Schut Claims Top
Homours At Sundowns Awards
Mamelodi Sundowns captain Alje Schut was named the club’s
Player of the Season at their annual awards ceremony held at Thaba Tshwane in
Pretoria on Sunday night. The big defender also picked up the
players’ player accolade, bagging a whopping R425 000 in total prize money. Head coach Pitso Mosimane was handed
the President’s Award and received R250 000, while midfielder Teko Modise was
named the Most Outstanding Player of the Season, earning R175 000 for his
efforts. Bongani Zungu was named the
Premiership champions’ Best Young Player and received R100 000. Striker Katlego Mashego collected R150
000 for being the side’s top scorer last term. Downs president Patrice Motsepe also honoured veteran midfielders
Surprise Moriri and Esrom Nyandoro with long service awards, with each
receiving R150 000.
Bloemfontein Celtic
have confirmed the return of Jacky Motshegwa, who failed to make the grade at
Orlando Pirates. The 26-year-old moved from Phunya Sele Sele to the
Buccaneers a season ago, but made just two substitute appearances during the
2013/14 campaign. Motshegwa returns to Celtic on loan.
Free State Stars have confirmed that they have parted ways with Ghanaian goalkeeper
Daniel Agyei just a year after he joined the club. Agyei had been placed on
the club’s transfer list at the end of last season after battling with injuries
during his first season with Stars. Stars general manager Rantsi Mokoena
confirmed that the 24-year-old is no longer with the club following a mutual
agreement to terminate his contract that still had two years left to run. Agyei
is believed to be back in Ghana.
South African women’s
national team Banyana Banyana will face African opponents Zambia in a friendly
amid preparations for the upcoming African Women’s Championships (AWC). The
match was due to be hosted by the South Africans, yet due to the Zambian team
being unable to travel, Banyana will now travel to Zambia for the fixture, with
details of the encounter yet to be released. The African Women’s Championships
will also be used as qualifiers for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The top
three finishers from the AWC will qualify for the World Cup in Canada. Pauw’s
charges have assembled in Auckland Park and they will hold their training
sessions at the Nike Centre in Soweto before departing for Zambia on Thursday,
21 August. Banyana Banyana will continue playing friendly matches in August
ahead of the Championships. After that coach Pauw will name her final squad for
the AWC to be played in Namibia.
AmaZulu have
registered Zimbabwean goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini as a non-foreigner following the
issuing of his permanent residence permit. Kapini will now play as a
‘local’ in the PSL becoming the third non-South African player at the club
playing as a non-foreigner after being issued with a local identity card.
Namibian player Willem Mwedihanga and John Arwuah from Ghana are the other two.
The experienced Kapini has played in the PSL since 2006, starting off at
Platinum Stars before moving to Durban three years ago.
Chippa United coach Kosta Papic and
goalkeeper Fatau Dauda are still waiting on their work permits ahead of the
club’s Premiership clash against University of Pretoria on Wednesday night.
Serbian Papic and Ghana international Dauda were unable to participate in the
side’s opening two League games against Platinum Stars and SuperSport United.
Zimbabwean defender Eric Chipeta and Nigerian midfielder Ugonna Uzochukwu are
also currently unavailable for the same reason. High-profile signing Dauda
penned a two-year deal with the Chilli Boys in July after barely featuring for
Orlando Pirates in 2013/14. Uzochukwu, formerly at Enugu Rangers, likewise
joined the NFD champions last month, with Chipeta agreeing terms with the club
in June.
Ajax Cape Town are
negotiating with Mamelodi Sundowns for the services of defender Hichani
Himoonde. The Zambia international joined Sundowns in February this year
but was loaned to Zesco United where he spent four months. With Sundowns having
given three of their five foreign spots to Cuthbert Malajila, Mame Niang and
Kudakwashe Mahachi, it looks as though the last two berths will be taken by
Khama Billiat and Ejike Uzoenyi. This has left Himoonde, Rashid Sumaila and Nyasha
Mushekwi seeking moves elsewhere. A Downs official says while Sumaila might
head to Europe, the club are in talks with the Urban Warriors regarding
Himoonde.
Polokwane City have completed the
signing of veteran defender Joseph Musonda and Ugandan midfielder Boban
Zirintusa. Musonda has penned a one-year contract after a two-week training
stint with City, while Zirintusa has agreed on a two-year deal. Musonda, 37,
spent the previous seven years with Golden Arrows. Zirintusa, who operates in
central midfield, has played for Dynamos in Zimbabwe and in Tanzania.
Ajax Cape Town have
parted ways with Zimbabwean striker Simba Sithole. Sithole joined Ajax at
the end of January on a two-year deal after being spotted at the CHAN
tournament where he put in a workmanlike shift for The Warriors. The 25-year-old says that he is now on
the hunt for another club following the termination of his contract. Sithole –
a forceful forward – had been at Zimbabwean club How Mine prior to joining the
Urban Warriors.
Edward Manqele’s business manager Josiah
Mphono has expressed confidence that the player will find a new club before the
transfer window closes at the end of the month. The Mamelodi Sundowns
striker was set to be loaned out to Chippa United, but rejected that move and
Mphono says he is working around the clock to ensure that the player gets his
preferred move. Manqele was on loan
at Moroka Swallows last season and scored 12 goals in 21 starts across all
competitions, and Mphono says the player must find a club where he can continue
from where he left off in the past season.
Keagan Dolly’s
proposed transfer to Mamelodi Sundowns will still happen, despite it having dragged on for some weeks now. The Ajax Cape Town winger is
seemingly the final bit of business for the Brazilians during this transfer
window though, as previously reported, it is widely expected he will be loaned
back to the Urban Warriors for the season. Orlando Pirates were also in the
race for the 21-year-old, but their offer was nowhere close to what Sundowns
put on the table. The deal will go through before the transfer window closes at
the end of the month, with the only hold-up being the clubs agreeing on a fee,
expected to be around R7-million. Ajax coach Roger de Sa recently said he hopes
the deal gets finalized soon.
Belgian goalkeeper Glenn Verbauwhede is
faced with the prospect of leaving Mamelodi Sundowns as he has fallen onto the
unwanted list of players at the club. Verbauwhede has yet to make any
official appearance for the club since his arrival last year, and is currently
working his way back to full fitness from an ankle injury that forced him to
undergo surgery last year. The 29 year-old has however found himself out of the
reckoning for the new season with the Brazilians having already registered four
goalkeepers in Kennedy Mweene, Wayne Sandilands, Thela Ngobeni and Denis
Onyango, while the former Westerlo player has not been registered. Verbauwhede
was offered to Chippa United earlier on this season, and turned down the move,
but the club is still keen on moving him elsewhere for a loan spell this
season. Though the Belgian only arrived in the country last year he can be
registered as a local as he holds a permanent residency on the grounds of being
financially independent.
Bafana Bafana midfielder May Mahlangu is on the radar of West
Bromwich Albion, Glasgow Celtic and Brighton, according to The Daily Mail.
Reports in Sweden also suggest Mahlangu could make a £500,000 move to the UK.
Mahlangu has been impressing at Allsvenskan outfit Goteborg since returning
from a lengthy Achilles injury. He notably capped of a fine display with a goal
in his club’s 3-0 win over Gyor in a UEFA Europa League qualifier last month.
However, his side were subsequently knocked out of the competition by Portugal’s
Rio Ave. The 25-year-old is under contract until the end of the year, with
Goteborg previously expressing a desire to retain his services.
Mamelodi Sundowns’
new Nigerian midfielder Ejike Uzoenyi is now available for selection after he
received his work visa. Uzoenyi arrived last week Sunday to start his new
career with Sundowns after being given a few weeks to rest following his
participation at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil last month. The Super Eagles attacker started training with the Brazilians on
Tuesday and according to his agent, Mohammed Lawal, the player’s papers have
been sorted out and he is available for selection at Chloorkop. Uzoenyi is
expected to be one of the five foreign players Sundowns will register for the
2014/15 season, with him and Khama Billiat yet to be registered with the PSL.
The registration deadline is August 29.
Bloemfontein Celtic
have confirmed the signing of Musa Nyatama and Mukuka Mulenga on loan from
Mamelodi Sundowns. Nyatama is no stranger at Phunya Sele Sele having scored
eight goals in 30 starts across all competitions last season while he was on
loan, and after his return to the Brazilians at the end of the last term, he
was expected to stay at Chloorkop. However,
Celtic confirmed today that Nyatama will continue at the club on another loan
deal from the Tshwane side, while Zambian midfielder Mulenga will also be
joining him in Bloemfontein.
Zimbabwean winger Kudakwashe Mahachi
will remain with Mamelodi Sundowns this season after failing to secure a move
to French giants Monaco. Mahachi impressed on a recent trial with Radamel
Falcao’s employers but the clubs could not agree on a transfer fee, according
to a well-placed source.”The boy did well and Monaco was very impressed
during his trials. However, both teams could not agree on terms regarding the
transfer fee,” says the source. Mahachi is back at Chloorkop as he seeks
to win the favour of coach Pitso Mosimane. The 20-year-old signed with the PSL
champions during the January transfer window, but spent the remainder of the
2013/14 campaign on loan at Highlanders back home.
Bafana Bafana have
slipped three places to 69th in the latest world rankings, released by Fifa last
Thursday. Bafana are 14th in Africa, with Algeria, Ivory Coast, Nigeria,
Ghana and Egypt completing the top five teams on the continent. World Cup
winners Germany head the standings, followed by beaten finalists Argentina,
Holland, Colombia and Belgium. Costa Rica, who shone at Brazil 2014, notably
rose to 15th – their best ever effort, while Sierra Leone broke into the top 50
for the first time.
Mamelodi Sundowns have agreed to extend
Togolese defender Emmanuel Mathias’s loan at Zambian club ZESCO United up to
the end of the year. Mathias was initially farmed out to ZESCO at the
beginning of March along with Zambian defender Hichani Himoonde on a deal
running up to June 30. Justin Mumba, the secretary general at ZESCO, confirms
that they have Mathias back with them up to the end of their season – which
runs on a full calendar year.
Swedish side Degefors IF has confirmed
the signing of South African midfielder Ebrahim Seedat.
Seedat, who
was trying at Ajax Cape Town recently, has signed a short-term deal that
expires on November 15. The 21-year-old is currently waiting for his
work-permit and may not be available for Degerfors’ match against Assyrian on
August 18. Seedat was in Bidvest Wits’ books two seasons ago following his
return from Belgium, where he was playing for Lokeren. However, he failed to
live up to expectations, making just 12 appearances for the Students during the
2012/13 season.
SA players abroad
Kamohelo Mokotjo netted on his home debut for the side, and also his first start but his team were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw at home by ADO Den Haag. Nana Ntuli was not in the match day squad as he continues to develop his game with the club’s reserve side.
Thulani Serero
was a second half substitute for Ajax Amsterdam as they beat AZ Alkmaar 3-1
away from home, a fine victory against one of the leading contenders this
season.
Daylon Claasen
picked up a first win of the season at new German Bundesliga II side 1860
Munich. Though it did come against minnow opposition in the German Cup, Claasen
was introduced at half-time of 1860s 2-1 away win at Holstein Kiel, a result
that follows consecutive defeats in the League. The Bafana Bafana midfielder
has yet to start for his new team.
May Mahlangu
helped Goteborg to a 3-0 win over bottom side Brommapojkarna on Sunday to give
them a first win in eight games, while Ayanda
Nkili was a half-time sub as Orebro stunned AIK Stockholm 4-2 to ease their
relegation woes.
Steven Pienaar
started for Everton as they were held to a 2-2 draw by newly-promoted Leicester
City in the English Premiership. ‘Schillo’ played a leading role for The
Toffees, setting up the second goal for Steven Naismith, though the
Merseysiders let their 2-1 lead slip late on.
Kagisho Dikgacoi
was again missing for English Championship Cardiff City in their 3-1 win over
Huddersfield Town, while Tokelo Rantie
was an unused substitute as Bournemouth continued their excellent start to the
new season with a 1-0 success at home to Brentford.
Dean Furman was
replaced at half-time with his League One side Doncaster Rovers already 3-0
down at home to Port Vale. They ended up losing 3-1.
It was a better day for Peterborough United left-back Kgosi Ntlhe, who played as his side won
3-2 at home to MK Dons.
Darren Holden played for Hartlepool
in their 2-0 home loss to Bury that makes it three defeats from three at the
start of the season.
Darren Keet and Anele Ngcongca both started for
Kortrijk and Genk respectively as they played to a 1-1 draw. Keet had a good
game as he foiled a number of Genk attacks and continued his fine early season
form that had seemed to desert him in the last campaign.
Jali started for
Oostende as they won 2-0 at home to Mechelen to record back-to-back wins after
an indifferent start to the season.
Ayanda Patosi
returned to training this week but was not deemed fit enough to play for
Lokeren as they won 2-0 at home to Lierse.
Ntuthuko Radebe
helped his Belgian second-tier side Eupen to a 1-0 win over lowly Francs
Borains in the Belgian Cup as they made it four wins in a row this season.
Sergio Marakis
was not in the Maritimo side that started their Portuguese league season with a
2-0 loss to FC Porto, while Siyanda Xulu
was again on the bench for FC Rostov in Russia as they lost 2-0 at home to
Krasnador to continue their poor start to the new campaign.