Mahlangu Makes A Comeback By Signing With SuperSport
Jabu ‘Shuffle’ Mahlangu has returned to South African top-flight football after signing for SuperSport United on a three-month deal. “It’s something I’m excited about and now it has finally happened. I am very lucky because I got a second chance, at my age,” says Mahlangu. “I am happy that SuperSport United has decided to give me another chance because I can see what the club are trying to do on and off the field. To be part of something with this growth is exciting to me. – Full Story via SuperSport
Bernard Parker has finally opened up about his strained relationship with Lehlohonolo Majoro, saying his former strike-partner struggled to handle ‘the downside of football’. Rumours of a brawl between the two did the rounds a while ago, and while Parker does not confirm or deny the reports, he is frank about how their relationship went downhill when Majoro’s game-time dried up. “In my first season Majoro and I were good friends. In the second season we were also good. – Full Story via Kickoff
Bidvest Wits captain Sibusiso Vilakazi, who is on trial at Danish side Brondby, will be back in time for the league match against Golden Arrows. The 24-year-old left South Africa a few days ago and featured for Brondby’s reserve team on Monday. Vilakazi has been key to the Students’ title challenge this season, and Wits CEO Jose Ferreira insists the player will be available for the game at bottom-placed Arrows on Saturday. – Full Story via Kickoff
Bloemfontein Celtic are making frantic efforts to keep loan signings Musa Nyatama and Musa Bilankulu at the club for next season. The players are owned by Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits respectively, with Nyatama notably handed the armband for Celtic’s 2-1 win over Witbank Spurs in the Nedbank Cup on Sunday. “The coach Mr Ernst Middendorp has indicated to the team management that they need both players for next season,” says a source at Phunya Sele Sele. – Full Story via Kickoff
Kaizer Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune’s case for speeding will be finalised on April 1, City Press has reported. Khune, who has been recovering from an ankle injury, was nabbed by cops on January 24 after he was caught driving at 173km/h in a 120km/h zone in Lyttleton in a sponsored Nissan Juke and, since then, there have been three postponements. The matter was once again back in court today when it was postponed because the chief prosecutor was ill and not at work. However, the player’s lawyer has indicated that the matter would be settled on April 1. – Full Story via Kickoff
AmaZulu will no longer be pursuing Ugandan striker Yunus ‘Manucho’ Sentamu because of his price tag. Last month Sentamu was in Durban to have a medical at the club and at the time the 19-year-old’s agent Ivica Stankovic was optimistic of finalising a deal. As it turns out, though, the Vipers SC marksman, who made a big impression during the 2014 Chan tournament, will not be joining Usuthu. “The coach liked him, but in the end he was too expensive for us,” AmaZulu’s PRO Philani Mabaso says. – Full Story via
Orlando Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic says he will continue with Lucky Lekgwathi and Rooi Mahamutsa as his centre-back pairing despite the availability again of Siyabonga Sangweni. Sangweni, who has recovered from an Achilles injury sustained in October last year, was on the bench during Bucs’ 2-0 win over Santos in the Nedbank Cup on Friday night. “Sangweni was with us on the bench but there is no reason to change Lekgwathi and Rooi, they have done an excellent job,” Vermezovic said. – Full Story via Kickoff
The CAF Champions League registration deadline might affect Kaizer Chiefs if they make it to the group stages of the tournament. In the past few seasons the CAF registration deadline used to run from July 1 to August 10, but with the group stages now kicking off on May 16, the dates might be moved forward. If that happens, Chiefs will not be able to register the new players they sign next season. As it stands, the Amakhosi are very unlikely to go through following their 3-0 first leg defeat to AS Vita on the weekend. – Full Story via Kickoff
Chippa United have turned down an offer from an unnamed Russian club for the services of Nigerian defender James Okwuosa. The Super Eagles defender has been enjoying a sterling performance with the South African National First Division club, helping them remain on top of the NFD log. Chilli Boys boss Chippa Mpengesi has confirmed there is Okwuosa interest from Europe. “There is interest from another team in Russia. But we want to keep him for another season if we get promoted to the Premier League next season,” says Mpengesi. – Full Story via Kickoff
University of Pretoria defender Buhle Mkhwanazi has poured cold water on rumours that he could be headed to Orlando Pirates next season. Mkhwanazi, who has been a new addition to the Bafana Bafana squad, has been linked with a move to Pirates as the Mighty Buccaneers prepare to make a strong comeback next season. Platinum Stars midfielder Mogakolodi Ngele has also been linked with a move to Parktown next season. – Full Story via Kickoff
DR Congo striker Eddy Emomo could be signed by AmaZulu after impressing during his trials. Emomo, who turned down interest from clubs in Israel to try his luck in South Africa, has done well enough to convince the Usuthu technical team that he is good enough to play for them next season, according to a club source. Usuthu marketing manager Lunga Sokhela confirms that the 20-year-old striker has made a good impression but adds that the club’s technical team must still decide on a final decision. – Full Story via Kickoff
Forty-three players are in camp looking to impress new Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria. The Netherlands-born coach is in the process of building a squad with players who will represent the country at the 2014 edition of the CAF African Women’s Championship in Namibia in October. The team completed their first training session last Monday afternoon. Pauw said she was impressed by the commitment displayed at their first training session. – Full Story via Kickoff
Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar is facing another three weeks on the sidelines as he recovers from a knee injury. The former Bafana Bafana captain has been out of action since limping off during the 4-1 FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Arsenal on 8 March. “Stevie P has a knock on his knee and that’s going to take a bit of time,” Toffees boss Roberto Martinez said. “It’s hard to tell now [when he will return]. He had a knock on his knee and his cartilage was affected, so we’re going to make sure he gets the right treatment. “I expect the term is probably going to be two or three weeks, and then we’ll see how well he recovers”, he adds. – Full Story via ESPN
Kaizer Chiefs have decided to return to FNB Stadium for their CAF Champions League second round tie against AS Vita Club on Saturday night. Amakhosi spokesman Vina Maphosa confirmed the contest will take place in Johannesburg, with kick-off at 19h00. Chiefs, who lost the first leg 3-0 in Kinshasa yesterday, played their previous home match in the competition against Liga Muculmana at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium. – Full Story via Kickoff
Ajax Cape Town coach Roger de Sa hopes that his plans of building a team around Keagan Dolly will not be frustrated by Kaizer Chiefs. Dolly has shone for Ajax this season, prompting a national team call up from Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund, as well as reported interest in his services from Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns. De Sa, however, feels the 21-year-old midfielder should continue to gain experience at Ikamva before considering a move elsewhere. – Full Story via Kickoff
Ajax Cape Town are yet to make a decision on the future of midfielder Koen van de Laak, whose contract expires at the end of the season. The 31-year-old has only played three times this campaign, having recently recovered from a long-term knee injury. Van de Laak missed Ajax’s goalless draw with University of Pretoria last weekend as his wife was giving birth to a boy. – Full Story via Kickoff
The Premier Soccer League’s Disciplinary Committee has fined Free State Stars R250 000 following the floodlight failure at Charles Mopeli Stadium which resulted in their match against Orlando Pirates being cancelled. The fixture on February 12 was called off at the last minute, and Stars were found guilty of causing the abandonment of the match. Over and above the R250 000 fine they were also ordered to “pay all costs of whatsoever nature arising out of the resumed fixture, including the costs of the away team, Orlando Pirates”. – Full Story via Kickoff
The 2014 edition of the Metropolitan Premier Cup was launched at the Cape Town Civic Centre. The 32-team tournament pits the best qualifiers from Western Cape against some of the top academy and professional feeder sides from the around the country, and often attracts coaches, scouts and various technical experts from as far afield as Europe and the USA. – Full Story via Kickoff
Bloemfontein Celtic have brought in Ronnie Kanalelo to replace Andre Bronkhorst as the club’s new goalkeeper coach. Bronkhorst recently left Celtic to head back to Cape Town forcing head coach Ernst Middendorp to look to another of his former support stuff at Maritzburg United in Kanalelo. Middendorp previously recruited Fadlu Davids from the Team of Choice to serve as his assistant. – Full Story via Kickoff
Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Valery Nahayo has dropped the biggest hint that he could return to the PSL next season as his contract at Belgian club KAA Gent expires at the end of June. Nahayo makes it no secret that he is considering a return to his adopted homeland of South Africa and will actually be arriving back in ‘Jozi’ for a brief holiday in June. The towering Burundian is in his third year in Belgium. – Full Story via Kickoff
SA players abroad round-up:
Ayanda Patosi was in the Lokeren squad that won the Belgian Cup on Saturday, but did not make it off the bench for the 1-0 win over Zulte-Waregem in Brussels.
Kamohelo Mokotjo was replaced at halftime of PEC Zwolle’s 2-1 loss at AZ Alkmaar on Sunday, while Thulani Serero’s Ajax Amsterdam were not in action at the weekend.
Keegan Ritchie played the full 90 minutes again for Czech side Slavia Prague as they lost 2-1 at home to Vysocina Jihlava to remain in the relegation mix.
Kagisho Dikgacoi played for Crystal Palace as they were beaten 1-0 at Newcastle United. It was a heart-breaking loss for The Eagles, who conceded in the 94th minute to Papiss Cisse.
Tokelo Rantie was an unused substitute for Championship side Bournemouth as they scored late on to win 1-0 at bottom side Barnsley. Andrew Surman played the full match though.
Dean Furman remained on the bench for Doncaster Rovers as they eased their relegation worries with a 1-0 home win over Sheffield Wednesday. Rovers are eight points clear of the drop-zone.
Daylon Claasen came off the bench for Polish side Lech Poznan in their 2-1 home win over Lechia Gdańsk that keeps alive their hopes of winning the title.
Siyanda Xulu had to once again be content with a place on the bench for Russian Premier League side FC Rostov as they were held 3-3 by Amkar. It means the Bafana Bafana centre-back has not played for his club in almost five months, his last appearance coming on November 8.
Ricardo Nunes played for Bulgarian side Levski Sofia in their 2-0 championship play-off win over Botev Plovdiv. It was sweet revenge for Nunes and his teammates after they were dumped out of the Bulgarian Cup by the same opposition with a loss by the same scoreline in midweek.
Joel Untersee played for Swiss second-tier side Vaduz as they were held 2-2 by FC Wil, while in the topflight Lukas Schenkel started for FC Thun as they lost 1-0 at St Gallen.