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Bafana to rekindle qualifying memories

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Bafana are trying to rekindle the memories of their successful 2015 Afcon qualifying campaign, when they take on Gambia.

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Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana are trying to rekindle the memories of their successful 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, when they take on Gambia at Moses Mabhida Stadium, in Durban, on Saturday.

For the 2015 edition, coach Shakes Mashaba’s troops qualified with a game to spare and the 2017 tournament presents an entirely new challenge.

“In the 2015 AFCON qualifiers everybody was willing to go because of the opposition (South Africa was drawn against Nigeria, Sudan and Congo), but now everyone thinks of Gambia and Mauritania and ask who are those?” said Mashaba on Friday.

“Those people (Gambia) have about ten overseas-based players in their squad. They are playing away, they might come here, park the bus and be happy with a point, so it’s a big task for us to dismantle that defence,” said Mashaba.

In the last qualifiers, two teams qualified from each group for the tournament but this time around it is different.

“This is going to be very tricky and perhaps more difficult. It is important that we win all our home games and ensure we even do well on the road. Crucially we need to score goals because in the end goal difference might see us through. If we find Gambia open at the back we need to score as much as possible - at the end of the qualifiers you might have two nations deadlocked on points and the goal difference could come in handy,” added Mashaba.

Goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo is a doubtful starter as he is still recovering from a bout of flu - he sat out the final training session.

Bafana will also face Gambia without the services of striker Tokelo Rantie who has asked to be withdrawn from the squad due wedding to celebrations - this leaves strikers Thamsanqa Gabuza (who replaces Rantie), Vuyisile Wana, Bonginkosi Ntuli, Gift Motupa and Sphelele Ntshangase as options upfront.

“We want to take the game to Gambia on Saturday and see their reaction, but if we’re going to run like headless chickens we will be punished. If a team scores a goal when playing away, it becomes a double task to even matters,” said Mashaba.

“If you look at our midfielders they are very pacy and quick on the ball which will make our lives easy, because we will be having players who will add numbers in attack and also when we defend. We can only hope that the strikers that we play there, because all of them are new in the team, will come to the party.”

Gambia landed in South African on Wednesday after playing to a 1-all draw against Uganda. This is Gambia’s first match in South Africa against Bafana.

The Scorpions, as the Gambia national football team is known, have just recently returned to the international arena. They played the qualifiers for the 2013 tournament in South Africa but lost to Algeria.

In the preliminary rounds of the 2015 qualifiers, they were drawn against the Seychelles but Gambia were kicked out before the match was played due to age cheating in their under-20 side at the African Youth Championship.

ANA

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Man United complete Depay signing

Manchester United have completed the signing of PSV Eindhoven forward Memphis Depay on a four-year contract.

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London - Manchester United have completed the signing of PSV Eindhoven forward Memphis Depay on a four-year contract, the Premier League club said on Friday.

United announced last month they had reached a deal to sign the 21-year-old Netherlands international for a fee reported to be around 30 million euros.

Depay, who has spent his entire career with PSV, making 124 senior appearances, finished as the Dutch league's top scorer last season with 22 goals in 30 games as Phillip Cocu's side wrapped up their first title in seven seasons.

“This is a dream come true for me; to play for the biggest club in the world and also to have the chance to work with someone who I believe is the best manager in the world, Louis van Gaal,” Depay told the club's website (www.manutd.com).

“I have great belief in my ability and I work hard to strive to achieve my dreams.”

Depay, who can play on the left of a front three or as a central striker, scored two goals at last year's World Cup as the Netherlands finished third under the guidance of United manager Louis van Gaal.

“I know Memphis well from our time working together in the Netherlands national team,” Van Gaal said.

“He is a young versatile player who has the ability to play in a number of different positions.

“It will take time for Memphis to get used to the rhythm of the Premier League but I have no doubt that he has the potential to become a great footballer for this club and he is at the right club to continue the good work he has done so far.”

Reuters

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Interpol suspends Fifa partnership

Interpol has pulled out of a multi-million-euro deal with Fifa to promote “integrity” in sport.

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Interpol on Friday pulled out of a multi-million-euro deal with Fifa to promote “integrity” in sport, as the corruption scandal engulfing the world's football governing body left it increasingly isolated.

The international police organisation announced it was suspending a 10-year partnership deal with Fifa worth 20 million euros ($22 million) for its “Integrity in Sport programme.”

Interpol boss Juergen Stock noted that partners in the programme “must share the fundamental values and principles of the organisation.”

Fifa has been in crisis since May after 14 people connected to Fifa were charged as part of a US investigation into alleged corruption.

The scandal spectacularly brought down Fifa boss Sepp Blatter and has also cast doubt on the fairness of the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, to be staged in Russia and Qatar respectively.

Fifa hit back at Interpol, voicing disappointment at the decision to suspend the partnership agreement, which it called a “success”.

“Our cooperation over the past four years has been a key part of addressing the transnational problem of match fixing,” stressed Fifa.

The programme itself was “unrelated” to the current crisis surrounding the football body, Fifa added, calling for it to resume as soon as possible and adding it was in contact with Interpol to resolve the issue.

The “Integrity in Sport” drive has coordinated global efforts to prevent match fixing and illegal gambling by criminal groups.

Interpol's decision came a day after an educational charity launched by football fan Pope Francis said it would no longer accept money from South American football confederation CONMEBOL.

Scholas Occurrentes had been due to receive a $10,000 donation from CONMEBOL for every goal and penalty kick scored during the Copa America, the South American championship which kicked off Thursday in Chile.

Those indicted in the US investigation include CONMEBOL executive committee members Rafael Esquivel of Venezuela and Jose Maria Marin of Brazil, as well as former federation presidents Eugenio Figueredo of Uruguay and Nicolas Leoz of Paraguay.

In another potential blow for CONMEBOL, Paraguay's Congress voted on Thursday to lift the immunity of its headquarters.

Under a special law, the confederation's building on the outskirts of Asuncion had enjoyed the same immunity as foreign diplomatic missions since it opened in 1997.

And the scandal continues to end careers, with the latest person to fall on his sword being Fifa's director of communications and public affairs Walter De Gregorio, who resigned on Thursday.

De Gregorio reportedly stepped down after making a joke about the crisis on Swiss TV.

Meanwhile, Blatter dismissed a European Parliament demand for him to quit immediately, with a Fifa spokesman saying he intended to continue in office until a successor was appointed, probably by the end of the year.

European lawmakers overwhelmingly called for his immediate resignation - a call Fifa said left it “perplexed”.

The net is closing in on the remaining suspects indicted by the United States after Italian-Argentine businessman Alejandro Burzaco handed himself in to police in Italy on Tuesday.

Brazilian businessman Jose Margulies remains at large, along with father-and-son marketing executives Hugo and Mariano Jinkis.

The Jinkises, owners of sports marketing company Full Play, have asked a federal court to allow them to remain free and said they will not hand themselves in until they have exhausted all legal options, their lawyers said.

AFP

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Midfield key for Bafana

With an inexperienced forward line, Bafana’s men in the middle of the park will have to find a way to get around Gambia’s ‘bus’.

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South Africa will sport a new attack when they face Gambia in the opening round of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban tomorrow.

Following first choice striker Tokelo Rantie’s no-show at the squad’s Durban base this week, Orlando Pirates striker Thamsanqa Gabuza arrived yesterday as a late replacement. The lanky forward has one international game under his belt, which places him at a similar level to the other attackers, Bonginkosi Ntuli, Vuyisile Wana, Gift Motupa and Siphelele Ntshangase. And with him having his first training session with the squad today, it’s unlikely Gabuza would be thrust into the starting XI.

Then again coach Ephraim Mashaba has shown in the past that he is not afraid to place his trust in untested players. He promoted teenage defender Rivaldo Coetzee from the junior national teams, and raised a few eyebrows when Bongani Ndulula was enlisted for the last qualifying competition.

The coach, meanwhile, has cleared up the air over Rantie’s absence and explained Gabuza’s call-up. “Rantie was still busy with his family and wedding things, so we brought in Gabuza. It was a difficult task because other players we called were on holiday in London and Paris,” said Mashaba.

That could be a reference to the other Pirates star, Kermit Erasmus, who is reportedly holidaying in Europe. Erasmus has been on form for Bucs in the league as well as in the CAF Confederations Cup. Gabuza bagged three goals in two matches to help Pirates advance to the Confederations Cup group stage and that earned him this call-up, said Mashaba.

“We tried to get other strikers, but they were on holiday, so we got Gabuza. The good thing is that he’s fit. Current form is one of the main criteria for selection and he’s playing very well.”

The former Golden Arrows forward will be in familiar territory in Durban, however he’ll likely play second fiddle to Ntuli. The Mamelodi Sundowns man showed his potential while on loan at AmaZulu and is the most natural striker among all the attackers. While Mashaba has preferred fielding twin strikers, he suggested one forward could be deployed, supported by an attacking midfield.

Only the group winners qualify for the tournament in Gabon, so it’s crucial to be successful at home.

Mashaba expects Gambia to “park the bus”, and that’s where the Bafana “ball players” are expected to come to the fore and support whoever fronts the attack. “People are talking about Gambia as an easy draw. They will come here and park the bus. It will be difficult to break them down, so regaining possession when we lose it will be important, as well as how to organise and have more bodies behind the ball. Gambia won’t come as sheep to the slaughter. We’ll take the game to them and see their reaction, but if we run like headless chickens we’ll be punished,” warned Mashaba.

The experienced midfield of Thulani Serero, May Mahlangu, Ayanda Patosi, Andile Jali and Oupa Manyisa should make a difference. “We have good midfield players who are fast, skilful and they give us numbers when we are attacking and defending. We won’t make big changes and the strikers will fit into the plan,” said Mashaba.

Mahlangu won’t be short of passion as he returns to the fold after a fall-out with Mashaba late last year when he failed to honour a call-up. The player said “everything was resolved with the coach and Safa” and that he looked forward to winning his place in the side.

Senior goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, who returned to the squad following injury, is likely to lead the side. Like Mahlangu, he too becomes a free agent at the end of the month when he leaves Kaizer Chiefs. Jackson Mabokgwane is set to be the reserve goalkeeper after Brilliant Khuzwayo was laid low by the flu yesterday.

South Africa’s final training session will be at the match venue this morning. - The Star

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Liverpool reject City’s Sterling bid

Manchester City will increase their bid for Raheem Sterling closer to Liverpool’s £50m-plus asking price, after an initial £30m offer was rejected.

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Manchester City will go back to Liverpool with a second, increased bid for Raheem Sterling closer to their £50m-plus asking price, after an initial £30m offer was rejected this week.

The Anfield club are not as trenchantly opposed to a sale as two summers ago when Luis Suarez agitated to leave, but the indication from Merseyside last night was that Sterling is valued at more than £50m. City, whose first bid was £25m plus add-ons, are waiting to discover how much freedom to spend Uefa's relaxed financial fair play rules will allow.

They may not find competition as fierce as has been feared. Real Madrid, who have been touted as potential buyers, feel that the drop in Sterling's form since he was engulfed by contractual controversy calls into question Liverpool's £50m valuation. There is uncertainty at the Bernabeu as to whether Sterling has the mental strength to make a success of a career with Real at this moment, though the Spaniards reason that buying him would not constitute a severe financial risk with a potential high resale value to the Premier League.

Manchester United may enter the fray, though there has been no sense from Old Trafford that Sterling is at the front of their minds either. But it is an open secret that City, who have lost James Milner to Liverpool, are in desperate need of homegrown players and that will be a negotiating factor for Liverpool. The Anfield club have not entirely given up hope of keeping Sterling, but that is starting to look slim. – The Independent

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Liverpool sign Bolton goalkeeper

Liverpool have signed Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Adam Bogdan on a free transfer, the Premier League club said.

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London - Liverpool have signed Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Adam Bogdan on a free transfer, the Premier League club said on Friday.

The 27-year-old Hungary international is out of contract at Championship side Bolton and will join Brendan Rodgers's side on July 1, Liverpool said on their website.

Bogdan becomes Liverpool's third signing of the close season following the arrivals of midfielder James Milner from Manchester City and Burnley striker Danny Ings.

Liverpool boss Rodgers has been looking for a goalkeeper to compete with Simon Mignolet after second choice Brad Jones was released following the expiry of his contract. – Reuters

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Cabaye eyes Premier League return

Yohan Cabaye wants to leave Paris St Germain to help his chances of playing the Euro 2016 finals on home soil, the France midfielder said.

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Yohan Cabaye wants to leave Paris St Germain to help his chances of playing the Euro 2016 finals on home soil, the France midfielder said on Friday.

Asked by French sports daily L'Equipe if he was considering staying at PSG where he has only started 13 Ligue 1 games this season, the former Newcastle United played said: “Not really. I know that if I stay, whatever I'll do, nothing will change.”

Cabaye joined from Newcastle in 2013 but he has failed to settle in at PSG, where Italians Marco Verratti and Thiago Motta or fellow Frenchman Blaise Matuidi is often preferred over him.

Cabaye is now looking to return to the Premier League.

“If there is an opportunity to go back to England, I hope everyone will be smart enough to do things well. But there could be other destinations,” he said.

Cabaye features in the France squad, who were beaten by Belgium 4-3 at the Stade de France in a friendly last Sunday, and travel to Albania on Saturday. – Reuters

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City’s £30m Sterling bid

Manchester City launched their summer spending spree with an opening bid of £30million for Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling.

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Manchester City launched their summer spending spree with an opening bid of £30million for Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling.

The offer was instantly rejected by the Anfield club, who are known to value the 20-year-old at closer to £60m. City are expected to return with an improved bid but are reluctant to meet Liverpool’s valuation.

However, the Merseysiders will no doubt refer City to the words of their manager Manuel Pellegrini, who told Sportsmail in March: ‘Can you get Raheem Sterling? Maybe if you go to Liverpool with £100m you can.’

Sterling has refused to sign a new contract at Liverpool and his agent Aidy Ward has made it clear the England international has no intention of staying.

City made their approach earlier this week, with a package of £25m up front and £5m in add-ons.

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard this week called on Sterling to commit himself to Liverpool and fulfil his potential at Anfield rather than risk becoming a squad player at City or another big club.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has vowed to spend big this summer with Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba and Wolfsburg’s Kevin de Bruyne also high on their wishlist.

‘We’re a club players want to play for,’ said Al Mubarak. ‘We had to pay big premiums for players when we weren’t in Europe. We’re in a different position. We’re an institution today.’ – Daily Mail

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Vidal gets Chile off to winning start

Second-half goals from Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas gave hosts Chile a 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the opening match of the Copa America.

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Santiago - Second-half goals from Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas gave hosts Chile a 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the opening match of the Copa America.

Vidal scored from the penalty spot in the 67th minute after being pulled down by Miller Bolanos before Vargas latched on to a pass from Alexis Sanchez to double Chile's lead with a low right-foot shot six minutes from time.

Ecuador's best chance came from an Enner Valencia header that bounced back off the crossbar with the score still at 1-0.

Despite their victory, the Chileans created very little for much of the tie and will need to improve if they are realize their hope of a first Copa America title at the 37th attempt.

They face Mexico in their next match on Monday.

The Mexicans take on Bolivia on Friday in their Group A opener before heavyweights Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, the defending champions, get their campaigns underway over their weekend.

Sanchez could have had two goals inside the first four minutes at Santiago's national stadium but scuffed his first effort and then failed to beat goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez with a lob.

With the match goalless at halftime, Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli threw on Napoli striker Vargas in a bid to break the deadlock.

The change seemed to breathe life into the Chilean front line and they gradually took control as the game opened up before running out deserved winners.

Chile's win extended their fine run against the Ecuadorians at the Copa America.

In 14 encounters dating back to 1939, Chile have won 12 and found the back of the net on all 14 occasions. They have no better record against any other side in the tournament.

Ecuador have now won only one of their last 16 Copa matches in a dismal run dating back to 1999. They face Bolivia next. – Reuters

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Blatter staying until new chief is named

Sepp Blatter has dismissed a European Parliament demand for him to leave Fifa immediately.

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Brussels - Fifa president Sepp Blatter on Thursday ruled out a European Parliament demand for him to quit immediately, but one of his top lieutenants did resign from the embattled organisation.

Blatter, who resigned last week despite being re-elected as head of football's world governing body, which has been consumed by an ever-widening corruption probe, intends to continue in office until a successor is designated, probably by the end of the year.

“Fifa is perplexed by the European Parliament's resolution,” a Fifa spokesman said.

“As is well known, following his re-election, the Fifa president already decided, owing to the special circumstances in which Fifa finds itself, to lay down his mandate at an extraordinary elective Congress.”

The European Parliament had called on Blatter to step down immediately and allow for an interim leader to launch reforms in global football's governing body.

In a show of hands, members of parliament overwhelmingly voted for the resolution in Strasbourg, France.

The Fifa spokesman added: “The president is focused on ensuring that at this Congress, which he is demanding, imperative reforms are passed and a new president elected.”

The date for that congress will be set at an executive committee meeting in Zurich on July 20.

Meanwhile, Fifa director of communications and public affairs Walter De Gregorio resigned from his position with immediate effect.

Nicolas Maingot, his deputy, has been named as an interim replacement for De Gregorio.

De Gregorio, who Fifa said will continue to serve “on a consultancy basis” until the end of the year, had been in the position since 2011 and was present when Blatter announced his resignation on June 2.

“Walter has worked incredibly hard for the past four years and we are immensely grateful for all he has done. I am glad we will be able to continue to draw on his expertise until the end of the year,” Fifa Secretary General Jerome Valcke said in the statement.

Some media reports suggested that De Gregorio had fallen on his sword after making a joke about the Fifa crisis on Swiss TV.

It was claimed De Gregorio joked to an interviewer: “The Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, the director of communications and the general secretary are all sitting in a car - who is driving? The police.”

Two Argentine businessmen wanted on US charges of bribing Fifa officials refuse to surrender and demand they be allowed to remain free while they fight extradition.

Father and son marketing executives Hugo and Mariano Jinkis are in Argentina but are asking a federal court to allow them to remain free and will not hand themselves in unless they exhaust all legal options, said lawyers Jorge Anzorreguy and Francisco Castex.

The Jinkises, the owners of sports marketing company Full Play, are among the 14 football officials and marketing executives indicted by the United States.

They are among the last suspects still at large, along with Brazilian businessman Jose Margulies.

A fourth, Italian-Argentine businessman Alejandro Burzaco, handed himself in to police in Italy on Tuesday and is under house arrest.

Football's governing body has been in the grip of a crisis since the end of May when 14 current or former Fifa officials and sports marketing executives were charged following a wave of arrests in Zurich as part of a US investigation into alleged corruption.

The scandal has also cast doubts on the fairness of the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to be staged in Russia and Qatar respectively.

But Qatar won support from Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) foreign ministers who hit out at the “hateful campaign” directed against the 2022 World Cup.

AFP

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United fancy Real’s Benzema

Manchester United would like to bolster their attacking options by bringing in Karem Benzema from Real Madrid.

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Real Madrid will move for Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea within days and believe signing him is a foregone conclusion, despite being unwilling to meet United's request for Karim Benzema as part of the deal.

Real have been waiting for De Gea to conclude his duties with the Spain national team in Belarus on Sunday before stepping up their attempt to secure his services. But with new coach Rafael Benitez not wanting to have both Iker Casillas and De Gea on his hands, it emerged yesterday that Real have agreed to pay Casillas to leave the Bernabeu.

Seeing the Real stalwart out of the door represents a first victory for Benitez, whose new employers have agreed to make up the difference between whatever contract Casillas can find next and what he would earn by staying. Casillas's acknowledgement that his Real days are over came as a surprise. Benitez was of the belief when he arrived that the 34-year-old keeper would dig his heels in and hold on.

Though United want Benzema to form part of the transaction, with manager Louis van Gaal enthusiastic about bolstering his striking options, there are several impediments to the French forward moving in the opposite direction. Foremost among them is the reluctance of Real's president, Florentino Perez, to see him go. Perez has an emotional attachment to Benzema, based on him being one of the five players he signed to mark his return as president in 2009. That may outweigh the fact that the striker has finished the last two seasons unfit and unable to contribute fully.

Benzema would also only leave the Bernabeu if asked to go, though United may benefit from their own particularly close relationship with his agent, Karim Djaziri, which goes back a number of years. Djaziri and the former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson were very close - and remain in contact - and Djaziri has claimed in the past that the only club Benzema would leave Real for is United.

The complications over Benzema do not rule out the possibility of a Real player heading in United's direction. They are as eager to sign Gareth Bale as they were in 2013 when David Moyes had just taken over from Ferguson. Publicly, the line is that Bale stays put at Real, though the prospect of him forming part of the deal is not entirely out of the question. United certainly have the financial muscle to make the package attractive enough.

Where De Gea is concerned, it seems unlikely that United will be able to persuade him to stay. Two months ago, it appeared that United's quiet overtures and vast contract offer had been enough to secure him for a further season. But come the end of the Premier League campaign, with life in Manchester out of mind, the draw of Madrid appears to have been simply too strong. – The Independent

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Bafana’s attack a worry

Lack of firepower may cost Bafana Bafana as they face tough Gambia test in their Afcon qualifier.

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Durban – The lightweight South African attack will have their work cut out as they prepare to face a Gambian side on the rise in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations Group M qualifiers in Durban on Saturday.

For the third day of the camp there was no sign of leading striker Tokelo Rantie who was given permission to arrive late following his weekend nuptials.

The Bafana Bafana management were expected to release a statement last night confirming the player’s status, although with two training sessions left it seems unlikely that he will feature in the game.

That leaves coach Ephraim Mashaba with an inexperienced arsenal of Bonginkosi Ntuli, Vuyisile Wana, Gift Motupa and Siphelele Ntshangase. The latter pair played in the First Division and failed to reach double digits in the scorers’ chart, while the other two were relegated from the PSL.

Thirteen members of this squad featured at the last edition of the Nations Cup earlier this year. Rantie was the only forward selected, after Bernard Parker and Bongani Ndulula fell off the coach’s radar.

In contrast the Scorpions of Gambia are growing in confidence as they attempt to qualify for their first Nations Cup.

Building from scratch after a two-year ban for age cheating, Gambia last month appointed Swiss coach Raoul Savoy and enlisted mostly European-based professionals. Their attack is likely to be fronted by England-based duo Mustapha Carayol and Barrow Modou who made their international debut in a 1-1 draw with Uganda in Kampala this week.

Before this come-from-behind draw Gambia beat fellow Group M opponents Mauritania 1-0 in a March friendly on their return to international football. Whatever Mashaba and company hope to learn about this newly assembled Gambian side they will need to glean from Tuesday’s friendly. That the side ranked 160 drew with a Uganda outfit placed two spots behind South Africa at 71, suggests they have enough to surprise Bafana Bafana.

While the home defence is fairly stable with regular faces Anele Ngcongca, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thulani Hlatshwayo and goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, they could come unstuck if the lightweight attack fails to ignite against a team that will likely spoil for a draw.

The Gambians can play too, warned former University of Pretoria and Supersport United striker Brian Umony who created Uganda’s second half goal which was cancelled by Omar Jagne, a Sweden-based striker.

“I think South Africa will have a tough one. I saw a mature, well-drilled team, tough to beat. They are good passers and keep the ball well. Their midfield is good, particularly the No10, but I don’t know their names. And their wingers are full of pace, good at one-on-ones.”

Despite those words of caution, Umony believes South Africa will win if they play to their potential and exploit Gambia’s weakness at left-back. “They lack creativity and innovation in front of goal.

“And their left-back is a weak point. They might surprise, though. Most play professional football in Europe. They are quite tall and slender just like the Senegalese. But we were poor also. We lacked intensity and co-ordination. Maybe that is why they appeared tough for us to beat. It’s a decent side, Gambia, but nothing really special,” Umony added.

Although the South African attack lacks depth, the experienced midfield should have the beating of Gambia, notwithstanding the absence of injured captain Dean Furman. Mashaba focused on attacking midfield drills at training this week where the likes of Thulani Serero, Andile Jali and Thuso Phala featured prominently. Orlando Pirates midfielder Oupa Manyisa, who missed two days training because of tight muscles, was fully involved in yesterday’s People’s Park work-out.

The other Group M match will see Cameroon hosting Mauritania on Sunday.- The Star

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Soccer cup set to ease stadium woes

A three-year deal to host the inaugural Cape Town Cup soccer tournament at the Cape Town Stadium, will net the city about R200 million in cumulative value.

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A three-year deal to host the inaugural Cape Town Cup soccer tournament at the Cape Town Stadium, with international teams, will net the city about R200 million in cumulative value.

Garreth Bloor, mayoral committee member for tourism, events and economic development, said the event was critical for the economy and the long-term sustainability of the stadium.

“Events play a pivotal role in generating visitor expenditure and growing our local economy. In addition, soccer is a unifying sport and events like these bring residents from all walks of life together,” said Bloor.

The four teams which will compete in the tournament are Ajax Cape Town (as hosts), SuperSport United, Crystal Palace from England, and Portugal’s Sporting Clube de Portugal.

The tournament will take place on July 24 and 26.

Anton Groenewald, the city’s executive director of tourism, events and economic development, said the hosting of a pre-season tournament with international teams was part of the city’s strategy to make the stadium and Cape Town an attractive option even for the off-peak winter period.

“We are working to get global (media) coverage of the Cape Town Cup so that we can position this iconic stadium, and Cape Town as the events capital in Africa.”

He said it was estimated that eight to 12 percent of the tickets would be sold to spectators from outside of South Africa.

Work is under way on lifting legislative restrictions that prevent the stadium from being used for commercial activities.

The stadium, which cost R4.5 billion to build for the 2010 World Cup, has been running at a loss since Sail de France pulled out of its contract to manage the venue.

Phil Alexander, of Crystal Palace, said yesterday at Cape Town Stadium that he would be bringing a strong team to contest the Cape Town Cup next month.

Crystal Palace will play against SuperSport FC in the opener at 5.45pm. Sporting Clube de Portugal and Ajax will play at 8.15pm in the evening’s second match.

The tournament will resume on Sunday, July 26, with the losing teams from Friday’s double-header playing each other at 1pm. The final, featuring the winning teams, will take place at 3.30pm.

When asked if the London-based football club would contribute in any way to improving Cape Town Stadium’s financial outlook, given that the venue is running at asubstantial annual loss, Alexander said: “We are coming. We will be playing our part by coming along (to the tournament).”

Ari Efstathiou, chief executive officer of Ajax Cape Town, said the city had embraced football and worked for 18 months to get the project approved, despite huge challenges. “We are very excited to take part and there is no doubt it will be a fantastic occasion.”

Ticket prices ranging from R200 to R400 for the double-headers on the Friday and the Sunday have remained unchanged since Manchester City played against Ajax at Cape Town Stadium in 2012.

Cape Town struck a deal with Ajax last year for Cape Town Stadium to be the club’s homeground for the next three seasons.

The city carries the stadium’s direct cost of R3m as well as service costs for these games. In turn, the sales from the games is paid to the city until the R3m in direct costs has been recouped. - Cape Argus

anel.lewis@inl.co.za

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City vow to splash the cash

Manchester City will be back among the big spenders this summer after chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak promised that the club will be ruthless in their pursuit of success.

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Manchester City will be back among the big spenders this summer after chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak promised that the club will be ruthless in their pursuit of success.

Liverpool contract rebel Raheem Sterling, Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba and Wolfsburg winger Kevin De Bruyne are some of the star names on City’s radar to replace those who will be shown the door after a disappointing season.

The club’s super-rich Abu Dhabi owners are now free of the Financial Fair Play restrictions that limited their spending last summer, and Al Mubarak warned his rivals that City will be a different proposition next season.

He said: ‘I can assure you this squad will be stronger and the team will be more competitive. I am confident and excited about what is coming next year.‘We want to go to the next level with a squad that has the capability and quality to win the Premier League and compete in and win the Champions League and go all the way in the two cup competitions in England. You will see some changes. Some players who have served us well will move on to the next challenges, while you will see us in the market bringing high-quality individuals to fit in.

‘I want the disappointment of last year behind me and behind us all. We have all turned the page and the energy right now is positive energy to getting back on track and winning back the Premier League and getting a better performance in the Champions League.‘That is absolutely what is driving us right now. I think it was a disappointing season as far as I am concerned. Disappointing for everyone involved with the club — Sheikh Mansour, myself, the board, the management team, Manuel (Pellegrini), the players and of course above all the fans.‘I think to end the season empty-handed, this is not what we have built here.’

Pellgrini will keep his job but Edin Dzeko, Samir Nasri, Stevan Jovetic and Aleksandar Kolarov are among those players who could be offloaded to make way for new signings.Sterling and Pogba are both valued in excess of £50million by their clubs, while Wolfsburg would demand £40m for De Bruyne.

Al Mubarak warned that City are ready to flex their financial muscle in the transfer market again and are now an attractive proposition for all the top players.

He told citytv: ‘I think this year will be an aggressive market. I expect it will be a huge market this summer from what I have heard and sensed so far and we haven’t even started.‘Today I think we’re definitely in a different competitive position. We’re a club players want to come to play for. We’re an institution today and we can compete with all the top clubs.’ – Daily Mail

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McClaren named Newcastle boss

Former England manager Steve McClaren was appointed Newcastle United head coach after the club earlier said interim boss John Carver and his assistant Steve Stone had left.

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Former England manager Steve McClaren was appointed Newcastle United head coach after the club earlier said interim boss John Carver and his assistant Steve Stone had left.

The 54-year-old McClaren, who was in charge of Newcastle's north-east rivals Middlesbrough from 2001-06 before taking over as England boss, has agreed an initial three-year deal that could be extended to eight.

“I am privileged to be appointed head coach of Newcastle United,” McClaren said on the club website (www.nufc.co.uk).

“St James' Park is like a cathedral on a Saturday afternoon, a symbol for the city and I am excited to be given this opportunity.”

McClaren arrives at Newcastle after two seasons at Derby County, which ended in disappointment when they failed to make the Championship (second tier) promotion playoffs last month.

He was an unsuccessful manager of England, failing to qualify for the 2008 European Championship finals after replacing Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The Yorkshireman re-established his reputation, however, while working in the Netherlands with Twente Enschede.

“From my first meeting with Steve I knew he was the perfect fit for Newcastle United,” said Newcastle's managing director Lee Charnley.

“I am delighted that we have secured the services of one of the best coaches in English football.”

McClaren faces a major rebuilding job at a club that narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League after a dreadful second half of the season.

Long-serving coach Carver was handed the reins at the turn of the year following Alan Pardew's move to Crystal Palace, but the team won only three games under his stewardship.

Despite keeping Newcastle in the top flight, Carver's long association with the club ended on Wednesday.

“After discussions with John it was mutually agreed that in the best interests of the club moving forward, and to enable the new head coach to build his own coaching team, we would go our separate ways,” Charnley said.

“He is a man of great character and dignity and will always be welcome at Newcastle United. We wish him every success in the future,” he added in a statement.

Carver said: “It has been a privilege to serve as head coach of this great football club. The fans and the region deserve a successful team and both myself and my support staff worked very hard with the squad that was available to us.”

Stone, a former England international, had been a coach at the club since 2010. – Reuters

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