BY Obakeng Maje

Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund has named a 24-man squad to face Zambia in the Nelson Mandela Challenge on Wednesday, 14 November 2012.

The clash will take place at Soccer City. Kickoff is at 20h00.

The two teams clashed in the inaugural Nelson Mandela Challenge back in 1994 and the ‘return’ clash next week promises fireworks. The visitors lost that epic encounter at Ellis Park 2-1.

This annual tournament has a lot of CSI feel to it; the South African Football Association (SAFA) will donate a huge portion of the proceeds to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

In his fifth game in charge of the national team, coach Gordon Igesund has made eight changes to the squad that travelled to Poland and Kenya last month, with seven of the players selected based overseas.

Itumeleng Khune retains his place in goals and is joined by Darren Keet of KV Kortrijk (Belgium) as the only two goalkeepers in the squad.

In defence, another Belgium-based player Anele Ngcongca returns to the squad for the first time under Igesund after recovering from injuries.

Also back in the squad after a long absence are Thanduyise Khuboni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Thuso Phala (Platinum Stars), Kermit Erasmus (Supersport United) and Katlego Mashego of Moroka Swallows.

“This is probably the last chance for a lot of players, especially the overseas-based players to impress because we don’t have a FIFA date anymore between now and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

I am happy with the progress we are making and the squad is taking shape nicely; a number of players and clubs are showing passion towards the national cause and this is giving me a good ‘headache’,” said Igesund.

“I now have most of the squad I need for the tournament, but I am left with about 20 percent with the likes of Thulani Serero, Siboniso Gaxa, Daylon Claasen, Benni McCarthy, Davide Somma and Morgan Gould, to mention but a few, still to fight for the remaining places. The truth is they have a lot of work to do because they need to show me that not only have they fully recovered from their injuries and are fit, but also that they are playing regularly for their clubs.”

Igesund will have Serame Letsoaka as his only assistant following the passing away of Thomas Madigage last month.

“I believe Serame and I have what it takes to take this team forward. For the moment we won’t be replacing Tommy and I don’t think there is a need to find a replacement,” said the Bafana Bafana head coach.

Bafana Bafana will assemble for camp on Sunday, 11 November 2012 at the Southern Sun Monte Casino Hotel in Fourways.

On Monday, 12 November they will have a gym training session, and the next day (Tuesday, 13 November) will travel to Soccer City to have final preparations.
 

The Squad:

Government should pay the legal fees of the miners injured or arrested in the Marikana shooting, the Black Lawyers Association (BLA) said on Friday.

“We are of the firm, unwavering belief that in order to guard against either perceived or real travesty of justice and in order to promote parity of arms, there is a positive duty on the State to fund both the victims and their lawyers at the Commission,” BLA’s Pritzman Busani Mabunda said in a statement.

“It can’t be countenanced in a constitutional democracy that funding is construed to be selective at the expense of the poor and downtrodden.”

Legal Aid SA had said earlier in the week it would not help the miners who were injured or arrested during the shooting in Marikana.

It would however continue to provide support to the families of the 34 miners killed on August 16, but not to the 78 people who were wounded, or the 275 who were arrested.

Given that the police and other government representatives making submissions to the commission were being represented by teams of eminent legal experts at the expense of the taxpayer, Mabunda said fairness dictated the same benefits should apply to the miners and their families.

“There is no good or sound reason why the police…should enjoy upper class representation at the expense of the taxpayer while the same rights are not accorded to the poor victims in the Commission,” he said.

“We implore on the government to take a lead and employ positive measures to ensure there is justice to the victims and not create an impression of apparent justice to the perpetrators.”

While the policy on provision of legal aid, contained in the Legal Aid Guide, did not make provision for Legal Aid SA to make available legal representation at commissions of inquiry, Mabunda said it was no excuse for government not to assist.

“The legislative impediment constraining the government from making provision of both legal and logistical support…should not serve as a defence for not doing so,” he said.

“This is so bearing in mind that the situation in Marikana is of its own kind. It was never anticipated that the nation would find itself in this kind of commission of inquiry as it has manifested itself.” – Sapa

A South African soldier who was killed in Dafur in Sudan two weeks ago has been laid to rest in Klerksdorp in the North West, the SABC reported on Saturday. Mourners described Mthuthuzeli van der Walt as a hero who died while on a peace mission.

Hundreds of people including South African National Defence Force officials, mayors and members of Parliament attended the funeral.

Van der Walt was part of the United Nation’s peace mission in Sudan. – Sapa

Potchefstroom –

A toddler was in a critical condition in hospital after he fell into a pool in Potchefstroom, North West paramedics said on Saturday.

“The parents went looking for the toddler outside on Friday evening and found him face down in the pool,” said spokeswoman Vanessa Jackson.

It was not clear as to how he ended in the pool, or how long he had been in the water before his father found him and pulled him out.

The boy was cold and had no pulse.

Paramedics arrived and managed to get a pulse back after administering treatment.

The toddler was then transported to Johannesburg’s Garden City hospital for specialised treatment. – Sapa

BY Obakeng Maje

LOMANYANENG: Police in Lomanyaneng are investigating an Inquest Docket following the death of a 82-year-old woman. 

It is alleged that  the deceased Nnini Catherine Ntlhafu who was also allegedly mentally handicaped went missing on Wednesday and no one knew her whereabouts. 

“Police were informed about the incident and a search was conducted.Her body was found bleeding from the mouth on Friday at Lotlhakane farming area” Warrant Officer Tselanyane said. 

“There were no visible injuries on her body and no foul play is suspected” He said.

Investigation continues.

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BY Obakeng Maje

CHRISTIANA: Police in Christiana have arrested a 19-year-old suspect for allegedly stabbing to death a 24-year-old victim. 

It is alleged that on Friday the two were at Shack Attack tavern in Geluksoord when a argument ensued.

“It is not known  what the cause of the fight was, but alleged that during the argument the suspect drew a knife and stabbed the deceased once in the chest” Tselanyane said. 

“The victim was rushed to Christiana Hospital in a private vehicle and was certified dead on arrival” he added.   

Police were informed and a case of murder was registered. 

The suspect was arrested and he is expected to appear before the Christiana Magistrates’ Court on Monday on a charge of murder. Investigation continues.

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BY Obakeng Maje

Banyana Banyana booked themselves a place in the semi-finals of the CAF African Women’s Championship 2012, after outplaying the Democratic Republic of Congo 4-1 in their final Group A fixture in Bata, Equatorial Guinea on Saturday, 3 November 2012.

A hat-trick of goals from tall Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (Sasol League Gauteng) striker Andisiwe Mgcoyi paved the way for a win that has set the Sasol-sponsored South African senior national women’s team up for semifinal action at the same venue on Wednesday (7 November)- with Group B log leaders and Africa’s No 1 side Nigeria, the likely opponents.

Cape Town Roses (Sasol League Western Cape) attacker Leandra Smeda – brought into the side on the right wing in place of Nocawe Skiti – put the South Africans ahead as early as the 3rd minute, as she tapped home a square ball range, delivered by team captain Amandai Dlamini.

Seven minutes later, Mgcoyi had an easy tap-in goal, finishing off a cross from the right from striker Jermaine Seoposenwe.

The South Africans could easily have been 5-0 by the break, but increased their advantage in the second half. Mgcoyi carved a cross through the Congolese defence before firing home three minutes after the break, and scored again from close range in the 57th minute.

The Congolese scored a consolation goal against the run of play in the 88th minute via defender Jolie Tutzolana who fired the ball home from 18m out, with SA goalkeeper Thoko Mnadweni having no chance of pulling off a save.

Banyana Banyana went into the game needing a draw or win to secure their spot in the semifinals, but national head coach Joseph Mkhonza can be proud of the effort put in by his players on the slippery Nkoantoma stadium surface following light rain leading up to the match.

“We have now qualified for the knock-out stages of the competition, for us this means anything is possible. Any team that has made it to the semi-finals as a chance of proceeding to the final stage of the tournament.

“We came to this tournament knowing at some stage that we would meet one of the power houses of women’s football on the continent. If you have to be the best, you have to play the best. We are here to make a statement.” said Banyana Banyana head coach, Joseph Mkhonza.

Banyana Banyana captain, Amanda Dlamini has said making it this far in the tournament would mean facing some of the strongest teams on the continent but feels they are up for that challenge and make it as far in the competition.

“Coming into this tournament we knew if we wanted to compete in the semi-finals, we are bound to meet the African power houses of Women’s football. Now that we’ve made it this far in the tournament, we want to play our own game taking into fact that we will face tough opposition being amongst the top four.” said Dlamini.

The national coach should also be complimented for sticking with his attacking 3 (defenders), 5 (midfielders), 2 (strikers) formation, which allowed the captain Dlamini, the experienced Portia Modise, and young midfield sensation Refiloe Jane, to dominate the centre of the park.

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