SuperSport Fire
Johnson With Igesund expected To Take Over
SuperSport United have confirmed the dismissal of coach Cavin
Johnson. Johnson was sacked on Friday, and outgoing Bafana Bafana
boss Gordon Igesund is the favourite to replace the ex-Platinum Stars mentor. Matsatsantsa
have now explained their decision in a statement. Their CEO Stan Matthews said:
“We’ve had two coaches in 13 years and changing of coaches is not
something we want at the club. But like all PSL clubs, we are also
results-driven and want to compete with the best in the country in both the
short and long-term. “The spate of recent losses does not reflect the
quality in our squad.”
Bafana Bafana’s matches against Sudan and Nigeria will both be broadcast live,
so says SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago. Bafana will take on Sudan in
Khartoum on Friday before hosting Nigeria on Wednesday, September 10 in crucial
2015 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers. In the past the SABC has courted criticism
from fans with their erratic coverage of Bafana’s away games and midweek PSL
ties. But Kganyago says Bafana’s upcoming assignments will be shown live on
SABC 1. “Yes, both matches will be live on SABC 1 this Friday and Wednesday,”
says Kganyago. “We want to show Bafana matches and other programmes will be
shown later.”
Kaizer Chiefs striker
Katlego Mphela’s injury is not as serious as the club initially thought.
‘Killer’ – who damaged a bone in his foot after scoring a goal during an MTN8
match against Platinum Stars on 24 August – is expected to be out of
competitive action for the next two weeks. The club previously feared that the
experienced forward would be sidelined for up to two months.
The futures of Zimbabwean players Method
Mwanjale and Nyasha Mushekwi at Mamelodi Sundowns still remain uncertain.
Mwanjale and Mushekwi are back at Sundowns after their loan deals expired from
Mpumalanga Black Aces and Oostende in Belgium respectively. Mwanjale, together
with Raymond Manaka and Tiyane Mabunda, are not registered with the Brazilians
and are training in a separate group under the watchful eye of former defender
Michael Manzini at Chloorkop. However, Mosimane says his club is looking after
the players very well. Meanwhile Mamelodi Sundowns defender Rashid Sumaila is
still open to a move to either Russia or Turkey. Sumaila is also not registered
with the Brazilians despite having a contract with the club.
Former Kaizer Chiefs
defender Valery Nahayo is edging closer to a move back to the PSL after
terminating his contract with Belgian Pro League club KAA Gent. Nahayo revealed
that he is now a free agent after cutting ties with his Belgian club and has
set his sights on returning to South Africa after leaving the PSL three years
ago.
South African
midfielder Sergio Marakis has moved to Portuguese second-tier side Portimonense
on loan for the remainder of the season. The 22-year-old leaves topflight
Maritimo in search of regular game-time a division below and has already made
two appearances for the side. He provided the midfield anchor for his team in
the 3-2 victory over Feirense on Sunday. The Johannesburg-born star is not the
first South African to play for Portimonense though. Bidvest Wits striker
Calvin Kadi spent the 2010/11 season on loan there where he was used mostly on
the wing and won a cult following among the fans. The club, which turned 100
years old on August 14, were last in the topflight in the season Kadi played
there, but were relegated after finishing second-bottom. They ended seventh in
the second-tier in the 2013/14 campaign.
Knowledge Musona is still in Holland
despite fresh interest from Belgian side Racing Genk. The Zimbabwean
striker was earlier linked with a move to FC Twente. However, the Belgian side
are reportedly also speaking to the former Kaizer Chiefs striker’s
representative.”Genk are speaking to Prosport International. There is a
great possibility that the deal could go through,” says the source.
Banyana Banyana registered yet another
victory ahead of the African Women’s Championship tournament after beating
Tanzania 6-1 in a friendly at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Shiwe Nogwanya, Leandra Smeda, Silindile Ngubane, Sanah Mollo and Janine
Van Wyk, who all play for teams in the Sasol League, registered their names on
the score-sheet. Coach Vera Pauw made only one change from the team that beat
Zambia 4–0 in Lusaka a week ago; Mamello Makhabane starting ahead of youngster
Thembi Kgatlana in midfield.
Amajita have
qualified for the CAF Youth Championships after beating Cameroon 2-1 at Peter
Mokaba Stadium to progress 3-2 on aggregate. Fargie Lakay was the hero for
the home side with two first half goals to see the team through. A few nervy moments towards the end
ensued, but in the end Amajita hung on for a famous win and will now head to
the tournament in Senegal.
Platinum Stars have
completed the signing of defender Pule Nonyane from ABC Motsepe League team
Shining Stars. The left-back has penned a three-year contract, and joins
the likes of Edgar Manaka and Eleazar Rodgers as new arrivals at Dikwena. Stars
football manager Senzo Mazingiza confirmed Nonyane is their player.
Mamelodi Sundowns
have confirmed that the PSL has issued a corrected player card for captain Alje
Schut. Sundowns issued a statement on their official website to clear up
the matter after Orlando Pirates withdrew their protest over an invalid
registration card for the Dutch defender. In that statement, coach Pitso
Mosimane says: “The point is that it had been suggested that we were sloppy in
this matter. It is clear that the PSL had issued the wrong card, and they have
now corrected it. It was not an oversight by Sundowns, or fielding an
improperly registered player as some media have suggested. It was not an
outdated card – it was a new card with the wrong date.”
SAFA president Danny
Jordaan will serve on a working group that will renegotiate the current
contract between CAF and the company that holds television broadcast rights,
Sport 5. The current contract that started from 2008 is due to expire in
2016 and CAF has set in motion the process of renegotiating the deal. The next
cycle will run from 2017 to 2024. Jordaan, who also serves as special advisor
to CAF president Issa Hayatou, was selected to serve on a seven-man group that
also comprises fellow South African and former SAFA CEO Raymond Hack, the
chairman of the CAF Disciplinary Board. According to El Amrani, the group will
have the mandate to design the best possible strategy for the contract renewal
to be submitted to the CAF Executive Committee for approval and implementation. Jordaan said he was honoured and happy
to serve on a group that will make recommendations to CAF on a deal that will
have far-reaching benefits to African football.
The group will have its first meeting on September 13 in Addis Ababa.
Goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane is back at Mpumalanga Black Aces on a three-year
deal. The 26-year-old was at AmaZayoni last season on loan from Bidvest
Wits and returned to the Clever Boys for this season. However, the two clubs
have now agreed on an outright buy. Mabokgwane made 11 appearances for Aces
last season and six for Wits this season, including three clean sheets and one
Absa Man of the Match award.
Orlando Pirates
midfielder Tlou Segolela is set for a loan move to Mpumalanga Black Aces. Aces
are now waiting on the player’s agent Tim Sukazi to finalise the switch and
‘Sox’ will move to AmaZayoni, though it is highly likely that the deal will be
on a loan basis. Segolela has
battled for game-time at Pirates and those close to the deal feel it is a
win-win situation for the player.
Orlando Pirates are still keen to sign
DRC internationals Eddy Emomo and Bodrick Ungenda Muselenge. Pirates were
on the verge of recruiting the trialists on three-year deals but were unable to
agree on a fee with their respective clubs. However, Bucs official Floyd Mbele
has revealed the Sea Robbers may still yet enlist the pair in the January
transfer window. Emomo (20) has been the main source of goals at Congo DR Super
Ligue club Sharks XI playing as the top striker, while centre-back Ungenda (24)
has captained Motema Pembe.
Bidvest Wits are set
to swoop on goalkeeper Boalefa Pule from SuperSport United. Pule, who has
been struggling for game-time at Matsatsantsa, is expected to complete the
switch before the end of the day. Wits recently signed midfielder Sameehg
Doutie from United as part of a swap deal involving striker Ryan Chapman.
Meanwhile, Wits’ new signing Sandile Zuke is hoping to win big with the Clever
Boys this season. Zuke joined Wits from Mpumalanga Black Aces on a one-year
loan, with defender Siboniso Gumede going the opposite way.
Mamelodi Sundowns striker Edward
Manqele’s loan move to Chippa United has hit a snag again – and the striker has
now been linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs. It was reported last week
that Manqele and Sundowns had finally made peace and the striker’s loan move to
the Chilli Boys was set to go ahead. Manqele’s initial loan move to Chippa fell
through because Sundowns wanted to include conditions that they could recall
the player at any time and that he couldn’t play against them. Sundowns
subsequently put the player on a weight-loss programme. Afterwards, Manqele
took the club to the PSL’s Dispute Resolution Chamber, and the two parties
smoked a peace pipe when Sundowns agreed to remove some of the conditions from
the loan agreement, which paved a way for a move to the Chilli Boys. However,
the loan deal has once again fallen through because it doesn’t comply with the
National Soccer League rules as Chippa have exceeded the PSL loan quota. Rule
36 of the NSL rules state: “No club will be permitted to register, in any one
season, more than five (5) players who have been transferred to it pursuant to
loan transfer agreements.” Some of the players on loan at the Port
Elizabeth-based club are Thamsanqa Sangweni and Siyabulela Shai from Sundowns,
while Manti Moholo and Siyabonga Zulu are on loan from Orlando Pirates. According to an insider close to both
camps, Sundowns are considering cancelling the player’s contract altogether and
this will pave a way for Manqele to join Chiefs.
Bloemfontein Celtic
pair Wandisile Letlabika and Keagan Buchanan have signed new contracts,
committing themselves to the club until 2019. Celtic revealed the news on
their official website. The versatile Letlabika’s previous deal was expiring in
June 2016, while central midfielder Buchanan’s last contract was set to expire
the year after that.
Moroka Swallows
appear to have settled on signing Thiago Rodrigo Dos Santos as the Brazilian
midfield-cum-striker has impressed since arriving for trials a week ago. Dos
Santos, 28, is a left-footed offensive player who was most recently with
Brazilian club Atletico Cajazeirense de Desportos and has also played for Hai
Phong FC in Vietnam. Zeca Marques, the Swallows coach, says that a decision has
already been taken.
Ajax Cape Town have confirmed the transfer of Keagan Dolly to
Mamelodi Sundowns, despite the club saying he would not be sold. Urban
Warriors’ CEO Ari Efstathiou said Ajax would not be selling Dolly. However, it
seems he changed his mind at the last minute as Ajax confirmed the sale of the
player, who will remain in Cape Town for the 2014/15 season.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Solomon Okpako has agreed terms with Santos
and will complete his move to the First Division club on a one-year deal. Okpako
spent the past season at Chippa United but was then released when the club won
promotion, forcing him to look elsewhere for a new contract. Mohammed Lawal,
who represents Okpako, reveals that the deal with Santos is just as good as
done. Okpako is yet to make any impact since arriving in the country in 2011 via
Sundowns where he started a single game during the year he spent there.
Platinum Stars have
finally concluded the outright purchase of striker Eleazar Rodgers from
Mamelodi Sundowns. Rodgers, who spent last season on loan at Ajax Cape
Town, has agreed a two-year deal with Stars. Stars football manager Senzo
Mazingisa has confirmed the deal. Rodgers being sold to Platinum Stars is part
of a deal between the clubs that will see Botswana international Mogakolodi
Ngele join Sundowns at the end of the current season.
First Division club Royal Eagles have
snapped up former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Seun Ledwaba following the
expiry of his loan deal at Chippa United. Eagles have also added former
Golden Arrows and Polokwane City midfielder Mxolisi Macuphu to their squad
along with Kabelo Mahlasela, who joins from Orlando Pirates. Eagles – who have
been busy in the transfer market since buying the franchise of Sivutsa Stars –
have also brought in another player previously on Sundowns’ books in Thabo
Makgothi. Richard Makhoba, the Eagles general manager, says they are pleased
with the signings they have made to date. Eagles have also signed Thulasizwe
Mbuyane, Msekeli Mvalo, Renaldo Donnelly, Walter Maponyane, Petrus Ngebo, Lunga
Zondi and Philani Cele.
George Akpabio has finally completed his
protracted move to Chippa United. The Nigerian striker spent last season on
loan at the Chilli Boys in the First Division, and his 11 goals played a key
role in their promotion to the top-flight.
Former Orlando
Pirates striker Thulasizwe Mbuyane has been released by Mpumalanga Black Aces
and joined First Division side Royal Eagles. Mbuyane had not featured for
Aces in their first few matches of the season, with coach Clive Barker
preferring the foreign combination of Collins Mbesuma and Tendai Ndoro in
attack.
South African players
abroad wrap
Anele Ngcongca
was reportedly the subject of racist abuse when playing against Andile Jali’s Oostende in Belgium at
the weekend. Ngconcga, who along with Jali will link up with the Bafana Bafana
squad for the Afcon qualifiers against Sudan and Nigeria, scored his first goal
of the season in helping Genk to a 1-1 draw. However, the right-back was
involved in another bit of controversy. Already fined 10 000 euros for brawling
with a teammate at a party at his house earlier this month, Ngcongca gave the
‘middle finger’ to Oostende supporters after scoring and claimed afterwards he
had been the subject of racist chanting from them. It is the second time this
season the Oostende fans have been accused of racist behaviour.
Darren Keet kept
a clean sheet as Kortrijk defeated Gent 1-0 away from home. He is on the
‘reserves’ list of Bafana players for the Nations Cup qualifiers, while Ayanda Patosi was a second half
substitute for Lokeren in their 1-1 draw with Standard Liege.
May Mahlangu
scored his second in as many games, this time from the penalty spot, as
Goteborg won 2-0 at home to Kalmar. It is a sixth of the season for the
midfielder, who has been left out of the squad for the Nations Cup qualifiers.
Mark Mayambela
and Xolani Mdaki were both on the
bench as Djurgardens won 2-0 at home to league leaders Malmo, while Junaid Sait got his first taste of the
bench in Falkenbergs’ 1-0 loss to Elfsborg.
Ayanda Nkili was
an unused substitute for Orebro as they won 3-1 against bottom side
Brommapojkarna, while there was no place in the match day squad at all for Sive Phekezela of Gefle.
In the Swedish second-tier, Ebrahim Seedat started his second game in a row as Degerfors
humbled Angelholm 4-0.
Steven Pienaar
missed Everton’s astonishing 6-3 loss to Chelsea in the English Premiership
through injury, but Kagisho Dikgacoi
made a first league start of the season for Cardiff City in the Championship as
they drew 1-1 at his former side Fulham. ‘KG’ was taken off just before the
hour-mark.
Tokelo Rantie was
an unused substitute for Bournemouth in their 1-1 draw at Norwich City.
In League One it was a bittersweet day for left-back Kgosi Ntlhe as he scored for
Peterborough United in their 3-1 win at Colchester, but was then sent off late
in the game for a second yellow card.
Dean Furman was
replaced just before the hour-mark of Doncaster Rovers’ 2-0 home loss to Oldham
Athletic.
Kamohelo Mokotjo
has still not won a match with new Dutch club FC Twente after they were held
0-0 by his former side Feyenoord. Twente have drawn all six of their league and
cup matches to date.
Thulani Serero
was restored to the Ajax Amsterdam starting line-up but could not help his side
avoid a 2-0 defeat at Groningen.
Ethen Sampson
made his long-awaited return from injury for MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps, but
did not come off the bench in the 3-0 loss to Portland Timbers. Sampson, who
signed a professional contract with the Canadian club in March, has missed the
entire season so far with a knee injury.
Daylon Claasen
made his first start for German Bundesliga II side 1860 Munich but was replaced
at halftime in their 1-1 draw with SV Darmstadt 98.
Siyanda Xulu was
again an unused substitute as his Russian side FC Rostov were humbled 6-0 by
CSKA Moscow. Rostov have comfortably the worst defensive record in the division
with 20 goals conceded in six games, but they seem reluctant to give
centre-back Xulu a run.
Joel Untersee
came on for the final eight minutes as his Vaduz side won their first game of
the season, beating Grasshoppers 1-0 in the Swiss top-flight.
And finally, Lebogang
Phiri came off the bench to help Danish side Brondby to a 3-0 win at
Nordsjaelland that leaves them third on the table.