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By KOPANO MONAHENG

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Campaign With COCT!
Cape Town City Football Club is excited to kick off the new season by offering FREE tickets to all home matches at Athlone Stadium this season!
This initiative aims to promote community engagement and celebrate the club’s love for all football lovers in Cape Town; ultimately providing Football For All!
We are committed to breaking down barriers so that everyone in our community can enjoy the sport that we all love, without the worry of cost.
Football has the power to unite people, and this is our way of giving back to our amazing fans in Cape Town, making the beautiful game accessible to all.
The 8 Athlone Stadium FREE home games are as follows:  • 28 September vs Supersport • 27 October vs Magesi • 27 November vs Polokwane • 18 January vs Richards Bay • 5 February vs Golden Arrows • 18 February vs Chippa • 5 March vs TS Galaxy • 15 March vs Marumo Gallants  Tickets can be redeemed from the club’s offices (54 Shortmarket Street) in the week leading up to each game, or alternatively on matchday at the free ticket kiosk outside Athlone Stadium.  This groundbreaking initiative is a collaboration between CTCFC and COCT, and the club notes the efforts of the Mayor, COCT, and Athlone Stadium in helping to make this campaign possible for our communities in Cape Town.  ENDS.

Orlando Pirates will look to secure their spot in the CAF Champions’ League group stage when they host Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy in the deciding leg of their final preliminary round match-up this weekend.

The crucial fixture takes place at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, seven days after the Buccaneers claimed a significant advantage in the tie with victory in the away leg.

Form Guide

A month and a half into the new season, the home side remains unbeaten and come off a dramatic league win at home to Chippa United in midweek. This was their fourth victory in as many matches played in Soweto and their fifth win overall.

In their seven outings so far in the ongoing campaign, the only blemishes to the Soweto Giants’ record have been stalemates against Madagascar champions Disciples and local rivals Cape Town City, both occurring away from home.

Having claimed their first away win last Saturday against Galaxy, they will be looking to carve a seamless path into the next round of the Champions League with another victory.

Meanwhile, the visitors will head to Soweto determined to launch another comeback, having done so in the previous round after losing the away leg to Namibia’s African Stars with a 1-0 scoreline. Dinaledi, as they are affectionately known, avenged the defeat at home and forced the tie into penalties where they eventually prevailed.

Their three Champions League fixtures have been their only outings so far this season, with their domestic league only set to get underway later in the month.

Team News

Changes could be seen in both camps in the second leg, with the likes of Thabang Sesinyi and Onkabetse Makgantai likely to feature more prominently for the visitors after starting from the bench in the previous encounter.

For the hosts, there could be bigger roles for Boitumelo Radiopane and Thuso Moleleki, who both made cameos in midweek.

Zakhele Lepasa and Goodman Mosele remain on the mend after sustaining ankle and knee injuries respectively, while a return to action looms for Paseka Mako who recently resumed full training.

Players to Watch

Attacking midfielder Gilbert Baruti gave Pirates a few nervy moments after his halftime introduction in Gaborone and will be determined to convert his chances in Soweto. The 32-year-old is an experienced campaigner in continental football and a regular feature on the scoresheet.

With goals a non-negotiable heading into the deciding leg, the visitors will rely heavily on international forwards Wendell Rudath and Sesinyi, who will both have a big role in keeping their continental campaign alive.

Head-to-Head

Galaxy will go into the fixture with a degree of confidence having beaten Pirates once in the recent past. This was when they won 1-0 at home in the last preliminary round of the 2023/24 Champions League, eventually going through on penalties after the Buccaneers levelled the tie in the second leg.

The Soweto Giants have however been the more dominant of the two sides over the years, winning four of their five previous encounters and only conceding one goal while finding the net seven times.

TV Coverage and Ticket Info

The fixture is scheduled to kick off at 18:00 and will be broadcast live on SABC Sport and SABC+. Live updates will be posted across Orlando Pirates’ social media channels.

Tickets to attend the match are available online at TicketPro and selected outlets nationwide.

By Rapule Ramalepa
IS South Africa known for music?              The answer is big yes.     Without music life can be dull and boring.
In Mzansi, music infuses every aspect of our lives.
   The country has a rich musical heritage that includes both popular and folk forms, encompassing genres such as jazz, amapiano, blues, gospel and rock. As well as pop, reggae, hip hop, kwaito, and more.
All eyes are now on the Made in Mzansi Festival which is expected to take place  later this month.
The much anticipated event will be held at Freedom Park, Tshwane from 28-29 September.   It is expected to be packed, no man wants to watch it from the comfort of their homes.
      Speaking to the fest spokeswoman, Nokuthula Monaheng, she said the wait for the big day is almost over.
Said Monaheng:
   “This is our first year of the festival, the Made in Mzansi Festival was first conceptualised and established in 2023 as a platform to celebrate the richness of South African culture, art, and music.’’
    She said the festival was created to honour local talent and create a space where South Africans can connect and celebrate the diversity that defines the nation.
    Organisers of the fest chose Freedom Park because of its historical significance and symbolic representation of South Africa journey towards freedom and unity.
   “We wanted a line up that truly embodies the spirit of South African excellence, diversity and creativity,” said Monaheng.
She goes on to say that artists were chosen not just for their popularity because they represent different facets of South African music, from traditional to contemporary.
     But because they’ve made a significiant contribution to the cultural landscape of this country and genres inspire the next generation to come .
   She said that they also wanted to showcase talent that resonates with audiences on multiple levels, whether through storytelling, genre fusion, or unmatched performance.
    “Music lovers are going to enjoy splendid performances from their favourite musicians such as DJ Cleo, Zola 7, NomfundoMoh, DjVitato, Jessica Tamara, Big Zulu, LangaMavuso, Mbuso Khoza, Ishamel , Fifi Cooper, Megadrumz, Natordeep, Dj Ghetto, Miss Hilary and high profile Radio Presenter Paul Mtirara from Metro FM.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) is saddened by the passing of former Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan.

The PSL extends heartfelt condolences to the Gordhan family during this difficult time.

A moment of silence will be observed in his honour at this weekend’s Betway Premiership, Motsepe Foundation Championship and DStv Diski Challenge fixtures.

May his soul repose peacefully.

Source: PSL

Ground-breaking SuperSport and Showmax partnership brings Premier Soccer League matches to fans through the Showmax Premier League mobile streaming service. 

      The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has made a bold, innovative move to bring South African football to more fans across the continent by partnering with SuperSport to make Africa’s foremost league available on Showmax.

      Starting with the flagship Betway Premiership, all PSL matches will be available to Showmax Premier League subscribers at no additional cost.    

In addition to all 380 Premier League games, football fans can now also stream every PSL match live, including major cup competitions such as the Carling Knockout Cup, MTN8, and Nedbank Cup – all for just R69 per month.

    Surely, the best way to enjoy the best international and local football on your mobile.

     This strategic partnership with Showmax opens up access to millions of fans across the region, ensuring they never miss a moment of their favourite teams in action.

    The Premier Soccer League draws millions of viewers across South Africa and the rest of the continent.
The Betway Premiership kicks off on Saturday 14 September with Royal AM taking on Cape Town City at the Harry Gwala Stadium at 15:00, while Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs kick-off their campaign later that afternoon with a clash against Marumo Gallants at 17:30.
Meanwhile, champions Mamelodi Sundowns will begin their campaign on        Tuesday 17 September, taking on SuperSport United at home at 19:30. Cup kings Orlando Pirates, who will be contesting the MTN8 final against Stellenbosch FC, begin their league challenge against Chippa United a day later on Wednesday 18 September at 19:30.
The start of the Betway Premiership will see all 16 top tier clubs vying for the chance to lift the brand-new trophy, which was unveiled at a recent launch in Sandton, Joburg.       The Buccaneers, the closest title challengers last season, will be going all-out to recapture the title from The Brazilians, making this season one of the most hotly anticipated in years.
PSL Acting CEO, Mato Madlala, shared her enthusiasm for the new partnership, saying, “This is a game-changer for South African football.         Bringing Premier Soccer League football to  Showmax is a huge win for the PSL and our supporters.       This partnership opens new doors for fans to enjoy the sport they love, wherever they are.”  Marc Jury, CEO of Showmax, added, “We’re thrilled to offer South Africa’s most popular football league to our customers.    The combination of the Premier League and the PSL on our powerful live-streaming platform represents extraordinary value.”            This move further cements the PSL’s position as a leader in local football, with SuperSport as the official broadcaster ensuring top-quality coverage of every match.        Football fans already enjoying the Premier League on Showmax will now have the best of both worlds, with the addition of the PSL making the platform an even more compelling offering.              Showmax has been at the forefront of shaking up the market, with its bold relaunch, edgy and ground-breaking content continuing to make headlines throughout 2024.          The partnership with Capitec announced earlier this year – which gives Capitec banking app users a 50 percent discount for Showmax – shows its commitment to opening streaming to new markets and finding innovative ways to meet the needs of the African consumer.

Source: PSL

South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan has wished Bafana Bafana well ahead of the start of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign on Friday.

Coach Hugo Broos’ charges open their AFCON account when they face Uganda at home at Orlando Stadium on Friday, 06 September 2024 (6pm), and then they travel to South Sudan to play their second match in the group on Tuesday, 10 September 2024.

Dr Jordaan said memories of the team winning bronze at the previous AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire in February 2024 are still very fresh in the mind as the senior South African men’s national team begins the journey to the 2025 tournament in Morocco.

“We want to wish the team well as they begin this journey and we want them to know that we as a country are fully behind each and every member of the Bafana Bafana camp,” Dr Jordaan said.

Dr Jordaan also sent his congratulations to goalkeeper Ronwen Williams after the Bafana Bafana captain was nominated for FIFA’s Ballon d’Or Yashin Trophy. Williams was the only African among the 10 nominees for the award. The award is named after Russian shot-stopper Lev Yashin who is widely considered as an all-time great in the position. He is credited to have kept over 250 clean sheets and also saved over 150 penalties for both club and country.

The SAFA President sent a letter to Williams congratulating him on the milestone.

“The South African Football Association (SAFA), The National Executive and I wish to congratulate you for your unique and special performance in the AFCON Tournament in Cote’ D’Ivoire,” Dr Jordaan said in the letter.

“You became the first and the only South African, and the first and only goalkeeper in Africa to be nominated for the prestigious Yachin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or Awards. Congratulations.

“You have been exceptional for both Sundowns and Bafana Bafana. South Africa and the South African Football community wish you all the success and celebrate the fact that the mere nomination is a recognition of your ability and your special contribution to South African and African Football. Once again congratulations.”

Williams will miss the AFCON qualifiers against Uganda at Orlando Stadium on Friday, 06 September 2024 (6pm) and Tuesday’s clash away to South Sudan as he is still recovering from injury.

Gates open at 15h00 on Friday, 06 September 2024 and tickets are priced at R30 (Children, Scholars and Student), R60 for Adults, and R140 for Family (2 adults + 2 children).

The tickets are available at TicketPro, all Spar supermarkets (QuickSpar and SuperSpar), SASOL, ENGEN, SHELL, PowerFashion and JAM Clothing.

Prasa have announced that they will run trains from Park, Naledi, New Canada, and Midway Stations to Orlando Station. Standard fares apply.

Ticketpro – South Africa vs Uganda – 6th of September 2024 – (ticketpros.co.za)

Source: SAFA

Bafana Bafana clawed their way back from two goals down to force a last-gasp 2-2 draw with Uganda during an at times nerve-raking 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at Orlando Stadium on Friday night.

Uganda had thought that they were on the cusp of a famous victory in South Africa, but debutant Thalente Mbatha had other ideas and snatched the precious equaliser deep in the referee’s optional time to ensure a sharing of the spoils.

Bafana Bafana were in control in the first half and were rewarded when Lyle Foster beat Uganda goalkeeper Rashid Watenga to set the ball rolling in the 14th minute. Coach Hugo Broos’ charges dominated proceedings during the period and should have increased their lead, such was their stranglehold on proceedings.

Man of the match Oswin Appollis was having the time of life leading the Uganda rearguard a merry dance and it was a surprise that the home side only had Foster’s 14th minute strike to show for their trouble. Broos’ charges would rue those missed opportunities as Uganda scored two quick second-half goals from Denis Omedi and Rogers Mato, stunning the generous Orlando Stadium crowd.

Tension grew inside the stadium as the game went past the 90-minute mark and into the referee’s optional time. It was left up to Mbatha to break Uganda hearts and send Orlando Stadium into pandemonium.

Bafana Bafana now travel to South Sudan on Saturday for their second AFCON qualifier on Tuesday, 10 September 2024Spu

Source: SAFA