Not a good start for Babyana Banyana

A road for Banyana start seem to be problematic

South Africa was humbled by Sweden ladies team last night at City of Coventry stadium in the in opening game of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.

From the first whistle of the game, Banyana Banyana was under a thrilling pressure from the Swedish ladies, who were dominating the Middlefield.

Swedish team hit the bar post several times before scoring from a deflection to make the score 1-0. Afterwards, the Swedish kept on putting lots of pressure on Banyana. 

After Fourteen minutes, South African ladies started to put the ball on the ground and challenge the opponents. However, that was not enough to stop Swedish from scoring two quick goals in a minute.

Banyana striker Portia Modise tried to bring her team back in the game by a wonderful strike, but it was off target. That was followed by a superb counter-attack, but Noko Matlou was too late to convert it into a goal.

The second half of the game was different. Banyana Banyana started with a better attitude toward the Swedish side. They used their skills to challenge the opponents. That led Modise to score a cracker goal few steps from the center –line to make the score 3-1.

From that moment, Banyana got their confidence back. They kept the control of the game and threaten the Swedish from the Middlefield to the goal line.

 Banyana lost focus at the back and concentrate much on attacking, which gave the Swedish side a good chance to finish them on a counter-attack to win 4-1.

In the last minutes of the game, the back four of the South African team was outplayed, but Banyana keeper stood on her feet and covers most of their mistakes. Banyana tried their best to score as many goals as they can, but they last touch let them down.

One goal is too much for Leopard

Leopard is out of CAF Confederations Cup

Black Leopard failed to continue with their CAF Confederation cup journey after a 0-0 draw with El Merreikh at Ellis Pack stadium this afternoon.

 Leopard stated the game very slowly trying to build from the back, while El Merreik was putting pressure from the first minute of the game. That made it difficult for Lidoda Duvha to get an early goal.

 However, after seven minutes Leopard tried to take first goal lead by a shoot from Edgar Manaka thou it went over the bar. From that moment, the Limpopo based club toke the control of the game from the visitors.

El Merreikh right and left wings turned things around, they won the possession by flying high on the wings.  Leopard saw jeopardy and made a quick transformation, and substitute Davie Banda by David Zulu. And that brings back the moral of the team.

On the last minute of first half, El Merreikh defense made a mistake but Rodney Ramagalela wasted the chance and made El Merreikh goalkeeper - Aaram El Hadi Salim - a star of the day.  

First minute of second half, Manaka was substituted by Raymond Monama. From that moment, Leopard seems more organised. They pushed hard but Aaram El Hadi Salim was not doing any fovours on a goal line.

Leopard captain tried to lead by example by a magnificent header from Ramagalela’s cross but Aaram El Hadi Salim stood up again and denied him a goal.

During the last ten minutes of the game, both teams were attacking each other with the aim of scoring a goal, but that did not happen. The last five minutes was owned by the home team, however it was not enough to earn them a goal.

The letdown of Lidoda Duvha to score a goal led El Merreikh to advance into the group stages with a 3-2 on aggregate

This is the lineups for both teams…

Leopards: Azwindini Maphaha, Vincent Mabusela, Humphrey Khoza, Harry Nyirenda, Nkosiyabo Xakane, Davis Banda, Mongezi Bobe (C), Tiyani Mabunda, Edgar Manaka, Mahlatse Maake, Rodney Ramagalela.

El Merreikh: Aaram El Hadi Salim, Saeed Mustafa (C), Serge Wawa, Nagm Eldin Abdall, Balla Gabir, Mousa El Tayeb, Nasr Eldin, Omer, Kelechi Osunwa, Ahmed El Basha, Musaab Omer.

A promotion for Kaitano Tembo

Tembo to replays Madigage

Supersport United promoted Kaitano “Kaizer” Tembo from the reserve side to succeed Thomas Madigage as the senior team assistant coach.

Madigage was appointed a Bafana Bafana assistant coach to Gordon Igesund by SAFA early this week. His daperture was a door opener to his long time team-mate Kaizer Tembo to be part of the senior team.

The former Zimbabwean defender – Tembo, will not be a newcomer   to the senior team as he was working very closer to Gavin Hunt as a link from reserve side to first team.

The newly Matsatsantsa assistant coach tembo said it came as a astonishment to his ears, but he is honuored to be part of the senior team.

“It came as a surprise to me. This is an opportunity that any coach can have because I worked in the development structures of our club” says Tembo.

He said he is aware of the challenges that he will face as an assistant coach. However he is prepared to faced them and helps the team to success.

“It is also a learning curve at the same time but I’m ready for the big challenge” said Tembo.

After all, he went on by  wishing Thomas Madigage a good luck in his new position at a national team. He concluded by expressing his gratitude to the club head coach and the whole technical team for the opportunity they gave him.

“Thomas has achieved in this team and I wished him the best of luck. I would also like to thank Gavin Hunt, our Chairman and the Board of Directors for giving me this opportunity,” he concluded.

Tembo will be the fourth new member in the Gavin Hunt side after the club signed Bevan Fransman, George Maluleka, and Mark Haskins for 2012/2013 campaign. 

Sundowns won the race for Rodgers

Rodger signed with Sundowns over Wits

The Bafana Bafana internation Eleazar Rodgers has finally put a pen down with Mamelodi Sundowns on a four year deal.

The Brazilians have beaten Bidvest Wits over the signature of Rodgers, despite a recent plea that he wanted to sign for The Students.

The departure of Roger De Sa as a head coach of The Clever Boys believed to be the fall down of Rogers move to the club.

Sundowns communications co-ordinator, Thulani Thuswa, confirmed that the deal had been done and the players is happy to be part of The Brazilians family.

 “I can confirm the deal was completed today and I spoke to the player. He is excited about the challenge that awaits him. He said he knows very well that he will not walk straight into the starting lineup and he will work hard to earn his place” Thuswa said

Wits were offering R5.5million which was then bettered by the Chloorkop based club to be R7 million. However, Thuswa deny the speculations of the amount of money they paid for the player.

“We can’t reveal the figures involved in the transfer because that may put the player under unnecessary pressure but the reports about the R7 million fee are just ridiculous,” Thuswa added http://www.supersport.com/

The 27 years old had a wonderful season this year with Santons that earned him national team call up. He finished the league as second top goal scorer after Siyabonga Nomvete.

Rodger will not be part of Sundowns pre-season team that went to Swaziland, because he was given some days off to rest after the play-off campaign.

Katza retired from football.

Katza: the time has come for me to hang up my boots

Ricardo Katza has hanged his soccer boots from football after being loyal to Supersport United for several years.

Katza’s retirement will not be a loss to the Tshwane based club, since he will take up a place in the Matsatsantsa offices.

He seems to be looking forward to his new role at the club after 14 years in PSL.

 ”However, the time has come for me to hang up my boots and continue in the next part of my career off the field” says Katza.

The 34-year-old was only three games away from breaking the current appearance record at the club and becoming SuperSport’s most capped player in their history.

Katza, who made his PSL debut way back in 1998/99, made 20 appearances for Bafana Bafana over the years.

After being part of the game for so many years, Katza thanks all who contributed to his success in football.

“I do thank those who gave me the opportunity. I won't miss the game as much as I'll miss the relationships that I have had with people over the years and that have grown with time” he concluded.

Wits is in favour of signing Rodgers

Rodgers does not want to play for Sundowns.

The Bafana Bafana international Eleazar Rodgers, want to go to Bidvest Wits over Mamelodi  Sundowns.

It has been understood that the player does not want to join The Brazilians dispite the huge amount of money they agreed on with Santos.

A close source to the chloorkop based team told the media that the team have offered pay around R7 – million for Rodgers‘s service. The team has agreed terms and conditions with the students but Rodgers in not interested to sign with them.

Orlando Pirates, Ajax Cape Town, SuperSport United and even Chippa United were always interested in the signature of the 27-year-old striker. 

However, a closed source said Rodgers want to be under his former coach’s wings, Roger de Sa.

“He doesn’t want to go to Sundowns, he wants to join Wits. Obviously Sundowns has offered the most money and Santos are quite desperate to accept the highest offer. Other offers included Ajax, SuperSport and Chippa. He’s spoken to Khalied (Allie) and told him he will not go to Sundowns and that Khalied needs to sort it out.”

After Kaizer Chiefs chairman’s weekly column on the club's official website, it has been learnt that Erwin Isaacs might be heading to Naturena.

 The Amakhosi boss did not specify any names but it has widely known that they are after Eleazer Rodgers and Erwin Isaacs from relegated Santos and Lehlogonolo Masalesa.

”We are still in pursuit of some players and will present them when all processes are complete. The Technical Team remains unchanged," Motaung said.

With the leadings that Rodgers want to go to Wits, is now obvious that they focus will now be on Isaacs and Maselesa.  Although Amakhosi team manager Bobby Motaung has denied the link that they want Isaacs. http://www.kick.com/

Watch the space…….

A chance for Mhlongo to reignite his career

Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain Benson Mhlongo has left the team to join Platinum Stars.

Dikwena have confirmed today that they have signed the player from The Buccaneers on a two-year deal with a year’s option on top. The 31- year old spend four seasons with Soweto giants but last season was the worse of them all.

The player got a knee injury that put him out of the game for almost the whole season. However, after recovering from a long-term injury early on in the year the situation didn’t get better.

After all the nightmare he went through last season with The Buccaneers, he just want to see himself playing the game that he love most.  

He told the media that he made his decision based on the situation he was facing at Mayfield based club. 

"I made this decision [to join Platinum Stars] purely because of the current state of football in the country and I am joining Platinum Stars in the hope of helping them achieve their goals," says Mhlongo.

The versatility of Mhlongo will be a huge advantage for Platinum Stars as he can play as defender and midfielder depending on the situation.

The player will join his former teammate Patrick Malokase, who have since signed on a permanent deal with Dikwena

Mohlongo joined Pirates back in 2005 from Mamelodi Sundowns, and managed to represente Bafana Bafana 37 times in his career.

Platinum Stars have completed the signing of Mhlongo.

Pirates signed another Free State Stars player

Makola signed for The Buccaneers

Orlando Pirates have signed Mpho Makola from Free State Stars after signing Ayanda Gcaba from the some team.  

This is a compliment from the chariman’s statement that the team will sign one or two players before he closed his cheque book.

According to the source, the former Ea Lla Koto star has penned down a three years deal with The Buccaneers.

"Yes, it’s a done deal now and Mpho has joined Pirates for three-years. They wanted him from last season but he only signed this season," the source expressed.

Orlando Pirates CEO, Senzo Mazingisa, has also reinforce the statement from the source by saying  "Yes it is true, we have signed Mpho and I am not in the office right now but I think it’s between two and three-years. But yah, we have signed him," Mazingiza concluded.

On the hand, Free State stars have console themselves by signing former Bloemfontein Celtic wingback Luyanda Hlongwa on a one year deal with an option of a further two years