Majoro To Join Pirates. Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa is a satisfied man after the club signed Lehlohonolo Majoro on a pre-contract. Majoro, who is still a Kaizer Chiefs player until the end of June, could make a move earlier than expected depending on the outcome of a meeting between the two clubs this week. – Full Story via Kickoff Nigeria
New Golden Arrows goalkeeper Arthur Bartman says he is excited at playing again after coming out of retirement. The former Kaizer Chiefs shot-stopper was until recently training goalkeepers at Maritzburg United and at 41, the well-travelled veteran is once more looking forward to competing at the highest level. – Full Story via Kickoff
Kaizer Chiefs have registered 25 players for the 2014 CAF Champions League. Chiefs open their CAF campaign against Black Africa from Namibia. The game against the Namibians is scheduled for Saturday, February 8 at FNB Stadium. Kick-off for the clash is 20:00. New signing George Maluleka is on the list, but not Katlego Mphela, who has signed a pre-contract with the team. Ivan Bukenya has made the list, as have youngsters Reyaad Pieterse, Simphiwe Mtsweni, Lorenzo Gordinho and Philani Cele.
GOALKEEPERS: Reyaad Pieterse, Itumeleng Khune, Brilliant Khuzwayo
DEFENDERS: Morgan Gould, Siboniso Gaxa, Erick Mathoho, Simphiwe Mtsweni, Ivan Bukenya, Tefu Mashamaite, Tsepo Masilela, Kgotso Moleko, Lorenzo Gordinho
MIDFIELDERS: Willard Katsande, Lucky Baloyi, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siyabonga Nkosi, George Maluleka, Siphiwe Tshabalala, George Lebese, Mandla Masango, Philani Cele
STRIKERS: Kingston Nkhatha, Knowledge Musona, Mathew Rusike, Bernard Parker
AmaZulu have signed midfielder John Arwuah from Bloemfontein Celtic though the length of his contract has not been revealed yet. The Ghanaian had in fact penned a pre-contract with Usuthu, but Phunya Sele Sele have found a replacement in Mogogi Gabonamong from SuperSport United, who has penned an 18-month deal with an option for a further year. Celtic, therefore, cashed in on Arwuah and released him to AmaZulu now instead of seeing him leave for free at the end of the season. – Full Story via Kickoff
Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula has launched a scathing attack on Bafana Bafana in the wake of their early African Nations Championship exit, labelling them ‘losers’ and ‘mediocre’. The senior national team crashed to a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria to finish third in Group A behind the Super Eagles and Mali, and at a press conference in Cape Town this morning, the outspoken Mbalula did not mince his words. “Last night we saw a bunch of losers – unbearable useless individuals. – Full Story via Kickoff
Bloemfontein Celtic have signed Mogogi Gabonamong on a 18-month contract, with an option for another year. The Botswana international, who was also heavily linked with a move to Moroka Swallows and Polokwane City, joins from SuperSport United, where he has been a peripheral figure. Gabonamong first moved to South Africa in the 2006/07 season with Santos, for who he made 132 starts, scoring 11 goals. – Full Story via Kickoff
Orlando Pirates dominated possession and chances, but it was SuperSport United who emerged as 2-1 victors at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Buccaneers had by far the better of the 90 minutes, but goals from substitutes Mame Niang and Dino Ndlovu – on debut – handed Matsatsantsa the three points. Happy Jele scored a fortuitous goal in time added on, but it proved no more than a consolation. – Full Story via Kickoff
Former Bloemfontein Celtic and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Thabani Stemmer has announced that he has called time on his playing career to focus on establishing his catering and distribution business. The 34-year-old Stemmer has in recent weeks attracted interest from First Division clubs but he has turned down the opportunity. – Full Story via Kickoff
Josta Dladla’s agent Steve Kapeluschnik, gave the latest on the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder’s drug ban. “First of all this is an on-going process and there is a whole procedure that needs to take place before this matter reaches its conclusion. But for now I need to fly down to Cape Town to meet with the Drug Free Sport people and then take it from there. – Full Story via Kickoff
Kaizer Chiefs are still pursuing the signature of Edward Manqele, despite the imminent arrival of Katlego Mphela. Amakhosi signed ‘Killer’ on a pre-contract commencing in July, but remain hopeful of bringing him to Naturena during this transfer window depending on negotiations between the two clubs. And Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung now confirms they are also still hoping to sign Manqele, who is on loan at Moroka Swallows from Malelodi Sundowns. – Full Story via Kickoff
Bidvest Wits have signed Sthembiso Ngcobo from Kaizer Chiefs. The 30-year-old was on a season-long loan at AmaZulu, but after negotiations with Chiefs, they agreed to end the deal. Ngcobo made only 22 starts during his four years at the club, scoring 10 goals in the process. He had initially made his name at Free State Stars.
The Nedbank Cup Last 32 will see Ajax Cape Town host Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs travel to Black Leopards, and Orlando Pirates away at Thanda. The Nedbank Cup features the 16 PSL teams together with eight National First Division clubs and eight SAFA lower division teams. Thursday evening’s draw threw up a big all-PSL clash between Ajax Cape Town and Mamelodi Sundowns, and also a tasty Pretoria derby between University of Pretoria and SuperSport United. Pirates drew Thanda Royal Zulu away, while Chiefs will face Black Leopards, also away from home.
The first-round ties are scheduled to be played between February 19-26.
Last 32 Draw
United FC vs AmaZulu
Golden Arrows vs Polokwane City
University of Pretoria vs SuperSport United
University of Stellenbosch vs Bloem Celtic
FC Buffalo (Eastern Cape) vs FC Cape Town
Mainstay United (Northern Cape) vs African Warriors
Milano United vs Bloemfontein Young Tigers
Moroka Swallows vs Mbombela United
Maritzburg United vs MP Black Aces
Santos vs Gamalakhe United (KZN)
Free State Stars vs Witbank Spurs
Platinum Stars vs Great North FC (Limpopo)
Ajax Cape Town vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Black Leopards vs Kaizer Chiefs
AmaBEE FC/PLK City Rovers FC vs Bidvest Wits
Thanda Royal Zulu vs Orlando Pirates
Polokwane City have secured a major signing after enlisting the services of midfielder Jabulani Maluleke from SuperSport United. Maluleke has joined City on a six-month loan deal with an option to sell him outright at the end of the season. – Full Story via Kickoff
Mamelodi Sundowns beat reigning Zambian Premier League champions Nkana FC 1-0 in a club friendly played at the Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe, Zambia last Thursday. In wet conditions and against hostile home support, Sundowns proved their mettle against their continental opposition, grinding out a slender victory as they put in much-needed game-time in preparation for their upcoming PSL clash against Kaizer Chiefs.
STARTING LINE UP: Wayne Sandilands, Mzikayise Mashaba, Sibusiso Kumalo, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Thamsanqa Sangweni, Teko Modise, Bongani Zungu, Elias Pelembe, Anthony Laffor, Lebohang Mokoena, Suprise Moriri
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Mark Mayambela has arrived in Sweden for a trial with Djurgardens. ‘Professor’ has been without a club since October when he was sacked by Mpumalanga Black Aces for allegedly arriving at training under the influence of alcohol. His agent adds that Mayambela will be in Sweden for two to three weeks after which a decision will be made as to whether the club will sign a Mayambela or not. – Full Story via Kickoff
New SuperSport United signing Dino Ndlovu says he is not planning to return to Maccabi Haifa after his six-month loan deal expires. The former Bloemfontein Celtic striker still has two-and-a-half years remaining with the Israeli side, but he says going back is not an option. – Full Story via Kickoff
Teenager Lebogang Phiri has started training with Danish side Brondby again, more than a week after a visa issue left him stranded in South Africa. Phiri was due to resume training with the side after the festive season break on January 6, but had let his Danish visa and work permit expire meaning he was unable to travel to the country to link up with his club. – Full Story via Kickoff
Clinton Larsen, who was recently sacked by Maritzburg United, is enjoying his break away from football and wants to use the time to attend coaching courses in Europe. After retiring from professional football, Larsen began his coaching career in 2004 as an assistant at Durban Stars and worked his way up to the senior coaching position at Bloemfontein Celtic in 2010. At Phunya Sele Sele he won the Telkom Knockout before leaving the club a few matches into the current season to join Maritzburg, but results were not forthcoming and he was sacked at the beginning of the year. – Full Story via Kickoff
Ajax Cape Town beat Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart 2-1 in a friendly at Ikamva on Tuesday afternoon. In a match consisting of three 45-minute periods, Nathan Paulse scored the winner after Vedad Ibisevic cancelled out Granwald Scott’s first-half opener for the Urban Warriors. Stuttgart decided to camp in the Mother City for their mid-season break. – Full Story via Kickoff
PSL referee Daniel Bennett has been selected as the only South African official to take part at the World Cup in Brazil later this year. The English-born referee missed out on selection for the world showpiece on home soil, yet makes the cut for the tournament in Brazil as one of 13 officials to be chosen from Africa. The 37-year-old won the PSL Referee of the Season in the 2000/01 and 2010/11 seasons, and has been referring international fixtures since 2003. – Full Story via Kickoff
Innocent Mdledle is the latest player to join Mpumalanga Black Aces. AmaZayoni recently welcomed Miguel Timm and Jackson Mabokgwane on loan for six months from Bidvest Wits, and now they have roped in Mdledle from SuperSport United on a two-and-a-half-year deal. – Full Story via Football411
AmaZulu coach Craig Rosslee is confident new signings Nhlanhla Shabalala and Ruzaigh Gamildien will strengthen his midfield. Shabalala, an enforcer in the middle of the park, was recruited from Ajax Cape Town, while the creative Gamildien was formerly on the books of Bloemfontein Celtic. – Full Story via Kickoff
The horror run for Bafana Bafana right-back Anele Ngcongca and his Belgian side Genk continued on Sunday when they lost 1-0 at Zulte-Waregem.
Genk have now lost six of their last seven league and Belgian Cup matches, with the other drawn, and have gone winless on the domestic front in almost two months. They were knocked out of the Belgian Cup last week by lowly Oostende, and are now battling to cling on to a post-season playoff position.
Ayanda Patosi did not recover in time from his back injury picked up in a midweek cup win to play for Lokeren in the Belgian league, but his teammates did well without him as they trounced Cercle Brugge 3-0.
Darren Keet kept a clean sheet as his Kortrijk side edged Gent 1-0 to get 2014 off to a positive start in the league.
Sergio Marakis played the first half for Maritimo in their 2-0 loss to Benfica in Portugal, but the defensive midfielder was subbed as the side chased the game in the second half.
Thulani Serero started for Ajax as they gained a 1-0 win over PSV Eindhoven to stay top of the Dutch league on goal-difference from surprise challengers Vitesse Arnhem. And that was after Kamohelo Mokotjo’s PEC Zwolle had been beaten at home 2-1 by Vitesse.
Kagisho Dikgacoi missed Crystal Palace’s 1-0 victory over Stoke City with a calf problem that has kept him sidelined in recent weeks.
Bongani Khumalo started and Dean Furman came off the bench as Doncaster Rovers thumped fancied Wigan Athletic 3-0 for their first victory in 10 matches.
Tokelo Rantie came off the bench, replacing South African-born Andrew Surman, as his Bournemouth side drew 1-1 with Watford, though it might have been better for his side as they missed a second half penalty. Then on Tuesday he helped his side set up a FA Cup fourth round clash with Liverpool. The Bafana Bafana forward started his first game for the club since the end of November as they beat Burton Albion of League Two 4-1 to seal their place in the next round. Rantie did not get on the scoresheet and has still only scored one goal for The Cherries since joining from Swedish side Malmo in September, but has an excellent chance to make himself a hero against Liverpool this weekend.
Kgosi Ntlhe was a halftime substitute for Peterborough United as they won 3-0 at home to Tranmere Rovers for their first win in seven.