Johannesburg – The derby between Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United could prove crucial in deciding the top eight Premiership spots by the end of the season, United coach Gavin Hunt said.

With only two points separating Matsatsantsa in ninth place and Sundowns in 11th, either side have the opportunity to climb into the top eight by claiming maximum points at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.

“We can’t seem to get our way out of there (mid-table) at the moment, we’re not losing but we’re not winning,” Hunt said on Friday.

“It’s going to be tough, they have a lot of good players, certainly individually they have better players than we’ve got.

“Collectively we are a good unit, we work hard, our shape will always get us into good positions on the field.”

With 13 draws from their 20 fixtures, Hunt added that he was pleased with the intent shown by the players.

However, Hunt said he was left frustrated by the lack of match-winning goals that could have seen the team in the top three, having lost less games than third-placed Platinum Stars.

“We drew our last game and won the one before that, so it has been frustrating, but it’s so tight a league that from top to bottom anyone can win or lose at this point in time.

“If you’re creating chances then I’m happy. We can’t do anything different, we are creating lots of chances.

“You see people at training putting the ball away and then in a game we miss tap-ins.

“The final ball has let us down, the cross or the pass or the shot but we certainly have been dominant in games and that’s important for me.”

Looking at the injury list, Hunt said United have had a bad run of luck, especially in defence, where the team have been without the likes of Bevan Fransman, Grant Kekana and Roscoe Pietersen.

In attack, Hunt believed the team had too many options.

“That (injuries) always coincides with a bad run of form, but I don’t think we’re playing that badly at all.

“We’ve got too many up front. At the back we’ve got problems in terms of numbers, so that’s been a bit of a problem for us.”

Meanwhile, Sundown coach Pitso Mosimane – who takes on United for the first time as a coach at club level – said he was aware that many considered SuperSport United to be the club that shaped his career.

“Everybody knows my story with SuperSport United… I coached there for seven years and so we made each other,” Mosimane said.

“It’s not only SuperSport that made me, but I also made the team as well.

“We are playing a good team and they also have a good coach. We respect them as they won three league titles in succession. Our aim is for a Top 8 finish and I believe we can get it.”

SAPA

By Kgatliso Ramose

FNB Stadium- From Nyelele to Umlazi, from Phumlane to Nelspruit,Taung to Kimberly,the country will come to a standstil as they wait with bated breath for the kickoff of one of the biggest derbies in the world,”The Soweto Derby”.

With less that two hours left before the kickoff at Soccer city Stadium in Johannesburg,the country is arguable divided and social networks are fans words battlefield.

Kaizer Chiefs is the favourite to win today’s encounter judging by their recent form, but our reader Phanuel Moroe,a die-hard Khosi fan have a different view.

 “With Chiefs and Pirates statistics and history between the two giants are meaningless. Pirates think will give us a tough game, but this is not a game we are going to loose” he warned” Moroe asserted.

This game is one Pirates desperately need to win to restore their dignity after loosing to the minnows Maluti FET in the Nedbank Cup encounter. 

Letting Moroka Swallows to bounce back from 2-nil to win 3-2 in their league game and also letting Celtics to equalise in the dying minutes in their last league game. 

Orlando Pirates is now number two on the league,only five points adrift from their bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs,but have game in hand. 

Is the Buccaneer glory days over?

“No there is no such thing. Pirates is just off-form just like any other team.

“Yes we may be down after letting Celtics exit Orlando Stadium with a point,but the Pirates I support will bounce back come saturday game” the optimistic Orlando Pirates supporter Moeketsi Lloyd Ramose said.

However Neo Modihapula put his faith on the English man Stuart Baxter. 

“I forsee a great game between the two Soweto giants. In the past few seasons,we have seen that after if Kaizer Chiefs win their midweek game,they will have a bad game against their rivals” Modihapula said.

“Since the arrival of Baxter things have changed. He brought a new method at Kaizer Chiefs. We play with five defenders,and attack with our full backs” he adds. 

“So the Sea Robbers won’t know how to plan against us” he concluded.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

Absa Premiership: Kaizer Chiefs v Orlando Pirates

Venue: FNB Stadium, Soweto

Time: 15h30

Channel: SABC 1, SS4

This afternoon South Africa’s two biggest football clubs lock horns for the 55th time in league competition as Kaizer Chiefs look to cement their place at the top of the Absa Premiership and Orlando Pirates aim to gain some ground on their biggest rivals.

The game will be the second time that the two head coaches, Stuart Baxter and Roger de Sa, will meet while at the helm of their Sowetan clubs, and as it stands neither has got one up on the other after their first encounter finished in a draw.

Having lost just one game all season and sitting atop the PSL log, Chiefs certainly go into this game on the better form. Their last match saw them claim a 2-0 victory over the Wilfred Mugeyi’s struggling side, Chippa United, and while the result was a convincing one, the performance was not up to their usual standards.

The Amakhosi are yet to lose a game at home this season, winning eight of their games as the home team, and are the top scorers in the league, bagging 39 goals so far. They’re also unbeaten in their last nine games.

Baxter, speaking about the Soweto derby following his side’s win over Chippa said, “It’s hard, but I’ve tried to try and concentrate on our games and not look at our competitors, but any points that we move ahead are positive. I’d like to see positive football on show that reflects how the two teams play. I’m looking forward to it.”

Meanwhile, Pirates go into this game having won only one of their last four league games and on the back of a 1-1 draw with Bloemfontein Celtic.

The Buccaneers have struggled to find their title winning form so far this season, however they are still within touching distance of their rivals, sitting five points and one place behind them, but with a game in hand.

Should De Sa’s men come away from the derby with three points, then a victory in their extra game could see them take their place at the top of the league.

Pirates’ away form this season has been fairly impressive, winning six of their games on the road, losing two and drawing two of their four others. However, it is pointless to talk of home and away stats when it comes to Chiefs against Pirates, with both sets of fans turning out in numbers.

De Sa told Soccer-Laduma that he’s hoping that a win against their rivals can help turn around their difficult run. He said, “It’s an important game, we’ve been looking for the game to help us turn it around after the result of the last two games. A win could be huge, it could be the impetus for us to go on. I don’t have to do any kind of motivation for the players, the game is big enough.”

Of the 54 league games that have been played out between the two teams, Chiefs are comfortably the most successful side, although 20 of the games have ended with the points shared.

The Amakhosi have won 22 of the 54 league encounters, with Bucs taking maximum points on only 12 occasions, although last season finished with each team getting one win over each other in the season.

Form:

Chiefs: D-W-W-D-W

Pirates: W-W-W-L-D

Players to Watch:

Chiefs: Bernard Parker

Pirates: Collins Mbesuma
Courtesy of www.soccerladuma.co.za

In the first round of the Absa Premiership Soweto derby Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs played to a one all draw.

This time around, both teams are fighting for the league title and can’t afford to drop points. Both teams will do everything they can to come out tops!

Orlando Pirates striker Collins Mbesuma scored in the first round and hopes to emulate that performance and spur his team on to victory.

“We want to close the gap. We have to score more goals today and win the game so that we cut the points difference. We have to make sure that we attack as a team and defend as a team so that we don’t give them a chance to counter us and score. If we can have two early goals I think we can wrap up the game. What we need is a win,” the former Kaizer Chiefs striker concluded.

For more details go to www.soccerladuma.co.za

Kaizer Chiefs striker Kingston Nkhatha has been in fine form for Amakhosi and he is expected to lead the team’s striking force this afternoon when they meet their Soweto rivals, Orlando Pirates, at the FNB Stadium.

The Zimbabwean international tells Soccer-Laduma that both teams want a win from this fixture.

He said that both team needs the three points to keep alive their respective hopes of winning the Absa Premiership title this season.

“Both teams need a win today. For us we don’t want to think what will happen if we lose so we will go for a win. For us it is not about who scores but us winning. I would be happy to score but the most important thing is a win for Chiefs,” the former Black Leopards striker said.

For more details go to www.soccerladuma.co.za

PRETORIA – Eyewitness News has learnt prosecutors will first study the bail ruling before murder accused Oscar Pistorius can appeal his bail conditions.

It emerged on Friday that Pistorius’ legal team want his bail conditions amended to allow him to travel more freely.

Police arrested the athlete at his Pretoria East home after he shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

It’s understood a date for the hearing will be set by the middle of next week.

Pistorius’ advocate Kenny Oldwage has confirmed papers have been filed, but provided no details.

The Blade Runner is said to be unhappy with the travel limitations imposed on him.

Pistorius’ lawyers also believe that the requirement their client submit to drug and alcohol tests is unreasonable.

Meanwhile, manager Peet van Zyl has confirmed the athlete has withdrawn from all local and international track events and has not been training.       

EWN.CO.ZA

JOHANNESBURG – Authorities are trying to determine whether human remains found buried underneath a swimming pool belongs to a victim of paedophile Gert van Rooyen.

During the late 80’s Van Rooyen was linked to the disappearance of at least six young girls whose bodies were never found.

The Saturday Star reported that a female skeleton found at a Germiston house in April last year could belong to one of the victims.

At the time police told Eyewitness News that it couldn’t be possible as the skeleton belonged to a girl in her late teens.

The home’s owner said contractors stumbled upon the human bones while excavating the swimming pool during renovations.

To evade arrest in January 1990, van Rooyen committed suicide.       

JOHANNESBURG – As the family of slain taxi driver Mido Macia prepares to bury him in Mozambique, residents of Daveyton have reiterated their demands that his alleged killers be denied bail.

Macia was dragged through the streets while handcuffed to the back of a police van last week.

He died in a holding cell hours later.

A total of nine policemen were arrested and charged with murder.

They appeared in the Benoni Magistrates Court for the first time on Friday to make a formal bail application.

The state on Friday arrested a ninth policeman who appeared in the dock alogside his colleagues.

Besides being charged with murder, he was also accused of attempting to flee to avoid arrest and prosecution.

During their appearance, all of the accused said they intended pleading not guilty to the charge of murdering Macia.

Despite video footage of Marcia being dragged behind a police van, only two of the accused mentioned it in their affidavits.

All of them said they were surprised to learn of Macia’s death as he had not complained of any injuries.

The case was postponed until next Monday and the officers will remain in custody.

Prosecutors will on Monday submit affidavits from witnesses.

The state will oppose bail and said they will call witnesses to the stand if need be.

www.ewn.co.za

Johannesburg – A South African Airways crew member was arrested at the OR Tambo International airport on Friday for allegedly trafficking drugs from Sao Paulo, Brazil into the country, the Hawks said on Friday.

Captain Paul Ramaloko said the 34-year-old flight attendant was found with nearly two kilograms of cocaine, estimated to have a street value of R300,000.

“She had wrapped the drugs on the upper part of her body, under her clothes,” said Ramaloko.

He said she was under surveillance for some time and was arrested  shortly after landing at the OR Tambo International airport.

She was apparently part of a drug syndicate trafficking between the two countries.

“We hope this arrest will break the chain in the trafficking of drugs between South Africa and Sao Paulo,” said Ramaloko.

The woman was expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

She would face charges of dealing in drugs. – Sapa

North West invests in skills development for more jobs and productivity 

 The North West Provincial Government is to spend R19 million on skills development to uplift young people during the 2013/2014 financial year in an effort to address

unemployment, poverty and inequality, Premier Thandi Modise announced at the Provincial Jobs Fair and Job Summit held in Potchefstroom on Friday.

Addressing hundreds of potential employers and other stakeholders at Madiba Banquet Hall, Premier Modise said that young people are under enormous pressure to find employment especially the graduates. She said that her administration is aware of the challenges faced by young people and was happy that the Minister of Labour Mildred Oliphant was present at the summit as she will be able to assist in addressing these challenges. 

 The Premier highlighted that according to 2011 census report, the North West Province is a home to about 3.5. million inhabitants, and the economy in the province has grown at about 2.7 % which is miniscule given the 5.4 % needed by National Development Plan to create 11 million jobs by 2030. She said that the mining sector contributes 30% to the overall GDP of the province with other sectors like manufacturing at 4.9 %, agriculture at 2 % and community service at 11.7 %.

Modise alluded that her province is faced with the predominantly poor population with high levels of dependency on social grants, uneven distribution of limited and available resources which inhibit service delivery and economic growth and also possibility of shedding of jobs by the mining sector.

“As part of our strategic plan to address these challenges the Provincial Government proposed building strong and enduring partnerships and to select from many possible interventions which hold promise of greatest possible, create jobs, improve efficiency and productivity, fairer distribution of economic opportunities and rewards,” she stressed.

She underscored that the province boast itself with strong agricultural sector, road transport network between SADEC and other provinces such as Gauteng, Free State, Limpopo and Northern Cape and that BRICS will create opportunity for international markets in agriculture.

   The Premier hinted that she is in negotiations with Minister of Minerals about the marble project in Taung to be given to Women in the Province.

  The Province will seize the opportunity brought about by climate change by introduction of several Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency initiatives and Manufacturing opportunities.

In her address, Minister Mildred Oliphant said the jobs summit and jobs fair is one of the initiatives that Government has embarked on to ease the lot of many people who find themselves not only jobless but also hopeless.

The Minister highlighted that the Job fair gave effect to government’s commitment in the struggle to ease the challenge of inequality, poverty and unemployment and that the summit was designed to help employers and potential employees to find each other.

 “The focus of government is decent work hence we have set in motion process of amending critical areas of Legislation like Labour Relation and Basic Conditions of Employment.

  The Employment Services Bill and Employment equity Amendment Bill have also been submitted to Parliament. The Portfolio Committee has deliberated and voted on Basic Conditions of Employment and will be finalising the Labour Relations Bill. These legislation will make it difficult for situations that gave rise to Marikana,” she said.

MEC for Economic Development, Conservation, Environment and Tourism, Motlalepula Rosho focused the summit to key projects which are aimed at addressing development in the province such as Beef Beneficiation in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Development of Electronic Sector Zone in Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Expansion of Tourism Sector through a deal with Peermont Group and the North West Hotel School and Platinum Beneficiation in Bojanala.

 MEC Rosho said that while Tourism, Agriculture and Mining are top job drivers, the provincial government is in negotiations with Ireland, Thailand and Mozambique on issues of arts, hospitality and tourism opportunities for the Province.

Private Sector institutions such as National Empowerment Fund and industrial Development Corporation, South African Maritime Safety Authority presented to both the Minister, Premier and other stakeholders about their initiatives and urged Business and SMMEs to make use of available funding and support opportunities that creates jobs and alleviates poverty available from their institution.

The job summit which was hosted by the North West Provincial government in partnership with the Department of labour was seen by many of the young people who attended it in numbers as an opportunity for them to find long lasting solution to unemployment and poverty.

Social partners in attendance committed to sustainable and practical declarations to create jobs for the young people.

   The summit was also characterized by a job fair which created opportunities for job seekers and unemployed graduates to meet with prospective employers and other institutions that can assist with their placement in different forms of employment or learning opportunities.