Tinkler Believes Pirates Can Win All Remaining Games
Orlando Pirates caretaker coach Eric Tinkler believes all the
Buccaneers remaining 10 league matches are winnable, including the Derby
against Kaizer Chiefs next Saturday. “We sat down with the players
and I showed them our remaining fixtures,” Tinkler says. “I asked them to tell
me; ‘How many points will we collect?’ And every single game that they looked
at, I told them to be honest, they needed to be honest about what they felt
they can attain. “The 11 games that were left [before playing Polokwane City],
they believed we can win every single game. I said to them in order to do that,
we need to go game by game. First three points was against Polokwane City, next
three points is against Free State Stars [on Wednesday night]. “And then we
will start focusing on the Chiefs game,” the former Bafana Bafana midfielder
says. “What is important is we keep that consistency from now on. Yes we are
going through a good run at the moment, but you become very vulnerable when you
are at the top. So it is vitally important to stay focused, to keep on working
exceptionally hard and to keep on believing and having a lot of faith. We have
that right now.”
Orlando Pirates’ good
run of form has enhanced caretaker coach Eric Tinkler’s chances of being
offered a long-term contract by club chairman Irvin Khoza. Sources at the
club say Tinkler has impressed Khoza since taking over the reins on December 4
following the resignation of former coach Vladimir Vermezovic. Pirates extended
their winning streak to five matches on Saturday with a 3–1 victory over
Polokwane City in a league match. The Bucs – who are yet to lose a game this
year – are now 12 points behind log leaders Kaizer Chiefs, who are on 47
points. However, Pirates spokesperson Mickey Modisane says the appointment of a
permanent coach is not a pressing concern at the moment. “The decision that was taken is that Eric
continues as the caretaker coach. The issue of a substantive coach will be
dealt with at a later stage,” Modisane tells this website. “The focus right now
is to make sure that we finish on the highest position possible on the log at
the end of the season and also to make sure that we successfully defend the
Nedbank Cup. We also want to make sure that we do well in Africa when we take
part in the Confederation Cup. This is the focus at the moment,” he added.
Up to eight big-name
players are in danger of missing the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and
Orlando Pirates on Saturday. Four players from Chiefs and five from Pirates
are sitting on three yellow cards, meaning they cannot afford to be booked in
their midweek Absa Premiership matches on Wednesday. Siphiwe Tshabalala, Tsepo
Masilela, Siboniso Gaxa and Willard Katsande are the players on three yellows
for Amakhosi. Kermit Erasmus, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Siyabonga Sangweni, Thabo
Qalinge and Mpho Mvelase are the players walking a tightrope on the Buccaneers’
side. Chiefs host Ajax Cape Town at FNB Stadium at 19h30 on Wednesday, while
Pirates are away at Charles Mopeli Stadium, also at 19h30. Sifiso Myeni is
suspended Pirates’ game against Ea Lla Koto after picking up his fourth yellow
card against Polokwane City, meaning he will be back for the Derby.
meet Botswana in the quarter-finals of the 2015 Cosafa Cup after the draw for
the competition to be played in the North West province was made on Thursday. Bafana
Bafana will meet The Zebras on May 25, and could yet need to beat one of the
powerhouses of the continent if they are to lift the title after Ghana were
announced as a guest nation along with Tanzania. Those two gained entry after
Angola and Comoros declined their invitations to compete in the regional
championship this year. Ghana must wait to know their quarter-final opponent,
which will be the winner of Group B that contains Seychelles, Madagascar,
Mauritius and Swaziland. Holders Zambia also face an anxious wait as they will
take on the top team in Group A, which could potentially set up a crunch meeting
with Zimbabwe, who they have met in the last two tournament finals. The other
sides in that pool are Namibia, Lesotho and Tanzania. The fourth quarter-final
sees Mozambique play Malawi. The pool phase will begin on May 17 and finish on
May 22, with the cup semi-finals to be played on May 24 & 25. There will
also be a plate competition for the losing quarter-finalists. Zimbabwe and
Zambia have each won the Cosafa Cup on four occasions, with South Africa and
Angola the only other teams to have claimed a tournament win. They have three
titles each. South Africa’s last win came in 2008.
Group A
17/05 – Namibia vs Zimbabwe
17/05 – Lesotho vs Tanzania
19/05 – Zimbabwe vs Lesotho
19/05 – Namibia vs Tanzania
21/05 – Namibia vs Lesotho
21/05 – Zimbabwe vs Tanzania
Group B
18/05 – Seychelles vs Mauritius
18/05 – Madagascar vs Swaziland
20/05 – Mauritius vs Madagascar
20/05 – Seychelles vs Swaziland
|22/05 – Seychelles vs Madagascar
22/05 – Mauritius vs Swaziland
KNOCKOUT STAGES
Quarter-finals
24/05 – Ghana vs Winner Group B
24/05 – Mozambique vs Malawi
25/05 – Zambia vs Winner Group A
25/05 – South Africa vs Botswana
Platinum Stars have
announced the signing of Senegal captain Bouna Coundoul. Coundoul was in
the country looking for a PSL club, and revealed he had been shown around
Dikwena’s premises. The Rustenberg-based outfit are currently trying to secure
a work permit for the 32-year-old goalkeeper, who boasts Africa Cup of Nations
experience. “It is a privilege for me to have signed with Platinum Stars
FC, and looking around I see professionalism,” Coundoul is quoted as
saying on Dikwena’s Twitter account. “The team is run with
professionalism, the staff members were welcoming and the environment is so
friendly. I was shocked to see the facilities, and was so chuffed. This is like
Europe, I tell you. The quality of the facilities is out of this world.”
Orlando Pirates’ good
run of form has enhanced caretaker coach Eric Tinkler’s chances of being
offered a long-term contract by club chairman Irvin Khoza. Sources at the
club say Tinkler has impressed Khoza since taking over the reins on December 4
following the resignation of former coach Vladimir Vermezovic. Pirates extended
their winning streak to five matches on Saturday with a 3–1 victory over
Polokwane City in a league match. The Bucs – who are yet to lose a game this
year – are now 12 points behind log leaders Kaizer Chiefs, who are on 47
points. However, Pirates spokesperson Mickey Modisane says the appointment of a
permanent coach is not a pressing concern at the moment. “The decision that was taken is that Eric
continues as the caretaker coach. The issue of a substantive coach will be
dealt with at a later stage,” Modisane tells this website. “The focus right now
is to make sure that we finish on the highest position possible on the log at
the end of the season and also to make sure that we successfully defend the
Nedbank Cup. We also want to make sure that we do well in Africa when we take
part in the Confederation Cup. This is the focus at the moment,” he added.
Kaizer Chiefs
qualified for the CAF Champions League first round on Saturday with a 3-1
aggregate win against Botswana side Township Rollers. They will now face
North African giants and three-time African champions Raja Casablanca, who
cruised to a 6-2 aggregate win against Diables Noirs. Casablanca have lifted the Moroccan Cup seven
times, and were league runners-up last year. They are the only Moroccan club to
have competed in the Fifa Club World Cup twice – in 2000 they only made it to
the group stages, but in 2013 the club ended the competition as runners-up. In
African continental competition they have also enjoyed considerable success in
their 13 outings, having won the CAF Champions League three times (1989, 1997
and 1999). Despite being the joint fifth-most successful club in the CAF
Champions League, Raja have not managed a better finish than the semi-finals
since 2005. Coach Jose Romao played as a defender for Guimarães in Portugal’s
Primeira Liga, as well as for a number of other clubs in Portugal during a
career spanning 14 years.
Sundowns cruised into
the next round of the CAF Champions League after a comfortable 3-0 win against
St Michel of the Seychelles. A Surprise Moriri brace and a late Katlego
Mashego strike means the Brazilians advance 4-1 on aggregate, having drawn 1-1
in the island nation two weeks ago.
AmaZulu have cleared
the air regarding the suspension of Carlington Nyadombo. Usuthu coach Steve
Barker announced last week that the Zimbabwean midfielder had been suspended
‘indefinitely’. This followed allegations from some of the club’s fans that
Nyadombo was using muti and was to blame for AmaZulu’s poor run. However,
Usuthu publicist Philani Mabaso says the suspension had nothing to do with the
muti claims, but rather about missing his flights and dishonesty. “The reports
that the player is suspended for muti is not true,” Mabaso said. “We suspended
the player because he missed a flight for our game against Celtic [which
AmaZulu lost 3-0] and for dishonesty.” Mabaso says AmaZulu are yet to set a
date for the player to face a disciplinary committee.
Amajita have been
boosted by the availability of PSL trio Dumisani Msibi, Morne Nel and Dumisani
Zuma for the upcoming CAF African Youth Championship. SuperSport United’s
Msibi and Nel, and Zuma of Bloemfontein Celtic, have been released by their
clubs after completing their duties in the league on Sunday. Amajita have been
drawn with Ghana, Zambia and Mali at the continental tournament, which kicks
off in Senegal on March 8.
Orlando Pirates
caretaker coach Eric Tinkler has stressed the need for South African clubs to take
CAF competitions seriously in the wake of Bidvest Wits’ exit from the Confederation
Cup. Wits crashed out of the event after an embarrassing penalty shootout
defeat to Royal Leopards of Swaziland on Saturday. The Students surrendered a
3-0 lead from the first leg before going down 6-5 from the spot. Meanwhile,
Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns advanced to the first round of the
Champions League on the weekend after winning their respective preliminary
round ties. Pirates will start their Confederation Cup campaign against Uganda
Revenue Authority on the weekend of March 13-15 after being given a bye. “It is
important that all South African teams take it very seriously,” Tinkler said. “I
think over these years, we have come to experience that if we can qualify for
these type of tournaments. If we can go as far as possible, it not only bodes
well for the clubs, but it bodes well for our national teams. I think we will
reap the rewards when you look at the Under-17s now reaching the Final. We will
reap those rewards in four years’ time. Unfortunately sometimes you got to be
looking to the future not looking at the present. I think clubs need to do
that, they need to look at what they will gain from it, maybe not today, but
maybe in a couple of years’ time. It’s always sad to see Wits go out, I think
we would have loved them to continue in the tournament. We didn’t have the
opportunity to play yet, but I can tell you that we are taking this competition
seriously.”
Black Leopards coach Zeca Marques is delighted with the start
of his coaching tenure in the National First Division, as he looks to guide the
Limpopo-based side back to the top-flight. Leopards are on a
four-match win streak since Marques took over at the start of 2015, having
scored 14 goals in their four matches thus far this season. “It’s been
brilliant,” the former Moroka Swallows coach said, “and a great team effort.
Everyone here is working hard, and that’s why we’re getting the results.” Leopards
are now up to seventh in the NFD standings, just ten points behind leaders
Golden Arrows, and Marques pinpoints their good run to the contribution of all
involved at Lidoda Duvha.
Kaizer Chiefs coach
Stuart Baxter indicated Siyabonga Nkosi could get more game-time after the
playmaker netted the winner against Township Rollers in the Champions League. “Siyabonga
received important game time today, doing well. His performance has been
noticed and it has made him selectable for the upcoming matches,” Baxter
told Chiefs’ official website. Nkosi has made three starts in the League this
season, netting once.
Maritzburg United
coach Steve Komphela says he is not concerned despite his team’s goalless draw
with Free State Stars meaning it is now eight matches in all competitions
without a win for the Team of Choice. “If you worry what is going to
help you? Worry is no solution in any predicament,” Komphela said. “Of
course it is a concern but what is important… are you creating chances? Do
you see some light at the end of the tunnel? Yes we do, and by our standards,
based on what we did in the first 10 matches, we shouldn’t [worry] … this is
how it is; just deal with it,” the coach continued.
Thabo Matlaba says
Orlando Pirates will keep believing that they can still catch Kaizer Chiefs at
the top of the Absa Premiership standings. With the Soweto Derby coming up
next week, Matlaba says it’s important that they stay focused on their goal. The
coach told us that we must believe and win all our games,” the left-back said
after the game. “Maybe we will catch Chiefs, I don’t know, but we have to
believe and know that each and every game is important.”
University of Pretoria’s reserve side won the inaugural
Multichoice Diski Challenge by edging Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 on penalties in the
final on Saturday afternoon. The match ended 1-1 in regulation time,
with Rheece Evans cancelling out Botshelo Mfulwane’s opener for Tuks at the
Nike Football Centre in Soweto. Rodney Ramagalela added a second goal for Downs
in the 105th minute, but Ngcobo hit back soon after. Earlier Mpumalanga Black
Aces claimed bronze by beating SuperSport United 2-1 at the same venue.
Tuks XI: Ngubeni, Nkwana, Kekana, Robertson, Sibande,
Nzimande, Motlhatsang, Ketjijere, Mfulwane, Ngcobo, Mathosi.
Downs XI: Ngobeni, Evans, Babile, Zulu, Skippers, Matima,
Mbhele, Ngubane, Mokoena, Ntlaba, Tau.
The South
Africa Under-17 team went down 2-0 to Mali in the 2015 CAF African Youth
Championship Final in Niamey on Sunday night.Amajimbos
ended as runners-up, while Guinea claimed third place earlier on Sunday after
beating Nigeria 3-1 in the third-place playoff. Coach Molefi Nseki will be proud of his side’s achievements and will now turn
his attention to preparing the team to compete at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
The South African
beach soccer team is gearing up for the Power Horse Beach Soccer African Trophy
Durban 2015 from March 6-8. South Africa head coach Brook Ntokozo has been
diligently working since being informally introduced to beach soccer in 2003,
to build a programme he can be proud of. At this moment, that is exactly what the coach
is feeling. He is the perfect man for the job as he was formally trained, along
with other South African players and personnel, by Fifa Instructor and Asian
Beach Soccer champion Marcelo Mendes in 2006. The team has come a long way
since 2006 and, now, Brook and the team are currently preparing for the Power
Horse African Trophy Durban 2015 set to take place from the 6-8 March, which
they are hosting and which will give them the chance to take on the best sides
in the continent. Approximately one
month later, the South African national side will be fighting for a berth in
the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015, with the CAF Qualifier taking
place in Seychelles. There have been ups-and-downs for South African beach
soccer but under the direction of their coach, things look to be pointing up as
the 54 million-person country will be united in just a few short weeks, under
the umbrella of beach soccer of course. “We are all very excited for this event
as we will be forming and showing one culture to the world”, stated Ntokozo as
he proudly discussed the bright future for his team and country. The event will gather eight nations from
Africa and will show the world how high the quality of African beach soccer has
become. The South African coach believes this is the perfect opportunity to
showcase that fact, with the biggest year for beach soccer all over the globe,
already under way. Ntokozo continued by saying, “Have I been surprised by the
team? Of course, and in a good way. The players from inland, where there are no
lakes or an ocean, have really outdone themselves. We invited many of them to
our training sessions to spread the word and maybe develop a few but they had
great character and skill already.” That
kind of natural ability will help carry South Africa to where it needs to go,
especially with the prospect of a national league starting up, which will
surely increase awareness and skill sets for players all over the country. Expectations
may be high for the 2015 season but the coach wanted the fans to first know,
“We are extremely grateful for these opportunities and while we have learned so
much since 2006, there is a lot more left to learn and I believe the biggest
thing right now is getting the players on the big stage, such as the Power
Horse African Trophy.” His team will be the number one seed in the playoff
format tournament and they will first take on the eighth seed Seychelles on
Friday at 16h45 on Durban’s South Beach.
SA team
Goalkeepers: Mojalefa Magabe (MJ), Zuko Mdebelele (Wayen)
Defenders: Fani Shange (Fani), Minenhle Ndlovu (Mokababa),
Prince Gumede (Nesta)
Midfielders: Ceaser Maswanganyi (Ceaser), Enerst Mahlaba
(Skhalo), Sunnyboy Mahlangu (Darty)
Forwards: Mzwamandla Shazi (Mzwua), Mandlenkosi Mjandane
(Power)
Fixtures
6 March
13h00 Morocco – Côte d’Ivoire
14h15 Senegal – Mozambique
15h30 Nigeria – Ghana
16h45 South Africa – Seychelles
7 March
13h00 Loser Match 4 – Loser Match 1
14h15 Loser Match 2 – Loser Match 3
15h30 Winner Match 2 – Winner Match 3
16h45 Winner Match 4 – Winner Match 1
8 March
13h00 Winner Match 5 – Loser Match 6
14h15 Winner Match 5 – Winner Match 6
15h30 Loser Match 7 – Loser Match 8
16h45 Final – Winner Match 7 – Winner Match 8
Kaizer Chiefs have
wished Amakhosi legends Neil Tovey and John ‘Shoes’ Moshoeu a speedy recovery
from their respective health issues and have since been discharged from
hospital. Tovey, 52, suffered a heart-attack on Tuesday, while Moshoeu, 49,
was recently hospitalised due to illness. The former Bafana Bafana stars were
an integral part of the ‘Class of 96’ which won the Africa Cup of Nations on
home soil. “It was with great shock that we heard about the triple heart-attack
our Amakhosi legend Neil ‘Mokoko’ Tovey suffered on Tuesday,” Chiefs marketing
director Jessica Motaung told the club’s website. “We have been in contact with
him and we are happy to hear that he’s on the road to recovery. Like Neil,
Shoes is a player who we will always respect. They were both fantastic players
wearing the gold and black. However, above all, they are great human beings. We
also want to wish Shoes strength on his journey to get well soon.”
SA players abroad:
Andile Jali made his return from injury, May Mahlangu scored his first goal in
Turkey, while Thulani Serero impressed for Ajax Amsterdam on the weekend.
ANDILE JALI
Jali returned to action for Belgian side KV Oostende
following injury, coming off the bench with 25 minutes to go in their
disappointing 3-0 loss at Westerlo.
MAY MAHLANGU
Mahlangu scored his first goal for new Turkish side
Konyaspor as they held giants Fenerbahce to a 1-1 draw. The Bafana Bafana
discard netted in the eighth minute.
THULANI SERERO
Serero was again influential for Ajax Amsterdam as they
claimed an excellent 3-1 win at runaway league leaders PSV Eindhoven. Probably
too late to wrestle back control in the title race though.
DEAN FURMAN
Furman’s Doncaster Rovers moved back into the promotion
play-off places in League One as they claimed a 2-0 success against Colchester
United, with the Bafana skipper playing the full game.
KAMOHELO MOKOTJO
Mokotjo started for FC Twente as they let a late lead slip
at home to struggling NAC Breda for yet another disappointing 1-1 result.
ANELE NGCONGCA
Ngcongca played in a comfortable 2-0 win for Genk at bottom
side Lierse that leaves his side outside the top six on goal-difference only
with two rounds of the regular season left to play.
TOKELO RANTIE
Rantie came off the bench for the final five minutes but
could not help his Bournemouth side to a win as they were held 0-0 by Blackburn
Rovers.
AYANDA PATOSI
Patosi could not help Lokeren avoid defeat as the team’s
top-six chances suffered a near-fatal blow as they lost 1-0 at rivals
Charleroi.
KGOSI NTLHE
Ntlhe played as Peterborough United kept alive their
promotion hopes with a 2-0 home win over Bradford City.
NHLAKANIPHO NTULI
Ntuli was an unused substitute for Jong FC Twente in their
2-1 win at Sparta Rotterdam on Friday.
LEBOGANG PHIRI
Phiri played the full game for Danish side Brondby as they
were held 1-1 at home by FC Midtjylland.