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Defiant Royal AM In Back-to-back No-shows On Their Home Patch

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Defiant Royal AM In Back-to-back No-shows On Their Home Patch

It was back-to-back no-shows from defiant National First Division (NFD) club Royal AM at Chatsworth Stadium on Thursday afternoon, when they were fixtured to play Richards Bay.

As a result, Richards Bay came away with three points from what would have been an all-NFD clash.

The match officials went through the usual pre-game procedures before Limpopo referee Victor Hlungwani blew the game off and signalled the walk-over for Richards Bay.

Earlier in the day, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) used its Twitter account to announce that the game was taking place.

It confirmed that the PSL have not abandoned the contentious relegation/promotion playoffs, despite the ongoing court battles and Royal AM’s refusal to play their first fixture a few days ago.

It looks like the PSL have decided that by continuing with the play-offs, Royal AM could decide its destiny by their no-show.

The PSL have repeatedly made it clear that there is no reason why the play-offs should come to a halt, while Royal AM stubbornly holds the view that PSL is in contempt of court.

They base their stand on a judgement handed down by acting judge Nyathi AJ of the Gauteng High Court.

The PSL, on the other hand, is running with the verdict of Gauteng High Court deputy judge president Roland Sutherland. Last Friday night he dismissed Royal AM’s application to have his initial order, which he gave earlier, reviewed in the Supreme Court of Appeal.

To date, the PSL have hardly commented on the ongoing saga. It is hard to believe why the PSL are also not throwing the National Soccer League (NSL) handbook at Royal AM. The handbook contains all the rules governing the entire spectrum of professional football in the country.

One relevant rule, in part, reads: ‘No body [like a club for example] or individual under the jurisdiction of SAFA shall approach a court of law to decide on a dispute it has with a body or individual affiliated to SAFA.

The reason for this might be that the PSL hierarchy may be divided on the issue and that there may be Royal AM sympathisers on the executive.

The no-shows by Royal AM on their home patch has also resulted in a financial fiasco since broadcaster SuperSport were unable to screen the matches. The PSL pick up all the costs of the play-offs. They may also be required to stump up costs for loss of broadcasts.

Source: IOL sports

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WAFCON 2022 Final: Banyana Banyana Beat Morocco To Finally Land First Title

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WAFCON 2022 Final: Banyana Banyana Beat Morocco To Finally Land First Title

After four previous final failures, the South Africa ended several years of heartbreak by defeating host nation Morocco 2-1 to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time.

Hilda Magaia scored two quick goals midway through the second half to finally guide South Africa over the line, making her Banyana Banyana’s hero.

Although Rosella Ayane pulled a goal back for the Atlas Lionesses ten minutes from time, it was too little too late for a team making its first appearance in the final.

South Africa had lost their four previous finals: in 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018.

“It was a humbling experience, and an emotional one, when you look at the journey that we have travelled as Banyana Banyana,” captain Refiloe Jane told BBC Sport Africa.

“To finally get to this point meant a lot for everyone. When the final whistle went out, I was crying. It was the most humbling and emotional experience.

“I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much after a football match – that goes to show our journey, everything that we had to go through and things have finally come together.”

For Banyana Banyana coach Desire Ellis, this was a hugely-satisfying win after first trying – and failing – as a player to win the trophy when losing the final 22 years ago.

After Ellis oversaw another final defeat, against Nigeria, four years ago from the touchline, her charges entered this tournament with a so-called ‘mentality coach’ in a bid to improve positivity.

“It feels amazing,” she told the BBC. “I’m an African champion now – and no one can take that away from us.”

South Africa needed real composure throughout the game to silence a raucous home crowd that had filled the 53,000-seater stadium at least two hours before kick-off, and which lit up the Rabat sky with dozens of red and white flares during the game.

 

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Mamelodi Sundowns Sign Bafana Bafana Captain Ronwen Williams

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Mamelodi Sundowns have reportedly landed the signature of Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen William on a five year deal, following week’s of speculation and negotiations.

According to the SABC, the 30 year old shot-stopper will leave SuperSport United after spending 18 years at the Pretoria based club.

Williams has reportedly been looking to leave the Matsatsantsa as he looks to challenge for trophies, and it appears he has found his new home at current DStv Premiership champions Sundowns.

“Indications are that the deal has been concluded, with Williams signing a long-term contract, while his former club have successfully negotiated the transfer of another goalkeeper in Ricardo Goss as well as young striker Thabang Sibanyoni to join coach Gavin Hunt’s side for the upcoming season,” SABC Sport reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, SuperSport Uniter were initially not willing to let their star goalkeeper go if they did not get Goss on a permanent deal, but they’ve now had to settle on a two-year loan, with striker Sibanyoni also thrown in.

The 28 year old Goss has found game time hard to come since making his move to Sundowns, but will now be reunited with Gavin Hunt, a man he previously worked with at Wits.

Sundowns are currently in KwaZulu-Natal on a pre-season camp, and will take part in this year’s edition of the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup this weekend.

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Victor Letsoalo Signs For Sekhukhune United

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Victor Letsoalo Signs For Sekhukhune United

Sekhukhune United has announced the signing of Royal AM forward, Victor Letsoalo on a three year contract deal, according to reports.

Letsoalo was tipped to potentially join Kaizer Chief or Orlando Pirates, however, he signed for Sekhukhune United which comes a shock as reported by FARPost.

The 29-year-old Bafana Bafana forward ended the season finishing second on the goal-king chart behind top-scorer Peter Shalulile who found the back of the net 23 times. He scored 15 goals in the South African top-flight.

Letsoalo’s top performance in the past season for Royal AM side saw the newly promoted side who made their debut campaign in the South African top-flight league finishing 3rd, earning qualification to the CAF Confederation Cup.

It remains to be seen how Royal AM will cope with not only the departure of Letsoalo but also of former coach John Maduka who has since moved across Kwa-Zulu Natal to take charge of Maritzburg United.

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Jomo Cosmos Could Play GladAfrica Championship Football Next Season

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Jomo Cosmos Could Play GladAfrica Championship Football Next Season

Relegated Jomo Cosmos have been handed a lifeline and could play GladAfrica Championship football next season following discoveries of Hungry Lions fielding an ineligible player in 10 of their 30 games.

Jomo Cosmos submitted a formal complaint through their legal representatives with regards to the ‘illegal’ fielding of a player who is still on their books.

“It has recently come to our attention, Mr Tshepo Mohlala(the player) has been playing for Hungry Lions Football Club during the 2021/2022 football season, despite being a player of our client,” read the charge sheet of the Premier Soccer League.

“The player has never been cleared nor released by Jomo Cosmos Football Club and hence any games played for Hungry Lions Football Club constitute a breach of NSL handbook rules 30,31 and 32.”

Tshepo Mohlala, who was a part of the Ezenkosi amateurs set up in the 2015/2016 featured in matches that Hungry Lions managed to collect 15 points, he could be the reason the Northern Cape side are docked of these points which would subsequently relegate them and ensure Jomo Cosmos another season in the second tier of South African football.

Cosmo concluded their GladAfrica Championship campaign in 15th position after accumulating 28 points in their 30 matches.

Lions, who currently sit 11th on the log with 36 points could end up on 24 points if they are found guilty on the charges placed on them and that would mean they finish bottom of the log and Cosmos jump out to safety.

Lions and Mohlala are set to appear before the PSL DC on the 27th of June and will know their fate thereafter.

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Bafana icon Mark Fish Declares Support For Ria Ledwaba In SAFA Presidency Race

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Bafana icon Mark Fish Declares Support For Ria Ledwaba In SAFA Presidency Race

Former Bafana Bafana star Mark Fish has said that he is supporting Ria Ledwaba in the race for the SAFA presidency against Danny Jordaan.

Ledwaba is currently challenging for the SAFA presidency but is viewed as an outsider against competitor Danny Jordaan.

At the moment, I’m supporting Ria (Ledwaba). It’s not because we are ex-footballers. We are football fans as well. We need change. SAFA has done good things but we need change if we are to move forward. I think if we don’t see change now, it will be difficult to see improvement in grassroots football,” said Fish.

Fish insisted that change is now necessary if Bafana Bafana is to embark on a revival after nearly two decades of mediocrity on the field of play.

“We are giving support to an individual who has spoken to us as ex-players and said that she can bring change. We need change to move on. We need to get back to being number one in the continent and back to being among the top 20 or 25 in the World,” said Fish.

The former Charlton Athletic defender insisted that while he is supporting Ledwaba, he has no personal issues with Jordaan.

“Danny has never done anything wrong to me. I have a picture of Danny, myself and Benni McCarthy at the 1998 World Cup. I also have a picture of myself and Danny in Congo. He is passionate about the game.

Nothing has changed but I feel that we need a change of leadership. Ria has put up her hand and we are behind it because we feel that there should be change,” said Fish.

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