WeeklySA_Admin2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER:Hugo Broos charges rise to the challenge in a match they could have won
By Sports Reporter
Brave Bafana shrug off travel challenges to share the spoils with Nigeria in tense away qualifier 8 June 2024 – Bafana Bafana shrugged off travel challenges to draw 1-1 with Nigeria during a pulsating 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday night.
It was a tense showdown between the two long-time foes, but coach Hugo Broos’ charges rose to the challenge, and took the fight to their West African hosts from the opening whistle. After one of their longest trips to Nigeria, spanning more than 30 hours, Bafana Bafana will feel they could have won the match.
The South African senior men’s national team were the first to get their name up on the stadium scoreboard after irrepressible midfielder Themba Zwane opened the scoring in the 29th minute after a delicious pass from Yaya Sithole. Maestro Zwane was like an orchestra conductor interpreting composer Broos’ team sheet, and he executed the task at hand with his signature silky brush of the ball.
It was such a moment of inspiration from the visitors that the home fans were stunned into silence by the buildup, and by Zwane’s delectable final execution.
But the hosts equalised through Faruq Dele-Bashiru soon after the restart in the second half to put the Nigerians back in the game. The Bafana Bafana players put their bodies on the line to keep Nigeria at bay, and also try to find the goal that would have given the visitors a victory away from home.
Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams pulled off stunning saves to ensure that the South African senior men’s national team will return home tomorrow with a point from Nigeria. It was a team effort, and all the players gave their all in Uyo.
Bafana Bafana face Zimbabwe in their next World Cup qualifier in a match that is to be played at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 11 June 2024.
Kickoff is at 18h00. Tickets to this encounter are now available at the match venue, Free State stadium.
UPHILL BATTLE FOR BAROKA
DStv PREMIERSHIP PLAYOFFS: Richards Bay will show no mercy to Bakgaga BaMphahlele at home
By Masoja Cele
Beleaguered Baroka FC will have to dig deeper from their football reservoir to overcome Richards Bay FC in the first leg of the DStv mini league play-offs tomorrow at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Lebowakgomo. Kick-off is at 3 pm.
Baroka will approach this crucial battle without the services of their trusted gaffer Dan ‘’Dance’’Malesela. Weekly SA Mirror has it on good authority that Malesela was on Monday suspended after their loss to AmaTuks. Now the team is set to play the remaining playoffs matches under the mentorship of former Chippa United coach Morgan Mammila.
The former football administrator previously was employed as Baroka CEO. With this dark cloud unfolding it will be interesting to see how the new interim gaffer will motivate the team. Certainly, it will be a hard task to achieve as coaches philosophy differ.
Bakgaga BaMphahlele are still leaking their wounds after suffering a painful 1-0 defeat at the hands of University of Pretoria last Sunday. Baroka were unfortunately to lose to AmaTuks after their impressive display against Tuks. They conceded a last minute goal that dampened the spirit of the team. Nonetheless, all is not lost yet for the Limpopo side as they intend to double their effort against ‘’The Rich Boyz’’ at home.
Bakgaga BaMphahlele can’t afford to lose against Richard Bay as their as their ambition to return to the top flight might vanish to thin air. The well travel Mammila will expect nothing but rather a highly improved performance from his charges. Granted, the Baroka team dished up a gutsy display against AmaTuks but, that wasn’t good enough as they failed to bang in all the chances they created during the game. Simple, football matches are won through goals.
Baroka myriad of supporters would expect Mammila not to interfere much with the team but, to start with the side that did so well at Tukkies last Sunday.
Experience defensive pair Lehlohonolo Nonyane and Ananias Gebhardt will be expected to lead the team with their football expertise.
In midweek Richards Bay boosted their dream of a return to the DStv Premier League nest season. The Rich Boyz narrowly beat University of Pretoria 1-0 at King Zwelithini Stadium. The KZN team deadly finisher Somila Ntsundwana was the recipient of the priceless goal.
Together with Tuks the Rich Boyz sits on three points after one round with the Hartfield side having played two matches. Should they win against Baroka then they will have one leg into the 2024/25 DStv Premier League campaign. But, this game is tough to call. The Rich Boyz might be favourites on paper because of their league experience. But, this encounter is tough to call.
The Mhlathuze based team boast a youthful mentor in Vusimuzi Vilakazi. The 41 year old coach has done a great work with the Rich Boyz since arriving from Chippa United. He was brought in to replace his predecessor Kaitano Tembo who was sacked due to poor results. Vilakazi will surely go for kill at Baroka as any slip will leave the race wide open.
Target man Ntsundwana would be expected to continue with his rich vein of form. Speedy winger Sanele Barns and Ntsako Makhubela will be expected to add more misery to the host team.
On Wednesday Baroka will host University of Pretoria in DStv Premier League mini league play-offs at Peter Mokaba Stadium. Kick-off is 3 pm.
Sports: Briefs
ROMEO WHERE ARE YOU?
Orlando Pirates is parting ways with four senior players just six days after winning back-to-back Nedbank Cup.
Those packing their bags are goalkeepers Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane, striker Kermit Erasmus and midfielder Thabang Monare.
The announcement of their departure comes shortly after the Soweto Giants announced Fortune Makaringe and Souaibou Marou would be leaving the club.
Kermit Erasmus made little impact after rejoining the Buccaneers in 2022 after a nine-years absence, owing to his recurring injuries. However, with over 117 matches in Pirates colours, Erasmus, affectionately known as Romeo, has cemented his status as a club legend.
ZVEREV IN THE FINAL
Alexander Zverev hammers his way into the second Grand Slam final of his career with a four-set victory over Casper Ruud.
He beat Ruud 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2. Once he’d found his range, the world No.4 served big and dominated the Norwegian from the back of the court to move into his first major final since the 2020 US Open.
Zverev is only the second German men’s singles finalist in Paris in the Open era, and the first since Michael Stich in 1996.
ABC MOTSEPE PLAYOFFS
The ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs will be held in Upington from 17 – 23 June 2024 at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium. The draw was conducted at SAFA House during the week.
SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan congratulated all the teams that have qualified and wished them well ahead of the prestigious promotional playoffs.
“You have all done every well to get to this point, now it is time for the last big hurdle, which has a huge reward in gaining promotion to the Motsepe Championship.
“It is always heart-warming to see teams that come through our structures playing in the professional ranks and we believe that those who will gain promotion will also go on to do well in the first division and ultimately get to the premier league like Magesi FC.”
TYSON-PAUL FIGHT ON
The fight between YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will now take place on 15 November in Texas after the original date had to be postponed.
Ireland’s Katie Taylor, the undisputed women’s light-welterweight world champion, will fight in the co-main event with a rematch against Puerto Rico’s Amanda Serrano at NFL side Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The two bouts had been scheduled to take place on 20 July but Tyson, who will be 58 later this month, had to pull out because of medical advice after a recent ulcer flare up.
“Although we had to postpone the fight, I will resume training shortly. I am thankful to the medical staff that treated me,” said Tyson. “While we have a new date, the result will be the same no matter when we fight. Jake Paul is getting knocked out.”
In a post on social media, Paul wrote: “New date, same place, same fate.”
VAR TO STAY
English Premier League teams have voted in favour of keeping video assistant referees (VARs) despite a considerable amount of criticism this past season about the technology-aided officiating system.
Although the statement did not contain figures for the ballot, held at the Premier League’s annual general meeting on Thursday, the BBC reported that 19 of the division’s 20 clubs had voted to retain the technology.
The BBC said only Wolverhampton Wanderers, who last month called the vote to scrap the system, had backed the abolition of VAR.
The Midlands club had accused VAR of “undermining the value of the Premier League brand” after another season of several debatable decisions.
VAR was introduced in the Premier League in 2019 with the aim of helping referees avoid clear and obvious errors that had marred matches in the past.
