BY Tiyani Mabasa

Muti man S’bonelo Madela claims that the South African Football Association have settled his debt, meaning there is nothing stopping Bafana Bafana from winning matches now. 

Madela is the sangoma who alleged that Safa reneged on a muti deal post the Fifa 2010 World Cup, but now he is a happy man and the nation can breathe a sigh of relief after this muti drama.

“They gave me the money,” Madela tells KickOff.com, but refused to comment further except to assure the nation that all is fine now.

Madela claimed last year that he ‘worked’ on the stadium in Bloemfontein, where Bafana beat France 2-1 and he was paid R10 000 instead of the R100 000 the two parties allegedly agreed on.

Bafana have not won a match since Madela made threats in October that they will not win until Safa pay him.
Now they will face Ethiopia on Sunday aware that Madela’s so-called ‘boy’ won’t be playing goalkeeper for the opposition.

All is well that ends well.

Follow me on Twitter @Taung_DailyNews

BY Obakeng Maje

Johannesburg: The draw for the football teams contesting the 2012 SAB League was conducted today, at SAB World of Beer. The showdown that will determine who will be crowned national champions and promoted up to the Second Division, is scheduled to take place from Sunday, 10 June 2012, with the final being held on Sunday, 17 June 2012.

The national event will feature nine Provincial squads and an invitational team from USSA (University Sports South Africa).  The tournament will consist of two groups of five teams each, playing each other in a round robin format. The top two in each group at the end of the pool stages will then advance to the semi-finals, where they will battle it out for a place in the finals and ultimately the crown of 2012 Champions.

The President of SAFA, Mr Kirsten Nematandani said: “The SAB League is an integral component in the structure of football in our country. The lower leagues play a very important role in establishing a solid foundation upon which success can be built.”

The formation of SAB League more than a decade ago stems from shared vision of SAB and SAFA to develop football amongst youth at grassroots level in South Africa. It is also a key diversion programme that keeps youth away from drugs, alcohol abuse and crime. The SAB league has acted as springboard for a number of South Africa’s current football stars, including Reneilwe Letsholonyane of Kaizer Chiefs, Happy Jele of Orlando Pirates and Ayanda Dlamini of AmaZulu, to name but a few.

“SAB’s responsibility as a good corporate citizen is to provide meaningful opportunities for the youth of our country in order for them to improve their lives and to ensure their successful and sustainable future,” says Dr Vincent Maphai, SAB Director Corporate Affairs and Transformation.

“We are looking forward to an exciting week-long of football featuring some of the most talented young players showcasing their talent. We wish each and every team the best of luck as they thrive for the coveted title.” 

The opening and closing games will be played at Kanyamazane Stadium, Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, with the rest at Ngonyama Lodge Sports Grounds. 

Jele, who was in attendance, said: “I received my first real training as a footballer in the Mpumalanga SAB League with Walter Stars and that set me on the path to play in the PSL. The training and mentorship I received in those early days developed me into the footballer I am today. I am convinced that around the country we have enormous talent just waiting to be discovered and set on the right path. The SAB League is vital to the future of our football because it is within this competition that we will find our future Bafana Bafana stars. We must do everything we can to give them the opportunity to showcase their skills and move up the ladder of South African football. But it all starts here.”

Partnering with the SAB League is Shoes Moshoeu who understands the importance of discipline in sports and particularly at the development level encouraged the participants by saying: “Being a footballer is not just about turning up on match day and kicking a ball. The training has to be right and the off-field focus must be there. 

The SAB League gives up-and-coming youngsters the platform to show their worth, but is also a training ground in itself for a professional career. Here you should learn what it takes to be a professional, so that if the time comes where you do make it to the PSL, you understand what is required. That is what every SAB League side should be looking to provide their players”.

The SAB League provides opportunities to identify and then nurture football talent and also provide participation at other levels, including the national team, the Premier Soccer League and National First Division teams.
Studies have shown that sport amongst youth can help instil in them a sense of empowerment and belonging, increases their self-esteem and can have an impact on reducing crime and other social ills. 

Prize-money Breakdown
1st place position                                 :    R20 000. 
Player of the Tournament                   :    R10 000 
Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament    :    R  5 000
Coach of the Tournament                      :    R  5 000
Referee of the Tournament                   :    R  5 000
Assistant Referee of the Tournament    :    R  5 000
Man of the Match at each game             :     R1000 per match

BY Obakeng Maje

The appointment of Baaitse Manca in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday, 26 May 2012 is a first for women in the history of South African football.

South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Kirsten Nematandani congratulated Manca for the magnificent manner in which she executed her duties and responsibilities on Saturday in the match between cross-town rivals Supersport United and Mamelodi Sundowns, adding that the official had done South Africa proud.

“This is great news which should even hog the international limelight. Not only was she in the thick of action but was meticulous and made great calls especially the offside calls. She has a great future in this game which in the past has been a preserved of male species,” said the SAFA President.

SAFA’s Head of Referees, Adeel Carelse said the Association took the bold step in her appointment in view of the success of Project Equity (The Development of Female Referees).   This project is in its second year and has borne results beyond what was initially envisaged.

“Manca earned her appointment purely on merit. She has also been appointed as the Fourth Official in the upcoming Banyana Banyana match against Nigeria. This is good both for her and the country,” said Carelse.

Already a member of the FIFA Panel of Referees, Manca is destined for even greater honours.  She has been a member of the National Panel of Referees since 2007 and gained valuable experience since being exposed to the rigours of officiating in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Project Equity is one of five projects currently being run by the referees department in order to increase the skill level of referees.   

At present there are 5 females on the National Panel of Referees.   For the operational season 2012/2013 a further 3 ladies have been earmarked for possible promotion depending on their assessment at the Higher National Certification Course due to commence on 15th July 2012.

Two of Manca’s fellow referees, Nomvula Masilela and Assistance Sokhela have been invited to join the CAF Elite Referees Panel and will be going to Cameroon to complete the pre-requisite course on the 18-23 June 2012.

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.