Jeffrey Ntuka’s killer has been jailed following his appearance at Kroonstad Magistrate court last week. Ntuka, who was in Chelsea’s books as a youngster and later played for Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United after a stint at Westerlo in Belgium, was killed in January 2012. April Jao, who committed the crime, appeared in court last Thursday and paid the price. – Full Story via Kickoff
Mhlongo Speaks Out About How Badly He Was Treated AT Pirates. “What if I decided it is all over and hanged myself?” – With those words, Benson Mhlongo gives his side of the story about the way he was treated at Orlando Pirates following a horrific injury in 2009. Now at Platinum Stars, ‘Mayanga’ claimed he couldn’t, for three years, get hold of Dr Irvin Khoza to tell him what happened after he was allegedly offered insurance papers to end his career after a bad knee injury in October 2009 against AmaZulu at Chatsworth Stadium. – Full Story via Kickoff
Polokwane City defender Prince Hlela has disappeared from the club. Hlela has been missing training at City for the past few weeks and his whereabouts are still unknown. City coach Boebie Solomons said he has not seen the player for a while: “He is no longer training with us and I don’t know his whereabouts.” – Full Story via Kickoff
Bloemfontein Celtic’s transfer-listed trio Ruzaigh Gamildien, Itumeleng Duiker and Nkosingiphile Ncobeni have been instructed to train separately from the first team. The players, who still have at least 18 months remaining on their respective contracts, have also been advised not to speak to the media about their situation at the club. The three, and former loanee Letsie Koapeng were deemed surplus to requirements following the arrival of coach Ernst Middendorp last month, with Koapeng since returning to parent club Bidvest Wits. – Full Story via Kickoff
University of Pretoria are interested in out-of-favour midfielder Thamsanqa Sangweni – but Mamelodi Sundowns are not willing to release him. AmaTuks coach Steve Barker confirms that his club have made their interest in Sangweni known to Downs, but says they were told that the midfielder will not make a move in the January transfer window. Sangweni has battled to break into a star-studded Sundowns team this season, which has ignited interest from other clubs keen to give him regular game-time. – Full Story via Kickoff
Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa says Andile Jali is the best player in the country. ‘AJ15’ produced a brilliant display as the Buccaneers beat SuperSport United 2-1 in the Telkom Knockout semi-final, capping the performance with a brilliant winning goal in extra-time. De Sa admits Jali was struggling when he first took over the coaching reigns, but says the midfielder in now oozing confidence. – Full Story via Kickoff
Meyiwa unconcerned over Pirates injuries. Rooi Mahamutsa is likely to miss Orlando Pirates’ match against Maritzburg United on Wednesday, while Kermit Erasmus is suffering from flu. Mahamutsa will probably be consulting a specialist in the next few days after dislocating his elbow against SuperSport United in the Telkom Knockout. – Full Story via Kickoff
SuperSport United coach Cavin Johnson believes Orlando Pirates’ participation in the CAF Champions League has made them a much tougher proposition. Matsatsantsa were on the receiving end of a 2-1 scoreline in this weekend’s first Telkom Knockout semifinal. United had taken the lead early on through Mame Niang, but the Buccaneers fought back through Oupa Manyisa and Andile Jali, and it’s this fighting spirit which impressed Johnson. – Full Story via Kickoff
Ertugral tells charges to man up. Ajax Cape Town coach Muhsin Ertugral has called for more aggression from his charges in the wake of a 3-1 loss to Moroka Swallows. The Urban Warriors went down to strikes from Edward Manqele, Siyabonga Nomvethe and Lerato Chabangu at Cape Town Stadium on Friday night, leaving the Mother City outfit 13th on the table with 10 points from as many games. – Full Story via Kickoff
Stuart Baxter says Kaizer Chiefs did not show the hunger and urgency needed in a cup game this weekend, and says they are not playing as a team this season. Amakhosi lost 1-0 to Platinum Stars in the Telkom Knockout semi-final on Saturday. Chiefs put Dikwena under pressure for most of the match, but a lone goal from Thabiso Semenya was enough to separate the sides. – Full Story via Kickoff
Platinum Stars chairman Ratang Nke is happy to see his team reach a second cup final in one season and says coach Allan Freese has a bright future with the club. Two seasons ago Dikwena were on the verge of getting relegated, but Cavin Johnson took over and they managed to beat the drop. In just one season Johnson took Dikwena to their highest ever finish in the League, second, but his head was turned by the approach of SuperSport United, resulting in the club promoting Freese. – Full Story via Kickoff
Mamelodi Sundowns’ chief scout Trott Moloto is currently in Ghana scouring for talent at the West African Football Union Nations Cup. The former Bafana Bafana tactician watched two games yesterday involving Liberia and Togo, and Niger and Senegal. –Full Story via Kickoff
Pitso Mosimane says opposition players are “deliberately” trying to injure Khama Billiat, and insists he deserves more protection from referees. The tricky Zimbabwean has been a star player for the Brazilians this season, after signing from Ajax Cape Town, but Mosimane insists if he keeps getting targeted for rough tackles he may not last the season. – Full Story via Kickoff
Orlando Pirates have announced injured defender Rooi Mahamutsa will be available after Wednesday’s Premiership clash with Maritzburg United. The South Africa international went for a medical test today after dislocating his elbow in Bucs’ 2-1 win over SuperSport United in the Telkom Knockout semi-finals at the weekend. – Full Story via Kickoff
Man of the Match Andile Jali dedicated the accolade to his Orlando Pirates teammates following the 2-1 win over SuperSport United in the Telkom Knockout at the weekend. Jali capped off a fine display with an injury-time winner, setting up a Final date with MTN8 holders Platinum Stars on December 7. – Full Story via Kickoff
Ajax Cape Town coach Muhsin Ertugral has revealed why in-form goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola was not in his starting lineup for the Premiership clash with Moroka Swallows on Friday night. The Finn, who won two man-of-the-match awards and kept clean sheets in the previous four games, was unable to play after suffering a bout of food poisoning. – Full Story via Kickoff