Aces Sign Former
Chiefs Defender Nahayo
Mpumalanga Black Aces have announced the signing of
former Kaizer Chiefs defender Valery Nahayo on a two-year deal. Nahayo,
30, was previously a free agent after terminating his contract a year early at
Belgian Pro League club KAA Gent. Nahayo, who started his South African career
with Jomo Cosmos in 2004, joined Amakhosi in June 2008. After a three-year
spell at Naturena, Nahayo moved to Gent.
The University of
Pretoria were crowned champions of this year’s Varsity Football tournament
after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the University of Johannesburg. The
high-intensity encounter provided entertaining football for the faithful
supporters, who witnessed a number of hard tackles as both sides looked to gain
the advantage and bag the coveted trophy. Tuks took the lead with just 14
minutes left on the clock. And 1-0 it remained, as the Pretoria-based side
lifted the trophy for the successive year and retained their crown as varsity
Football champions.
Bloemfontein Celtic
goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb will face the club’s Disciplinary Committee
following the shoving incident involving him and Wandisile Letlabika.
Phunya Sele Sele lost Sunday’s match against Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 at Free
State Stadium and to make matters worse, Tignyemb was seen shoving Letlabika
who had made a defensive error that led to Elias Pelembe’s goal for the Tshwane
side. Celtic CEO Khumbulani Konco confirms that Tignyemb will face the DC to
explain his actions.
Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Jabu Mahlangu has officially
hung up his soccer boots, SuperSport United have confirmed. Mahlangu
has retired from football after being recalled back into action by former
SuperSport coach Cavin Johnson last year. ‘Shuffle’ is now set to serve in
another capacity as club ambassador at Matsatsantsa. SuperSport media and
communication officer Koketso Gaofetoge earlier said that the club would make
an announcement on Mahlangu’s future tomorrow. But club spokesperson David
‘Mazolman’ Skhosane has now confirmed Mahlangu’s retirement from football.
“Jabu is no longer going to be able to play for SuperSport,” says Skhosane.
“He has retired from playing football but will remain in the club and
serve in a different capacity.”
Gifted midfielder Masibusane Zongo has successfully completed his
rehabilitation for his long-standing alcohol troubles, with the Chippa United
technical department now expected to indicate if they are keen to hand him yet
another chance to revive his career at the club. Zongo had initially
refused to go for rehabilitation last year as he had been in denial of his
alcohol demons at the time. Chippa is the last club that Zongo played for
during their first PSL stay and they are the same club that have funded his
rehabilitation along with footing the legal costs around the alleged rape
charges which were levelled against the player last year. Despite being an
exceptional talent, Zongo – who is now 24 – has so far failed to deliver on his
potential, with his career including stop-start stints at SuperSport United,
Vasco da Gama and Chippa.
Former youth international midfielder
Mfundo ‘Hagi’ Shumana has lodged a complaint with the South African Football
Players’ Union over monies that he is still owed by Chippa United. Shumana
– who is without a club at the moment – was released by Chippa in June after
battling to play regularly last season during the club’s successful promotion
ride back to the Premiership. The Players’ Union has acknowledged Shumana’s
case noting that they are working on the logistics of the matter. Peter
Koutroulis, the Chippa CEO insists the club met their side of the contract that
he is aware of.
Orlando Pirates will be boosted by the return of South African
international Thabo Matlaba when they face perennial foes Kaizer Chiefs in the
MTN8 final this weekend. Matlaba had missed the Bucs’ last two
encounters while serving out a two-match suspension, but will be available for
contention as he looks to reclaim his starting berth under coach Vladimir
Vermezovic. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether or not midfielder Thandani
Ntshumayelo will be fit in time for Saturday’s clash after undergoing a scan on
his injured thigh.
Chippa United have announced Floyd
Mogale as their new assistant coach. Mogale joins United after spending
some time with the Mamelodi Sundowns Youth Academy. The former Bidvest Wits
youth academy coach replaces Joel Masuthu who is reported to be on his way to
join Polokwane City. Meanwhile former Thanda Royal Zulu coach Mlungisi Ngubane
has joined the long list of coaches linked with a move to join Chippa United. The
Chilli Boys are currently under the guidance of Roger Sikhakhane after Kosta
Papic resigned from the team. Ngubane is currently without a team after parting
ways with Royal Eagles where served as technical director.
Mamelodi Sundowns and their player
Edward Manqele will meet again to continue discussions over the player’s
possible exit. Manqele, whose loan move to Chippa United hit a snag on
transfer deadline day last month, has stopped training with Sundowns and has
asked the Brazilians to release him from his contract. Manqele’s move to the
Chilli Boys looked done and dusted last month, but Sundowns apparently stopped
him from travelling to Port Elizabeth because “they need to sort out
something”. However, the loan deal to Chippa fell through because it doesn’t
comply with the National Soccer League rules as Chippa have apparently 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.”
The inaugural MultiChoice Diski
Challenge reserve league kicked off on the weekend, with fans in Durban fully
packing King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday. Soweto giants Orlando Pirates
and Kaizer Chiefs both started their campaigns with victory, while the other
two opening-day fixtures ended in draws. Football fans around the country will
be able to watch South Africa’s upcoming talent live in their respective
cities, with the next festival of football scheduled to take place in Cape Town
next month.
Sasol Banyana Banyana
walloped the Botswana women’s national team 10-0 in an international friendly
match played at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Veteran
striker Portia Modise, who plies her trade for Gauteng Sasol League team
Croesus Ladies, scored five goals in the match and her 97th for the South
African national team. Mamello Makhabane got a brace while Refiloe Jane, Sanah
Mollo and Silindile Ngubane also registered their names on the scoresheet,
ending the match 10–0. Banyana’s preparations for the African Women’s
Championship will continue over the next three weeks before they depart for
Namibia.
Black Leopards have
advised their supporters who bought tickets for Saturday’s NFD game against
Garankuwa United for R40 to return to Computicket for a refund. A number of
supporters have reportedly bought tickets for R40 but Leopards PRO Berry
Ramuneyiwa says fans should claim their R20 back as the tickets only cost R20.
Moroka Swallows have
signed midfielder Anver Esterhuizen after a successful trial with the club. The
player’s agent Ratshibvumo Mulovhedzi confirms that Esterhuizen, who previously
played for Free State Stars, has signed a two-year deal. The 28-year-old was
released by Stars last season.
The wait is finally
over … Kaizer Chiefs WILL participate in the CAF Champions League. The
Amakhosi qualified for Africa’s premier club competition by virtue of a
second-placed finish in the Absa Premiership last season, but club had taken
their time to accept the invitation. But last Thursday night Chiefs chairman
Kaizer Motaung finally confirmed the news to Robert Marawa on MetroFM, saying
his club will join Mamelodi Sundowns in the Champions League. That means
Bidvest Wits and Orlando Pirates will compete in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Mpumalanga Black Aces have slammed
reports claiming Tendai Ndoro is set to leave the team, saying the
‘irresponsible media utterances are unsettling for both the player and the
club’. According to a statement on Aces’ official website, ‘some media have
started gossiping on an imminent move purported around a swop deal with an
Orlando Pirates player’. AmaZayoni
coach Clive Barker, however, is adamant the Zimbabwean is staying put. “If I had to choose between
Lionel Messi and Tendai Ndoro, I would back my player as he is set for bigger
recognition,” Barker said. “Tendai
is staying with us and I have made that clear to the directors and the player.
I have asked him to focus on his stay at Aces and he knows how much I value
him. He is a terrific player who has all the attributes to do really well in
his career.
Kaizer Chiefs’
Stuart Baxter and Mandla Masango have been named the Absa Premiership manager
and player of the month respectively for August. Baxter has
supervised a perfect start to the season for Amakhosi, who have won eight games
in all competitions, and have an MTN8 Final date with Orlando Pirates on
September 20. Winger Masango has played a key role in Chiefs’ fortunes, notably
netting three League goals, prompting a recall to the Bafana Bafana fold. It’s
been a great turn around for the 25-year-old, who was thought to be on his way
out of Naturena at the beginning of the season.
Highlands Park have
completed the signing of veteran midfielder Stanley ‘Bingo’ Kgatla on a
two-year contract. Brad Kastel, a co-chairman at the club, confirms the
signing. “Stanley signed on a two-year contract and we are pleased to have
someone with his experience. This is a good signing for us. It has been
difficult for us because we only had three weeks to prepare but we are dealing
with it,” says Kastel. Kgatla spent the past season battling for game-time at
Mpumalanga Black Aces and has also previously played for AmaZulu and HP Silver
Stars/Platinum Stars where he holds the club record for most appearances.
Meanwhile, Highlands have also secured the services of promising goalkeeper
Vusi Maseko on a two-year deal. John Mphatsoe, the player’s agent, confirms
that the youthful keeper has signed.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has warned fans about
counterfeit tickets and buying tickets at illegal selling points ahead of this
weekend’s MTN8 Final in Durban. The PSL has urged fans not to purchase
tickets in the ‘black market’. The 2014/15 MTN8 Final was sold out in three
hours and the League can confirm there are no tickets available for the public.
PSL Head of Safety and Security, Phillip Masimong warned that those caught with
fraudulent tickets will be arrested and face prosecution. “We are working very
closely with SAPS and other security clusters to ensure that only people with
legitimate tickets will gain access to the stadium. The police will be on high
alert and will arrest those caught with fake tickets. We therefore warn our
people not to be scammed by opportunists.”Masimong added: “We will also be in
the lookout for those people who will be trying to sell tickets at inflated
prices. We encourage our people not to buy these tickets.”The MTN8 Final will
be played by Soweto rivals, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses
Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night, 20 September 2014. Kick-off is at 20h15.