Daily Archives: May 27, 2012

West African derby thrills Cape Town as Ghana overpowers Nigeria

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A five goal thriller in the 8-Nation International tournament between Ghana and Nigeria resulted in a 3-2 win for the Black Satellites (Ghana).

Despite the cold at Athlone, spectators had come out in good numbers for the two games and there was a great atmosphere at kick off time, ahead of what became a match of top quality and continuous excitement.

This game proved to be a real clash of two West African powerhouses, both in terms of their stature on the continent and in terms of the powerful physiques of nearly every player out on the field.

It was Ghana who made the stronger start to the game, penetrating their opponents’ defence several times with some direct play.

Ghana managed to get in three or four shots on goal in the opening 10 minutes, though it was only a 25-yard effort from Jacob Apau which was on target, Nigerian keeper Chukwunenye Okani able to make a relatively comfortable save.

Ghana continued to dominate for the most part of the first 25 minutes, earning four corners in this period.

Okani did well to keep the match goal-less when after 30 minutes he rushed quickly off his line to block Apau’s way to goal.

A minute later and Ghana right wing Frank Sarfo-Gyamfi left his man for dead with fantastic pace and power, before firing just over the bar.

Still Ghana continued to press as Fatam Abdul came close with a shot from an audacious angle which Okani did well to save, and then in the 37th minute Sarfo-Gyamfi was unfortunate to see his shot rebound off the upright.

It was the Flying Eagles who were to take a surprise lead, two minutes after the break when Uche Agbo squeezed in a header via the upright, following a corner kick.

But the lead only lasted three minutes as Ghana struck back to equalise, Baba Abdul firing in a scorching low drive from 25-yards after the ball had broken to him.

The match had by this stage developed into a real thriller and after 70 minutes Nigeria were back in front when Black Satellites keeper Felix Annan dropped an aerial ball, allowing Aminu Umar to slot a 14-yard shot into the top corner; 2-1 Nigeria.

Going into the final 10 minutes and Ghana began to crank up the pressure as they pushed hard for a goal.

Seidu Salifu came close when he ran in on goal, but Nigeria keeper Okani was extremely quick to move off his line and make a brave block. 

However, with seven minutes of regulation time to go, the Black Satellites had their equaliser, thanks to a rocket of a free kick from Sarfo-Gyamfi.

Ghana were not yet finished however, and in the 88th minute they went ahead for the first time when Moro Ibrahim showed great composure to pick out Salifu in the centre, the striker finishing with a clinical first time effort to seal a thrilling win in a remarkable game of football.

Nigeria next faces Argentina on Sunday, 27 May at the Cape Town Stadium.

Kickoff is at 16h30.

In the earlier Group A match, South Africa lost 3-1 to Argentina.

9-man Brazil defeats Cameroon in the 8-Nation International tournament

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BY Obakeng Maje

A nine-man Brazil held on to beat Cameroon by one goal to nil (1-0) in an evenly contested 8-Nation International tournament Group B game played at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (26 May) evening. 

It was a tight game throughout as the African side gave as good as they got and pushed hard for an equaliser during the final 30 minutes, during which time Brazil’s numbers were reduced to 10, and then nine, after two red cards.

After an initial burst of a bright start by Cameroon, it was the South American side that settled comfortably into their passing rhythm.

Cameroon was content to sit back and let their opponents have the ball, not having to build up too much of a sweat in defence.

Brazil’s play-maker Misael Bueno tried to get things going for his team, who despite their constant probing found very little leeway in the Cameroon rearguard.

Finally though Brazil’s persistence paid off when in the 29th minute Joao Felipe played in Bruno Mendes, who, clean through on goal in a central position, had the composure to slot the ball past Cameroon keeper Kerrido Haschou.

Cameroon had a great chance to draw level five minutes before the break, but after Yazid Emane had played in an accurate cross, Jean Bassilekin headed the ball over the bar from only six yards out.

A couple of minutes before the break saw Brazil coming close to adding a second when Bueno sprinted clear down the right wing, before firing a shot through the legs of goal keeper Haschou, who was relieved to see the ball spurting clear of his goal.

The West Africans started the second half with far more pace and purpose. 

Five minutes in and their efforts nearly paid dividends as Emmanuel Ewangue strode forward from midfield before unleashing a thunderous drive, which crashed into the upright, much to the disappointment of the sizable Cameroon support in the stands.

A minute later and Cameroon were again denied, this time Brazil keeper Matheus de Oliveira diving across to palm away Charles Etoundi’s rifled effort.

The game then became increasingly physical with neither side holding back in the tackle, leading Brazil playing the final 25 minutes with less men after Luiz Conde received a straight red for a reckless challenge.

In the 84th minute the South Americans lost their second player of the night as Jean Deretti received a second yellow card for using his hand to steer the ball into goal.

All the while Cameroon had been doing most of the attacking, but only had a free kick from Emane, which sailed marginally over, to show for their efforts.

With the game in injury time, Etoundi again came close when his shot deflected just wide of goal.

It had been an impressive late rally by Cameroon, but ultimately they just couldn’t do enough to score.

ACCIDENT CLAIM A LIFE!!!

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BY Obakeng Maje

RUSTENBURG– On Friday night, 2012-05-25, a white Corsa collided with a cow that was on the N4. A 31-year-old passenger, Tshepo Raditlhare, died on the scene. The Police are investigating a Culpable homicide case.

BRITS– On Friday, 2012-05-25, at about 23:20, a silver BMW and a blue Golf, collided on the R512/N4 off-ramp at  De-Kroon. The driver of the Golf, who has not yet been identified, died on the scene. There were two passengers in the Golf, who sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. “The driver of the BMW, with three passengers sustained injuries and were taken to the local hospital for treatment” Captain Adele Myburgh said.  The Police are investigating a culpable homicide case.

                                                                    

 

SUSPECT TO APPEAR BEFORE MAGISTRATE FOR DRUNK AND DRIVING!!!

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BY Obakeng Maje

VRYBURG– a 26-year old driver was arrested for Drunken Driving and Culpable homicide, after he lost control of a white Opel Corsa on Friday, 2012-05-25 at about 22:28. “The vehicle overturned in Roydenweg road and one passenger, that have not been identified yet, a male adult between 25-27 years, died on the scene. Another passenger, also a male adult, aged 27-years, sustained serious injuries and was taken to the local hospital for treatment” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said. The 26-year-old driver did not sustain any injuries and will appear in the Vryburg Magistrate’s court soon

NORTH WEST POLICE SUCCESSES

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BY Obakeng Maje

ATAMELANG (near Delareyville)-One 24-year-old male suspect was arrested by Police on Saturday morning, 2012-05-26 at about 09:30, shortly after he raped a 35-year-old victim. The victim was on her way to work, when she was approached by the suspect who raped her in a sunflower field in Vriesgewaaght, earlier that morning. “The Police managed to trace the suspect who will appear in Atameleng Magistrate’s court soon” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

NORTH WEST POLICE SUCCESSES

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BY Obakeng Maje

ATAMELANG (near Delareyville)-One 24-year-old male suspect was arrested by Police on Saturday morning, 2012-05-26 at about 09:30, shortly after he raped a 35-year-old victim. The victim was on her way to work, when she was approached by the suspect who raped her in a sunflower field in Vriesgewaaght, earlier that morning. “The Police managed to trace the suspect who will appear in Atameleng Magistrate’s court soon” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

NORTH WEST POLICE SUCCESSES

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BY Obakeng Maje

ATAMELANG (near Delareyville)-One 24-year-old male suspect was arrested by Police on Saturday morning, 2012-05-26 at about 09:30, shortly after he raped a 35-year-old victim. The victim was on her way to work, when she was approached by the suspect who raped her in a sunflower field in Vriesgewaaght, earlier that morning. “The Police managed to trace the suspect who will appear in Atameleng Magistrate’s court soon” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

Bafana Bafana defeats Vodacom League side in practice match!!!

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BY Obakeng Maje

Bafana Bafana defeated Vodacom League side Impala Warriors by seven goals to nil (7-0) in a practice match played at the Royal Marang Sports Complex on Saturday, 26 May 2012.

Impala Warriors is coached by former Orlando Pirates player Brandon Silent.

Siyabonga Nomvethe scored three goals with the others coming from captain Steven Pienaar, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Andile Jali.

Bafana Bafana have been in camp for a week now preparing for two 2014 World Cup qualifiers and an international friendly match.

They will face Ethiopia in their first match at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng near Rustenburg. That match will be played on Sunday, 3 June 2012 with a 15h00 kickoff time.

‘Yes we have been working very hard, especially myself who was out of the game for such a long time due to injury. I have been pushing myself as much as possible and I am getting back to my best,” said midfielder Letsholonyane.

“The upcoming matches will obviously put us under pressure because we always want to win and make the nation proud. Also having not qualified for the last edition of the AFCON has created some kind of pressure, but we are confident enough to ride past that and do well, starting with Ethiopia.”

Defender Siboniso Gaxa concurs.

“Yes there has been a lot of pressure for us to win for a while. We started well with the 2012 AFCON qualifiers but in the end things did not go well. But this is football and we have moved on from that and are determined to start the 2014 World Cup qualifiers well and end well. We are fortunate in that the defence has been very solid, so now we need to build from there to ensure we get goals and win,” said Gaxa.

The players have been given a day off on Sunday, 27 May and will return to camp only in the evening.