Latest news with #Robbers
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
AmaZulu's Ofori braces for ‘cup final' against former side Orlando Pirates
Richard Ofori AmaZulu goalkeeper Richard Ofori will be keen to get one over his previous club, Orlando Pirates. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix AmaZulu goalkeeper Richard Ofori is not entertaining any nostalgia as he prepares to face his former club, Orlando Pirates, in what he's calling a 'cup final' for Usuthu. The Durban-based outfit will welcome the Soweto giants to Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off), with a place in next season's MTN8 competition up for grabs. A single point will be enough for Arthur Zwane's side to secure a top-eight finish in the final round of the 2024/25 Premiership campaign. Ofori, who spent several seasons with the Buccaneers before switching to AmaZulu, says the emotional attachment is not part of his mental preparation. 'Every game is important, and that's how we take them. Football sometimes doesn't go the way we want it to go, but we prepare our mindset and focus on each and every game,' Ofori said. 'Whether it's a former club or whoever we're playing, it's a big game and it's a cup final for us. 'I expect it to be a beautiful game. 'It will be nice to be some of my former teammates, but this is just a football game that we are playing, with nothing added on top. So, our attitude needs to match up with that.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The Sea Robbers are heading for our shores, but we're ready to defend every grain of sand! 🏖️🔜 🎟️ Tickets are available at @TicketProSA outlets – secure your spot on the frontline now! ⚔️🪖#BetwayPrem #HebeUsuthu #UsuthuTogether — AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) May 21, 2025 AmaZulu currently occupy sixth place on the log standings, but that position is far from secure. A defeat to Pirates, coupled with results elsewhere, could see them miss out on the lucrative MTN8 tournament – a scenario Ofori and company are determined to avoid. Pirates come into the match having secured second spot in the league and CAF Champions League qualification. While head coach Jose Riveiro is no longer on the bench following compassionate leave, Ofori believes the Buccaneers remain a formidable force. 'I don't think their intensity has dropped (since Riveiro left). In fact, it's been the same, to be honest, (judging from) the last two games against Golden Arrows and SuperSport. I don't think they look tired,' he observed. 'But at this stage of the season, tiredness sets in and the mindset sometimes goes down a bit because of the fatigue. 'But they won against SuperSport, which means they're in good shape.' Nah dawg @orlandopirates you really robbed us of a good ending 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾 You hurt us 💔 — Rehauhetswe M (@hauza_) May 20, 2025 AmaZulu have not played since their 1-1 draw against Polokwane City on May 2, a break that may offer physical freshness but also risks match sharpness. Ofori, however, believes the focus should remain inward. 'We need to focus on our game because at the end of the day, they're still Pirates – no matter who their coach is – because the name in itself sometimes plays a role, no matter the personnel that's playing.' While Saturday's match won't feature silverware, the stakes are just as high for Ofori and his teammates. A top-eight finish would represent a significant step forward for a club that started the season on shaky ground and has been steadily rebuilt under Zwane. Now it all comes down to 90 minutes – and AmaZulu's shot-stopper knows exactly what's on the line.
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Examining Māori Access To Capital
Press Release – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand The Bulletin highlights barriers specific to Mori, including legislative constraints that make it challenging to use Mori land as loan collateral and low trust and awareness between Mori and banks. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua has published a Bulletin article which discusses the barriers Māori face in accessing capital that may be associated with market failures or imperfections. The Bulletin highlights barriers specific to Māori, including legislative constraints that make it challenging to use Māori land as loan collateral and low trust and awareness between Māori and banks. Māori are also more likely to live in rural areas and face market failures common to rural credit markets. The market failures that tend to be associated with these financing gaps are all forms of information failure or asymmetry. Assistant Governor Simone Robbers says that Māori face persistent barriers to accessing capital, many of which stem from market failures or imperfections. 'These barriers contribute to ongoing financial exclusion which has broader economic consequences. It can weaken the financial system's ability to allocate capital efficiently and limit the potential of the New Zealand economy, especially given the growing significance of the Māori economy,' says Ms Robbers. Various initiatives have been introduced to address information gaps and improve access to capital for Māori. These include better data collection, cultural training, and financial literacy programmes. Steps have also been taken to facilitate lending on Māori land and develop tailored bank products, though uptake remains low. Although the Māori economy has grown significantly and business financing gaps between Māori and non-Māori appear to be narrowing, further efforts are needed to completely close the gap and unlock the full potential of the Māori economy. Improved data collection, innovations in the financial system, AML/CFT reforms, and further legislative changes have been identified as ways that could ease barriers and support development in a way that recognises and promotes the cultural and economic significance of Māori. 'Identifying where market failures exist is important for informing targeted and effective public policy interventions that support more inclusive and efficient financial outcomes,' says Chief Economist Paul Conway. This research builds on the Reserve Bank's 2022 'Improving Māori Access to Capital' Issues Paper. It continues our commitment to exploring and addressing structural challenges in the financial system in line with our Financial Policy Remit and 2024 Letter of Expectations.
Scoop
14-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Examining Māori Access To Capital
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua has published a Bulletin article which discusses the barriers Māori face in accessing capital that may be associated with market failures or imperfections. The Bulletin highlights barriers specific to Māori, including legislative constraints that make it challenging to use Māori land as loan collateral and low trust and awareness between Māori and banks. Māori are also more likely to live in rural areas and face market failures common to rural credit markets. The market failures that tend to be associated with these financing gaps are all forms of information failure or asymmetry. Assistant Governor Simone Robbers says that Māori face persistent barriers to accessing capital, many of which stem from market failures or imperfections. 'These barriers contribute to ongoing financial exclusion which has broader economic consequences. It can weaken the financial system's ability to allocate capital efficiently and limit the potential of the New Zealand economy, especially given the growing significance of the Māori economy,' says Ms Robbers. Various initiatives have been introduced to address information gaps and improve access to capital for Māori. These include better data collection, cultural training, and financial literacy programmes. Steps have also been taken to facilitate lending on Māori land and develop tailored bank products, though uptake remains low. Although the Māori economy has grown significantly and business financing gaps between Māori and non-Māori appear to be narrowing, further efforts are needed to completely close the gap and unlock the full potential of the Māori economy. Improved data collection, innovations in the financial system, AML/CFT reforms, and further legislative changes have been identified as ways that could ease barriers and support development in a way that recognises and promotes the cultural and economic significance of Māori. 'Identifying where market failures exist is important for informing targeted and effective public policy interventions that support more inclusive and efficient financial outcomes,' says Chief Economist Paul Conway. This research builds on the Reserve Bank's 2022 'Improving Māori Access to Capital' Issues Paper. It continues our commitment to exploring and addressing structural challenges in the financial system in line with our Financial Policy Remit and 2024 Letter of Expectations.
