Category Archives: NEWS

Tickets for the SA-Ethiopia WC qualifier already on sale

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BY Obakeng Maje

Tickets for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil qualifier between Bafana Bafana and Ethiopia are already on sale.

South Africa will face the east Africans on Sunday, 3 June at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng near Rustenburg.

Gates open at 12h00 and kickoff is at 15h00.

Tickets for the West grand stand will go for one-hundred-rand (R100) each, while anywhere else will be fifty-rand (R50) each.

They are available at Computicket outlets, Shoprite and Shoprite  Checkers stores around the country.

Meanwhile there are 24 players in camp at the Royal Marang Sports Complex in Phokeng following the arrival of Sweden-based midfielder May Mahlangu as well as Santos striker Eleazar Rodgers.

Only the six players from Mamelodi Sundowns and Supersport United – Teko Modise, Katlego Mphela, Lebohang Mokoena, Punch Masenamela, Wayne Sandilands and Morgan Gould – are still to report for national team duty. The players will be contesting the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday, 26 May at the Orlando Stadium. They will then join the Bafana Bafana camp on Sunday night.

On the injuries front, both Oupa Manyisa and Siyabonga Nomvethe have started training with their teammates, while Siyabonga Sangweni sat out the morning training session after suffering a bout of flu.

But he was back in the gymnasium with the rest of the team in the evening, and is expected at full training on Monday, 28 May.

Amajita superb in Ghana victory

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BY Obakeng Maje

The South African Under-20 bounced back from their defeat to Argentina in scintillating style with a 2-0 win over Ghana in an 8-Nation International tournament game played at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Ghana had looked a very strong side in their 3-2 win over Nigeria at Athlone on Friday, but couldn’t come anywhere near to replicating that performance, finding themselves surprised by the purpose and intensity of the home side, who were outstanding on the day and could even have won by three or four goals.

It was South Africa who dominated the first half, by far enjoying the better and more frequent chances on goal, and their two goal lead at half time was well deserved.

Despite Amajita’s inferiority in terms of physical stature, a spirited and lively display by Solly Luvhengo’s side saw them putting the Ghana goal under threat.

The host nation had the first opportunity of the match in the eighth minute when Snethemba Ngidi fired a free kick inches over the bar.

A minute later Andile Nqabeni had an even better chance to put Amajita ahead, but from 10-yards out in front of goal he shot straight at goal-keeper Felix Annan.

Midway through the stanza the west Africans started to show some threat in front of goal, but managed no better than a couple of half chances as Moro Ibrahim had a shot deflected marginally wide and also got a header on target.
In the 34th minute the home side were unfortunate not get on the score-sheet when Ebrahim Seedat’s shot found its way to Thabani Thembu, but the Ghanaians were able to scramble the ball off their line.

South Africa finally got the goal their play deserved when in the 38th minute Ngidi’s angled free kick was headed in by Thembu; his second goal of the tournament.

Five minutes later and Amajita were celebrating again as they doubled their lead.
Bidvest Wits’ Junior Sibande was the scorer, netting from close range after a goalmouth scramble had come about after Annan had spilled a cross.

The second half remained intense and fast-paced like the first, the difference this time though that the Black Satellites were far more dangerous on attack.

It was Amajita however who could have netted the first goal of the second stanza when Thembu found himself in on goal, but from the edge of the box his low drive was well saved by Annan.

In the 55th minute the home team were fortunate to escape conceding a goal as Fatawu Abdul struck the base of the post, the rebound falling to Benjamin Annan-Fadi, who shot straight at goal-keeper Lebo Ngubeni.
The South Africans though always appeared to be good for a third goal and were able to carve open the Ghana defence with relative ease.

Ngidi was the main instigator, the diminutive SuperSport player twice setting up chances in quick succession around the hour mark, but both Thembu and Jerruy Mxabo failed to make use of the opportunities that came their way.

With 10 minutes to go Ngidi again showed his class when a mazy run took him past several` defenders and into the box, but he then elected the wrong option in trying to pick out a team-mate instead of shooting.

Ghana pushed hard for a goal late on, but South Africa were able to hold on without conceding – the clean sheet yet another positive aspect to a fantastic day.
 

Argentina shoot down Flying Eagles in Cape Town

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BY Obakeng Maje

Nigeria’s chances of reaching the semi-finals of the 8-Nation International tournament became rather slim after they lost 1-0 to Argentina at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday (27 May) evening.

The Nigerians have now lost their opening two games – to Ghana and Argentina, who have six points after beating South Africa in their opener.

The first half saw Argentina dictating the play, but for the most part failing to penetrate a well organised Nigeria defence.

The Flying Eagles for the most part were confined to their own half, but did not find themselves under any undue pressure as the South Americans struggled to find the final ball needed to unlock the defence.

The game lacked the intensity of earlier matches and it was only in the 21st minute that the first shot was registered, Nigeria’s Nnadozie Ezenwaka sending a 25-yard effort over the bar. 

Five minutes before the break and Carlos Luque played Franco Fragapane in on goal, but Nigerian keeper Chukwunenye Okani did well to intervene.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 43rd minute as Fragapane ran in on goal, slotting a low shot past Okani, whose touch was not enough to keep the ball out of goal.

Argentina should have had a second goal before the break, but after Matais Kranevitter had seen his shot blocked, Frederico Andrada was wasteful with a poor attempt from right in front of goal.

The second half started with Nigeria enjoying control of midfield, but despite dominating possession, could not find the spark required further forward.

But as the game neared the hour mark, Argentina began to show more threat in attack and they had a close call when Luque’s cross-cum-shot was cleared off the line.

In the 73rd minute substitute Lucas Pugh was within inches of scoring, but Luque’s cross just packed too much power.

Ten minutes later Alan Ruiz was almost on the score-sheet, but having cut in on goal he sent his shot just wide of the near upright.
The Flying Eagles pushed for a goal late on, but the nearest they came to scoring was when Nzube Anazembna’s shot was deflected, Argentine keeper Walter Benitez making a good save.

West African derby thrills Cape Town as Ghana overpowers Nigeria

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A five goal thriller in the 8-Nation International tournament between Ghana and Nigeria resulted in a 3-2 win for the Black Satellites (Ghana).

Despite the cold at Athlone, spectators had come out in good numbers for the two games and there was a great atmosphere at kick off time, ahead of what became a match of top quality and continuous excitement.

This game proved to be a real clash of two West African powerhouses, both in terms of their stature on the continent and in terms of the powerful physiques of nearly every player out on the field.

It was Ghana who made the stronger start to the game, penetrating their opponents’ defence several times with some direct play.

Ghana managed to get in three or four shots on goal in the opening 10 minutes, though it was only a 25-yard effort from Jacob Apau which was on target, Nigerian keeper Chukwunenye Okani able to make a relatively comfortable save.

Ghana continued to dominate for the most part of the first 25 minutes, earning four corners in this period.

Okani did well to keep the match goal-less when after 30 minutes he rushed quickly off his line to block Apau’s way to goal.

A minute later and Ghana right wing Frank Sarfo-Gyamfi left his man for dead with fantastic pace and power, before firing just over the bar.

Still Ghana continued to press as Fatam Abdul came close with a shot from an audacious angle which Okani did well to save, and then in the 37th minute Sarfo-Gyamfi was unfortunate to see his shot rebound off the upright.

It was the Flying Eagles who were to take a surprise lead, two minutes after the break when Uche Agbo squeezed in a header via the upright, following a corner kick.

But the lead only lasted three minutes as Ghana struck back to equalise, Baba Abdul firing in a scorching low drive from 25-yards after the ball had broken to him.

The match had by this stage developed into a real thriller and after 70 minutes Nigeria were back in front when Black Satellites keeper Felix Annan dropped an aerial ball, allowing Aminu Umar to slot a 14-yard shot into the top corner; 2-1 Nigeria.

Going into the final 10 minutes and Ghana began to crank up the pressure as they pushed hard for a goal.

Seidu Salifu came close when he ran in on goal, but Nigeria keeper Okani was extremely quick to move off his line and make a brave block. 

However, with seven minutes of regulation time to go, the Black Satellites had their equaliser, thanks to a rocket of a free kick from Sarfo-Gyamfi.

Ghana were not yet finished however, and in the 88th minute they went ahead for the first time when Moro Ibrahim showed great composure to pick out Salifu in the centre, the striker finishing with a clinical first time effort to seal a thrilling win in a remarkable game of football.

Nigeria next faces Argentina on Sunday, 27 May at the Cape Town Stadium.

Kickoff is at 16h30.

In the earlier Group A match, South Africa lost 3-1 to Argentina.

9-man Brazil defeats Cameroon in the 8-Nation International tournament

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BY Obakeng Maje

A nine-man Brazil held on to beat Cameroon by one goal to nil (1-0) in an evenly contested 8-Nation International tournament Group B game played at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (26 May) evening. 

It was a tight game throughout as the African side gave as good as they got and pushed hard for an equaliser during the final 30 minutes, during which time Brazil’s numbers were reduced to 10, and then nine, after two red cards.

After an initial burst of a bright start by Cameroon, it was the South American side that settled comfortably into their passing rhythm.

Cameroon was content to sit back and let their opponents have the ball, not having to build up too much of a sweat in defence.

Brazil’s play-maker Misael Bueno tried to get things going for his team, who despite their constant probing found very little leeway in the Cameroon rearguard.

Finally though Brazil’s persistence paid off when in the 29th minute Joao Felipe played in Bruno Mendes, who, clean through on goal in a central position, had the composure to slot the ball past Cameroon keeper Kerrido Haschou.

Cameroon had a great chance to draw level five minutes before the break, but after Yazid Emane had played in an accurate cross, Jean Bassilekin headed the ball over the bar from only six yards out.

A couple of minutes before the break saw Brazil coming close to adding a second when Bueno sprinted clear down the right wing, before firing a shot through the legs of goal keeper Haschou, who was relieved to see the ball spurting clear of his goal.

The West Africans started the second half with far more pace and purpose. 

Five minutes in and their efforts nearly paid dividends as Emmanuel Ewangue strode forward from midfield before unleashing a thunderous drive, which crashed into the upright, much to the disappointment of the sizable Cameroon support in the stands.

A minute later and Cameroon were again denied, this time Brazil keeper Matheus de Oliveira diving across to palm away Charles Etoundi’s rifled effort.

The game then became increasingly physical with neither side holding back in the tackle, leading Brazil playing the final 25 minutes with less men after Luiz Conde received a straight red for a reckless challenge.

In the 84th minute the South Americans lost their second player of the night as Jean Deretti received a second yellow card for using his hand to steer the ball into goal.

All the while Cameroon had been doing most of the attacking, but only had a free kick from Emane, which sailed marginally over, to show for their efforts.

With the game in injury time, Etoundi again came close when his shot deflected just wide of goal.

It had been an impressive late rally by Cameroon, but ultimately they just couldn’t do enough to score.

ACCIDENT CLAIM A LIFE!!!

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BY Obakeng Maje

RUSTENBURG– On Friday night, 2012-05-25, a white Corsa collided with a cow that was on the N4. A 31-year-old passenger, Tshepo Raditlhare, died on the scene. The Police are investigating a Culpable homicide case.

BRITS– On Friday, 2012-05-25, at about 23:20, a silver BMW and a blue Golf, collided on the R512/N4 off-ramp at  De-Kroon. The driver of the Golf, who has not yet been identified, died on the scene. There were two passengers in the Golf, who sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. “The driver of the BMW, with three passengers sustained injuries and were taken to the local hospital for treatment” Captain Adele Myburgh said.  The Police are investigating a culpable homicide case.

                                                                    

 

SUSPECT TO APPEAR BEFORE MAGISTRATE FOR DRUNK AND DRIVING!!!

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BY Obakeng Maje

VRYBURG– a 26-year old driver was arrested for Drunken Driving and Culpable homicide, after he lost control of a white Opel Corsa on Friday, 2012-05-25 at about 22:28. “The vehicle overturned in Roydenweg road and one passenger, that have not been identified yet, a male adult between 25-27 years, died on the scene. Another passenger, also a male adult, aged 27-years, sustained serious injuries and was taken to the local hospital for treatment” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said. The 26-year-old driver did not sustain any injuries and will appear in the Vryburg Magistrate’s court soon

NORTH WEST POLICE SUCCESSES

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BY Obakeng Maje

ATAMELANG (near Delareyville)-One 24-year-old male suspect was arrested by Police on Saturday morning, 2012-05-26 at about 09:30, shortly after he raped a 35-year-old victim. The victim was on her way to work, when she was approached by the suspect who raped her in a sunflower field in Vriesgewaaght, earlier that morning. “The Police managed to trace the suspect who will appear in Atameleng Magistrate’s court soon” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

NORTH WEST POLICE SUCCESSES

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BY Obakeng Maje

ATAMELANG (near Delareyville)-One 24-year-old male suspect was arrested by Police on Saturday morning, 2012-05-26 at about 09:30, shortly after he raped a 35-year-old victim. The victim was on her way to work, when she was approached by the suspect who raped her in a sunflower field in Vriesgewaaght, earlier that morning. “The Police managed to trace the suspect who will appear in Atameleng Magistrate’s court soon” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

NORTH WEST POLICE SUCCESSES

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BY Obakeng Maje

ATAMELANG (near Delareyville)-One 24-year-old male suspect was arrested by Police on Saturday morning, 2012-05-26 at about 09:30, shortly after he raped a 35-year-old victim. The victim was on her way to work, when she was approached by the suspect who raped her in a sunflower field in Vriesgewaaght, earlier that morning. “The Police managed to trace the suspect who will appear in Atameleng Magistrate’s court soon” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.