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Sherwood’s target - avoid relegation

The mantra is still very much “safety first” for Aston Villa in Tim Sherwood's first full season in charge of the West Midlands club.

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The mantra is still very much “safety first” for Aston Villa in Tim Sherwood's first full season in charge of the West Midlands club with the windfall from the Premier League's bumper television rights deal set to kick in from 2016.

Villa escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, finishing 17th on 38 points - their worst performance since 1994-95 - and Sherwood believes avoiding the drop rather than trying to push for major honours will continue to be the club's top priority in the new season.

“We need to stay in the league obviously,” said the manager, who lost two key players in Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph during the summer transfers.

“We know it's a tough ride ahead.”

The clubs that avoid relegation this season will benefit from the record television rights deal that comes into effect from next season.

The 5.14 billion pounds ($7.97 billion) agreement with Sky and BT Sports will boost even the lowest-ranked club's income by millions of pounds.

Sherwood has brought in nine players during the summer to plug the gaps in his squad, including former England and Manchester City defender Micah Richards and Ghana striker Jordan Ayew from French club Lorient.

“An improvement on last year is what we're looking for,” Sherwood was quoted as saying by the Bournemouth Echo.

“It won't be hard to improve because we were the worst team left in the league. We need to consolidate and improve again.”

Villa reached the final of the FA Cup last season where they lost to Arsenal, and while Sherwood feels “another couple of appearances at Wembley would be nice”, the manager is wary of setting too many targets.

“There's a balance that we need to get. We've signed a lot of new players and lost some very important players to our team,” the 46-year-old Sherwood added.

“It was a needs-must, we needed to bring in and hopefully we can get them to gel.” – Reuters

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Wilshere’s anxious wait

Jack Wilshere faces another period out of action after a hairline crack in his fibula was detected following a training ground injury.

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Jack Wilshere faces another period out of action after a hairline crack in his fibula was detected following a training ground injury on Saturday.

He missed five months of last season, from the end of November to the start of May, and now the England midfielder must endure another period of uncertainty while he waits to find out the extent of this injury.

It is the same left ankle that he had surgery on following Paddy McNair's tackle on him in November when he damaged ligaments. The best case scenario is that Wilshere will not require surgery this time and could be back training again within four weeks.

There is a risk that it could be much longer. He has been sent on holiday by the club for a few days and they hope to have a clearer view of his situation when he returns.

Either way, it is a huge blow for the 23-year-old who hit his stride with England at the end of last season, scoring twice in the 3-2 win in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia in June. He had looked sharp in pre-season.

Wilshere will miss England's qualifiers in September against San Marino and Switzerland.

Arsène Wenger said on the club's website: “I had a bad surprise because it is a hairline crack in his fibula that makes him a few weeks out. There is minimal damage apart from the bone damage - there is no damage at all apart from that. It was a collision in training and it was all completely accidental.”

Wishere’s injury woes:

Oct 2009 Ankle (missed five weeks)

Jan 2010 Hamstring (five wks)

Nov 2010 Back (10 days)

Aug 2011 Ankle (15 months)

Feb 2013 Hip (week)

Mar 2013 Ankle (five weeks)

May 2013 Ankle (seven weeks)

Oct 2013 Ankle (two weeks)

Jan 2014 Ankle (two weeks)

Mar 2014 Ankle (two months)

Oct 2014 Ankle (two weeks)

Nov 2014 Ankle (five months) – The Independent

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English Premier league sesaon returns

The Premier League is undoubtedly one of the most exciting in world football and will embark on its 24th season on August 8.

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London - England's Premier League is undoubtedly one of the most exciting in world football but as it embarks on its 24th season on August 8 is it also becoming one of the most predictable?

Last term only Newcastle United and Everton, both of whom dropped down the table, moved more than four places either way, while two of the three promoted clubs went straight back down.

Clubs outside the top six will aim to avoid relegation which will be more important than ever with a lucrative three-year domestic television deal, worth over five billion pounds ($7.77 billion), strting in 12 months' time.

Overseas TV rights will add half as much again, making the struggle to stay up intense.

While the usual suspects are expected to contest the title, however, none of them have managed to win it for two years in a row since Manchester United completed a hat-trick in 2009 under Alex Ferguson.

Since the Scot retired in 2013, the Old Trafford club have not been in serious contention to add to their record 20 championships, finishing seventh and fourth.

They have spent vast amounts of money in that time, with only mixed success, and during the close season Louis Van Gaal has continued to revamp his squad.

Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich and Southampton's Frenchman Morgan Schneiderlin will improve the midfield options and allow the Dutchman to use Wayne Rooney in his best position, further forward.

By the end of the season Rooney should have overtaken Bobby Charlton's records as record scorer for England and United.

He will be more interested in whether United have regained the title from Chelsea, who led the table from the third match of last season and finished eight points clear of the previous season's champions Manchester City.

On the day in May that Jose Mourinho's side made sure they could not be caught, television pundit and former United defender Gary Neville told viewers, “the rest are absolutely miles behind this Chelsea team”.

United, City, Arsenal and Liverpool will all believe they have reduced the gap after a transfer window in which the champions have so far been comparatively quiet.

Other than bringing in Asmir Begovic from Stoke to replace Petr Cech as second-choice goalkeeper, Mourinho's only notable signing has been Colombia striker Radamel Falcao, who failed to live up to his reputation at United last season.

He impressed Chelsea's captain John Terry when scoring a hat-trick against the Londond club for Atletico Madrid in the 2012 Uefa Super Cup final and, like United, they have now taken him on loan from Monaco, while hoping for a better return.

City scored 10 goals more than Chelsea last season and hope to outscore them again after paying a fee that could rise to 49 million pounds ($76.16 million) for England's Raheem Sterling.

Their total of 83 goals was 31 more than Liverpool, which explains why Brendan Rodgers made forwards his priority and signed Christian Benteke from Aston Villa, Hoffenheim's Brazil striker Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings from relegated Burnley.

Arsenal's Arsene Wenger has felt less need to strengthen a squad that retained the FA Cup and returned to the top three, although experienced former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech will doubtless save them plenty of points.

Newcomers Watford, Bournemouth and Norwich City will inevitably be tipped as relegation fodder but Villa, Sunderland and Leicester City, all heavily involved in the scrap to avoid the drop last term, cannot expect much more than mere survival. – Reuters

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PSG completes Di Maria signing

Paris St Germain boosted their attacking options with the signing of Argentine winger Angel Di Maria from Manchester United.

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Paris - Paris St Germain boosted their Champions League prospects by adding significant weight to their attacking options with the signing of Argentina winger Angel Di Maria from Manchester United on Thursday.

The French champions, who had their Financial Fair Play restrictions lifted by UEFA last month, have paid 63 million euros for Di Maria according to local media reports.

The fee is just short of the 64 million euros ($69.89 million) Ligue 1 record set by PSG when they bought Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani and the more than 60 million that Monaco paid for Colombia striker Radamel Falcao in 2013.

“I know that PSG has a very important, very good project to win the Champions League... this is what I share with it. I want to bring the maximum to go beyond the quarter-finals,” Di Maria told a news conference at his unveiling in Paris.

PSG have failed to get past the last eight in the Champions League for the last three seasons but with former Real Madrid winger Di Maria, Laurent Blanc's side will hope to go further.

“We have the right team to do better, to win the Champions League,” said PSG president Nasser al Khelaifi. “We know it's very tough but we want to try and win it, especially now that we have one more player that has won the Champions league.”

The 27-year-old Di Maria, who was looking to end a disappointing stint at United, could partner fellow Argentine Javier Pastore, the duo having been impressive in helping their country reach the final at this year's Copa America.

Di Maria is expected to play on the left wing, which would send Cavani to the right flank with Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing as a lone striker.

Neither Ibrahimovic nor Cavani have won the Champions League but Di Maria was man of the match in the 2014 final when Real Madrid lifted the trophy with a 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid.

He was also instrumental in Argentina's campaign at the 2014 World Cup, where the Albiceleste reached the final.

After an impressive start at Old Trafford last season, with three goals in his first four games, he suffered a two-month injury layoff and failed to score again in the league.

Towards the end of the season he was regularly left out by manager Louis Van Gaal, who became resigned to the club taking a heavy loss on the Argentine after shelling out a British record fee of almost 60 million pounds 12 months ago.

Di Maria did not join United's pre-season tour of the United States and on Monday travelled to Doha, Qatar, where PSG's owners are based, before finalising the deal.

Reuters

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Bafana plummet further in rankings

Bafana Bafana continued their steady decline in the Fifa World rankings to number 72 in the world.

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Johannesburg – Bafana Bafana continued their steady decline in the Fifa World rankings to number 72 in the world.

The rankings which were released on Thursday, also showed a drop to 17th in the African rankings for South Africa.

Bafana’s next assignment is against Mauritania on September 4 in their Afcon 2017 qualifying match.

Bafana’s best-ever ranking was 19th in the world back in 1996, but are now moving towards their worst ranking of 93rd they held in 1993.

Fifa World Rankings:

1. Argentina

2. Belgium

3. Germany

4. Colombia

5. Brazil

6. Portugal

7. Romania

8. England

9. Wales

10. Chile

72. South Africa

CAF Rankings:

1. Algeria

2. Ivory Coast

3. Ghana

4. Tunisia

5. Senegal

6. Cameroon

7. Congo

8. Cape Verde Islands

9. Egypt

10. Nigeria

17. South Africa - ANA

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Stones unsettled after Chelsea bid

Everton's centre-back John Stones has been unsettled by the interest shown in him by Premier League champions Chelsea.

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Everton's England centre-back John Stones has been unsettled by the interest shown in him by Premier League champions Chelsea, his manager Roberto Martinez admitted on Thursday.

Everton are reported to have rejected bids of £20 million ($31.2 million, 28.6 million euros) and £26 million for Stones from Chelsea and Martinez is adamant that the 21-year-old will not be sold.

Asked if the situation had affected Stones, Martinez told a press conference: “Yes, and it is something where you hope you learn from it and you get more mature and those experiences are good experiences.

“Clearly John is one of the outstanding young talents that we have in the squad and you are going to get that sort of interest from the outside.

“But all we are focused on is (Saturday's Premier League home match against) Watford. John is an Everton player and there is nothing else to comment on that.”

On the prospect of Chelsea returning with a third bid, Martinez said: “You shouldn't worry about situations you cannot affect or control.

“I said from the beginning – when you are not a club that is trying actively to sell players, the focus is just to try to be as good as we can at the weekend and see how ready we are individually and as a team.

“Everything else is stuff that does not bother me now at all.” – AFP

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PSL preview - who'll challenge, who won't

Cape Times soccer writer Rodney Reiners looks at the how the 16 clubs in the PSL could possibly fare this season.

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Ajax Cape Town offered an early indication of intent when they qualified for the semi-finals of the season-opening MTN8 Cup competition on Tuesday night, but the big question is always whether they can maintain this level of form and of consistency.

The Cape club knocked out Orlando Pirates 1-0 in a Cup quarter-final in Soweto – and now faces Wits in Joburg when the new Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign kicks off on Saturday.

While short-term Cup glory is always good for status, financial stability and bragging rights, a football club is measured by its league success.

Winning the championship is about consistency over a 10-month period, which is why it’s inevitably the teams with the greater spending power and concomitant squad depth and quality who end up as ubiquitous title-challengers.

In the PSL, that usually translates to the “Big Three” – Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates – and, more recently, because of financial muscle, Wits and SuperSport United.

Ajax are adamant that their route to success will always be grounded in their youth development programme. Year after year, they introduce fresh, young talent onto the domestic football scene. The Capetonians harbour a dream of winning the PSL title with a squad made up of predominantly home-grown players. They’ve gone close on a few occasions – and, in the current squad, they certainly have the makings of a squad that could challenge.

Here’s a look at the how the 16 clubs in the top-flight PSL could possibly fare this season:

Title contenders:

Kaizer Chiefs

Defending champions, a top-class squad, the best supported club in the country and the return of charismatic goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, on the surface it would appear that everything points to another Amakhosi title. But, and it’s a big but, the loss of inspirational and influential coach Stuart Baxter is certain to have an effect. Chiefs’ success this season all revolves around how the new man in charge, Steve Komphela, goes about his business.

Mamelodi Sundowns

The PSL’s big-spenders, needless to say, Sundowns will always be among the challengers for the championship. Runners-up last season and title-winners the season before, the country’s “Chelsea” will be determined to regain their status as champions. No need to talk about their squad… as always, they will have a bloated but quality outfit.

Orlando Pirates

Having played second fiddle to rivals Chiefs and Sundowns in recent seasons, Pirates will be desperate to make their voices heard at the top of the table once again. Sadly, though, the irony of the situation is that their fantastic run in continental inter-club competitions has been the biggest stumbling block to domestic success. This season, they are riding high in the CAF Confederations Cup – and a title-charge could well depend on how they recover from their African exertions.

Wits

Ambition drives Wits. Three seasons ago, the Joburg club dispensed with its development tag and made no secret of the fact that they wanted to be a title-challenging team. Gavin Hunt was the coach employed to deliver the success Wits have dreamt about – and, after a bedding-in period, this looks like being the make-or-break season.

SuperSport United

Wherever Gordon Igesund goes, talk of title success is never far behind. The coach with the Midas touch in the PSL has now made his intentions at SuperSport unequivocal: They will be right in there and challenging. The strengthening of the squad definitely sends out a strong message – ex-Santos forward Fagrie Lakay, former Bafana captain Bongani Khumalo, New Zealander Michael Boxall and Australian Isaka Cernak. The team to watch!

Outside shot

Ajax Cape Town

Established in 1999, Ajax are yet to win the PSL title. Often criticised for being a selling club, the new owners have made a point of hanging on to their star youngsters this season. It’s no secret they would love to win the title and, in Roger de Sa, they have on board a coach who perfectly suits their ambition. The Cape club could even have been a little higher in this article, among the title-contenders, but the lack of a big, physical and aerially-strong central defender will always be a weakness against certain teams. If they can plug that hole, then don’t be surprised if they surprise the above-mentioned five.

Happy with Top Eight spot

Bloemfontein Celtic

The Free State side’s fantastic home form is always a factor. This allows them to always be in the top half of the table. This season should be no different, especially after return of coach Clinton Larsen, who seems to have the knack of getting the best of Celtic’s squad.

Platinum Stars

A solid, reliable squad, coupled with a shrewd coach in Cavin Johnson, Platinum are always there and thereabouts. They are difficult to beat and always highly competitive – but a top-eight place is the best they can hope for.

Middle of the roaders

Mpumalanga Black Aces

Narrowly avoided relegation last season, but the appointment of Muhsin Ertugral as coach will see drastic improvement at Aces. The Turk is one of the most respected mentors in the PSL and, a glance at his record at other clubs, proves that he usually turns things round quickly.

Polokwane City

The Limpopo Province team was the toast of the PSL season. They played some stunning football, based on an all-out attack approach. Cole Alexander, the Mitchell’s Plain midfielder, ran things with aplomb as Polokwane combined energy and purpose in one exciting package. Serbian coach Kosta Papic will, no doubt, be looking for more of the same – but, now that everybody knows what they are all about, the element of surprise is lost.

Maritzburg United

Maritzburg are a bit of an unknown quantity this season after the departure of Steve Komphela to join Kaizer Chiefs. His erstwhile assistant, Mandla Ncikazi, has taken over – and it remains to be seen how the new coach responds to the added responsibility. On the plus side, Maritzburg are, however, always competitive and organised – and they should safely survive.

Free State Stars

Another club that flirted with relegation last season and, thanks to a string of wins towards the end, managed to avoid the drop. The Free Staters would have learnt valuable lessons from the experience – and would have strengthened accordingly. They won’t be in the top bracket, but they’ll pick up the points to keep them safe.

The relegation scrap

University of Pretoria

Usually, Tuks would probably be a little higher than this, because they always a cohesive unit, but a disappointing time of it during the last campaign means they could well struggle again. While they have added a number of new players this season, time will tell whether they have enough.

Chippa United

A club with massive potential, but always allows everything to unravel because there’s never any consistency. Be it the constant changing of coaches or the regular turnover of players, Chippa are often their own worst enemy. If they can keep things normal, then they could do well… but if, as expected, they run out of patience with coaches and players, then they’ll probably struggle again.

Jomo Cosmos

Newly-promoted, the club owned and coached by local football legend Jomo Sono has it all to do. The gap between the PSL and the NFD is difficult to bridge, which is why promoted clubs always battle to get going. Cosmos have yo-yoed up and down the divisions – and, this season, it looks that way again.

Golden Arrows

Champions of the NFD last season, Arrows are determined to ensure that they don’t go right back down again. A new coach in Serame Letsoaka, who was Gordon Igesund’s assistant at Bafana Bafana, the Durban club will bring its usual short-passing, street-style game to bear on the PSL. But, as mentioned, the jump from NFD to PSL brings with it many challenges – and Arrows have it all to do. - Cape Times

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Lukaku fitness worry for Toffees

Everton manager Roberto Martinez said the club will know in the next 48 hours if Romelu Lukaku will be fit to face Watford in their Premier League opener.

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Everton are fretting on Romelu Lukaku's injury and manager Roberto Martinez said the club will know in the next 48 hours if the Belgian forward will be fit to face Watford in their Premier League opener on Saturday.

The 22-year-old picked up the injury in a pre-season match against Dundee United and Martinez said the club will wait to see if he was available for their home match.

Defender John Stones, who has been strongly linked with a move to champions Chelsea, and Kevin Mirallas are expected to shake off their injuries while new signing Gerard Deulofeu also has not been ruled out, the manager added.

“Gerard Deulofeu could be available for the weekend. I also expect Kevin Mirallas and John Stones to be fit,” Martinez told reporters on Thursday.

Turkish side Fenerbahce has made an offer of 8 million euros ($8.71 million) for Belgian international Mirallas, according to reports in the Turkish media, who have quoted a board member of the club as saying.

Former Wigan Athletic manager Martinez wants to bring in three more players to strengthen his squad.

“Pre-season has been a positive period and we've given youngsters an opportunity. We need to bring more three players into the squad,” Martinez said.

“We will never bring a player in for the sake of it and to fill a position. We are looking for the right characteristics.” – Reuters

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Memphis eyes iconic No7 jersey

New Manchester United signing Memphis Depay has asked to wear the club’s fabled No 7 shirt this season.

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New Manchester United signing Memphis Depay has asked to wear the club’s fabled No 7 shirt this season.

The young forward has volunteered to take the iconic jersey made famous by George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo — and about to be vacated by the outgoing Angel di Maria.

It is understood that United manager Louis van Gaal is yet to tell his squad their numbers.

The No 9 shirt is also available but Van Gaal has been impressed by Depay’s request, seeing it as an indication of the Holland forward’s ambition and confidence.

If Di Maria is sold to French side Paris Saint-Germain in time for tomorrow’s noon Barclays Premier League deadline for squad numbers, Depay could well get the shirt. And if he does, the 21-year-old will hope to break the curse of recent No 7 flops at Old Trafford.

Di Maria’s spell at Old Trafford has been a complete disaster in the wake of his club record £59million transfer from Real Madrid last August. He took the shirt from Antonio Valencia — who agreed to move to No 25 — and before that the injury-plagued Michael Owen carried the number.

Some have already suggested Depay could one day have a similar impact to that of Ronaldo at Old Trafford. Taking the shirt worn by the great United forward, however, would only increase the pressure to perform in his debut season.

Di Maria’s £44m switch to PSG is still not complete. When it does go through, however, Barcelona wide man Pedro is expected to move to Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, following last night’s Champions League third qualifying round matches, United know that they will face either CSKA Moscow, Lazio, Club Brugge, Monaco or Rapid Vienna in the play-off round, the draw for which takes place tomorrow. – Daily Mail

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Anothery injury blow for Wilshere

Jack Wilshere is set for another long-term lay-off after it emerged that his latest injury is worse than feared.

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Jack Wilshere is set for another heartbreaking long-term lay-off after it emerged that his latest injury is worse than feared.

In a devastating blow to the Arsenal and England midfielder, the latest scan on his injured ankle has shown a suspected hairline fracture.

It is the latest in a long line of injury problems for Wilshere, who only returned to action in May after a five-month lay-off caused by ankle ligament damage.Arsenal expect to make a final diagnosis by the end of the week, but their best possible scenario is that the injury will rule Wilshere out for six to eight weeks.

If the 23-year-old needs surgery, he could miss up to three months — though Arsenal are hoping to avoid that eventuality. The Gunners originally thought the injury would only keep Wilshere sidelined until after the next international break at the start of September.

But Arsene Wenger is now facing the prospect of being without his midfielder, who sustained the injury in training on Saturday, for far longer.

Wilshere has had hip, hamstring and back problems over the past five years, but most of his problems have been with ankle injuries, which have already ruled him out of more than two years of football.

After suffering a stress fracture of his right ankle in a pre-season friendly against New York Red Bulls in July 2011, he spent Wenger, meanwhile, is not the only Premier League manager with injury worries.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has admitted that Diego Costa’s injury problems are becoming a concern.

The Spain striker missed Sunday’s 1-0 Community Shield defeat by Arsenal after feeling his hamstring against Barcelona last week. He is unlikely to feature on Saturday when Chelsea host Swansea.

‘I have to be honest and say that it is a bit of a concern,’ said Mourinho. ‘A player who didn’t finish the season and doesn’t start the season obviously doesn’t make me happy.

‘The boy is trying hard but he had a problem against Barcelona, the next day the scans showed no injury so the next day he trains. But the next day he was not comfortable and 24 hours before the game we don’t know if he plays or doesn’t play. It is not a good feeling for him, it is not a good feeling for me.’

The Chelsea boss, whose team lost 1-0 in last night’s friendly against Fiorentina at Stamford Bridge, predicted that this year’s title battle will be closer than ever. He said: ‘You have a minimum of five title contenders and the other teams get stronger and stronger. I think nobody can complain because everyone is investing, every club.’

Mourinho denied that Chelsea would make a fresh bid for Everton defender John Stones. Rio Ferdinand stated that the 21-year-old would be a ‘lunatic’ to join Chelsea, suggesting instead a move to Manchester United.

‘I don’t speak about players from other clubs,’ Mourinho added before joking, ‘I don’t know, maybe Rio has a contract with Manchester United.’

The Portuguese will face no action after missing the Premier League managers’ summit at Gloucester Place on Tuesday. He said: ‘I can’t be in two places at the same time.’ – Daily Mail

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Pellegrini upbeat ahead of new season

Manuel Pellegrini is “absolutely sure” Manchester City will win back the Premier League title this season.

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Manuel Pellegrini is “absolutely sure” Manchester City will win back the Premier League title this season and the manager has not ruled out making more signings to strengthen his squad in the summer.

City, who conceded four goals in both their defeats against Real Madrid and Stuttgart in pre-season friendlies, finished eight points behind champions Chelsea in the Premier League last season.

“I am absolutely sure that we are going to have a very successful season. We must bring back the title here to our fans,” the 61-year-old was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“We are sure, as I have just said, that we are going to bring it back. We had a good pre-season.”

With the sale of Stefan Jovetic to Inter Milan and Edin Dzeko being strongly linked with a move to Roma, City is poised to start the season with only two frontline strikers in Sergio Aguero and Wilfried Bony.

“We have Kelechi (Iheanacho), that is a young player who I think must find a place here in our squad,” the Chilean manager added.

“(Raheem) Sterling can also play in front. I think we are going to bring in other players but not in that position.”

City, who won the Premier League title in a close finish in 2013-14, kick off their campaign with a trip to West Bromwich Albion on Monday night. – Reuters

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Chiefs’ Xulu goes from villain to hero

Siyanda Xulu scored the winner deep in extra-time to help Kaizer Chiefs overcome Maritzburg United in their MTN8 match.

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Johannesburg – Defender Siyanda Xulu went from villain to hero as he scored the winner deep in extra-time to help Kaizer Chiefs to a 5-3 win over Maritzburg United in their MTN8 match at FNB Stadium on Wednesday.

Xulu had scored a quite remarkable own-goal with seven minutes remaining in regulation time to make it three goals each to send the teams to extra-time in the Cup quarterfinal contest, but with the sides seemingly headed to penalties he scored the goal that sealed the result.

That strike came in the 115th minute when AmaKhosi captain Siphiwe Tshabalala sent the ball into the area from a setpiece, and Xulu produced a spectacular bicycle-kick finish to secure the win for his side.

Chiefs did manage a fifth with time up, as Hendrick Ekstein was on target to make the scoreline more flattering for the defending champions.

Earlier, Kurt Lentjies stunned the Chiefs defence as he scored the opener for the visitors in the eighth minute. The fiery midfielder snapped up a loose ball near the centre circle, and with just the goal ahead he surged into the box, rounded Chiefs keeper Reyaad Pieterse and fired into the open target to make it 1-0 to Maritzburg.

Tshabalala had a sharp chance just before the quarter hour mark, but his first-time shot from a Tsepo Masilela cross was directed into the side-netting.

George Lebese found himself in a good position running into the box in the 27th minute, but his left-footed effort was scuffed harmlessly across the face of goal.

A minute later, Mondli Cele sought to increase the advantage of Maritzburg from long-range but his shot was nothing more than speculative as the ball soared into the stands.

In the 38th minute, a promising Chiefs attack came to nought with the final shot coming in from Bernard Parker, but the striker could not keep his attempt down.

Maritzburg made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time. Thamsanqa Teyise buried a free-header to double his side’s lead from a Thamsanqa Mkhize corner.

Lebese pulled a goal back a minute after the interval. Siboniso Gaxa made the run down the right-hand side and picked out Lebese unmarked deep in the box, and the ball was headed powerfully to evade a despairing Virgil Vries in the Maritzburg goal.

By the 52nd minute Chiefs had levelled the scores. The home side moved forward in unison and Bernard Parker took the shot from just outside the box and the ball deflected in off the post to make it 2-2.

In the 63rd minute, the comeback of the defending champions was complete. Tshabala reeled off the initial shot in the box which was saved, but Lebese was in perfect position to nudge home the rebound to secure his brace and make it 3-2 to the hosts.

A stunning own-goal in the 83rd minute from Chiefs defender Siyanda Xulu gifted Maritzburg their third goal to level the scores once again. A speculative ball upfield was sent towards the Chiefs box, and Xulu running towards his keeper had the misfortune of the ball landing squarely on his head before looping into the back of the net to make the score 3-3. - ANA

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Chelsea resist temptation to spend

Chelsea begin their Premier League title defence against Swansea City having been significantly outspent by their rivals.

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London - Chelsea begin their Premier League title defence against Swansea City on Saturday in the unusual position of heading into a new season having been significantly outspent by their rivals.

Jose Mourinho's side had paid lavish sums to bolster key areas by this time last year but, having claimed the title at a canter, the motto of this transfer window seems to be: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The club's marquee signing of the close season has been a loan deal for Colombia forward Radamel Falcao, who, like seven-million-pound ($10.91-million) goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, is likely to feature only as a back-up in the coming campaign.

Their spendthrift summer contrasts markedly with previous years when owner Roman Abramovich has spent freely building a squad that is estimated to be worth around 400 million pounds according to the statistics website transfermarkt.co.uk.

Their habitual rivals have not been shy about bringing out the chequebook.

Manchester City, who finished second and start their season at West Bromwich Albion on Monday (1900), broke the bank to bring Raheem Sterling to the club from Liverpool in a deal worth up to 49 million pounds.

Manchester United, who host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, have spent in the region of 70 million on four players, while Liverpool, whose campaign begins at Stoke City on Sunday, have forked out nearly 80 million, principally on Christian Benteke from Aston Villa and Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim.

Arsenal, who beat Chelsea in the curtain-raising Community Shield last weekend and host West Ham United on Sunday, are the only potential title challengers who have not spent heavily so far.

Yet they have stolen a psychological march on Mourinho's side by signing their keeper Petr Cech, who played second fiddle at Stamford Bridge last season, to fill a long-time problem position.

Not that Chelsea are feeling the pressure. If anything, Mourinho's show of confidence in his squad has merely added to their sense of self-belief if you listen to captain John Terry.

“The players are mentally and physically ready but it's going to be tough, other teams have strengthened, we have seen the players they have brought in and spent a lot of money,” he told Sky Sports.

“Other teams needed to strengthen, we were that much better than other teams last year that maybe we've forced their hands a little bit. The manager feels we have a good enough and big enough squad to deal with it and we'll give it a good fight.”

Bournemouth embark on the first top-flight campaign in their 116-year history at home to Aston Villa on Saturday, while fellow newcomers Norwich City host Crystal Palace and Watford visit Everton. – Reuters

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Pirates take a tumble

Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have lost home cup ties in a shocking start to the South African football season.

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Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns lost home cup ties in a shock-riddled midweek start to the South African football season.

Former African champions Pirates fell 1-0 against Ajax Cape Town at Orlando Stadium in Soweto with top-flight debutant Ndiviwe Mdabuka scoring the early second-half winner.

Expensively-assembled Sundowns paid dearly for conceding a late extra-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Bloemfontein Celtic, who won 4-2 on penalties at Lucas 'Masterpieces' Moripe Stadium near Pretoria.

There were goals galore at Soccer City stadium in Soweto as title-holders Kaizer Chiefs came from two behind to beat Maritzburg United 5-3 in a thriller that required extra time.

And 120 minutes of football were also necessary at Bidvest Stadium close to central Johannesburg before hosts Wits emerged 3-1 victors over SuperSport United.

So, Chiefs and Wits expectedly and Ajax and Celtic unexpectedly go into a draw Thursday for the two-leg semi-finals of the South African 8 knockout competition.

The novel competition offers just one prize - R8-million to the winners.

That is an excellent financial return for four matches considering the winners of the CAF Confederation Cup pocket $660 000, and must play a minimum of 16 matches, of which eight are away.

Millions of football fans and the mobile telephone company which bankrolls the South African 8 will be sad to see Pirates eliminated and the chance of a “dream” final against arch rivals Chiefs disappear.

But traditionally poor travellers Ajax were worthy winners after soaking up first-half pressure with Finnish goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola producing several fine saves.

Mdabuka, a second division footballer last season, struck on 55 minutes with a hard, low, edge-of-the-box snap shot past goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo.

New Chiefs coach Steve Komphela joined from Maritzburg during the close season and he watched his former club punish careless defending to build a 2-0 half-time advantage.

But reigning league champions Chiefs stormed back to lead within 18 minutes of the restart only for close-season signing Siyanda Xulu to concede a late own goal, level the match at 3-3 and force extra time.

Xulu atoned by putting Chiefs ahead and substitute Hendrick Ekstein put the outcome beyond doubt with a fifth goal a minute into stoppage time.

After 90 goalless minutes, Burundian Fiston Abdul Razak scored on his competitive debut for Sundowns following a mid-year move from Kenyan outfit Sofapaka.

Musa Bilankulu nodded a 118th-minute equaliser after a free-kick manoeuvre got the hosts napping and Celtic converted all four shootout spot-kicks while Sundowns fluffed two.

New signing Daine Klate and Namibian Henrico Botes scored within three extra-time minutes to allow Wits coach Gavin Hunt celebrate success over the club he guided to three league titles.

AFP

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