AmaZulu Agree Terms
With Black Aces Over PSL Franchise
The PSL has confirmed receiving documents for the transfer of
ownership between AmaZulu and Mpumalanga Black Aces and are set to rule on the
transaction. The deal, reportedly worth between R45-million and
R82-million, will see Usuthu play in the Premiership next season and AmaZayoni
play in the NFD. The PSL will now evaluate the merits of the transaction and
make a ruling. “We have received the application for change of ownership from
the two clubs,” League CEO Brand de Villiers told City Press on Saturday. In
terms of our procedure, we have to evaluate the application and see if it
complies with our rules and regulations and take it to the executive committee
for a decision.”
Former Bafana Bafana
defender Bongani Khumalo is training with SuperSport United but only to keep
himself fit, according to his agent Glyn Binkin. Khumalo is currently a
free agent after parting ways with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur
recently. However Binkin has said that the Manzini-born defender is heading
back to England again in the next few weeks, and is only trained with
Matsatsantsa to keep in shape. “Yes, he is training with Supersport, but
only to keep fit,” said Binkin. “He should be going back to England in the
next two to three weeks.” Binkin was however mum over what the defender’s
future might hold. “We have a couple of options that we currently looking at,”
he says.
Former Kaizer Chiefs
midfielder Steven Ncanana has returned to professional football after signing
with first division club Thanda Royal Zulu. Since being offloaded by Chiefs
three years ago, Ncanana has played for Blackburn Rovers and spent the past
season with Milford FC in the ABC Motsepe League. Thanda have also signed
Mzwandile Banda from Maluti FET College. Meanwhile, the club has confirmed that
Asanda Mvalo will assist Thami Ngubane, who has returned as head coach. Ngubane
left during the course of the past season to join Royal Eagles where he didn’t
last long and has since decided to come back to his former club.
Bafana Bafana keeper
Itumeleng Khune is calm over his next move after his contract with Kaizer
Chiefs came to an end last week. Khune captained the Bafana team that beat
Mauritius 2-0 on Sunday and 5-0 on aggregate to reach the last round of the
2016 CHAN qualifiers where they will meet Angola for a place in Rwanda. “I
just got back [from Mauritius]. I still need to speak to my agent and see what
he has on the table,” Khune said. “We [my agent and I] get to
communicate everyday but I can’t reveal what we’ve been discussing. It’s still
early days for that,” he added. With most clubs in pre-season camp gearing
up for the 2015/16 season, Khune says he will keep fit on his own while he
plots his next move. I go to gym a lot and whoever comes and asks for my
services, I’ll be ready,” he said. “It’s part of the game – I guess I just
have to be strong with the situation I’m facing right now, but something will
come up in the coming weeks. I’m healthy and I still have a lot to offer and it
[my future] will be sorted out.” The 28-year-old refused to be drawn into
the speculation of him going back to Naturena with recent reports suggesting
that the two parties could re-open negotiations over a new deal. “I can’t
answer that,” he said. “At the moment I’ll go back home and relax. Tomorrow
I’ll start doing some gym work.”
Orlando Pirates
goalkeeper Philani Zikalala is heading back to his hometown of Durban to join
Golden Arrows in a move that will then lead to Nkosingiphile Gumede heading out
on loan to Thanda Royal Zulu. Arrows are thin on experience between the
posts upon their return to the PSL and have identified Zikalala as the best
option to aid them. Zikalala has fallen further down the pecking order at
Pirates where he is now fourth choice behind Brighton Mhlongo, Siyabonga
Mpontshane and new signing Felipe Ovono. Having failed to play a single game
last season Zikalala is aware that his fortunes will not be getting better this
season and has welcomed the move to Arrows where he stands a chance of at least
getting to play. Arrows currently have Gumede, Ricardo Goss and Namibian keeper
Maximilian Mbaevu but they know very well about the need to strengthen. Zikalala
arriving in Durban will lead to Gumede moving to Thanda – who are in need of a
goalkeeper and who have made their intentions known to Abafana Bes’thende.
SuperSport United attackers Benett
Chenene and Thabiso Nkoana have been sent to train with the club’s development
side. Chenene and Nkoana spent last season on loan at University of
Pretoria and Ajax Cape Town respectively, with the pair reportedly not in coach
Gordon Igesund’s plans for 2015/16. Chenene has been linked with a move to
Polokwane City as part of a swap deal involving Puleng Tlolane. Ricardo Katza
is in charge of Matsatsantsa’s second team, which campaigns in the MultiChoice
Diski Challenge.
Kaizer Chiefs
attacker Bernard Parker believes he still has “a lot to give to Bafana
Bafana”. The 29-year-old did play no part in Sunday’s 2016 Chan
qualifier with Mauritius, having largely been overlooked by Shakes Mashaba
since the mentor’s return to the Bafana hotseat in September last year. Parker
did compete at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, but was restricted to just two
substitute appearances at the continental tournament. However, Parker, who
scored eight goals for Amakhosi last season, feels his record shows he can
still make an impact at international level. “I do feel that I still got a lot to
give to Bafana Bafana. I have proven over the years,” Parker said. “I have
proven with different coaches and I have proven this time around where I scored
vital goals when coming back from a crazy injury. If the coach gives me a
chance, I will definitely go out there and do what I have always been doing for
Bafana.” Parker, the PSL’s Golden Boot winner with 10 strikes in 2013/14, has
netted 23 times for Bafana in 68 outings.
Blackburn Rovers head coach, Gary Bowyer, will run the rule
over Bafana Bafana captain,
Dean Furman, in a friendly game against Accrington
Stanley this weekend. The 27-year-old is currently training with
Rovers as he looks to try and secure a contract in Lancashire after leaving
Doncaster Rovers at the end of last season. Now, with his presence at the
club’s training being confirmed, the Lancashire Telegraph is reporting that
Furman will spend the rest of the week training with Blackburn, before being
tested in this weekend’s pre-season friendly. Furman made it known when he
decided not to agree to a new contract at Doncaster that he wanted to make the
step up from League One to the Championship, and he will now be hoping to put
in a good performance this weekend and persuade Bowyer that he is worthy of a
contract at Ewood Park.
Platinum Stars have
stretched their hands into the market by bringing in Mbongeni Mzimela,
Siyabonga Zulu and Kulegani Madondo. Goalkeeper Mzimela joins the club
straight after he failed to agree terms on a new contract with Chippa United,
where defender Zulu also spent the past season. All three players join as free
agents following the expiry of their contracts at their respective clubs. Mzimela
comes in to reinforce a goalkeeping department that was left thin following the
departure of Siyabonga Mpontshane to Orlando Pirates in January. Mzimela
started 24 games for Chippa last season. Zulu will come in at left-back after
having put in an encouraging shift at Chippa last season, starting 17 games.
The 21-year-old has been brought in following the departure of Luvolwethu Mpeta
to SuperSport United in January, while Punch Masenamela’s contract was not
extended after the expiration of his loan deal at the club. Madondo has been
roped in to tighten the midfield and joins on a free after the expiration of
his contract at relegated AmaZulu.
Golden Arrows have
snapped up Thanda Royal Zulu defender Velile Zitha, who will join the
Durban-based club on a three-year deal. Zitha has joined the PSL returnees
after an impressive shift in central defence this past season and is already
training with Arrows. The 25-year-old has been a standout performer and ranks
amongst the most consistent defenders in the First Division over the past three
years.
Chippa United have announced the signing of former Orlando
Pirates midfielder Mark Mayambela, Nkosinathi Mthiyane, Philani Shange, Zitha
Macheke and Christopher Matombo among others. The Chilli Boys also
confirmed David Bright will serve as an assistant to head coach Roger
Sikhakhane. United released a press release, which said: “The Port
Elizabeth-based outfit has secured the services of ten new players in an effort
to cement its place in the Premier Soccer League. “Among the new signings are:
Centre-back Zitha Macheke, on loan from Kaizer Chiefs;
Left-winger Mark Mayambela, formerly of NFD team Royal
Eagles;
Midfielder Nkosinathi Mthiyane, formerly of Amazulu;
Midfielder Christopher Matombo, on loan from Kaizer Chiefs
Centre-forward Rhulani Manzini formerly of Platinum Stars;
Right-back Diamond Thopola, formerly of Thanda Royal Zulu;
Winger Philani Shange, formerly of AmaZulu;
Left-back Simphiwe Ndzimbovu, formerly of Maritzburg City;
Midfielder Hlabane Kutumela, formerly of NFD team Baroka;
Midfielder Kuduku Maleasenya, formerly of NFD team Baroka.
These are not the final signings for this season. Chippa
plans to sign more players in the weeks to come.” Chippa also announced they
have enlisted PUMA as its new apparel partner. Bloemfontein Celtc striker
Lerato Manzini has also joined the Chilli Boys on a three-year deal.
Zimbabwean striker
Matthew Rusike says he will always be grateful to the Kaizer Chiefs family for
allowing him to further his career. Rusike, who recently signed a two-year
contract with Portuguese topflight side CD Nacional Madeira, left for his new
base on Friday, but not before he could thank the reigning Absa Premiership
champions. “I remain grateful to Chiefs for allowing me to progress in my
career, while also thanking my former team-mates for improving my game to such
a level that I can now play in Europe,” says the 25-year-old. “The Chiefs
family was good and supportive throughout my career with the club. I have moved
on, but I will always miss my days in the Amakhosi set-up. Rusike, who has
played in England, says he will not have a difficult time adjusting to the
weather in Europe. “The weather, language and adjusting to Portugal shouldn’t
be a problem for me because I have played in Europe before,” he said.
Bafana Bafana
attacker Siphelele Ntshangase looks set to complete a move to Orlando Pirates
from Black Leopards. Ntshangase’s agent Mandla Mthembu says talks are at an
advanced stage with a “top team” in Gauteng. “All I can say is that
Ntshangase will be moving to one of the teams in Gauteng,” Mthembu said. “We
are at an advanced stage with one of the teams and I can tell you that he will
be in Gauteng joining one of the top teams.” The 22-year-old midfielder has
been linked with a switch to Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. But according to a
well-placed source, Bucs look to have won the race for his signature. “Pirates
and Leopards met last week and it seems they have agreed that the player will
join them and could unveil him soon,” the source said. Ntshangase played in
Bafana’s 2-0 victory over Mauritius in a CHAN 2016 qualifier on Sunday.
South African Darren
Holden will be playing in the Scottish Premier League next season after joining
Ross County. It is a major step up for the 21-year-old, who swaps the
fourth tier in England for matches against the likes of Glasgow Celtic. The
Krugersdorp-born right-back has signed a two-year deal with the Scottish club
having made 61 appearances for Hartlepool since April 2011. He made his debut
as a 17-year-old and also played for Pool during their spell in the English
League One. His new side Ross County are from the Scottish Highlands and
finished ninth in the 12-team division in the 2014/15 season.
Free State province
were crowned SAFA/SAB Under-21 Champions after beating Mpumalanga province 3-1
on penalties after an exciting Final at Giant Stadium on Saturday. Free
State has now won the tournament for the second time in succession after they
won it last year. The teams were locked at 1-1 during regulation time before
the referee ordered the teams to go for penalties, where Free State proved superior.
Maritzburg United
chairman Farouk Kadodia has handed an ambitious mandate to new coach Mandla
Ncikazi, who has been promoted from his previous duties as assistant coach. Kadodia
wants to see the club compete more form PSL honours and also remain in the top
eight this season. With the club last season having finished in the top eight
for the first time in their history, Kadodia feels the team can now challenge
for silverware and join other established sides in the league. “We
achieved the top eight status for the first in the club history, and we
improved support during midweek and weekend games – with the average going from
3000 to 6500 fans,” says Kadodia. Under the leadership of our former coach
[Steve Komphela], the foundation was made, which is the currently the ambition
and the vision of the club. It is therefore very important that we build on
that foundation and be consistent in our approach, style of football and
attitude.” Kadodia also alluded to fact that there was no chance the club
would have gone for a foreign coach, and reveals that continuity was the key in
choosing Ncikazi as the new head coach. “We were guided by two issues;
continuity on the foundation that has been laid [by Komphela], and a young and
ambitious coach with hunger to achieve and be counted on the PSL scene,”
he adds. “As a board of directors we considered our next step very carefully
because it was an important transition for our football club. Having gone through
the process, we unanimously agreed the timing was right for Ncikazi to be
offered the job. We put our money on this coach as he was part of those who
laid the foundation for our growth.” Ncikazi’s appointment was ground
breaking in South African football, as it means all PSL clubs that finished in
the top eight last season will now have local coaches at the helm. Ncikazi is
up for a baptism of fire, as he prepares to face his former colleague Steve
Komphela when Maritzburg clash with Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN 8 quarter-finals
in the first week in August.
New York City are
likely to offer a deal to former Kaizer Chiefs defender Tefu Mashamaite
following his 10-day trial period. Mashamaite started training with
Manchester City’s expansion franchise in the United States on Wednesday and was
pictured in action alongside marquee midfielder Frank Lampard. There are strong
indications that a deal for Mashamaite is likely to happen as the new MLS side
is known to be looking to bolster their defence, a problem area for the
fledgling team, who are playing in their first MLS campaign. Currently
Manchester City youngster Shay Facey and American defender Jason Hernandez are
the first-choice pairing for coach Jason Kreis’ team, but Mashamaite is
reportedly being earmarked for the latter’s position. Mashamaite, strong in the
air and the tackle, a good reader of the game and reliable with his
distribution from the back, is exactly the type of defensive player the club is
looking for. Sources close to the club say their main weakness at the back has
been at set-pieces, both defensively and offensively – an area where Mashamaite
excels – as well as in poor distribution and possession from the backline. With
Lampard in midfield and Andrea Pirlo’s arrival reportedly imminent, City will
need more experienced defensive players who are also comfortable in possession
to complement their possession-style game. Mashamaite would also be a good foil
for his potential centre-back partner Facey, who is shorter but has more pace
than the taller, more seasoned Mashamaite. Former United States and AC Milan
centre-back Oguchi Onyewu was previously training with the club but is now
injured, opening the door for the free agent PSL Footballer of the Season. Odds
are the club will take a calculated gamble on 30-year-old Mashamaite, with
sources estimating the South African could easily be offered up to $200 000 a
year (R205 000 a month), or more, depending on whether he is signed as a
starting player and which player in their current roster he replaces. MLS teams
have a total salary cap of $3.49-million for the first 20 ordinary players in
their squads, not counting three Designated Players (DPs) like Lampard, who
earns far more (reportedly $6-million). The maximum a single ordinary player
can earn (without a special ‘buy-down’ from allocation money) is $436 250 a
year (R447 000 a month). Also working in Mashamaite’s favour is that young
loanee Facey is likely to return to Manchester at the end of the MLS season in
October, meaning another centre-back will be needed in future whether in the
starting line-up or not. The club has recently signed Jose Angel Tasende –
known as Angelino and also from the Manchester City development ranks – as
their new left-back, with experienced ex-Athletic Bilbao right-back Andoni
Iraola signed for the other side. New York City are at the halfway point of the
MLS season and are second from bottom in the Eastern Conference with 17 points
from 17 games and 15th overall from 20 teams. David Villa has scored six goals in 14
appearances for the club, while Lampard will make his debut on July 12 against
Toronto FC.
There is huge
interest from a number of clubs in Europe for Mamelodi Sundowns forward Nyasha
Mushekwi following his impressive stint with Swedish club Djurgardens. Sundowns
are being flooded with enquiries by clubs from Germany, France and Holland
about the availability of the 27-year-old, who is on loan to the top-flight
Swedish side. Mushekwi – who is the leading scorer in the Swedish Allsvenskan
with 10 goals – now looks set to leave the Brazilians permanently. Mushekwi –
who has scored 40 goals in 53 starts for Sundowns – joined Djurgardens in March
after spending the first half of the 2014/15 season without playing any
competitive football. Djurgardens sporting director Bosse Andersson has
previously been quoted saying the club is prepared to rope in the Zimbabwean
international on a permanent basis. Thuswa says Mushekwi’s future is likely to
come into sharper focus in November when the curtain eventually comes down on
the Swedish League.
Three young South
African players from an academy that is funded by Kaizer Chiefs midfielder
Reneilwe Letsholonyane are in England for trials. Striker Nimrod Ofentse
Ngema (17), right-back Lunga Innocent Tshabalala (18) and centre-back Kopano
Matlakala (17), who are from the Meadowlands Academy in Soweto, have been
invited for trials at Solihunn Moors F.C, which plays in the Conference League.
Kgosi Dolamo who has also been in the program was also invited to Sweden by
Djurgardens IF. The academy was formed
in April 2010 in Soweto Meadowlands Zone 1 by former professional player Dira
Laka and Lawrence Mashigo. Letsholonyane and his organisation, the Yeye
Letsholonyane Foundation, together with the Footprint Foundation have been funding
the team and playing a major role in helping with the development. Meadowlands
Academy have seven youth sides from Under-9 to U-19 level, as well as an open
team.
Orlando Pirates are
currently showing the most interest in signing Marc van Heerden, according to a
source close to the in-demand left-back. Bidvest Wits, SuperSport United
and Platinum Stars are also keen on recruiting the AmaZulu defender. His club,
however, value Van Heerden highly, reportedly placing a R4 million price tag on
the South Africa international. The 27-year-old has a year left on his contract
with Usuthu, who are buying Mpumalanga Black Aces’ PSL status.
Former Orlando
Pirates midfielder Thulasizwe Mbuyane is preparing to take Mpumalanga Black
Aces to the PSL DRC for an unpaid signing-on fee. Mbuyane joined Aces from
Pirates in January last year before relocating to Durban to join National First
Division side Royal Eagles in August. However, ‘Juju’ was forced to retire from
football in November last year due to ongoing battles with epilepsy and is now
pursuing a career in business. According to a source close to the matter,
Mbuyane is allegedly owed close to R500 000 by AmaZayoni and the matter is in
the hands of the players’ union.
Polokwane City have
decided against retaining Joseph Musonda, whose contract with the club has
expired. Musonda joined City at the beginning of last season and went on to
be the first-choice left-back, starting 22 games to become the League’s oldest
most-active player at 38. The Zambian confirms that he has been handed his
clearance letter but says he will continue with his playing career.
Football ambassadors for adidas in South Africa received
their newly launched X and ACE boots from adidas ahead of the 2015/16 season.
The likes of Happy Jele, Thabo Matlaba, Siyabonga Sangweni and other
Orlando Pirates players are joined by other adidas-sponsored players in the PSL
who will wear the new X and ACE boots next season.
Kaizer Chiefs have
revealed that Brian Baloyi will work as an assistant goalkeeper coach with the
view to succeeding Rainer Dinkelacker when he leaves the club. Chiefs
football manager Bobby Motaung said last week that Baloyi was set to return in
a development capacity. The club has now revealed that he will also be groomed
for the next six months to take over from first team goalkeeper coach
Dinkelacker, who could return to Europe at the end of the year. “We welcome
Brian back with us. He comes highly recommended by Rainer, who has done a
tremendous job for us when it comes to the goalkeeper department. Rainer is on
his way out and we are looking at a succession plan,” Chiefs chairman Kaizer
Motaung told the club’s website. “Brian has the potential to become one of the
best goalkeeper coaches in South Africa. I hope he will embrace this
opportunity to work under the guidance of Rainer and give back to the club as
well as our supporters.” Baloyi joined Amakhosi’s first team in 1991 and played
347 official matches, winning several trophies.
Bidvest Wits have
released Giorgi Nergadze following the Georgian midfielder’s struggles to play
regularly at the club last season. Nergadze arrived with high hopes at the
beginning of last season but only managed to play five games all season, with
young Phumlani Ntshangase stubbornly holding onto the holding midfielder role. Nergadze’s
representatives are searching for another club in the PSL but the player also
has the option of returning home to rejoin one of his former clubs that have
been keen on him since last year.
Former Kaizer Chiefs
anchorman Tinashe Nengomasha is ready to leave Mpumalanga Black Aces and
intends to continue his playing career. The 32-year-old has not seen much
game-time since his move from Bidvest Wits to Aces, making only 11 League
appearances last season. The Zimbabwean, who signed a two-year deal with Aces
in July last year, said that he is hoping for offers from other clubs. “I still
have a lot to offer to football,” he says. “I still want to play. I enjoy
football and that’s what makes me happy. I am working very hard on my own. At
the moment there is no team yet but I am ready for any challenge.” Nengomasha
gave a decade of loyal service to Chiefs before moving to Wits at the start of
the 2013/14 season, playing just eight League games.