Orlando Pirates are set to offer Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper
Felipe Ovono a three-year deal. The 21-year-old, who impressed as
his country reached the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals last month, has been
training with the Buccaneers in the hopes of winning a contract. A KickOff.com
source at the club says the player has done enough to impress the technical
team and will put pen to paper on a three-year deal soon. Ovono’s expected
arrival will raise questions over Brighton Mhlongo’s future. Pirates signed
Siyabonga Mpontshane in January, and also have Philani Zikalala on their books.
South Africa U-20
coach Thabo Senong expects his charges to raise their game against Mali on
Thursday at the CAF African Youth Championship in Saly, Senegal. Amajita
lost 2-0 to a dominant Ghana in their tournament opener on Monday afternoon. The
semi-finalists at the competition will qualify for the Fifa U-20 World Cup,
taking place in May in New Zealand. Senong refused to mention who impressed
against Ghana, but midfielder Pule Maraisane and defender Ayabulela Magqwaka
gave promising performances. “I am disappointed at the showing. That is not the
Amajita we all know but we will correct these mistakes in the next game. We
have to come good, we have no choice,” he said. The coach bemoaned two costly
mistakes in the first half as the moments that defined the contest. First,
defender Aubrey Modiba pushed the ball past his own keeper in the opening
minutes and a minute from half-time, the otherwise reliable goalkeeper Dumsani
Msibi rushed off his line, leaving his area exposed, allowing the aggressive
Benjamin Tetteh to lob the ball into an empty net. Senong said Amajita have no
choice now but to produce the goods in their upcoming game. “It is time to go
to the drawing board; we are down but definitely not out. Mali won’t be easy
but we have to come out with guns blazing. We have little choice.” South Africa
will end their group campaign on Sunday against Zambia, who lost 1-0 to Mali.
Kaizer Chiefs,
Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will be hoping to survive a stern 12-day
period in which their survival in three competitions will be tested. The
triple challenge staring the ‘big three’ involves the Absa Premiership, Nedbank
Cup and continental commitments in the Champions League (Chiefs and Sundowns)
and Confederations Cup (Pirates).
South Africa U-23
coach Owen da Gama has named his first squad that will play Palestine on
Saturday in a friendly. The team started training today at University of
Johannesburg sports complex as they prepare for an All Africa Games qualifier
against Sudan on March 21, as well as for the 2016 Olympic qualifiers. “We
will use this friendly match as part of preparations for our upcoming All
Africa Games qualifier against Sudan to be played on 21 March 2015, in Sudan.
This team is on an interesting journey as we build up to the 2016 Rio
Olympics,” Da Gama said. “This is the beginning of assembling a
quality pool of players; a lot of players are still going to be monitored.
However, this is our starting point as we all know that the availability of
players for the U23s has always been a challenge. But we hope to find raw and
exciting talent. We will also look into the U-17 and U-20 squad. We will have a
very busy year and the players that have been identified for this pool have
shown immense dedication since the camp begun this past weekend. Kaizer Chiefs
have the most players in the squad, but all six are battling for regular
game-time in the first team.
Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Clement Ramakgasha (Jomo Cosmos)
Thakasani Mbanjwa (University of Pretoria)
Tshepo Mamabolo (Platinum Stars)
Defenders:
Mbongeni Gumede (Orlando Pirates)
Junior Sibande (University of Pretoria)
Simphiwe Mtsweni (Kaizer Chiefs)
Sifiso Nkosi (NWU Vaal FC)
Lorenzo Gordinho (Kaizer Chiefs)
Jason Skippers (M. Tigers FC)
Zitha Macheke (Kaizer Chiefs)
Tshepiso Sathekge (SuperSport United)
Midfielders:
Chris Matombo (Kaizer Chiefs)
Avela Cezu (M. Tigers FC)
Menzi Masuku (Orlando Pirates)
Paseka Sekese (Bidvest Wits)
Bafana Dlamini (Remember Academy)
Itumeleng Moshabane (Kaizer Chiefs)
Andisiwe Mtsila (Kaizer Chiefs)
Khayelihle Shozi (M. Tigers)
Keoikantse Mosiatlhago (Bidvest Wits)
Snethemba Ngidi (SuperSport United)
Strikers:
Sibusiso Mahlangu (Orlando Pirates)
Tshegofatso Mabasa (Bloemfontein Celtic)
Kaizer Chiefs might
have scored just once and picked up just five points out of 12 this year, but
they remain firmly in control of their destiny in this title march – and on
course to break the points record. Mamelodi Sundowns set that mark of 65
points – the highest since the PSL became a 16-team league at the start of
2002/03 – last season as they powered their way to their sixth league title. As
it stands, Chiefs need 15 points to surpass that record, and a further two to
ensure they claim the title – that is, of course, assuming Sundowns win their
remaining nine games. At this stage Amakhosi still have the luxury of dropping
as many as seven points – half of the total that has slipped through their
fingers to date – and still finish as champions in May. Chiefs have already set
the longest unbeaten League run in a single season (19 games), the highest
half-season tally (37 points), and have been the quickest to reach 50 points
since the PSL became a 16 team league.
Tottenham Hotspur
defender Bongani Khumalo’s contract is up at the end of the season but the
player has yet to decide on his future. The former Bafana Bafana captain
has been appearing in Tottenham’s Under-21 side since recovering from a
long-term knee injury. But with Spurs
pushing for an Uefa Champions League spot under new coach Mauricio Pochettino,
Khumalo will find it hard to win a place in the first team. The London outfit
are also yet to show an interest in renewing Khumalo’s deal. “His contract is
up in June but we haven’t had any discussions regarding what will happen in
future,” Khumalo’s agent Glyn Binkin said. “Lately he has been playing in
Under-21 because they do allow overage players. But it’s a competitive League
and it’s good for him. The club is happy that he is back from injury and happy
to have him back. But they have an option to keep him if they want to and we
will see what happens in future.” Khumalo has not played for Spurs in a
competitive game since his arrival from SuperSport United in December 2010. The
28-year-old has had loan spells at Doncaster Rovers, Preston North End, Reading
FC and PAOK Thessaloniki.
SAFA president Danny
Jordaan has explained why the association failed to secure a friendly against
Argentina. Bafana Bafana will instead play Nigeria on March 29 at Mbombela
Stadium at 16h00, but before this announcement today there were reports that
Lionel Messi and company could be coming to South Africa for a friendly against
Shakes Mashaba’s boys. Jordaan explains: “The match we looked at was Argentina,
but they were clear that it is the cup of nations for South America and that a
match this year will not be possible.” Copa America will take place from June
11 until July 4 in Chile. As for reports that SAFA also considered Australia,
Jordaan added that it was merely media speculation. “This match (against
Nigeria) is really an expression of solidarity and friendship… This is the
mandate of the two associations and it is of course different for the technical
team in terms of what happens in the field,” Jordaan said. Meanwhile, South
Africa’s U-17 national team Amajimbos will be looking for revenge when they
clash against Mali in an earlier kick-off on the same day at the same stadium.
Mali beat Amajimbos 2-0 in the Final of the African Youth Championship
recently. Kick-off for the match between the junior national teams will be
13h00 and the match serves as preparation for the U-17 World Cup in Chile later
this year with both countries having qualified. The national U-23 side have
also been invited to play Palestine in Hebron in what will be Owen da Gama’s
first assignment as team coach.
Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed that their CAF Champions League
match against Raja Casablanca will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Amakhosi meet the Moroccans in the first round after overcoming Botswana’s
Township Rollers in the preliminary round. Chiefs’ match against Raja will be
played on March 14 and kick off has been set for 19h00.
Jordaan has revealed
that Thulani Serero, May Mahlangu, Kamohelo Mokotjo and Ayanda Patosi will be
considered for selection for future Bafana Bafana matches. Bafana will play
Nigeria on March 29 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, and Jordaan has extended
an olive branch to the players who have been snubbed by Shakes Mashaba in the
past games. Mahlangu, for example, was banned after allegedly informing Safa
that he was “fatigued” and therefore unavailable for Bafana. Jordaan, though,
has revealed that the association will ensure that all the players are
available for selection. However, he added that the head coach will have the
final say. “We are going to engage players like Serero, Patosi, Mahlangu
because they are South Africans… Our view is that they are South Africans. “These
players will be available for selection, but it will be up to the coach whether
to select them,” Jordaan
Chippa United coach
Ernst Middendorp says it will still be some time before Edward Manqele is fit
enough to last 90 minutes for the Chilli Boys. Manqele has only played 27
League minutes for Chippa since joining the team from Mamelodi Sundowns in
January. The striker has made one start this year, in United’s defeat to
minnows Natal FC in the Nedbank Cup. “It’s going to take a bit of time. He
could’ve been in a better situation in terms of taking the right decision in
keeping in shape in November and December but it didn’t happen,”
Middendorp said. “We are working with him and he’s getting better in term
of his physical side which is the only part that’s been successful. In the next
step you need to push yourself more but it would be difficult to get him ready
for a full ninety. “If you haven’t played in months it would be difficult
to get into shape.”
Bidvest Wits and
University of Pretoria will kick off the last 16 stage of the 2015 Nedbank Cup
on Tuesday 17 March. This was confirmed by the Premier Soccer League today
following a meeting of the Organising Committee. The opening fixture of the
last 16 will kick off at 19h30 at Bidvest Stadium in Johannesburg. This will be followed by a match between Ajax
Cape Town and Bloemfontein Celtic at Athlone Stadium on Friday, 20 March.
Kick-off is at 20h00. On Humans Rights Day, Saturday 21 March, there will be
four fixtures. At 15h00, Black Aces will host Jomo Cosmos at Mbombela Stadium
and Maluti FET College will travel to Cape Town to face fellow NFD side Vasco
da Gama at Philippi Stadium. At 17h30,
Kaizer Chiefs will host Black Leopards at FNB Stadium while SuperSport United
will play Orlando Pirates at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane at 20h15. On Sunday
22 March, Golden Arrows will be at home against Natal United while Platinum
Stars will play Mamelodi Sundowns at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Both fixtures will
kick off at 15h00.
Bidvest Wits CEO Jose
Ferreira has clarified the club’s captaincy policy this season. Sibusiso
Vilakazi led Wits last term, but has since had to share the responsibility with
Moeneeb Josephs and Thulani Hlatshwayo, who skippered Wits in the 1-0 defeat of
Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday. “We have three captains, Thulani, Moeneeb
and Sibusiso Vilakazi,” Ferreira said. “It’s up to the coach [Gavin
Hunt] to decide which one of them to use for that particular game.”
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Mark Mayambela has revealed
why he surprisingly left Swedish topflight side Djurgardens IF for National
First Division outfit Royal Eagles. Mayambela switched alliances
last month after being impressed with the vision of Eagles chairman Sbu
Mpisane. “He [Mpisane] told me his ambition and the vision that he has for
the team,” Mayambela said. “So with what he told me it drew a lot of
interest in me. And the team, the way they handled things and they way they
treat players… a lot of PSL teams can learn from Royal Eagles and that I can
assure you. I can tell you now Royal Eagles compete with some of the big teams
in terms of how they treat players and in terms of administration. Even the
technical team: we have Mr [Khabo] Zondo who has coached teams like Celtic, Bay
United and Golden Arrows. We also have Thami Ngubani who is a very experienced
coach. So as much as you can say it’s an NFD team, if you were in my position
that I’m in now, you wouldn’t say this is a NFD team,” concluded the lanky
Khayelitsha-born playmaker.
Free State Stars
defender Daniel Cardoso says he is fully committed to the club but admits a
return to Johannesburg holds appeal. Cardoso’s future was the subject of
speculation in the January transfer window, with the 26-year-old’s contract set
to expire at the end of the season. “I’m not disturbed and I’m fully
committed to Free State Stars and I want to do the best I can,” he said. “Last
year we battled a bit in the relegation zone and I don’t want go back there so
I’m pushing myself to get out of that position… otherwise we gonna go back
and suffer and we don’t want that once again this season. But regarding my
contract, we will see what happens because I have a one-year option to
renew.” When pressed on whether he wants to stay with Stars, he replied:
“It depends now. But I would like to move back home to Joburg where my
heart lies. I have been in the Free State for three years, so I need a new
challenge and we will see what happens.”
Sammy Troughton
insists he remains a joint-head coach of University of Pretoria along with
Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala despite appearing to take the lead since their
appointment in November. Troughton has enjoyed a greater profile on match
day, and has also supervised the first team without Mosala, who was in charge
of the club’s successful Multichoice Diski Challenge campaign which ended with
them as champions. “Though one man must go up and face the cameras after games
it is still a team effort for us. I am not doing it all by myself,” Troughton
said. The Northern Ireland-born coach was previously the head coach at Tuks
between 2004-08, and is the more experienced of the two. “Sly does as much as
me even though he has been busy with the MDC team of late where he has excelled
and gained some credit in showcasing what he is capable of doing. We have
always been sharing our responsibilities here in the first team and we are
still sharing them up to now so nothing has changed. He does as much as me
according to how we plan out to work and even though it appears that I am in
the limelight we are still in agreement with the share of our workload. We have
a great technical team here at the club with me and Sly as the joint coaches
helped by our goalkeeper trainer Tendai [Tanyanyiwa] along with Paul [Matthews]
and the rest of the technical team,” explained Troughton. Tuks have been
enjoying an encouraging run of form this year with three wins and a draw and
have actually lost just once since both Troughton and Mosala were appointed
co-coaches. That single defeat was ironically against their former boss Steve
Barker’s AmaZulu.
SA players abroad
round-up:
ANDILE JALI
Jali played the full match for KV Oostende as they beat
Waasland-Beveren 4-3. Former Kiazer Chiefs player Knowledge Musona scored a
brace for Oostende.
MAY MAHLANGU
Mahlangu came off late for Turkish side Konyaspor as they
sealed a 0-0 away draw at Büyüksehir in the Turkish League.
THULANI SERERO
Serero was withdrawn 15 minutes into the second half of
Sunday’s 1-0 home win over Excelsior Rotterdam.
TOKELO RANTIE
Rantie came off the bench for the final 13 minutes as his
English Championship side Bournemouth moved back to the top of their division
with a 5-1 hammering of Fulham.
DEAN FURMAN
Furman played for Doncaster Rovers as they drew 1-1 at
Gillingham to remain in the League One promotion play-off places on
goal-difference.
AYANDA PATOSI
Patosi’s Lokeren have missed out on the top six after they
lost 2-1 at home to Anderlecht.
DARREN KEET
Keet was again on the bench for Kortrijk as they won 1-0 at
home to Cercle Brugge to secure a top-six place in Belgium.
KAMOHELO MOKOTJO
Mokotjo played 77 minutes for FC Twente on Friday night as
they came from two goals down to seal a 2-2 draw at Willem II.
ANELE NGCONGCA
Ngcongca helped Genk take a massive step towards the
championship play-offs in Belgium as they defeated Zulte-Waregem 3-1.
DAYLON CLAASEN
Claasen made a just a second appearance of 2015 for German
Bundesliga II side 1860 Munich as he came off the bench for the last 30 minutes
in their 3-2 loss to Sandhausen.
CHEYNE FOWLER
Fowler made his ‘second debut’ for Finnish side FC Haka
after returning to the club where it all began for him in Europe as they won
5-2 at P-Iirot in the Finnish Cup.
KGOSI NTLHE
Ntlhe started for Peterborough United as they won 1-0 at
home to Leyton Orient to keep their promotion hopes alive in League One.
LEBOGANG PHIRI
Phiri’s tough time in Denmark continues as he played for
Brondby in their 3-1 loss to FC Copenhagen. Phiri has yet to taste victory in
2015, with his side also knocked out of the Danish Cup last week.
SIYANDA XULU
It was same old story for Siyanda Xulu as the restart of the
Russian season saw him not used in the 1-0 home loss for bottom side FC Rostov
against Lokomotiv Moscow.