A 70th minute goal from Eric Mathoho cancelled out a Mario Booysen goal as Kaizer Chiefs drew 1-1 with Maritzburg United in an Absa Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.

The result sees Chiefs still seven points clear at the top of the table as Orlando Pirates drew 1-1 with AmaZulu also on Wednesday night.

The first 45 saw Chiefs dominating the early possession but Maritzburg United creating the better chances on goal.

Chiefs were the better passing team in the opening ten minutes, but were unable to create any real clear cut opportunities on goal.

Instead, it was Maritburg’s Cuthbert Malajila who had the first decent attempt on goal in the 15th minute, but he saw his powerful shot from just outside the box well saved by Itumeleng Khune.

Three minutes later and Khune was in action again, this time at full stretch to tip a David Booysen long range shot around the post.

Chiefs’ first real attempt on goal came in the 26th minute when Willard Katsande was on the end of a Siphiwe Tshabalala corner-kick, but the Zimbabwean directed his header wide of the target.

In the 33rd minute Maritzburg United were threatening the Chiefs goal again, this time from a right-sided cross that Malajila got onto but his header went wide as the half ended all square.

Some slack defending three minutes after the restart saw Maritzburg United take the lead through Mario Booysen who fired home from close range after a bit of a goalmouth scramble, 1-0.

After going behind Chiefs began to throw numbers forward and should have equalised in the 63rd minute, but Lehlohonolo Majoro missed the opportunity as he fired wide from close range.

Nonetheless, Chiefs continued to press forward and were able to make their pressure toll in the 70th minute as Eric Mathoho headed home a Tshabalala in-swinging corner-kick to level matters, 1-1.

The Amakhosi dominated the final 20 minutes of the match but were unable to fashion a decent goal scoring chance as the game ended 1-1. 

Courtesy of http://www.soccerladuma.com

Johannesburg – Oscar Pistorius wants to train again and recently went back to visit his regular track in South Africa’s capital, the double-amputee athlete’s agent told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

There was still no decision on an exact time-frame for the multiple Paralympic champion’s return to regular running, but Pistorius told his agent Peet van Zyl and longtime coach Ampie Louw at a Tuesday meeting that he was “definitely keen to get back on track to resume training,” the agent said.

“When, exactly, is his choice,” Van Zyl told the AP in Wednesday’s telephone interview.

Pistorius had also revisited his practice track in Pretoria on March 24, although he didn’t train, the agent said.

Pistorius last trained on a track over two months ago, and his last competitive race was his victory in the 400 meters final at the London Paralympics in September last year.

Van Zyl said Pistorius wasn’t ready “mentally” to compete yet after he was charged with murder in the Feb. 14 shooting death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home.

“From our meeting, it was clear and evident it’s going to take some time for him (to be ready to compete),” Van Zyl said. “He’s trying to process this whole ordeal.”

Pistorius had also told his agent and coach that he would only consider running at the world championships in Moscow in August if he was in the right shape to run at the top level again.

“He (Pistorius) stated to me clearly yesterday, for the world champs, first he needs to be in some form,” Van Zyl said.

Still, Pistorius’ first significant move toward a return to the track on his carbon fiber running blades came at the meeting with his management team at the home of his uncle, Arnold Pistorius, on Tuesday night. The 26-year-old Olympian has been staying at the house in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria since he was freed on bail on Feb. 22.

Pistorius denies murdering Steenkamp and says he shot her accidentally after mistaking her for an intruder in his house. Prosecutors have charged him with premeditated murder and say he intentionally shot Steenkamp multiple times after the couple argued in the early hours of Valentine’s Day.

His next court appearance is June 4.

Pistorius had visited his training track at the University of Pretoria with some other athletes, but hadn’t worked out properly, only doing a little jogging, Van Zyl said. Although a high court ruling last week eased Pistorius’ bail restrictions on appeal and allowed him to travel to compete, Van Zyl said it would still take time to be ready for track meets.

“He hasn’t trained at all since the incident and you can’t expect him to go into competition. More important, mentally he is not there yet, he is some way off,” the agent said.

Longtime coach Louw, who discovered the double amputee’s talent for running when he was still a teenager, was eager, however, for the athlete to get back to training to help his mental process.

“Ampie was quite keen for him to start training as soon as possible so Oscar can get into some kind of routine,” Van Zyl said. – Sapa-AP

The legal representative for the Bapo Ba Mogale traditional authority says they do not want the Marikana Commission of Inquiry to move from Rustenburg to Pretoria. The traditional authority is the owner of the land where Lonmin’s Marikana Mine is situated.

The authority filed an opposing application late Tuesday evening explaining why they wanted the Commission to continue with its work in the North West. Their move comes after Commission chair, retired judge Ian Farlam, met with Justice Minister Jeff Radebe in the morning to discuss an application by some legal representatives to move to Gauteng.

Meanwhile, National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega has denied that she failed to properly prepare for her testimony before the Commission of Inquiry. Advocate for the Legal Resource Centre George Bizos has told Phiyega that she’s tried to avoid personal responsibility, evaded answering important questions and attempted to hide behind the police’s organisational bureaucracy to avoid answering questions.

But, Phiyega did not agree to these accusations. During cross examination, the Police Commissioner was again asked why she never mentioned allegations by Warrant Officer Wouter Myburgh that a Sergeant of the National Intervention Unit had fired a shot at a mine worker during the Marikana shootings, saying he deserved to die. Advocate Gcina Malindi for the Human Rights Commission told Phiyega that he felt she was criticising Myburgh for not taking note of the name of the Sergeant and not being able to point him out again. 

However, Phiyega did not agree.

For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Twenty six candidates will be sitting down for player agent examinations at the offices of the South African Football Association (SAFA) in Nasrec, south of Johannesburg.

The hour-long exam will take place on Thursday, 4 April 2013 at SAFA House, starting at 10h00.

The 26 persons will be required to have knowledge on several topics which include:

1. Player agent regulations,

2. Player transfer regulations,

3. Rights and obligations of player agents, players and the clubs,

4. As well as regulations and FIFA statutes on the status and transfer of players.

The topics covered in a player agent exam will ensure that the SAFA Accredited player agent complies with the regulations set regarding the introduction of players to clubs, overseeing the negotiation of the employment contract and concluding a transfer agreement in compliance with the provisions set forth in these regulations.

Once the candidates have passed the examination, they are ready to practice as SAFA Accredited Player Agents. After six months they will be recommended to FIFA to become FIFA Accredited Player Agents.

South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Kirsten Nematandani leaves for Zurich, Switzerland this evening, (3 April 2013) to attend a meeting with the world controlling soccer body, FIFA, intended to discuss the match fixing report.

The planned meeting is expected to be attended by Nematandani, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke and Minister of Sports and Recreation South Africa, the Honourable Fikile Mbalula.

The meeting of the three parties, called on by FIFA, is to make sure everyone has the same level of information and find a common perceptive on the way forward.

It comes against the backdrop of the SAFA National Executive Committee (NEC) decision to appoint a committee tasked with looking into the setting up of an Independent Commission of Enquiry into the match fixing matter.

AmaZulu will look to continue their unbeaten run and further dent the Absa Premiership title hopes of Orlando Pirates when the teams meet at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday, kick-off at 19h30.

  AmaZulu extended their unbeaten run to six matches with a goalless draw away to Ajax Cape Town on Friday night. In that sequence they have kept five clean sheets.

  The Durban side has recorded three wins, four draws and three losses from their 10 home matches this season.

  Usuthu are placed 12th on the Absa Premiership log with 24 points from 22 matches.

  Pirates played to a third successive draw in the league when they were held to a goalless stalemate at home by University of Pretoria.

The Soweto side has recorded six victories and suffered two defeats from their 11 matches on the road this campaign.

   The Buccaneers are placed second on the Absa Premiership log with 42 points from 22 matches.

In head-to-head stats, AmaZulu and Pirates have met in 48 league matches since 1985.

  Bucs have traditionally dominated the fixture, claiming 22 wins compared to nine for Usuthu, while 17 matches have been drawn.

   AmaZulu have recorded six wins, 10 draws and seven defeats from 23 home matches against Pirates down the years.

  When the teams met earlier this season in Soweto they played to a goalless stalemate.

  AmaZulu’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with Ajax: Kapini, Hlongwa, Cele, Teyisa, Nyadombo, Madondo, Kgatla, Manqana, Malongoane (Mshengu 71’), A. Dlamini, G. Dlamini.

Pirates’ line-up from their 0-0 draw with Tuks: Meyiwa, Jele, Lekgwathi, Gcaba, Matlaba, Klate, Manyisa, Jali, Segolela (Masuku 80’), Mabena (Okonkwo 77’), Mbesuma (McCarthy 61’).

For more www.psl.co.za

Kaizer Chiefs will look to strengthen their hold on top spot in the Absa Premiership when they host Maritzburg United at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday, kick-off at 19h30.

Chiefs extended their unbeaten run in the league to 11 matches with a 3-0 away win over Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday.

The Soweto side is unbeaten at home this season, with eight wins and four draws from 12 matches.

The Amakhosi are placed first on the Absa Premiership log with 50 points from 23 matches.

Maritzburg have won two of their last three league matches and defeated Chippa United 2-0 at home on Sunday.

The KwaZulu-Natal side has recorded four wins, three draws and three defeats from 10 away matches this term.

The Team of Choice is placed seventh on the Absa Premiership log with 31 points from 22 matches.

In head-to-head stats, Chiefs and Maritzburg have met in 13 league matches since 2005/06.

The Soweto side has claimed five wins compared to four for the Pietermaritzburg team, while four matches have been drawn.

  Chiefs have won three of their six home matches against Maritzburg, suffering two defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season they played to a 1-1 draw in KwaZulu-Natal, with Mandaza and Majoro scoring for Amakhosi and the Team of Choice respectively.

Chiefs’ line-up from their 3-0 win over Celtic: Khune, Gaxa (Dladla 88’), Mathoho, Gould, Mashamaite, Masilela, Letsholonyane, Katsande, Tshabalala, Parker, Nkhatha (Majoro 68’).

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 2-0 win over Chippa: Walters, Evans, Awal, M. Booysen, Cloete, Sheppard (Matuka 80’), De Jongh (Mandaza 46’), Morton, Buckley, Isaacks (Petersen 70’), Malajila.

For more www.psl.co.za

The PSL’s disciplinary committee (DC) has confirmed that Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have been charged for contravening certain rules within the league.

Pirates have been charged with contravening Rule 12.2 and Rule 12.3 after they failed to change to white shorts as the away side, in order to avoid a clash of colours, before their fixture against Chiefs on March 9, 2013, at the FNB Stadium. Bucs will face the DC on April 4.

Meanwhile Chiefs have been charged with contravening Rule 10.5, after they failed to allow their opponents, Polokwane City, access to their change room at least four hours before the game at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on March 16, 2013. They only allowed them access approximately one hour before the start of the game. Chiefs will appear in front of the DC on April 10 .

The PSL’s DC has also confirmed that Dynamos has been charged with contravening the kit manual after one of Dynamos’ players worse a jersey with a number different to the one displayed on his shorts during their NFD fixture against Roses United at Giyani Stadium on March 9, 2013.

Sivutsa Stars face two charges. The first charge is for contravening Rule 8.9.1 and Rule 10.1, after they failed to procure a doctor for the spectators in their fixture against Thanda Royal Zulu at Thulamahashe Stadium on November 28, 2012.

The club has also been charged for failure to arrive in the change rooms at the stipulated time (60 minutes before the start of the game) at the same game against Thanda. The second charge is for contravening Rule 8.9.2 in their fixture against African Warriors on March 10, 2013, at the Kabokweni Stadium.

Witbank Spurs face three separate charges for contravening Rule 8.9.4. Spurs allegedly failed to procure the services of a spectator doctor in their fixture against Jomo Cosmos at the Puma Stadium on March 9, 2013.

Secondly, they failed to procure the services of a spectator doctor in their fixture against Milano United on March 3, 2013, at the Puma Stadium. They also face a third (similar) offence in their game against Vasco da Gama at the Puma Stadium on March 16, 2013.

Roses United have been charged with contravening Rule 8.9.4 after they failed to procure a doctor for the spectators in their game against Vasco da Gama at the Botshabelo Stadium on March 3, 2013.

For more www.soccerladuma.com

Four people have handed themselves over to Durban police on Monday in connection with the killing of a British rugby fan in the city, 11 days ago. The fifth suspect is also expected to hand himself over this morning.

The four, who arrived at the police station at about six on Wednesday morning, are locked up in a meeting with their lawyer. Brett Williams was murdered at Kings Park almost two weeks ago after a Super Rugby match.

The 28-year-old UK citizen, who is also a former Royal Marine, died on the stadium’s outer fields after being kicked and punched to death in view of fellow rugby supporters. The suspects who are allegedly known, avoided arrest over the recent long weekend by negotiating to hand themselves.

Earlier, the Democratic Alliance’s Dianne Kohler-Barnard questioned this arrangement saying, “SAPS knows exactly who they are, but made absolutely no effort to arrest them, in fact they had a deal with their lawyers allegedly that they will hand themselves.”

“We don’t know now why such a deal has been done. As far as we have seen, a brutal murder had been committed and yet these people have been given preferential treatment. Violent rugby fans beat someone to death in public and absolutely nothing has been done.”

For more www.sabc.co.za

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A 35-year old lawyer has been granted bail of R10 000 in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court in Rustenburg in North West. Mandla Gumbi was arrested on Monday after allegedly driving into a group of pedestrians in Ledig near Sun City.

Five were killed instantly and seven injured.

The accused was believed to have been under the influence of alcohol and allegedly speeding.

He has been charged with five counts of culpable homicide and reckless driving. 

“He was released on R10 000 bail and the matter was postponed to 10 June 2013 for further investigation. The matter was originally placed on the roll for the April 3, 2013 and it was later changed to April 2, at the discretion by the prosecution as long as the matter appears within 48 hours after the arrest,” says National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West Frank Lesenyego.

For more details www.sabc.co.za