Chiefs Wrap-Up League Title
Kaizer Chiefs clinched the 2014/15 Absa Premiership title
last week to lift the 68th trophy of their 45-year existence. Amakhosi
clinched the title with three games to spare following a 4-1 win against
Polokwane City last week Wednesday. They are South Africa’s most successful
club, having amassed by far the most trophies in domestic football. Having
started the season on 66, Chiefs clinched the first trophy on offer, the MTN8
Cup, before securing their fourth PSL title with three matches to spare. It was
their 12th League title overall, having also won the NPSL five times (1974,
1977, 1979, 1981 and 1984) and the NSL First Division three times (1989, 1991
and 1992). Second on the list for the most titles are Orlando Pirates, who have
34, while Mamelodi Sundowns come in third place with 18.
AFC Bournemouth all
but secured their promotion to England’s top-flight on Monday night, meaning
South African striker Tokelo Rantie could feature in the Premier League next
season. The Cherries beat Bolton 3-0 at home on Monday night to cement
second spot in the Championship, with third placed Middlesbrough needing to
overcome a goal difference of 19 to overhaul them with just one match left in
the season. Bournemouth will join Watford as the two automatically-promoted
sides to the Premier League for next season. It however remains to be seen
whether or not the club will retain the services of Bafana Bafana forward
Tokelo Rantie, who was not in the squad in last night’s victory. The
24-year-old, who was the club’s record signing two years ago, has only played a
bit-part role this season, scoring twice in 12 League matches. Rantie still has
another two years left on his contract with the club, after signing an initial
four-year deal when he joined in 2013.
Orlando Pirates caretaker coach Eric
Tinkler has expressed his desire to take the job as coach of the Buccaneers on
a permanent basis. Tinkler’s tenure as caretaker coach is set to
come to an end next month after he took over the coaching reins from Vladimir
Vermezovic in December last year. Maritzburg United coach Steve Kompela has
already been linked with a move to Parktown next season, but Tinkler says he
has all the qualifications to manage a big team like Pirates. “I would like
the job on a permanent basis,” Tinkler declared. “It’s always been my
ambition to become a head coach and that’s why I have done all the courses when
I was finishing my playing career because it’s always been my ambition to be a
head coach. It will be a huge honour for me. To be able to do that at a big
team like Pirates would make me proud of what I have achieved.” Tinkler
says having been with the Buccaneers for the past three years as assistant
coach has taught him a lot of things about the club. “I know the massive
responsibility. I know that because I’ve been three years with the club and I
know the responsibility that goes behind it. I feel confident in my ability to
do that,” he adds.
Discarded Mamelodi
Sundowns striker Nyasha Mushekwi was on target in the Swedish League to help
Djurgardens IF to a comfortable 2-0 win over GIF Sundsvall. The 27-year-old, who is on loan to the
Swedish side from Sundowns, struck in the 63rd minute of the match as
Djurgardens collected all three points. The result thrust Mushekwi’s team to
eighth on the log standings with seven points after five matches. The goal was
Mushekwi’s third strike in five matches since he moved to the club at the
beginning of the Allsvenskan season. Mushekwi had an unrivalled scoring record
for Sundowns before he suffered a long-term injury and fell down the pecking
order at Chloorkop. He has also recently spent time on loan at Belgian club KV
Oostendse, who currently employ Andile Jali and Knowledge Musona.
Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay stadium has been
confirmed as the host of the 2015 Nedbank Cup final between Mamelodi Sundowns
and Ajax Cape Town. The draw for the Nedbank Cup final home team
took place earlier today after Mamelodi Sundowns beat Vasco Da Gama at the
Lucas Moripe Stadium. The Brazilians were drawn as the home team, which means
they will get advantage in terms of kit, dressing room and training time
selection. Ajax will however be please that they will make a relatively short
trip along the coast to the ‘Friendly City’, where the wind may well play to
their advantage. Tickets for the clash go on sale on Thursday, April 30.
Knowledge Musona
scored his fifth goal in eight games as KV Oostende won 2-1 in their Belgian
Playoff game at Westerlo on Saturday night. The former Kaizer Chiefs
striker opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before Mbaye Diagne equalised for
Westerlo just after half-time. John Jairo Ruiz scored the winner for Oostende
in the 90th minute as Andile Jali’s side moved to six points in their Europa
League playoff group. At the end of the league campaign, Oostende are playing
off against Ayanda Patosi’s Lokeren, Mouscron-Peruwelz and Westerlo for a place
the Europa League next season. After four games Lokeren are on 10 points,
Mouscron-Peruwelz on six and Oostende on six, with Westerlo only managing one
point in fourth place. There are two games remaining in the group phase.
Kaizer Chiefs
goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has been fined R50 000 – R25 000 of which is
suspended on certain conditions – for his rant about referees on Twitter. Below
is a statement from the PSL regarding outcome of Disciplinary Committee
hearings this week. Itumeleng Khune: Mr. Khune was found guilty of bringing the
League into disrepute by reason of statements made on social network Twitter.
Mr. Khune was fined R50 000.00 of which R25 000.00 was suspended for 12 months
on condition that he was not found guilty of a similar offence during the
period of suspension. He was also ordered to pay the costs of the sitting of
the Disciplinary Committee.
Bobby Motaung: Mr. Motaung was found guilty of insulting a
match official. He was sentenced to a fine of R20 000.00 suspended for 12
months on condition that he was not found guilty of a similar offence during
the period of suspension. Mr. Motaung was also ordered to pay the costs of the
sitting of the Disciplinary Committee.
Kaizer Chiefs and Stuart Baxter: The club and Mr. Baxter
were found guilty of disregarding a PSL directive concerning the participation
of suspended club officials in official football activities. Mr Baxter was
sentenced to a fine of R20 000.00 suspended for 12 months on condition that he
was not found guilty of a similar offence during the period of suspension. The
club was fined R 50 000.00 and was ordered to pay the costs of the sitting of
the DC.
Mamelodi Sundowns
coach Pitso Mosimane is hoping Mogakolodi Ngele can maintain his good form when
he wears the yellow jersey next season. The midfielder signed for the
Brazilians at the start of the campaign, but was loaned back to Platinum Stars
for the entire 2014/15 season. Ngele has flourished since the return of Cavin
Johnson as coach, netting a hat-trick against Orlando Pirates two weeks ago and
then a spectacular free-kick equalizer against Sundowns in midweek. “I hope he
can continue to score such goals for us next year,” Mosimane says of Ngele. “It’s
good that he scored against us. I am happy for him to score goals like that. It
shows that I have invested in a good player.”
Polokwane City have
warned any potential suitor that star midfielder Cole Alexander is not for sale
at any price. Alexander has been the Citizens’ best player by some way this
season, having arrived at the start of the campaign from Ajax Cape Town, where
he battled for game-time. Orlando Pirates are thought to be keen on bringing
the player on board, but club official Costa Bellos is adamant that won’t
happen. “There is no such thing; he’s got a long-term contract with us,
he’s our player and he’s part of our plans at this point and he is going
nowhere,” Bellos said. “We want to keep our players and we want to
build for next season and we know what we got and we know what we need and we
are planning to build.” Polokwane City are aiming to finish in the top 8 –
one place better than where they currently find themselves. They host
Mpumalanga Black Aces on Wednesday at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium and looking
to end a three-match losing streak.
Vasco da Gama coach
Tony De Nobrega has slammed the Under-23 rule in the National First Division
and says it is killing the standard of football in the second tier. De
Nobrega was speaking after watching his team beaten 1-0 after putting on an
inspiring performance against Mamelodi Sundowns during their Nedbank Cup
semifinal in Tshwane yesterday. The Vasco coach says the Under-23 rule that
forces them to start with five Under-23 players in the NFD had an effect on
their result against Sundowns. “It’s a ridiculous decision the Under-23
rule we have in the NFD. It makes no sense to be forced to play with only five
players at any given time to start a match and development should not be done
at the NFD level,” says De Nobrega. “I don’t know how we are going to
continue with this rule because since it started the standard of football in
the NFD has dropped. There is no-one coming through. We are pushing guys
sometimes that are not ready to play at that level and dragging the standard
down. Common sense must prevail if we are talking about the future of South
African football. Being one step away from PSL, it doesn’t make sense to be
forced to start with five players under 23.” De Nobrega also expressed his
disappointed that there is not much scouting of the players in the NFD for the
South Africa Under-23 national team. “We are going back again to the
league on Wednesday. We are going to start again with players who don’t deserve
to be in the team and those who deserve it are going to sit on the bench. It
doesn’t make sense and makes no progression,” he adds. “We saw
recently with the Under-23s picked for the game against Sudan, only two players
who are under 23 from the whole NFD got selected and I think both sat on the
bench.”
Zambian forward
Clifford Mulenga will leave Ajax Cape Town upon the expiry of his contract at
the end of June after struggling to make an impact. Mulenga joined Ajax in
August last year on a season-long deal but hasn’t found as much joy as he would
have liked in the Mother City. The 27-year-old has started just a single game –
the opening League fixture against AmaZulu last August – and made a further
nine substitute appearances, prompting the Urban Warriors to make a decision
not to retain him further than June. “We are not renewing Clifford’s contract
when it expires at the end of the season,” says Ari Efstathiou, the Ajax CEO. “We
were hoping that he would play more than he has done this season so we are not
taking the option to extend. Actually,
the average age of our squad is going to drop down next season with the
departure of some players,” he adds. Mulenga has grown to be a nomad of note
with Ajax the eighth club he has played for since arriving in South Africa just
over a decade ago.
Royal Eagles have
released Thembimkosi ‘Terror’ Fanteni due to fitness issues but are set to look
at him again in June. The former Ajax Cape Town striker has been training
with Eagles since the turn of the year as he is hoping to earn a contract. But
the likelihood of the player regaining his form seems to be remote as the club
has decided to release him. He has not played competitive football for the past
two years. Eagles official Thami Ngunani says that Fanteni is no longer part of
the club but he will be recalled in June. “No, Terror we have released him
and we said he must go home and we will call him back in June,” Ngubani
confirmed. “He will return when we start the pre-season. We realised that
the gap in terms of his fitness is far behind to the players that we have
currently. Terror has not played football as I said to you last time out, for
two years, but he left here convinced that we will be able to recall him to
have a close look at him again, where we won’t have congestion of
matches.”
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane
has not ruled out the possibility of re-signing Siyanda Xulu. The
defender, who started his professional career at Chloorkop, is rumoured to be
leaving Russian club FC Rostov at the end of the season, with a return to the
PSL on the cards. Should that be the case, Mosimane believes there is only one
club Xulu will join. “I don’t want to jump the gun,” he says. “We will see when
the time arrives. At the moment he is a player that belongs to a Russian team …
he is not our player.” Mosimane adds: “He is a good boy. He comes from
Chloorkop and he knows how I think about him. I think he will come back home if
the situation allows him. I am not worried about any competition with Siyanda.
I am certain about him.” The Brazilians are on the lookout for a replacement
for captain Alje Schut, who is heading back to the Netherlands at the end of
the season.
The national
Under-23s have been given a timely boost by the Confederation of African
Football (CAF) to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil. CAF has
revised the team’s fixtures following the withdrawal of DR Congo as hosts. South
Africa was scheduled to face the tough Senegal side in the second round of
qualifiers next month, but now the Senegalese have replaced DR Congo in hosting
the final tournament next month. This means Senegal will no longer be
participating in the qualifiers, giving Owen Da Gama’s charges a passage into
the third and final round where they will play against the winner of the 2nd
round clash between Zimbabwe and Swaziland. The 3rd round fixture – home and
away – will now take place in July, with the first leg pencilled in for the
weekend of 17-19 July and the return leg two weeks later. The CAF U-23
Championship will take place from 28 November to 12 December. The top three
countries – the finalists and winners of 3rd/4th place – among the eight
nations in Senegal will represent Africa in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Turkish side Genclerbirligi have paid tribute to the late
Bafana Bafana midfielder John ‘Shoes’ Moshoeu.Moshoeu, who died at
age 49 last week, played for Genclerbirligi between 1993 and 1995, before he
went on to play for other Turkish sides such as Fenerbahce. Genclerbirligi
released a statement on their official website that says Moshoeu was an
“exemplary” footballer during his time at the club and that he played well in
the 58 League games that he featured in their red and black jersey. Fenerbahce,
too, are also on record saying that it was with “great sadness” when they heard
of the death of Moshoeu after a long battle with cancer.
Kaizer Chiefs captain
Tefu Mashamaite has dedicated their Absa Premiership title to the late John
‘Shoes’ Moshoeu, who passed away on Tuesday. Amakhosi clinched the title
with three games to spare following a 4-1 win against Polokwane City, and
afterwards Mashamaite paid tribute to the late Chiefs and Bafana Bafana
midfielder. “First of all I just
want to send my condolences to the Moshoeu family and to all South Africans. We
lost the legend. He was a childhood hero for many of the current generation. I
watched him when he displayed his talents in 1996 Africa Cup of Nations. He went
to France and he continued to shine. I think Shoes was one of those unsung
heroes of South African football and he will be dearly missed. He came back
from overseas and still contributed at an old age in football. He has achieved
so many things that so many people won’t achieve. Coming back and winning the
title, we can dedicate to him. I think he was one of the members of 2003 and
2004 who won the League. I think we can dedicate this title to him.
Ajax Cape Town have
exercised the option of a further two years on the contract of Finnish
goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola. The 28-year-old joined Ajax at the beginning of
last season and quickly established himself as the first-choice. “We have
already exercised the option of two years on Anssi’s contract,” says Ari
Efstathiou, the Ajax boss. Jaakkola will now stay on at Ajax until at least
June 2017. Meanwhile, the club is yet to decide on the contract extensions of
the veteran pair of Dominic Isaacs and Nathan Paulse, whose contracts are up
for renewal. Paulse has featured regularly, but Isaacs has spent most of this
season on the sidelines battling injury and has started just two games.
Free State Stars have
given each of their players a R15 000 bonus for beating Ajax Cape Town 1-0 last
Tuesday. Ea Lla Koto are now five points clear of the relegation zone
following their win over the Urban Warriors at Goble Park and as a result, the
players are now smiling all the way to the bank. “They each got R5 000 for
beating Polokwane City (3-2) and now they have received R15 000 each for
beating Ajax. They are all happy,” a source has said. Stars are currently 14th
on the standings with 28 points with four games remaining. They have three
remaining matches at home against Bidvest Wits, Chippa United and Black Aces,
as well as a trip to Bloemfontein Celtic. They escaped relegation on the last
day of the past season.
Kaizer Chiefs will
likely get away without a fine after their fans invaded the pitch following
their championship-clinching win over Polokwane City at FNB Stadium. This
is because the PSL has yet to resolve an old case involving Orlando Pirates. In
May and December 2011 Pirates were fined for two pitch invasions after their
team claimed the 2010/11 League title as well as the Telkom Knockout. However,
Pirates appealed the sanction by challenging the interpretation of the National
Soccer League rules, which state a club is liable for the conduct of their
spectators. Bucs argued that they should not always be held responsible for
their fans’ conduct, especially during matches at stadiums where they are not
in charge of security. In October 2012 Pirates lost their appeal but the matter
is yet to be settled and that is why Chiefs are also unlikely to face action at
this stage. It is the same reason why Mamelodi Sundowns escaped a fine last
season after their supporters invaded the pitch following their league triumph.
In January, 2011 Pirates were handed a suspended fine of R50 000 after a fan
threw porridge at a match official during a 2-0 win over Golden Arrows in Durban.
Lance Davids will
call time on his career at the end of the season, with Ajax Cape Town
confirming they will not be taking up the option of another year on his
contract. The 30-year-old has battled for game-time this season, starting
just two games plus seven substitute appearances, and agent Rob Moore reveals
to this website that the player will retire from playing at the end of the
season. Ajax also confirm that they have already reached a mutual agreement to
part ways with Davids, who has enjoyed two separate spells at the club. Davids
– who has been capped at all levels of international football and has also
played in Germany, Sweden and Belgium – holds a Sports Management qualification
that he is now expected to make use of. The
holding midfielder’s second spell with Ajax has not been what he expected as he
has started just 18 games since returning at the beginning of 2013.
Bloemfontein Celtic
will return to the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium next season. The stadium has
undergone refurbishment after being deemed unsafe to host PSL games a few years
ago. However, Celtic coach Clinton Larsen says it’s all systems goes to return
to the place they call their own ‘slaughterhouse’. “I can confirm that we
are returning to the stadium,” he said, “and everyone is looking forward to it.
“A lot of teams get intimidated when they go to play in the township
rather than the big rugby stadiums. The excellent atmosphere gets the players
to perform to their highest level.” Celtic have been using the Free State
Stadium as their home ground and Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium in Botshabelo as an
alternative.
Roger de Sa is
excited that Ajax Cape Town will meet Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup
Final. Aside from Sundowns being a club he starred for, the Ajax coach has
happy memories of beating them 5-1 in a cup final. De Sa was Moroka Swallows’ goalkeeper when The Birds trounced The
Brazilians 5-1 in the 1989 Bob Save Super Bowl Final replay. It was a result
that sent shock waves around football – Swallows were a good side, but Downs
were a team at their swaggering best and for them to lose by such a margin was
difficult to comprehend. Now, more than a quarter-century down the line, Ajax
will face Sundowns in this year’s Cup Final, the same competition that was once
known as the Super Bowl. “That Final was 26 years ago but I still remember it
vividly,” De Sa said. “The first match we did well, but conceded a silly goal
which set up a replay. We were one up in the final minute when Goodman
Hlongwane tried to head the ball back to me, but it fell short – between us –
and Andries Chitja nipped in to score. “After the match, which was played on a
Saturday, our coach, the late Eddie Lewis said: ‘Okay guys, I will see you at
the team hotel on Tuesday’. “We were surprised because it meant we didn’t train
on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. On Tuesday, the day before the match Owen da
Gama showed us videos of himself playing in Ireland as a striker. Afterwards,
Eddie said, ‘right lets try Owen up front’ … he switched him from midfield to
striker and dropped Les Grobler to midfield. On match-day, Sundowns were
confused. Their defender was following Les into midfield … we managed to beat
them 5-1.” ‘Beat them’ is an understatement – Swallows walloped Downs. Da Gama
was inspirational, and scored twice while Grobler also got on the scoresheet,
despite his midfield role.
Pitso Mosimane is
unhappy with the choice of Port Elizabeth as venue for the Nedbank Cup Final. The
Mamelodi Sundowns coach expressed his disappointment with the Premier Soccer
League’s choice of Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth as the venue for
the Final between Sundowns and Ajax Cape Town. “If you ask my opinion, I
wouldn’t like to go to PE, but I have to go … I would like to go Durban,”
Mosimane says, speaking shortly after Sundowns beat Vasco Da Gama 1-0 in
Tshwane in the semi-final. “I think the conditions in PE suit Ajax. That’s my
opinion. But the issue of venue is out of our hands, we don’t control that. Whether
we like it or not, we have to go there.” Mosimane adds that it will also be
difficult for Sundowns supporters to travel to Port Elizabeth to cheer their
team in the Final because of the distance. “It’s difficult for our people to go
there. It’s difficult for Mamelodi Sundowns. I don’t know who made the
decision…” he says.
SA players abroad
round-up:
DAYLON CLAASEN
Claasen was again not involved for Bundesliga II side 1860
Munich and looks to be on his way out of the club in the next transfer window.
KAGISHO DIKGACOI
Despite a return to fitness and a match for the reserves,
there was no Dikgacoi for Cardiff City this past weekend.
CHEYNE FOWLER
Fowler played as his second-tier side lost 3-1 to former
club HJK Helsinki in the Finnish Cup.
DEAN FURMAN
Furman played in the 2-1 away loss to Notts County with
Doncaster Rovers’ season long over.
DARREN HOLDEN
Holden did not feature for Hartlepool, who confirmed they
would remain in the football league after a miraculous escape from relegation.
They looked certainties for the drop from League Two just a few months ago.
KEAGHAN JACOBS
Jacobs was replaced in the second half as Livingston
recorded a remarkable 4-0 win over Raith Rovers to move off the bottom of the
Scottish Championship.
KYLE JACOBS
Jacobs played the full game for Livingston in their thumping
away win at Raith.
ANDILE JALI
Jali played the full match for Belgian side KV Oostende as
they won 2-1 at Westerlo, with Knowledge Musona on the scoresheet.
DARREN KEET
Keet = bench … again.
BONGANI KHUMALO
Khumalo helped Colchester keep their hopes of survival alive
with a 3-2 win at Fleetwood Town in the English League One. They will probably
need to win both their remaining games to stay up.
MAY MAHLANGU
Mahlangu was back from injury for Turkish side Konyaspor,
but did not make it off the bench.
KAMOHELO MOKOTJO
Mokotjo played in a 2-0 home loss to AZ Alkmaar as FC
Twente’s season fizzles out into nothing.
AYANDA NKILI
Nkili was replaced in the second half as Orebero’s nightmare
start to the new Swedish league season continued with a 3-0 loss to AIK. They
are bottom of the table with just a single point from five games.
AYANDA PATOSI
Patosi was replaced late on in Lokeren’s 2-1 home win over
Mouscron-Péruwelz that keeps them top of their UEFA Europa League playoff pool
in Belgium.
STEVEN PIENAAR
Pienaar continued to suffer muscular fatigue and missed
Everton’s thumping 3-0 win over Manchester United.
THULANI SERERO
Serero was back in the Ajax starting lineup as they needed a
late goal to salvage a 1-1 draw at PEC Zwolle. The point at least secured
second place and UEFA Champions League football next season.
SIYANDA XULU
Xulu = bench … again.