The South African Women’s National team (Basetsana) will be looking to do the nation proud in the crucial second leg FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Nigeria set for the Dobsonville Stadium next Saturday, 25 January 2014 (kick-off: 16h00).

 

Basetsana head coach, Sheryl Botes believes her squad has what it takes to challenge the West Africans despite a 6-0 loss to Nigeria in the first leg.

 

Four African nations (South Africa, 

 

Nigeria, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea) will do battle in the final qualifier to determine the two continental representatives at the seventh edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s Cup set for Canada between 5-24 August later this year.

 

“We knew what we were up against when we traveled to Nigeria. It is unfortunate that we were travelling a day before the match and the jet-lag took its toll on the girls and we didn’t perform the way we would have liked to on the day.

 

“As we now look at preparations for the second leg, I am expecting a better performance from the squad and believe they can do well in front the home crowd. We urge the South African supporters to come out in numbers to show support for the girls,” said Botes.

 

The Falconets of Nigeria are a force to be reckoned with on continental football having qualified for every edition of the U20 women’s World Cup since 2002.  They finished as silver medalists in the 2010 edition hosted by Germany and were semi-finalists in the previous edition (2012) in Japan.

 

“Having played a team like Nigeria as a former player, I know the experience of playing a team of their caliber and think we have a chance of playing to our full potential,” said Botes.

 

Basetsana assemble for camp at the Garden Court, OR Tambo hotel from Sunday (19 January) and will train at the Edenvale Football grounds from Monday (20 January).

 

Botes will be expecting University of Western Cape central defender, Vuyo Mkhabela and HPC midfielder Koketso Mamabolo on Monday while US-based striker, Robyn Moodaly will arrive on Wednesday (22 January).

 

Basetsana squad for return leg match:

 

No.

 

  Name

 

  Club

 

  Province

 

  Goalkeepers

 

  1.

 

  Kaylin Swart

 

  University of Western Cape (UWC)

 

  WC

 

  2.

 

  Regirl Ngobeni

 

  High Performance Centre (HPC)

 

  GP

 

  3.

 

  Katlego Moletsane

 

  Golden Ladies FC

 

  NW

 

  Defenders

 

  4.

 

  Vuyo Mkhabela

 

  UWC

 

  WC

 

  5.

 

  Meagan Newman

 

  HPC

 

  WC

 

  6.

 

  Lesego Nkoane

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  7.

 

  Nomonde Nomtsheke

 

  Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies FC

 

  FS

 

  8.

 

  Chamelle Wiltshire

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  9.

 

  Caryn van Reyneveldt

 

  Spurs WFC

 

  WC

 

  10.

 

  Tiisetso Makhubela

 

  Torino FC

 

  NW

 

  Midfielders

 

  11.

 

  Nomvula Kgoale

 

  HPC

 

  LP

 

  12.

 

  Koketso Mamabolo

 

  HPC

 

  LP

 

  13.

 

  Amanda November

 

  Pioneer FC

 

  EC

 

  14.

 

  Amogelang Motau

 

  HPC

 

  LP

 

  15.

 

  Gabriella Salgado

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  16.

 

  Thembi Kgatlane

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  Strikers

 

  17.

 

  Shiwe Nogwanya

 

  Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies FC

 

  FS

 

  18.

 

  Mosili Makhoali

 

  Celta Vigo FC

 

  GP

 

  19.

 

  Robyn Moodaly

 

  AIB College

 

  USA

 

  20.

 

  Sduduzo Dlamini

 

  Tottenham FC

 

  KZN

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Bafana Bafana captain Itumeleng Khune has been ruled out of the 2014 CHAN Group A clash against Nigeria on Sunday, 19 January at the Cape Town Stadium.

 

Khune suffered an ankle injury on Wednesday night (15 January) and was taken for a scan the next day.

 

He trained on the side-lines at Bafana Bafana’s final training session at the Clyde Pinelands grounds while coach Gordon Igesund broke the news to the media.

 

“Khune will not make it for tomorrow’s match. We will have to do without him for this crucial encounter. We have very capable replacements in Moeneeb Josephs and Siyabonga Mpontshane who I believe will pull us through, but I will most likely go with Josephs,” said Igesund.

 

“Hopefully we still have more matches after this one and Khune will be able to join us. For now his health is important. Rather not use him now and have him available for the latter stages of the tournament instead of playing him tomorrow and losing him for a longer period of time. The risk is too high.”

 

The Bafana Bafana captain said he was disappointed that he will be not be part of the proceedings against Nigeria.

 

“I was really looking forward to this match as it is one that will decide our fate in the tournament. I am very sad and disappointed that I will not be playing. It is not nice missing such an important fixture for your country, but I believe Josephs and Mpontshane are capable of doing a great job. But then again these things happen – injuries are part and parcel of the game and hopefully I will be back in the side for the following match,” said Khune.

 

Khune said he was confident of a win against the Super Eagles.

 

“We stand a very good chance of getting victory over Nigeria. We just need to go out there and apply ourselves like we have been at training and in the past matches. I have been receiving messages of support for the team from all over the country, fans saying they will be at the stadium and that is what we need, it is a good morale booster to know the country is behind us. With that kind of support and the belief that the players have, we should be able to emerge victorious after 90 minutes and go on to the next round, but it won’t be easy because Nigeria is a good side too. We are confident though that we will make it,” he said.

 

Josephs has been capped 23 times for Bafana Bafana and last played for the national team in a friendly match against Mozambique on 11 September 2012.

 

In the other Group A match, Mali will face Mozambique at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.

 

That match also kicks off at 19h00.-TDN

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By SAPA

Johannesburg – A woman accused of assaulting her husband appeared in the Meadowlands Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, police said.

 

Constable Sibusiso Chauke said Flora Segobela, 39, was released on a warning and would be back in court on February 5.

 

She called her husband on Sunday to visit her at her home in Zone one, in Meadowlands, Soweto, where she lives. He found her with a boyfriend and an argument ensued.

 

Segobela allegedly assaulted her husband and a group of bystanders joined in, Chauke said.

 

Sapa

Bafana Bafana defender Vuyo Mere says they are in a good position to proceed to the quarterfinals of the 2014 CHAN tournament at the expense of Nigeria.

 

 

 

The two nations meet in a crucial clash with both needing points to advance to the last eight – a draw or a win will see South Africa through while the Super Eagles need an outright win.

 

 

 

The match takes place on Sunday, 19 January 2014 at the Cape Town Stadium. Kick-off is at 19h00.

 

 

 

“It is going to be a tough one, but the good thing is that it is in our hands and we are not expecting any favours from anybody. We are facing a team that also wants to proceed to the next round. They are a good side but we are more than ready and we have prepared well. The technical team is coming up with every weapon we are going to need on Sunday, so we will be ready for them,” said the Platinum Stars captain.

 

 

 

“We have done our homework as players. We watched their games and have seen their weaknesses and strengths but we should not just dwell on those. We know that given a chance they will bury their chances when they get them. As a defence we have to work extra hard to stop them from getting goals because our strikers will also be working hard to score at the other end. We all have to take the responsibility to take the team forward.”

 

 

 

Fellow defender Buhle Mkhwanazi, who has played in the heart of defence in the past matches against Mozambique and Mali, echoed his words.

 

 

 

“Without doubt it is going to be a difficult one because they need all three points just as much as we need them. Even though they started slowly, they are becoming stronger with each game and I think for us to win everyone has to come to the party, but I believe we will come out tops,” said Mkhwanazi.

 

 

 

The Tuks defender believes South Africa’s current position give them an advantage.

 

 

 

“Being on top of the group is a confidence booster and shows we are doing something right. We started well and I do not see us losing this match and our aim is to maintain our position at the top of the group. Nigeria plays a similar style of football that we play, so I am confident we can match them. They are also a bit physical but having played Mali we are ready for that kind of battle,” added Mkhwanazi.

 

 

 

“The last time we played them we lost 1-0 in Durban in the Nelson Mandela Challenge. But history does not count much in this match because it is a different set of players all together. We have to go there with the belief that we can win and we will. I will be happy if I see us in the final, and with the quality players we have I do not doubt we can get there, but it is one game at a time.”

 

 

 

Mali and Mozambique clash in the other Group A match, which will be played at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town. Kick-off is also at 19:00.-TDN

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Last week coach Rodolfo Zapata was invited by the Argentine Soccer Coaches Association to be guest speakers at their Annual Soccer Coaching Academy in Buenos Aires city.

 

Over 250 new coaches attended the Coaches Academy with the goal to improve their coaching technique for soccer skills and develop a healthy, positive attitude, teamwork, and good sportsmanship.

 

Rodolfo Zapata encouraged the aspiring coaches to develop a plan that allows the players in their programs to express themselves, their talents and their freedom. 

 

“Everyone sees soccer in a different way, and it’s important to allow the athlete to express themselves. You can teach technique and you can increase fitness and endurance, but you

can’t teach the decision,” coach “Rolo” Zapata said.

 

In his message to the coaches, Zapata expressed the importance of finding athletes who wanted to put in the work to get better and are not afraid of what it takes to win. “My main goal is to find players that can find the answer to win the game”, he said.

 

The coaches at the academy were interested in what major

characteristics coaches look for in potential players.  

 

The US-Argentinian coach said he looks for two things: he likes athletes with technique, and skills.

 

Also he spoke about his experiences in Africa and United States.

“Rolo” Zapata agreed they like the direction that soccer is taking in the US and attribute much of its growth to organizations like United States Youth Soccer Association.

 

“In Africa there is a greater breadth of talent than ever before, and that success isn’t restricted to the usual five or six nations. The quality of football played in the continent has improved significantly.” Zapata said.-TDN

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Bafana Bafana captain Itumeleng Khune is doubtful for the all-important clash against rivals Nigeria on Sunday, 19 January 2014 due to an ankle injury.

Khune sustained the injury on Wednesday (15 January) when South Africa played to a one-all draw against Mali in the 2014 CHAN tournament currently underway.

 

 

 

The number one goal minder is under the observation of the Bafana Bafana’s medical team and will be assessed overnight with coach Gordon Igesund taking a decision on Saturday morning (18 January) whether he will available for the match or not.

 

 

 

”Khune got a knock on his ankle in our last match against Mali, we sent him for a scan which revealed a Grade 1 injury and according to the team doctor he will be out for about three or four days. We will see tomorrow. I have two capable goalkeepers who can be called up should Khune not recover on time, and it is going to be a blow to him and to us,” said Igesund.

 

 

 

”We have to look at the repercussions of playing him as we are eyeing the remaining matches of the tournament, and I don’t want to take that risk so I will be advised by the medical team how he feels. Serious decisions have to be made as he is keen to play but the long-term effect might be dangerous. Let’s not pre-empt anything now but rather wait for Saturday,” said Igesund.

 

 

 

Khune did not train with the rest of the squad today (Friday, 17 January).-TDN

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North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Nono Maloyi will bid farewell to 50 unemployed youth who will commence their Road Traffic Management Learnership Programme at Traffic Training College in Pretoria next week.

 

The unemployed learners who were recruited from all district of the province will undergo a 12-month road traffic law enforcement (NQL 4) learnership programme offered by the department to address the shortage of traffic officers in the province.

 

MEC Maloyi is expected to encourage the learners to complete the course and be commit to strive for the best results.

 

The learners will engage in a theoretical and practical training in different traffic management levels during the duration of the programme.

 

The recruitment of these learners follows the department’s commitment to intensify traffic law enforcement operations and increasing the visibility of officers to reduce road accidents and fatalities on all major roads in the province.

 

Time: 10H00 am

 

Date: 19 January 2014

 

Venue: Foundation Stone Guest house (Mafikeng)

-TDN

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North West Acting Premier& MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Raymond Elisha commends police for the swift arrest of four suspects arrested connection with the murder of a 35-year-old man .The suspects are expected to appear in the Phokeng Magistrates court today.

 

“It is tragic indeed that the wife of the victim was among those arrested for her husband’s callous murder. We call for the suspects not to be granted bail,” said Acting Premier Elisha.

 

According to police, the suspects are alleged to have gone to the deceased’s house at around 21:00 on Wednesday night and asked to meet with him outside.

 

“The wife heared two gun shots a few minutes later and the suspects fled the scene,” alleged Sergeant Kealeboga Molale.

 

The three suspects aged between 26 and 44 were reportedly arrested on the same night and founf in possession of unlicensed firearm and unlawful possession of precious metals (platinum) after a 35-year-old man was shot dead on Wednesday at about 21:00.

 

The suspects had allegedly admitted that they were dealing in precious metal with the deceased when they had a misunderstanding.  According to the reports, the suspects further admitted and implicated the wife to the killing of the victim.

 

“That that led to questioning and subsequent arrest of the wife on Thursday” said Molale.-TDN

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North West Premier Thandi Modise has repeated her appeal to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs for Section 154 intervention in Madibeng Local Municipality to be completed, Acting Premier & MEC for Public Works Roads & Transport Raymond Elisha declared on Friday.

 

“Though obstruction and resistance to the implementation of the recommendations of the Ministerial investigation task team report has significantly delayed progress towards rooting out fraud and corruption that were uncovered within the municipality, the provincial government wants to see the intervention bringing matters to finality,” highlighted Acting Premier Elisha.

 

He reiterated the commitment made by Premier Modise that no stone will be left unturned in the investigation into allegations that the water pumps in Brits were sabotaged for the benefit of those awarded tenders for water tankering services as the provincial government views the allegations in a serious light.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Magogong-A 10 year-old girl died on the scene at Magogong after a fatal accident.

 

15 school kids from Voorfpoed Primary School were left injured and a 10 year-old girl died terribly on the scene.

 

The girl’s brain was scattered over and ‘jaws of life’ were used to free her. 

 

“15 kids were left injured and were taken to Hartswater and Taung hospitals by emergence service. One kid died on the scene” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

 

According to bystanders, the bus driver was driving in high speed and plagued into a scavator. The road was under construction.

 

The driver was not injured and police launched a culpable homicide case.

 

Police investigations continue.-TDN

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