ABSA Premiership

Result: Moroka Swallows 2-0 Platinum Stars

Date: 25 October 2013

Venue: Dobsonville Stadium

Moroka Swallows beat Platinum Stars 2-0 at Dobsonville Stadium tonight to move top of the ABSA Premiership, for at least tonight, thanks to goals from Siyabonga Nomvethe and Lerato Chabangu.

Dikwena have now played 11 away game against the Birds in the PSL, and are yet to win one.

Swallows had their first chance at goal in the third minute from a corner, but Luvhengo Mungomeni’s shot went straight at Siyabonga Mpontshane.

In the eighth minute Sibusiso Msomi tried a long range effort for Dikwena, but the ball flew over the goal.

In the 12th minute Stars launched an attack and the ball reached Mduduzi Nyanda on the right, but his shot-come-cross went across the goal and out.

In the 17th minute Henrico Botes played in Msomi with a deft touch, and he beat his defender, but his shot lacked power and went straight to Greg Etafia.

Seconds later Swallows countered and Lerato Chabangu tried a shot from just outside the area, but his shot went wide to the left.

Swallows came close in the 21st after Chabangu whipped in a dangerous cross and Siyabonga Nomvethe pounced on the ball at the far post, but his header struck the crossbar, and Stars were able to clear after the ball fell badly for Giorgi Nergadze.

In the 27th minute Tshepo Gumede rose up well at a corner for Stars, but he couldn’t get a clean head to the ball, and it went out wide.

In the 31st minute Robert Ng’ambi got to the end of a cross from Lindokuhle Mbatha, but his header went straight to Etafia.

Botes had a chance from just outside the box in the 38th minute, but his shot went over, and at half-time the score remained 0-0.

In the 50th minute Vuyo Mere tried a shot from a dead ball situation, but his shot was always going high.

Botes came close in the 52nd but his attempted back-heel went wide, and he was subsequently called off-side.

A minute later Asavela Mbekile charged forward and set up Chabangu just outside the area, but his shot flew over.

In the 58th minute Mere tried a shot in the box, but Larry Cohen was able to make the block.

A minute later Botes played in Ng’ambi, but Etafia was able to get off his line quickly to stop his shot, and clear the ball.

Chabangu had another chance for Swallows in the 68th minute but his shot just went over.

In the 69th minute substitute Mogakolodi Ngele tried a shot from just outside the area, but he hit it straight at Etafia, who held on.

In the 73rd minute Nomvethe saw his header from Dikgang Mabalane cross go straight to Mpontshane.

The Birds went into the lead in the 79th minute when Nomvethe got a good over-the-top ball from Edward Manqele, and “Bhele” snuck the ball under Mpontshane’s legs to make it 1-0.

Chabangu had a chance to double the lead in the 87th minute, but his shot from just outside the box, went wide to the right.

In the 90th minute Botes broke free down the right, but his cross into the goalmouth was well cleared by Cohen.

Ngele had a chance from a free kick one minute into referee’s optional time, but his shot lacked power and Etafia saved it easily.

Chabangu made it 2-0 two minutes into optional time, after substitute Felix Obada set him up well. Mpontshane got a touch onto’s Chabangu’s shot but it wasn’t enough to stop the ball from going in the goal.
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Johannesburg – The IFP has called for an investigation into claims that national police commissioner Riah Phiyega defeated the ends of justice.

“It is compulsory that a formal investigation be conducted to clear her name if she is innocent,” IFP spokesperson Velaphi Ndlovu said in a statement on Friday.

“It does not matter whether the national commissioner denies the allegations. It is compulsory that a formal investigation be conducted to clear her name if she is innocent.

“As a nation, we cannot afford to have a police commissioner with such damning allegations against her name. It totally discredits the SA Police Service [SAPS].”

The Star reported on Friday that Phiyega allegedly tipped off a senior police officer, who allegedly accepted a bribe from a criminal, that he was being investigated by crime intelligence.

However, Phiyega had reportedly denied giving him a tip-off, and said he became aware of the investigation after the DA asked a question about it in Parliament.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) confirmed on Friday that it had received allegations of defeating the ends of justice against Phiyega.

“The matter does not fall under the matters investigated by the IPID. So the executive director of the IPID will assess it and make a decision on whether it must be investigated by the IPID,” said spokesperson Moses Dlamini.

The Star reported that Phiyega had said she was confident the allegations “will not stick”.

“You can try as much as you like, but you will not succeed. No mud thrown at me will stick,” she was quoted as saying.

“I remain determined to ensure that nothing, absolutely nothing, deters me and my leadership team from the new journey of rebuilding the SAPS, especially the crime intelligence division.”

DA spokesperson Dianne Kohler-Barnard said it was important that Phiyega’s actions be investigated, because the allegations were serious.

“If commissioner Phiyega is innocent, she should not oppose an investigation. Indeed she should encourage one,” said Kohler-Barnard.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane met community leaders in Bekkersdal, outside Westonaria, on Friday to intervene in the violence that has plagued the township.

“[She] was well-received by the community leaders. The visit was about assessing and monitoring the situation and appropriate intervention,” said her spokesperson Thebe Mahetle.

Police spokesperson Neville Malila said the situation in the area had quietened down, but that the police would maintain a visible presence and would remain on high alert.

“Things are quiet, though there are still rocks and tyres on the roads, but things are quiet,” Malila said.

Earlier in the day, about 30 police vehicles, including three Nyalas, were seen patrolling the township.

The streets of the township were still strewn with rocks and tyres.

Police said they had not received reports of any further incidents.

The Greater Westonaria Concerned Residents’ Association held a public meeting before Mokonyane’s visit.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Former president FW de Klerk put his own spin on former president Thabo Mbeki’s “I am an African” speech, at the 12th Europe lecture in The Hague on Friday.

“My ancestors were Huguenots from France who came to South Africa via Holland in 1688,” he said.

“… My culture, like the cultures of so many peoples throughout the world, is suffused with the unparalleled literature, art and music of Europe. And yet, I am an African,” he said.

De Klerk said that even though he had deep roots in European culture, he identified with Africa and regarded himself as an African.

“… I strive to promote its interests in its relationship with other parts of the world, and I support its sports teams when they are playing teams from other continents.”

European imperialism deeply affected Southern Africa, and was indelibly changed though the British conquest wars with the Xhosas, the Zulus and the Afrikaners.

“The withdrawing tide of Europe an rule left country after country floundering on the beach of independence, surrounded by the flotsam and jetsam of empire.

“Constitutions that were not rooted in African traditions and ideas of government were hastily written and just as hastily torn up.”

Many African countries were left with a “love, hate relationship” with Europe, criticising them at the UN, but enjoying the shopping and culture of European capitals.

In recent years, Africa’s rapidly growing economy and Europe’s waning global prestige had changed the dynamic between the two continents.

“The reality is that the European single market just is not functioning as effectively as it should,” De Klerk said.

Declining birth rates were also contributing to Europe’s problems, but large-scale immigration from other parts of the world would fundamentally change the continent’s character.

Europe needed Africa to be prosperous, because political and economic problems in Africa would result in an “unstoppable torrent” of African refugees.

“But Africa also needs a strong Europe that will be able to play its proper role in the world.”

De Klerk said that Europe needed to give Africa greater attention in its strategic world view.

– SAPA

Orlando Pirates crowd pleaser Khethokwakhe Masuku says he is ready to mesmerise the Kaizer Chiefs defence tomorrow – despite growing up as an Amakhosi fan!

Masuku is quickly becoming a darling of the Ghost with his silky skills, and he was the talk of town on Wednesday when Bucs beat Golden Arrows in the Telkom Knockout – both for his tricks and because he had a hand in three of Pirates’ four goals.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala will tomorrow improve on his record of the longest unbroken run of Soweto Derby appearances in the modern day PSL.

‘Shabba’ will feature in his 19th consecutive Derby at Soccer City tomorrow, as he has been cleared to play after recovering from a swollen ankle.

The injury forced him out of the Telkom Knockout match against Free State Stars on Sunday, which Chiefs won on penalties.

Since making his first ever appearance against Orlando Pirates in the famous 2-2 draw in Durban on November 24, 2007, Tshabalala has been an ever-present, starting all 18 matches that have been contested by the Big Two since then.

In those 18 matches, Shabba has scored three goals, with Chiefs winning just four, while Pirates have come out on top in six, and the rest finishing in draws.

No other player has featured in this fixture for 19 consecutive games since the start of the modern day PSL in 1996.

The 29-year-old joined Chiefs from Free State Stars in January 2007 but missed the first six months owing to injury only making his Amakhosi debut at the beginning of the 2007/08 campaign.

Several other players have played more than 15 Derby appearances in Chiefs colours in the modern day PSL, among them Tinashe Nengomasha, Jimmy Tau, Arthur Zwane and Thabo Mooki, but none of them played all their games in a row.

For Pirates, their veteran defender Lucky Lekgwathi has the most Derby appearances, with 21 to his name, but he is unlikely to play tomorrow.
For more http://www.kickoff.com

Mpumalanga Black Aces will be looking for their first home win when they take on the struggling Golden Arrows outfit at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

AmaZayoni are yet to win at home this season after claiming just two points from a possible nine in their three home matches so far.

Aces coach Clive Barker told the Siya crew that his team need to start winning at home, but added that he was expecting a tough match against Abafana Bes’thende.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

Polokwane City will face Mamelodi Sundowns for the first time in a league game tomorrow night, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

This is the second game for City’s new coach, Boebie Solomons, and believes that his team will come to the party following their brave display in their midweek game against Wits. Rise and Shine, as City is known, played to a 0-0 draw in Johannesburg and he told the Siya crew that his side did exceptionally well.
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Kaizer Chiefs right back, Siboniso Gaxa has promised Orlando Pirates that they will be in for a tough time in Saturday’s much anticipated Soweto Derby. The game is expected to be a high-paced, passionate affair as both teams are in good form and won’t want to lose to their fierce rivals.
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Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, Avril Phali, believes that the Soweto derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Bucs will end in a draw.

Chiefs and Pirates will face each other in a mouth-watering Absa Premiership clash at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

“That one is going to be a very difficult game. Anything can happen in the derby, but I think this one will end in a draw. In a game between the two clubs, it doesn’t matter if another team won 4-0 in midweek, it becomes a new game altogether. I think it’s going to be a draw and everyone will be happy in the end,” said Phali.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com