Kermit Erasmus, the newly signed Orlando Pirates striker, says he is disappointed to miss out on playing for Pirates in the CAF Champions League.

Erasmus is ineligible to play in the CAF Champions League even though he had harboured high hopes of helping his new side replicate the class of 1995 by lifting the 2013 edition of Africa’s most coveted trophy.

Speaking to PSL.co.za ahead of his side’s MTN8 opening fixture against SuperSport United, the former Feyenoord front man revealed how he hoped his jersey number would inspire his teammates to go all the way in the African showpiece.

“One of the reasons why I chose to wear the number 95 when I joined the Pirates was because the team won the CAF Champions league in 1995 and I was hoping that I would be a part of generation that is currently representing the country in the continent.

“I was really disappointed to be honest (when they told me that I was cup-tied). I always knew that there was a chance for me to be allowed to play but I have accepted the outcome.

“What I can only hope for now is that the number on the back of my jersey can inspire my teammates to go on and lift the trophy.

Orlando Pirates kick-off their Wafa Wafa campaign with a crucial encounter against Erasmus’ former side, SuperSport United, and the 23-year old striker is determined to cause heartache to his former teammates.

“Playing against my former team (SuperSport United) will be a tough challenge but I will take it like any other match. They are my former team and I am going to focus on Orlando Pirates and doing my best to help the team win the match.

“I would be really happy if I were to score and help my team reach the semi-final. Playing against my old teammates will be strange, especially so early in the season but I am a Pirates player now and I want to win the match”, he concluded.
For more http://www.psl.co.za

Speaking ahead of Friday night’s MTN8 clash with Bidvest Wits, Phunya Sele Sele midfielder Lyle Lakay says that his side do not fear their Johannesburg opponents.

Celtic were knocked out at the first round stage the 2012 MTN8 competition, while Wits failed to qualify.

The Clever Boys are increasingly aligning themselves as one of the PSL’s biggest clubs, if their signings over the last two seasons are to be used as a yard-stick.

But Celtic have ambitions of their own, and are amongst the best-supported clubs in the land.

Now in his second season with the Free State outfit after joining from NFD side FC Cape Town, Lakay appears to have cemented himself as a regular starter in Clinton Larsen’s team.

A tricky left winger, Lakay is very much in the Daine Klate mould: he has excellent touch, the ability to beat his man, a cultured left boot which usually delivers an accurate cross and occasionally weighs in with a goal, and the ability to play on either flank.

The player says he is feeling on top of his game at present and hopes to help fire Celtic to victory at the Bidvest Stadium on Friday evening (18H00 kick off).

“I am happy as long as I am playing and things have been going well, the coach has given me game-time and that has given me more confidence. I feel that my team-mates have trust in me and hopefully I can go out and have a good game and help us through to the next round.

“We know that these days Wits are a big side. They have got a good new coach (Gavin Hunt) and we will have to watch out for players like Sibusiso Vilakazi and Benjani Mwaruwari, while Matthew Booth will be a threat in the air at set pieces,” he told PSL.co.za.

Lakay says that although his side lost their opening Absa Premiership match to Mamelodi Sundowns, there is a feeling of optimism in the camp ahead of the opening 2013 MTN8 fixture on Friday.

“We have not changed our side much from last season, so the core of the team are still here. These are the same players that won the Telkom Knockout, so we know what it takes to win trophies.

“My team-mates want to experience that feeling again. I want to do it again. Last season was the first time I have won a major trophy in my career and the first time the club had won something in eight years – we’re hungry for more, we’re up for the challenge on Friday.”
Source: http://www.psl.co.za

Moscow – They may not return with an abundance of medals, but the 26 South African athletes competing in the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, starting Saturday, may well provide some light and inspiration to counter the months of boardroom battles which threatened to disrupt their participation.
For more http://www.citypress.co.za

As former president Nelson Mandela prepares to spend his third month in hospital, members of his family are still battling it out in court.

Mandela was admitted to hospital on June 8 for a recurring lung infection, and has remained in hospital since.

The last update on his condition provided by the presidency was over a week ago. Mandela was reported to be in a critical but stable condition and responsive.
For more http://www.citypress.co.za

Hundreds of learners affiliated to Congress of South African Students (COSAS) in Gauteng are expected to march to the office of the Education Department in Pretoria.

Learners are demanding among others what they call “proper feeding schemes” at schools and the scrapping of the publication of matric results in the media.

COSAS provincial secretary, Khulekani Skosana says: “The standard of food that is given to students is not conducive and is not something that even the minister and MEC’s will eat on a daily basis.”

He says: “We are not saying they must feed learners with exotic food but must meet certain nutritious standard.”

Meanwhile, learners heading to the protest have gone on rampage in Thembisa, on Gauteng’s East Rand, blockading roads and stoning passing cars. COSAS has condemned such behaviour.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

More women than men are looking for work whilst caring for young children and when working. They generally earn less than men. This is according to a survey conducted by Ipsos, the second largest global survey-based market research company.

The survey revealed that many South Africans still believe that education is more important for a boy than a girl and that a woman “should be kept in her place.”

Only about three in every ten South African women are formally employed either full-time or part-time, this is in comparison with 44% of men who are employed.

Although one could argue women stay at home to look after the household or care for children, a much larger proportion of women than men are unemployed and looking for work.

Political parties in South Africa make an effort to include both women and men in their parliamentary delegations.

The ability to find employment is often influenced by education level and whereas only 4% of all adult South Africans (women and men) have completed a university degree, there is a discrepancy in the figures – with more men currently enjoying a tertiary education.

Meanwhile political parties in South Africa make an effort to include both women and men in their parliamentary delegations and on provincial and local government levels.

However, more than four in every ten (42%) adult South Africans are of the opinion that men make better political leaders than women do.

These are some of the prominent finding from the Ipsos conducted during April and May 2013.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Johannesburg – Nkosi Qaqambile Matanzima has died in an East London hospital after being stabbed, Eastern Cape police said on Thursday.

Matanzima was stabbed on the N6 near Stutterheim on Monday and died in hospital later that day, said police spokesperson Siphokazi Mawisa.

“No one has been arrested yet, but police investigations are continuing.”

The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape was shocked by Matanzima’s death, spokesperson Athol Trollip said in a statement.

“The DA wishes to express its condolences to the Matanzima family and the house of traditional leaders on the tragic death of Chief Qaqambile Matanzima, only surviving son of former Transkei prime minister George Matanzima.”

Trollip said it was believed that Matanzima’s attacker had posed as a hitchhiker.

On Wednesday, Eastern Cape Traditional Affairs MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane called on police to do everything possible to arrest his assailant.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to [Matanzima’s] family, his Mtshanyane traditional council, community, and the members of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders.”

– SAPA

Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma wished the Muslim community Eid Mubarak on Thursday, the presidency said.

“It is well known that fasting teaches discipline, patience and dedication. At the same time, it also enables one to feel and understand the plight of the poverty stricken,” Zuma said.

Eid is the festival marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast.

Zuma said the period of fasting was regarded as a time of deep introspection, which strengthened the bonds of family and community.

“On behalf of the government and people of South Africa, I am therefore pleased to celebrate the end of Ramadan by wishing the Muslim community in South Africa and around the world a happy Eid al-Fitr,” Zuma said.

– SAPA

Absa Premiership

Full Time: Orlando Pirates 0-1 AmaZulu

Date: 8 August 2013

Venue: FNB Stadium

Despite dominating proceedings throughout their opening 2013/14 Absa Premiership encounter, Orlando Pirates suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium on Thursday night.

A solitary goal from Bongani Ndulula was enough to hand the Durban-based side all three points as the Buccaneers fired blanks in front of goal.

The opening 45 minutes saw Pirates with the majority of the possession, but they failed to take advantage of their dominance as they squandered chance after chance in front of goal.

The Buccaneers were quick out of the blocks with new man Kermit Erasmus letting loose with a powerful 25-yard shot, but he saw his effort superbly saved by Aubrey Mathibe diving to the right.

In the 12th minute William Thwala created another great scoring opportunity for Pirates as he whipped in a tantalising right wing cross which the keeper missed, leaving his net gaping, but Happy Jele failed to direct his header on target.

Then, in the 31st minute, very much against the run of play, AmaZulu took the lead.

In their first foray forward Bongani Ndulula set himself on goal with some silky skills, beating a couple defenders before passing the ball into the bottom right hand corner from just inside the box,1-0.

Pirates almost equalised five minutes later as Collins Mbesuma fired a 30-yard shot goalwards, but Mathibe was on hand to tip the pile-driver over the crossbar.

Two minutes before the break Erasmus was also unlucky not to find Pirates’ opening goal as he headed a Sifiso Myeni free-kick inches over the crossbar.

The half ended 1-0 in favour of AmaZulu.

The start of the second 45 continued in much the same fashion as the first as Pirates dictated terms from the onset, with Erasmus in particular causing problems for the AmaZulu defence.

In the 56th minute Erasmus brought the best out of Mathibe in the AmaZulu goal, the keeper diving to his right to punch away a 20-yard thunderbolt from the former SuperSport United man.

Five minutes later and Erasmus should really have scored when he latched onto a ball over the top of the AmaZulu defence, but with just the keeper to beat he was unable to find the back of the net, firing his effort straight at Mathibe who made a relatively comfortable save.

In the 76th minute Erasmus turned provider as he supplied a great through ball for Thabo Matlaba, but he fired his shot inches wide from an acute angle 12-yards out.

Pirates continued to press forward, but were unable to find the goal they had been threatening the entire night as the Buccaneers lost their opening Absa Premiership match of the season.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

Oudtshoorn – A soldier was found dead at a military base in Oudtshoorn on Thursday, the SA National Defence Force said.

“He was found dead this morning, but we don’t know when he died,” Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga said.

The police were called and were busy investigating the cause of death.

Mabanga said he could not comment further at this stage.

The SA National Defence Union (Sandu) said in a statement that it was shocked at the death, which it said raised serious questions.

“According to our investigations, the soldier was a recruit under training and was assigned to do guard duty at the outside field base during (Wednesday) night,” national secretary Pikkie Greeff said.

According to Sandu, no one saw the soldier after 8pm on Wednesday until his body was discovered at his guard post around 7am on Thursday.

“The cause of death, by all indications, is hypothermia,” Greef claimed.

Sandu said the death raised questions, including whether the soldier was properly dressed for cold weather, and whether he had a two-way radio for communication.

“The entire tragedy could have been avoided had any of the standard working procedure around guards been observed,” Greef claimed.

Sapa