Daily Archives: April 10, 2012

Egypt open UAE camp for Eagles thriller

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BY Obakeng Rachwene

Potent Egypt arrives in the UAE today to open camp and prepare for their now on again cracker against Nigeria.

Egyptian National team coach Bob Bradley named a 24-man squad for the camp that will hold from April the 10th to the 18th. In addition to Nigeria Egypt hopes to face two other teams namely Angola and Iraq.

Bradley has invited :

Abd Al Wahed Al Sayed, Esaam Al Hadary, Sherif Ekrami, Mahmoud Fathallah , Ahmed Saied “oka”, Mohmmed Nagib , Ahmed Doedar, Mohammed Nasef, Mohammed Abd Al Shafi, Ahmed Khairy, Hossam Ashour, Hossam Ghaly, Ibrahem Salah, Basem Ali, Ashour Al Taqi, Mahmmed Nagy ” Gedo”, Ahmed Hassan, Mohammed Abou Trika , Wleed Soliman , Emad Moteab, Ahmed Hassan Meki, Ahmed Temsah, Amr Zaki, Ahmed Abd Al Zaher.

The American coach did not invite Zamalek ace Mohamoud Abd Al Razek ” Shikabala”.

” We invited Emad Meoteb after his recovery from injury and that will give us added depth. Amr Zaki too will be in the camp and thats added good news” the assistant coach Diaa Al Sayed told SuperSport.com.

Al Ahly and Zamalek players who played in the ACL this weekend have already joined the team.

Chelsea slip up, Newcastle soar!!!

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BY Obakeng Rachwene

Chelsea were left two points adrift of one of the four Champions League places on offer to English teams as Newcastle stole a march on their rivals for top-class European club football on Monday.

Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham, having kicked off knowing they needed to win by two clear goals to go above Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur into fourth on goal difference after the Magpies beat Bolton 2-0 and Spurs lost 2-1 to Norwich earlier Monday.

The Blues were left two points shy of both Tottenham – their opponents in an FA Cup semifinal at Wembley on Sunday – and Newcastle with five league games of the season left.

Frank Lampard put Chelsea in front at a rainswept Craven Cottage by scoring his 150th Premier League goal – the first midfielder to reach that landmark – from the penalty spot on the stroke of halftime.

But eight minutes from time, United States international Clint Dempsey equalised for Fulham when his header from a corner deflected in off Chelsea defender Gary Cahill.

The Premier League’s top three clubs go into the first round of the Champions League proper, with the fourth-placed side set for a qualifying round.

However, Chelsea could scupper the qualification hopes of any other side that finish fourth by winning this season’s Champions League.

Chelsea are the only English side left in the tournament, although they are up against defending champions Barcelona in the semifinals.

Interim Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo said a draw was a fair result.

“I thought we were quite in control of the game, to be honest, and maybe we didn’t pose them a threat enough for the second goal,” he told Sky Sports.

“But we’re still in there, hanging in there.

“We knew Craven Cottage is a difficult place to come. We’re getting closer to the teams ahead of us.”

At St James’ Park, France midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa gave Newcastle a sensational 73rd minute lead when he beat several defenders before slipping the ball into the corner.

Newcastle and Senegal striker Papiss Demba Cisse then made it 10 goals in nine games when, from close range, he turned in Shola Ameobi’s cross seven minutes from time.

“It was a special, special goal from Ben Arfa,” said Newcastle manager Alan Pardew. “Hopefully, it will edge the French manager (Laurent Blanc) to include him in the French squad (for Euro 2012).”

Tottenham fell behind at White Hart Lane when Anthony Pilkington fired the Canaries into a 13th minute lead.

But England striker Jermain Defoe drew Tottenham level 20 minutes later.

However, Norwich saw winger Elliott Bennett lash the ball past Brad Friedel as the Spurs defence backed off to make it 2-1 in the 66th minute.

Defeat meant Tottenham had won just once in eight league games.

“It was a bad day but we have to pick ourselves up,” said Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.

Everton warmed up for their FA Cup semifinal against Merseyside rivals Liverpool at Wembley on Saturday with a 4-0 home rout of Sunderland.

All of the goals at Goodison Park came in a second-half spree, with winger Magaye Gueye firing Everton ahead in the 52nd minute.

The Frenchman then turned provider as South Africa’s Steven Pienaar sealed victory with a 75th minute shot from the edge of the box.

Barely 60 seconds later Leon Osman made it 3-0 before Nigerian striker Victor Anichebe added a fourth nine minutes from time, with Everton resting several players ahead of the Cup semifinal.

Victory also saw seventh-placed Everton go four points clear of Liverpool in their bid to finish above their neighbours for the first time since 2005.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa opened up a seven-point gap between themselves and the bottom three after a 1-1 draw at home to Stoke.

Andreas Weimann’s 32nd minute curling shot put Villa ahead before Robert Huth equalised for Stoke when he headed in a free-kick 19 minutes from time.

Phungwayo’s head ‘no longer with Wits….

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BY Obakeng Rachwene

Phungwayo’s head ‘no longer with Wits’

Patrick Phungwayo’s future with Bidvest Wits hangs in the balance after coach Roger de Sa revealed that the player’s “mind was somewhere else”. 

De Sa dropped Phungwayo from the team that lost 2-1 to SuperSport United on Saturday, instead handing Conley Miller his full debut. Also dropped from the side was striker Sifiso Vilakazi.

Speaking to KickOff.com, De Sa says Phungwayo is “confused” with the offers they’ve been getting from other teams as his contract with Wits is set to expire at the end of the season.

“Vilakazi and Phungwayo’s performances have been disastrous in the last few games,” he says. “Phungwayo’s mind is now somewhere else. The agents, friends and teams are telling him stories and I think is confused now with the money being promised.

“We are not going to stand in the way of any player. We will continue to develop players as we have showed in the last couple of years, and against SuperSport you saw the likes of Miller showing a lot of promise in his first season in the PSL.”

Phungwayo says he will continue training hard with the Students and will make his decision about his future in football at the end of the season.

“I am still contracted to Wits until the end of the season and will continue working hard at training,” he tells KickOff.com. “I wouldn’t like to be drawn into this contract issue.”

Phungwayo had been tipped to join Orlando Pirates during the January transfer season. 

STEVEN PIENAAR A HERO!!!

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BY Obakeng Rachwene

Pienaar continues his great form

Steven Pienaar continued his rich vein of form at Everton this season, getting a goal in The Toffees’ 4-0 hammering of Sunderland on Monday. 

Having also performed well in the 2-2 draw at Norwich City on Saturday, setting up a goal for striker Nikica Jelavic, he scored one and created two others against the Black Cats.

There is no doubt that ‘Schillo’ is back to his best form having been given the opportunity to play at Everton, something that he was denied, even when fit, at Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the season.

In Belgium, Lierse’s Daylon Claasen scored in the 2-1 win over Mechelen on Monday, a game that also saw Siboniso Gaxa played the full 90 minutes.

Anele Ngcongca was also on the winning side for Genk, who won 2-0 at home to Gent, while Ayanda Patosi was substituted at halftime in Lokeren’s 4-1 loss at Germinal Beerschot. 

Darren Keet had to be satisfied with a place on the bench as Kortrijk moved up to fourth with a 3-1 home win over Club Brugge.

There was contrasting fortunes for South Africa’s Swedish-based duo. May Mahlangu helped champions Helsingborg to a 2-1 home win over Elfsborg, but Bradley Ralani was on the losing side for second-tier Landskrona as they went down by the same scoreline at home to Brommapojkarna.

Bradley Grobler was also on the losing side in Turkey as his team lost 2-1 at home to Kasimpasa to leave the side looking over their shoulder at the relegation mix.
Calvin Kadi’s match for Greek side Veria was cancelled after their opponents Diagoras slipped into financial meltdown and so the team was awarded a 3-0 walkover that took them to the top of the second tier table with a game in hand.

There was no sign of Bongani Khumalo for Spurs in either of their weekend matches – a 0-0 draw at Sunderland a 2-1 home loss to Norwich City.

Kagisho Dikgacoi did play both games for Crystal Palace over Easter, but suffered defeat in each – 3-1 away at Birmingham and 2-0 at home to Southampton.

 

PIRATES LEADING THE PACK!!!

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BY Obakeng Rachwene

Pirates on top of log

A 92nd minute goal from second half substitute Rudolph Bester took Orlando Pirates to the top of the League table in a dramatic 2-1 win over Jomo Cosmos at Orlando Stadium on Monday night.

An early goal from Bongani Ndulula was cancelled out by Siyabonga Nhlapo before Bester scored a late winner with virtually the last touch of the ball.

It was the perfect start for the home side as Ndulula gave them the lead after only four minutes.

The Buccaneers striker concluded a swift passing movement with a clinical finish from six-yards out to give Pirates the early ascendancy, 1-0.

Shell-shocked by the home side’s blistering start, Cosmos struggled to get hold of the ball early on and could only watch as Pirates stroked the ball around the park with confidence and precision.

In the 24th minute Cosmos’ hard-work paid off as they found a superb equaliser through the boot of Siyabonga Nhlapo.

The Cosmos man picked up the ball in space 30-yards out from goal and unleashed a thunderbolt which found the top left-hand corner of the goal, 1-1.

After surrendering their lead, Pirates picked up the pace of the game and began dictating the flow once more.

Still, they struggled to break down a resolute Cosmos defence and had to resort to shooting from long range.

The closest the Buccaneers came, however, to scoring a second in the first-half came a minute before the halftime break when Thabo Matlaba brought the best out of Avril Phali.

Matlaba let loose from 25-yards out, but Phali was quick to react making a good save to deny the Pirates man.

The second 45 minute continued where the first left off and Oupa Manyisa was the first to try his luck form distance, but much like his compatriots his 30-yard shot in the 66th minute sailed over the crossbar.

Six minutes later and Thulasizwe Mbuyane should have given Pirates the lead for the second time, but he squandered his chance heading over from close range after meeting a right-wing cross.

The Buccaneers captain squandered another golden opportunity to take the lead in the 80th minute when Lucky Lekgwathi fired wide from six-yards out after latching onto the end of a good passing movement.

Pirates continued to throw men forward and it looked like they were destined to share the spoils with Cosmos, but a late, late strike from substitute Rudolph Bester, from 25-yards out, found the top right-hand corner of the net, 2-1.

The result takes the Buccaneers to the summit of the League, at least until Black Leopards host Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday night.

For Cosmos, they remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Palacios blasts Bucs fans!!!

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BY Obakeng Rachwene

Orlando Pirates coach Augusto Palacios says the fans who booed Senzo Meyiwa on Monday should hang their heads in shame. 

Meyiwa, who got the nod ahead of Moeneeb Josephs, was booed for conceding a long-range strike by Jomo Cosmos midfielder Siyabonga Nhlapho during Bucs’ 2-1 win over Ezenkosi at the Orlando Stadium.

The Peruvian is livid that the Bucs fans turned against their own player.

“The one thing I didn’t like from the match was the way the fans behaved towards Senzo. I can’t tolerate this… I can never tolerate this,” Palacios says.

Palacios says Nhlapho’s strike could have beaten any goalkeeper and suggests the defence must shoulder the blame for giving Nhlapho space and time to shoot.

“The goal was perfect and the ball was from outside the box so why didn’t we close him down?

“I want the supporters to support every player in the team,” he says.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers have gone top of the log following the win over Cosmos but Palacios couldn’t be drawn into rating the team’s chances of winning the title.

“We have to take it game by game. As a team it is important that we keep winning and let’s see at the end of the season,” Palacios concludes. 

Nedbank boss responds to the government officials!!!

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Alex Eliseev (ewn.co.za)

Nedbank Chairperson Reuel Khoza on Tuesday responded to a series of attacks against him by government and ANC heavyweights. 

In March, he drew fierce criticism after he questioned South Africa’s leadership in his annual report. 

He said the country was led by a “strange breed of leaders” that were determined to undermine the rule of law.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Khoza said, “We live in a wonderful country with a vibrant democracy.” 

He said debate raised awareness about needs that have to be addressed. 

The chairman called on the private and public sectors to work together in order to make a positive contribution. 

It remains to be seen how Khoza’s response will be interpreted by the business community and government. 

Last week, ANC member and Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa lashed out at Khoza, saying his comments were reckless and thoughtless.

ANC releases discussion document!!!

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BY Stephen Grootes 
 
The ANC cannot allow itself to degenerate into an organisation that is consumed by never-ending leadership battles, National Working Committee member Fikile Mbalula said on Tuesday. 

He was speaking at the release of the party’s discussion document relating to the renewal of the organisation ahead of its policy conference in June.

Mbalula said the document discussed all the problems faced by the ruling party.

“[It will address the] inability to conduct ANC meetings and affairs in an orderly and peaceful manner.”

He said several proposals were made to address the challenges.

“[The document will] enhance the role of veterans, implement the Integrity Commission, strengthen measures to promote exemplary conduct, and organisational and self-discipline.”

Mbalula denied claims that there was nothing new in the documents.

BBM PARTY IN TAUNG…A MESS!!!

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People on a beach party(pic taken fromBlackcollegereunion.com)

BY Obakeng Maje

Taung- This past weekend was in Easter holiday and many people went to various destinations for reasons.

We saw some adverts for party people and Taung was not excluded, the BBM-PARTY TAUNG was the talk of the town as heavyweight artists like defucted Rythmic Elements and the award winning group, Liquid Deep was expected to perform according to the organizer.

But according to reports,that was only a smear campaign to promote the events. Last Saturday at the Taung Cover-ground there was no Liquid Deep and Rythmic Elements and this made the revellers to go beserk as they feel they were taken for a ride.

We tried to speak to the event organiser,but our attempt was futile as he/she did not respond to our messages we left even in the BBM-PARTY TAUNG e-mails or facebook.

The show was duped to take place every year,but it seems that will not happen if the responds we received from gatvol people who attended the event.

For more details you can check the goup page on facebook called BBM-PARTY TAUNG and check the respond from those who felt used and demanding their money back.

Our crew is trying to get hold of either Liquid Deep manager or Rythmic Elements crew to get to the bottom of this. we will keep you posted and we believe maybe putting some well known artists was not just drawing the attention of the crowd.

 

Man in court after alleged rape!!!

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An Eastern Cape man is due to appear in a Mthatha court on Tuesday after allegedly raping a nine-year-old girl over the weekend.

Butterworth police said the suspect, who is a friend of the victim’s brother, came to visit him but found the girl alone in her home in Centane.

The police’s Jackson Manatha said the incident took place Saturday evening at about 10pm.