Ritchie Making The Move To Europe. Kaizer Chiefs defender Keegan Ritchie says he is yet to discuss personal terms with Czech Republic side SK Slavia Prague but will soon. Prague and Chiefs have agreed to the sale of Ritchie, but the 23-year-old, who is represented by Steve Kapeluschnik, said that though he hasn’t discussed personal terms yet, he is happy to move on. – Full story via Kickoff
Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed receiving information relating to revelations that Josta Dladla has failed a drugs test. The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport confirmed today that the veteran midfielder underwent the drugs test when Chiefs played Orlando Pirates on October 26 at Soccer City, and it was subsequently found that he had used a banned stimulant called Methylhexaneamine. Methylhexanamine has been marketed extensively under many names as a dietary supplement. – Full Story via Kickoff
Bloemfontein Celtic have recruited Fadlu Davids to serve as an assistant to head coach Ernst Middendorp. Middendorp and Davids previously worked together at Maritzburg United, with the former switching loyalties in October last year. “We would like to welcome Fadlu into the Celtic fraternity,” Celtic CEO Khumbulani Konco told his club’s official website. “Davids is a promising coach and together with [Lehlohonolo] Seema they can learn from a coach like Middendorp as well as providing fantastic assistance to the German mentor.” – Full Story via Kickoff
Mamelodi Sundowns have hit out at what they see as an attempt to push through striker Katlego Mphela’s transfer to Kaizer Chiefs this month. Mphela has signed a pre-contract with Chiefs that will kick in on July 1 this year. It means he remains contracted to The Brazilians until then, but the club say he has gone AWOL from training and suggest this is an attempt to force them to release the player to Chiefs now. – Full Story via Sowetan
AmaZulu midfielder Goodman Dlamini has been named the club’s player of the month for the second time in a row. The 25-year-old was presented with a prize last week for being Usuthu’s top performer in December. “I’m happy but I must admit I wasn’t expecting to get the award for the second consecutive month,” Dlamini told AmaZulu’s official website. “I think I’ve been working hard but I’d like to thank my teammates for the support because we’re working together towards getting the team to a respectable standard.” – Full Story via Kickoff
Platinum Stars have handed five players a chance to try out with the club, including former Maritzburg United midfielder Sheldon Lawrence and Swaziland striker Phinda Dlamini. The MTN8 and Telkom Knockout champions got their training into full gear on Monday and have handed five trialists a week-long opportunity to prove that they are worthy of being signed. Also on trial at Stars are Wesley Ntshangase, Benin international Christian Akande Kotchoni and Anthony Kulechi, who is of Nigerian origin. – Full Story via Kickoff
Bloemfontein Celtic coach Ernst Middendorp believes new signing Musa Bilankulu will “add more steel” to the Phunya Sele Sele backline. Celtic recruited the 28-year-old Bilankulu on a six-month loan deal from Bidvest Wits last week. “Bilankulu will add more steel to our defence and obviously more cover across the defensive structures,” added the German. Bilankulu joined the Students from Golden Arrows on a two-year contract in July 2013. Meanwhile, Celtic have promoted former academy player, 21-year-old midfielder Lindokuhle Phungulwa, to their first team squad. – Full Story via Kickoff
Jabu Mahlangu is back at training with SuperSport United. The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder injured his shin at training shortly after joining up with Matsatsantsa, where he also fulfills an ambassadorial role. However, he is now back, though it remains highly doubtful that he will play any role in SuperSport’s first match of 2014, against Orlando Pirates on the 18th. Another player who will miss the match is winger Thuso Phala, who has a knee injury. – Full Story via Kickoff
Bafana Bafana midfielder May Mahlangu is looking forward to starting a new challenge after his contract with Swedish side Helsingborg IF expired. Mahlangu suffered an Achilles injury last year June before returning home to South Africa to undergo rehabilitation. He has been linked to a number of clubs, most notably Kaizer Chiefs. – Full Story via Kickoff
Orlando Pirates have arranged a four-team friendly tournament as they gear up for the resumption of the 2013/14 league season. The Buccaneers will face Polokwane City, NFD outfit United FC and Congo-Brazzaville side AC Leopards. – Full Story via Kickoff
Maritzburg United are on verge of signing midfielder Kurt Lentjies from SuperSport United. Lentjies is set to return to United for a second stint, having been on their books before joining Bloemfontein Celtic a few seasons ago. Both Maritzburg and SuperSport have agreed terms. Lentjies is set to sign a two-year contract with United depending on a medical. – Full Story via Kickoff
Lehlohonolo Majoro is “down and jaded” about his current situation as he trains with Kaizer Chiefs’ youth side at the Nike Football Centre in Soweto. ‘Major’ looked set to join SuperSport United in a player-exchange deal involving George Maluleka, but turned down the move at the last minute, apparently having signed a pre-contract with Orlando Pirates, though there has been no confirmation. Majoro’s agent, Tim Sukazi, admits his client is frustrated by how things have turned out. – Full Story via Kickoff
Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund says his side played well despite conceding an early goal in the 3-1 win against Mozambique in the African Nations Championship on Saturday. Igesund admits that it was a difficult game but was happy with the positive start by his side. “I’ve said it before that it was going to be a very difficult game. – Full Story via Kickoff
Mpumalanga Black Aces have signed Bidvest Wits duo Jackson Mabokgwane and Miguel Timm on six-month loan deals. Aces had also hoped to signed Thomas Sweswe, but the Zimbabwean defender failed a fitness test after agreeing on terms. The club have confirmed they could sign three more players during the transfer window, including former Kaizer Chiefs man Derrick Spencer. – Full Story via Kickoff
Mamelodi Sundowns striker Richard Henyekane is poised to join Free State Stars on loan, with the 30-year-old expected to link up with Ea Lla Koto on Monday. The Brazilians confirmed the news on their official website, stating: “Richard Henyekane is finalising a loan move to Free State Stars and will most likely be joining his new teammates on Monday.” Henyekane, who is contracted to Downs until June 2016, has made just three appearances this season. The former Golden Arrows man, affectionately known as the ‘Kimberley Express’, has nine caps for South Africa. – Full Story via Kickoff
Manchester City star Yaya Toure was been named the 2013 African Footballer of the Year at the Glo CAF Awards in Lagos, Nigeria. Nigeria and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel was the runner-up, with Ivory Coast and Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba third. “I am very proud and very happy to receive this award, but would also like to congratulate my brothers, John Obi Mikel and Didier Drogba,” the Ivory Coast midfielder said upon receiving the award for the third time.
The list of winners of the 2013 CAF:
Awards:
African Footballer of the Year: Yaya Toure
Best African-based Player: Mohamed Aboutrika
Coach of the Year: Stephen Keshi
Most promising Talent: Kelechi Iheanacho
National team of the Year: Nigeria
National Youth Team of the Year: Nigeria Under-17
Club of the Year: Al Ahly of Egypt
Referee of the Year: Haimoudi Djamel
Legends of the Year: Bruno Metsu, Jose Faria
Africa XI: Vincent Enyeama – Ahmed Fathi, Fari, Kevin Constant – John Obi Mikel, Yaya Toure, Mohamed Aboutrika, Jonathan Pitroipa – Emmanuel Emenike, Asamoah Gyan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Coach: Stephen Keshi
Nomadic defender Eduardo Ferreira has signed a short-term contract in Brazil with the hope of securing another move back to South Africa when it lapses. The big defender, who Mpumalanga Black Aces released on “compassionate grounds”, confirms he has signed a four-month contract with first division side Macae FC. The 30-year-old said the reason behind the short-term deal with the Rio de Janeiro-based side, “because for next season, I want to come back to South Africa.” – Full Story via Kickoff
University of Pretoria have bolstered their ranks with the signing of Raymond Monama from Mamelodi Sundowns. The former Black Leopards playmaker, who has been given just seven minutes of league action at Chloorkop, joins AmaTuks on loan until the end of the season. Monama was a top performer in the creative department last season, setting up 10 goals for his teammates in all PSL competitions despite Lidoda Duvha’s relegation to the First Division. – Full Story via Kickoff
Former Maritzburg United midfielder Senzo Ndlovu could sign with Moroka Swallows after impressing at training. Ndlovu is currently looking for a job after leaving FC Cape Town last season, and is one of a few unattached players who have been training with the Dube Birds. Meanwhile, Swallows coach Zeca Marques confirms that former Jomo Cosmos midfielder Felix Badenhorst has stopped training with them. – Full Story via Kickoff
Mukuka Mulenga has told fans to be patient as he prepares to be unleashed in Mamelodi Sundowns colours following his injury layoff. The 2012 Zambian Footballer of the Year is close to resuming light training following an ankle injury that has kept him out since he signed for the club at the start of the season. “It’s very difficult to be sitting on the sidelines, not playing,” – Full Story via Kickoff
William Twala has become the second Orlando Pirates player to join Golden Arrows on loan this week. Former Free State Stars midfielder Manti Moholo had made the move to KZN on a six-month loan deal. The club has now confirmed that Twala will also join Arrows, while Thamsanqa Gabuza is thought to be next on the list. –Full Story via Kickoff
Ajax Cape Town have loaned out three youngsters to National First Division side Santos for the rest of the season. Winger Michael Kwong, defender Matthew Rowell and goalkeeper Stefan van Neel will spend the next six months with the People’s Team. Santos coach David Notoane is delighted with his new acquisitions as they continue their push for promotion back to the top-flight. – Full Story via Kickoff
Golden Arrows have signed Ghanaian centre-back Seth Owusu, while they are close to landing a Zambian striker, according to club coach Mark Harrison. Harrison confirmed the news while also explaining their reasons for recruiting Arthur Bartman from Durban rivals Maritzburg United. The 41-year-old Bartman was training United’s goalkeepers before the festive break. However, he has been tempted out of retirement after initially calling time on his playing career when his contract with Kaizer Chiefs expired in the off-season. –Full Story via Kickoff
Ajax Cape Town lost 2-1 to Dutch Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle in friendly at Stellenbosh’s Coetzenburg Stadium last Tuesday night. Striker Eleazar Rodgers scored a fifth minute opener for the Urban Warriors, but Giovanni Hiwat and Fred Benson hit back for the visitors within 15 minutes of the restart. Zwolle, who have Bafana Bafana midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo on their books, are camping in Cape Town for the mid-season break, along with Bundesliga outfit VfB Stuttgart. – Full Story via Kickoff
SA players abroad round-up:There was little joy to be had for the South Africans competing in England over the weekend, with only Steven Pienaar and Everton getting a victory.
Kagisho Dikgacoi did not feature for Crystal Palace as they wasted an early penalty chance and then lost 2-0 at Tottenham Hotspur to drop to the bottom of the English Premiership. The good news for The Eagles is that it is so tight at the foot of the division that they are just one win away from 15th spot.
Pienaar’s Everton cruised past Norwich City with a routine 2-0 win though ‘Schillo’ was forced off with 20 minutes remaining with an injury niggle. The Toffees will be hoping Pienaar is not seriously hurt with the Merseyside derby against Liverpool coming up in just two weeks.
It was a bad day for the South Africans in the English Championship with Bongani Khumalo starting for Doncaster Rovers in their 1-0 loss at Blackburn Rovers that leaves them in the relegation zone. Dean Furman was an unused substitute.
Tokelo Rantie came on for the final 25 minutes of Bournemouth’s comprehensive 3-0 loss at Wigan Athletic that leaves them winless since Boxing Day.
Kgosi Ntlhe missed Peterborough United’s 2-1 loss to Swindon Town in League One as his side slipped to sixth in the table and are clinging on for the promotion playoff places after at one stage this season looking like genuine contenders for the automatic places.
The Belgian second tier is back underway but it was also not a good start to 2014 for Ntuthuko Radebe and Phakase Mngadi, the former starting and the latter coming off the bench, as they lost 1-0 to Masilo Modubi’s Dessel Sport. They remain in second place.