WeeklySA_AdminOLDEST RIVALRY: First meeting after Swallows edged them out of the MTN8 in August
By Masoja Cele
Could the signing of Nigerian international defender Olisa Harold Ndah be the solution to the constantly precarious Orlando Pirates defence? That may possibly be revealed Saturday in the DStv Premiership League match between the Buccaneers and Moroka Swallows at the Orlando Stadium.
The towering defender might be key to the staggering combination of Thulani Hlatshwayo and Happy Jele or even Ntsikelelo Nyauza. The Dube Birds thrashed Bucs 2-1 in the Wafa-Wafa MTN 8 competition at the same venue in early August, a loss which saw Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer resign within 48 hours of the defeat.
His lieutenants, Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids were assigned as interim co-coaches. The duo began their DStv Premier League duties against Stellenbosch FC and Marumo Gallants. They managed only two points from six from two matches played against Stellenbosch FC (2-2) and Marumo Gallant (0-0) respectively.
Though it is still early in the season, dropping such valuable points could brutally count against Pirates’ end of the season. For a big club like Bucs, it is essential to collect as much points as possible in the first round so to be counted among the early pace setters. ‘’Ezimnyama-Ngenkani’’ last won a league title in 2012 under caretaker coach Augusto Palacios.
Pirates have recently invaded the transfer network and brought on players like the creative midfielder Goodman Mosele from Baroka and Bandile Shandu from Maritzburg United.
Another newbie that could get his debut on Saturday is highly rated Ghanaian striker Kwame Peprah. The 20 year old forward signed for Bucs from King Faisal in the Ghana Premier League.
The legions of The Ghost supporters would want nothing from Peprah than a rewarding combination with the likes of Gabadihno Mhango Tshegofatso Mabasa and Zakhele Lepasa. However, against Swallows, Pirates will face the team that is crammed with confidence after accumulating satisfactory results in their two DStv Premier League opening matches at AmaZulu and Royal AM (formerly Bloemfontein Celtic). The Beautiful Birds held Usuthu to a goalless draw at Kings Park Rugby Stadium and narrowly beat AM 1-0 at home. Swallows are currently playing enthralling football coupled with pleasing results. The Dobsonville based team has also beefed up their side with quality players. Keletso Makgalwa, Grant Margerman and goalkeeper Jody February, as well as Tebogo Langerman.
In another exciting fixture, today TS Galaxy welcome Golden Arrows at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit (15:00). Baroka FC face the struggling Maritzburg United at Peter Mokaba Stadium (17:00) while Sekhukhune United host Stellenbosch FC at Ellis Park Stadium, 17hrs. SEE BACKPAGE
GOLF EVENT FUND-RAISER FOR KATLEHONG’S PHAKE YOUTH CLUB
Golfers – male and female – from different clubs around Gauteng will tee off in a “Better Ball Stableford” competition to raise funds for the Katlehong-based Phake Youth Club (PYC) at the Germiston Golf Course on September 19.
Explaining the purpose of the tournament, PYC coordinator Dikeledi Kekana said: “We expect between 80 and 100 hundred golfers to compete for prizes in an effort to raise funds for the Phake Youth Club. This club was formed in 2020 by youngsters from around Phake, Phooko, Mopedi, Motsamai and Hlahatsi sections.
“They have an active 12-17 football team and a netball side in the same age groups, including a budding book club.
We hope to raise about R30 000 needed to purchase netball shoes and soccer boots, plus helping with the refurbishing of the netball court at the Tshabalala Primary School. We believe helping these kids will help them to avoid doing bad things as many come from poor backgrounds”.
Kekana revealed that some of the challenges facing the football team is lack of soccer boots, something that often forces the head coach to “rent” soccer boots for a fee from other teams. Hence the theme of the coming event is, “Rebuilding The Youth Golf Day”.
“We also welcome donations of unused soccer boots and netball shoes as it appears the formation of the sporting teams has sparked excitement because more kids want to join the Phake Youth Club. My contact details are: dikeledilerato@gmail.com and my cellphone number is 079 613 2712,” – WSAM
SPRINGBOKS WELCOME FAF AND DUANNE
The Springboks will go into Sunday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Australia without their talisman Cheslin Kobe, but welcomed back hardman Duanne Vermemulen and halfback Faf de Klerk to the starting lineup on Wednesday.
As expected, Vermeulen passed his fitness tests and claims back the No 8 jersey from Jasper Wiese, while de Klerk is back as well and replaces Cobus Reinach at 9 with the Bok axis looking a lot stronger and closer to full strength than in the opening two Rugby Championship games.
The Boks record in Australia is dismal but there is a lot of confidence in the side now than in a number of previous visits.
