Pirates SignSenegalese Midfielder Sarr
Orlando Pirates have announced the signing of Issa Sarr from
Platinum Stars. The Senegalese midfielder has penned a three-year
deal with Pirates. “I am happy to have signed with Orlando Pirates,” Sarr is
quoted as saying on Bucs’ official website. “I look forward to joining my new
teammates ahead of the start of the 2014/15 season and aim to have a successful
stay at the club.”
Bloemfontein Celtic
have signed new three-year sponsorship deals with Kappa and B3 Funerals and
Insurance respectively. Italian company Kappa replace Reebok as the team’s
technical supplier, while Celtic now have a sleeve sponsor for the first time
in years courtesy of B3 Funerals and Insurance. “Kappa is one of the most
well-known football brands worldwide and they are very creative and experienced
at their game, so we know we are in good hands,” Phunya Sele Sele CEO
Khumbulani Konco said at a function in Rosebank on Monday. “B3 is a perfect fit
for the bulk of our incredible supporters and we know that they are an
ambitious, well-known brand, with incredible passion.” Kappa also sponsor
Bidvest Wits, AmaZulu and SuperSport United.
Thandani Ntshumayelo has apologized to
his Orlando Pirates teammates after posting a less than flattering picture of
them after the Nedbank Cup Final on Instagram. The picture, which
shows a group of naked Buccaneers in the shower with the Nedbank Cup trophy,
went viral last night and was widely condemned – even from other Pirates players
like Lennox Bacela and Aubrey Ngoma. Ntshumayelo took to his Twitter account to
apologise for his actions. “I would like to apologize to everyone the club the
sponsors and all the people for posting that picture on instagram… “At the time I thought it was a joke sorry to
my teammates… I sincerely
apologize….bibo.”
Mamelodi Sundowns
players have each received R450 000 for winning the league title as well as Q1,
Q3 and Q4. The Brazilians won the league for the first time since the
2007/08 season, making it six PSL titles overall. The team received prize money
of R10-million for winning the league as well as R4.5-million for winning three
Q-Innovation quarters, making it R14.5-million overall. It is well known that Sundowns give their
prize money to the players. “Yes, the players each received R450.000 for winning
the league,” said a Sundowns official. “After deductions, each player took home
R380 000. It’s good because they have worked hard for it.”
Bafana Bafana held
World Cup-bound Australia to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly played in
Sydney on Monday. Ayanda Patosi gave Bafana the advantage on 11 minutes,
before all-time Australian top goal-scorer Tim Cahill headed home just a minute
later.
AmaZulu are preparing a bid for Golden Arrows centre-back
Nkanyiso Mngwengwe, who impressed in his first season in the PSL in 2013/14.
The 24-year-old joined Arrows from the lower leagues at the start of the
campaign. And after a slow start, he impressed in the second half of the
season, starting all of the club’s final 11 games. And while Abafana Bes’thende
are reluctant to part ways with Mngwengwe, their relegation to the National
First Division could make Usuthu’s interest especially enticing for the player.
AmaZulu are looking for cover at the back following Tamsanqa Teyise’s departure
to SuperSport United.
Mamelodi Sundowns
have handed a trial to former Jomo Cosmos youth player Flavio Bento. Bento
was on the bench for the Brazilians during their 1-0 win over Namibian side
African Stars in the inaugural Dr Hage Heingob Cup at the weekend. He recently
returned to South Africa after spending a few years at Academica de Coimbra in
Portugal. Meanwhile, midfielder Luyolo Nomandela also travelled with the Downs
squad to Windhoek following his move from Free State Stars.
The first phase of
the Nedbank Ke Yona Team Search concluded in an exciting two-day search at
Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday and Sunday. Nedbank’s search for the
country’s next football heroes got underway on 21 April at Peter Mokaba Stadium
and has since travelled across Polokwane, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Western
Cape, culminating in Gauteng.
Bidvest Wits have finally confirmed the departure of Matthew
Pattison, revealing that the former Newcastle United and Norwich City
midfielder asked to be released from his contract. Pattison has
since returned to England where his family is based. Jose Ferreira, the Wits
CEO, explains the 27 year-old’s exit: “He (Pattison) has left because he asked
to be released from his contract citing family reasons so he will not be with
us next season.”
South Africa are two
matches away from qualifying for the 2015 Africa Youth Championships in Senegal
after defeating Ethiopia 1-0 (3-0 on aggregate) on Sunday at the Dobsonville
Stadium. Amajita won 2-0 in Addis Ababa a fortnight ago. They will now face
Cameroon in the third and final round of the qualifiers. The first match will
be played on the weekend of 15-17 August while the return leg take place two
weeks later on the weekend of 29-31 August. The winner will qualify for the
19th edition of the African Youth Championships which will be held in Senegal
from 8 – 22 March in 2015.The semi-finalists at the AYC will represent Africa
at the 2015 Fifa Under-20 World Cup tournament in New Zealand.
Bafana Bafana defender Mulomowandau Mathoho travelled back to South Africa
immediately after taking part in Monday’s international friendly against
Australia, to attend the funeral of his cousin, who passed away last weekend. The
sad news reached the Kaizer Chiefs defender in Sydney on Sunday, on the eve of
Bafana’s friendly international clash with World Cup-bound Socceroos. As a result, Mathoho will not join the
rest of the squad in New Zealand for their international friendly in Auckland. No replacement will be called up to
replace the defender.
Polokwane City ended Milano United’s
hopes of promotion into the Premiership after second half goals from Sphesihle
Nzimande and Thabo Rakhale handed them a 2-0 win over the Cape-based club on
Sunday afternoon. It was certainly not the most exciting game inside the
Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, but Polokwane did enough to get the win that sees
them on seven points in the promotion/relegation mini-league play-off, four
ahead of Black Leopards and consequently ended Milano’s promotion hopes.
Platinum Stars have
signed 22-year-old Zimbabwean striker Patrick Kaunda on a two-year deal. Sources
close to the player said that the forward will take part in the team’s
pre-season preparations. “Patrick is
now a Platinum Stars player. He signed a two-year contract with the club. Stars
have a one-year option, under the terms of the contract,” the source said. Kaunda
made his mark this past season while playing for Santos FC in the Botswana
Premier League. He scored 20 goals – finishing the campaign as the country’s
top marksman.
Mpumalanga Black Aces striker Tendai Ndoro is set to undergo
trials with Premier League side Crystal Palace. Reports from
Bulawayo say Ndoro will be at Palace for one week in early June in a move
which, if successful, will make him the fourth Zimbabwean after Bruce
Grobbelaar, Peter Ndlovu and Benjani Mwaruwari to play in England’s topflight.
Ndoro’s agent, Gibson Mahachi, confirmed his client would be going to England
for the trials, adding that there are also a number of other European and South
African clubs who have shown an interest in the Warriors forward. Ndoro joined
Aces on a one-year deal, with an option to renew, after finishing as the top
goalscorer in the Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League when playing for Bulawayo
side Chicken Inn. He was also selected among the 11 soccer stars of the year. Ndoro,
who signed for AmaZayoni last year, only joined them in January as he could not
get his international clearance in time. Nevertheless he impressed, scoring
seven goals for AmaZayoni. The in-demand striker is back in Zimbabwe for the
offseason break and is part of the Warriors squad that will play Tanzania in
the second leg of the preliminary round of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations
qualifiers. Zimbabwe lost the first leg 1-0.
The national women’s team demolished
Comoros 13-0 in the first leg of an African Women’s Championship qualifier at
the Stade Said Mohamed Cheikh Stadium on Friday. Portia Modise and Leandra
Smeda scored four goals apiece on the day, while Sanah Mollo registered two
goals. Mamello Makhabane, Nomathemba Ntsibande and Shiwe Nogwanya slotted home
a goal each. Coach Vera Pauw made no
changes to the team that lost 1-0 to the Black Queens of Ghana in the
international friendly. The return leg will be played in South Africa on the
first weekend of June.
Golden Arrows goalkeeper Ryan Harrison
has revealed he might return to Europe if he does not stay on at the NFD-bound
club. Harrison says there is interest in his services from Greece and
Holland, but he first wants to discuss his future with Abafana Bes’thende boss
Mato Madlala. “I am still to sit down with the club boss because she requested,
after our last game of the season, that we don’t get in touch with her until
she is done with what she is busy with,” says Harrison, who holds an European
Union passport, which reduces the hassles of him moving to that continent.
Ajax Cape Town have
parted ways with a host of players, including Stelio Ernesto, Koen van de Laak,
Karl Lark, Eleazar Rodgers and Thami Sangweni. Goalkeeper Andre Petim and
Ndumiso Vezi have also left the coastal outfit. The Urban Warriors have, though, opted to exercise the option on
striker Nathan Paulse’s contract, while new signing Milton Ncube is due to
arrive at Ikamva in June. Taarieq
Fielies, Matthew Rowell, Michael Kwong and George Akpabio are also scheduled to
return from their respective loan spells, although Chippa United are eager to
hold onto Akpabio.
Mamelodi Sundowns
striker Edward Manqele, who spent a season on loan at Moroka Swallows, could be
on the way out of Chloorkop before the new campaign gets underway. Manqele
joined the Brazilians during the 2012/13 season after netting 14 goals for Free
State Stars. But after a disappointing first season, the 25-year-old was farmed
out to Swallows where he finished the season with 12 goals. However, the player is unlikely to stay at Sundowns when he
returns next month.
In-demand Ajax Cape Town attacking midfielder Keagan Dolly
says he would rather join Kaizer Chiefs than Mamelodi Sundowns as the race for
his signature continues. The 21-year-old says if he were to consider
a move, he would rather join Amakhosi than the Brazilians as he believes he
will get more opportunities to play at Naturena than at Chloorkop. Downs are understood to be leading the
race to sign the talented midfielder, who was once on their books as a youth
product, but Dolly is not keen to rejoin his former team.
The promotion dream for South African
youngsters Ntuthuko Radebe and Phakase Mngadi in Belgium came to an end on
Thursday night. The Eupen pair had to win their final play-off fixture
against OH Leuven and hope that Mouscron-Péruwelz either dropped points at Sint
Truiden or their victory would be handsome enough to go top of the table on
goal-difference. In the end neither happened as Eupen lost 2-1 and
Mouscron-Péruwelz claimed a 4-2 success to win their place in next season’s
Belgian topflight, despite finishing fourth in the second tier this season.
Platinum Stars and
Chippa United are battling for the signature of highly-rated Thanda Royal Zulu
midfielder Mhlengi Cele. The player, who mesmerised Orlando Pirates’
defence in Nedbank Cup action this past season, is also on Bucs’ radar,
according to a source close to the Thanda camp.”Pirates are also
interested but they have not been communicating directly to the team but
sending representatives,” said a source. Amabhubesi manager Thabani Gumede
has confirmed PSL clubs are interested in Cele.”There is great interest on
Mhlengi Cele,” Gumede said. “We will be meeting with the club
chairman next week to discuss the offers.”
AmaZulu have retained the services of striker Bongani Ndulula
after exercising their option on his contract. Ndulula’s deal with
Usuthu was due to expire in June, but the former Orlando Pirates frontman is
ready to continue for another season in Durban. “We have exercised the option
on Ndulula’s contract,” AmaZulu general manager Peter O’Connor said on the
club’s website. Meanwhile, defender Keamogetse Wolff has returned to parent
club Bidvest Wits after the club decided not to extend his six-month loan.
Midfielders Lunga Zondi and Pinehas Jacob have had their contracts terminated
while goalkeeper Philani Zikalala is also leaving the club.
Ajax Cape Town have declared that they
are not interested in listening to offers for their youthful midfielder
Abbubakar Mobara. Mobara
has only just completed his first full season in the PSL but interest in his
services is already pouring in, with Bidvest Wits and Kaizer Chiefs reportedly
leading the cast of clubs that have made early enquiries for the young star.
The 20-year-old was named Ajax’s Young Player of the Year at the club’s
end-of-season awards. The youth international was also nominated for the PSL
Young Player of the Season following an impressive campaign in which he proved
his versatility, starting 23 matches. In light of the enquiries that have come
in, Ajax executive director Ari Efstathiou emphasised that they are not keen on
letting the player go.
Zimbabwean striker
Nyasha Mushekwi could be back in South Africa soon after bidding farewell to KV
Oostende fans. Mushekwi spent last season on loan with the Belgian side
from Mamelodi Sundowns but picked up a knee ligament injury that will still
keep him sidelined until the end of the year. The 26-year-old has one year left
on his contract at Chloorkop after the club took up an option and was heavily
linked with Orlando Pirates in January this year. Mushekwi confirmed having
played his last game for Oostende after he tweeted a farewell to club’s fans.
New Mamelodi Sundowns
signing Kudakwashe Mahachi has been granted permission to go for a trial at
French club Monaco, despite having never played a match for the Brazilians. The
20-year-old Zimbabwean international was signed in January, but spent the rest
of the season on loan at Zimbabwe Highlanders. However, his impressive showings
at CHAN 2014 attracted interest from all over, including Monaco, where he will
now spend a week trying to impress the technical team. Sundowns have also
confirmed the signings of Lindokuhle Mbatha, Luyolo Nomandela and Zama Dlamini,
while stating that all players currently on loan need to report back to the
club when their loan contracts expire.
Kaizer Chiefs are
chasing Ugandan national team striker Dan Sserunkuma. Amakhosi are on the
lookout for new blood following a trophyless 2013/14 season – and also because
Mamelodi Sundowns are looking to hi-jack a deal to bring Knowledge Musona back
to Naturena. Sserunkuma plays for Kenyan Premier League side Gor Mahia and has
represented his country at all levels. The 20-year-old, who was named the 2012
Kenyan Premier League Player of the Year and 2013 and 2014 Uganda Sports Press
Association Player of the Year, has been compared to Chelsea and Italian legend
Gianfranco Zola.
Orlando Pirates have
officially made an offer to Platinum Stars for the services of midfielder
Mogakolodi Ngele. The Botswana international, who has a year left on his
contract, has attracted widescale interest, according to Dikwena football
manager Senzo Mazingisa. Mazingisa, however, would not disclose the identity of
Ngele’s suitors. “I can’t reveal names, except that there is wide
interest,” Mazingisa said.
Orlando Pirates coach
Vladimir Vermezovic met with the club’s management to take stock of the
concluded 2013/14 season and discuss the team’s plans for next campaign. It
has been decided that Bucs’ players – who claimed Nedbank Cup honours at the
weekend – will start a month-long break on 30 May, but will still be required
to follow a personal training routine aimed at maintaining their fitness
levels.
Global football icon Ryan Giggs heads up a stellar cast
of analysts and experts for SuperSport’s coverage of the 2014 Fifa World Cup.
The Manchester United legend will be a studio analyst for the World of
Champions, offering his insight during build-ups, halftime and post-game,
starting in June. Recently retired Giggs is the most decorated player in
English football history and is fresh off his recent assignment as interim
manager of Manchester United. His staggering football CV includes 34 career
trophies and 963 appearances for Manchester United dating back to his debut in
March 1991. He is the most decorated player the Premier League has produced.
“We have contracted a world class player for a world class event,” said Alvin
Naicker, Head of Production of SuperSport. “Ryan Giggs represents the very best
of football. He is in a class of his own. Ryan is a massively popular figure on
the continent and we expect his expert views will be much anticipated and
enjoyed during this coming World Cup.”
SuperSport United defender Bevan
Fransman is set to leave the club, director of football Stan Matthews has
confirmed. Fransman, 30, managed just 14 league appearances for
Matsatsantsa this season as the team struggled to find any consistency, especially
since the start of 2014. The former Kaizer Chiefs defender is now looking to
move on, and Matthews has revealed that the club is already actively seeking
replacements. “Sibusiso Zuma and Fransman will be leaving us, so we have to
move quickly and find players to replace them,” says Matthews.
In a surprise move,
Platinum Stars have dumped youth international striker Thabani Mthembu. Mthembu
rose to prominence with Amajita where he scored five goals in his fledgling
national team career, prompting Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town to chase
after his services a few years ago. The
19-year-old was handed just one league start and nine substitute appearances –
268 minutes of Premiership football – by Dikwena this season. The KwaZulu-Natal-born player has now
joined the likes of Benson Mhlongo, Henrico Botes and Takesure Chinyama out of
the exit door. Meanwhile defender
Gift Sithole has agreed to extend his stay with Platinum Stars for a further
two years. Sithole’s initial contract was set to expire at the end of June this
year.
SuperSport United
have completed the signing of Andile Fikizolo from First Division side Thanda
Royal Zulu. The midfielder scored twice in the Nedbank Cup last 32 to shock
Orlando Pirates in the first half of their clash on February 22, but Pirates
stormed back to end the game 3-3 before winning on penalties. Fikizolo’s
representative Tim Sukazi has confirmed that the 20-year-old right-winger has
signed for SuperSport after penning a three-year deal.
Maritzburg United will not retain the
services of injury-prone Curacaoan midfielder Orlando Smeekes and long-serving
defender Peter Petersen. The club has also placed Ghanaian striker Yakubu
Mohammed on the transfer list, while exercising the options of extensions on
the contracts of Terrence Mandaza, Philani Zulu and Heinrich Isaacks.
Maritzburg chairman Farook Kadodia confirmed all the latest developments on
Monday. “We are not renewing the contracts of Orlando and Peter and we have
placed our striker from Ghana on the transfer list,” he said.
Chippa United have
joined the race to sign both William Twala and Manti Moholo from Orlando
Pirates. Twala, who impressed at United during their ill-fated PSL campaign
in 2012/13, has also been linked with Platinum Stars. Fellow midfielder Moholo
spent the past season on loan at NFD-bound Golden Arrows. “I am back at
Pirates. I am still left with one year on my contract,” says Moholo.
“I haven’t been told anything about my future in the club.”
Platinum Stars have
signed Marothi Diale from United FC. Diale, who is comfortable playing at
right or left wing, joins the North West side on a three-year deal.
Bloemfontein Celtic
have snapped up Musa Bilankulu on a permanent transfer from Bidvest Wits. Celtic
have taken up the option to buy Bilankulu outright from BidVest Wits after
initially joining Phunya Sele Sele on loan in January. Wits officials have
confirmed that they have cleared Bilankulu’s move to Celtic after the Free
State side signalled their intention to exercise the option of a permanent
transfer, which was part of the deal when the 29-year-old moved down to the
City of Roses. Bilankulu has agreed a three-year deal with Celtic, where he is
needed at centre-back after the club released Johannes Motlhaping and Clayton
Daniels signed a pre-contract with SuperSport United. Celtic are actually three
central defenders fewer than they were a year ago as former captain Thabo
Nthethe also left for Mamelodi Sundowns in January.
SA players abroad
Daylon Claasen played the full 90 minutes for Polish side Lech Poznan at
the weekend as their season petered out with a 0-0 draw against Pogon Szczecin.
With two games remaining Lech are almost certain to finish in second place in
the league, enough for UEFA Europa League qualification. Claasen still has much
to play for though as he seeks to convince the club to extend his one-year
contract for a further two years.
Keegan Ritchie
was again missing for Czech side Slavia Prague as they were held 1-1 by Slovacko.
Ritchie has been missing for over a month with an ankle problem and looks
unlikely to feature in the final game of the season that Slavia must win
against Baník Ostrava to ensure they remain in the topflight next season. A
draw would probably also be enough, while even defeat could see them stay up if
other results go their way.
May Mahlangu sat
out a second successive match for Swedish side Goteborg as they were held to a
2-2 draw by Norrkoping. It is a blow for the Bafana Bafana midfielder, who was
just beginning to find form after nine months on the sidelines with an Achilles
problem.
Ayanda Nkili did
feature for Orebro in their fixture against Elfsborg, but the defender was
disappointed with a 1-0 defeat away from home. It was worse for Bradley Ralani in the second tier as
his struggling Landskrona side were thumped 6-2 by Jonkoping Sodra.
Finally in the USA, there was no sign in the match day squad of former ASD
Academy skipper Ethan Sampson for
Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS, but winger Tiya
Shipalane was a second half substitute for Carolina Railhawks in their 0-0
draw at Minnesota United.