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Former PSL winger Edzai Kasinauyo maintains that he is not guilty for match fixing. |
Banned Edzai Kasinauyo Desperate To Clear His Name
Former Moroka Swallows and Ajax Cape Town winger Edzai Kasinauyo maintains he is clean and is surprised by the 10-year ban imposed on him for his alleged involvement in a match fixing syndicate. Kasinauyo was handed the decade-long sanction without ever appearing before any disciplinary hearing for his alleged role in a cartel which was apparently trying to fix Zimbabwe’s AFCON qualifiers against Swaziland in March, along with certain PSL matches. Bizarrely, the Harare-born businessman and agent has yet to receive any written communication from the authorities that imposed the ban – which was announced over a week ago – having only learnt his fate through the media. He insists that he is out to clean his name and is resolute in seeking to rectify a situation that he feels has been a travesty to justice. “Firstly, I don’t even know the guy (Leeroy Waguta) that I am being accused of having been working with in all these allegations. This was all a surprise to me,” Kasinauyo said. Kasinauyo had just recently been voted in as ZIFA board member. “The bottom line is that I just want to clear my name. Is it not strange that I was banned through the media without ever attending any hearing of any sort, and even up to now I am still waiting for the letter that says I have been banned from the relevant authorities,” he continues. “Is it not strange that in South Africa the very same case hasn’t progressed because it was clear that there was nothing like of that sort which happened? Why are the officials in Zimbabwe quick to ban people without even calling them to appear before any disciplinary hearing? This is just travesty to justice! “We might end up having to take the FIFA route and the lawyers that are representing me are busy assessing the situation and will advise on the way forward.” The ban on Kasinauyo is only restricted to the confines of Zimbabwean football as it as has not been endorsed by FIFA. Also banned by ZIFA – who changed their name to National Football Association of Zimbabwe on the day the bans were announced nine days ago – was ex-Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows coach Ian Gorowa.
Pollen Ndlanya says the only way Kaizer Chiefs can do justice to the mass player clearout is to sign the country’s top players. Amakhosi decided to refresh their squad by choosing to release from contract, transfer list, loan or not renew the contracts of as many as 20 players during a winter clearance that has kept the exit gates at their base in Naturena busier than ever. With so many players not in the plans going into next season, what should naturally be the next step for the country’s most popular club? “I don’t have a problem with releasing players, but the challenge is that Kaizer Chiefs is a big team; they are like your Barcelonas and Real Madrids,” ‘Trompies’ says. “A team like Barcelona always makes sure that every season they buy players; not just ordinary players, but quality players. So at Chiefs they have realised that some of the players that were there are not Chiefs material – some were just cheap labour, and it exposed them. “Chiefs needs players like [Phakamani] Mahlambi, that boy from [Bidest Wits] who is still young and can definitely fit at Kaizer Chiefs. Then there are players like [Sibusiso] Vilakazi, who is also what I would call Chiefs material. “Mahlambi reminds me of Teenage Dladla and he is the kind of Jabu Pule player. Vilakazi is the kind of player that Chiefs needs to buy; they have to open the cheque-book and even look to Sundowns for players. “However, it shows [by releasing players] that they mean business this year if bezodiliza [dismantle] by 20 players. “It means they must now buy quality players and I hope they will do that because for me it is easy to destroy, but buying players shouldn’t mean you are getting someone who has already been dumped. “I don’t want to mention names, but honestly Chiefs must buy quality. Not winning anything was embarrassing. Bra K [Kaizer Motaung] is not stupid. He is a clever guy and he destroyed because he has a vision. This coming season Chiefs will win two trophies and the league,” says Ndlanya. Ndlanya was amongst the list of former footballers that graced the Smirnoff Raga Bolo finals held at the Wanderers Cricket Stadium over the weekend.
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is yet to decide whether to bring veteran midfielder Siaka Tiene back to Chloorkop. Tiene, who played for Sundowns from 2003 to 2005, was spotted in the Brazilians’ dressing room after the club were crowned Absa Premiership champions at Lucas Moripe Stadium on May 21. The Ivory Coast international was non-committal when asked last month if he was considering re-joining Downs, while Mosimane says he must still assess the 34-year-old’s capabilities. “I haven’t seen him playing. I haven’t watched him playing. I have to get the video footage,” says Mosimane. “If the quality is still there, we will need to see the legs. He is 34 and we will see if the legs are still there.” Meanwhile, Mosimane says is it problematic when the Brazilians try buy players locally. “For Sundowns to get players especially locally it’s a problem. You know the story,” says ‘Jingles’. “You must remember the last three transfer windows we have signed three players: Fiston (Razak), (Leonardo) Castro and Bangaly (Soumahoro). They are not from around. When Sundowns wants a player everybody calls R7 million, R6 million. “We are no longer in that business of R7 million, R6 million. We no longer pay that because no one pays us even R3 million for players they want. Gone are those days.”
Despite John Comitis’ statement claiming that Muhsin Ertugral would follow Mpumalanga Black Aces to Cape Town, there are indications that he won’t be joining them. Ertugral helped take AmaZayoni to their highest ever league position this season, as they managed to end the campaign in fourth spot and securing themselves a spot in next year’s MTN8 competition. It was expected that Ertugral would carry on with the club once Comitis had relocated them to the Western Cape, with him stating that he was excited to work with Ertugral once again after their stint together at Ajax Cape Town. Comitis said earlier this month, “I am delighted that the head coach will be Muhsin Ertugral. I strongly recommended Muhsin to the Morfou brothers at the beginning of the 2016 season and Muhsin was instrumental in achieving their best ever season. I am excited to work with such a top-level coach again.” However, the Turkish coach wanted to take his personal technical team – including Calvin Marlin and Elsa Storm – something that the club’s new management is against. It appears that should Ertugral not get his way, then Comitis will have to add the acquisition of a new head coach to his list of things to do at his new club.
Mamelodi Sundowns could be without a host of key players for their CAF Champions League Group B opener with ES Setif, including midfield enforcer Hlompho Kekana and Teko Modise. According to Downs’ website, Kekana is carrying a groin injury sustained on recent national team duty, while Mzikayise Mashaba is nursing a hernia problem. Veteran playmaker Modise is struggling with a bout of flu, as is Soumahoro Bangaly, Tiyani Mabunda and Cuthbert Malajila. Coach Pitso Mosimane is already without suspended goalkeeper Denis Onyango and defender Thabo Nthethe for Saturday’s clash in Algeria. The Brazilians – who will also face Enyimba and Zamalek in their pool – were recently brought back into the tournament after AS Vita were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.
Retired midfielder Thabo Mngomeni believes strengthening Eric Tinkler’s technical team would better address Orlando Pirates’ concerns than firing the Bucs head coach. Tinkler’s job at Pirates is not safe with opinion divided on whether he should be retained for next season, with some calling for a foreigner to replace the ex-Bafana Bafana international. Mngomeni, however, feels otherwise and goes on to question the commitment of Tinkler’s players. “For me when teams like Pirates, (Kaizer) Chiefs and (Mamelodi) Sundowns are not doing well I don’t like pointing the blame on the coach because those are teams that normally have the best players in the country. The kind of players that should naturally be able to rectify any situations themselves without having to look so much at the coach,” he argues. “On the other hand I will always support a local coach because I have a problem with the confusion that foreign coaches bring here… We are making noise about Holland right now, but when last did the Dutch win the World Cup or even win anything? “I know that because of the pressure from supporters the chairman might end up firing Tinkler. However, if he (Dr Irvin Khoza) was firm in his beliefs I would have kept Tinkler and try and rope in some people that are going to be more helpful to him. I think Tinkler is alone, I don’t think the people that are around him are helping him in anyway. Maybe they are just agreeing to all that he says, these are just my thoughts. If former Pirates players could be brought closer to the club I think it would help in getting the players pumped up because they will talking to someone that they saw playing and saw someone who has been part of this institution. I think players would take advice from a former player that they saw playing at the same club in a different way than when told by a complete stranger,” he reasons.
SuperSport United have assured their fans that striker Jeremy Brockie is not leaving the club next season. Brockie – the top scorer in all competitions last term with 18 goals – is on the wanted list of Absa Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns. However, Matsatsantsa spokesperson David Skhosane insists the New Zealand international is not for sale. “There has been interest. But the chairman has made it clear we are not going to sell him,” says Skhosane. Meanwhile, SuperSport are hoping to secure the services of Mario Booysen on a permanent deal after he spent the past campaign on loan from Sundowns. United have recruited the services of Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Reyaad Pieterse and Cole Alexander ahead of 2016/17, while Phumelele Bhengu, Enocent Mkhabela and Isaka Cernak are on the way out.
Orlando Pirates have expressed their sadness at the passing of their former coach Shuaibu Amodu. The Nigerian Football Federation technical director died of a suspected heart-attack last Friday, just days after the same fate befell another ex-Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi. Amodu, 58, coached Pirates in the second season of the Premier Soccer League in 1997/98. Bucs released a statement on their website, which reads: ‘Orlando Pirates management and the extended Bucs family would like to extend its heartfelt condolences to the family of Shaibu Amodu who has passed away. ‘Though from Nigeria, Amodu is no stranger to South Africa having been an assistant coach and then a head coach of the Mighty Buccaneers in the late 90s. ‘Since leaving the Club, Amodu went on to become coach of the Nigerian senior national team. At the time of his death, Amodu was the Technical Director of the Super Eagles. ‘We convey our heartfelt and deepest sympathy to the Amodu family and pledge our profound moral support. We supplicate that God gives you fortitude at this moment of your extreme grief and pain. ‘MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.’
Chippa United are set to swoop on Bongani Ndulula ahead of the new season. ‘Drogba’ was among the 20 players released by Amakhosi earlier this month after a horror campaign at Naturena during which he made just four substitute appearances in the League. However, the former Bloemfontein Celtic, Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu striker could find a new home at Chippa soon enough. “Negotiations are now at an advanced stage,” a source told KickOff.com. “If everything goes well Ndulula will be in Chippa United colours next season.”
Jomo Sono has hinted that his star striker Charlton Mashumba could end up at Kaizer Chiefs. The Zimbabwean looks set to leave Jomo Cosmos following the club’s relegation at the end of 2015/16, having scored five goals in 22 League starts. Chiefs are in need of new faces following the decision to release 20 players last week, and if Sono’s comments are anything to go buy, Mashumba could be on Amakhosi’s shopping list. “We don’t know yet [where he is going]; maybe overseas or to Kaizer Chiefs,” he told KickOff.com. It seems Sono is holding out for an overseas move for the 23-year-old, with Chiefs the alternative option should that not materialise.
Ex-Kaizer Chiefs fullback Nhlanhla Kubheka says Steve Komphela needs more time to implement his coaching philosophy at Amakhosi and feels the club should buy three strikers ahead of next season. Chiefs failed to win any silverware in Komphela’s first season in charge of the side following his arrival from Maritzburg United. The Glamour Boys, who finished fifth in the league and reached the MTN8 and Telkom Knockout finals, have since announced 20 players are on the way out. “They should give Steve a chance and they mustn’t judge him… Steve is not a one or two-season coach. But he’s a long-term coach with great philosophical ideas in terms of grooming players and solidifying the team,” Kubheka said. “I think we need to actually bring one right-back, one left-back and perhaps three strikers and two midfielders. I feel the rest you can actually produce our own youngsters.” High-profile pair Siyanda Xulu and Bongani Ndulula have been transfer-listed after a single season with the Soweto giants, with Kubheka conceding the jersey is heavy at Naturena. “Unfortunately Steve thought those players were the correct players but unfortunately they didn’t make it to the team because, to be quite honest, it is very difficult to play for Kaizer Chiefs,” Khubeka adds. “There are a lot of expectations and you need to be strong mentally if you come and join Kaizer Chiefs. So unfortunately those players they bought didn’t deliver.”