SA News – 23rd – 29th August 2013
Despite Khama Billiat’s deal going through, Mamelodi Sundowns defender Clayton Daniels rejected an offer to join Ajax Cape Town and opted to stay at Chloorkop. The 27-year-old defender was initially part of the proposed swap-deal which would have seen he and Eleazar Rodgers moving to the Mother City on a one-year deal in exchange for Ajax winger Billiat. Billiat’s move was completed on Monday, with Rodgers going the other way on a one-year loan. Sources say Daniels agreed to move to Cape Town on a three-year-contract but Urban Warriors only offered him a one-year deal on the basis that they wanted to see him more in action. The deal fell through but Daniels could still move to another club before the transfer window closes on Friday, August 30, at 5pm.
Defender Enort Dzaga and midfielder Sici Shelembe are set to sign for Free State Stars. Dzaga, of Black Leopards and Shelembe, formerly of Ajax Cape Town are on the verge of signing for Ea Lla Koto with their agent Ratshibvumo Mulovhedzi of Rush Hour Sports arriving in Bethlehem on Wednesday to discuss the deals. Also in line for a deal with Stars is Dynamos centre back Kgomotso Mokoena, who is also represented by Rush Hour.
Chiefs injury update: Keegan Ritchie and Siyabonga Nkosi are back in training for Kaizer Chiefs ahead of their MTN8 clash against Orlando Pirates on Saturday. Ritchie has recovered from the Achilles tendon injury that kept him on the sidelines for Amakhosi’s last two fixtures, against Mpumalanga Black Aces in the League and University of Pretoria in the MTN8 quarter-finals. Nkosi, who injured his calf muscle in preseason, is also back at full training. Jimmy Jambo is also making progress as he undergoes rehabilitation on a terrible knee injury he suffered in the Telkom Knockout in October 2012. “He had screws taken out of his knee last week and he is progressing well with his rehabilitation,” club physiotherapist Dave Milner said.
Bloemfontein Celtic have completed the signing of Letsie Koapeng from Bidvest Wits. The striker moves to the Free State on a one-year loan deal.
Metrorail will run special trains from all corridors in Pretoria and Johannesburg and a shuttle between Nasrec and Johannesburg to this weekend’s MTN8 semi-finals between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. The two giants of South African football face each other in the season’s first competitive Soweto Derby, with the second leg of the MTN8 held on September 24. Secured Park and ride facilities are available at stopping stations for only R40 return trip.
Orlando Pirates midfielder Thandanani Ntshumayelo is set to miss the MTN8 semi-final against Kaizer Chiefs. Ntshumayelo picked up a foot injury in the MTN8 game against SuperSport United in Nelspruit recently. ‘Bibo’ has been ruled out of action for at least four weeks.
Ajax Cape Town have indicated interest in Wayne Sandilands, who is apparently considering leaving Mamelodi Sundowns following Kennedy Mweene’s arrival. Sandilands – who has broken into Bafana Bafana to deputise for Itumeleng Khune over the last year – is no longer guaranteed of his first choice position at Chloorkop, after three years between the posts. Zambian international number one Mweene was between the sticks for Downs in their opening match of the season. The 29-year-old has quietly been considering his options, and Ajax are at the forefront of his options. Sandilands has already made Sundowns aware of what he is considering, making it plain that he needs to be guaranteed first place to remain part of the national team. Gordon Igesund has already warned Sandilands that without regular game-time at club level he will lose his place in the national team. With Denis Onyango having already been pushed out to Bidvest Wits it might take a lot more for Sundowns to agree to release Sandilands, as the inexperienced third choice Thela Ngobeni is currently out injured while new Belgian signing Glenn Verbauwhede is untested.
Gert Schalkwyk has disappeared from Moroka Swallows despite being offered a deal by the club.
Itumeleng Khune has parted ways with his long-time business manager Jazzman Mahlakgane. After five years of working together, the Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs captain will now head over to MSCSports, which also looks after the business interests of Gavin Hunt, Moeneeb Josephs and Tebogo Langerman. “The player has requested to be released from the stable and that’s what we did,” he said. “He has been very professional in handling it; he said he wanted to leave and try something new. We just happy that it all happened smoothly and amicably and we wish him all the best for the future.” Mahlakgane was often criticised for failing to get the likes of Khune and Siphiwe Tshabalala the overseas moves that some felt they deserved.
Mamelodi Sundowns striker Nyasha Mushekwi has joined Belgian side KV Oostende on a season-long loan deal. The Zimbabwean international spent some time on trial at the club and evidently did enough to earn himself a contract. “Mamelodi Sundowns would like to wish the player all the best abroad as he has served the club with dignity ever since joining in 2010 from Caps United,” Downs spokesperson Kabelo Mosito tells the club’s website.
Central African Republic and Ethiopia will face each other on September 7 in a neutral venue following FIFA’s decision. The world football controlling body made the decision to move the clash from Bangui to Brazzaville in Congo following political unrest in CAR. South Africa also had to play CAR in a neutral venue in June for the same reason. However, Bafana coach Gordon Igesund is still confident CAR are capable of beating Ethiopia for Bafana, if they beat Botswana also on September 7, to go through to the final stage of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. “We have to rely on someone now to do us a favour and I certainly hope that CAR do well,” Igesund says. Meanwhile, FIFA have also decided that the final qualifying round, in which 10 group winners would compete on a home-and-away basis for five places in Brazil, would be based on a seeding system. Since Bafana are ranked 67th in world football, that means they could face strong opponents in the form of Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Ghana among others in case Bafana make it to the final round.
AmaZulu have signed a fourth Namibian player in defender Larry Horaeb who joins the club on a three-year-deal. The 21 year-old right fullback has joined Craig Rosslee’s squad from Namibian side, Ramblers FC. Horaeb joins countrymen Willem Mwedihanga, who was already at the club last season, as well as new signings Sadney Urikhob and Pinehas Jakob to bring the number of Namibians at the club to four. Usuthu are busy finalising paperwork to make Zimbabwean goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini a South African citizen so that he will free up a place for a foreigner in the squad. This explains why Aubrey Mathibe kept goal in the club’s win against Orlando Pirates. Besides the four Namibians, Usuthu also have Zimbabwe defender Carlington Nyadombo on their books.
University of Pretoria have signed SuperSport United striker Atusaye Nyondo on a season long loan-deal. The Malawian forward had fallen down the pecking order at SuperSport where his chances of regular game time were slim for this season. Graham Oosthuis, the AmaTuks manager confirmed the capture of Nyondo along with Platinum Stars midfielder Lantshene Phalane. Nyondo had an encouraging first season at SuperSport in 2011-12 scoring seven goals after joining from Carara Kicks but then fizzled out last year.
SA Players Abroad:
Kagisho Dikgacoi started for Crystal Palace as they opened their English Premiership campaign with a 1-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur. ‘KG’ had a good run for his team and very nearly scored an equaliser right at the death, but was denied by Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Steven Pienaar started for Everton as they began their season with a 2-2 draw at Norwich City. ‘Schillo’ was in excellent form for the Toffees, creating a number of opportunities and laying on a defence-splitting pass that led to Everton’s second goal.
Bongani Khumalo helped English Championship side Doncaster Rovers keep a clean-sheet as they beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0 on Friday. Dean Furman was not included in the match day squad after only returning from international duty on the morning of the game.
Kgosi Ntlhe helped League One Peterborough United maintain their 100 percent start to the season with a 2-1 win at home to Oldham Athletic. The 19-year-old has made the left-back position his own at the club this season.
Kamohelo Mokotjo scored one and created another in a brilliant performance for Dutch Eredivise side PEC Zwolle as they romped to a 5-1 away win at NEC at the weekend. Mokotjo has now scored in back-to-back matches for Zwolle.
Thulani Serero got his first minutes of the season when he came off the bench for Ajax Amsterdam in their 2-1 home win over Feyenoord. It will be a relief for Serero to finally get on the pitch.
Tokelo Rantie played the full game for Swedish side Malmo after his midweek exertions, but did not get on the scoresheet as his side won 4-1 at Kalmar.
Sergio Marakis was a late sub for Portuguese club Maritimo as they started their new league season with an excellent 2-1 home win over giants Benfica. Marakis is tipped to play a big role for them this season.
Anele Ngcongca was not included in the Genk match day squad for their 3-1 loss to Ayanda Patosi’s Lokeren for ‘administrative reasons’ after he failed to pitch for Bafana Bafana’s friendly with Nigeria in midweek. SAFA’s complaint to the Belgian FA meant he could not play until the matter is sorted out. Patosi did not feature in the match day squad as he continues to make his way back from injury.
Darren Keet was in goal for Kortrijk as they won 2-1 at Charleroi, their first victory of the season.
Kyle Jacobs was in midfield for Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock as they drew 1-1 at St Mirren, despite playing the final 30 minutes with only 10 men.
Lebogang Phiri played for Danish side Brondby on Friday night as they were thumped 5-2 at Midtjylland. It looks like another season of toil for Phiri’s team, who narrowly avoided relegation at the end of the last campaign.
Ricardo Nunes was only on the bench for Slovakian side Zilina as they lost 1-0 at Spartak Trnava.