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Cape Town – Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a goalless draw by Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Brazilians went into the MTN8 semifinal first-leg encounter as favourites against the Chilli Boys in the city of Port Elizabeth.

Chippa goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi was forced into an early save six minutes into the game when he gathered Sundowns winger Percy Tau’s cross from the left.

The Brazilians were dominating possession as they looked to break the deadlock, but the Chilli Boys looked well organized at the back.

Eight minutes before half-time, Khama Billiat played a good free-kick into the Chippa box and his Sundowns teammate Ricardo Nascimento headed the ball narrowly wide of the target.

Ivorian midfielder Yannick Zakri made his Sundowns debut in the 54th minute when he replaced Percy Tau as the visitors looked to break the deadlock.

In the 68th minute, Chippa launched an attack and they made an appeal for a hand ball after the ball hit Wayne Arendse, but the referee waved play on.

Sibusiso Vilakazi had a chance to fire Sundowns into the lead with 14 minutes left on the clock, but his shot was blocked in the Chippa box.

Chippa and Sundowns pushed for a late goal in the dying minutes of the game, but it never came and the match ended in a goalless stalemate.

Source: http://www.news24.com

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo is seeking legal recourse to have his four-year suspension for alleged drugs violations set aside.

Despite pleading guilty to the charge made by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS), Ntshumayelo wants the results of his urine sample declared null and void, according to the City Press.

According to the report, this is because the tests were conducted by a doping control laboratory at the University of the Free State.

This particular lab was earlier this year suspended by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) from conducting tests under its name while it carried out renovations and upgraded equipment.

But this suspension only came into force in March 2016, some three months after Ntshumayelo’s alleged positive test. The insinuation appears to be that at the time the test was taken, the facility was operating below WADA standards.

READ ALSO: SAIDS explains Ntshumayelo ban

Ntshumayelo therefore maintains that the results should be considered unreliable.

He has reportedly given SAIDS until Wednesday to remove his ban before seeking relief from the courts.

The 26-year-old allegedly tested positive for cocaine after a league match against Platinum Stars on January 9. His contract with Pirates has since been terminated.

Source: http://www.kickoff.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for education and sport development department, Sello Lehari has been appointed as interim North West premier. This came about after Supra Mahumapelo prepares to jet-off to China on Sunday. He will visit the People’s Republic of China until September 18.

He will be accompanied by MECs Manketsi Tlhape of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development and Wendy Nelson of Finance, Economic and Enterprise Development (FEED) departments.

Mahumapelo’s visit is to explore further investment opportunities and to confirm the provincial government’s commitment to the already proposed deals.

“We will engage with potential investors from Beijing and Shanghai. This is regarding the construction of a power station and the establishment of a bus manufacturing plant in the province. This will also include the establishment of donkey breeding farms for export of donkey hide and meat to China.

“As part of this week-long programme, we will include experts in the field of agriculture. We will also visit a donkey farm and attend a Huawei Exhibition in Shanghai. Our delegation will also meet with various companies such as Shanghai Electric, Bus Manufacturing, Survey and Donkey companies,” Mahumapelo said.

He said this is his second official trip to China and is part of strengthening the existing trade and investment relations with BRICS countries. Mahumapelo added that this will serve as a great platform for the North West province to learn best practices in dealing with especially housing challenges and ICT issues.

“Moreover our engagement with potential investors in China is viewed as a significant effort geared towards boosting the province’s economy, and achieving the goals of the 5th Administration’s strategy to rebrand, reposition and renew the province,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE

LOCAL government and human settlements department held Bokone Bophirima Govan Mbeki Awards 2016 in Ganyesa village, near Vryburg on Thursday.

MEC for local government and human settlements department, Fenny Gaolaolwe said the purpose of these awards was to promote and re-enforce a culture of excellence within the housing sector. She said the delivery of integrated human settlements restore the dignity of all South Africans.

“The awards are also intended to encourage all stakeholders in the sector to respond systematically and foster a culture of producing quality housing and service delivery for all. We remain proud as the province and we appreciate the good work done by contractors in building quality houses for our people.

“We will continue to sustain the quality work through Saamwerk-Saamtrek philosophy. The department will also continue to take this prestigious occasion to our Villages, Township and Small Dorpies (VTSD) to boost local village economy as pronounced by North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo,” Gaolaolwe said.

Andisa Consulting Company co-founder, Tumelo Mokone, 32 won the Best Youth Contractor of the year award. Mokone also came second in the Best Community Residential Unit category.

“We are happy that also this year we managed to register another win which puts us in housing construction map. This is the reaffirmation that young black contractors are able to tap into the market and make it like any other housing developer. We are in charge and we are here to stay,” Mokone said.

The Best Woman Contractor, Lettie of Motheo Consulting said: “If we could build in Marikana where we experienced a lot of challenges in the community, we can build anywhere in the country. We were able to resolve all the community issues which stalled our project several times. Involving local contractors especially women also assisted to the completion of the project.”

Winners of different categories will compete at the National Govan Mbeki Awards to be held Durban around November later this year.

The following are categories and contractors that won the awards:

Youth contractor – Andisa Consulting

Informal settlements – Marabella Project

Best rural housing project – Tawana Business Project

Best woman contractor – Motheo Construction

Best CRU – Motheo Construction

Best farm Resident Housing Programme – Urban Dynamics

Beautified, Clean and Enhanced Neighbourhood Project – Agisanang Township Developers

Best Performing Region – Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati

taungdailynews@gmail.com