Moutang Not
Interested In Khune And Masango’s “Games”
Kaizer Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung says it could
take a trip to church for Itumeleng Khune and Mandla Masango to “find
themselves”. The out-of-contract pair left Amakhosi at the end of
last season amid demands for higher wages but are now “on the streets”
according to Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane. Motaung gave the clearest
indication yet in this past weekend’s Sowetan that Khune and Masango will not
return to the club before the start of next season. “We have been talking to
the players and they have been playing hardball and making ridiculous demands.
In life you must humble yourself and also be clear about what you want as a
person,” said Motaung. “A contract is a contract. I don’t know whether they are
taking chances or whether they are trying their luck. This club has been there
for them for so many years. They are playing mind games or trying to play
hardball, but it is affecting them, not us. I told them, ‘Go home, find some
perspective and even go to church to find yourself.’” Motaung confirmed that
Khune and Masango intend to meet with the club again to discuss possible
returns, but stressed that Chiefs have to continue to look ahead to next
season. “They have attempted to meet with us but we are in camp, we are in
pre-season. We are moving on as an organisation, we have a team that needs to
be prepared. If they come here, they must have an understanding of what they
want … they are free, they don’t have contracts, so if there are clubs out
there, why don’t they sign them?”
Veteran defender
Joseph Musonda is heading back home to Zambia to join former club Nkana FC. Musonda
left Polokwane City at the beginning of the month after his contract was not
renewed and hasn’t wasted time in finding a new home. The 38-year-old has
confirmed he will be heading back to his former club to help them climb the
Zambian Super League table – Nkana are currently 12th, with just four wins from
their 17 games. “I have joined Nkana because I want to help them until the end
of the season since they are not in a good position,” Musonda said. Musonda
joined City at the beginning of last season and went on to be the first-choice
left-back, starting 22 games and going on to become the League’s oldest
most-active player at 38. The 2012 Afcon winner had already declared that he
would be continuing his playing career that has seen him turn out for Free
State Stars and Golden Arrows.
Everton midfielder
Steven Pienaar will miss the start of the 2015/16 season after suffering a
hamstring injury in training. The South African had featured in his club’s
friendly encounters against Swindon Town and Stoke City earlier this month, yet
was forced to sit on the sidelines on Sunday as the Toffees beat Hearts 3-1 in
another pre-season warm-up. Everton coach Roberto Martinez has now revealed the
extent of the injury the winger picked up in training, lamenting the fact that
he will now miss the opening stages of the club’s Premier League campaign. “Obviously
it was a really sad moment for all of us when Stevie picked up that injury in
training,” Martinez told his club’s website. “We were very, very down about
that situation and we hope to get Stevie back as soon as we can. He’s gone back
now to be fully assessed by our medical team at Finch Farm and we’ll get the
results very soon. But it does seem it’s a problem with his hamstring and
clearly he’s going to miss the start of the season, which is a real shame
because Stevie worked with fantastic results and fantastic signs over the first
three weeks or pre-season.” The 33-year-old endured an injury-plagues season
last term, as he made just 11 appearances for his club as they finished 11th in
the Premier League standings.
Kaizer Chiefs have
received some good news on the injury front as a number of players make their
way back. Mulumowandau Mathoho is back in training after a toe injury and
is busy regaining match fitness. Two other defenders, Morgan Gould and Daniel
Cardoso, are expected back in September. Gould ruptured his Achilles tendon
four months ago, while Cardoso arrived with an injury after joining from Free
State Stars. Simphiwe Mtsweni is also expected back in September after
undergoing surgery on a foot injury, while Lucky Baloyi will be back in three
weeks after hurting himself in a pre-season match.
Orlando Pirates’ CAF
Confederation Cup opponents Zamalek are on the brink of winning the
championship in Egypt and ending the long-standing dominance of their arch
rivals Al Ahly. The White Knights need just one point from their last two
games of the season to quench a long-standing drought and add back a
competitive edge to their bitter rivalry with Al Ahly, who won a record 37th
championship at the end of last season. A draw away at Al Geish, behind closed
doors at Cairo’s Air Defence Stadium, will give Zamalek their first league
success since 2004. Zamalek, coached by the Portuguese Jesualdo Ferreira, could
have sewn up the title last week but lost their derby to Al Ahly, who have won
eight titles in the last decade with two seasons not completed because of the
civil interest in the country. This year’s championship has run over after
being suspended for just over a month after 22 people were killed in a stampede
on February 8 when police fired teargas and birdshot at Zamalek supporters
trying to force their way into the Air Defence Stadium. Football matches have
often been a flashpoint for violence in Egypt where 72 Al Ahly fans were killed
in Port Said in February 2012, prompting a halt to club football for almost a
year.
Portuguese side
Sporting Lisbon won the inaugural Cape Town Cup with a 2-0 victory over Premier
League opponents Crystal Palace in Sunday afternoon’s final at Cape Town
Stadium. Colombia’s Fredy Montero scored twice in the second half to secure
the victory for his side, who had progressed to the final following a penalty
shootout victory over hosts Ajax Cape Town on Friday evening after a 2-2 draw.
Crystal Palace hammered SuperSport United 4-0 in their semi-final. SuperSportd
and Ajax shared third spot after drawing
2-2.
Mamelodi Sundowns
retained the Dr Hage Geingob Cup by beating African Stars 1-0 at the
Independence Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia on the weekend. Veteran
midfielder Surprise Moriri got the goal for the Brazilians. Sundowns won the
inaugural edition of the event by defeating the same opponents with an
identical scoreline last year. Pitso Mosimane’s men edged Primeiro De Agosto of
Angola 5-3 on penalties in their tournament opener earlier in the week
following a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time. Downs have been busy in
pre-season, recently clinching eTV Charity Showdown honours by beating Ajax
Cape Town in the final. The Nedbank Cup champions were previously on tour in
Zambia, defeating Zesco United and Mufulira Wanderers before concluding their
trip by drawing with Nchanga Rangers on July 16.
Mbombela United were
crowned ABC Motsepe League champions after beating Mthatha Bucks 2-1 in the final
at De Beers Stadium in Kimberley on Sunday afternoon. Sikhumbuzo
Mathebula’s outfit ended the tournament unbeaten and were handed a cash prize
of R1 million. Bucks earned R500 000 for their efforts, with both sides
previously gaining promotion to the National First Division.
Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba says he is happy
to meet Angola in the 2018 FIFA World Cup preliminary African Zone Round 2
qualifying rounds following the draw that was conducted in St Petersburg,
Russia on Saturday. South Africa has played in three World Cups
since the country’s readmission into international football in the early 1990s.
“I think in all fairness, it was a fair draw. One could not have asked for a
better draw than this one. We have played Angola on a number of occasions,
although the outcomes were close, we have had an upper hand,” said Mashaba from
Russia. It was more or less what we expected; you cannot reach the World Cup
finals without facing tough teams. One thing for sure, we will prepare
thoroughly against Angola; we won’t underestimate them,” added Mashaba. Angola
will host Bafana in Luanda on October 11 with the return leg expected two weeks
later. Round 2 winners from Africa will then be drawn into five groups of four
in which the winner of each group qualifies for Russia 2018.
FULL AFRICA DRAW:
African Zone Draw
Round One
Match 1: Somalia-Niger
Match 2: South Sudan-Mauritania
Match 3: Gambia-Namibia
Match 4: Sao Tome e Principe-Ethiopia
Match 5: Chad-Sierra Leone
Match 6: Comoros-Lesotho
Match 7: Djibouti-Swaziland
Match 8: Eritrea-Botswana
Match 9: Seychelles-Burundi
Match 10: Liberia-Guinea-Bissau
Match 11: Central African Republic-Madagascar
Match 12: Mauritius-Kenya
Match 13: Tanzania-Malawi
Round Two
Match 1: Winner (Match 1)-Cameroon
Match 2: Winner (Match 2)-Tunisia
Match 3: Winner (Match 3)-Guinea
Match 4: Winner (Match 4)-Congo
Match 5: Winner (Match 5)-Egypt
Match 6: Winner (Match 6)-Ghana
Match 7: Winner (Match 7)-Nigeria
Match 8: Winner (Match 8)-Mali
Match 9: Winner (Match 9)-Congo DR
Match 10: Winner (Match 10)-Cote d’Ivoire
Match 11: Winner (Match 11)-Senegal
Match 12: Winner (Match 12)-Cape Verde Islands
Match 13: Winner (Match 13)-Algeria
Match 14: Sudan-Zambia
Match 15: Libya-Rwanda
Match 16: Morocco-Equatorial Guinea
Match 17: Mozambique-Gabon
Match 18: Benin-Burkina Faso
Match 19: Togo-Uganda
Match 20: Angola-South Africa
SuperSport United
coach Gordon Igesund admits he was at fault following his side’s defeat against
Crystal Palace on Friday evening. Matsatsantsa were beaten 4-0 by the
Barclays Premiership side, conceding four first half goals with a new-look
defensive line that included former Bafana bafana defender Bongani Khumalo and
new signing Michael Boxall. Boxall had only landed in the country following
work permit delays the day before the game, and endured a tough baptism of fire
against the English club, and Igesund admits he was at fault for fielding the
New Zealand international in the first place. “Boxall only arrived on Thursday
– obviously he’s not fit and all the travelling caught up with him, and he
wasn’t what I expected of him on the day,” Igesund said in the post-match press
conference. But that’s my fault for throwing him in of course. I thought I
would throw him in and give him a chance and have a look at him, but we then
conceded three other goals – it was a bit of a shambles in the first half.”
Matthew Rusike has parted ways with Portuguese side CD
Nacional in favour of a move to Swedish Allvenskan outfit Halmstads BK. Rusike
left Kaizer Chiefs recently to move to Portugal, but his agent Micky Paiva from
Luso Africa Player Management has said that the striker has mutually come to an
agreement to move on. “Matthew has signed an 18-month deal with Halmstads
following a mutual termination of his contract with CD Nacional,” he said.
Igesund is hoping
Bongani Khumalo will sign on the dotted line for SuperSport despite his
unconvincing display against Crystal Palace. The former Bafana Bafana
captain has been on trial with Matsastansta for a month. The 28-year-old, who
was out of contract with Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur having never
featured in their first team in four years, was part of a new-look United
backline that had never played alongside each other. “We all know Bongani –
he’s steady, wins balls in the air and I thought he did an okay job in the
second half. In the first half it was quite difficult for him because I had
three defenders at the back that played for the first time together,” Igesund
told reporters. The SuperSport coach confirmed that he intends to sign Khumalo,
who spent three successful years at the club between 2007 and 2010, and insists
he is poised to become a key member of the squad. “We know what Bongani can do,
he’s got a history with our club and I am looking forward to maybe signing him.
It hasn’t been completed yet, we are still hoping to do that. But he will add a
lot of value to our team,” he added.
Stuart Baxter seems
to be working his magic at Genclerbirligi already after they thrashed Kamohelo
Mokotjo’s FC Twente 5-0 in a pre-season friendly. Baxter left Kaizer Chiefs
at the end of last season after a successful spell in charge of the PSL
heavyweights and was replaced by Steve Komphela. The Briton has now taken up
the challenge of turning around the fortunes of his new Turkish club, who ended
ninth last season. All five goals were scored before half-time. Mokotjo started
the game but was replaced after half-time.
Mpumalanga Black Aces
won the inaugural Mbombela Football Spectacular after beating Platinum Stars
4-1 on penalties in the final. Dikwena looked to be heading to victory and
were leading 2-1 right until deep into stoppage time, when Judas Moseamedi
netted to make it 2-2 and take the game straight to penalties. Stars opened the
scoring just after half-time courtesy of new loan signing Bongi Ntuli after he
knocked in a Shu-Aib Walters save on the rebound. Aces hit back through Given
Mashikinya right on the hour-mark as he deftly chipped the goalkeeper to make
it 1-1. But just a few minutes later Stars had the lead again when Moroka
Swallows defender Ashraf Hendricks – who is looking to move and hoping to earn
a deal with Aces – tried to block a free-kick but his miscued block sailed past
Walters. Dikwena could have been home and dry in the 71st minute but hit the
upright and it came back to bite them as Moseamedi grabbed a late equaliser. Walters
saved one Platinum Stars penalty and another hit the crossbar as Aces won 4-1
on spot-kicks to complete a successful pre-season tournament.
Aces XI: Walters, Mashikinya, Mwesiga, Modiba, Ngubane,
Moseamedi, Nodada, Mtsweni, Tukane, A Hendricks, S Masina
Stars XI: Mzimela, Semenya, Tshikovhi, Nhlapo, Tshabalala,
Baloyi, Khumalo, Kodisang, Hadebe, Segolela, Rodgers
Maritzburg United
have completed the signing of Evans Rusike. The Zimbabwean striker has
signed on a two-year contract from Hwange FC.
New Santos coach Zeca
Marques has explained his sudden departure from Limpopo-based side Black
Leopards as he embarks on his new adventure in captain. Marques was
officially announced as the People’s Team’s new head coach last Thursday,
joining from National First Division rivals Leopards after guiding Lidoda Duvha
to a third-place finish last season. Despite recently signing a new deal at
Leopards, Marques cited transport issues as the main reason for his switch. “The
transport was getting to us as a family … travelling up and down to Polokwane
was very expensive,” he said. “You can fly down to Cape Town at half the price
you would to get to Polokwane. And it’s Cape Town – everyone’s comfortable,
everyone enjoys Cape Town, and from the football side you couldn’t get a better
lifestyle than that: Santos and Cape Town is a winning combination,” he adds. “So
it was definitely the travelling aspect that I based my decision on.” The
former Moroka Swallows insists there are no hard feelings between him and the
Leopards management. “I have massive respect for everyone there [at Leopards];
there is no animosity – it was just a career choice, a career decision,” he
says.
Negotiations between Chippa United and Burkina Faso
international striker Aristide Bance have broken down, and he will now try his
luck with Bidvest Wits.The30-year-old striker flew down to Cape Town recently with the
hope of clinching a deal with the Chilli Boys. However, the parties seem to
have failed to agree on personal terms. Bance’s representative Dennis Idrissa has
confirmed that his client is now exploring different options. “Our negotiations
have broken down. We are now in contact with Bidvest Wits,” he adds. Bance has
most recently played for clubs in Finland and Kazakhstan but raised his profile
at the 2013 African Nations Cup in South Africa.
Free State Stars have
confirmed the signing of 12 new players ahead of the 2015/16 Premier Soccer
League season. Ea Lla Koto have brought in two foreigners in Tanzanian
striker Mrisho Ngassa and Zimbabwean defender Liberty Chakoroma, as well as
ex-Polokwane City defender Sifiso Mbhele, to go with their new players from
South Africa’s lower divisions.
New Signings:
Mrisho Alfani Ngasa (Young Africans, Tanzania, Striker)
Lucky Mohomi (Garankuwa United, Midfielder)
Sinethemba Jantjie (Mbombela United, Midfielder)
Thabo Moseki (Orbit College FC, Midfielder)
Inmawell Shelembe (Natal United FC, Right Back)
Liberty Chakoroma (Buffaloes FC, Zimbabwe,
Defender/Midfielder)
Sizwe Nkambule (Witbank Spurs, Goalkeeper)
Mpho Thulo (Orbit College FC, Goalkeeper)
Tshepo Mothipa (Polokwane City Rovers FC, Midfielder)
Cebo Masena (Milano United, Midfielder)
Joseph Mhlongo (FC Cape Town, Striker)
Sifiso Mbhele (Polokwane City, Defender).
Joel Mogorosi’s
search for a new club continues after his move to University of Pretoria fell
through. The Botswana international is a free agent after being released at
Bloemfontein Celtic, and was hoping to win a contract with AmaTuks. However,
Sammy Troughton’s men opted for Lennox Bacela instead, though Mogorosi’s agent,
Lizwe Mthethwa of Aftesec Sport Group, says they still have a few options. “He
won’t join AmaTuks; we couldn’t agree with them after they decided to sign Bacela,”
Mthethwa said. “Having said that, we are in talks with another PSL club;
the only problem is that Joel is still playing as a foreigner and they also
have full quota. I’m working around the clock to get him the SA ID.” Early
indications are that Jomo Cosmos are another club interested in the winger.
The MTN8 quarter-final fixtures, dates and times have been
confirmed. Chiefs face Orlando The
season proper officially starts on Tuesday, August 4, when Bidvest Wits host
SuperSport United at Bidvest Stadium, while Orlando Pirates entertain Ajax Cape
Town at the same time. On Wednesday, Mamelodi Sundowns host Bloemfontein Celtic
at Lucas Moripe, while Maritzburg United travel to FNB Stadium to take on
Kaizer Chiefs. All the matches start at 19h30.
Pirates in the Carling Black Label
Cup this weekend, before facing Maritzburg United in the MTN8 on August 5. The
match-ups were decided at the end of last season already, but the league have
now confirmed the dates and times.
Marc van Heerden,
Goodman Dlamini and S’fiso Hlanti are all looking likely to stay at AmaZulu
next season to aid their NFD campaign. All three players have been linked
to various other clubs following Usuthu’s relegation at the end of last season.
Van Heerden was linked to Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United were after
Dlamini until talks cooled, but all three now look likely to remain with the
club. Usuthu have already seen Bongani Ndulula, Kulegani Madondo, Philani
Shange, Nkosinathi Mthiyane, Willem Mwedihanga, Ruzaigh Gamildien and Nhlanhla
Shabalala jump ship, with Mbulelo Mabizela talking to a number of other clubs. But
club spokesperson Brilliant Mkhathini says all three players are still training
with the team, and that the club is also assessing a few players from ABC
Motsepe League feeder team Durban Warriors. AmaZulu are currently assessing
Rueben Thebakang, who has been training with the team for almost two weeks with
no decision yet made. A deal for Thebakang is believed to be dependent on
whether or not Hlanti or Van Heerden move on before the end of the transfer
window.
Steve Komphela has
promised that Kaizer Chiefs will not only play winning football, but also do so
in an attractive way. The former Bafana Bafana coach has a tough ask
following in the footsteps of Stuart Baxter and his trophy-winning ways, but as
expected he is saying all the right things as the start of the season
approaches. “Kaizer Chiefs falls into a category where we say, ‘we have to
win’. This team has a traditional culture of winning, and we also want to be
part of that legacy,” Komphela said. “Our winning should not be naked. Our
winning should be dressed sensibly; a win that pleases the eye; a win that
attracts so that if we had 20 000 fans on the night, if we had to play the next
day, there should be 20 001 – someone must have been attracted. It’s a show,
and people have to enjoy the show. I hardly watch teams that just play
football. I watch teams that are artistic and, given an opportunity to have
players who have the ability to be artistic in their performances, why not then
trigger that? Attractive, attacking football is key.”
Polokwane City will
reinforce their defence with the imminent signing of former Witbank Spurs
captain Sibusiso Mbonani. Mbonani – who has been a key figure in the Spurs
defence over the last four years and is highly respected in the National First
Division – has already proven his worth during the time that he has spent
training with Polokwane. The 28-year-old played against his own Spurs teammates
during a friendly on Wednesday, leaving Rise and Shine coach Kosta Papic
impressed. “We now need to just wrap up the deal and we have asked the player
to sort out some paperwork-related issues before everything is completed,”
Papic said. Papic adds that even after they bring in Mbonani, they will remain
in the hunt for another central defender and a striker. “Last season we
conceded way too many goals, but we also missed way too many chances, so both
ends need to be strengthened because our style will remain the same. We will
still be attacking as our intention is to be a stable team that can be
recognised for the kind of football that we play.” City will spend this week in
Johannesburg, where they are said to be assessing an unnamed Senegalese striker
during their week-long camp.
Gauteng police say
they are close to finally catching the killer of Senzo Meyiwa. The Orlando
Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalie was gunned down in Vosloorus last October and,
despite a few leads, nothing concrete has turned up. However, police now insist
that it is only a matter of time before they catch the killer. “We are busy investigating and getting
overwhelming evidence,” Gauteng deputy provincial commissioner for detective
services Major General Vincent Leshabane says. “The only thing left is to
link the suspect with the crime.”
Ghana midfielder
Mumuni Abubakar has joined First Division club Vasco da Gama following two
years at Black Leopards. Abubakar is already in Cape Town and has sealed a
deal that will keep him in the country’s second tier for a third year running. The
21-year-old initially signed for Mamelodi Sundowns upon his arrival in the
country three years ago, but he never got any game-time at Chloorkop in the
season he spent there before he was then pushed out to Leopards in 2013. Abubakar
joins Vasco on a free transfer after the expiry of his contract with Lidoda Duvha.
Vasco confirm the acquisition of one of their biggest catches of the current
transfer window on a one-year deal with an option of another year, and joins
other new arrivals in Zimbabwean midfielder Lionel Mutizwa and Botswana striker
Omaatla Kebatho. Abubakar had earlier indicated his desire to move up the
ladder to the PSL, but failed to win a move at Free State Stars where he spent
time training recently. Vasco also have Clifford Ngobeni training with them
following the expiry of his contract at Mpumalanga Black Aces.
Bidvest Wits CEO Jose Ferreira has confirmed being approached
by a host of PSL teams for the services of attacking midfielder Sibusiso
Vilakazi. Mamelodi Sundowns have made the last bid to capture the
signature of the highly sought-after Bafana Bafana midfielder. However Ferreira
has maintained his club’s position with regards Vilakazi. “Yes, we have been
approached, and not only by one team,” says Ferreira. “Our position at the
moment is still the same. He is not for sale.” Kaizer Chiefs’ interest in the
player was palmed away last month.
The shake-up at
Moroka Swallows is continuing with Brazilian midfielder Thiago Rodrigo Dos
Santos heading back home, while Giulio Giuricich is training alone following
the expiry of his contract. Dos Santos was brought in early last season
while Zeca Marques was still in charge. However, he never made any impact
finishing the campaign with just two starts and two substitute appearances,
with his departure no surprise. Giuricich signed at the beginning of last term
on a one-year deal after he failed to play during his initial run at the club
during the 2012-13 season due to injury. Last season the 25-year-old started
six games (plus three substitute appearances) as The Birds eventually went down
to the First Division. Giuricich – who operates as a left-back and is equally
at home in midfield – has previously played in the Italian lower leagues. Swallows have already had Bosnia and
Herzegovina defender Boris Savic go back home, while Shere Lekgothoane, Lucky
Baloyi, Tshwarelo Bereng, Lerato Chabangu, Anver Esterhuizen, Sandile Sibande,
Felix Obada, Lantshene Phalane and Vuyisile Wana are among the players that
will not be with the club this season for different reasons.
Dean Furman’s search
for a new club continues after he failed to win a contract at English
Championship side Blackburn Rovers. The Bafana Bafana captain is a free
agent after his contract at Doncaster Rovers expired, and had been hoping to
secure a deal at Ewood Park. However, Rovers manager Gary Bowyer says Furman,
along with fellow trialist Giles Coke, have moved on after the club signed
French pair Sacha Petschi and Bangaly Fode Koita. “Unfortunately they’ve
been with us and obviously we had to come to a decision,” Bowyer said.
“We’ve made the decision not to go with either of them due to the
restrictions that we’re under. They’re very similar to players that we already
have, but the pair of them have been fantastic. If the circumstances had been
different for us then it might have been different for them.”
University of
Pretoria have confirmed they have made eight signings, which includes the
capture of Sphamandla Dlamini and Willem Mwendihanga. AmaTuks beat Free
State Stars to the services of striker Dlamini, who was named Player of the Tournament
at the recent SAFA/SAB Under-21 Championship in Soshanguve. This website on
Monday also disclosed former AmaZulu defender Mwendihanga had penned a
three-year deal with Sammy Troughton’s side. Tuks have since released a
statement listing their recruits as follows: Dlamini, Mwendihanga, Harry Edge,
Kabelo Lichaba, Vukile Mngqibisa, Thabiso Nkoana, Lennoox Bacela and Sibusiso
Mthethwa. The Tshwane outfit recently parted ways with Geofrey Massa, Siyabonga
Ngubane and Mpho Matsi.
Polokwane City have
completed the signing of goalkeeper George Chigova from SuperSport United. Chigova
has penned a three-year contract with City, according to the Zimbabwean’s agent
Steve Kapeluschnik. “Polokwane City have been eyeing for a goalkeeper and
when the opportunity availed itself we couldn’t resist to sign,”
Kapeluschnik said. “He is a
goalkeeper of high quality and an international. I have no doubt he will add
value to the club.” Chigova is determined to prove his worth for Kosta
Papic’s side. “I wanted game-time and I believe this move will give me a
chance to show my true potential,” he says. Chigova provided cover to
Ronwen Williams at SuperSport following his arrival from Harare-based Dynamos
in February 2014. Rise and Shine recently parted ways with first-choice keeper
Modiri Marumo.
Veteran midfielder
Josta Dladla has surfaced at Moroka Swallows as he seeks to continue his
career. Dladla’s contract with Kaizer Chiefs was not renewed upon its
expiry at the end of June and he has indicated his desire to keep on playing
despite battling for game-time last season. Steve Kapeluschnik, who represents
Dladla, confirmed that the 36-year-old started training with Swallows. “Josta
is training with Swallows as of today and we will see how it goes,” says
Kapeluschnik. Dladla was only used as a substitute in just one game last season
– coming on against his former club Bidvest Wits back in December – and spent
most of his time playing in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge. Also training with
Swallows is former Free State Stars striker Aleni Lebyane, who spent the past
season at Vasco da Gama.
Kaizer Chiefs have unveiled their new away kit for the
2015/16 season. Chiefs will appear for the first time in their
history in a striking anthracite and black away kit for the upcoming season.
The new season will see the team turning out in an anthracite jersey,
accentuated by black sleeves, with a subtle hint of thin gold trim to the crew
neck collar and sleeve cuffs. Black shorts and anthracite socks complete the
look of the new kit, which complements the recently unveiled gold and black
striped home shirt. Traditionally, as an alternative to their iconic home
colours, the club has always taken to the field in either a dark blue or white
kit in their 45-year history, but Chiefs marketing director Jessica Motaung
believes the new apparel will be a big hit amongst the Amakhosi faithful.
“Our new away kit is a deviation from previous ones but, thanks to the
creative innovation of our long-standing technical partners, Nike, we believe
that we have come up with a design that looks most impressive on the players
and will prove to be very popular with our loyal supporters.” The away
jersey will be available at leading retailers from July 30.
Orlando Pirates have
agreed to release Philani Zikalala to PSL returnees Golden Arrows following
successful negotiations between the two clubs. Zikalala is already training
with Arrows as he seeks to revive a career that had frozen at Pirates as he
failed to play any official match during the season that he spent there. Arrows
have confirmed that Zikalala’s transfer is done after the two clubs reached an
agreement. “Negotiations between Pirates and Arrows have been successful and
Zikalala is already training with us,” says club spokesman Vusumuzi Vilakazi. The
32-year-old keeper is now the most experienced at Arrows where the relatively
inexperienced trio of Ricardo Goss, Nkosingiphile Gumede and Namibian Maximilian
Mbaevu were the three players on the club’s books last season. Also heading to
Arrows from Pirates is the pair of Gladwin Shitolo and Tebogo Masaole. Masaole
spent the past season on loan at Arrows.
Orlando Pirates
left-back Thabo Matlaba will see a specialist in the week after injuring his
hamstring against CS Sfaxien on Sunday night. Pirates beat their Tunisian
hosts 1-0 in a CAF Confederation Cup Group B tie in Sfax, with Matlaba making
way for Patrick Phungwayo in the 70th minute at Stade Taïeb Mhiri. Bucs’
medical team said on the club’s website: “Thabo suffered what appears to
be a hamstring strain. He was treated immediately treated with the RICE
Principle as well as an anti-inflammatory. He will go to a specialist during
the course of the week to assess the full extent of his injury.” The Sea
Robbers were expected back in the country at 10h50 on Tuesday. Eric Tinkler’s
men next face arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the annual Carling Black Label Cup
at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
SuperSport United
defender Thabo September says Mthatha Bucks’ resurgence is especially good for
the people of the Eastern Cape, and he backs the club to regain their PSL
status. Imbabala dropped to the lower leagues after suffering relegation
from the topflight in 2006. However, Bucks are on the rise again following
their recent promotion to the National First Division alongside ABC Motsepe
League champions Mbombela United. The club, once known as Umtata Bucks and
later Bush Bucks, twice won the Coca-Cola Cup (the equivalent of today’s Telkom
Knockout) during their spell in the elite tier. “First of all, let me
congratulate the team for their promotion to the NFD,” says September of
his former side. They worked so hard and deserve the promotion. This is great
news for the people of Eastern Cape and to the history of the club. I say well
done to Imbabala.” The Knysna-born 32-year-old has faith Bucks can soon
take their place among the country’s premier outfits. Nothing is impossible in
life if you work hard. Their success during the play-offs is enough to motivate
the team to fight all the way to the PSL. The club has a great history in South
African football and deserve to be back into the PSL soon.”
SA players abroad
round-up:Ayanda Patosi netted with a magnificent free-kick, Darren Keet,
Andile Jali and Lebogang Phiri got game-time, but fellow South African Anele
Ngcongca sat on the bench in Europe this past weekend.
AYANDA PATOSI
Patosi slotted home a superb free-kick in Lokeren’s 3-1 loss
to Zulte-Waregem, continuing his fine scoring form from pre-season. It was an
absolute beauty.
DARREN KEET
Keet started for Kortrijk in their excellent 2-1 home win
over Standard Liege and was only beaten from the penalty spot.
ANDILE JALI
Jali played the full game for KV Oostende as they defeated
Mechelen 3-1 in their opening match of the season.
LEBOGANG PHIRI
Phiri started for Danish side Brondby as they lost 2-1 at
home to OB, a second successive defeat at the start of the season.
ANELE NGCONGCA
Ngcongca was relegated to the bench and did not make it onto
the pitch. A further sign he may be leaving.
DAYLON CLAASEN
Claasen started for German Bundesliga II side 1860 Munich in
their 1-0 loss at Heidenheim that got their season under way.
KYLE JACOBS
Jacobs made a winning start for to life at Scottish
Championship side Queen of the South as they won 2-0 at home to Stranraer in
the Challenge Cup.
BURTON O’BRIEN
Veteran midfielder O’Brien made his debut for Alloa Athletic
as they won 1-0 at Brora Rangers in the Challenge Cup.