Banyana’s Portia Modise retires

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The first African footballer to have scored over a century of international goals is hanging up her boots.

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Johannesburg - Banyana Banyana striker Portia Modise announced her retirement for professional football on Tuesday at Safa house.

The 31-year-old who made her debut for the national team back in 2000, was the first African footballer to have scored over a century of goals with her tally of 102 in her 117 appearances for Banyana.

Safa president Danny Jordaan said Modise would continue to assist the national team as a guide other players, and the footballing body will in turn oversee that she becomes a qualified coach.

Modise was named South African Sports Star of the Year last year, beating out a number of popular male counterparts to the prized award.

The forward represented Banyana at the 2012 London Olympics and has played club football abroad in Denmark.

In 2005, Modise was one of the nominees for Women’s Fifa World Player of the Year.

ANA



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Cosafa champs to pocket R500 000

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The winners of the Cosafa Cup will earn R500 000, while the losing finalist will pocket exactly half of the winners’ cheque.

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Johannesburg - The winners of the Cosafa Cup will earn R500 000 the organisers revealed.

The losing finalist will pocket exactly half of the winners’ cheque (R250 000) while third place will take home R125 000.

The fourth-placed team will be given R100 000.

The tournament began on Sunday and will run until May 30.

All the games will be played between Olympia Park in Rustenburg and the Moruleng Stadium in the North West Province.

The top six teams according to the Fifa World Rankings enter at the quarterfinal stage. Host, South Africa, takes on Botswana, Mozambique clash with Malawi, Ghana play the winner of Group B and defending champions Zambia wait for the winners of Group A. The losing quarterfinal teams compete in the Plate competition, with the winners advancing in the Cup.

ANA



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Sterling should be embarrassed

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Liverpool's Raheem Sterling has come under a withering attack from two of the club's former stalwarts over his apparent reluctance to sign a new contract.

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London - Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has come under a withering attack from two of the club's former stalwarts over his apparent reluctance to sign a reported 100,000 pounds ($155,340) per week contract.

The 20-year-old England international's future at Liverpool is clouded in uncertainty with British media reports on Tuesday suggesting Sterling is poised to request a transfer.

Manchester City are one of the club's being linked with a move for Sterling who, according to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been offered an “incredible” new contract.

With Liverpool insisting Sterling is not for sale, the saga is bound to rumble on into the summer and Jamie Carragher, now a television pundit, said he should be embarrassed to walk into training this week and suggested a change of agent.

“I'd be embarrassed to walk into training tomorrow and show my face to everyone; even the lady on the reception,” former Liverpool defender Carragher told Sky Sports.

“Raheem Sterling is a great kid. He's not some flash young kid. He's not loud, he's not in people's faces. He loves his football.

“He needs to change his agent. That's the one thing he needs to change.

“For a 20-year-old kid to be taking on Liverpool Football Club, there's nothing worse.

“Raheem Sterling will obviously move on at some stage. Brendan Rodgers has said he won't be leaving this summer but it looks like he's trying to force the club's hand.”

Carragher said Sterling still had to prove he was worth the kind of salary enjoyed by the Premier League's biggest names.

“If you want trophies and big money they won't be given to you, you have to earn them,” Carragher said.

“What did Liverpool win this year? Nothing.”

Former Liverpool winger John Barnes, who Sterling has been compared to, echoed Carragher's comments.

“Raheem has not achieved anything, he has not won anything,” Barnes told the BBC.

“Does anyone believe that if he goes to Manchester City he will be the first name on the team sheet or are they just signing him because they need English players?”

“Raheem has great potential, but Liverpool gave him an opportunity and he should stay for a couple of years.” – Reuters



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Chiefs on a different level to rest

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Rodney Reiners looks back at the good, bad and unseemly of the PSL, as the season ends with a court battle.

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It’s almost expected, isn’t it? Another Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign has come to an end, and instead of a season review focusing predominantly on the football, the players, and the highs and lows of the emotional rollercoaster a season brings, the spotlight is again on the off-field shenanigans as far as relegation is concerned.

Last week, the PSL had to oppose an interdict in the South Gauteng High Court from Moroka Swallows and AmaZulu to stop the promotion play-offs from taking place. The play-offs got under way on Sunday, with Black Leopards defeating Jomo Cosmos 2-0. The other club involved in the play-offs, to decide a spot in next season’s PSL, is Swallows. AmaZulu have been relegated and will play in the National First Division (NFD) next season.

Swallows and AmaZulu’s decision to go to court is based on the fact that the PSL is currently investigating claims of match-fixing with regard to the relegation battle. The court, though, ruled in favour of the PSL, which is why the play-offs went ahead on Sunday. The league’s investigation into whether match-fixing took place or not is on-going.

It’s a sad state of affairs. But the most damning aspect of it all is probably that it occurs so regularly. In truth, the PSL only has itself to blame. Until the yawning chasm between the PSL and NFD is sorted out, this will remain an issue. There is such desperation to stay in the PSL, or be promoted to the PSL, that skulduggery will always be rife. Every club wants to be in the financially flush PSL, with its R1.5 million-a-month grant and the potential to land numerous sponsorships. In the NFD, it’s only R400 000 a month, no sponsors, and club bosses end up having to regularly dip into their own pockets to make ends meet. This is the scenario that has created the dog-eat-dog world that is the nether regions of the domestic game – the relegation area in the PSL and the top end of the NFD.

THE NEW KAIZER CHIEFS

It has been a record-breaking season for PSL champions, Kaizer Chiefs, including the most points (69) by the title winners, most league wins (21) and longest unbeaten winning run (19 games). The margin between first and second was an astounding 12 points, that’s how dominant Chiefs were this season.

But a closer look at the PSL log clearly reveals the secret to success for this current squad of the popular Soweto club – goals conceded all season in the league: just 14 (second-placed Sundowns conceded 24). This defensive solidity is what successful coach Stuart Baxter has brought to the club.

Traditional Chiefs teams, going back to the era of Ace Ntsoelengoe, Teenage Dladla, Ace Khuse, Doctor Khumalo and even some of the more recent generations, have always built their game on possession, on flair and skill. But the modern game has moved on… and this is why Baxter has infused Chiefs with the necessary defensive organisation and tactical discipline the modern-game demands. Often, it would be odd to see Chiefs concede possession to lesser teams, but it would all be part of the strategy – and they would feed off the opposition’s errors and punish them with swift and efficient transitions. Certainly, worthy champions. Chiefs have just been in a different class this season… perhaps even on a different planet!

AJAX’S EXCITING YOUTH LEGION

It has been a long time since the Mother City has been so captivated by Ajax. In the doldrums for a number of seasons, a special crop of young players have emerged to revive the energy, enthusiasm and passion that drove the club in its early years of existence.

Rivaldo Coetzee (18), Abbubaker Mobara (20), Tashreeq Morris (20), Travis Graham (21), Bantu Mzwakali (21), Mosa Lebusa (22) and Riyaad Norodien (20) have taken the Cape by storm – and reminded everybody that football is alive and well in the Mother City. And, most of all, that when it comes to football talent, look no further than Cape Town…

But, not only that, the contribution of head coach Roger de Sa has to be acknowledged. He has managed to bring the best out of the kids by getting them to believe in their ability and, most importantly, he has trusted them by giving them the opportunities to perform on the top-flight stage.

The reward has been fifth place in the PSL and runners-up spot in the Nedbank Cup. For a club with a cheque-book far more modest than the PSL’s big-spenders, with a team of home-grown talent still making its way in the sport, that is certainly a good return.

The challenge, though, will be next season. Is it a case of the Cape club simply flattering to deceive, or will they be able to leap even even higher?

MERRY-GO-ROUND

Another recurrent theme in the PSL. Season after season, the same, mouldy old coaches simply rotate from club to club.

Patience has never been a virtue among football bosses in this country, with Chippa United, of course, the worst of the lot. Again, this season, they chopped and changed coaches with regularity and, as expected, they nearly got relegated, finishing one place above Swallows.

De Sa, Baxter, Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gavin Hunt (Wits) and Steve Komphela (Maritzburg) are the only coaches who finished the season at the club where they started it. The other clubs all had one or more changes during the campaign.

CUP WINNERS

The MTN8 competition was yet another success for Chiefs, which earned them R8-million in prize money and a best player award for midfielder George Maluleka.

The next trophy of the season went to SuperSport United as they won the Telkom Knockout Cup to chalk up another achievement for coach Gordon Igesund. The curtain then came down on the football calendar, with Sundowns edging Ajax 4-3 on penalties to take the Nedbank Cup over the weekend.

PLAY IT AGAIN, KOSTA

In a football world of staid, boring tactics and cautious, conservative game plans, Polokwane City breathed life into the PSL. Under the direction of nerveless Serbian coach Kosta Papic and the smooth passing skills of Mitchells Plain’s Cole Alexander, Polokwane played an exciting, high-tempo brand of football. They dared, they risked, they weren’t afraid of losing, they entertained, they enthralled…

Football in the PSL is not always the most attractive – there are games that thrill, but there are also many dour, dull encounters – but, whenever Polokwane were in action, rest assured, you were entertained. And, for that, they definitely deserve a mention. - Cape Argus



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Uefa makes u-turn on FFP

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Mega-rich football owners have been given the green light to start spending again to catch up with the game’s big clubs after an amazing U-turn by Michel Platini.

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Mega-rich football owners have been given the green light to start spending again to catch up with the game’s big clubs after an amazing U-turn by Michel Platini.

The Uefa president has announced he will this summer relax the rules he introduced to restrict money spent on transfer fees and wages.

Owners will once more be able to run up massive losses — as long as the money they put into a club to buy new players is a gift rather than entered in the books as a loan.

The decision is a victory for Sportsmail’s Chief Sports Writer Martin Samuel, who has lobbied Platini for exactly that change.

It is likely to be confirmed by Uefa at the end of June — just before the summer transfer window opens — and will start a spending stampede by ambitious clubs.

It means, for instance, that Manchester City and Chelsea would now be able to compete on the open market for a superstar such as Gareth Bale.

Platini has admitted that the current straitjacket on finances has not worked.

Clubs such as Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have been hit with heavy fines and had spending restrictions imposed on them under current Financial Fair Play regulations designed to limit the size of financial losses.

But after pressure from City, PSG and the two Milan giants from Italy’s Serie A, Uefa are planning changes to allow clubs to spend more freely.

Platini said yesterday: ‘The world is two-faced but we will say this openly: I think we’ll ease things. It will be the (Uefa) executive committee who will decide if it is to be eased or something like that, and the outcome will be known by the end of June.’

It was a year ago this week that City were hit with a £43million FFP fine for overspending, as well as having transfer limits imposed and Champions League squad restrictions.

Although two-thirds of the fine was suspended, City were limited when it came to buying players and had their wage bill capped.

Now if they want to make a £200m-plus bid for Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, new-look FFP will make it easier. Sheik Mansour, City’s owner, has a £17billion personal fortune and theoretical access to an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund of £493bn. PSG owners Qatar Sports Investments have access to sovereign funds of £194bn.

Platini suggested key Italian involvement in the lobbying for change, saying: ‘The Italians wanted (FFP) eased.’

One source told Sportsmail: ‘Uefa know FFP has helped to reduce some costs in a beneficial way. But they can also see that the richest clubs are becoming locked into dominant positions and any club outside that group has a shrinking chance of ever competing.

‘Allowing more investment could alleviate that.’ One factor forcing Uefa’s hand is an ongoing legal threat by clubs wanting to have FFP watered down and lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, leading the legal action, said: ‘We welcome the announcement of a changes in line with the demands expressed by our clients.’

But the change will infuriate some clubs, not least Arsenal and Liverpool, owned respectively by Americans Stan Kroenke and John W Henry. Both men supported FFP and cost controls. Neither club would comment.

Gianni Infantino, Uefa general secretary, said: ‘Our objective remains to ensure the sustainability of European club football.’ – Daily Mail



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Sterling determined to leave Anfield

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Liverpool will hold crisis talks with Raheem Sterling after the forward told manager Brendan Rodgers he wants to quit the club.

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Liverpool will hold crisis talks with Raheem Sterling after the forward told manager Brendan Rodgers he wants to quit the club.

Sterling spoke to Rodgers before the 1-1 draw at Chelsea and made it clear he does not want to stay. But the England international has agreed to a final round of discussions as Liverpool make a last-ditch attempt to persuade the 20-year-old his future is at Anfield.

Sterling has refused to sign a new, five-year deal because he is unconvinced by the club’s ability to challenge for silverware. He wants Champions League football, something that will not be possible at Anfield next season.

He also feels he is being under- valued by the offer of a new deal, believed to be worth around £100,000 a week, and is unhappy with the club releasing details of the contract.

The Barclays Premier League’s top four clubs — Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United — are all watching developments closely. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus are also interested. They are all prepared to offer more

than Liverpool are currently proposing. Rodgers insists Sterling, who has two years left to run on his £35,000-per-week contract, will not be allowed to leave even if he does not sign a new deal.

But it remains to be seen whether Liverpool are prepared to let Sterling run down the remainder of his contract and risk the prospect of losing him for nothing in 2017.

Liverpool remain hopeful they can change Sterling’s mind, as they did in 2005 when Steven Gerrard came so close to joining Chelsea.

But there are key differences between the two situations. Sterling is not from Liverpool and entrenched in the club’s history like Gerrard. He was born in Jamaica and raised in north-west London.

Like Gerrard, he wants success but winning trophies with Liverpool is not the be all and end all for him.

In public, Liverpool players have urged Sterling to sign a new contract. Rodgers, who said Sterling has been offered an ‘incredible’ deal, is adamant that his development as a footballer and a person would be best served by staying rather than going somewhere he would not be guaranteed regular starts.

But, at the club’s Melwood training complex, it is a different story. Sterling has been advised by a number of his team-mates that he should leave if he wants to fulfil his huge potential and ambition.

Sterling’s rejection of Liverpool’s offer means he has lost out on more than £1.6million in wages since Liverpool first put the deal to him in October. But it is looking increasingly likely that his long-term future lies away from Liverpool.

This is a crucial summer for Liverpool as they begin the process of rebuilding after the departure to LA Galaxy of Gerrard, who will be recognised at tonight’s Players’ Awards night which Sterling will also attend. – Daily Mail



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Depay completes United medical

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Memphis Depay has completed his medical with Manchester United as he moves closer to officially completing his transfer to Old Trafford.

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Netherlands forward Memphis Depay has completed his medical with Manchester United as he moves closer to officially completing his transfer to Old Trafford, the Premier League club announced.

With Depay's fitness checks out of the way, United say they will “now work towards finalising his registration when the international transfer window opens in June”.

United announced earlier this month that they had agreed a £25 million ($39 million) fee with PSV Eindhoven for Depay, who was the top scorer in the Dutch league with 22 goals this season.

However, despite Depay's imminent high-profile arrival, former United captain Gary Neville has urged fans to give their new acquisition time to settle at Old Trafford.

Neville believes the 21-year-old still has much to learn if he is to blossom into the world-class player he and United hope he will become.

“It's a typical Manchester United signing to sign someone who has got potential but hasn't yet grown to become the finished product,” Neville told Sky Sports.

“United have done that over the years, particularly with foreign players.

“I think Depay looks like an exciting player but there's a lot of obstacles to overcome to determine as to whether he's going to become the real deal.

“He's got to settle in the country and get used to playing football in Manchester. It will be different but it fits the bill in terms of him being a young player.”

United manager Louis van Gaal handed Depay his international debut in October 2013 and took him to the World Cup the following year, where he scored twice in four appearances for the Netherlands.

“I have worked with Memphis during last summer's World Cup with the Netherlands and he has great potential,” Van Gaal wrote.

“The plan is to help him develop as a player, but we must all be patient.

“The Premier League is very different from any other league and it will take time for him to fully adapt to the pace and unforgiving nature of football in this country.” – AFP



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Fabregas sent off, Mourinho sees red

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho fumed after Cesc Fabregas was sent off during Monday’s game against West Brom.

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London - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho expressed his frustration after Cesc Fabregas was sent off in bizarre fashion as the champions were defeated 3-0 at West Bromwich Albion.

The Spanish midfielder is set to miss the first two matches of next season plus the final game of this campaign at home to Sunderland on Sunday following his first-half dismissal after he kicked the ball against Chris Brunt.

Mourinho felt that a more experienced referee than Mike Jones would have resolved the situation with a mere lecture after tempers flared following a Diego Costa and Gareth McAuley off-the-ball coming-together 29 minutes into the action at the Hawthorns.

“I've not seen a sending off like that,” said Mourinho.

“I would like to see it again. What is this for a sending off? Where is the danger of the situation to get a red card in a friendly game almost?

“I don't understand. Darren Fletcher was aggressive yes, he pushed in the chest. He's experienced. It was much more aggressive than what Fabregas did.

“A top referee with big personality has a few words and controls the game. It's a bizarre red card.

“Three-game ban for this? J***s C****t. Of course it's harsh. We lose all the time (when we appeal) but I've not spoken to him.

“Diego Costa was targeted, of course. But it's the same story.

“It depends on the referee. If the referee wants to protect the talent and punish the bully it is easy for him.

“Congratulations to West Brom for the season and this three points. And let's go home.”

Mourinho felt this first defeat in 19 matches was the net result of claiming the title three games ago as Saido Berahino scored on nine minutes and added a penalty two minutes after the break before Brunt scored a third on the hour.

“The ideal scenario is to be champions and don't play again, go home and have holidays,” he said.

“When you have three more matches it can happen with Bayern Munich three defeats in three and we claim one point in two.

“When you play since August with motivation and commitment and feeling the pressure, when you are champions you breathe and everything changes.

“It is difficult to play. Let's blame the players a bit, myself and the top contenders for the title as they were not good enough to fight with us. This is a consequence of being champions so early.”

West Brom manager Tony Pulis insists any criticism of Chelsea is unwarranted.

“It's a great finish, we will finish 13th in the table but I don't think anything should be taken away from the team we played,” he said.

“The team we've played have been by far the best team in England. They have won the league by a country mile and they have been much better than anyone else.

“Although we have won this game, all the praise should go to Jose, his coaching staff, the people of Chelsea and the players.

“Jose was very good. I've managed against him twice and managed to beat him twice with Palace and West Brom.

“He was very gracious in defeat and for all what we have done, they have been worthy champions. They are a fantastic football club with wonderful players and for some people to criticise them is unbelievable.

“We were so on edge after we lost at home to QPR and Leicester but the lads have bounced back.

“The attitude has been wonderful, we got the breaks in this game, we played really well at times and defended well. The discipline was good and we made it very difficult for Chelsea.”

AFP



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Ancelotti unfazed by speculation

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Real Madrid have failed to win any of the three major trophies in 2014-15 and speculation has already been swirling about Carlo Ancelotti’s future.

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Madrid - If there is one lesson Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has learned during his two seasons in Spain it is that resting on your laurels is not an option at the world's richest club by income.

After leading Real to a record-extending 10th European crown and a King's Cup triumph last term, Real have failed to win any of the three major trophies in 2014-15 and speculation has already been swirling for weeks about the Italian's future.

Club director Emilio Butragueno pointedly refused to confirm Ancelotti will see out his contract, which runs for another season, after Real were knocked out of the Champions League by Juventus on Wednesday.

The former Real and Spain forward did so again following Barcelona's victory at Atletico Madrid, which secured a fifth La Liga title in seven years with a game to spare for Real's arch rivals, who are also through to the finals of the Champions League and King's Cup.

They are on course to repeat 2009's historic treble, something neither Real or any other Spanish club have achieved.

“It is not something to be said now,” Butragueno told Spanish television when asked about Ancelotti's future.

“And this is not the place either,” he added. “There is one match left and after that we'll see.”

Ancelotti is a vastly experienced coach, having won the Champions League twice previously while in charge at AC Milan, and appears to be taking it all in his stride.

He had to watch Real's 4-1 victory at Espanyol on Sunday from the stands due to a touchline ban and was captured on television calmly smoking a cigarette during the game.

Among names to have been linked with his job are Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp, who is leaving the Bundesliga side at the end of the season.

Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez and Julen Lopetegui have also been mentioned, while it seems too early for former Real and France great Zinedine Zidane to step up from his current post as assistant coach of Real's B team.

Ancelotti hinted he would continue next season.

“As always, I would like to win the most important competition, which is the Champions League, but also La Liga,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“This year I was very close but we will try again next,” added the 55-year-old.– Reuters



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Double blow for Bafana Bafana

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Midfielders Cole Alexander and Athenkosi Dlala have been withdrawn from the squad to play in the Cosafa Cup due to injuries.

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Johannesburg - After being given a day off from camp on Sunday, Bafana Bafana were back in action on Monday afternoon (18 May) at the AW Muller Stadium at the University of Johannesburg.

But there was bad news for head coach Ephraim Mashaba.

Midfielders Cole Alexander and Athenkosi Dlala have been withdrawn from the squad to play in the Cosafa Cup due to injuries, while striker Puleng Tlolane still has to go for further assessment before the technical team can take a decision.

Alexander was stretchered off in the goalless draw against Lesotho and twisted his ankle and has failed to recover – leading to his withdrawal.

Dlala’s injury is an old one which has resurfaced and will not be able to recover in time for the tournament.

“I will have to sit with the technical team to see who we can call up as replacements for the injured players. It will be done very quickly because Wednesday (20 May) is the last day to deregister injured players and register new ones. We have some names we have discussed but we just need to finalise them and inform their clubs as soon as possible so they can hopefully join us at training tomorrow (Tuesday),” said Mashaba.

“It is unfortunate that we have to lose these players after spending one week with them. We have a few days with the replacements and they will have to hit the ground running as the tournament is starting on Sunday.”

Tlolane had a collision with the Lesotho goalkeeper and is going to undergo a late fitness test to see if he can be ready for the COSAFA Cup tournament.

Meanwhile, Marc van Heerden (Achilles tendon) and Gift Motupa (ankle) were given a clean bill of health and trained with their teammates.

ANA



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Defence key to Chiefs success

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With Kaizer Chiefs romping to a runaway Premier League title, the key to their domination lay with their defence.

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Johannesburg – With Kaizer Chiefs romping to a runaway Premier League title, the key to their domination lay with their defence.

The AmaKhosi notched up a record 69 points from their 30 game season with 21 wins and pivotal to these results were conceding a paltry 14 goals in the Premiership.

Heading their battalion at the back was Tefu Mashamaite. The defender was appropriately named the league’s footballer of the season, Player’s Player of the season and Defender of the season. In his time standing resolute for Chiefs, he led the Soweto Giants to 19 clean sheets.

The 30-year-old developed his game at Bidvest Wits from 2005 to 2011 before moving to the Naturena side where he would later receive a call up to the national team.

The number 19 was also particularly significant for Chiefs as it was the number of matches the side went unbeaten during their record-breaking march towards league honours.

While the headlines were stolen by the players throughout their campaign, much of the credit must also go to tactically astute coach Stuart Baxter.

It was his second league title with Chiefs since joining in 2012, also having won the 2013 Nedbank Cup and the 2014 MTN8.

While Chiefs did not have any strikers in the top 10 of the scoring charts for the league, they did, however, have three players who scored seven times each. George Lebese, Mandla Masango and Bernard Parker all reached that mark in an illustration of the well-rounded gameplan adopted by Baxter.

One of the surprises of the season was the third place finish of an unheralded Wits side. The Clever Boys beat out the much-fancied Orlando Pirates who had to be content with fourth place on the log.

Another feather in the cap of Gavin Hunt’s charges were the number of youth players fielded in their lineup throughout the season.

“We brought the most kids on this year,” said Hunt.

“Eight kids from the under-19s. There’s no other team in South Africa that’s done that. We brought them on and we finished third on the log. These kids played their part during the year. From a 15-year-old Liam Jordan to the 19-year-olds.”

At the other end of the table, a tightly contested relegation scrap ensued. Moroka Swallows did well to avoid the automatic drop as they came into the final fixture of the season in last place. But a crucial 1-0 win over Bloemfontein Celtic on the final day condemned AmaZulu to National First Division football next season. Swallows, however, will have to battle it out in the promotion/relegation playoffs in their quest to stay in top flight football. If they are unsuccessful, Swallows will be relegated for the first time since the Premier Soccer League began in the 1996/1997 season. The only other teams to never be relegated are Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Pirates and SuperSport United. – ANA



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Downs boosted by cup win

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Mamelodi Sundowns are always lauded for their offensive game, and for the raft of creative individuals they have at their disposal.

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Mamelodi Sundowns are always lauded for their offensive game, and for the raft of creative individuals they have at their disposal.

That may be so – but, in their Nedbank Cup final victory over Ajax Cape Town at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, Sundowns proved that there is another, more effective arrow to their bow as well.

Sundowns went on to defeat Ajax 4-3 on penalties, but they were, by far, the better side over the 120 minutes of normal play. The fact that the score remained at 0-0 was a testament to the fighting spirit of a courageous, young Ajax squad and a few brilliant saves from the Cape side’s Finnish goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola.

But the impressive aspect about their strategy for the final, especially in the opening 45 minutes, was not so much their famed attacking play, it was rather the relentless pressure they put on the ball carrier that placed them on the road to victory. The Pretoria club hounded, harassed and snapped at the feet of the Ajax youngsters. They allowed them no space which led to numerous errors from the Capetonians.

Usually, these kids are comfortable and confident in possession, but the squeeze applied by the Brazilians was so successful that Ajax regularly conceded possession. And, with Ajax giving the ball away cheaply, Sundowns were able to build a platform to dominate the game.

“We controlled the match and the players were tactically disciplined,” said Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane. “We were quicker on the ball, we picked up the second ball and we dominated play. We created chances, tried to convert, but couldn't. But, still we kept going. We kept trying, right to the end.

“We may have won it on penalties, but that doesn’t matter. People don’t care how you win, as long as you win.

“This is a club where you must try to, at least, win something. Last year, we won the league title and now we have the Nedbank Cup. It’s good, it creates a winning mentality. And teams who know how to win, keep winning ... I’m excited to have won this trophy.”

Ajax assistant-coach Ian Taylor, standing in for the suspended head coach Roger de Sa, agreed that Downs had changed the way they normally play.

“They put us under a lot of pressure,” said Taylor. “They started off by not using their traditional passing game by going through the middle. Instead, they went a bit longer, trying to get in behind our defence. The key, though, was that they were always picking up the second ball, which meant that we were always on the back foot and under pressure.

“And then, with all the quality they had, they were still able to bring quality players like Cuthbert Malajila and Anthony Laffor in the second half.

“But the team did us proud, they can keep their heads held high. We may have lost, but I think, with a team as young such as this, we still walk away as winners.”

Thus far, all the hype and discussion about this special bunch of Ajax youngsters has revolved around their talent and ability. In the final the kids added and extra dimension to their game in a show of grit, grunt and guts.

In this regard, this young Ajax squad emerged with great credit on Saturday. They lost to Downs – one of the most successful clubs in the country – but the Cape side’s resilience and courage won the day.

They provided clear, unequivocal proof that they are more than just talented, they have the strength, the disposition and mentality to forge successful careers in the sport.

Ajax’s 21-year-old captain Travis Graham was the star for his side. Graham’s studs trampled every inch of the cavernous stadium, he tackled, he ran, he sprinted, he passed, he got stuck in, and never wavered in his commitment to the team.

“It was a great experience for us as young players still making our way in the game,” said Graham. It was disappointing to lose, the guys were gutted, but we will remember what we went through. What we learnt will be so crucial as we continue to progress. The main thing now is to keep this momentum. We did very well this season to finish fifth in the PSL and then narrowly lose out in the Cup final. We have to make sure that we continue in the same way next season.”

Graham led from the front, but central defender Rivaldo Coetzee wasn’t too far behind. He has had a fantastic run for club and country this season – and, on Saturday, he again rose to the occasion with a performance of maturity and dogged defence.

Ajax’s Finnish goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola was deservedly named as the Man-of-the-Match but in the penalty shoot-out, Downs came out on top. - The Star



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Real using old tricks to snare De Gea

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When it comes to the game’s dirty tricks, Real Madrid remain masters of the art. Last night it started up again over David de Gea.

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When it comes to the game’s dirty tricks, Real Madrid remain masters of the art. Last night it started up again over David de Gea.

Inside Estadi Cornalla-El Prat, the home of Espanyol, they made a statement by axing the great Iker Casillas and relegating him to the substitutes’ bench.

Come in No 1, your time is up.

What a message that was in a week when Carlo Ancelotti’s team blew their chances of retaining the Champions League and conceded La Liga to their arch rivals Barcelona.

Next season, the No 1 jersey at the Bernabeu will be De Gea’s, if he wants it, and Real’s need to sign him was highlighted as Casillas’ replacement Keylor Navas made a huge error in gifting Espanyol their goal as Real ran out 4-1 winners.

Real’s stunts once prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to hiss ‘do you think I would get into a contract with that mob — I wouldn’t sell them a virus,’ over negotiations for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.

As one of the quieter members of the Manchester United dressing room, De Gea has been reluctant to open up to his team-mates of late.

There is a buzz about United’s goalkeeper, a noise that will reach fever pitch in the coming weeks as Real continue to sound him out about a move to the Bernabeu.

Against Arsenal at Old Trafford yesterday he succumbed to a hamstring injury, replaced by Victor Valdes in the 73rd minute and heading gingerly for the Old Trafford dressing rooms.

It is possible that the wave he gave towards the massed ranks in the Stretford End when he walked towards the tunnel will turn out to have far greater significance.

‘He has a decision to make,’ admitted United manager Louis van Gaal, although he stopped short of saying that his goalkeeper had been tapped up. It did not take much to read between the lines.

There is so much tied up in the future of their Spanish goalkeeper, with the likelihood that he will also depose Casillas as the national team’s first choice if he chooses white instead of United’s red.

For all that Casillas has achieved at Real, captaining them to the historic Decima last season, the club are preparing to offer a severance package on a contract that runs until 2017.

A move to the Middle East, MLS or further afield awaits, with Real creating an opportunity for Casillas to play out the remaining years of his hugely successful career away from the Bernabeu.

De Gea is the player this club have identified as their principal summer signing, the first Galactico keeper of his generation and a salary to match his growing status within the game.

In years to come he will no doubt take his place among the goalkeeping greats, such as the Russian Lev Yashin, Brazil’s 1970 World Cup winning keeper Felix and the legendary figure of Italy’s first choice, Gianluigi Buffon.

When he denied Olivier Giroud in the second half, his first meaningful save of the match, all four corners of this stadium rose to salute their keeper.

‘We want you to stay’ they sang, something Van Gaal noted when he spoke about his keeper’s future following the largely uninspiring 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

De Gea has started all 43 games for United this season, keeping 13 clean sheets in a team that has just about been good enough to finish fourth in the Barclays Premier League. He is a strapping lad, with the days when former United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele noted his inherent laziness and a propensity for feasting on tacos late at night well behind him.

Van Gaal has conceded that he is powerless to prevent players leaving, despite offering to make De Gea one of the highest paid players at the club.

‘He’s off to Madrid,’ sang the Arsenal fans, teasing United about the potential departure of one of the best keepers in world football.

When Valdes entered the arena, making his first appearance in a United jersey, the home fans were soon crying out the name of the former Barcelona keeper as he took up his position.

Perhaps they felt differently after he conceded nine minutes from time, beaten by an effort by Theo Walcott on the right that was deflected off Tyler Blackett’s leg.

The truth is that there is very little Valdes could have done about it, but new keepers are always nervy keepers.

In reality, the anxiety is being felt in the United boardroom. – Daily Mail



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Sunderland’s Johnson to deny sex charges

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Sunderland winger Adam Johnson will deny three charges of sexual activity with a child.

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Sunderland winger Adam Johnson will deny three charges of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming, a court in northeast England was told on Monday.

Johnson, 27, was arrested in March on suspicion of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

His solicitor, Paul Morris, told a hearing at Peterlee Magistrates' Court that Johnson intends to deny the charges when they are formally put before him.

Johnson, who has been capped 12 times by England, appeared at court accompanied by his partner, Stacey Flounders, and was bailed to appear before Durham Crown Court on June 3.

He left without speaking to reporters.

The court heart that the three counts of sexual activity with a child are alleged to have taken place on one night in January at two locations, with the grooming offence said to have occurred between December and February.

Johnson was initially suspended by Sunderland pending the outcome of police investigations, but has since returned to action for the club, who are fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Johnson began his career with Middlesbrough and returned to his native northeast in 2012 when he joined Sunderland from Manchester City in a £10 million ($15 million, 13 million euros) deal. – AFP



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Toure shows his class

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Manuel Pellegrini could be forgiven for wondering how Manchester City will cope without Yaya Touré after a stellar display by the Ivorian against Swansea.

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Manuel Pellegrini could be forgiven for wondering how Manchester City will cope without Yaya Touré and James Milner after goals from the midfield pair edged them closer to a second-place finish in the Premier League.

The Ivory Coast International put the visitors ahead with his 50th Premier League goal, and then restored their lead after Swansea had recovered from two goals down in an enthralling contest.

Milner had doubled City's advantage before Gylfi Sigurdsson and Bafétimbi Gomis brought the hosts roaring back into the game.

But Touré struck the decisive blow before substitute Wilfried Bony marked his return to Swansea with a late goal to end his old side's European aspirations.

Touré's agent has claimed it is “90 per cent certain” the former Barcelona man will leave City this summer and, even after a season where he has not been at his best, the midfielder underlined just how difficult it will be to replace his presence.

Milner, meanwhile, is out of contract and is about to confirm a free transfer to Liverpool, even though Pellegrini believes the Etihad is the best place for the 29-year-old.

The City manager said: “James can play 10 positions and always do well. It is a decision James must take at the end of the season as to what is best for his future.

“He is an important player for our team because he is an intelligent player, who can play in several positions and always gives 100 per cent.

“I can think that being at Manchester City is best for him, but it is important what he thinks. I want to keep him.”

City's opener had come against the run of play as Swansea came bounding out of the blocks. The best early chance fell to Nathan Dyer, when the Swans winger pinched the ball off the hapless Eliaquim Mangala, but was denied by a superb save from Joe Hart.

However, City began to find some fluency and, once Swansea had failed to heed the warning of Sergio Aguero having a goal ruled out for offside, the visitors took the lead.

David Silva teed up Touré to take a touch and find the net via a deflection off Ashley Williams, although the Swansea keeper Lukasz Fabianski may feel he should have done better than palming the ball into the net.

Milner netted the visitors' second 15 minutes later. Frank Lampard and Aguero led the break for the midfielder to beat Neil Taylor and fire past Fabianski.

Swansea desperately needed a response and they got it in the dying embers of the first half. Taylor seized on a loose ball and found Sigurdsson for the midfielder to take a touch and dispatch an powerful drive into the bottom corner.

Jonjo Shelvey forced Hart into a sprawling save early in the second half as the hosts were carried along by the momentum from the goal. But soon it was Fabianski who was the busier goalkeeper, twice denying substitute Jesus Navas and then keeping out an angled drive from the irrepressible Silva.

Swansea took full advantage of his good work to level matters in the 64th minute. Mangala was caught out by Jazz Richards' long ball, which Gomis expertly controlled before sending a volley past Hart.

Chances kept coming at both ends but it was Touré who showed the clinical edge as he held off Jack Cork to drive forward and fire a low shot into the bottom corner.

City still needed Hart to make two outstanding saves to keep out headers from Federico Fernandez and Gomis, before Bony put the game to bed via the inside of the post.

“It was a beautiful save at an important moment,” said Pellegrini of Hart's remarkable stop from Fernandez. “Joe has improved a lot this season and he can get even better as he has an open mind and works hard.”

Garry Monk, the Swansea manager, added: “Ninety-nine times out of 100 that is a goal, unfortunately that was the one. They were both unbelievable saves. The one from Federico was incredible.

“But I am proud of us as we showed we can go toe to toe with a top side after being criticised for how we played even though we won on Monday.”

Swansea Manchester CitySubstitutions: Swansea City Barrow (Dyer, 73), Britton (Shelvey, 78), Emnes (Sigurdsson, 83). Manchester City Navas 6 (Lampard, 59), Kompany (Fernandinho, 80), Bony (Toure, 85). – The Independent



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