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Bafana Bafana will lock horns with Mauritania in its final 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on September 2.
Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba’s charges will be playing for pride, after failing to qualify for the continental showpiece to be played in Gabon.
Four days later, the South Africans will clash with Egypt in the 22nd edition of the Nelson Mandela Challenge at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
Both games kick off at 7.05pm.
This week, Mashaba announced his 25-member squad for the matches.
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Jackson Mabokgwane and Reyaad Pieterse.
Defenders: Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Abbubaker Mobara, Sifiso Hlanti, Tebogo Langerman, Clayton Daniels and Denwin Farmer.
Midfielders: Dean Furman, Andile Jali, Deolin Mekoa, Mandla Masango, Thapelo Morena, Keagan Dolly, Aubrey Modiba, Mpho Makola and Hlompho Kekana.
Strikers: Gift Motupa, Thamsanqa Gabuza, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Tokelo Rantie and Prince Nxumalo.
- Former Everton midfielder Steven “Schillo” Pienaar has signed a one-year deal with Sunderland.
The 34-year-old player was released by the Toffees at the end of last season.
He had been training with the Black Cats, which host Middlesbrough in an English Premier League match encounter at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light today.
Pienaar was signed by David Moyes for Everton in 2007 and then, after a stint at Tottenham, was signed again by the Scot in 2012 for a second spell at the club. Moyes is currently in charge at Sunderland.
The South African has notched up 199 Premier League appearances and scored 20 goals.
- The SA Football Association (Safa) says it is seeking clarity from international football governing body Fifa’s ethics committee regarding its recommendation that former president Kirsten Nematandani be suspended for at least six years and fined for his alleged violation of the organisation’s code of ethics on general conduct, loyalty and duty of disclosure, cooperation and reporting.
This proposed sanctionstems from a probe into the integrity of several friendlies that South Africa played ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
Safa has since released a statement, part of which reads: “The association will follow up on the matter regarding his [Nematandani’s] proposed banning and will engage the world governing body to get more details and clarity.”
Meanwhile, Safa president Danny Jordaan has sent his condolences to Nematandani, following the passing of his father on Friday.
- Belgian striker Christian Benteke, from Liverpool, has signed on for Crystal Palace, the Premier League rivals announced yesterday.
The clubs did not disclose the transfer fee for the four-year deal, but it is reportedly £27 million (about R476.2 million).
- The Premier Soccer League (PSL) and MTN this week announced the renewal of the telecommunications giant’s sponsorship of the MTN8 knockout competition for a further five years, extending the partnership to 2022.
The 2016/17 edition of the tournament will kick off on Friday, when Cape Town City host Kaizer Chiefs in an 8pm game at Cape Town Stadium.
On Saturday, Platinum Stars welcome Chippa United to the Royal Bafokeng Stadium at 3pm, while the Bidvest Wits and Orlando Pirates match will take place at the Bidvest Stadium at 8.15pm.
On Sunday, defending league champions Mamelodi Sundowns face neighbours SuperSport United at Loftus Versfeld at 3pm.
The league has also announced that Ticketpro will be the official ticketing outlet for the 2016/17 MTN8 competition.
The Absa Premiership kicks off on Tuesday with four 7.30pm fixtures: Bidvest Wits vs Kaizer Chiefs (Bidvest Stadium), Cape Town City vs Polokwane City (Cape Town Stadium), Baroka FC vs Ajax Cape Town (Old Peter Mokaba Stadium) and Chippa United vs Free State Stars (Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium).
On Wednesday, Orlando Pirates entertain Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium and Platinum Stars will be up against SuperSport United at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Both matches start at 7.30pm.
