Johannesburg- The South African Men’s Under-17 National Team (Amajimbos) played to a goalless draw against hosts Tanzania in the first round first leg of a 2015 African Youth Championships qualifier on Friday, 18 July at the Azam Stadium in Chamazi, Dar es Salaam.

Playing in front of an almost full 7000-seater venue, both sides started well but it was Amajimbos who had the better chances and did land the ball in the back of the net, only to be ruled for offside.

With a 56 percentage of ball possession, the visitors had the Serengeti Boys in all sorts of trouble but their finishing let them down.

Tanzania also had their chances in the first half but they could not break the deadlock.

The hosts were forced to make a substitution early on when Adolph Mtasingwa left the field injured and Kelvin Farrell took his place. A short while later Mashaka Mgujiro came in as a replacement for a struggling Abdallah Jumanee but both couldn’t change the scoreline.

The second half was almost a replica of the second, with both sides having a go at each other but failing to score. In fact Tanzania had more chances to score as the South Africans looked to tire under hot Tanzanian weather conditions.

Shortly after the restart Amajimbos coach Molefi Ntseki brought on fresh legs giving Felix Noge and Vuyo Mantjie game time in place of Sibongakonke Mbatha and Luvuyo Mkatshana respectively.

South Africa could have taken the lead late in this half when striker Khanyisa was one-on-one with goalkeeper Metacha Mnata on two occasions but twice he fluffed his chances. First his weak shot fell into the arms of the goal minder and then he ballooned the ball at the second opportunity.

That is how stayed until the final whistle.

The second leg will be played in two weeks time in South Africa.

The Amajimbos squad is expected to land at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg tomorrow (Saturday, 19 July).

This is how they lined up:

Tanzania U17: 1-Metacha Mnata (GK), 13-Abdallah Jumanee, 3-Issa Bakiy, 4-Martin Kigi, 5-Adolph Mtasingwa, 8-Omar Wayne (c), 6-Prosper Mushi, 16-Ali Mabuyi, 10-Athanas Mdamu, 14- Baraka Yusuf, 11-Abdul Bitebo
Subs: 18-Abutualib Hamidi (GK), 9-Juma Ali, 2-Kevin Farrel, 7-Seif Said, 17-Mohamed Musa, 20-Badru Haji, 15-Mashaka Ngujiro

Coach: Ababuu Omary

South Africa U17: 16-Mondli Mpoto (GK), 2-Simon Nqoi, 6-Notha Ngcobo, 4-Katlego Mohamme, 15-Keanu Cupido, 13-Thendo Mukumela, 5-Athenkosi Dlala, 10-Nelson Maluleka (c), 8-Sibongakonke Mbatha (11-Felix Noge), 9-Luvuyo Mkatshana (7-Vuyo Mantjie), 17-Khanyisa Mayo

Subs: 1-Sanele Tshabalala (GK), 3-Samuel Nkomo, 14-Tshepiso Mahlangu, 20-Thato Ramogogodi, 11-Felix Noge, 7-Vuyo Mantjie, 18-Edwin Sekhwama

Coach: Molefi Ntseki

Match Officials:

Referee: Alister Barra (Seychelles)

Ass Ref 1: Gerald Pool (Seychelles)

Ass Ref 2: Jeali Felix Ernesta (Seychelles)
-TDN
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4th Official: Nelson Emile Fred

By Obakeng Maje
Bloemhof- The fight against drug trafficking became successful when a crime intelligence driven operation resulted in arrest of two male suspects aged 53 and 61 respectively on Thursday in Coverdale, Bloemhof.  

“It is alleged that Stilfontein K9 unit members were following up an information when they arrived at a house in Vogt street, Coverdale.  They were allegedly allowed into the house and  granted permission to search.  It was during a search that they found a black plastic bag containing 35 dagga blades, eleven 11 plastic packets with dagga inside as well as one plastic bag with loose dagga, all with estimated street value of R2000” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said. 

The suspects were arrested for possession of dagga and will appear before Bloemfontein Magistrate Court soon.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Bloemhof- A 61-year-old man was apprehended in Coverdale after the police searched his house and found dagga.

Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said It is alleged that upon arrival and searching of the premises, the suspect voluntarily took out from his pockets 21 blades of dagga. 

“The police allegedly continued with the search and found three small plastic bags containing 18 dagga blades wrapped with papers and loose dagga in black plastic bag, all with estimated street value of R2 500” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said. 

North West police said both suspect is expected to appear in  Bloemhof Magistrates’ Court on Monday for possession and dealing in dagga.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Hartbeesfontein- Another animal cruelty fiasco showed its ugly head after more neglected pigs discovered.

The shocking discovery this time was on the Moria farm, a state owned farm outside Hartebeesfontein.

Democratic Alliance Chris Hattingh said it is indicative that the abuse and neglect of livestock in the North West may be of a greater extent than initially thought after the revelation of aggravated animal cruelty on Thandi Modise’s horror farm.

Maritha Coetzee, DA councillor in the Matlosana Municipality on Sunday, has since provided food and water to three pigs through holes in a wall after being informed that the pigs have been without food and water for a while.

Another two pigs in the pen was already dead and was being eaten by the surviving pigs in the pen.

The agricultural unit of the National SPCA was informed of the situation and removed the pigs after obtaining a court order.

“The farm, owned by the state, is under the management of the Matlosana Municipality and is used for Local Economic Development projects. Millions of rands have been spent on the farm for, among others, a vegetable tunnel project – every project, however has led to a failure” Hattingh said.

The Moria farm is across from the farm Syferlaagte located where the SPCA on a previous occasion euthanized on another North West Government Agricultural project, 28 stud cattle, and recently a further two, which were also found in a shocking state of malnutrition. 

“The DA will insist on greater involvement of the North West Department of Agriculture in agriculture projects – it is clear that novice farmers are left mostly to themselves without training, support or monitoring” he said.
-TDN
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