Telkom Knockout
Quarter-Final Fixtures Confirmed
The Premier Soccer League have confirmed the dates, venues
and times for the Telkom Knockout quarter-finals. Kaizer Chiefs will
host holders Platinum Stars on Sunday, October 26 at the FNB Stadium with that
game to kick off at 15h00. It will be the fourth time this season that the
sides meet, with Chiefs having won all three previous games. Orlando Pirates
entertain Ajax Cape Town at the Orlando Stadium the previous night, with the
game starting at 20h15. The Buccaneers are seeking to reach a sixth straight
domestic cup final and improve on their record of one win from the previous
five. Mamelodi Sundowns will again
be involved in an evening kick-off when they host AmaZulu at Loftus Stadium at
17h30, while the weekend’s action will get under way in the afternoon when
Bidvest Wits entertain SuperSport United at the Bidvest Stadium from 15h00.
Telkom Knockout last-eight fixtures:
Saturday, October 25
15h00 – Bidvest Wits vs SuperSport United (Bidvest Stadium)
17h30 – Mamelodi Sundowns vs AmaZulu (Loftus Stadium)
20h15 – Orlando Pirates vs Ajax Cape Town (Orlando Stadium)
Sunday, October 26
15h00 – Kaizer Chiefs vs Platinum Stars (FNB Stadium)
Bafana Bafana prepared
for Wednesday’s Afcon qualifier against Congo with a 2-0 friendly win over
Polokwane City on Monday night. The sides played out a 70-minute match, 35
minutes a half, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium as coach Shakes Mashaba gave his
fringe players a chance to impress one last time before finalising his starting
line-up for Wednesday. Chippa United’s David Zulu opened the scoring for
Bafana, before strike partner Kermit Erasmus missed a first-half penalty
following a foul on SuperSport United’s Sibusiso Khumalo in the 18-yard area.
Erasmus continued to be a threat on Dino Visser’s goal, with the Polokwane
goalkeeper eventually beaten by the Pirates’ frontman to secure the 2-0
friendly victory.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Chippa United agreed a permanent
transfer fee for Edward Manqele last week, but the player rejected the move. Officially, Manqele is on loan to Chippa after the
two clubs and the player signed the agreement on August 27. However, it is
alleged that Sundowns stopped the player from travelling to Port Elizabeth to
start training with the Chilli Boys and he was also stopped from training at
Chloorkop, while his signing-on fee which was due end of August was not paid. As
a result, Manqele has taken the two clubs to the PSL’s Dispute Resolution
Chamber, but in an attempt to settle the matter before the DRC sitting; the
Brazilians and the Chilli Boys agreed on a permanent transfer fee last week
hoping to put the matter to rest. The player’s agent Josiah Mphono has confirmed
the deal, but questioned the timing of the two clubs’ latest agreement .The DRC
sitting is on Thursday, October 16.
Banyana Banyana conceded a late goal in
a 1-0 loss to Cameroon in their African Women’s Championship opener in Windhoek
on Sunday. Raissa Feudjio bagged the spoils with an 86th minute decider
following a mistake from Barker and one of her defenders at the Independence
Stadium.
SAFA president Danny
Jordaan is slowly but surely turning the association into a brand that
companies will be proud to associate with for the benefit of South African
football. As you would recall, Jordaan took over in August 2013 and, at the
time, SAFA was, with all due respect, not the best run organisation around.
When Jordaan took over the association was in the red financially. They had
reported R56-million and R46-million losses in 2012 and 2013 respectively,
despite the cash injections from FIFA after the 2010 World Cup. Now that’s all
in the past with Jordaan at the helm. On Saturday, SAFA reported a R10-million
profit at their annual general meeting in Johannesburg and EY (previously known
as Ernst & Young), the professional services firm, commended Jordaan and
his team for their successful turnaround strategy. And rightly so, because the
revenue went up by 35 percent in the past year largely due to the cost-cutting
measures effected behind the scenes after Jordaan’s appointment. SAFA is also
reportedly sitting with a balance of R540-million in the 2010 FIFA World Cup
Legacy Trust and the money is designated for development.
Mamelodi Sundowns are keeping a close
eye on Platinum Stars defender Luvolwethu Mpeta and could make a move for him
in the January transfer window. The Brazilians are on the lookout for a
natural left-back, with Punch Masenamela having failed to make the grade since
arriving from Kaizer Chiefs. Pitso
Mosimane converted midfielder Mzikaise Mashaba into a left-back last season,
with the former Bidvest Wits man making 17 starts before he got injured. Sundowns are now said to be preparing
a bid for Mpeta during the January transfer window, according to a source at
Chloorkop.
Platinum Stars have suspended a few
employees, including general manager Senzo Mazingiza. Mazingiza, formerly
with Bay United, moved to Dikwena after working for Orlando Pirates. But it
seems the club is embarking on a restructuring processes, with Mazingiza said
to have been suspended, as well as marketing and media officer Tebogo
Mochidibane. Executive director Cliff Ramoroa is no longer with the club, while
fitness trainer Kabelo Rangoaga is said to be on his way to Mamelodi Sundowns.
SuperSport United defender-cum-midfielder Enocent Mkhabela
has been revealed as the Premier Soccer League player who was nabbed by the
cops over the weekend. The 25-year-old was arrested in Pretoria on
Sunday for allegedly resisting arrest and failing to produce a driver’s licence
and is expected to appear in court later this week, though details of his
appearance are still sketchy at this stage. It was reported that Mkhabela was
driving on a turning lane in Hatfield, but carried on driving straight, putting
other drivers in danger before being spotted by Metro police. “One of our
members spotted him doing this and when he tried to stop him, he refused. We
had to call for backup and chase him. When our members asked him to produce a
driver’s licence and get out the vehicle, he refused. He was angry and yelling
at our members. In the end they pulled him out of the vehicle,” senior
superintendent Isaac Mahamba was quoted as saying. Mkhabela was taken to
Brooklyn police station and faces charges of resisting arrest and failing to
produce a driver’s licence.
Danny Jordaan has
assured the nation that SAFA will do everything in their power to ensure the
SABC continues to broadcast matches of national interest despite the new deal
with Siyaya TV. Jordan made mention of this during SAFA’s annual general
meeting on Saturday at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, where he
once again confirmed the R1 billion deal with Siyaya TV and in the same breath,
he allayed the fears of many soccer lovers who cannot afford pay-TV. Despite the agreement between SAFA and
Siyaya TV, Jordaan insists the SABC are still very much in the picture. The deal between SAFA and Siyaya TV
will start when the current contract with the SABC expires in May 2015 and the
six-year partnership will see SAFA bag R175 million a year. The contract will allow Siyaya TV to broadcast live all senior
national men and women teams’ matches. The
total value of the three-year contract signed between SABC and SAFA in 2012 was
in the region of R215 million over the three years.
SuperSport United were crowned the
inaugural Under-17 Engen Champ of Champs after beating Bidvest Wits 1-0 at
Soweto’s Nike Centre on Sunday afternoon. A second half strike by Zama
Rambuweni was enough to hand United the trophy and the R15 000 cheque after a
goalless first half. The tournament’s scouting department headed by former
Santos and Bafana Bafana legend, Duncan Crowie spotted several star performers.
Chippa United striker David Zulu has attracted the attention
of Kaizer Chiefs, who look set to swoop for the signature of the Bafana Bafana
newcomer when the transfer window opens in January. A source at
Chiefs confirms that the Soweto giants are likely to table an offer for Zulu as
they seek to strengthen their options in attack. Zulu has been one of the most
outstanding players for Chippa United this season, scoring crucial goals for
the club and winning a call-up to the senior national team in the process. United
coach Roger Sikhakhane says he is not surprised with the interest that Zulu is
attracting.
Bloemfontein Celtic claimed Macufe Cup
honours for the third year in a row by beating Kaizer Chiefs 5-3 on penalties
on Sunday afternoon. Ninety minutes produced a 1-1 draw, with Amakhosi
veteran Josta Dladla cancelling out Lerato Lamola’s late opener at Free State
Stadium. The hosts, though, went on to pip the Absa Premiership leaders in the
shoot-out for a much-needed morale-boosting win.
Sports minister Fikile Mbalula has kept
his word to the South Africa Under-20 and Under-17 teams and handed them
cheques of R120 000 and R110 000 respectively. Mbalula promised after both
national youth teams qualified for their respective CAF African Youth
Championships that he would reward them financially, and fulfilled that promise
at the SAFA Congress on Saturday. SAFA on Saturday concluded a historic
Congress at Sandton Convention Centre where a number of matters were
deliberated and resolved. At a Congress attended by former State Presidents
(who were all honoured) – Thabo Mbeki, FW de Klerk, Kgalema Motlanthe and
President Jacob Zuma, who was represented by Mbalula – the Association also
honoured its founding fathers.
Bafana Bafana moved
to the top of African Nations Cup qualifying Group A after a 2-0 victory over
Congo in Pointe-Noire on Saturday. Bongani Ndulula’s spectacular
overhead-kick and another top finish from Tokelo Rantie was enough for South
Africa to win the match. Congo had the ball in the net in the last minute, but
the flag was raised for offside as South Africa saw out the game to secure a
vital three points in their quest to reach Morocco 2015.
The South African Football Association’s
elective congress has voted unanimously to dismiss the association’s vice
president Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana. Nonkonyana was suspended by local
football’s controlling body in October last year following his comments that
Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund should be fired if he fails to win the 2014
African Nations Championship (Chan). Due to his suspension, Nonkonyana was also
asked to vacate his position as the chairman of Chan organising committee, and
was replaced by Molefi Oliphant. SAFA said that Nonkonyana was invited to
explain himself to the congress, but instead opted for the legal route. By
taking SAFA to courts, it was noted that Nonkonyana violated a fundamental
football constitution hence his dismissal. As a matter of fact, Nonkonyana went
to court seeking an interdict to have the agenda of his removal erased from the
Annual General Meeting which failed.
Black Leopards have
signed former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Mumuni Abubakar on a two-year
contract. Abubakar, 21, was recently released by Sundowns following a
successful loan spell at Lidoda Duvha last term. The Ghanaian joined Sundowns
from New Edubiase in his homeland during the 2012/13 season.
AmaZulu’s directors
aim to resolve their coaching situation by the end of the month, the club has
announced. Usuthu sidelined Craig Rosslee last week by installing Wilfred
Mugeyi as their caretaker coach following the side’s poor start to the season. The
Durban outfit have yet to clarify Rosslee’s fate, with the former Ajax Cape
Town boss thought to still be under contract at Moses Mabhida Stadium. AmaZulu
have confirmed Muggeyi will continue to administer first team affairs, having
supervised the 3-2 win over Bloemfontein Celtic in the Telkom Knockout just
before the international break.
Chippa United say they are determined to
keep hold of promising young star Khanyisa Mayo. SuperSport United had
agreed to sign the national Under-17 striker in January, with CEO Stan Matthews
adding that they will also sign Khanyiso’s younger brother. The 16-year-old has
shown massive promise during the MultiChoice Diski Challenge, and Chippa CEO
Peter Koutroulis insists they will keep the young talent on their books as
well. It leaves Patrick Mayo between a rock and a hard place. He was recently
employed by Chippa as an assistant coach, but at the same time he has a sense
of loyalty towards Matthews, who made him his first signing ever at SuperSport.
Mayo confirms that there have been talks with Matsatsantsa.
First Division
rookies Highlands Park have completed the signing of veteran defender Jermaine
Christian as they continue to add experience to their young squad. Brad
Kastel, club boss at Highlands, confirms the signing of the 32-year-old former
South Africa Under-17 and Under-23 player. Christian is an experienced
campaigner who made his PSL debut during the 2001/02 season at AmaZulu before
stints at Bloemfontein Celtic, Moroka Swallows, Santos, FC AK, African
Warriors, Bay United and Blackburn Rovers. Highlands also just recently signed
Stanley Kgatla.
Bloemfontein Celtic
have roped in former Kaizer Chiefs defender Ditheko Mototo as a coach on the
technical team. Mototo replaces David Modise and George Nechironga who both
parted ways with Siwelele recently. The former Amakhosi defender has joined
Fadlu Davids and Lehlohonolo Seema who are both serving on the technical team
led by head coach Ernst Middendorp. Phunya
Sele Sele CEO Khumbulani Konco has confirmed Mototo’s presence in the team.
Former Bloemfontein Celtic striker Moses Spandeel has officially hung up
his soccer boots.Spandeel has
retired from football at the age of 34 after an illustrious career with
Siwelele where he made his name before joining First Division side Blackburn
Rovers last season. The former Phunya Sele Sele striker is now back home in
Klerksdorp and disappointed to leave the game he loves so much. “I have
decided to retire from football because of a lot of disappointment,”
Spandeel said. “I am now back home and still trying to see what the next
step is for me in life,” he added.
First Division club
Black Leopards have shown Robert Modiadie the door but the former Orlando
Pirates goalkeeper has immediately filed a case of unfair dismissal with the
PSL DRC. Modiadie joined Leopards at the beginning of last season but has
battled for regular game-time at the club. John Mphatsoe, the player’s agent,
confirms the experienced goalkeeper’s dismissal. Modiadie is now understood to
be heading out to try his luck at fellow NFD side Thanda Royal Zulu.
Bidvest Wits are
looking forward to promoting midfielder Tshidiso Monamodi from their reserve team
after his superb displays during the MultiChoice Diski Challenge. Monamodi
has been one of the star performers for the Students since the start of the PSL
Reserve League in September. The youngster has already started training with
the senior team where he is reported to have impressed coach Gavin Hunt.