In the trenches

Sixteen Premiership teams will renew their hostilities when they kick off the Absa Premiership programme tomorrow.
Fifteen of the teams will be on the warpath to knock the defending league champions SuperSport United off their high pedestal. Click here for more

Benni’s new tune

Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy has expressed his commitment to the national team and has called on the country to rally behind the side and support national coach Joel Natalino Santana.
McCarthy said he is also tired of the negative reports about him and that he wants the nation to know that whenever he gets bad publicity questioning his commitment, it makes him feel like he is not a South African. Click here for more

Terry leads England

London – England coach Fabio Capello has named Chelsea’s John Terry as his captain.
Defender Terry, 27, who succeeded David Beckham as skipper after the 2006 World Cup, was given the nod ahead of Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand. Click here for more

Teko’s magic

A piece of magic from playmaker Teko Modise in the 58th minute earned Bafana Bafana a hard fought 2-2 draw in a friendly international at the Loftus Road Stadium, London last night.
Modise’s goal was the highlight of a hard fought friendly. But Bafana coach Joel Santana left with more questions than answers. Click here for more

Nigeria a step closer to Olympic gold

Beijing – On paper Nigeria are favourites to beat Belgium in the semifinals of the men’s football tournament of the Beijing Olympics, but the underdogs tag could inspire Jean-Francois de Sart’s side to win.
They meet at Shanghai Stadium at 6pm [noon, SA time] today.
But against Belgium, Nigeria engage a team that is highly motivated after edging out Italy 3-2 in the quarterfinals at the Workers Stadium on Saturday. The Italians were among hot favourites to win the gold medal. Click here for more

Bafana’s nemesis

Bafana Bafana hope to end the domination of Australia’s Socceroos over them during their friendly at Loftus Road Stadium in London tonight.
This 8pm clash will be one the South Africans will want to win against the Socceroos since the 2010 Fifa World Cup hosts’ return to the international arena in 1992. Click here for more

Advantage Sundowns

But away goal boosts United
Mamelodi Sundowns went a long way towards securing a spot in the final of the MTN 8 when they won the first leg of the semifinal against SuperSport United 2-1 at Super Stadium in Atteridgeville. Click here for more..

10-man Belgium end Italy’s Olympic dream

Shenyang – Italy suffered a stunning 3-2 quarterfinal defeat against 10-man Belgium in Olympic soccer on Saturday while Brazil and titleholders Argentina both won in extra-time to set up a semifinal meeting.
Lionel Messi set up one goal and scored the other in Argentina’s 2-1 win over the Netherlands and Brazil beat Cameroon 2-0 to avenge their traumatic quarterfinal defeat against the Africans in Sydney eight years ago. Click here for more

POOR BIRDS

Kaizer Chiefs looks set to clip Moroka Swallows’ wings in what is bound to be an exciting Soweto derby in the MTN 8 first leg semifinal at Loftus tomorrow at 8.15pm. Click here for more

Bafana shake-up

Joel Santana, beleaguered Bafana Bafana coach, has roped Europe-based Matthew Pattison and Dean Furman into the team to play a friendly against Australia.
The duo were yesterday included in the team to face the Socceroos at Loftus Road Stadium in London next Tuesday. Click here for more

DEADLOCKED

The matter between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates over striker Siphelele Mthembu has been postponed because the two parties failed to find common ground.
The decision was taken by the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) at the league’s offices chaired by PSL prosecutor Zola “Javass” Majavu . Click here for more

SILVER LINING TO PLAYER'S INJURY CLOUD

A former Manchester United player whose career was ended when when he was injured in a tackle has been awarded more than £4,5million (about R67,3 million) in compensation.
Ben Collett, 23, broke his leg in a reserve game against Middlesbrough five years ago, at the age of 18. Boro player Gary Smith and his club admitted liability for the injury. Click here for more

BIRDS TALK TOUGH

Promise to send Chiefs packing
Moroka Swallows’ public relations officer Siya Sangweni has vowed that Kaizer Chiefs will see a replay of their nightmare against Manchester United when they take on the Birds in the first leg of the MTN 8 semifinals this weekend. Click here for more

BRAZIL, GERMANS IN LAST 8

Beijing – Favourites Brazil and Germany got their Olympic women’s football campaigns back on track with second round wins on Saturday while Norway ensured themselves a place in the quarterfinals.
Hosts China were held to a 1-1 draw by Olympic newcomers Canada and they remain locked together at the top of Group E. Click here for more...

DOWNS MAKE IT

Mamelodi Sundowns scored a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Free State Stars in the quarterfinals of the MTN 8 Knockout at Super Stadium yesterday. The goal was scored by Katlego Mphela in the 107th minute of extra time after both sides were level at 0-0 at full time. Click here for more

MESSI STARS FOR ARGENTINA

Striker Lionel Messi starred for Argentina in their opening Olympic victory after his club Barcelona cleared him to play.
The 21-year-old put the champions ahead and created another goal in the 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast yesterday. Click here for more

RONALDO IS STAYING PUT

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he will remain a Manchester United player for “at least one more year”.
The 23-year-old Portugal winger had frequently expressed his desire to leave for Spanish champions Real Madrid this summer. Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he will remain a Manchester United player for “at least one more year”. Click here for more

A HEAVY BURDEN

Pressure is mounting on the expensively assembled Mamelodi Sundowns to tear Free State Stars to pieces during their opening MTN 8 match at Super Stadium on Sunday.
This after The Brazilians were forced to go for an early shower in the season-opening Telkom Charity Cup in Mmabatho last Saturday where the youthful Kaizer Chiefs defeated them in the second semifinal. Click here for more