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Humble Moshoeu was a ‘genius’

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Former Bafana star John “Shoes” Moshoeu was an intelligent, humble man, according to Safa president Danny Jordaan.

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More tributes have poured in for former Bafana Bafana star John “Shoes” Moshoeu, who died earlier this week.

South African Football Association (Safa) president Dr Danny Jordaan said he visited Moshoeu at Sandton Clinic on Monday with former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe.

“He was not in good shape, but he recognised me and even spoke a bit; little did I know that this was some way of him saying goodbye,” Jordaan said.

“Today everyone talks about the class of 1996, because the likes of Shoes made it famous. They got into the history books by lifting the title alongside other stalwarts like Mark Fish, Lucas Radebe, Phil Masinga, Neil Tovey, David Nyathi, André Arendse and the late Sizwe Motaung, among others.

“Shoes was a genius on the field, an intelligent man off it. He was humble and always willing to give advice. He will be remembered for almost single-handedly defeating Ghana in South Africa’s path to lifting the 1996 Afcon title. We have lost a hero,” he added.

President Jacob Zuma also shared his sadness. “We have lost an outstanding footballer, a good role model for our youth, and a committed and patriotic South African.

“Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends as well as the entire football fraternity. May his soul rest in peace,” Zuma said.

The 49-year-old Moshoeu had been battling cancer for some time and was in and out of hospital in the past few months.

“When I saw him struggling on Monday, I was heartbroken.

“But, knowing the fighter that Shoes was, I still expected that he would pull through,” Radebe said.

“What an exemplary figure he was on and off the pitch. He lived a clean life – never smoked or drank, exercised religiously – and this happens. Anyway, that is life; we are never masters of our destiny,” he added. - The Star

lerato.mbangeni@inl.co.za

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Bayern wants Pep to extend his stay

Bayern Munich are hopeful that coach Pep Guardiola will extend his stay at the club beyond 2016.

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Berlin - Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola will see out his three-year contract with the German champions, who are hopeful of an extension beyond 2016, club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.

Guardiola, who joined in 2013 after winning 14 titles in four season at Barcelona and taking a year out, has been a top target for several European clubs.

The Spaniard, who won the domestic double last season, has repeatedly been linked with a possible move to Premier League club Manchester City.

Speculation intensified in the days after Bayern's 3-1 Champions League quarter-final first leg loss at Porto last week and the subsequent departure of their long-time team doctor, who said his medical team was blamed for the defeat.

But their 6-1 demolition of the Portuguese on Tuesday saw Bayern book a semi-final spot with Guardiola on track for a treble of titles in his second season.

“I know very well that he will be the coach here at least until June 30, 2016,” Rummenigge told Bild newspaper.

He said contract extension talks would take place in the second half of the year, following the end of the season.

“The aim is to extend Guardiola's contract and I think we have very good chances that he remains the coach here beyond 2016.”

Recent contact between Guardiola and former Barcelona colleague Txiki Begiristain, who is now City's sports director, was no reason for concern for Bayern, Rummenigge said.

“I am not worried about that. This just proves the quality of the coach. I am also aware that Begiristain worked with Guardiola at Barcelona at some point.”

“But I cannot imagine that Pep would go to a club like Manchester City.”

Bayern could win the Bundesliga title this weekend and take on Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final before their Champions League semi-final next month.

Bayern have once before won the treble, in 2013, shortly before Guardiola's arrival. – Reuters

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Blow to City’s hopes for CL glory

Manchester City's hopes of making any immediate headway in the Champions League have hit a new obstacle.

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Manchester City's hopes of making any immediate headway in the Champions League have hit a new obstacle, as Uefa's new rules for next season's competition confirm that the club may be relegated to the third tier of seeds if they qualify.

With little evidence that the club are looking to do anything but persist with Manuel Pellegrini or turn to Patrick Vieira as manager, while waiting for Pep Guardiola's availability in one year's time, City could conceivably face both Guardiola's Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the same group stage next season. That is a result of Uefa pressing ahead with plans for a seeding change to reward national league winners - making the title holders in the seven highest-ranked countries plus the defending Champions League winners the top seeds in each of the eight groups.

The new rules, confirmed yesterday, are also likely to punish Arsenal and Manchester United, by relegating both to second-seed status. But City - who will face a tricky Champions League qualifying round draw unless they displace Manchester United for third in the Premier League - are likely to slip to third seeds, based on their probable position outside Europe's top 16 clubs in the governing body's rankings. City have dropped out of the top 16 according to the latest coefficients. Juventus and Porto have climbed into the top 16, squeezing City out. Despite their position as defending Premier League champions, the club's continued struggle in Europe and a difficult domestic season have damaged their ranking.

The new seeding system should elevate league-leading Juventus and Zenit St Petersburg to top seeds, plus France's champions - with Chelsea likely to be the British representative among the elite group. If the Champions League victors also win their national title then the eighth top-seeded team will be the recently crowned Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, who are ranked 30th in Uefa's club standings.

On present placements, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Porto will drop in status in the August draw. Arsenal, who are second in the Premier League and 10 points behind Chelsea, were seeded first in their group this time round, ahead of Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray and Anderlecht, as were Atletico Madrid and Porto.

Though City had expected this news, it comes as another blow when obstacles to their development keep materialising. Any scintilla of hope Guardiola might be willing to leave Bayern for the Etihad this summer vanished with the 6-1 annihilation of Porto in the Champions League in Germany on Tuesday.

The sense remains at City that talk of a Pellegrini sacking may be premature. Though the Napoli coach, Rafael Benitez, is ready to take on a Premier League job this summer, there is no sense City have been tempted by his extraordinary European record - which he will defend against Wolfsburg in the Europa League tonight.

United are already building the squad which they hope will enable them to compete in the Champions League next season, with Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels and PSV Eindhoven striker Memphis Depay players they are interested in. Reports in Germany that United have made a bid for Hummels are wide of the mark, however.

City's summer is more fraught with uncertainty, including the future of Yaya Touré - who has indicated he has ambitions elsewhere and has sanctioned his agent, Dimitri Seluk, to question Pellegrini's ability in an interview.

Pellegrini will be frustrated by the new seediings. Before this season's Champions League he said that City, as English champions, should have been seeded higher in the Champions League draw so as to avoid playing Bayern Munich for the second year running. “In our group we have the champions of Germany, England and Russia, so it seems a bit unbalanced,” he said.

POINTS MAKE PRIZESUEFA COEFFICENTS1 Real Madrid 167.228pts

2 Barcelona156.228

3 Bayern Munich149.711

4 Chelsea 142.078

5 Atletico M120.228

6 Benfica118.209

7 Schalke 111.711

8 Porto111.209

9 Arsenal 110.078

10 Man United 103.078

11 Paris S-G100.450

12 B Dortmund99.711

13 Valencia 99.228

14 Zenit89.066

15 Juventus88.535

16 B Leverkusen87.711

17 Man City 87.078 – The Independent

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Wenger must get one over Mourinho

Arsene Wenger gets another chance to finally beat his old nemesis and keep the Premier League title race alive for a little longer when Arsenal host leaders Chelsea.

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London - Arsene Wenger gets another chance to finally beat his old nemesis and keep the Premier League title race alive for a little longer when Arsenal host leaders Chelsea.

For all the Frenchman's achievements during his long reign in north London, he has never enjoyed a win against a side managed by Jose Mourinho.

Five draws and seven defeats, the last of which was an acrimonious 2-0 reverse at Stamford Bridge when Wenger became embroiled in a touchline spat with Mourinho, is a miserable record that Wenger is desperate to improve.

A first victory on Sunday at The Emirates would slow, if only temporarily, Chelsea's charge towards a first English title since 2010 and keep alive Arsenal's remote hopes of ending their own, much longer, wait for the Premier League silverware.

With both sides having six games to play, Chelsea are 10 points clear of Arsenal and 11 ahead of Manchester United, who have only five games remaining.

Victory for Chelsea, and again at Leicester City, would see them clinch the title, Mourinho's third at Stamford Bridge after his back-to-back triumphs from 2005-06 during his first stint in charge.

Wenger's team are on an eight-match winning run in the Premier League and although they have struck title-winning form too late, victory over Chelsea would be sweet.

“Let's finish this season well. We have six games, a big game next weekend, and I believe we have the spirit, which is encouraged by the results,” Wenger, whose side will play Aston Villa in the FA Cup final, said.

“That's what we have to produce until the end.”

Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas will return to the Emirates for the first time since joining Chelsea from Barcelona last summer and will be prepared for the boos.

Although the Spaniard's only concern is collecting three more points towards his first English title, having never achieved it in eight years with Arsenal.

“We are level on games now, we are 10 points in front and we don't want to give them hope to put pressure on us,” he said.

“It's been five years for (Chelsea) without winning the Premier League title; for me it's been 27 years so I'd love to win it as soon as possible.”

Who will finish second, third and fourth is much harder to predict. United face Everton on Sunday while Man City, two points behind Arsenal, can go second for 24 hours at least if they beat Aston Villa on Saturday.

In the survival battle at the other end of the table, bottom club Burnley host 18th placed Leicester, while 19th placed Queens Park Rangers host West Ham United. – Reuters

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Hernandez ends Atletico jinx

Javier Hernandez's late strike kept Real Madrid on course for a record-extending 11th European Cup crown with a 1-0 win over 10-man Atletico Madrid.

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Madrid - Javier Hernandez's late strike kept Real Madrid on course for a record-extending 11th European Cup crown with a 1-0 win over 10-man Atletico Madrid in a tense quarter-final at the Bernebau on Wednesday.

The first leg ended 0-0 and the tie appeared to be heading for a first goalless draw after two legs in Champions League knockout history until James Rodriguez slipped a pass through to Cristiano Ronaldo in the 88th minute.

The Portugal forward unselfishly squared for Hernandez and the Mexican striker stroked the ball past Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak to seal a 1-0 aggregate victory, Real's first win over Atletico in eight matches this season.

It was a bitter blow for Diego Simeone's men, who went toe to toe with the team that beat them in last year's final until playmaker Arda Turan was dismissed for a second booking 14 minutes from time and Hernandez applied the killer blow.

“It was my turn to score but this is for everyone,” an emotional Hernandez, who is on loan at Real from Manchester United, told with Spanish television.

“Atletico are a worthy opponent,” added the 26-year-old, who was playing only due to an injury to Karim Benzema. “Thank God, we were the worthy winners.”

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, missing injured regulars Gareth Bale, Benzema and Luka Modric, started with Hernandez up front with Ronaldo and centre back Sergio Ramos pushed forward into a defensive midfield role.

Seeking to become the first team to retain the trophy in the Champions League era, Real had the upper hand in terms of possession and chances in a cagey first half.

Ronaldo forced a good save from Oblak with a 32nd-minute free kick before racing through with a clear site of goal a minute before halftime.

Oblak was again equal to the challenge, racing out to block Ronaldo's fierce shot and deflect the ball away for a corner.

Real threatened immediately at the start of the second period when Isco threaded a pass through for Hernandez but he scuffed his shot wide of the far post.

Atletico hopes suffered a massive blow when Arda picked up a second yellow for a foot-up challenge on Ramos and he was distraught as he trudged off to a cacophony of whistles.

The draw for the semi-finals is on Friday, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus joining Real in the pot. – Reuters

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Juventus pulled off a perfect Italian job

Juventus have reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2003.

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Monaco - A trademark display of grit and resilience earned Juventus a goalless draw at Monaco as the Italian side qualified for the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2003 with a 1-0 aggregate victory on Wednesday.

Juve, the first Italian team to reach the last four of Europe's premier club competition since Inter Milan in 2010, were under the cosh throughout.

Chances were scarce, however and the visitors held firm against a Monaco side, who lacked the experience and cutting edge to overturn the deficit from the quarter-final, first leg.

The hosts, who eliminated Arsenal in the previous round, dominated possession and Geoffrey Kondogbia was a big influence in midfield but Leonardo Jardim's side did not have the guile to penetrate Juve's massed defensive ranks.

It was a case of youth versus experience as Juventus's Andrea Pirlo and Patrice Evra had 30 more Champions League appearances than the whole home side's starting team and Monaco's lack of nous was exposed as the match wore on.

“We went through thanks to our desire to sacrifice, to fight, to reach our goal,” Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon told BeIN Sport.

“I think Juve deserved their qualification. Maybe not for today's game but for that mindset.”

Monaco were well on top in the early stages and Kondogbia hit a fierce 20-metre strike that flew just over the bar, while Bernardo Silva's low cross was almost deflected into his own net by Andrea Barzagli in the 15th minute.

Kondogbia continued to shine in midfield and had another chance but shot straight at Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon, before the visitors, who were without injured midfielder Paul Pogba, began to wake from their slow start as the match wore on.

They nearly found a way through when Pirlo's pass looked bound for Stephan Lichtsteiner on the edge of the box before Danijel Subasic snatched the chance away from him.

Juventus began to look increasingly fragile on the left side of their defence and Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal was lucky not to concede a penalty when he appeared to bring Kondogbia down in the box, but referee William Collum waved play on.

Jardim replaced midfielder Jeremy Toulalan with Dimitar Berbatov at halftime and added fresh blood up front by switching Anthony Martial with Valere Germain 14 minutes form time, but it failed to unsettle Juventus, who saw the game out comfortably.

The last time Juventus reached the last four they went on to make the final in 2003, before losing to AC Milan on penalties.

Reuters

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Chiefs smash Polokwane to take title

A rampant Kaizer Chiefs clinched the Premiership title with a resounding 4-1 victory over a spirited Polokwane City.

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Johannesburg - A rampant Kaizer Chiefs clinched the Premiership title with a resounding 4-1 victory over a spirited Polokwane City at FNB Stadium, on Wednesday evening.

The Soweto Giants secured the championship with three games remaining as they reached 63 points with their dominant display on the evening, as they slammed the door shut on any slim hopes Mamelodi Sundowns had of making a miraculous run to challenge for top honours.

George Lebese and Bernard Parker scored in the first half to take a 2-0 lead into the break and Matthew Rusike added a third nine minutes after the restart. In the 57th minute, Polokwane finally pulled a goal back through Rendani Ndou, but Rusike completed his brace just after the hour mark to seal the emphatic triumph for the AmaKhosi.

Earlier, Polokwane started the faster of the two teams, as Polokwane middle Sipho Jembula needed a reaction from Reyaad Pieterse to deflect the ball away for a corner.

Chiefs signalled their intent shortly after, as Lebese wasted a chance when he was unmarked in the box but his header was over the crossbar when scoring seemed easier.

Just after the quarter hour mark, Puleng Tlolane for Polokwane reeled off a shot from the edge of the area but sliced his attempt right of the goal.

Rusike was the next to come close for Chiefs in the 22nd minute, but his first touch drifted harmlessly away from the Chiefs player into the grateful hands of Polokwane keeper Modiro Marumo.

In the 27th minute, Chiefs converted their first chance to begin their march towards glory. Lebese vaulted Chiefs into the lead when he received a fantastic pass from Willard Katsande as he timed his run to perfection, and left with just the keeper to beat calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Four minutes later, the home side doubled their lead. A Siphiwe Tshabalala free kick into the box was not cleared properly by the Polokwane defence, and Parker was clinical in burying the rebound from close range to make it 2-0 to Chiefs.

At two goals down, Polokwane were forced to chase the game and came close to grabbing a goal in the 38th minute. Captain Jabulani Maluleke made good connection with a free kick from just outside the area, and Pieterse diving backwards did well to tip the ball over for a corner.

Rusike made it an unassailable 3-0 to Chiefs in the 55th minute with his first league goal of the season. Tshabalala made a menacing run into the right hand side of the goal and squared for Rusike, who deposited a thunder strike into the roof of the net.

Two minutes later, Polokwane struck back. From just inside the area Rendani Ndou smashed in a curling shot into the top right corner of goal to bring it back to 3-1.

Rusike completed his brace in the 65th minute to make it 4-1 to the hosts. Tshabalala delivered the ball into the box at pace from a free kick, and Rusike nailed the header past Marumo to regain a three goal advantage for his side.

The score remained 4-1, and upon the final whistle the celebrations began in earnest for Chiefs as spectators invaded the field of play.

ANA

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A giant has fallen: Mashaba

Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim Shakes Mashaba has expressed sadness at the death of John Lesiba “Shoes” Moshoeu.

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Cape Town - Bafana Bafana head coach Ephraim Shakes Mashaba said he has been deeply saddened by the death of John Lesiba “Shoes” Moshoeu.

On Wednesday, 2Mashaba, accompanied by some staff members from the South African Football Association (SAFA), went to pay his last respects at the home of the former Bafana Bafana star who passed away on Tuesday after a long illnes.

“First of all our condolences to the family, especially the mother of the late legend, who was on his bedside from the moment he was ill until the last minute. Also to all his former colleagues, coaches and players who worked and played with him and also supported him in his hour of need. May the Almighty bless them, guide them and lead them during this difficult period.

“When a giant falls, everything shakes and that ends up being a pain that everyone is going through now – not just in South Africa but even overseas because he made his name there. Unfortunately many saw his skills late – they should have seen him when he was at Giant Blackpool and at the time I was coach of Vaal Reefs FC. He was a dazzling player, and with due respect to all the players at Blackpool back then, without him the club would not have achieved a lot. Those were the days he was at his best. Even when he moved to bigger clubs like Chiefs, he never lost his sparkle,” added Mashaba.

Shoes was not just remarkable on the field, off it he was also a special person.

“I used to call him a dressing room player. Where Shoes was, there was always peace; there was always commitment and passion. He was a very good dresser, a very flamboyant person. You would always love to be with him. When there were problems in the camp he would always be the peacemaker, saying let’s forget about this and focus on the job at hand, which is playing football.

“He was always a very respectful person – whether you were young or old, Shoes gave respect and that is why he earned the respect of many,” said the Bafana Bafana mentor.

“Shoes was a role model, lived a clean life that is why he managed to play well beyond 40 years of age. I think we missed out on something here; we needed to find out how he did it so we can teach the current and coming generations.”

He will greatly be remembered as one of the driving forces that led to South Africa winning the Africa Cup of Nations title in 1996 on home soil.

“We saw the best of him on that day. We need to document the history of such players, place them somewhere so people can read about it, not Google it. If current players can emulate him we would never worry about any player because the commitment was there. Here is a player who played his part, we must just accept that he is gone and be glad the pain he suffered is no more, so we can get closure. To the family, we know you are in pain at the loss of your beloved son but with time it will heal,” concluded Mashaba.

The memorial service of Moshoeu will be held on Friday at Grace Bible Church in Soweto at 12 noon and details of the funeral will be revealed on the same day.

ANA

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Falcao still has a United future?

Radamel Falcao has been given a lifeline at Old Trafford after Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev revealed that he has had talks with Ed Woodward.

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Radamel Falcao has been given a lifeline at Old Trafford after Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev revealed that he has had talks with Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

The Monaco striker, who has scored just four goals in the Barclays Premier League since joining United on loan for the season, drew another blank at Stamford Bridge in the 1-0 defeat by Chelsea.

United have an exclusive option to sign Falcao at the end of the season and it has emerged that Monaco are prepared to take a significant reduction on the previously agreed £43.5million.

Vasilyev said: ‘I saw the Manchester United people last Sunday and they have not yet decided if they would exercise the option. It’s not his best season but they kept the opportunity to make a decision at the end of the season.’

United do not want to show their hand too early and the injuries to Robin van Persie, who

played for United’s Under 21 development team on Monday evening, means Falcao is needed for the run-in.

Vasilyev added: ‘We are not in any other negotiations, even if big clubs are interested. The decision is with Manchester, then we will discuss with the player what he wants.’

Falcao missed last summer’s World Cup in Brazil following a knee injury and it is thought he rushed his recovery in an attempt to play in the tournament for Colombia.

Vasilyev added: ‘He had mishaps in Monaco. He had problems with the coach Claudio Ranieri, there was a lack of understanding.

‘He was also seriously injured and missed the World Cup. In late August, he came to tell us that he wanted to play at a higher level.’

Ranieri has since been replaced by Leonardo Jardim, who has backed Falcao to rediscover his goalscoring form.

Jardim, preparing for the Champions League clash with Juventus in the Stade Louis II, admits he would welcome Falcao’s return at the end of the season.

The Portuguese coach said: ‘He’s not had a great season that is true, but I’m sure he can come back to the levels he was at in the past, that much I’m convinced about.

‘It’s not a question for me but for the players, I’ve only worked with him for a month.’ In that time he scored twice for Monaco before his move to United, but he has struggled to recapture the form that made him one of the world’s most feared strikers.– Daily Mail

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History beckons for Chiefs

Tefu Mashamaite would love a little something extra to go with the Absa Premiership title he is set to lead Kaizer Chiefs to at the FNB Stadium.

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Tefu Mashamaite would love a little something extra to go with the Absa Premiership title he is set to lead Kaizer Chiefs to at the FNB Stadium.

“Of course the main aim is to win the league, but if we can create some records then why not? It would be nice to look back at the season and see all those other little achievements that we got along the way,” says the Amakhosi skipper.

One of those that will make the Chiefs defender view the season with some pride is to win the championship with a record points total.

Mamelodi Sundowns set a new 16-team Premiership record of 65 points when they unseated Chiefs from the throne last season. With four matches left of the season and standing on 60 points, Stuart Baxter’s team are in a position to smash that tally to smithereens.

And Mashamaite is willing his team to go for it.

“We lead (the championship race) from the start and went 19 matches unbeaten. That was very good and now we can even set further records and that’s what we want to do.”

First though they must reclaim the league title from Sundowns by beating Polokwane City at the FNB Stadium tonight.

It is a tricky match against a highly unpredictable side that was only the third side to get a point from a marauding Chiefs in the first half of the season, Mashamaite’s hometown team holding Amakhosi goalless at the Peter Mokaba Stadium back in November.

He knows they’ll be hard to beat will Kosta Papic’s team does Mashamaite: “They have scored more goals (than most teams), but they have also conceded more. So if they score three, we will beat them 4-3.”

We’re at Chiefs’ village in Naturena and Mashamaite is addressing the media pack ahead of what should be “Coronation Wednesday” for Amakhosi.

Over time since taking over the captaincy from Itumeleng Khune, Mashamaite has broken out of his shell – his eloquent interviews a welcome relief from the usual mono-syllabic answers most of his counterparts often treat the media to.

He was particularly in his element as he anticipated tonight’s ‘crowning’, Mashamaite spewing analogies that left his interviewers gasping in surprise.

When he was asked whether Chiefs had ever begun worrying that there could be a repeat of last season’s dramatic choking, Mashamaite’s retort was a classic. “Had we gotten worried about going back to apartheid since South Africa got democracy then we probably would have gone back,” he said with a straight face.

With Baxter returning to the bench following his suspension a question was put to Mashamaite as to whether the team missed their coach.

“In every aspect of society there has to be structure. Even in a family, if the father is not there the children need to know that they have to wake up and take a bath and go to school,” he responded before explaining that they knew exactly what to do in Baxter’s absence from the technical area because Doctor Khumalo, the assistant coach who was in charge, knew what needed to be done.

He was not finished though, Mashamaite speaking of Chiefs’ success coming from their team effort because “the strength of the wolf is in the pack and this wolf (Chiefs) has been hunting nicely and on Wednesday we hope to have something to bring home”. - The Star

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Mbeki pays tribute to Moshoeu

Former Bafana star John "Shoes" Moshoeu was one of South Africa's sport heroes, former president Thabo Mbeki said.

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Johannesburg – Former Bafana Bafana player John “Shoes” Moshoeu was one of South Africa’s sport heroes and contributed a lot to sports, former president Thabo Mbeki said.

”I can never forget Bafana Bafana’s victory in the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996. That victory, in which Shoes played no small part, served to inspire our nation’s hope and confidence in its future at the critical moment of democracy’s dawn,” Mbeki said in a statement.

”Accordingly, I would like to convey my deepest condolences to Shoes’ family, his friends and the entire South African soccer and sporting fraternity here at home and abroad.”

Moshoeu died on Tuesday at Morningside Clinic in Sandton.

The 49-year-old Moshoeu had been battling cancer for some time and was in and out of hospital in the past few months.

His career blossomed when he joined Giant Blackpool and then moved to Kaizer Chiefs. He did not stay long as his talent was noticed overseas where he made a big money move to Turkey playing for Genclerbirligi, Fenerbahce and Bursaspor.

Moshoeu will be remembered as one of the driving forces that helped Bafana Bafana win the Africa Cup of Nations title in 1996 on home soil. – ANA

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Fan gives LVG transfer targets

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal reacted mirthfully after being handed a list of suggested transfer targets by a disabled supporter.

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal reacted mirthfully after being handed a list of suggested transfer targets by a disabled supporter during a recent charity event.

A video published on United's website shows Van Gaal and several first-team players meeting fans suffering from life-limiting illnesses at the club's Carrington training base as part of a 'Dream Day' organised by the Manchester United Foundation.

One fan hands Van Gaal a sheet of paper listing players with whom United have been linked, including Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba and Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale.

Van Gaal thanks the fan and pockets the list, saying: “Hummels, (Nathaniel) Clyne, Pogba, (Gareth) Bale, (Memphis) Depay, Jackson Martinez? Thank you for this. I'll bear it in mind. You are smart.”

The Dutchman later says to the camera: “He didn't tell me who I have to sell, but after a little bit of pushing, I know. So it's easy for me. Next year we are the champion!”

Another part of the clip shows United's afro-haired midfielder Marouane Fellaini meeting a young fan who asks him: “Is your hair real or is it a wig?”

The Belgium international replies: “Yes, it's real.” – AFP

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Pep weathers first Bayern storm

Pep Guardiola weathered his first major crisis at Bayern Munich, coming out stronger after his team crushed Porto 7-4 on aggregate in Champions League quarter-finals.

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Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola weathered his first major crisis at the German club, coming out stronger after his team crushed Porto 7-4 on aggregate to move into the Champions League last four.

The Spaniard in his second season in charge was with his back to the wall after their surprise 3-1 first leg defeat in Portugal last week.

Never had one of his teams lost before the semi-finals in the competition but that prospect suddenly seemed real.

Damned to succeed, Guardiola repeatedly said he was aware of what he needed to deliver at the five-time European champions for whom a league and German Cup double was just not enough.

He arrived at Bayern after their 2013 treble-winning season and expectations have not been lowered since. A semi-final exit last season only heightened pressure on Guardiola to deliver another treble this time round.

But plagued by injuries in recent months and a rare internal strife after long-time team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt quit after 38 years, saying his medical team was blamed for the loss to Porto, Bayern had a far-from-perfect preparation.

The doctor is hugely respected by Bayern players with many saying they would continue taking his advice and Guardiola suddenly in the firing line for allegedly falling out with a Bayern icon.

Failure to advance against Porto would have added to an already difficult week and would no doubt fan speculation about the coach's future in Munich despite having a contract to 2016.

With Premier League clubs circling, a slip-up on Tuesday could prove decisive for both the club and the coach.

But the Spaniard, who won 14 titles in his four seasons at Barcelona, thrived under adverse conditions with his team playing arguably their best game this season, even without injured Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger and David Alaba.

“I felt it in the last few days that we would advance,” Guardiola said after Bayern fired five goals in 26 first-half minutes.

“This is about life or death and I know how very important it was,” he said. “I know what is expected of me in this team. It is about winning just like at Barcelona.”

Fans are now dreaming of a trophy on German soil in June's final in Berlin and with players gradually returning from injury, Guardiola is confident Bayern will further improve.

“We can play even better,” he said in what is no doubt a warning to other title contenders. “After the loss in Porto the players were my heroes. Now it's easy to love them.” – Reuters

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English sides must wake up - Simeone

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone believes English football needs to ‘wake up’ after this season’s poor showing in Europe.

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Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone believes English football needs to ‘wake up’ after this season’s poor showing in Europe.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City were eliminated at the Champions League last 16 stage, and Everton were dumped out of the Europa League in the previous round.

Simeone, who takes Atletico to rivals Real Madrid for a Champions League quarter-final second leg, thinks this season’s failure should spark a response from the Premier League’s top clubs.

Writing in his exclusive column for Goal.com, he said: ‘I’m surprised there are no English clubs left in the Champions League.

‘English football has enormous potential with its footballers and financial clout. The fact that there is no English team left in the last eight of the Champions League or in the Europa League is a wake-up call for the Premier League to look at why it is that, despite their great economic power and with all the many great footballers playing in England, Chelsea are so far ahead of everyone else and why they have no teams left in Europe.’

Simeone believes that Spain is still home to the two best teams in Europe — tonight’s opponents Real Madrid, who have home advantage after a 0-0 draw at the Vicente Calderon last week, and Barcelona.

‘For us at Atletico, we are competing against two teams with the obligation of winning the Champions League,’ he said. ‘At the very least, Madrid and Barcelona are among the last eight in Europe every season and usually the last four, so for Atletico to win La Liga last season was a tremendous achievement.’

Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, resisted the opportunity to get his excuses in early ahead of the game at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Despite facing Atletico without four members of his first team, he said: ‘I have the best squad in the world and it is more important to me who is playing than who is not’.

Gareth Bale is Real’s biggest absentee. He was vital for them in last season’s run-in, scoring in their quarter-final win over Borussia Dortmund and in the final against Atletico Madrid. Sportsmail understands he remains committed to staying at the club beyond this summer, despite interest from Manchester United, and he was desperate to play tonight.

Instead he is in a race to be fit for the semi-finals at the start of next month, should Real qualify.

Bale misses the second leg because of a strain to his left calf, while Karim Benzema and Luka Modric have knee injuries. The latter has been ruled out for up to six weeks after sustaining ligament damage in Saturday’s win against Malaga.

Left back Marcelo, meanwhile, is suspended as Ancelotti aims to end a seven-game winless streak against Simeone.

He is expected to play Pepe in midfield alongside Toni Kroos and Isco, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo in attack with James Rodriguez and Javier Hernandez or Jese.

If Hernandez gets the nod, it will be his first big-game start since joining from Manchester United on loan in September. – Daily Mail

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Smalling pens new United deal

Chris Smalling has signed a contract extension to keep him at Manchester United until 2019, the Premier League club said.

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London - Central defender Chris Smalling has signed a contract extension to keep him at Manchester United until 2019, the Premier League club said.

The 25-year-old England international has played 147 times for United since moving to Old Trafford from Fulham in 2010.

“Chris has improved and developed immensely during the short time that I have been at the club and has become an integral part of the first-team squad,” manager Louis van Gaal told the club website.

“It is also pleasing that he has scored some important goals this season too.”

Smalling suffered injury problems in the first part of the season but has been a regular in recent weeks when Van Gaal's team have won six league games in a row to climb to third in the standings.

“I am so proud to play for such a great club,” Smalling said.

“We have developed as a team over the course of the season under Louis van Gaal and we are now playing as a complete unit.

“This is a very exciting time to be at Manchester United, we are all determined to get back to where we belong and competing at the highest level.”

British media reported last month that Smalling was a potential transfer target for Arsenal at the end of the season. – Reuters

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