Tributes Pour In For Meyiwa
Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead on Sunday. The
details of the tragic passing are not yet clear, but the news has been
confirmed by sources close to the club. It was reported that Meyiwa sustained a
gunshot wound and lost his life shortly after being rushed to hospital. SBN
would like to send sincere condolences to the family; friends; teammates and
all those close to the Bafana Bafana skipper. May his soul rest in peace.
Tributes are pouring
in from all over following the shock news that Meyiwa was killed. Players
and soccer people from all over took to Twitter to express their sadness – and
anger – at the loss of the Bafana Bafana captain.
Mame Niang (Mamelodi Sundowns stirker)
Seriously SA gouvernement must do something about this people getting
killed like life is so cheap its frustrating 🙁
Andile Jali (Bafana Bafana midielder)
Just got a call and I was sleeping but now I can’t sleep because of what I
just had. I can’t believe this now after talking to him this afternoon but
yyyyyyyy
Jerome Damon (Former PSL referee)
Condolences to the family of Senzo Meyiwa. I am gutted! Condolences
Duane Dell’Oca (Football commentator)
I’m utterly devastated! I can’t believe Senzo Meyiwa has been shot dead! An
ambitious, but humble man! An immense talent! Only 27!
Brian Mathe (Football commentator)
I’m so shocked Senzo Meyiwa #My handshake to u last night was the last #RIP
condolences and condolences to family and teammates.
Dean Furman (Bafana Bafana midfielder)
Beyond devastated at the loss of our captain & friend Senzo Meyiwa.
thoughts & prayers are with his family & friends at this terrible time.
Reyaad Pieterse (Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper)
What it cant b true ??? Senzo gone
??? Ne man im devastated
Mark Mayambela (Former Orlando Pirates playmaker)
We have lost greatness 🙁
Rowen Fernandez (Bidvest Wits goalkeeper)
Hard to actually fathom what has happened!!! Condolences and sympathies to
all who were associated with Senzo! RIP BIG MAN! #gonetoosoon
Teko Modise (Sundowns midfielder)
We have lost a special player in Senzo, wat has our county come 2… RIP
Ndzori #shocking
Matthew Rusike (Kaizer Chiefs forward)
Unbelievably shocked to hear about Senzo. May his soul rest in peace #RIP
#salute
Anele Ngcongca (Bafana Bafana defender)
It’s so sad and painful our captain is gone I still don’t believe it RIP
Nzori my prayers goes to ur family
Darren Keet (Bafana Bafana goalkeeper)
Deeply saddening to hear this news about our captain and friend @SenzoMey1.
He will be missed, but never forgotten.
Simba Marumo (Former PSL footballer)
Devastated at the tragic news of the passing away of the great Senzo
Meyiwa, shocked and deeply saddened ….. Whyyyyy???!!!
Dillon Sheppard (Bidvest Wits midfielder)
Another HERO has fallen!!What a great talent…Gone too soon!!
#RIPSenzoMeyiwa
Nigeria Super Eagles
We commiserate with our friends and brothers in South Africa over the
tragic and untimely passing of .@BafanaBafana GK Senzo Meyiwa
The Premier Soccer League has confirmed that the Soweto Derby
scheduled for this weekend will not go ahead. Kaizer Chiefs and
Orlando Pirates were due to meet in the season’s showpiece match, but the
untimely death of Bucs goalie Senzo Meyiwa has put all that on the backburner.
At a joint press conference attended by Dr Irvin Khoza, Kaizer Motaung and
Shakes Mashaba amongst others, PSL ECO Brand de Villiers accepted the two
clubs’ request to postpone the match. “Out of respect for Senzo, the derby
match will not take place this weekend. We will communicate the logistics in
due time,” he said.
Orlando Pirates’ players have been
granted compassionate leave after the passing of their captain. Coach
Vladimir Vermezovic has made training non-mandatory as he understands that
everyone grieves differently. However, the technical staff has made the option
to train available to those who prefer to be on the football pitch. This will
not majorly affect preparations as the PSL has granted the club’s request to
postpone the Soweto Derby, which was scheduled to take place this weekend. The
players will all meet with a counsellor today, in order to help deal with the
tragic loss of their teammate and friend. Bucs’ next fixture will be next week
Tuesday against cup rivals Platinum Stars, which will see them travelling to
the Royal Bafokeng Stadium for the Absa Premiership clash.
Orlando Pirates chairman Dr Irvin
Khoza’s revelation that Senzo Meyiwa’s number one jersey will be retired means
that four jerseys at the club will now be no more. Khoza made the
announcement at a press conference following the untimely death of their
goalkeeper. “I don’t think anyone can replace Senzo and his jersey will never
be worn by anyone else again,” the ‘Iron Duke’ said. The first jersey to be
retired was that of Jomo Sono, a Buccaneers legend whose number 10 was ‘locked
away’ following his retirement. Clifford Moleko was next – his number 13 jersey
retired following his death in a car accident in 1998. Also removed was jersey
number 22, famously worn by Lesley ‘Slow Poison’ Manyathela before his death in
August 2003, also in a car accident. Manyathela was also honoured by the league,
who named the prize for the top goalscorer every season after him. It’s
important to note that the retired jerseys only relate to domestic football. In
CAF competitions, clubs are forced to submit squad lists from 1-23.
Former Mamelodi
Sundowns striker Edward Manqele has started training with his new team Chippa
United after completing his move to the Chilli Boys on Monday. Manqele
terminated his contract with Sundowns on Saturday, with the player since
penning a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Port Elizabeth-based United.
FC Cape Town striker
Siphiwe Gwala has reportedly caught the eye of European scouts and could leave
these shores soon. The 24-year-old, who was the club’s top scorer last
season, has netted three goals in five outings as the Capetonians have moved to
third in the standings. The club reports on their Facebook page that two ‘big
Europeans clubs’ will visit the country in the next two weeks to do a final
assessment of the player.
Holders Platinum Stars will host Mamelodi Sundowns in the
Telkom Knockout semi-finals, while Orlando Pirates will entertain SuperSport
United. The Premier Soccer League held a draw to decide the home sides
in the last-four ties after Dikwena edged Kaizer Chiefs 5-3 on penalties at FNB
Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The League will announce dates and venues for the
penultimate stage of the competition in due course.
Free State Stars have
appointed Jo Stock as their new goalkeeper coach. The 51-year-old succeeds
Andre Bronkhorst, who resigned a fortnight ago due to personal reasons. Stock
previously worked with Stars head coach Tom Saintfiet with the Yemen national
team.
Sports Minister
Fikile Mbalula presented some Banyana Banyana players with awards when the team
arrived at OR Tambo International Airport. Banyana touched down at 10h30
from Windhoek after finishing fourth at the CAF African Women’s Championship.
Vera Pauw’s charges lost 1-0 to Ivory Coast on Saturday afternoon, denying them
a spot at the 2015 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria won the CAF event by beating
Cameroon 2-0 in the final. The two finalists and the Ivorians will represent
the continent at next year’s Fifa showpiece in Canada.
Maritzburg United midfielder Sibusiso
Kumalo has been ruled out for six weeks after a successful operation on his
knee. The 23-year-old, who is on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns, suffered a
knee and ankle injury against Kaizer Chiefs in their league encounter, where
The Team of Choice lost 1-0 at the FNB Stadium on 27 September.
Moroka Swallows
chairman Leon Prins says he is in no rush to appoint a new coach and will allow
stand-in coach Fani Madida to prove himself. Madida was appointed on a
‘caretaker’ basis after former coach Zeca Marques resigned from his position as
head coach on Monday. The former Bafana Bafana striker has already collected 1
point after his side drew 1-1 against Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on
Wednesday, and ended the log leaders’ perfect start to the season. Prins has
revealed that he will make an announcement about the new coach at a later
stage, and will afford Madida a chance to work with the team.
Ajax Cape Town are
considering keeping striker Thabiso Nkoana at the club on permanent basis, according
to coach Roger de Sa. Nkoana is on a season-long loan from SuperSport
United and he’s currently enjoying the best form of his life under De Sa’s
guidance. The 21-year-old has scored three goals in seven league starts (nine
outings) this term, while he also bagged a brace in a 3-1 win over Mpumalanga
Black Aces in the Telkom Knockout on 5 October. Nkoana is in his fifth season
in the Absa Premiership but this is the first time he’s made eight consecutive
starts and also scored more than one goal in the league.
Chippa United
chairman Siviwe ‘Chippa’ Mpengesi says the club is open to selling in-demand
striker David Zulu. The 27-year-old has scored four goals this season, with
his profile rising after netting a superb solo effort against Orlando Pirates
on 27 September. Mpengesi confirms there is interest in Zulu, with Kaizer
Chiefs thought to be among the Bafana Bafana newcomer’s suitors. Mpengesi,
though, was non-committal when pressed for a price tag and the identity of
Zulu’s admirers.
Bafana Bafana have
jumped 10 places in the latest FIFA World Rankings. Shakes Mashaba’s team
ended September 67th, but African Nations Cup victories away in Sudan and Congo,
along with draws against Nigeria and Congo, have pushed them up to 57th, and
12th in Africa. Algeria are the highest ranked African team in 15th, while
world champions Germany remain top, followed by Argentina and Colombia. Belgium
have jumped one spot to fourth, swapping places with the Netherlands. Former
world champions Spain have slipped down to tenth. The biggest movers were Togo,
who jumped a massive 73 places to 52nd, while Azerbaijan had the worst month,
slipping 31 spots.
Mark Mayambela’s younger brother Mihlali
could join Cape Town All Stars in the near future. The 18-year-old, who
previously played for Kaizer Chiefs’ reserve side, is now part of the ASD
Academy which is based in Cape Town and according to an informant, Cape Town
All Stars have shown interest by inviting him for a trial. All Stars are
coached by Boebie Solomons and play in the National First Division.
Two South African youngsters have each secured a coveted spot
at Nike’s Most Wanted Global Showcase which will be held at the English
Football Association’s national training centre, St Georges Park, in November.
Tshepo Mamabolo and Tholang Lwana were selected from a group of 16 players
who took part in a weekend of phenomenal football during the South African Nike
Most Wanted finals held at the Nike Football Training Centre Soweto from the
24th to the 26th of October. Previously known as The Chance, Nike Most Wanted
has fast become a respected platform to scout footballers who show promise,
fast-tracking them into professional structures. Mamabolo and Lwana will travel
to the Nike Academy based at St. George’s Park to compete against the top UK
academy teams in front of scouts and agents in search of skilled footballers.
The last player to have succeeded with the Nike Most Wanted program is
Johannesburg‘s Waylan Rooi. He caught the interest of coaches after winning the
Africa Nike Most Wanted tournament earlier this year. Rooi was then selected as
one of the global winners and is currently contracted to the Nike Academy in
the UK; making him the third South African to earn a spot in the global Nike
Most Wanted program.
Bafana Bafana
international Ayanda Patosi will receive a fine from Lokeren after petulantly
staying away from training ahead of Sunday’s league clash with Club Brugge. After
Patosi was not selected in the match day squad, he decided not to attend
training on the Sunday morning as required, much to the annoyance of the club.
It comes after the Bafana Bafana midfielder had lost four kilograms due to
extra training he had done in a bid to shed weight picked up due to his
enjoying the excesses of living in Europe. His latest misdemeanour is unlikely
to get him closer to the first team and grows a reputation for petulance that
any future suitors to his signature will not find appealing. Lokeren have said
they will forgive the 22-year-old, again, and they say he needs to learn
patience. Patosi was recently lambasted by his coach Peter Maes for living it
large in Europe and neglecting his career, which sparked him into action with
extra fitness work. Patosi did not endear himself to fans of the national team
recently either after missing two flights and failing to link up with the
Bafana squad for African Nations Cup qualifiers.
The soccer fan that
was stabbed at the Kaizer Seothelo Stadium during the league game between
Bloemfontein Celtic and Polokwane City on the 19 October has been discharged
from hospital. The local soccer fraternity is still reeling in shock after
three fans were stabbed at the stadium in what the club said was an incident
related to criminal activity. A man was later arrested in Botshabelo in
connection with the stabbing. Siwelele CEO Khumbulani Konco said one of the
fans who was rushed to hospital has been discharged. Konco also revealed that
his club has taken steps to no longer play at the Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium this
season. “We intend to play all our home games at the Free State Stadium,”
he says. “We have since written a letter to the PSL and are waiting for their
response.”
SA players abroad
Tokelo Rantie
finally broke his duck in the English Championship this season as his
Bournemouth side romped to a record 8-0 victory over Birmingham City at the
weekend. Rantie scored twice as he helped the Cherries to their biggest ever
victory in league football as they ripped their opponents apart and moved up to
fourth in the table. The Bafana Bafana international started on the bench but
was introduced midway through the second half and netted his first from the
penalty spot. He got another two minutes later in what will be a big boost to
his confidence having not yet found the back of the net for the first team in
the 2014/15 season.
Kagisho Dikgacoi
missed out again through injury for Cardiff City but could return next weekend
against Leeds United.
Dean Furman was
an unused substitute for League One side Doncaster Rovers as they were held 0-0
by Milton Keynes Dons and remain just two points from the relegation zone.
Steven Pienaar
was a late substitute for Everton as they won 3-1 at Burnley.
Daylon Claasen played a rare 90
minutes for 1860 Munich as they lost 2-1 at home to Eintracht Braunschweig to
slip to last in the German Bundesliga II.
Thulani Serero
was missing through injury for Ajax Amsterdam as they won 2-1 at home to Go
Ahead Eagles, but Kamohelo Mokotjo did play in the 2-1 loss for FC Twente at
Excelsior Rotterdam.
Anele Ngcongca
was on the winning side for Genk when they left it until deep into injury-time
to score the decisive goal for victory over Waasland-Beveren and continue their
climb up the table.
It was not such a good evening for Andile Jali and Darren Keet,
as they lost to Charleroi and Westerlo respectively, games they might have
expected to win.
Ayanda Patosi
came on for the second half to inspire Lokeren to a 2-2 draw with
Mouscron-Peruwelz. Patosi provided an assist four minutes after entering the
pitch to provide the spark his side needed to come back from two goals down.
Forgotten Bafana left-back Ricardo Nunes
played for his Polish side Pogon Szczecin as they won 2-1 at home to Cracovia
Krakow.
Cape Town-born Cheyne
Fowler completed his season at Finnish side VPS with a 1-0 win at KuPS to
end the campaign fourth in the table, outside of UEFA Europa League
qualification.
Leroy Maluka’s
TPS had already been relegated ahead of the final round of matches.
Siyanda Xulu was
again an unused substitute for struggling Russian side FC Rostov as they lost
2-0 at Amkar Perm, while Lebogang Phiri
came on for the final minute of Brondby’s 0-0 draw at Esbjerg in Denmark.
Finally, Sergio
Marakis played 74 minutes for Portuguese second tier side Portimonense in
their 2-2 draw with Benfica II.