Bafana Bafana have started their preparations for the COSAFA Cup in Durban with the majority of the players having arrived last night (Sunday, 26 May 2019). A total of 21 players are in camp with only the French based Keagan Dolly and Liam Jordan from Denmark expected tonight and tomorrow respectively. The team, made up mainly of the SA U23 national team players will join the tournament in the quarterfinals over the weekend and play Botswana at the Princess Magogo stadium in KwaMashu on Sunday. Head coach David Notoane has more.

A South African Football Association (SAFA) Disciplinary Committee has found Limpopo ABC Motsepe League side Madridtas FC guilty of contravening several rules including Rule 10 of Competitions Uniforms and Rule 13. The side from Mankweng fielded Martin Nsimba against Mikhado FC on 7 April while his name had been scratched off the team sheet. According to the verdict released by SAFA today (Monday, 27 May 2019), it was also discovered that Nsimba had a fraudulent clearance certificate from former side Phiva Stars which allowed him to feature for Madridtas in 28 matches this season. Madridtas lose all points gained with Nsimba on the pitch, fined R20 000 half suspended for the 2019/2020 campaign. Mikhado FC were the complainant in this matter and their chairman Prince Manenzhe is satisfied with the verdict.

After a good win against the Highlanders on the weekend that kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive, the Stormers will travel to Johannesburg this weekend (01 June 2019) to take on the Lions in a key Super Rugby game. Front ranker Steven Kitschoff, who has been captaining the side when Siya Kolisi is off the field, believes the team is stepping up at this crucial time of the season. Stormers coach Robbie Fleck says they will spend this week doing recovery, after a physical two weeks playing against tough New Zealand sides.

Hlangabeza Primary School from Khutsong dominated the 2019 Gauteng Schools Indivuidual Chess Championship at the Tshwane Event Centre at the weekend. The trio of Minentle Miya, Bernet George and Asanda Sangweni made sure they represented the school from Gauteng’s west rand well. The trio made their intentions clear from start with George scooping straight 4 games with only one draw, out of 5. With Hlangabeza Primary known as one of the best schools in Gauteng in chess, the victory did not come as a surprise and George says that he is over the moon. The incredible young Miya who will be representing the country in China in August this year, was hard not to notice as she continued with her winning ways. Miya won 4 out of 5 games and her coach Israel Tshabadirha says he is very proud of the talented Miya. Speaking after her victory the award winning young Miya says she was delighted to win another tournament.

As the Namibian national team squad of 17 players under the head coach Ricardo Mannetti goes into camp in Pretoria today (Monday, 27 May 2019), the battle for the extra spots in the squad is heating up. The Brave Warriors B-team shocked Mozambique in Group B’s opening game beating them 2-1 at the COSAFA Cup at King Zwelithini stadium in Umlazi yesterday. Namibian attacker Absalom Iimbondi was a thorn in the flesh to the Black Mambas and he’s one of the players who could be going to the AFCON. Colin Benjamin is the second assistant to Mannetti and says the places are still up for grabs in the AFCON squad. Mozambique head coach Abel Xavier looks back at this result. In the second game, Malawi easily swept aside Seychelles 3-0 and The Flames head coach Meck Mwase says credit should also go to the man of the match and Bidvest Wits striker Gabadinho Mhango who scored a goal and provided an assist.

Orlando Pirates became the Castle Africa5s South African champions this weekend after beating Bengezela 7-4 in the men’s division in Pretoria. Pirates, who were the defending champions, will represent SA in Tanzania for the continental championships in three weeks’ time. Pirates Captain Jose Garcia was happy they won. Drama Queens beat Chilli Sauce 6-4 in the women’s division to also earn their rights to represent SA in the Continental champs also in Tanzania. It was the first time the women took part in the event. Queens captain Regina Moholoa was delighted they won. Bafana Bafana legend Matthew Booth is an ambassador for the tournament alongside Samuel Etoó, Amanda Dlamini, Chris Katongo (Zambia), Tinashe Nengomasha (Zimbabwe) and many others. He was happy with the quality on display. The sponsor’s Brand campaign manager Renier Olivier was pleased with the level of competitiveness from the women’s side.

South Africa under-20 men national team started their FIFA World Cup campaign with a disappointing 5-2 defeat against Argentina in Poland on Saturday. Argentina goals were scored by Fausto Vera, brace from Esequiel Barco and another brace from Adolf Gaich. Amajita’s goals were coverted by Keenan Phillips and Lyle Foster. Amajita coach Thabo Senong gave credit to Argentina.

The Two Oceans Marathon double champion Gerda Steyn, has shifted her focus after a well deserve break to Comrades Marathon. The event which will be held on the 9th of June is an up run starting from City Hall in Durban to Scottville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg. Steyn is currently polishing up her race preparations in France. She has been in France since early this month and her preparations are going well.

The Presidency has noted media reports that President Ramaphosa is expected to announce the members of the new executive tomorrow, Monday 27 May 2019. The Presidency wishes to advise that the announcement will be made later in the week.

Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) defeated Royal Eagles 2-1 in a Premier Soccer League promotion/relegation playoffs match in Thohoyandou.