Swallows Appoint Rosslee
Craig Rosslee has been handed the task of rescuing Moroka
Swallows from the relegation quagmire as he takes over the hot-seat from Fani
Madida. The Dube Birds are second from bottom with 22 points and
their stay in the PSL for next season does not look certain. Swallows made the
announcement by midday today that the former Ajax Cape Town and AmaZulu coach
will lead their revival. The Soweto club expressed joy at Rosslee’s arrival. “Moroka
Swallows are delighted to today announce the appointment of Craig Rosslee as
the club’s new head coach,” a statement from the club reads. “Everyone at
Swallows is delighted to welcome a coach of Rosslee’s experience and winning
record as the club looks to move away from the relegation places between now
and the end of the season.” Having rescued Usuthu two seasons ago, Swallows are
expecting Rosslee to bring that same effect to their side.
Everton coach Roberto
Martinez has revealed that South African midfielder Steven Pienaar is set to
return from a knee injury. Pienaar has been troubled with injury this
season, and suffered a knee injury setback in December that has kept him on the
sidelines ever since, only making 10 appearances for the Toffees all season
long. However, the former Ajax Amsterdam midfielder is set to return to
training on Monday, and Martinez says he will not rush the Westbury-born
playmaker. “We had very good news on Steven,” Martinez told
Evertontv. “He’s going to join the group on Monday and we’ll take it from
that point on, making sure that slowly but surely we give him the right path to
being fully fit and being able to enjoy his football again.” The Everton boss
also says Pienaar is still valued by the club, and hopes the former Bafana
Bafana international will still play before the end of the current season. “We’ve
missed Stevie massively throughout this season and it’s important we’ll be able
to see him on a football pitch before the season ends,” he added.
Goalkeeper Ayanda
Mtshali has returned to Africa Sport Youth Development Academy following the
termination of his contract at Free State Stars last week. Mtshali has been
handed his clearance following ‘issues’ with the club since last year when it
was reported that he was falling out with club management due to off-field
matters. Though the 26-year-old was first-choice early on in the season
starting 12 games, his last appearance was on December 6 against Mamelodi
Sundowns. “I am now training at Jazzy Queen’s [Harold Legodi’s] academy while
my agent gets my future sorted out. Though I have now been given my clearance,
I will only be able to move on to another club in June,” said Mtshali.
Ajax Cape Town and
Bidvest Wits will be the opening act of the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals on
Friday, 10 April at 20h00. The PSL has confirmed a number of logistics
around the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals including dates, venues and ticket
prices. The Nedbank Cup quarter-finals will be played on the weekend of 10, 11,
12 April. Ticket prices will vary from R80 (only for West Stand pavilion) and
the rest of the stadium will cost R40. This will apply at all fixtures with the
exception of the fixture between Black Leopards and Vasco da Gama at
Thohoyandou Stadium in Venda, where there is a standard cover charge of R40.
The two NFD clubs will play on Saturday, 11 April at 15h00. On Saturday
evening, SuperSport United will host high-flying NFD outfit Golden Arrows at
Peter Mokaba Stadium at 20h15. On Sunday, Mamelodi Sundowns will travel to
Nelspruit to play Mpumalanga Black Aces at Mbombela Stadium. Kick-off is at
15h00.
Thanda Royal Zulu
have announced the signing of Thokozani Mshengu. The 29-year-old midfielder
has been battling to find a club since being released by AmaZulu in November
2013, allegedly for ill-discipline. But now Mshengu, who also played for
Bloemfontein Celtic and Golden Arrows, has got another chance, with the club
announcing: “Thokozani Mshengu has signed a contract with Thanda Royal Zulu.”
Thanda are currently second in the National First Division standings, three
points behind leaders Golden Arrows. They are away to Highlands Park this
weekend.
Former Platinum Stars
coach Allan Freese says he parted ways “nicely” with the club and has
no regrets over his stay. During the 2012/13 season Freese worked as an
assistant coach to Cavin Johnson and helped the club finish as runners up to
league champions Kaizer Chiefs. After Johnson left for SuperSport United the
following season, Freese took over as the coach and immediately helped the club
win the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout. But this season Dikwena have been struggling
to get results and Freese was suspended by the club before they officially
parted ways. “Yes, it’s official I’ve left the club,” Freese said. When asked
if Stars paid the remainder of his contract, Freese says he has no complaints.
We parted nicely. Now I need to look to the future and see what it holds for
me. Obviously I miss the people I worked with at the club. The two trophies I
won were memorable and now I have to sit down and see the way forward.”
Polokwane City
defender Joseph Musonda has confirmed that he will be continuing with his
playing career beyond the end of the current season. Musonda will turn 38
in May but having shown no signs of slowing down this season during a campaign
in which he has been the club’s first-choice left-back, he says he still has
the hunger. “I know that people are obsessed with judging players based on age
but for me I operate on how my body feels and right now I feel like I am at my
peak. I am sure I will even play on until I pass 40 as long as I am feeling
this way,” Musonda said. The Zambian has been so influential at Polokwane that
only Cole Alexander and Jabulani Maluleke have played more football than him,
and he has now actually made another veteran left-back, Elias Ngwepe, be
forgotten about. “I have been able to compete so well this season despite my
age and that is a sign that says I can still continue. The most important thing
is that I have been able to take care of my body so at the end of the day this
age thing is just a number,” said Musonda, who has only missed three games this
season. If I am able to put in the extra effort and be just as effective, then
I will continue playing.” The veteran defender’s contract with Rise and Shine
expires in June and he will complete the current season as the most-active,
oldest player. “We haven’t started talking about an extension as yet,” he adds.
Orlando Stadium will be called the Lafarge Orlando Stadium
from next season after new naming rights were agreed with Lafarge South Africa,
a building materials manufacturer. Lafarge South Africa, one of
Southern Africa’s leading building materials manufacturers, concluded a
sponsorship deal with Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA) on Sunday, 1
February for the exclusive naming rights to the famous Orlando Stadium in the
heart of Soweto: to be known as the Lafarge Orlando Stadium. Branding is
currently underway and the dramatic transformation of the stadium’s appearance
will be revealed at a prestigious launch function scheduled to be held in May. “There
is good brand synergy between Lafarge South Africa and the Orlando Stadium: in
particular in their long-standing commitments to sustainable development in
local communities. I am passionate about skills transfer and look forward to
Lafarge contributing their strength in this area and their experience with
education upliftment in disadvantaged communities,” said SMSA’s CEO, Jacques
Grobbelaar.
Orlando Pirates
captain Lucky Lekgwathi says he still has the passion to play competitive
football and is praying that he can return to the pitch this season. The
38-year-old has not featured in 2014/15 due to an ankle injury, having started
36 matches last season. But Lekgwathi says that he is working extra hard to
ensure he gets to taste some action before the campaign draws to a close in
May. “The injury is alright,” he says. “I’m doing light training at the moment,
but only God knows when I’ll be back playing. I’m working very hard and
hopefully I’ll still get some game-time this season. I’m praying every day that
it happens.” Lekgwathi admits it’s been painful watching the action from the
sidelines, adding: “It’s been very frustrating, especially when I go to
training and watch the guys in action. They also miss me and keep asking when
I’ll be back. It’s been very frustrating, but I’m a big boy and know that
everything happens for a reason.” And despite the injury woes, Lekgwathi says
he is not ready to give up on his playing days just yet. “My legs will tell me
when I’m done, but I’ve still got the passion. I do extra training, do a lot of
stretching and eat well, and that’s helped me go for this long. I’ve also had a
lot of encouragement from people like Shoes Moshoeu, [Palaciois] and Dr [Irvin]
Khoza.” Lekgwathi has made 342 starts for Pirates since arriving from Ria Stars
in 2002.
Chippa United have suspended their head coach Ernst
Middendorp. United’s technical director Mich D’Avray has been
appointed caretaker boss of the Absa Premiership strugglers, with Fadlu Davids
continuing in his role as assistant coach. The club released a statement, which
said: “Chippa United FC has suspended incumbent coach Ernst Middendorp with
immediate effect pending the outcome of an investigation and possible hearing
to follow. As this is an internal process no further details will be supplied.
Our technical director Mich D’Avray will be the caretaker coach until such time
as the matter is finalised and our assistant coach Mr. Fadlu Davids continues
in his current role.” Middendorp failed to claim a victory at the Port
Elizabeth-based outfit – who are three points above the drop zone with six
matches left – after replacing Roger Sikhakhane in the festive break. Under the
German’s watch, Chippa drew four games and lost four in all competitions.
Golden Arrows coach
Shaun Bartlett insists the race for promotion is not over yet. Arrows top
the NFD standings with 44 points with eight games remaining – three points ahead
of closest rival Thanda Royal Zulu, and five in front of third-placed Jomo
Cosmos. “We have had a great start this season and it is important that we
maintain that level. Yes we are on top, but we must work extra hard to maintain
that as the race is not yet over,” Bartlett said. “Our vision has been clear
and that is winning. The players are still on the same level and we have their
full commitment which will help us not to go to play off, but get automatic
promotion to the PSL. It is going to be hard but we must be focus and continue
working.” The former Bafana Bafana striker added: “The good thing is that
we don’t only have young players, but we have experienced players and this is
their time to come to the party.”
Kaizer Chiefs
football manager Bobby Motaung has stated that the club is interested in
signing James Keene, but only for next season. The 29-year-old marksman was
on trial at the club recently and he has since gone back to England, while
Chiefs mull over the possibility of enlisting the striker. However, Motaung has
since admitted that the work permit application may take long and therefore,
Keene may not be available for many of Chiefs’ remaining games this season
hence the club is looking at a deal for next season. We can’t sign him with six
[league] games to go. His work permit might take time. We are negotiating with
him to sign for next season as our only challenge now is the League,” Motaung said.
Itumeleng Khune moved
a step closer to becoming South Africa’s most capped goalkeeper when Bafana
Bafana drew 1-1 with Nigeria at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday. Khune made his
66th international outing in the friendly, one less than Bafana’s most capped
gloveman Andre Arendse. Arendse had a nine-year national team career between
1994 and 2005, and was in goal when South Africa lifted the African Nations Cup
trophy in 1996. Khune’s appearance against Swaziland in the first half on
Wednesday night already gave him the record for the most starts for a Bafana
keeper – he has started each one of his 66 caps to date. Arendse started 64
games and had three appearances off the bench. Khune has conceded 50 goals in
his national team career to date, while Arendse let in 53 goals.
Orlando Pirates defender Thabo Matlaba faces a spell on the
sidelines with a bruised lung. The Bafana Bafana left-back sustained
the knock in the 1-1 draw with Nigeria at Mbombela Stadium. “The initial
diagnosis was that he had a lung contusion [bruise] because he was in serious
pain at the stadium and at the hospital this was confirmed after a CT Scan of
the chest and lungs,” said Bafana team doctor Thulani Ngwenya. “He was
elbowed hard on the chest but he is now fine, there is nothing broken, which is
a great relief. He was discharged last night from the hospital but he will need
total rest for some time, and this will be determined by his club’s medical
team.” Pirates take on Uganda Revenue Authority in the Confederation Cup on
Saturday, having won the first leg 2-1 on home soil.
The national U-17
team drew 1-1 with Mali in a friendly at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on
Sunday. Amajimbos fell behind to Sekou Koita’s 50th minute strike but
equalised via Luvuyo Mkhatshana in the 79th minute of the tie – which served as
a curtain-raiser for Bafana Bafana’s tussle with African giants Nigeria. The
sides clashed twice at the recent CAF U-17 Championships, with Mali claiming
title honours with a 2-0 victory in the Final after drawing their first meeting
2-2 in the group stages. Both countries have qualified for the U-17 World Cup
in Chile later this year.
SA players abroad:
DEAN FURMAN AND BONGANI KHUMALO
Both were not in action as their English League Two teams
had their games postponed.
STEVE CANN
It was a bad day out for goalkeeper Cann, whose Welsh
Premier League side Port Talbot Town lost 4-1 to Bala Town in the Premier
League play-offs.
KEAGHAN AND KYLE JACOBS
Both brothers played for Scottish Championship side
Livingston as they were held to a 2-2 draw at fellow strugglers Alloa Athletic.
It means Livi remain six points from safety with six matches remaining in the
season.
DEVON JACOBS
A third Jacobs brother, Devon, featured for Berwick Rangers
as they played to a 1-1 draw with promotion-chasing Queen’s Park in the
Scottish League Two.
KGOSI NTLHE
Ntlhe played for Peterborough United in the English third
tier as they lost 1-0 to Coventry City to slip out of the promotion play-off
places.
ETHEN SAMPSON
Ethen Sampson made the bench for the first time this season
as Vancouver Whitecaps continued their fine start to the 2015 campaign with a
2-1 victory over Portland Timbers to move up to second in their Major League
Soccer division.