Guys and ladies,

This thread is for South African Premier Soccer League and all related info like sponsorship etc.

Birds fly at Kaizer Chiefs

06 February 2009
Bongani Magasela


Can lightning strike twice?

Moroka Swallows are hoping that lightning will strike twice when they take on Kaizer Chiefs in an away Absa Premiership match at Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg tomorrow night.


Swallows beat Chiefs 2-0 at the same stadium in the first round of the league, and will be looking for a repeat.


With wet weather predicted , both sides should do away with their ball jugglers whose tendency to hold on to the ball in one spot could be detrimental in the conditions.

Both sides do not have players who can dribble while moving forward, the perfect way to eliminate defenders.

One player at Chiefs who is doing that with splendour is Abia Nale. He is doing exactly what Doctor Khumalo, Ace Khuse and Fani Madida of yesteryear did with aplomb.

The same can be said of Swallows, whose nimble-footed players of yesteryear such as Ace Mnini, Aubrey Makgopela and Thomas Hlongwane mastered the art – come rain or shine.

Swallows’ galloping forward, Cecil Oersen, could be the trump card.

Victory for fourth-placed AmaKhosi could catapult them to second spot while a draw should still be good enough to see them jump to second or third position, depending on the number of goals they score against Swallows.

A win for the Birds, who are in seventh place, should earn them a top five spot.

Sipho Xulu, Swallows’ general manager, warned: “We are on a journey to war but history alone will not win us this one.

“Chiefs’ current performance will bring out the best of us.”

Xulu urged Swallows followers to buy tickets early because the venue can only take around 36000 people.

Attempts to get comment from Chiefs drew a blank. Kickoff is at 8pm.

Khenyeza could torment Celtic

06 February 2009
Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Bloemfontein Celtic could not have asked for a worse time to face Ajax Cape Town at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Sunday after the return from suspension of deadly forward Mabhuti Khenyeza.

Kickoff in this Absa Premiership match is at 3.30pm.

Khenyeza scored two unanswered goals against Celtic in the first round, a defeat that contributed to Phunya SeleSele’s woeful log position . They are propping up the Premiership, and their fans, Siwelele, are rightfully worried about their future in the top flight.

Khenyeza is expected to lead Ajax’s attack with renewed gusto after Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana yesterday retained him for the squad that is to face Chile.

Celtic will also be highly motivated , not least by their lowly position. They will be keen to make amends for their 3-1 drubbing by fellow strugglers Maritzburg United in Pietermaritzburg in their last outing.

They are returning to their home base, the venue where they slaughtered Thanda Royal Zulu 6-1 and are also inspired by the fact that United and TRZ lost their midweek matches.

Celtic are in a celebratory mood off the pitch as they will launch their Academy Sporting Africa in Bloemfontein on Thursday, and are eager to win as part of the celebrations.

The home side’s coach, Owen da Gama, will start with former Cameroonian youth international Patrick Tignyemb between the poles in the absence of Shu-Aib Walters who is recovering from a car accident.

Da Gama will also miss Solomon Mathe in the midfield due to suspension, but will bank on Gert Schalkwyk in this department.

Khenyeza is likely to be partnered by new recruit Stanton Lewis.

After winning the Zulu crown against TRZ on Wednesday, AmaZulu will also want to prove their sovereignty in the province by beating Maritzburg United on Sunday at Chatsworth Stadium at 3.30pm.

I have to admit the PSL has been improving. I even have premier fanatic friends who are now getting into the PSL. They even went to the Cape derby lol. If our local league improves, it will only benefit our national team.

True, attendence in PSL have also improved and our support as S Africans will even make it better.

up the buc's

Ya they held Santo's in their place, good job!

Kinda sux bout Ajax. They lost to Celtic, but maybe they will claim the top of the log again....

Current Standings:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l103/eduardm2/PSLStandings-1.jpg

lol, Chiefs got whipped :lol:

My team is last on the log but we will will bounce back. DB, your Pirates guys are just dissapointing and they do the same thing every year.

True, attendence in PSL have also improved and our support as S Africans will even make it better.

I think Supersport has palyed a huge part in making the PSL a success, with all the promos ( Up the bucs, sky is the limit, love PSL etc.). Its great to see so much being invested in SA soccer.

My team is last on the log but we will will bounce back. DB, your Pirates guys are just dissapointing and they do the same thing every year.

u a Celtic boy? always thought u were a Amakosi

Used to be, I still got love for them but my blood is now green and white.

Used to be, I still got love for them but my blood is now green and white.

How Madoda!!!

Looks like you are next on the line Pule. Chiefs vs Celtic 14th Feb Super stad. oh and plz dont pretend to be celebrating when Chiefs win, you are a Celtic right?

up the buc's

Im sure you have high blood!!!:lol:

Me nooo, lol

Im sure you have high blood!!!:lol:


R u fine Durbs

Pule, i havent heared anything from you here, im sure you should be saying something.

^^ eisk Kuls, my team is not doing good so i guess I don't have much to say.

Tommorow we playing the might Swallows, I just hope that we will pick up a point.

^^ eisk Kuls, my team is not doing good so i guess I don't have much to say.

Tommorow we playing the might Swallows, I just hope that we will pick up a point.

Eish, try to get tips from Pirates fans on how to beat them, pref Durbs. Hint, Mouneeb Josephs.

^^ lol, not Pirates as they are one of the most inconsistent teams in PSL and so getting advice from them will be worthless.

Hey Hey Hey. Good news. Celtic 4 - Swallows 1

Hey Hey Hey. Good news. Celtic 4 - Swallows 1

Lol, love it. All of a sudden i feel a whole lot better about what happened on the weekend.

I couldnt believe it gents, we managed to bring birds down to earth. Wits did us a favor by beating Thanda 6 - 2.

The special thing about it is that Swallows scored first, then Celtic made it 1-1. Then a red card to a Celtic player. From there, it was Celtic on top of the birds all the way.

Celtic got lucky

^^ ayaya, DB that's pure jealousy boet. 4 goals and you say we were lucky? Shame poor bucaneer.

High blood. Hehehe!

Hey Durbs, I think you should be saying something about tonight. or is your conscious talking to you?

no, I let my team do the talking on the pitch, UP THE BUC's

no, I let my team do the talking on the pitch, UP THE BUC's

And they did.

:yes:

Brazilians? more like Vanuatu'ans

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hgupecbtwTU/SOCsqJ6voDI/AAAAAAAAA0w/MpEZsiV9cg0/s320/3531.gif

Katlego Mphela is Pirates' Jesus. Well done Bucaneers.

Im jealous, Pirates kicks ass.

The Chealsie factor. So close yet so far.

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr270/rulani/3531.gif

Dumitru takes over at Downs
Posted: 2009-03-23 17:48

Ted Dumitru has been placed in temporary charge of Mamelodi Sundowns following Henri Michel’s axing as coach on Monday.

The club released a statement saying that a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ had been reached between the two parties, but the truth is that the Frenchman’s future has been the subject of much speculation for a while now.

Downs’ League title challenge came to a shuddering halt on Thursday when they were thumped 4-1 by SuperSport United, before a 1-0 Nedbank Cup defeat ended any hopes they had of a trophy this season. Michel needed police escort to escape Super Stadium as irate fans voiced their frustration.

Dumitru will take over until the end of the season, with Brian Baloyi and Michael Manzini acting as his assistants, before returning to his job as Youth Academy head.

Dumitru and Trott Moloto will join the committee of the board in searching for a new coach.

Motsepe had some words of comfort for the departing Michel, saying: “I want to thank Henri Michel for the commitment and loyalty he showed to Sundowns whilst employed as its head coach.

“Henri Michel made a huge contribution to the standard and quality of football at Sundowns and in South Africa. We wish him all of the very best in his future endeavours and he will continue to be part of the Sundowns family.”

Whos loughing at who at the Nedbank Challange
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr270/rulani/3531.gif

lol, nice one

SSU set to be homeless soon
2009-03-20 10:02

Pretoria - SuperSport United are set to become homeless soon following the imminent closure of the Atteridgeville Super Stadium for further renovations ahead of the 2010 World Cup.The unavailability of the stadium will not only affect United but Kaizer Chiefs as well.

The Amakhosi have been using the Tshwane venue frequently of late as Loftus Stadium continues to be reserved for rugby games.

Matsatsantsa coach Gavin Hunt has confirmed that they will soon be relocating to another stadium. This will be after their next Absa Premiership fixture against Moroka Swallows.

“When I arrived at SuperSport, I found that the club was using both Loftus and Super Stadium for their games but I stopped it as this inconsistency as using the same venue has a big effect on our performance.

“We remained at Super Stadium last season and the results were there for everyone to see as we went on to win the League championship. It is very sad now, especially at this stage of the League, that we have to move from one venue to another.

“However, we are still holding out hope that the Super Stadium will be available to us for our game against Orlando Pirates.

Hunt adds that he is not worried by the pressure being put by the Buccaneers in their late charge towards the League title.

“I am not worried by Pirates; my concern is for the next game we are playing against Moroka Swallows. The pressure is on Pirates as they have to keep on winning their remaining games in order to go past us.”

Michel needed police escort to escape Super Stadium as irate fans voiced their frustration.



http://www.backpagepix.co.za/live/imgadmin/getimage.php?id=64101&type=c

http://www.backpagepix.co.za/live/imgadmin/getimage.php?id=64289&type=c

http://www.backpagepix.co.za/live/imgadmin/getimage.php?id=64116&type=c

:ohno:

Chiefs are performing even worse, but we dont do such things. Shame on them.

What game on the weekend :D

http://images.supersport.co.za/OrlandoPiratesArticlebg150807.jpg

but i didnt watch it :(

Yeah, yeah,yeah!!!

:bash:

Goddamn Pirates had a good chance to go top last night!!! SS lost and they go draw :ohno:

If you wanna stress yourself DB, you must check out highlights of that game. Pirates was supposed to have won the game outright but as always they hit the posts.

My team, Bloemfontein Celtic, thrashed Bay United 3-0 and if we win on Sunday again the might Free State Stars, we would have survived relegation and Thanda Zulu Royals need to make sure that they win their last game again another relegation threatened Maritzburg United. If they draw or loose, they will have to go for play offs.

The Chealsie factor. So close yet so far.

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr270/rulani/3531.gif

If you wanna stress yourself DB, you must check out highlights of that game. Pirates was supposed to have won the game outright but as always they hit the posts.

My team, Bloemfontein Celtic, thrashed Bay United 3-0 and if we win on Sunday again the might Free State Stars, we would have survived relegation and Thanda Zulu Royals need to make sure that they win their last game again another relegation threatened Maritzburg United. If they draw or loose, they will have to go for play offs.

Celtic were playing like possesed boys. They played like they never will play again. Big up. it was outstanding.

i had to shuffle between the 3 games to make sure i dont miss the action. Prates vs Ajax, Supersport vs Golden Arrows, Celtic vs Bay Untd.

This weekend is gonna be another interesting Soccer weekend Ruls.

whats the odds on Santos beating Supersport? I know they beat ama kosi on Wed but that could have been a fluke :crazy:

Anything can happen DB.

Dont give Durbs some false hopes Puls

:lol: leave him like that, we all know that his team is useless

:gossip:Sssshhhhhh!, Hes gonna hear us.

New coach at Mamelodi Sundowns
Date Posted: 29 June 2009

Mamelodi Sundowns is pleased to announce the employment of Hristo Stoichkov as their Head Coach.

Hristo Stoichkov played for FC Barcelona from 1990 to 1995 and was part of the successful Barcelona dream team which was coached by Johan Cruyff.

During the 1995 / 96 season he played for FC Parma in Italy. He returned to Spain to play for FC Barcelona from 1996 to 1998.

He was Head Coach of the Barcelona Youth team from 2003 to 2004. Stoichkov also coached the Bulgarian National Team from 2004 to 2007 and thereafter was Head Coach at FC Real Club Celta de Vigo.

Trott Moloto who was leading the process of finding a new coach with Ted Dumitru said; “We are excited to welcome Hristo Stoichkov to Sundowns. We were looking for a coach who will ensure that the Sundowns style of shoe shine and piano, and our Brazilian style of play is maintained.

The Technical Committee looked at numerous candidates and unanimously agreed that Hristo Stoichkov is the man to help us realise our dream of becoming one of the best teams on the African continent.”

A press conference will be held in due course to introduce Hristo Stoichkov and also to make further announcements for the 2009 / 2010 football season.

United sign Siyabonga Nkosi
Posted Thursday, June 25 2009, 06:20

Absa Premiership champions SuperSport United made their first big-name signing of the season after completing a two-year deal with Bafana Bafana midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi on Thursday.

Announcing the news, club chief operations officer Jose Ferreira said he was happy the long and difficult negotiations ended positively with the capture of Nkosi from Israeli side Maccabi Netanya.

“Nkosi is undoubtedly one of the biggest talents in SA,” said Ferreira. “The coach and the club are very excited about this signing and we see him adding value to the current squad.”

Nkosi played for Bloemfontein Celtic and Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League before heading off to Germany where he played for Armenia Bielefeld in 2007. From there he joined Israel side Maccabi Netanya.

The Newcastle-born midfielder has also featured for Bafana Bafana making no less than 24 appearances and scoring two goals. He was however left out of the current Confederations Cup squad as the national selectors lost track of his progress overseas.

“We were obviously surprised when he was left out of the Bafana Bafana squad,” said Ferreira. “But we believe that playing for United will make it easier for the national coach to see how he plays.”

This might not be the last of the signings by the two-time Premiership champions.

“We are looking at strengthening the squad but not with too many players. There might still be one or two more surprises before the start of the season,” said Ferreira.

Nkosi will join the club immediately and the Matsatsantsa supporters could see him in action when their title defence commences with a home tie against Kaizer Chiefs at Super Stadium on August 18 or sooner than that in the MTN8 knockout competition.

Ajax selling Khanyaza
Rodney Reiners
June 19 2009 at 02:57PM

Ajax Cape Town have put striker Mabhudi Khenyeza up for sale.

Khenyeza, who was sensational for the Cape PSL club last season, scoring 24 goals in all competitions, has not been able to resolve his problems and personal issues with new head coach, Muhsin Ertugral.

The striker won three awards at Ajax last season - Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and Goalscorer of the Year.

But when Khenyeza was at Kaizer Chiefs two seasons ago, he fell out with then-Amakhosi coach Ertugral, saying he had been victimised and insulted by the volatile Turkish coach.

In an interview shortly after Ertugral's appointment as Ajax coach, Khenyeza said: "Ertugral in means Khenyeza out. I'm out of Ajax as fast as I can. I have two years to run on my contract. But Ajax will have to understand my situation and allow me to move on. I had no idea Ertugral would follow me here when I signed up."

Ajax have attempted to patch things up between Ertugral and Khenyeza, with the two meeting for the second time this week to try and smooth the way forward.

But no common ground could be found, with Khenyeza adamant that he was not prepared to work under Ertugral again.

"We have failed to resolve the issue and Mabhudi won't be staying with us next season," Ajax chief executive George Comitis told kickoff.com.

Ajax have had interest for the striker from a few clubs, both locally and overseas.

Khenyeza, though, is keen on a move overseas and, as such, it is rumoured that Ajax's price tag for the star goal-getter is a whopping R10-million.

PSL come to party
2009-06-30 14:54

Johannesburg - The Premier Soccer League have come to the 2010 World Cup party by making sure that Bafana Bafana head coach Joel Santana will have a full five months to prepare his side before South Africa hosts the 2010 showpiece which kicks off on June 11.

PSL general manager Ace Ncobo in releasing the 2009/2010 PSL fixtures on Tuesday admitted it had been a difficult task. But he stressed the PSL were committed to supporting Bafana’s preparation for the World Cup by slotting in nearly 300 fixtures and making sure the Absa Premiership season will end on February 28.

No PSL fixtures will be scheduled during January when Bafana go to South America for a month long training camp, giving Santana an extra month to work with his players.

However, there is one big fly in the ointment and that is the inefficient Confederation of African Football (Caf). Ncobo won a lot of friends in the media by playing open cards with them at Tuesday’s launch. He said that while provision had been made for postponements in case of bad weather conditions the major worry was the fact that the continental controlling body Caf had not been able to furnish fixtures for the 2010 Caf cup competitions.

"We have FIFA fixtures released to us until 2014," said Ncobo. "But sadly we do not have next year’s fixtures for the Caf club competitions. There could be problems as we have three teams - SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates both playing in the Champions League and Moroka Swallows in the African Confederations Cup."

Ncobo said The PSL would play it by ear. But the mind boggles as to what Caf actually do. With the two continental club competitions six months away they have not released fixtures. FIFA who lead the way in professionalism from the way they run the most efficient world sports body should take over Caf or at least give Caf some badly needed assistance.

Ncobo admitted it made his job more difficult not knowing when the Caf club competitions were due to be scheduled.

The PSL season kicks off on August 1 with the annual Telkom Charity Cup. The season’s pipe-opener will be played in Gauteng and not at the unsuitable Mmabatho stadium.

"Our two year deal with Mmabatho Stadium is over and we will move the Charity Cup to Gauteng. We are still finalising the venue," said Ncobo..

The PSL have scheduled both cup competitions the Nedbank Cup and the Telkom Knockout competition from March until May.

"It was agreed at the PSL Board of Governors and by all clubs that once the league is completed on February 28, players will be released fulltime to Bafana. That means that once a player is released for national duty he will not be eligible for any cup matches his club may be involved in," said Ncobo.

"The PSL clubs and everyone involved know just how important it is to allow the Bafana coach to prepare for the biggest event in world soccer taking place in our country and we all want to show our commitment to the cause."

Ncobo added that while it was originally agreed to scrap the MTN 8 competition it was reinstated because of its popularity. The MTN 8 kicks off on August 4.

It was also announced that a number of clubs would have fixed homes for the new season. Due to renovating of stadiums for the World Cup a number of clubs were forced to use whatever stadiums were available last season.

Platinum Stars will use the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace as their new home, newly promoted Jomo Cosmos will use the new-look Rand Stadium, Moroka Swallows go back to renovated Dobsonville, Orlando Pirates are back at Ellis Park while both SuperSport and Mamelodi Sundowns will use the Super Stadium as their home ground.

But there is a problem in Cape Town.

"Frankly we have a crisis in Cape Town in November and December when Newlands is not available," said Ncobo. " We are still looking for a venue for Ajax Cape Town and Santos to play home matches in those months. But we will sort the problem out.

Former European Footballer of the Year Hristo Stoichkov has been named coach of South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, the club said on Monday.

Bulgarian Stoichkov has signed a two-year deal at the Pretoria-based club, whose billionaire mining magnate owner Patrice Motsepe went through three coaches last season.

Stoichkov followed former France manager Henri Michel into the hot seat. Michel spent six months with Sundowns last season but was fired after they failed to climb the South African Premier League standings.

The 43-year-old Stoichkov was named Europe's best player in 1994 when he was a prolific striker with Spanish giants Barcelona.

But his coaching career has not been successful with a three-year spell in charge of Bulgaria culminating in failure to reach the 2006 World Cup.

He left Spanish club Celta Vigo just months after taking the job. -- Reuters

Sundowns take Charity lead

Posted: 2009-07-04 10:49

Despite a poor run last season, Mamelodi Sundowns’ popularity among its supporters appear intact if the Telkom Charity Cup vote standings are anything to go by.
The Brazilians have taken an early lead after two days of voting and has so far accumulated 2 690 votes, followed by Orlando Pirates in second place with 1570 and Kaizer Chiefs in third place with 1524.

AmaZulu’s repositioning of their brand by adding ‘Amaqhawe, Only the brave’ to their nickname Usuthu appear to pay off some dividends. The KwaZulu-Natal side is in fourth place with 655 votes.

Voting lines are as follows:

Ajax Cape Town: 086 22 22 400
AmaZulu: 086 22 22 401
Bidvest Wits: 086 22 22 402
Bloemfontein Celtic: 086 22 22 403
Free State Stars: 086 22 22 404
Jomo Cosmos: 086 22 22 405
Kaizer Chiefs: 086 22 22 406
Golden Arrows: 086 22 22 407
Mamelodi Sundowns: 086 22 22 408
Maritzburg United: 086 22 22 409
Moroka Swallows: 086 22 22 410
Black Aces: 086 22 22 411
Orlando Pirates: 086 22 22 412
Platinum Stars: 086 22 22 413
Santos: 086 22 22 414
SuperSport United: 086 22 22 415

Tiyani wa ka Mabasa

Ladies first.

Bucs, Man City clash sold out
2009-07-16 18:31

Johannesburg - Soon after English Premiership club Mancherster City had announced they will bring a full-strength squad to the 10th Vodacom Challenge, the organisers declared tickets were sold out for the first match against Orlando Pirates at Peter Mokaba Stadium this Saturday.
The tournament promoters have urged supporters in possession of match tickets to make their way to the stadium early, with the first 10 000 fans through the stadium gates from 11:00 to each receive a complimentary Vodacom branded djembe drum, as part of Vodacom’s contribution towards the 10th anniversary celebration of the tournament.

Fans not in possession of match tickets are urged not to come to the stadium on match day but to enjoy the Vodacom Challenge action from viewing areas in and around Polokwane.

Tickets for the remaining fixtures can be purchased from Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers and Checkers-Hyper.

Ticket fever has also ignited in Durban ahead of Tuesday’s Vodacom Challenge fixture between Kaizer Chiefs and the visiting English club at the Absa stadium in Durban (20h15 kickoff).

Tickets are available at R150 per ticket (main grandstand, reserved), R100 per ticket (north and south stands reserved), R75 per ticket (east stand lower, reserved) and R45 per ticket (east stand upper, unreserved).

Port Elizabeth is abuzz ahead of the Vodacom Challenge Soweto Derby to be played between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at the newly-build Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth on Thursday, 23 July (20h15 kickoff). Tickets for this match are on sale at R45 each.

Match tickets for the Vodacom Challenge final, which will see the winner of the Port Elizabeth match taking on Manchester City at Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane on Saturday, 25 July (15h00 kickoff), can be purchased at a cost of R150 each (main grandstand, reserved), R100 (north and south stands, reserved), R75 each (east lower stand, reserved) and R45 each (east upper stand unreserved).

Lol. lets transfer this pace with the WC ticket purchase pace in Polokwane.

Ajax CT held talks with Davids

Ajax Cape Town are chasing the signature of former Dutch international Edgar Davids, according to club chairman John Comitis.

Comitis revealed the midfielder has been in negotiations with the Urban Warriors after they missed out on the services of Portsmouth forward Kanu, Italian marksman Christian Vieri and Dutch striker Michael Mols.

Comitis revealed: "I can declare now that I spent two days with Edgar Davids. I tried to lure him to sign here. I had some sponsors who were willing to come on board to cover his salary.

"It is not completely dead but he is looking to possibly play in Hong Kong at this stage.

"It is a consideration for him (to join Ajax Cape Town). I had him here as a guest about three months ago."

Kanu turned down a move to Ikamva this season as he wants to see out the last year of his lucrative contract with Pompey, but he will reportedly re-consider this decision once he becomes a free agent when his current deal expires.

Vieri snubbed a move south as he is eager to continue his football in Europe.

Comitis added: "I tried Christian Vieri. With his pedigree he would bring in a lot of experience in the front to get the youngsters to perform around him. He made his decision to stay in Europe and he is now training with Blackburn.

"I spoke to Kanu from Portsmouth. He said that he has a very good contract and has one year left, but he would consider the year after to come because as an ex-Ajax Amsterdam player, having been here he liked what he saw.

"We tried Mols from Feyenoord, who is 36 years old, but played a full season in the Premier League and was the top goalscorer there.

"So we have set our targets at a higher level."

City delighted with SA tour
2009-07-27 16:40

Manchester - Manchester City ended their tour of South Africa with nothing but praise for both their hosts and opponents.

Kaizer Chiefs lifted the Vodacom Challenge trophy on Saturday after stunning City with a 1-0 victory in Pretoria to wrap up the pre-season competition.

"Chiefs are worthy winners of the trophy," said City coach Mark Hughes afterwards.

"But for us, it's been a fantastic experience being in South Africa and we've really enjoyed our time.

"We feel as though we've made a lot of friends here, we've really enjoyed every aspect of life here, it's been very rewarding and we hope to come back soon."

City's three-match tour incorporated two defeats, against Chiefs and an opening 2-0 loss to Orlando Pirates, as well as Tuesday's sole victory against Chiefs in Durban.

While City are by no means the most popular English club in South Africa, local fans still turned out in force to watch the games, even if there were empty seats at Durban's Absa Stadium and Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld (both of which seat over 52 000).

"Prior to the big signings, City were just another Premier League team - pretty much a no-name brand," local journalist Billy Cooper told BBC Sport.

"There are simply no way as many City fans here as there are Manchester United, Liverpool or Arsenal.

"When United came out last year, Chiefs fans were outnumbered by United fans for the first time in living memory."

And unlike the Confederations Cup, when many South African fans held up placards supporting Liverpool's Fernando Torres, there were few to be seen for City in South Africa - save for one raised by local Chelsea fans reading 'John Terry is not for sale'.

Nonetheless, the tour has certainly raised the profile of Manchester City, who executive chairperson Garry Cook hopes to turn into the 'darling of world football'.

"I like Man City, especially with the big-name players they've signed, so everyone is looking forward to the season to see how they are going to perform," said one young South African.

Although many locals dismiss City as a 'small club', Hachim, 25, is more positive.

"Even though Man City is new to us and must do a lot to catch up since Manchester United and Liverpool are the popular teams here, they can become more popular.

"When I look at the calibre of players they have bought, I definitely think they are going somewhere."

And their visit has also been appreciated by both South African teams they faced in the three-team Vodacom Challenge.

"The expertise they've brought to us in terms of technique and international exposure is quite wonderful for the players," Kaizer Chiefs team manager Bobby Motaung told BBC Sport.

"It's also good for the country to see the big-name players in the country, and with City having done so well in their acquisition of big-name players, it couldn't have come at a better time."

During their visit, City paid Arsenal £25m for Emmanuel Adebayor who soon flew out to South Africa to join his new colleagues.

Unfortunately for the lanky Togolese, his City debut was most notable for a glaring miss after 55 minutes when his left-footed effort blazed over from eight yards with the goal at his mercy.

Yet his is still a hero to many South Africans, with several sporting sky blue T-shirts proudly bearing Adebayor's photo.

"I'm very pleased to join this club because it is showing ambition and they think I'm a player who can help them achieve their dreams," Adebayor explained.

"They have the players, squad and spirit to fight for the top four, which is why I signed."

Adebayor's presence will boost City's profile across Africa as the continent's football fans love to follow their own - as striker Craig Bellamy, who has an academy in Sierra Leone, knows well.

"The African region will watch African players at their clubs and if they are very good African players, they will support them even more - which is something I praise Africa for," the Welshman told BBC Sport.

"They really get behind their players and those players are worshipped here, probably more than in other continents elsewhere - which is something to be proud of."

And the local passion for football in the venue for next year's World Cup finals has definitely left its mark on City's touring party.

"We've all been commenting on the atmosphere that South African crowds can generate and it really helps when you're playing within that, as it stimulates the players," Hughes explained.

"Sometimes, friendly matches can have no energy but that doesn't happen here: there's huge enthusiasm here for football and that's recognised by everyone at Man City."

DOWNS FOR BREAKFAST, SOWETO FOR DINNER

Posted: 2009-07-28 13:17

The PROs for the four teams involved in the Telkom Charity Cup are talking a good game ahead of this weekend’s tournament.

The draw for the annual event was made in Johannesburg this morning and the ‘motor-mouths’ wasted no time in expressing their opinions.

“We will have a very big breakfast in the morning when we beat Sundowns, then later in the afternoon we will be having a heavy dinner in the form of either Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates,” said Aubrey Molobi of Platinum Stars, whose team face Sundowns in the opener.

In response, Downs communications manager Alex Shakoane said Molobi didn’t know what he was talking about as he was new in football.

“You see, this person here does not really know football. If he wants to play in the Final against one of the Soweto teams he has to pass through Sundowns, and that will not happen on Saturday. We have lost 80 percent of our pre-season games, but that is good because we know our mistakes.

“And I’ll tell you another thing … Sundowns have signed Papi Zothwane and we will also be signing another big name, so that should make you scared my friend!”

Orlando Pirates’ Mickey Modisane said there was no way they would lose to Kaizer Chiefs again, having lost to their Soweto rivals in the Vodacom Challenge.

“Those who know Pirates know that in the Charity Cup we always reach the Final and win the trophy. This time around it won’t go to penalties, and we know in 90 minutes they can’t beat us,” he says.

Chiefs’ Thebe Mogatle warned Pirates against complacency, saying: “We know what we are capable of and will do just that. We will win against Pirates and wait to meet the winner between Sundowns and Stars. We have two trophies already and need the third one. The Telkom Charity Cup will be the third one,” he said.

Sundowns face Stars at 10h00, with the Soweto Derby on at 12h00. Tickets cost R50.

^^ my team was never voted in but I wish the best for the participants.

I find it abit weird that, arguably the two richest teams in the PSL came in 1st and 2nd.

how many teams are in the psl? ..Southern african leagues should join up like in europe to make a Champions league type thing with the best of each league.

^^ 16 teams.

how many teams are in the psl? ..Southern african leagues should join up like in europe to make a Champions league type thing with the best of each league.

Africa already have a Champs league.