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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