Edited by: Vincent Morifi
Sports Editor




Some articles on this page are published with permission of: SAinfo, The offficial Gateway to South Africa


Orlando Pirates under pressure

Vincent Morifi

Orlando Pirates has been crushed by Man united on Tuesday night in the Vodacom challenge. United seems to take advantage because they should have scored many goals.

The new bucks coach, Rudi Krol, seems to have hard time as he start to loose oftenly. The game was held at the Kings Park stadium when Man united ran out easily in 1-0 win. Pirates were hoping to win the match as Man united get a draw on Saturday against Kaizer Chiefs. But the united squad was as tough as a stone.


Pirates will be facing Chiefs on Thursday night and the winning team will again face the red devils. The sad thing is should Chiefs beat Pirates on Thursday, then most of their top players will not get this once in a life time chance to play against some of the world’s best soccer stars, according to SAPA.

Pirates need to win in their game between chifs as they will be out of the tournament without a single win.

Both chiefs and pirates players has to pool up their socks and fix where went wrong in order to face the red devils during the final on the 26 July, Saturday




SuperSport crowned PSL champs

Brad Morgan

19 May 2008

A drama-filled final day of the season ended with SuperSport United losing to Bloemfontein Celtic, but still claiming South Africa's Premier Soccer League title ahead of Ajax Cape Town, who failed to get the win they needed over Lamontville Golden Arrows.

SuperSport, under coach Gavin Hunt, were odds-on favourites to annex the PSL title for the first time after they beat Golden Arrows 2-0 during the week, while Ajax drew 1-1 with their Cape Town rivals, Santos. Those results left "Matsatsantsa" three points clear of "the Urban Warriors". It was not cut and dried, however, because Ajax went into their final game with a superior goal difference.

In Bloemfontein, Celtic and their supporters were determined to bring down the champions-elect and the fans of the green-and-white gave the match the feel of a knockout cup clash.

Setback for SuperSport

Celtic quickly put the pressure on SuperSport and their industry was rewarded after 20 minutes, albeit that it was a controversial decision by the referee. Moses Spandeel beat the offside trap and blasted a shot into the upright. The referee ruled it had crossed the goal line and "Phunya Sele Sele" were in the lead. Television replays suggested the decision was incorrect.

For SuperSport, going behind in such a controversial manner, in such an important match, must have caused some of the players to question whether fate would play a cruel part in the outcome of the PSL title race.

Celtic continued to press and just before the break Spandeel struck for the second time with a neat side-footed finish.

At halftime, SuperSport received a tongue-lashing from coach Hunt; he admitted as much after the game. It appeared to work as Matsatsantsa improved their performance after the break.

They were rewarded after an hour when Tefera Fikru headed home, but they couldn't find another goal as Celtic went on to a 2-1 win.

Must-win contest

Meanwhile, in Durban, Ajax had no more success than SuperSport United at stamping their authority on a must-win contest against Golden Arrows.

They fell behind when Richard Henyekane blocked a clearance and then beat goalkeeper Hans Vonk in the Urban Warriors' goal with only a few minutes left in the opening stanza.

After the short rest, Arrows began the second half strongly and grabbed a two-goal advantage when Kagiso Senemela drilled a volley past Vonk.

Fightback

Ajax seemed dead and buried, but they began their fightback when they were awarded a penalty after 73 minutes when Saameegh Doutie was brought down in the box. Bageta Dikilu slotted the opportunity and suddenly it was game on again.

With five minutes to go, the Cape Town side's hopes of a fairytale ending were raised when Russell Mwafulirwa smashed a powerful shot past Brendan Wardle in the Arrows' goal.

In the final minute, the Urban Warriors came agonisingly close to snatching victory when a free kick by Dikulu passed just over the crossbar.

The final whistle sounded on a 2-2 draw.

Arms raised in triumph

Back in Bloemfontein, the result of the Durban duel reached SuperSport's coach Gavin Hunt before the completion of their game against Bloemfontein Celtic. Arms were raised in triumph on the sidelines as the Bloemfontein result became immaterial, but it had been a heart-stopping, narrow escape for the Pretoria-based club.

PSL CEO Kjetil Siem flew into Bloemfontein by helicopter to present SuperSport with the PSL trophy after waiting midway between Durban and the Free State capital to see which team was going to top the league.

After twice finishing second in the PSL – in 2001/02 and 2002/03 – SuperSport finally captured the title for the first time. They had, since those successive runner-up finishes, finished consistently high in the league standings, without ever truly challenging for the title.

Matsatsantsa's win proved to be a financial windfall for the team and its players. SuperSport picked up the R10-million prize for topping the PSL; also, before the final match, the club had said it would give the players and technical staff half that amount to share among themselves should they win the title.

Relegation

At the opposite end of the table, Jomo Cosmos were relegated while Black Leopards, who finished second from bottom, will contest the playoffs to try to ensure their PSL survival.

Mamelodi Sundowns, the defending champions, suffered a 4-0 hiding on Sunday to end the season in fourth place, which was the best finish among "the big three", all of whom underperformed; Kaizer Chiefs ended the season in sixth place and Orlando Pirates secured eighth place after pasting Amazulu 4-1.

With their one-two finish, both SuperSport United and Ajax Cape Town qualified for the 2009 African Champions League.

Third placed Santos earned a spot in the African Confederation Cup. Either Mamelodi Sundowns or Mpumalanga Black Aces will join "The People's Team" in the competition, depending on which club wins the Nedbank Cup on 24 May.

PSL Standings

(Played, won, lost, drawn, for, against, goal difference, points)

1. SuperSport United 30 16 6 8 40 26 14 54
2. Ajax Cape Town 30 14 10 6 44 27 17 52
3. Santos 30 12 13 5 36 29 7 49
4. Mamelodi Sundowns 30 13 8 9 40 35 5 47
5. Free State Stars 30 12 9 9 43 40 3 45
6. Kaizer Chiefs 30 10 13 7 32 20 12 43
7. Moroka Swallows 30 12 7 11 41 41 0 43
8. Orlando Pirates 30 12 6 12 38 30 8 42
9. Golden Arrows 30 10 11 9 34 32 2 41
10. Platinum Stars 30 10 10 10 28 32 -4 40
11. Bloemfontein Celtic 30 11 6 13 30 35 -5 39
12. BidVest Wits 30 10 8 12 28 35 -7 38
13. AmaZulu 30 9 7 14 27 36 -9 34
14. Thanda Royal Zulu 30 8 7 15 31 44 -13 31
15. Black Leopards 30 8 5 17 27 42 -15 29
16. Jomo Cosmos 30 2 16 12 13 28 -15 22

Nedbank Cup draw announced!

By Vincent Morifi

The Last 8 Nedbank Cup draw was made at the UBUNTU KRAAL, Orlando West Soweto on Monday.

The results are as follows:

FC Cape Town v Mamelodi Sundowns

Free State Stars v Santos

MP Black Aces v Nathi Lions

Black Leopards v AmaZulu

Details of the exact dates will be confirmed later this week.

Sourced from PSL website, (click here for more)

'There is much talent in NFD'

By Vincent Morifi

PSL teams must create time for themselves to watch matches in the lower division. This was said by Angelo Tshiclas after watching national first division (NFD) match between Mpumalanga Black Aces and Winners Park.

Tshiclas, a member of the Mamelodi Sundowns Board of Directors, was very much impressed by the performance he saw. Coaches are ignorant when coming to NFD, they must start looking for players there in order to build the next Bafana squard.

"I was impressed with the standard of play, and encourage the national coaches in the various age groups, including Bafana Bafana; and PSL teams to make time to watch these matches," Tshiclas said.

South Africa is spending lots of millions looking for players outside the country instead of looking at the national first division.
A lot of them are not known because their management is not doing enough to display their talent in the world of football.

Cosmos is looking for a win

By Vincent Morifi

Jomo Cosmos will be seeking for a win when they will be facing Golden Arrows for the Nedbank Cup in Durban at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Cosmos was not performing well lately in the Absa Premiership but this time they have confidence that they will win the game as it is a cup match.

"While this is a cup game and we are more desperate for Premiership points, we are not going to KZN to curl up and die. This may just be the turning point," said Rabutla, the team manager.
The team manager added: "No team approaches a game with a negative attitude; we must win this one as it would then give us the confidence we need to start banging in goals in the league."

Arrows on the other hand they are also well prepared to take anything that comes before them as to avoid their third successive defeat.

The kick-off will be on Saturday at King Zwelithini stadium 3pm.



New squad for Bafana Bafana

By Vincent Morifi

Carlos Alberto Parreira is sticking to his plan for selecting new players for the Bafana squad. He named six new players who will be playing against Zimbabwe next Tuesday.

The six new players include two players from Free State Stars, and SuperSport United's 18-year old striker Kermit Erasmus. Coach said that in Brazil players were selected in the national team at a younger age, "But that is not why I selected Erasmus I selected him because of what I saw in the field" said Parreira.

This process of testing young players will continue until the Confederation's Cup and until the World Cup which will be held here in South Africa in 2010. Young players who are disciplined and have potential are those who are needed in the national team.


The Bafana Bafana squad

Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Senzo Meyiwa (Orlando Pirates).

Defenders: Bongani Khumalo and Siboniso Gaxa (SuperSport United), Bryce Moon and Brett Evans (Ajax Cape Town), Bevan Fransman (Moroka Swallows), Mokete Tsotetsi (Kaizer Chiefs), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates).

Mid-fielders: Papi Zothwane and Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows), Thulasizwe Mbuyane(Free State Stars), Bafo Biyela (AmaZulu), Siphiwe Tshabalala(Kaizer Chiefs), Bennet Chenene and Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Dumisani Ngwenya (AmaZulu).

Strikers: Bernard Parker (Thanda Royal Zulu), Excellent Walaza (Orlando Pirates), Kermit Erasmus (SuperSport United), Sthembiso Ngcobo (Free State Stars).


Sharks crushed Blues

By Vincent Morifi


Sharks were playing against Blues in Durban were Sharks managed to defeat Blues by 22 goals to 17. The stadium was packed with the hope that Blues will win the game but it came as a shock for them because they were disappointed by the performance of their favourite team.

Flank Keegan Daniels, one of the stars of the home side, made the most of a Blues blunder in midfield and ran in for an unconverted try. It earned him the Man of the Match award.

In the second half, Sharks went on slumbering because they were leading which led to Blues a bonus point for getting within the total of seven points. Blues substituted Taniela Moa with the hope of late try but that didn't work. Sharks were ready to take anything that came before them and that is what they have done to the Blues.

Chiefs 'tired of drawing'

By Vincent Morifi

It has been a tough season for Kaizer Chiefs with 11 draws in 20 matches. Amakhosi only won four matches and they are looking forward to have the fifth win as they are going on a battle with Platinum Stars at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Kaizer Chiefs fans are holding hearts with their hands. Chiefs must win this coming match if they want to be in the top five.

"This has been the story of our season so far, we have been unable to play the same starting eleven in continuous matches because of injuries and the likes there of," Ertugral told the official Chiefs website.

Some of Kaizer Chiefs players are in injuries and some are suspended, this led to the changes of players which is not ideal for the team.

The game will kick off at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday evening 7:30.


Da Gama believes he can transform Bucs in to well-oiled machine

By Vincent Morifi

Owen Da Gama believes that he can bring positive changes in Orlando Pirates. This came after Pirates were defeated on their home soil in the first round.

That defeat led to the depature of Bibey Mutombo. Da Gama said that they have regrouped so they are prepared to take any team. Pirates will be facing Arrows after loosing against Santos last week. However Arrows will be playing with the absent of their middlefield Kagiso Dikgacoi who was sent off after collecting two yellow cards.

Even though Walaza is not going to be available, Da Gama believes that Gilbert Mushanganzhike and Paulos Masehe will fill the space.

The kick-off will is at 8pm on SABC 1.


Free State Stars at the top of their game

By Madimetja Mashishi

Free State Stars crushed Santos 4-1 in their Absa Premiership match at Goble Park Stadium, Bethlehem, on Wednesday.

Stars who were the hosts saw their first goal in the 5th minute, through Sthembiso Ngcobo's leg. But the man of the match was Moses Mbuyane, who netted two goals one in each half and also provided a pass for the opening goal by Ngcobo.

Coach David Bright's boys only managed to score their first and only goal in the 53rd minute of the game.
The last goal of the match came through Siyabonga Mdluli in the 85th minute.

Free State Stars are now jointly topping the PSL with Ajax Cape Town, both with 26 points.
Ajax are playing Bloemfontein Celtics tonight (Wednesday).

If Ajax win the match FS Stars will be moving down to the second spot.

PSL DC declares Aces complaint "valid"

By Madimetja Mashishi

"There was substance in the complaint lodged by Aces" says PSL DC

The Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee (PSL DC) ruled on 5 February that there was indeed substance in the complaint lodged by Mpumalanga Black Aces and recommended further that the PSL institute disciplinary proceedings for misconduct against FC AK in accordance with the complaint, a statement released by League Pro-forma Prosecutor Zola Majavu to the PSL website said yesterday.

Black Aces lodged the complaint initially with the South African Police Services’ (SAPS) Commercial Crime Prevention Unit and later with the PSL against Aziz Kara and FC AK, alleging that AK approached Aces’ 32-year-old goalkeeper, Michael Babale, on 17 December last year (2007) and offered him a bribe to "throw" a match which was to be played on the 23rd of that same month in favour of FC AK.

Babale, who is a former goalkeeper for FC AK, was allegedly offered R 20 000 in exchange for his "cooperation" in that regard, of which half has been duly paid into Babale’s bank account and the remaining half was to be paid after the match. It is said, by the PSL statement, that it is alleged by Aces that the remaining half was not paid because Babale informed management about the matter.

Both teams appeared before the PSL DC in connection with the allegations.
"Pursuant to these allegations, followed up by a complaint in terms of the rules of the League, the matter came before the Disciplinary Committee ("DC") of the League on 18 January and 5 February 2008, primarily for the DC to hear arguments from both parties in order to determine whether or not there is substance to the complaint, or simply put, whether or not is the complaint frivolous.
It is important to note that this procedure is merely a preliminary inquiry and thus the actual merits of the case were not canvassed" said the statement.
The matter is now in the hands of the PSL prosecuting authority.


Premier Soccer League Results and fixtures ( results from PSL website,click here for more information)

Results
Sunday, April 6
AmaZulu 2 S/Sport 0
Swallows 1 Chiefs 3

Saturday, April 5

Arrows 3 Celtic 0
Pirates 0 Cosmos 0


Fixture

Wednesday, April 9
Absa Premiership

Wits v FS Stars



for comments or if you want to submit your story, you can e-mail me @ 200720630@UL.ac.za