Johannesburg – Bafana Bafana produced an inspired performance in the second half to earn a 1-1 draw against Cameroon in the Gabonese capital of Libreville as they continue preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations 2015.

Cameroon were quick off the blocks in the first and almost grabbed the opening goal shortly after kick-off but Brilliant Khuzwayo was on the mark to smother the danger.

The Indomitable Lions were then awarded a free-kick just on the edge of the box and Vincent Aboubacar fired Cameroon into the lead on the 7^th minute with a great strike that gave goalkeeper Khuzhwayo no chance.

The Cameroonians used their physique to their advantage as they bullied Bafana Bafana off the ball but the second half was completely different ball game altogether as the South Africans used their speed and skill to great effect.

There was a bit of scare for Bafana Bafana in the first half as Andile Jali was stretched off with an injury but the tenacious midfielder shrugged the setback off and was soon back on the field.

Bafana Bafana came close to grabbing the equaliser seven minutes before the break but Parker’s effort went just wide as the Cameroonians held on for a slender first half lead.

It was a much improved display by Bafana Bafana in the second half as they started probing the Cameroon defence. A brilliant run down the right ended with Matlaba’s fine strike fisted away by the Cameroon keeper on 56 minutes. Then Jali saw his thumping shot cleared for a corner.

But with Bafana Bafana buzzing, it was just a question of time before they found that elusive equaliser.

Sibusiso Vilakazi proved to be an inspired substitute as he brought Bafana Bafana back on level terms on the 77^th minute. If the Cameroon goal was brilliant, well Vilakazi’s effort was simply outstanding as he beat the Cameroon defence before planting the ball into the net.

It could have been advantage Bafana Bafana moments later following a great run by Phala on the left but his cross into the box could not find a yellow Bafana Bafana shirt.

The match was part of preparations for the CAF Orange Africa Cup of Nations Equatorial Guinea 2015 tournament which starts from 17 January to 8 February. It also afforded the Bafana Bafana technical staff the opportunity to try out new combinations. Mashaba made six changes to the squad that defeated Zambia 1-0 on 4 January at Orlando Stadium.

Khuzwayo was in the starting line-up ahead of Darren Keet in goals while the coaches only made one change at the back with Eric Mathoho rested and Thulani Hlatshwayo given the run alongside Rivaldo Coetzee, Anele Ngcongca and Thabo Matlaba.

Andile Jali and Dean Furman, who was appointed captain for this match, made their return to the starting line-up after missing out due to injury and club commitments respectively. Themba Zwane replaced Mandla Masango while Oupa Manyisa was the only player who retained his place in the middle of the park.

Tokelo Rantie spearheaded the Bafana Bafana attack alongside Bernard Parker, who came on for Bongani Ndulula.

Bafana Bafana will continue their preparations for the AFCON 2015 with another friendly match against Mali on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Darren Keet has been given leave of absence from the Bafana Bafana camp to be with his wife, who is expecting their first child. He left for Belgium after the match against Cameroon and will return to camp on Monday, 12 January.

Also leaving the Bafana Bafana camp is Patrick Phungwayo due to injury and his replacement will be named in due course.

South Africa: Brilliant Khuzwayo (GK), Anele Ngcongca, Thabo Matlaba, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Dean Furman, Andile Jali, Oupa Manyisa, Themba Zwane, Tokelo Rantie, Bernard Parker

Subs: Jackson Mabokgwane (GK), Darren Keet (GK), Eric Mathoho, Siyabonga Nhlapho, Mandla Masango, Thuso Phala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Thamsanqa Sangweni, Bongani Zungu, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Bongani Ndulula.

Withdrawn from squad due to injury: Patrick Phungwayo

Cameroon: 16-Fabrice Ondoa, 12-Henri Bedimo, 21-Aurelien Chedjou, 9-Franck Bagnack , 5-Jerome Guihoata, 14-Georges Mandjeck, 4-Raoul Loe, 7-Clinton N’die, 15-Francis Etoundi, 11-Edgar Salli, 10-Vincent Aboubacar.

-TDN

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Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim Shakes Mashaba has named the starting eleven that will face Cameroon in an international friendly match scheduled for Saturday, 10 January 2015.

The match will be played at Stade L’amitie in Libreville, Gabon.

Kick-off is at 21h00 (SA time).

The match is part of preparations for the CAF Orange Africa Cup of Nations Equatorial Guinea 2015 tournament which starts from 17 January to 8 February.

In an effort to check out final combinations for AFCON 2015, Mashaba has made six changes to the squad that defeated Zambia 1-0 last weekend (Sunday, 4 January) at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

Brilliant Khuzwayo takes the place of Darren Keet in goals.

There is only one change in the rear guard – Eric Mathoho makes way for Thulani Hlatshwayo, alongside Rivaldo Coetzee, Anele Ngcongca and Thabo Matlaba.

Andile Jali, who was rested in the last match due to injury, and Dean Furman, who was not available because of club commitments, return to the midfield ahead of Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Thamsanqa Sangweni, while Themba Zwane replaces Mandla Masango. Oupa Manyisa is the only player who retains his place in the middle of the park.

Upfront, Tokelo Rantie will partner with Bernard Parker, who comes in for Bongani Ndulula.

Patrick Phungwayo will not be part of the match day squad as he has been withdrawn from the team due to a knee injury.

“We are going into this match with our focus on the big picture, which is the tournament. I have made changes for various reasons. Firstly, to see what some combinations can give us as we prepare for AFCON 2015. Also, we want see what some players can give us when facing such nations as Cameroon more so because we will not have Mathoho and Letsholonyane in the opening match due to suspensions.

“There is also the question of readiness for the whole team – how far are with our preparations. There is no friendly match in international football so we expect a tough match but I believe the boys will come to the party and perform well,” said Mashaba.

The Bafana Bafana mentor will name the captain shortly before the match.

SA XI vs Cameroon: Brilliant Khuzwayo (GK), Anele Ngcongca, Thabo Matlaba, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Dean Furman, Andile Jali, Oupa Manyisa, Themba Zwane, Tokelo Rantie, Bernard Parker

Subs: Jackson Mabokgwane (GK), Darren Keet (GK), Eric Mathoho, Siyabonga Nhlapho, Mandla Masango, Thuso Phala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Thamsanqa Sangweni, Bongani Zungu, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Bongani Ndulula

Withdrawn from squad due to injury: Patrick Phungwayo

-TDN

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Johannesburg -Gauteng police said on Saturday that no arrests have been made a farm attack on an elderly couple in Lindley, near Muldersdrift.

Lt-Col Lungelo Dlamini said investigations into the murder and assault of an elderly man, the assault of his wife and robbery of their house continued.

“I can’t anymore,” were the last words Charles Henderson, 61, said to his wife Jenna, 60, before he died, Beeld reported on Saturday.

The couple were tied with their backs to each other after men stormed their house on Thursday night after 11pm.

Beeld reported that Henderson heard the dog barking outside and when he went to investigate he was attacked with a shovel and a brick.

Jenna Henderson struggled for three hours after her husband died to get loose.

Their son-in-law Paul Orffer said Charles Henderson lost a lot of blood and died for R600, cellphones, a TV, DVD player and an iPad.

Orffer said his father-in-law was hit over the head with a brick a couple of metres from the kitchen door and dragged inside, while his mother-in-law was kicked in the head and hit.

He said a man was arrested after being traced with the iPad, but Dlamini denied anyone had been arrested. – Sapa

Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma received a hero’s welcome from about 40 000 ANC supporters at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday as the party feted it’s 103rd anniversary on opposition turf. Zuma and ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa did a lap of the stadium and waved to supporters before the formal programme kicked off around noon with the national anthem and prayers.

A praise singer told the crowd he needed to exorcise the spirit of Dutch coloniser Jan van Riebeeck before the rally could get underway. “I have to clear the spirit of Jan van Riebeeck from this place first.”

On Friday night, at an ANC fundraiser, Zuma had revisited the country’s colonial history, telling some of the country’s wealthiest “all the trouble began” in 1652 when Van Riebeeck landed in the Cape. He went on to say the African National Congress had a superior claim to power to other political parties because it was formed by a united front of the country’s indigenous people to vanquish white colonial rule.

– Sapa

Durban – A man has been arrested in connection with a body found buried in a shallow grave at an abandoned house in the Gedleza area, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Friday.

“The 30-year-old suspect was arrested on Thursday,” said Major Thulani Zwane. He was expected to appear in the Ubombo Magistrate’s Court on Monday, when he would face a murder charge. More charges could be added, said Zwane. While the KwaZulu-Natal social development department said the body was that of a 14-year-old girl, police said the female could have been older. Social development MEC Weziwe Thusi said her department and the police were still trying to establish the victim’s identity.

“As soon as (she) is identified and her family found, our social workers will be there to provide trauma counselling,” she said.

In a separate incident, two boys, aged nine and 10, were removed from the Mjindi community after they were suspected of having murdered a seven-year-old girl. Police said the girl was reported missing on Monday and her body was found on Tuesday.

“It was believed the boys buried the girl’s body during the day while the elders were out working in the fields, said Thusi. The children were being kept at a child and youth care centre for their own safety. “We have referred them to social workers because according to the Children’s Act, we cannot officially arrest them,” said Zwane.

The police were investigating a case of murder and were awaiting a post mortem which would determine whether the girl was raped. Thusi said her department’s social workers were working with the families involved. “This case is a sad reminder to parents and caregivers to keep an eye on their charges at all times,” she said. Sapa