickets sold and 2000-1 to win the league. A really poor start to the season conceding 14 goals in the first two league games. The new signings havenâ€™t seemed to gel yet and it is just taking time to cement some decent tactics.
However the only good news the board injected another Â£26K into the bank balance
Result :
African Warriors 0 â€“ 4 FS Starts (Friendly)
Turks 2 â€“ 0 African Warriors att 547 (Baymed Cup 1st Round)
African Warriors 2 â€“ 8 Ikapa Sporting att 326 (Golden League)
African Warriors 1 â€“ 4 Bay Utd att 244 (Golden League)

League Position:
15th

Players In:
Samuel Khumalo â€“ Bidvest Wits - Â£0
Vusimuzi Tjale â€“ Bidvest Wits - Â£0
Johnny Claesen â€“ Bidvest Wits - Â£0
Wandille Sidaki â€“ F.C.A.K - Â£0
Maxwell Phiri â€“ F.C.A.K - Â£0
Allan Kamwanga â€“ Black Leopards - Â£0
Keith Graydon â€“ Durban City â€“ Free
Samuel Lesoetsa â€“ Kaizer Chiefs â€“ Loan

Players Out:
Prince Motloung â€“ Free
Mark Mthembu â€“ Free

Staff In:
Mark Sibaya â€“ Scout â€“ Free
Jonas Fransman â€“ Coach â€“ Free

Affiliated Clubs:
Kaizer Chiefs

Hope all of this works

**DodgeeD** · 05-02-2008 13:42

End of Season Round-up

A suprisingly good start to the season was followed by a dissapointing close. We were very inconsistent seemingly winning one game and then losing the next. Going into the last 5 games, 8th was still within our grasp but we completely bombed and only picked up 2 points.

Some untimely suspension and injuries exposed our lack of cover in the squad plus my defenders, most of whom were well over 30, seemed to suffer a dip in ability (I found the same thing playing MadWoodster's International Challenge - players at club with poor facilites and part-time coaching staff actually get worse over time).

We had bad luck too, especially one infyriating game against Nathi lions where we were 1-0 up on 90 mins, 3 mins were added for stoppages and our opponents scored on 93, 95 and 96 minutes

. Where the extra 3 minutes came from I have no idea.

There were still some highlights though, including a well-earned 5-2 away win against Black Aces and this club record win against the hapless Durban Stars.

Here are the league table and various summaries:

Final Table

Transfer History

Squad

Finances

**DodgeeD** · 05-02-2008 14:25

Sorry, forgot to mention points etc.

Final Position 11th W 9 D 7 L 14 Goals Scored 53 Conceded 55 Points 34

**CoachFlu** · 05-02-2008 15:36

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DodgeeD:

A suprisingly good start to the season was followed by a dissapointing close. We were very inconsistent seemingly winning one game and then losing the next. Going into the last 5 games, 8th was still within our grasp but we completely bombed and only picked up 2 points.

Some untimely suspension and injuries exposed our lack of cover in the squad plus my defenders, most of whom were well over 30, seemed to suffer a dip in ability </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

This was like reading a summary of my own season, heh. My EoS report should be up soonish.

**CoachFlu** · 05-02-2008 16:09

May 31st 2008 - End of Season.

League results May:

African Warriors - FCAK: 3-4
Dynamos - African Warriors: 4-3
African Warriors - FC Cape Town: 4-2
Ga-Rankuwa - African Warriors: 1-0

End of season table.

A very poor final month saw us drop from 9th to 11th on the last match day. We just couldn't bounce back and completely lost morale and form.

Circumstances weren't in our favor though. A few crucial injuries and suspensions didn't help, so the two narrow 4-3 losses weren't too bad. Then all the loan signings went back to their clubs before the final two matches. Since I had quite a few of them, I was left with a minimal squad and even had to give some of the crappy youngsters their debuts.

I'm a little disappointed with 11th place. At some point a top half finish seemed possible, and even at the end we only had to pick up one win in May to hold on to 9th place, but even that went wrong.

Still, if this was the first season of a career game, I suppose I'd be reasonably pleased.

Finances

The squad. (though without a number of loan players, I forgot to take a screenie before they returned to their clubs.)

Transfer History.

Some of the better performers:

Sisa Nombe: Many people pick up this guy, and rightly so. He wasn't my top-scorer, but still a vital part of the team. Unfortunately he was injured for the last 3 months of the season, which partially explains our drop in form.

Thabo Letsoalo: (profile) (season stats) This was our top-scorer, on loan. He fitted well into the role of fast striker in my tactic.

I'd single out more players, but none of the midfielders really stood out, and none of the defenders are worth mentioning.
The veteran DCs I found (seen their names in several other people's squads as well, so you'll all know who I mean

) seemed decent on paper, but on the field they were pretty clueless half the time. Especially, as DodgeeD mentioned, towards the end of the season, they seemed to get worse and worse.

Friendlies not included, we only managed to keep two clean sheets all season, both early in the season. The only plus side: most of the other teams' defenses didn't seem too secure either.

Ah well. At least I didn't get the sack this time.

**CoachFlu** · 05-02-2008 16:10

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by CoachFlu:
League results May:

African Warriors - FCAK: 3-4
Dynamos - African Warriors: 4-3
African Warriors - FC Cape Town: 2-4
Ga-Rankuwa - African Warriors: 1-0 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Corrected.

**bob66** · 06-02-2008 00:04

Well bizarrely, I found my season to go the opposite way to most of you guys. I had a terrible first half, sitting in 15th at the halfway stage, but a good run of results in February/March actually saw me sitting in 8th for a while.

However, I was then hit by a big injury to my Goalie, and the floodgates opened again. By the end of the season I was 11th. (Seems like a common place to finish with this team!)

I'll be honest when I say I was disappointed with the finish. On paper a few of my preseason signings were by far good enough for the league, but very few performed upto my expectations.

[IMG]http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/7950/squadhg9.th.jpg]Squad [IMG]http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8962/transfersbf8.th.jpg]Transfers
[IMG]http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/9419/66874810pz1.th.jpg]End of season table

Think I might have another go at this by the end of the month!

**DodgeeD** · 06-02-2008 00:13

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">This was like reading a summary of my own season, heh. My EoS report should be up soonish. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Very similar indeed. You still pipped me by a point though - guess there'll be no place for me on the medals table... this time

**CoachFlu** · 06-02-2008 04:06

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DodgeeD:

Very similar indeed. You still pipped me by a point though - guess there'll be no place for me on the medals table... this time

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Don't think I'll be in the medals table this time either. Plenty of time left for others to do better than 11th.

Then again, I got a bronze by getting sacked after three months last time, so who knows.

**Jonzii** · 06-02-2008 11:59

***End Of Season***

Everyone seems to be finishing 11th. Well.. apart from me, could only manage 12th place.
Really tough challenge, good job I managed to get a couple of decent forwards or I would have been screwed.

League Table

Squad

Transfer History

Finances

**spider90** · 06-02-2008 13:01

Very miffed...my save file was corrupt so i will be starting again in a while and see if i can do any better

**minisav** · 07-02-2008 10:49

Well This Could Be Interesting.

Profile

**minisav** · 07-02-2008 12:14

1st of September

Well that's the first couple of games out the way. Doing quite well. I think.

First Division Cup

1st Round

This Was A Pleasant Surprise

Odds! What Odds?!

1/4 Final

African Warriors 0 - 1 Witbank Spurs

Friendly

Good Effort

Considering a lot of them were still youth. Including the scorer.

League

African Warriors 0 - 1 Black Aces

African Warriors 1 - 3 Dynamos

Reasonable start. Hope to do better though!

**bnek** · 08-02-2008 03:27

My profile, come on the Warriors!

**minisav** · 08-02-2008 08:29

I love this challenge! Amazing Dufuge

Why do we need to post the clubs finances?
Does this affect whether you win or not?

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