Accelerate Sports Management

22/07/2016

Irvin Khoza has confirmed that a consortium led by Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi is in the process of buying Free State Stars’ Absa Premiership status, but no deal has been endorsed by the Premier Soccer League yet.

Khoza was responding to comments made by Lesufi that the consortium had bought the Stars’ status and that the new club will be known Swallows FC, with the relegated Moroka Swallows continuing to play in the ABC Motsepe League.

“For what it is worth the comments that have been made about Swallows buying Free State Stars are incorrect,” said Khoza during a press conference at the League’s headquarters in Parktown on Wednesday.

“Our position as the league, right now, is that we await a full report from the parties. As it stands there is no deal between the two parties, we are still awaiting a report from them.

“If by the end of the week we do not have clarity then there will be nothing for us to consider. If we don’t have clarity by the end of the week there will be no transaction, change of club or anything like that.”

Meanwhile, Khoza slammed Lesufi for breaking the conditions of the sale agreement by talking about the deal on radio.

“We are disappointed because they let the cat out of the bag prematurely. I spoke to Mr Lesufi and he apologised.”

11/07/2016

Portugal crowned champions after beating France 1-0.

08/07/2016

SuperSport United Trials for Multi Choice Diski Challenge side happening tomorrow.

SuperSport United Football Club Academy coaches will conduct Open Trials for aspiring young players for their Reserve Team (MDC).

Age Groups:

Players must be born in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

Venue:

Main Pavilion

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Pretoria West Campus.

Staartatillery Road

Pretoria West

Time:

8am

Gates will be closed at 08:30 and players arriving late will not be allowed to participate.

Documents:

Players must bring the following documents:

Certified Identity Document/Passport Copy

Certified Identity Document copy of Mother and Father

Outfit:

Players must bring their own playing kit, Shin-guards and Boots. Players are also urged to bring tracksuits for the Cold Weather.

Selected Players will be invited for further assessment during training sessions from July 11, 2016 and will be advised of the outcome following the assessment.

Decisions taken by the selectors will be final!

For any queries, contact Academy Office on 011 686 6436.

15/06/2016

Orlando Pirates have confirmed Muhsin Ertugral as the club’s new coach, ending the tenure of Eric Tinkler after almost 18 months.

Ertugral, who coached Pirates’ Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs in two spells, has signed a three-year deal to lead The Buccaneers.

“I am excited about the prospect of working for Orlando Pirates Football Club. It’s an absolute honour to be at the helm of one of the biggest clubs in Africa,” he said.

“This is a club with great history and tradition. I am looking forward to being part of the Orlando Pirates family and thank the President for the trust he has shown in me.”

In welcoming the coach, Administrative Officer Floyd Mbele said: “Muhsin is a coach who needs no introductions. His achievements and knowledge of the game are well documented.

“We are confident that he will find all he needs to assemble an exciting and competitive squad ahead of the start of the 2016/17 season.”

Pirates also confirmed that club chairman Dr Irvin Khoza met with Tinkler earlier this yesterday to see if he would stay on as assistant to Ertugral. A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for July 4.

02/06/2016

Kaizer Chiefs' major overhaul of their squad could open them up for litigation, with several players having approached the SA Football Players Union (Safpu) for advice after their contracts were unilaterally terminated.

In an unprecedented move, Amakhosi announced on Tuesday that 20 players would be leaving the team "with immediate effect". Although some contracts were ending anyway - such as those of Morgan Gould and Reneilwe Letsholonyane - others had their contracts terminated, and Safpu insists this is wrong.

"I've never heard of a club sacking 20 players at a go, this doesn't make any sense," said Safpu general secretary Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe.

"We have received calls from some of the affected players and we'll be meeting them to seek a way forward. Complaints are that the club did not consult with them when taking this drastic decision. Surely they are in breach of players' contracts?"

In their statement, Chiefs listed six players as having been "put on transfer", while a further seven were said to have been "released from contract". The union is adamant that no player should be released without mutual agreement.

31/05/2016

BREAKING NEWS!! Chiefs confirm release of players
Naturena, 31 May 2016 – Kaizer Chiefs confirm the namesof the players that will be released by the Club. The list of 20players was confirmed this afternoon. Siyanda Xulu is put on transfer, while seasoned campaigners Morgan Gould and Siboniso Gaxa’s contracts will expire at the end of June and will not be renewed. The Amakhosi already confirmed the moves of midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane and goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse.Letsholonyane has since joined Supersport United. The duo’s contracts will expire at the end of June.Keegan Ritchie, meanwhile, will join SuperSport United in a swap with Sibusiso Khumalo.Strikers Edward Manqele, Bongani Ndulula and SipheleleMthembu have been put on transfer. David Zulu’s loan agreement with Chippa United will be extended for another season.The Ugandan players Ivan Bukenya and Sula Matovu were also put on transfer. Zimbabwean midfielder Ovidy Karuru’scontract has been terminated.

The complete list of players making their way out of Naturena.
Contract not renewed:
Morgan Gould
Siboniso Gaxa
Reneilwe Letsholonyane
Reyaad Pieterse
Released from contract:
Philani Cele
Ovidy Karuru
Levy Mokgothu
Simphiwe Mtsweni
Shandukani Mulovhedzi
Chris Matombo
Zitha Macheke
Put on transfer:
Siyanda Xulu
Bongani Ndulula
Edward Manqele
Siphelele Mthembu
Sula Matovu
Ivan Bukenya
On loan:
David Zulu (Chippa United)
Andisiwe Mtsila
Swap deal:
Keegan Ritchie (with SuperSport United’s Sibusiso Khumalo)

24/05/2016

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has confirmed the 2015/16 Promotion Playoffs venues, dates and kick-off times following this past weekend’s Absa Premiership and National First Division final fixtures.

The Promotion Playoffs will kick off today, May 25 when Mbombela United (NFD 3rd place) welcome Highlands Park (NFD 2nd place) at Kanyamazane Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm.

The second fixture of the mini-league playoffs will see University of Pretoria (15th place Premier Division) hosting Mbombela United on Sunday, May 29 at Tuks Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Highlands Park will then get a chance to play hosts when they entertain University of Pretoria at Makhulong stadium on Saturday, 11 June (3pm kick-off).

Four days later, ‘The Lions of the North’ will play once again at home against Mbombela United at the same venue, with the match scheduled for a 7:30pm kick-off.

On Saturday, June 18 Mbombela United will be at home to University of Pretoria at Kanyamazane Stadium in the penultimate match of the competition. Kick-off is at 3pm.

The last fixture of the 2015/16 Promotion Playoffs will take place at the Tuks Stadium when University of Pretoria take on Highlands Park on Wednesday, June 22 at 7:30pm.

FULL FIXTURES

25 May 2016: Mbombela United v Highlands Park - Kanyamazane Stadium (3pm)

29 May 2016: University of Pretoria v Mbombela United - Tuks Stadium (3pm)

11 June 2016: Highlands Park v University of Pretoria - Makhulong Stadium (3pm)

15 June 2016: Highlands Park v Mbombela United - Makhulong Stadium (7:30pm)

18 June 2016: Mbombela United v University of Pretoria - Kanyamazane Stadium (3pm)

22 June 2016: University of Pretoria v Highlands Park - Tuks Stadium (7:30pm)

24/05/2016

Giovanni Solinas has left his position as Free State Stars head coach with immediate effect, the club announced Monday.

General Manager Rantsi Mokoena expressed his shock in a statement releasead by Ea Lla Koto on their official website.

Stars say they will make the necessary announcements in due course with regard to his replacement and any new player’s signings for next season.

20/05/2016

Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba has named a 23-man squad that will play Gambia in the penultimate CAF Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 qualifiers.

This qualifier will also see the return of SuperSport United midfielder Dean Furman to the Bafana fold.

The two nations will lock horns on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, Gambia. Kick-off is at 19:00 SA time.

Mashaba will travel with 18 players to Gambia. The first match between South Africa and Gambia ended in a goalless draw in Durban.

Bafana Bafana currently lie third on the table with three points after four matches. Cameroon lead the pack on 8 points, one more than second-placed Mauritania while Gambia have two points.

“The truth of the matter is we are in a difficult situation, but we have to keep our hopes alive. We have said before that the first two matches (against Gambia and Mauritania) took us off track. Had we done well in those matches, we would be talking a different story today. But we must soldier on and get the remaining six points, then wait and see,” said Mashaba.

Bafana Bafana will start camp on Sunday, May 29. They depart for Gambia on Tuesday, May 31 2016.

South Africa will host Mauritania in the last match of the qualifiers in September.

The winner of each of the 13 groups will progress to the 16-nation AFCON finals, along with two best-placed runners-up and hosts Gabon.

Bafana Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Jackson Mabokgwane (Mpumalanga Black Aces), Brighton Mhlongo (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Ramahlwe Mphahlele (Mamelodi Sundowns), Diamond Thopola (Chippa United), Thabo Matlaba Matlaba (Orlando Pirates), Eric Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Sifiso Hlanti (Bidvest Wits), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Teboho Langerman (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders: Andile Jali (KV Oostende), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Thapelo Morena (Bloemfontein Celtic), Mpho Makola (Orlando Pirates), Mandla Masango (Randers FX), Hlompho Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Keagan Dolly (Mamelodi Sundowns), Dean Furman (SuperSport United), May Mahlangu (Sint-Truidense)

Strikers: Thamsanqa Gabuza (Orlando Pirates), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Bidvest Wits), Ndumiso Mabena (Platinum Stars), Thobani Mncwango (Polokwane City)

16/05/2016

Round 29 of the 2015/16 National First Division season saw leaders Baroka FC and their nearest chasers Highlands Park both suffer defeats, while Moroka Swallows were all but relegated after only managing a draw in their must-win clash against Thanda Royal Zulu.

Round 29 began last Wednesday, with Baroks FC’s game against African Warriors brought forward due to their participation in the Nedbank Cup semifinal on Saturday. The Limpopo side suffered a 1-0 defeat at the Charles Mopeli Stadium, with Tsietsi Maduna scoring the only goal of the game to both boost his own side’s survival hopes and damage the opponent’s title ambitions.

However, Highlands were unable to take advantage of Baroka’s slip up, as they lost 1-0 away to Mthatha Bucks on Sunday - Sihle Mbhele scored the decisive goal to ensure the Eastern Cape side will enjoy another season of NFD football.

Swallows have dropped back to the bottom of the log after they could only draw 1-1 at home to Thanda. Dikgang Mabalane put the Birds ahead in the first half, but they conceded a late equaliser which – combined with Warriors’ win – sees them rooted at the foot of the table and seemingly destined to drop into the third tier.

In other results, third and fourth placed Mbombela United and Milano United claimed emphatic 4-1 wins against FC Cape Town and Vasco Da Gama respectively, while Santos got the better of Black Leopards with a 2-1 win in Thohoyandou.

The match between Witbank Spurs and Royal Eagles at Puma Rugby Stadium was called off due to a waterlogged pitch and will be played on Monday at 13h00.

12/05/2016

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has announced the date and venue for its upcoming 2015/16 .

The glittering affair will kickoff at the Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park on Monday evening, 30 May 2016.

The PSL has also confirmed that the nominees for the awards will be unveiled on Monday, 23 May 2016 at the its headquarters in Parktown.

Former coaches and players will send through their nominations for all the Absa Premiership awards while a panel of sports journalists will be responsible for all tournaments' nominations.

- Footballer of the Season

- Absa Premiership Player’s Player of the Season

- Absa Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season

- Absa Premiership Young Player of the Season

- Absa Premiership Defender of the Season

- Absa Premiership Midfielder of the Season

- Absa Premiership Coach of the Season

- Absa Premiership Absa-lutely Awesome Goal of the Season

- Absa Premiership Top Goal-scorer of the Season

- MTN8 Last Man Standing

- Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament

- Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament

- Nedbank Cup Most Improved Player of the Tournament

- NFD Top Goal-scorer of the Season

- Referee of the Season

- Assistant Referee of the Season

- MultiChoice Diski Challenge Player of the Season

08/05/2016