Latest news with #Sekhukhune
IOL News
20 minutes ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Eric Tinkler warns against complacency ahead of TS Galaxy showdown
ERIC TINKLER has been in the game long enough to know of the dangers of facing a wounded foe. It is for that reason that the coach of Sekhukhune United will be wary of getting carried away by his side's fantastic start to the season. Whereas the punters are sure to pencil his team in as outright favourites to win tonight's Betway Premiership clash against TS Galaxy at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, local football's most famous ginger is treading carefully. Granted they are on a hat-trick having progressed into the MTN8 semi-finals as well as chalking up maximum points in their league opener. But those victories against the self-same Galaxy and the surprise success at Orlando Pirates will count for nothing tonight if his team take things for granted, he says. 'We've got a game (in three days' time) and if we don't win that one, then this result means nothing,' he said post their 1-0 win at Pirates. 'It's about building on that, don't become complacent. So, obviously consistency in the performance becomes the key.' He has seen enough from his team though to believe they are on the right track to achieving that consistency. 'The character the guys showed in the MTN8 came out again (against Pirates) and I think we are creating a very disciplined and well-cultured team. The work ethic both at training and in matches have to match what we are doing in training. Are we transferring it to the game? I am seeing that and it is a positive for me.' That they beat Galaxy 3-2 having trailed 2-0 early on is a factor that should see them cock-a-hoop as they trot on to the pitch. But that's no reason to think victory is a given. 'Yes we did well to come back in the game against Galaxy. But truth be told, Galaxy had six to seven players who were not registered. I think the team we are going to face on Wednesday is going to be a very different team to the one we faced in the MTN8.' Galaxy are on the opposite end of the scale, the team owned by Tim Sukazi having been beaten twice already – the 2-3 loss at Sekhukhune and then their having been beaten 2-0 by rookies Durban City in the league opener. They will need to avoid losing three in a row and will look to build their confidence on the fact that they had led Sekhukhune 2-0 in that MTN8 clash. It shapes up as a potentially thrilling encounter, with Galaxy eager to not only gain revenge but to chalk up maiden points and Sekhukhune intent on completing a hat-trick of victories plus show that their cup victory was no fluke. In another match in the Limpopo capital tonight Magesi FC will welcome Stellenbosch FC to Seshego Stadium looking to build on their goalless draw with Polokwane City. Their opponents will be hard-pressed for victory as they seek to get off the mark in the championship following their 2-0 home defeat by Kaizer Chiefs. Steve Barker's men also need to get a good result to lift their spirits ahead of the weekend MTN8 semi final clash against Sekhukhune. Both of tonight's matches kick off at 7.30pm.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sekhukhune, Pumas show it can pay to back a longshot
Punters can beat the odds if they think smartly and spot value. Underdogs are still alive and kicking in sport, even in this era of professionalism, data and algorithms. A couple of shock results in high-profile matches at the weekend proved it. Sekhukhune United rocked mighty Orlando Pirates 1-0 in a Betway Premiership opening fixture to gladden the hearts of neutrals, their fans in Limpopo and those punters brave enough to chance a few rands on them. Sekhukhune were at 6.00 for the away win (with Pirates at 1.48 and the draw at 3.40), long odds for a contest between two sides in the same league. The betting board told a story: last year's league runners-up Pirates had the player strength, home fan support and historical aura to make short work of upstarts Sekhukhune. But there was subtext to this story, which a few clever punters managed to decipher: Pirates had a new coach and seven new players, leaving them vulnerable to disjointedness and a smash-and-grab from a well-organised team that has been on an upward trajectory for a couple of years. Over in Pretoria, in rugby's Currie Cup, home side the Bulls (1.01) were hot favourites to beat the Pumas (10.00). Again, the signal from the data analysts and odds-setters was that it would be one-way traffic. And it was. Just not the way they thought it would be! The Pumas steamrollered their fancied opponents 41-7. Again, smart followers of the game might have seen that the visitors were a mature, settled outfit, while the Bulls – also with a new coach – fielded youth and brilliance but relative inexperience in the trenches of an ultra-tough battlefield. Lesson learnt? Successfully backing outsiders is not easy and looking to beat the odds shouldn't be any bettor's only strategy. But an eye should always be kept open for the value gap. If odds are long, a wager can be modest yet yield a pleasing return.
The Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Ouaddou vows Pirates will bounce back after Sekhukhune loss
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was happy with some aspects of the team's performance in their 1-0 defeat to Sekhukhune in the league opener at Orlando Stadium on Saturday. Siphesihle Mkhize's solitary strike in the 48th minute sank Pirates, who came into the match high on confidence after a convincing 2-0 win in the MTN8 quarterfinals against Polokwane City at the same venue the previous Saturday. 'I think we've seen some interesting things in this game. Despite losing, we don't have to throw away some interesting things. But, of course, we've started the league campaign badly. It's not the way we wanted to start,' Ouaddou said.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Concerns over R700 million budget led to Mbeki's withdrawal from National Dialogue
Seven leading foundations have withdrawn from the National Dialogue Convention, citing concerns over rushed planning, loss of citizen leadership, and lack of transparency in the process. Image: file Former President Thabo Mbeki has shed light on the reasons behind his foundation's withdrawal from the National Dialogue, a government-led initiative aimed at bringing South Africans together to discuss the country's biggest problems. According to Mbeki, one of the primary reasons for the withdrawal was the uncertainty surrounding the R700 million earmarked for the National Dialogue. Mbeki's foundation, along with other prominent legacy foundations, including the Steve Biko Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, and FW de Klerk Foundation, withdrew from the National Dialogue Convention scheduled to kick off on Friday. The foundations cited concerns over the rushed timeline, inadequate preparation, and shift towards government control as reasons for their withdrawal. "We feel the organisation of the matter was not entirely honest as to where the funds will be directed," Mbeki said. "This is due to our belief that core principles meant to underpin the whole National Dialogue have been violated in the rush to host a gathering on 15 August." In a joint statement, the foundations highlighted several issues, including a rushed timeline saying that the convention's constrained logistics have turned it into a performative milestone rather than a meaningful launch of a national process. The foundations also cited the absence of a confirmed, approved budget allocation and last-minute commitment of initial funds have made sound preparation impossible and deep disagreements exist within the Preparatory Task Team over the nature of the dialogue, readiness, governance, and risk. The foundations have proposed rescheduling the convention to after October 15, 2025, to allow for adequate preparation, coherence, and participatory integrity. "Deadlines cannot override substance," they emphasised. "Dialogue cannot be built on haste." A senior government official said another reason for the withdrawal of the former president and the foundations was the inclusion of controversial Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke. Maluleke is at the heart of a TUT controversy, facing accusations of appropriating the concept of a Sekhukhune campus in Limpopo. This alleged theft led to the construction of a campus in Giyani instead, leaving hundreds of Sekhukhune youth without the promised university. On July 16, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his appointment as co-chair of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group (EPG). The National Dialogue is an inclusive, citizen-driven process focused on developing a vision and plan for South Africa for the next 30 years. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) expressed strong disapproval regarding the proposed R700 million budget for the National Dialogue. 'Like many other rational South Africans, Cosatu was astonished that such a figure could even be suggested. This arbitrary budget number should be considered a verbal slip and a reckless error, best forgotten,' 'While Cosatu understands that this proposal stems from a few government officials and others, it is incredibly imprudent and insensitive given the public's frustrations, especially those of the working class. This group has endured severe austerity cuts to essential services like health, education, policing, and home affairs. They have been forced to make sacrifices while struggling with the increasing cost of living in a fragile economy burdened by extreme unemployment, poverty, and inequality,' Cosatu said in a statement. Despite the withdrawal of the legacy foundations, President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the first national convention will proceed as scheduled. The Presidency further distanced itself from the estimated R700 million price tag for the dialogue. 'The Presidency wishes to confirm that all budgetary processes regarding the National Convention are consistent with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). 'The Inter-Ministerial Committee, which is chaired by Deputy President Paul Mashatile and comprises all relevant government departments to coordinate government's contribution towards the National Dialogue, has been working to mobilise resources for the convention and manage costs,' the presidency said in a statement on Sunday. The Presidency said there was a call for collaboration with other stakeholders to reduce the costs of the National Dialogue. 'UNISA has offered to host the first National Convention and provide associated goods and services free of charge, as it stands, venues have been secured for the plenary, two overflow venues with livestreaming , 10 breakaway venues, dining area and work areas,' the statement read. 'In addition, UNISA is providing facilities for an Operations Centre, which has been running over the past week, catering, ushers, AV services, printing of discussion documents, signage, conference bags, notepads, pens and WiFi.' The statement added that the costs of the first convention were being funded from the existing budgets of NEDLAC and the Presidency for secretariat support, communications and logistics and that the provisions in the Appropriation Act and the PFMA will be used to reimburse the Department of Employment and Labour and NEDLAC in the Adjustments Budget later this year. [email protected]
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Pirates' Ouaddou explains Mabasa absence
'He is ready and when we call him, I think he will be able to perform,' said the Pirates head coach. Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says Tshegofatso Mabasa is fully fit despite leaving the striker out of his squad for the Buccaneers' first two games of the season. ALSO READ: Pirates' Ouaddou – 'We were dominant' Mabasa scored 15 goals in all competitions for Pirates last season, but did not feature in either the 2-0 MTN8 quarterfinal win over Polokwane City or Saturday's shock 1-0 loss at home to Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership. Pirates strikers out in the cold? Another experienced Pirates striker, Evidence Makgopa, has also not played yet though he was on the bench for the Sekhukhune match. The new Pirates coach has instead preferred young forward Boitumelo Radiopane in attack. Radiopane only managed one goal last season for Pirates and has not found the net in either of Pirates' first two games this time around. 'Mabasa is available, it is a choice that we made. But he is ready and when we call him, I think he will be able to perform and give us the best of him,' said Ouaddou, after Siphesihle Mkhize's goal gave Sekhukhune a second league win this year at Orlando Stadium. 'You can maybe ask questions because the strikers we used didn't score. But we have a lot of players this season and everyone will get their chance at the right moment.' The result against Sekhukhune was an early setback for Ouaddou and his side. Pirates, who won their first seven games of last season, need to find a solution quickly. They visit Ouaddou's former club Marumo Gallants in their next Premiership match on Tuesday. 'The league is long' Gallants started their season with a 2-1 win at Richards Bay on Saturday. ALSO READ: Sekhukhune raid Orlando again to stun Pirates 'I said to the boys (after the game) that there is a lot of disappointment, but there is a chance … to play again quickly and to go and win the next game. The league is still long. It was a bad start but we must get some rest and … come back.'
