Bafana Bafana media officer Matlhomola Morake caught up with captain Itumeleng Khune ahead of the do-or-die 2014 World Cup clash with Ethiopia this coming Sunday.

SAFA Media: Playing this match on June 16, a special day on the South African calendar; what does it mean for you?

Itumeleng Khune: Many people sacrificed their lives for us to be where we are today. Had it not been for all those lives that were lost, we might be living under different circumstances. It is therefore important for us the players, the youth of today, to give back by winning this World Cup match against Ethiopia on this special day for our country. Today we are living in better conditions following actions that were taken years ago in 1976. We know they will be with us in spirit as we tackle this important mission on Sunday.

SAFA Media: And how important is this match?

Khune: This game is almost like everything. It is important to finish what we started. We will not have achieved our goals if we were to go back home with just three points, the mission is six points and fortunately we are on track. Maximum points is our target. I believe we have a great team that can beat Ethiopia in their backyard.

SAFA Media: Is the World Cup stage every player’s dream?

Khune: We all want to play on the big stage, its every player’s dream. Most of the players in the current team played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament, so we know what its like to be there and we would want a repeat of that. It is vital again that those that were not there get to experience that level. More importantly, for the country to be represented at the World Cup is a great feeling. For me personally, I would really love to play in my second World Cup tournament, so this game means a lot to all of us.

SAFA Media: Would you compare it to any other important match?

Khune: I have played in many important matches, perhaps at the highest level (World Cup), so this match can be compared to those in terms of importance. After the win against CAR, I said to guys it’s a good feeling and we should celebrate it. But we should not be satisfied with just having won that match but go on and achieve what we set to achieve. We should always strive to get better. It is a crucial match in that we know we are edging closer and closer to Brazil. This is a game our lives and I know everyone wants to make history; everyone wants to be part of history and be counted among those who have helped South Africa qualify for the World Cup. Many people had written us off saying we are only good at hosting, so it is critical that we win on Sunday and show those critics what we are capable of.

SAFA Media: Pressure of playing away?

There is always pressure whether we play home or away. It was good to know that our game against CAR was broadcast live because the fans back home were able to see the hunger and the determination of the team. We have to show the same spirit again against Ethiopia. We know our fans will be with us in spirit and giving us that extra motivation. It was also great to win in Cameroon (against CAR) because previously we really struggled playing away from home, where our best result would be a draw. But we seem to have changed that and coach Gordon Igesund is doing an excellent job in encouraging us to go for more. The mentality has shifted totally, and we are now talking victory in every match we play. With due respect to previous orders, we are now able to withstand the pressure away from home.

SAFA Media: So the Lesotho match was key then?

Khune: Yes, I must commend SAFA for taking our match to Lesotho because we are now reaping the results of the travel and conditions we endured. It is nice to play matches at home in familiar surroundings, but in hindsight it was a good move to play Lesotho away as it also brought the players together. Now we can see the logic of that match and we are grateful for that. Hopefully that experience will come in handy and sustain us in Ethiopia.

SAFA Media: Has the team grown stronger over the last few matches?

Khune: We have indeed. That is what the coach wanted and that is what we wanted. The results we are achieving are an indication of the importance of team spirit. We have really grown. It has not been an easy road though. We still want to improve as a team.

SAFA Media: Any pressure on you personally to perform?

Khune: With the quality of players we have, I have no reason to be under pressure. We have many players who can be leaders in the squad. As selected captain, I have that extra responsibility to lead from the front. I have to be on top of my game all the time and impart that spirit to the rest of the team. I am also well aware that should I not perform, I will be a bad leader. But this is not about me; the entire team has been doing a good job. I am as good as my defenders make me, and they have done a sterling job so far.

SAFA Media: Having watched the video of the match between Ethiopia and Botswana, your thoughts?

Khune: Ethiopia is a very strong side; very organised and they like to play carpet football. But I think we have equally good players that can deal with that threat. We have shown great discipline and good attitude in our matches and that can go a long way in giving us results we need. We have to hit them where it hurts the most, in the back of the net. They have a couple of dangerous players but we know what we need to do. We are confident even though we will have the crowd against us.

For more http://www.safa.net

By Obakeng Maje

Potchefstroom-Police in Ikageng have opened a case of murder and house robbery after a domestic worker was allegedly murdered by two suspects at Mohading near Potchefstroom on Friday the morning.

“It is alleged that the two suspects jumped over the fence of an elderly couple’s house to gain entry into the yard. The suspects confronted the couple’s domestic worker in her backyard room and stabbed her several times in her upper body” captain Pelonomi Makau said.

Makau said the old woman (68) allegedly went outside to the domestic worker’s room and was overpowered by the suspects who were allegedly armed with a knife and firearm respectively. Police said the suspects blindfolded the woman and took her to the main house where her sick husband (71) was. 

“They tied the couple with a cord and allegedly ransacked the house” said Makau.

They allegedly robbed victims a cellphone and credit card. 

“It is alleged that they demanded the credit card’s Personal Identification Number (PIN) and fled the scene on foot afterwards”. 

Police said the motive of the incident was robbery. 

Police are investigating.

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Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza and his team are brimming with confidence ahead of their clash against neighbours Zimbabwe at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton on Saturday.

The team has been hard at work this week, working on improving some of the concerns identified in the 5-0 hammering of Mozambique last weekend. The coach and players are well aware that Zimbabwe will be a different kettle of fish altogether. The team will have to work harder and be more clinical in front of goals.

“On Saturday, we need to do more than just get the basics right. Encounters with Zimbabwe have always gone down to the wire so we need to be tactically astute as a unit,” said Mhkonza.

The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana have a slight psychological edge as they won the last game against the Zimbabweans. The visitors also go into this international friendly on the back of a convincing 3-1 away victory over Zambia. Nevertheless, matches between the two Cosafa powerhouses are usually closely contested affairs with very little separating the two teams.

“Zimbabwe is going to be tough to beat. We have a very close record against them. As a team, we are going to have to convert our opportunities and be more clinical in front of goals,” said Banyana captain Janine van Wyk.

Senior players will be expected to play a pivotal role on Saturday. The coach will once again be counting on them to assist new players in dealing with pressure.

“It is going to be important for us not to be overwhelmed by playing on the international stage. We have had discussions as a team about the type of game to expect from Zimbabwe and it is going to be very critical for our strikers to take most of the chances that are presented to us,” commented Zingawe Phakathi, one of the new players in the side.

The game will kick-off at 15h00 on Saturday. The team hopes to have a full house at Sinaba Stadium as local community around the area have always supported Banyana.
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Pretoria – It seems as though the farmer who allegedly bought stolen diesel from a City of Tshwane employee will not be arrested or charged as police are claiming that there is not enough evidence against him.

Police claim they do not have enough evidence despite the fact that the council employee, Victor Mamadi, who was caught red-handed just after delivering the 7 000 litres of diesel at the farm, admitted to council investigators that he had sold it to the farmer at R120 for every 25 litres.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Limpopo – Limpopo Agriculture MEC Jacob Marule is being sued for R1.5 billion for alleged breach of contract.

Businessman Thabo Mokwena argues in court papers that the department had, through a “partially written or partially oral agreement”, awarded the integrated poultry project to his African Meat Products company in 2011. The Limpopo Department of Agriculture was allocated a budget of R1.525 billion, and if Mokwena’s lawsuit succeeds, it will have nothing to spend on any of its priority programmes this financial year.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

When Bafana Bafana trot onto the National Stadium in Addis Ababa on Sunday, 16 June 2013, for a Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier, they will be up against a country rich in football history.

Ethiopia is one of the founding members of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament having played their first international match in 1947 against the then French Somaliland.

The East Africans also took part in the inaugural AFCON in 1957 when they finished second. That tournament was hosted by Sudan and featured three teams– the hosts, Egypt and Ethiopia.

The tournament was meant to be a four-nation event, with South Africa due to play Ethiopia in the semi-final but the former was disqualified due to apartheid policies prevailing in the country at the time.

Only two games were played in the first edition. Ethiopia got a bye and played Egypt in the final – losing 4-0. Since then the tournament has expanded to a 16-nation African showpiece.

Despite laying a crucial role in the formation of the Africa Cup of Nations, Ethiopia have never qualified for any World Cup tournament.

“This is a match full of history because both Ethiopia and South Africa were part of the four countries that formed the AFCON tournament. We were expelled from international football due to apartheid and never got to play in the inaugural tournament. We are also mindful of the fact that Ethiopia are yet to qualify for the World Cup and as a result this match will have an added significance,” said SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani.

Since re-admission into international football in 1992, South Africa have participated in several Nations Cups and won one, which they hosted in 1996. Bafana have also appeared in three World Cups since re-admission. The SAFA President believes the experience of playing such prestigious tournaments will stand Bafana in good stead in their quest for another World Cup appearance.

“We know they are playing at home but we have strong focus and the determination to do well. Bafana Bafana is not about individuals but team work – and only teams win championships. The players need to do it for themselves and for the country because it means so much for them. These boys are on the verge of history in that in the current squad we have players who were part of the last World Cup in 2010, so for them to play in successive World Cups will be a major feat in their lifetime.”

South Africa hosted Ethiopia just over a year ago (3 June 2012) with the match ending in a 1-1 draw in Phokeng, near Rustenburg.

The return leg takes place on 16 June – Youth Day in South Africa, a significant day in the history of the country.

“Thirty seven (37) years ago, none of the current Bafana Bafana players were around when many people lost their lives in the struggle to liberate our country. What a coincidence that this match takes place on this special day.

“And when they go into battle against Ethiopia the boys must remember those souls that passed on in pursuit of freedom for our country. That is the significance our boys need to remember that it is not just about the World Cup qualifier, but is also about the pride of this country and our liberation,” said Nematandani.

“The good thing about the day is that the whole country will be focussing on this match and also remembering the past, so what a way to wipe their tears off with a victory to say those who went before did not die in vain.”

Ethiopia qualified for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in South Africa after an absence of 31 years.