Orlando Pirates striker Lennox Bacela says his call-up to the Bafana Bafana squad came as a massive – but very welcome – surprise. The 30-year-old was one of nine Buccaneers included in the squad for the international friendly against Swaziland on November 15, capping a great season so far which has seen him find the back of the net on a regular basis. – Full Story via Kickoff
The PSL has confirmed venues and dates for the Telkom Knockout semi-final fixtures. Both semi-finals will be played on November 23. The first match will see SuperSport United host Orlando Pirates at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. Kick-off is at 15h00. The second semi-final will be between Kaizer Chiefs and Platinum Stars at Soccer City Stadium. Kick-off is at 20h15. – Full Story via Kickoff
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Khama Billiat has made a lucky escape from a car crash which left him with only bumps and bruises. According to the club’s official website, the 23-year-old’s car veered off the road and hit a tree, but the Zimbabwean was luckily able to avoid serious injury. – Full Story via Sport Live
Mkhanyiseli Siwahla says he is quitting football after being fired by Mpumalanga Black Aces. The former Ajax Cape Town midfielder, along with Mark Mayambela, was shown the door at Aces after allegedly arriving at training drunk. Siwahla denies the accusations and says all the ‘football politics’ has got the better of him. – Full Story via Kickoff
Manqoba Ngwenya and Benedict Vilakazi are ready to honour their contracts with Botswana Premier League side Notwane FC despite going through financial problems. Reports emerged from Gaborone last week that the duo threatened to walk out of the team after being thrown out of the hotel where they were staying due to unpaid bills as a result of neither been paid for three months. – Full Story via Kickoff
The South African Football Association is in a race against time to secure a technical sponsor for Bafana Bafana ahead of the international friendly against Spain on November 19. The national team is currently without a technical sponsor following PUMA’s dramatic parting last month. Both Umbro and Nike have been touted as possible replacements, and SAFA head of communication Dominic Chimhavi confirms that they are in talks with three sportswear companies. – Full Story via Kickoff
Thanda Royal Zulu have fired coach Professor Ngubane. The KZN-based team are currently second from bottom after only one win in eight matches – this after selling most of their top players at the start of the season. Ngubane has since been replaced by former AmaZulu development coach Ronnie Moroka, who is expected to lead the team when they host United FC on Sunday. – Full Story via Kickoff
Swaziland will be without a head coach when they take on Bafana Bafana next week after Velere Billen resigned. The Belgian tendered his resignation letter to the Swazi Football Association, citing family commitments as the main reason. Harris Bulunga will take over as caretaker coach for the match on November 15 at the Somhlolo Stadium. Meanwhile, Tony Tsabedze and Wonder Nhleko, formerly of SuperSport United and Black Leopards respectively, are part of the team to face Bafana. – Full Story via Kickoff
Craig Rosslee’s job at AmaZulu is safe, so says Usuthu marketing manager Lunga Sokhela. Pressure has been rising on Rosslee since the team were destroyed 7-1 by Mamelodi Sundowns last month, with unruly fans venting their anger by pelting goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini with missiles after a 2-0 loss to neighbours Maritzburg United. Sokhela, however, maintains Rosslee retains the trust of the club’s management. – Full Story via Kickoff
Stars of Africa Academy graduate Ayanda Nkili has completed a remarkable year in Europe helping Orebro win promotion to the Swedish Allsvenskan in his first season at the club. The 23-year-old centre-back started 23 of Obrero’s 30 League games, while he came on as a substitute in the season-ending 1-0 win at Ljungskile over the weekend. Orebro finished second in the division with 61 points – one behind Falkenberg, with both teams gaining automatic promotion. – Full Story via Kickoff
The South African Football Association has banned 15 officials for trying to take the governing body to the courts. The move by the Free State officials is against FIFA regulations, and SAFA president Danny Jordaan has moved swiftly to prevent any drama with the bigwigs in Switzerland. – Full Story via Kickoff
Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund says he is delighted to call upon the services of the Orlando Pirates players after their fine run in the CAF Champions League. Igesund called up nine players from the Buccaneers for the squad to play Swaziland. He was previously unable to call them up for national duty as they focused on playing in Africa’s premium club competition, and the match against Swaziland will come five days after they play Al-Ahly in the second leg of the Final in Cairo. – Full Story via Kickoff