Bloemfontein Celtic have announced the resignation of Clinton Larsen as head coach. Phunya Sele Sele have had a difficult start to the season, and sit 11th on the log with just six points from six matches, while they were also humbled in both the MTN8 (3-0 to Bidvest Wits) and Telkom Knockout (4-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns). It was after the weekend’s drubbing by the Brazilians that the alarm bells really started ringing, with reports that recently-resigned Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi had been earmarked to take over.Celtic are mum on a potential successor, but have confirmed that assistant coach Boebie Solomons will take over in a caretaker capacity. – Full Story via Kick Off
Majoro returns for Kaizer Chiefs after missing Telkom KO. The 27-year-old Majoro has struggled to cement his place in Baxter’s starting line-up, but he is certainly one of the most deadly strikers in the PSL. Majoro could be available for this weekend’s Macufe Cup against Bloem Celtic in the Free State capital and this could be the chance for him to try and force his way back into the Chiefs starting line-up. – Full Story via Goal
Nkosi believes Chiefs will need to combat the tough conditions in QwaQwa, if they are to defeat Free State Stars in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals. Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi believes that AmaKhosi will have to toughen up in order to defeat Free State Stars away from home in their Telkom Knockout quarterfinal. – Full Story via Goal
Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa has ruled out the possibility of venturing into the transfer market to acquire new players and insists his current squad is capable of reaching its objectives. The Buccaneers have endured a physically demanding season that has seen some players succumbing to injury, including long-term casualties Patrick Phungwayo and Siyabonga Sangweni. – Full Story via Kickoff
Bafana Bafana forward Kermit Erasmus is eager to build his profile in Friday night’s friendly with 2015 Afcon hosts Morocco in Agadir City. The 23-year-old, who is ineligible for Orlando Pirates’ ongoing Champions League campaign, is one of three strikers in Gordon Igesund’s squad, along with Bernard Parker of Kaizer Chiefs and Bournemouth newcomer Tokelo Rantie. –Full Story via Kickoff
Bayern Munich lie in wait for Orlando Pirates if they make it through to the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco later this year. The Buccaneers will qualify for the tournament by winning the CAF Champions League and will then represent the Africa in the first tournament to be played on the African continent. They will have a first round clash against the winner of the Asian Champions League, which has yet to be determined, on December 14 in Agidir, the same venue where Bafana Bafana take on Morocco in an international friendly tomorrow night. –Full Story via Kickoff
Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund says he is prepared to lose matches with the ultimate aim of building a strong squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and 2018 World Cup. Igesund was speaking ahead of Friday night’s friendly with Morocco in Agadir, kick-off at 21h00.”Of course, every game we play we want to win, but I am not going to sacrifice the players for the sake of winning,” Igesund said. “We all have to be in this together and understand the big picture which is the 2015 AFCON. I have taken the responsibility to ensure that we have a squad ready for that tournament, and along the way I am prepared to lose games because at the moment we are not playing qualifiers. –Full Story via Kickoff
Bafana Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Itumeleng Khune
Ronwen Williams
Darren Keet
Defenders:
Anele Ngcongca
Thabo Nthete
Bongani Khumalo
Tsepo Masilela
Buhle Mkhwanazi
Siyanda Xulu
Kgosi Ntlhe
Midfielders:
Kamohelo Mokotjo
Bongani Zungu
Sibusiso Vilakazi
Ayanda Patosi
Daylon Claasen
Keagan Dolly
Dean Furman
Reneilwe Letsholonyane
Lerato Chabangu
Strikers:
Tokelo Rantie
Bernard Parker
Kermit Erasmus
Thulasizwe Mbuyane has explained the reasons for his absence from Orlando Pirates training.‘Juju’ has been missing for the last two weeks, but rejects reports that he has gone AWOL, saying that medical issues are keeping him back.“I have problems with epilepsy,” Mbuyane said.“It’s not something that affects me often, but recently it has been giving me some problems. I am attending to it and the doctor has already given me the green light to start training.I should be back at training tomorrow.”The 32-year-old is yet to play the full 90 minutes for Pirates this season. –Full Story via Kickoff
New Golden Arrows coach Mark Harrison says it was not a difficult decision to leave Chippa United and join Abafana Bes’thende. Harrison dropped a bombshell on Sunday when he sent United boss Chippa Mpengesi an email announcing his intention to leave the club.This after Manqoba Mngqithi dropped a bombshell of his own, announcing on Saturday that he was stepping down. Harrison had his first meeting with the Arrows players on Tuesday afternoon. – Full Story via Kickoff
Chippa United have confirmed Ian Palmer is their new coach. The former Orlando Pirates striker replaces Mark Harrison who resigned on Sunday to join Golden Arrows. The former Santos coach is set to be on the bench when the Chilli Boys take on Roses United in a National First Division fixture at Philippi Stadium in Cape Town on Friday. – Full Story via Kickoff
Mamelodi Sundowns have handed former Orlando Pirates defender Njabulo Ntusi a trial.
Ntusi has been without a team since leaving Pirates at the beginning of last season, and has already tried his luck unsuccessfully at SuperSport United and AmaZulu. The KwaZulu-Natal-born defender is now hoping to impress coach Pitso Mosimane and secure himself a new job at Chloorkop this season.Josiah Mphono of Mphono Players Management confirms that the former University of Pretoria player is training with the Brazilians.
South Africa will be looking to defend an unbeaten record against Morocco when the two sides square off. Bafana Bafana and Atlas Lions will meet for the fifth time – the first friendly though – at the new Agadir Stadium, with both still licking their wounds after failing to reach the final stage of 2014 World Cup qualifying. – Full Story via Kick Off
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
22 February, 1998 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final
Morocco (Halftime 1) 1 (Chiba 36) South Africa (Halftime 1) 2 (McCarthy 22 Nyathi 79)
30 January, 2002 in Segou, Mali
Africa Cup of Nations, Group B
South Africa (1) 3(Zuma 42 Mngomeni 48 Nomvete 51) Morocco (0) 1 (Benmahmoud 77)
4 February, 2004 in Sousse, Tunisia
Africa Cup of Nations, Group D
Morocco (1) 1 (Safri 38 pen) South Africa (1) 1 (Mayo 29)
27 January, 2013 in Durban
Africa Cup of Nations, Group A
Morocco (1) 2 (El Adoua 10 Hafidi 82) South Africa (0) 2 (Mahlangu 71 Sangweni 86)
Orlando Pirates left-back Patrick Phungwayo has been named the club’s Player of the Month for September.The 25-year-old notably impressed in a man-of-the-match display against Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 semi-finals on September 24.However, he sustained a serious Achilles injury in the MTN8 decider against Platinum Stars last weekend, and is only expected to be available again in January.
National First Division side Baroka took their players for counselling today following a car crash on last Sunday. Six players, two officials and their driver suffered injuries when their minibus collided with a Mercedes Benz in Naboomspruit Roedtan Road, at around 9pm on September 29, with the driver coming off worse while the players were treated for minor injuries. – Full Story via Kickoff
Maritzburg United could be in hot water with the PSL DC after failing to bring their own doctor to the Telkom Knockout match against Platinum Stars in Rustenburg on Sunday. United had to rely on Stars’ medical personnel after both Ruben Cloete and Michael Morton picked up fairly serious injuries during the match. Cloete was rushed to hospital after suffering a concussion and possible fractured cheekbone, being replaced by Thabang Matuka in the 56th minute. – Full Story via Kickoff
Polokwane City and John Paintsil have failed to agree terms on a deal following two days of negotiations, but the Ghanaian international could still play for the Premiership rookies this season. City spokesperson Patrick Baloyi explained: “We couldn’t come to an agreement, but the negotiations will continue today (Wednesday).” The 32-year-old defender was apparently asking “for too much money”. –Full Story via Kickoff