2004

Mighty Amajita too hot to handle
on way to Vodacom Cosafa under 20 championship final
Johannesburg, Thursday, 2 December 2004 – The Rainbow Nation’s young football warriors, the Mighty Amajita booked their place in Saturday’s Vodacom Confederation of Southern African Football Association (Cosafa) under 20 championship final, after crushing the challenge of Zimbabwe 4-1 in typically warm Pretoria conditions at the Caledonian stadium on Thursday.


CAPS UNITED ARE ZIMBABWE CHAMPIONS
Striker Leonard Tsipa scored four goals as CAPS United won their premier league title in Zimbabwe on Wednesday with a 5-1 away win over Kwekwe Cables in Mbizo.


2004 COSAFA U20 COMPETITION - LOG

YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW
Cosafa’s two representatives Angola and Lesotho have been paired in the same group for January’s African Youth Championships in Benin.

YAMBA ASHA NAMED BEST PLAYER
Angolan defender Yamba Asha was named as the best player in the 2004 Cosafa Castle Cup, winning the R20 000 prize in the individual award.


MEDIA AWARD WINNERS
The winners of the 2004 Cosafa Castle Cup media awards were made in Lusaka on Saturday:


ANGOLA ARE 2004 WINNERS
Angola won a record third Cosafa Castle Cup title on Saturday, edging hosts Zambia 5-4 on penalties in the final in Lusaka after a goalless draw at the end of extra time.


Shock rocks Basotho as Makakole dies
The President of the Lesotho Football Association and the Chairman of the Lesotho Sports Commission, Thabo Makakole was killed a few hours after he landed in the kingdom from Cairo when an oncoming minibus lost control and crashed into a Toyota condor in which Makakole was driving at Lancers Gap in Maseru on Thursday afternoon.


TRIBUTES FOR LEFA PRESIDENT THABO MAKAKOLE
The president of the Lesotho Football Association, Thabo Makakole, died tragically in a car accident in Maseru on Thursday.


BRUCE IS BACK IN BUSINESS
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar, fired last month after just five matches in charge of South African side Manning Rangers, has bounced back to take over at another struggling side, Umtata Bush Bucks.


SONANGOL WIN ANGOLA CUP
Desportivo Sonangol beat Primeiro Agosto 2-0 in Luanda on Thursday to win the Angolan Cup for the second time in four years.


UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW
COSAFA UNDER 20 YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP
25 NOVEMBER 2004 – 05 DECEMBER 2004
PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES...


COSAFA FINALS (1997 - 2003)
1997 Namibia 1 Zambia 1 ...


ANGOLA NAME PRELIMINARY SQUAD FOR FINAL
Angola have named just four foreign-based players in a preliminary squad for this year’s Cosafa Castle Cup final, unable to get their sizeable Portuguese-based contingent released for November 20’s final in Lusaka.


ZAMBIA TO MEET ANGOLA IN FINAL
Zambia edged through to the final of this year’s Cosafa Castle Cup with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Zimbabwe after a goalless draw in Sunday’s semifinal in Harare.


ZAMBIA’S SEMIFINAL SQUAD
Zambia’s squad for Sunday’s semifinal against Zimbabwe in Harare


ZIMBABWE’S SEMIFINAL SQUAD
Zimbabwe on Thursday finalised their squad for Sunday’s semifinal against Zambia:


BAKILI BULLETS OUT OF CHAMPS LEAGUE
Defending champions Enyimba of Nigeria are through to the semifinals of the African Champions League after avoiding defeat against Bakili Bullets of Malawi in Blantyre on Saturday.


SWAZILAND TO GET NEW FIFA COURSE
FIFA's new Com-Unity programme is now formally underway after the conclusion of a two-day workshop for its instructors in Zurich from 7-8 October 2004.


SANCTION FOR SWAZILAND
Following the acts of violence, which led to the curtailing of the Cosafa Castle Cup quarter-final between Swaziland and Zimbabwe at the Somhlolo stadium on June 27, the following decision has been made by the organising committee of the Cosafa Castle Cup:


ANGOLA’S WORLD CUP SQUAD
Angola’s coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves has named a 23-man squad for their World Cup African zone Group Four qualifier against Zimbabwe on Sunday:


ZIMBABWE TO DECIDE ON NEW COACH
A decision on a new national coach for beleaguered Zimbabwe is expected to be made on Tuesday, the country’s football association president


BAFANA HOPE FOR SOME FORTUNE
National coach Stuart Baxter is hoping Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune will have recovered from injury in time to make his long awaited return to the South African side for next month’s World Cup qualifier against Uganda.


AFRICAN WOMEN'S CHAMPS
Nigeria began the defence of their African women’s championship with a resounding 4-0 win over Algeria in Johannesburg on Sunday.


ANGOLA INTO THE FINAL
An opportunistic goal from Petro Atletico striker Flavio settled a tough battle of attrition between Mozambique and Angola in Maputo on Sunday with the Angolans progressing to the final of the Cosafa Castle Cup.


100 UP FOR COSAFA
The Cosafa Castle Cup celebrates its 100th game on Sunday, with festivities in Maputo as Mozambique hosts Angola in the first of this year’s semifinals.


GONCALVES FUMO IN MOZAMBIQUE SQUAD
Mozambique have managed to call up one of their Portuguese based contingent and will have four players from neighbouring South Africa in their squad for Sunday’s Cosafa Castle Cup semifinal against Angola.


ANGOLA SQUAD FOR SEMIFINAL
Angola have named 21 players for their Cosafa Castle Cup semifinal against Mozambique in Maputo on Sunday.


OKOCHA PRAISE SINGER SACKED
A television soccer commentator has been fired by Zimbabwe’s state-run broadcasting corporation after being accused of bias against his country while covering a recent World Cup qualifier, press reports said.


SEMIFINAL POSTPONED
The Cosafa Castle Cup semifinal between Zimbabwe and Zambia has been postponed from October 3 to October 24, officials announced on Saturday.

ANGOLA’S WORLD CUP SQUAD
Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves named a 23-man squad for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier at home to Rwanda in Luanda:


MARIMO CANNOT TAKE UP SA JOB
Former Zimbabwe coach Sunday Marimo has lost a coaching job in neighbouring South Africa because he allegedly misplaced his passport and is unable to travel, officials said.


BARTLETT OUT OF WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
South Africa have been forced to leave Charlton Athletic striker Shaun Bartlett out of their squad for next weekend’s World Cup qualifier because of an ankle in jury.


ZIMBABWE’S 26 FOR NIGERIA TIE
Zimbabwe’s coach Rahman Gumbo on Friday named a 26-man squad for his country’s World Cup African zone group four qualifier against Nigeria in Harare on September 5:


BARTLETT OUT OF WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
South Africa have been forced to leave Charlton Athletic striker Shaun Bartlett out of their squad for next weekend’s World Cup qualifier because of an ankle in jury.


SOUTH AFRICA WARNED BY FIFA
South Africa are to be warned by FIFA after breaking new rules by using more than six substitutes in a friendly match on Wednesday.


SOUTH AFRICA BEAT AFRICAN CHAMPIONS
An early long range shot from Benni McCarthy set South Africa on their way to a surprise 2-0 win away over African champions Tunisia on Wednesday.


OFFICIALS FOR COSAFA CASTLE CUP SEMIFINAL


SOUTH AFRICA BEAT AFRICAN CHAMPIONS
An early long range shot from Benni McCarthy set South Africa on their way to a surprise 2-0 win away over African champions Tunisia on Wednesday.


MARIMO TO COACH IN SA
Sunday Marimo, who took Zimbabwe to the African Nations Cup finals earlier this year, has been appointed as the coach of newly-promoted South African premier league side Umtata Bush Bucks.

PIRATES KICKED OUT OF CUP
South African club Orlando Pirates have been kicked out of the African Confederation Cup after failing to travel to Cameroon for a postponed fourth round tie this weekend.


ZAMBIA’S WORLD CUP SQUAD
Zambia’s squad for their World Cup African zone group one qualifier against Liberia in Lusaka on September 4:


SEMIFINAL DRAW
Draw for the semifinal of the 2004 Cosafa Castle Cup conducted in Lusaka on Saturday:



BWALYA'S FAREWELL FAIRYTALE
Zambian coach Kalusha Bwalya made a fairytale farewell appearance for his country at the age of 41, appearing as a second-half substitute and then scoring in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Mauritius in the quarter-final of the Cosafa Castle Cup in Lusaka.


ZAMBIA’S QUARTER-FINAL SQUAD
Zambian exports Zacharia Simukonda and Ian Bakala arrived home on Wednesday for their country’s Cosafa Castle Cup quarter-final against Mauritius but there is doubt over the availability of imposing defender Elijah Tana.


BAFANA SEEK FORTUNE BACK
South African coach Stuart Baxter has met with Manchester United’s Quinton Fortune in an effort to persuade the midfielder to return to international action with his country.


BAFANA BAFANA TO TUNISIA AGAIN
African champions Tunisia are to host South Africa in a friendly international in Tunis on August 18, federation officials announced on Monday. ...

ZIMBABWE WIN ADDED REWARD
Zimbabwe‚s five-goal haul against Swaziland in their Cosafa Castle Cup quarter-final on June 27 has earned them an extra R10 000 (about US$1,700) in prize money. ...


BAFANA’S HOPES BACK ON TRACK
South Africa’s put their World Cup hopes back on track with a easy 2-0 win over Burkina Faso in Johannesburg on Saturday but still came in for some criticism from coach Stuart Baxter. ...


BAFANA TRIM THEIR SQUAD
South Africa have trimmed their squad for this Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso to 21 players after several days of training, coach Stuart Baxter announced. ...

ANGOLA’S WORLD CUP SQUAD
Angola’s squad for the World Cup African zone group four qualifier against Gabon in Libreville on Saturday: ...


MABIZELA STRIPPED OF BAFANA CAPTAINCY
South African defender Mbulelo Mabizela was stripped of his captaincy of the country’s national team after reporting late for training on Monday, coach Stuart Baxter said on Wednesday. ...


NDLOVU APPROACHED BY SA CLUB
National captain Peter Ndlovu is considering an offer from South African club Mamelodi Sundowns for the new season after more than a decade of playing in England. ...


LPS WIN CUP
By Thabang Matjama
The star-studded Lesotho Prisons Services were on rampage when they clobbered all their opponents in the round-robin Lesotho Buddie Top Four tournament last weekend.  ...


FISH WALKS OUT ON SA SQUAD
Charlton Athletic defender Mark Fish withdrew from South Africa’s World Cup squad on Monday after stinging criticism of his recent performances in the local media and said he had no plans to continue with his international career, officials said on Monday. ...


FISH WALKS OUT ON SA SQUAD
Charlton Athletic defender Mark Fish withdrew from South Africa’s World Cup squad on Monday after stinging criticism of his recent performances in the local media and said he had no plans to continue with his international career, officials said on Monday. ...

ZIMBABWE THRASH SWAZILAND
Peter Ndlovu scored a hat trick for Zimbabwe as they thrashed Swaziland 5-0 away in the Cosafa Castle Cup quarter-final on Sunday but angry home fans brought a premature end to proceedings. ...

BAFANA SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP GAME
South Africa will be back to near full strength for their World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso next weekend after coach Stuart Baxter named a 28-man squad on Thursday that included all the country’s leading players except injured Sibusiso Zuma. ...

SA POLICE PROMISE MORE ARRESTS
South African police promised more arrests on Thursday in the country’s on-going soccer match-fixing scandal after the detention of 10 referees over the last week. ...

GROBBELAAR COULD RETURN FOR ZIMBABWE
Bruce Grobbelaar is set to return as coach of Zimbabwe after talks with officials at the weekend, newspapers said on Tuesday. ...

SWAZILAND ON STRIKE
The national soccer team went on strike on Monday refusing to train until they had been paid outstanding allowances, local newspapers reported on Tuesday. ...

SIHLANGU SQUAD FOR SUNDAY
Swaziland have named an 18-man squad for their Cosafa Castle Cup quarter-final match against Zimbabwe at the Somhlolo stadium on Sunday ...

GROBBELAAR COULD RETURN FOR ZIMBABWE
Bruce Grobbelaar is set to return as coach of Zimbabwe after talks with officials at the weekend, newspapers said on Tuesday. ...

SAVANNE WIN MAURITIUS FA CUP
Stevenson Hollingsworth scored a match winner early in the second half to steer Savanne SC to victory in the FA Cup in Mauritius with a 3-2 win over Faucon Flacq on Saturday. The victory came after Savanne were twice behind in the first half against the team led by Elvis Antoine, who is now also co-coach of the Mauritius national team. The winning team’s other two goals came from Kurt Desalles. Savanne now qualify to play in continental club competition in next year’s African Confederation Cup.

ZAMBIA DRAW IN WORLD CUP

Tottenham Hotspur striker Frederic Kanoute rescued a point for Mali with a late goal on Saturday as his country were held to a 1-1 draw by Zambia in their World Cup qualifier in Bamako.

Kanoute’s 80th minute goal gave Mali their first point of their African zone group one campaign but the draw is a setback for the African Nations Cup semifinalists, who lost their first group match at Liberia two weeks ago.

Saturday’s World Cup qualifiers in Africa were dominated by some of the country’s lightweights who also marked their transition into competitive sides with rare wins in the qualifiers.

Botswana, the Cape Verde Islands and Rwanda won only their second-ever World Cup games on Saturday to register their first points of the campaign for a place in the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

Mali fell behind to a 16th minute goal from Zambia’s burly striker Harry Milanzi before Kanoute rescued the point.

Zambia also played the last five minute with 10 men after the dismissal of striker Dadley Fichite.

Botswana’s American-based striker Dipsy Selolwane scored early to give his country the lead against Malawi and a goal from Nelson Gabolwelwe midway through the first-half made sure of the home win in Gaborone in the group five game.

It was Selolwane’s fourth goal of the qualifying campaign, making him the joint top goal scorer in the African preliminaries.

A further nine qualifying matches in the African zone are to be played around the continent on Sunday.

TWO MORE BAFANA PLAYERS OUT

Striker Shaun Bartlett and midfielder Sibusiso Zuma have both withdrawn from South Africa’s squad on their eve of their departure for a World Cup qualifier in Ghana this weekend.


VONK WITHDRAWS FROM SA SIDE

Goalkeeper Hans Vonk has withdrawn from South Africa’s squad for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in Ghana citing an Achilles tendon injury, the South African Football Association said on Monday.


Mozambique win through to quarter-finals

Mozambique won through to the quarter-finals of the Cosafa Castle Cup for the first time


MAMBAS INTO LAST FOUR

Mozambique will acknowledge that victory was helped by the dismissal of Malawian defender Maupo Msowoya after just 20 minutes of the match at the Machava stadium.

ARBER NAMED IN SA SQUAD

South Africa have named uncapped Peterborough United defender Marc Arber in their squad for the key World Cup qualifier against Ghana next weekend.


ZAMBIA’S SQUAD FOR BAMAKO

Zambia’s squad for their World Cup African zone group one qualifier against Mali in Bamako on June 19:
Goalkeepers: Kalililo Kakonje (Power Dynamos), Kennedy Mweene (Kitwe United)
Defenders: Lloyd Mumba (Manning Rangers, South Africa), Kunda Mushota (Green Buffaloes), Joseph Musonda (Zesco), Billy Mwanza (Power Dynamos), Edwin Phiri (Ogryte, Sweden), Elijah Tana (Petro Atletico, Angola).
Midfielders: Ian Bakala (CAPS United, Zimbabwe), Isaac Chansa (Power Dynamos), Dudley Fichite (Green Buffaloes), Gift Kampamba (FC Rostov, Russia), Christopher Katongo, Misheck Lungu (both Green Buffaloes), Numba Mumamba (Zanaco), Justine Mwilima (Zesco), Andrew Sinkala (FC Cologne, Germany)
Strikers: Songwe Chalwe (Red Arrows), Collins Mbesuma (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Jacob Mulenga (Afrisport), Harry Milanzi (Lamontville Golden Arrows, South Africa), Boyd Mwila (Orgryte, Sweden).


MABIZELA’S GOALS GIVES BAFANA VICTORY

South African captain Mbulelo Mabziela scored two goals to hand his country an unconvincing 2-1 win over the Cape Verde Islands at the start of their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign in Bloemfontein on Saturday.


PAITO, FUMO BACK FOR MAMBAS

Mozambique have recalled Sporting Lisbon defender Paito and striker Goncalves Fumo to their squad for the Cosafa Castle Cup match against Malawi on June 13.
Coach Ayman El Yamany has to do without Armando Sa of Benfica, however for the game in Maputo which is the first of this year’s quarter-final ties.
Mozambique beat Madagascar 2-0 in the first round in April to book a meeting with Malawi, who were runners-up in last year’s southern African championships.
Veteran striker Tico-Tico will again leads the Mambas, who have Goncalves Fumo back for the first time since last year. Fumo was formerly on the books of Sporting but now plays for Naval in the second division.
Mozambique, who are not participating in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers after being eliminated by Guinea in the preliminary round last November, are seeking to reach the semifinals of the knockout competition for the first time.

Their squad for the match at the Estadio Machava is:
Goalkeepers: Kapango (Ferroviario Maputo), Leonel (Costa do Sol)
Defenders: Dario Khan (Al Hilal, Sudan), Jotamo (Costa do Sol), Mano (Desportivo Maputo), Miro (Maxaquene), Nando (Black Leopards, South Africa), Paito (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Quito (Ferroviario Maputo), Tomas (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Midfielders: Abilio (Ferroviario Beira), Fala-Fala (Desportivo Maputo), Gabito(Al Hilal, Sudan), Genito (Maxaquene), Nelinho (Ferroviario Maputo)
Strikers: Goncalves Fumo (Naval, Portugal), Tico-Tico, To (both Jomo Cosmos, South Africa)

  

DEFENCE FORCE ARE BASOTHO CHAMPS

Champions Lesotho Defence Force retained their title at the weekend when they hammered their closest challengers Lesotho Prisons Services in the final match of the season. The army side won 5-0 against the prison warders to qualify to again play in the African Champions League next year. The two sides had been level on points before Sunday’s match but the emphatic nature of LDF’s win confirmed their pre-season status as favourites to take the league in the mountain kingdom.

 

VETERAN MTAWALI IN MALAWI SQUAD

Malawi have recalled the 38-year-old midfielder Ernest Mtawali to their squad for the World Cup qualifier against Morocco in Blantyre on Saturday, the Football Association of Malawi said on Monday.
Mtawali, who plays at Ajax Cape Town in South Africa, made his debut for Malawi almost 21 years ago at the age of 17 in a Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar in August, 1983.
Officials said the midfielder had been called up after public demand for his inclusion. He will be one six foreign-based players in the 20-man squad for the group five match.
Malawi will be unusually coach by a trio of officials – John Kaputa, Kinnah Phiri and Dave Mpesi – for the game.

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Philip Nyasulu (Wanderers), Swadick Sanudi (Bakili Bullets)
Defenders: Allan Kamanga (Wanderers), Patrick Mabedi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Peter Mponda, Maupo Msowoya (both Bakili Bullets), Lackson Mtambo (Red Lions), Itay Nundwe (Silver Strikers)
Midfielders: James Chilapondwa, Emmanuel Chipatala (both Bakili Bullets), Dan Chitsulo (FC Cologne, Germany), Joseph Kamwendo (Wanderers), Fisher Kondowe (Bakili Bullets), John Maduka (Zulu Royals, South Africa), Ernest Mtawali (Ajax Cape Town, South Africa), Hellings Mwakasungula (Silver Stars)
Strikers: Essau Kanyenda (FC Rostov, Russia), Heston Munthali (MDC United), Russell Mwafulirwa (Jomo Cosmos, South Africa), Jimmy Zakazaka (Bakili Bullets).

OFFICIALS FOR COSAFA CASTLE CUP MATCHES

Mozambique v Malawi – Sunday 13 June
Match Com:  Thabo Makakole (Lesotho)
Refs Inspec:  Frank Valdemarca (Zimbabwe)
Referees:  W Kaoma/K Chichenga/E Kalaba  (Zambia)
4th:  H Langa (Mozambique)

Swazi v Zim – Sunday 27 June
Match Com:  tbc
Refs Inspec:  Chileshe Mukuka (Zambia)
Referees:  M Infanta/D Piquenino/F Machel  (Moz)
4th:  Sabelo Kunene (Swaziland)

Ang v Bots – Sunday 18 July
Match Com:  Kabalamula Chayu (Zambia)
Refs Inspec:  Frank Valdemarca (Zimbabwe)
Referees:  Paul Phomane/Sekhonyana Seeiso/Paul Khiba (Lesotho)
4th:  Inacio Antonio (Angola)

Zam v Mru – Sat 31 July
Match Com:  Henry Moyo  (Malawi)
Refs Inspec:  Chileshe Mukuka (Zambia)
Referees:  C Manuel/G Muzambi/C Nyoni (Zimbabwe)
4th:  L Jere (Zambia)

ANGOLA SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP

Angola’s squad for their World Cup qualifier against Algeria in Annaba on Sunday:
Goalkeepers: Joao Pereira (Moreirense, Portugal), Lama (Petro Atletico), Nuno (AS Aviacao)
Defenders: Elisio (Primeiro Agosto), Jacinto, Jamba (both AS Aviacao), Joel (InterClube), Kali (Santa Clara, Portugal), Loco, Miro (both Petro Atletico), Yamba Asha (AS Aviacao)
Midfielders: Andre (Boavista, Portugal), Figueiredo (Santa Clara, Portugal), Gilberto (Al Ahli, Egypt), Rats (AS Aviacao), Ze Calanga (Petro Atletico)
Forwards: Akwa (Qatar SC, Qatar), Bruno Mauro (Belenenses, Portugal), Chinho (Sagrada Esperanca), Freddy (Uniao Leiria, Portugal), Love (AS Aviacao), Marco Paulo (Estoril, Portugal), Maurito (Uniao Leiria, Portugal).

SA WITHDRAW FROM 2008 BID

South Africa have withdrawn their bid to host the 2008 African Nations Cup finals leaving Ghana and Libya in the race to organise the bi-annual tournament.
South African Football association president Molefi Oliphant said on Monday his country were pulling out after winning the right to host the 2010 World Cup.
He said the association had decided to concentrate all its efforts on the 2010 event.
The Confederation of African Football are scheduled to decide on the 2008 host nation when they meet in Cairo in July. There are plans to send an inspection team to both countries before the vote of the CAF executive committee but no details have yet to released of the planned visits.
Ghana have previously hosted the Nations Cup finals in 1963, 1978 and as co-hosts with Nigeria in 2000. Libya were hosts in 1982, when Ghana ironically last won the event.
The next Nations Cup finals are to be hosted in Egypt in 2006.
Algeria and Morocco have already stated their interest in hosting the 2010 Nations Cup tournament.
Morocco were beaten by South Africa in the vote earlier in May to decide the host of the 2010 World Cup finals, to be held in Africa for the first time.


ZAMBIA SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP MATCH

Zambia’s squad for their World Cup group one qualifier at home to Togo in Lusaka on June 5:
Goalkeepers: Kalililo Kakonje (Power Dynamos), Kennedy Mweene (Kitwe United)
Defenders: Sashi Chalwe (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Stephen Kunda (Power Dynamos), Misheck Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Lloyd Mumba (Manning Rangers, South Africa), Joseph Musonda (ZESCO United), Billy Mwanza (both Power Dynamos), Edwin Phiri (Orgryte, Sweden)
Midfielders: Ian Bakala (CAPS United, Zimbabwe), Isaac Chansa (Power Dynamos), Dudley Fichite (Green Buffaloes), Gift Kampamba (FC Rostov, Russia), Christopher Katongo (Green Buffaloes),  Numba Mumamba (Zanaco), Noel Mwandila (Green Buffaloes), Justin Mwilima (ZESCO United), Andrew Sinkala (FC Cologne, Germany)
Forwards: Songwe Chalwe (Red Arrows), Collins Mbesuma (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Harry Milanzi (Lamontville Golden Arrows, South Africa), Jacob Mulenga (Afrisports), Boyd Mwila (Orgryte, Sweden), Zachariah Simukonda (Al Merreikh, Sudan).

FISH NAMED IN SA SQUAD

Charlton Athletic defender Mark Fish to set to make his first appearance for South Africa in almost four years after being named in an 18-man squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier against the Cape Verde Islands.
Fish, who won the last of his 60 caps in October 2000, returns for the match in Bloemfontein on June 5 at the start of South Africa’s 2006 World Cup campaign.
Fish had previously asked not to be selected for the team to concentrate on his club career in England.
The squad contains juts three players from South African-based clubs and one new call-up, midfielder Elrio van Heerden from FC Copenhagen in Denmark.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Emile Baron (Lillestrom, Norway), Hans Vonk (SC Heerenveen, Netherlands)
Defenders: Bradley Carnell (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), Mark Fish (Charlton Athletic, England), Aaron Mokoena (Racing Genk, Belgium), Thabang Molefe (Le Mans, France), Nasief Morris (Panathinaikos, Greece)
Midfielders: Delron Buckley (VfL Bochum, Germany), Lance Davids (1860 Munich, Germany), Stanton Fredericks (Kaizer Chiefs), Mbulelo Mabizela (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Benson Mhlongo (Wits University), Elrio van Heerden (FC Copenhagen,  Denmark), Benedict Vilakazi (Orlando Pirates), Japhet Zwane (FC Rostov, Russia)
Strikers: Shaun Bartlett (Charlton Athletic, England), George Koumantarakis (Preston North End, England), Siyabonga Nomvete (Salernitana, Italy).

BENNI MISSES WEDDING DAY MATCH

FC Porto striker Benni McCarthy is to miss South Africa’s opening World Cup qualifier next weekend because he is getting married but will be available for the key tie against Ghana later next month, officials said on Thursday.
McCarthy, 26, marries his Spanish girlfriend in Vigo on June 5, the same day that South Africa play their opening group two qualifier against the Cape Verde Islands in Bloemfontein.
But officials said the striker would be available for the potentially critical group match against Ghana in Kumasi on June 20.
McCarthy, who featured for his club as a late substitute in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League final victory over Monaco, refused to play for South Africa at the African Nations Cup finals in Tunisia earlier this year after a row over the length of his time away from his Portuguese club.
The forward, who finished as the top goal scorer in Portugal this season, announced his ‘retirement’ from international soccer after the dispute.
But new South Africa coach Stuart Baxter has met with McCarthy and persuaded him to make a return to the side as South Africa start their bid to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
McCarthy has scored 22 goals in 51 appearances for his country
.

MAMBAS CALL UP PORTUGAL TRIO

Benfica defender Armando Sa plus two other key players from Portugal are to play for Mozambique in next month’s Cosafa Castle Cup match against Malawi, coach Ayman Elyamany said on Tuesday. The others are Sporting Lisbon fullback Paito and the veteran defender Jojo, who competes for Sporting Espinho in the Portuguese second division. The match against Malawi will be played in Maputo on June 13 and is the first of the quarter-finals matches in this year’s southern African championship. Armando last played for Mozambique when they lost to Guinea in the preliminary round of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers last November.

ANGOLA SQUAD FOR CONGO FRIENDLY

Angola’s squad for their friendly match against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Kinshasa on Sunday, May 23:
Goalkeeper: Joao Ricardo (Moreirense, Portugal), Nuno (AS Aviacao)
Defenders: Elisio (Primeiro Agosto), Jamba (AS Aviacao), Joel (InterClube), Kali (Santa Clara, Portugal), Mambaia (Progresso Sambizanga), Yamba Asha (AS Aviacao)
Midfielders: Andre (Boavista, Portugal), Figueiredo (Santa Clara, Portugal), Gilberto (Al Ahli, Egypt), Mendonca (Varzim, Portugal), Rats (Felgueiras, Portugal), Stopirra (Primeiro Agosto)
Strikers: Bruno Mauro (Varzim, Portugal), Chinho (Sagrada Esperanca), Freddy (Uniao Leiria, Portugal), Love (AS Aviacao), Marco Paulo (Estoril, Portugal), Maurito (Uniao Leiria, Portugal).

JELUSIC TO GET NEW CONTRACT

Botswana are to move quickly to offer their youthful Serbian coach Vesselin Jelusic an extended contract after hints he might be moving south of the border to one of the South African premier league clubs.
Jelusic has made a quick reputation for himself since taking over as coach of the Zebras last year, guiding the under achieving side into the quarter-final of the Cosafa Castle Cup for a second successive year plus qualifying the team for the group phase of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, which start next month.
Botswana Football Association president David Fani has told local radio a new deal is to be offered to Jelusic, a former national coach in Angola and who also previously worked at AS Aviacao and InterClube in Luanda.
His contract expires in September, just after Botswana have got their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign underway. They start with a tough away game at African champions Tunisia next month.
Fani told listeners Jelusic was already in talks over his new package. He also slammed local newspapers claiming they were writing fiction rather than fact around the coach’s future.
Jelusic was linked by several reports with the South African club Jomo Cosmos, although this has since been denied by Cosmos owner Jomo Sono. “It is simply not true that Jelusic is leaving and the story has hurt him,” Fani said.


ZAMBIA SQUAD FOR FRIENDLY

Zambia’s squad for their friendly international against Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday:

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Kalililo Kakonje (Power Dynamos), Kennedy Mweene (Kitwe United)
Defenders: Evans Chisulo (Zanaco), Chalwe Kabamba (ZESCO), Stephen Kunda (Power Dynamos), Pephias Malekano (Lusaka Celtic), Joseph Musonda (ZESCO), Billy Mwanza (Power Dynamos), Derrick Shapande (Young Arrows), Felix Simukonda (Kabwe Warriors)
Midfielders: Ian Bakala (CAPS United, Zimbabwe), Isaac Chansa (Power Dynamos), Felix Katongo (Green Buffaloes), Numba Mumamba (Zanaco), Justin Mwilima (ZESCO United)
Forwards: Bruce Banda (ZESCO United), Songwe Chalwe (Red Arrows), Owen Mwendabai (Kabwe Warriors).



QUARTER FINAL DRAW

The draw for the quarter-finals of the Cosafa Castle Cup, conducted in Luanda on Sunday:
On 13 June:
In Maputo: Mozambique v Malawi
On 27 June:
In Somhlolo: Swaziland v Zimbabwe
On 18 July:
In Luanda: Angola v Botswana
On 31 July:
In Lusaka: Zambia v Mauritius
Winners go through to the semifinals in September and October.

ANGOLA GET LOTSA LOVE

Two similar goals from burly striker Love ensured Angola's progress into the quarter-finals of the Cosafa Castle Cup on Sunday at the expenses of Namibia, beaten 2-1
at the Estadio Cidadela.
Angola book themselves a home match in the last eight against Botswana in Gaborone as they stretched their unbeaten run against Namibia to 10 matches.
Love scored with a close-in header from Yamba Asha's cross in the 26th minute for the first goal which Namibia's goalkeeper Arnold Subeb managed to block but then allowed to slip over the line.
Love, from champion club AS Aviacao, scored his second in the 67th minute, again at the end of a cross from Yamba Asha. This time his header came from further out, was powered into the ground and again Subeb managed to get a hand onto it before allowing it slip into the net.
Angola, who only had two of their foreign-based players in the side totally dominated the match against an equally-makeshift Namibian side.
A stunning free kick from defender Jesunh Petrus gave Namibia a glimmer of hope in the 70th minute. Petrus curled a stunner past Lama in the Angolan goal in the only shot that
Namibia managed to get on target throughout the game.
It injected some life into their young and inexperienced side but Namibia kept losing possession by hanging onto the ball too long or hitting stray passes.
Angola's reward is a meeting with Botswana at home on July 18 in the draw for the last eight, conducted directly after Sunday's match in Luanda.
The draw:
13 June (Maputo): Mozambique v Malawi
27 June (Somhlolo): Swaziland v Zimbabwe
18 July (Luanda): Angola v Botswana
31 July (Lusaka): Zambia v Mauritius

COSAFA CASTLE CUP INCENTIVES

The Cosafa Castle Cup has added some new incentives this year to boost attacking play in the competition. There is a R25 000 prize on offer for any player who scores more than five goals in a single year, something that has never been achieved before. A bonus of R10 000 is also on offer to any scoring more than three goals in a match, which has been achieved before.
The man of the match awards in the annual southern African championship have also gone been double to R2000 per game. The full list of incentives this year are:

Prize money
Winners - R550 000
Runners-up - R280 000
Semifinalists - R145 000
Quarter-finalists - R95 000
First round - R80 000

Player of the Series - R20000
Man of the match - R2000 (per match)
Player who scored five or more goals per season - R25 000
Team scoring more than three goals in a match - R10 000

Media awards
Best print journalist - R12 000
Best radio journalist - R12 000
Best photographer - R12 000

NAMIBIA NAME SQUAD FOR ANGOLA

Oliver Risser, the 23-year-old reserve team player from German club Borussia Dortmund, is the only foreign-based player named in Namibia’s squad for Sunday’s Cosafa Castle Cup first round tie in Angola.
Risser was named in an 18-man squad for the match in Luanda where Namibia will attempt to turn around four years of failure in the regional tournament.
Namibia, runners-up to Angola in the 1999 final of the southern African championship, have not won a Cosafa Castle Cup match since and have another tough assignment ahead of them at the weekend.
The match is the second in charge for new part-time coach Max Johnson, a headmaster from Tsumeb in the north of the country.
Johnson has also included three players fro his own club Chief Santos and called-up Mohamed Ouseb to act as player-coach.
Ouseb recently returned home after the expiry of his contract with Lyn Oslo in Norway. He is a former Footballer of the Year in South Africa where he was a star at Kaizer Chiefs.
Another ex Brave Warriors captain, Sandro de Gouveia, is the new team manager.

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Nelson Geingob (Chief Santos), Arnold Subeb (Black Africa), Esau Tjiuoro (Ramblers)
Defenders: Richard Gariseb (Orlando Pirates Windhoek), Brian Gurirab (Chief Santos), Victor Helu (Ramblers), Moses Katjiteo (Black Africa), Jesunh Petrus (Blue Waters), Amos Shiyuka (Civics), Steven Tjeenao (Chief Santos)
Midfielders: Eric Aoseb (Black Africa), Rudolph Bester (Eleven Arrows), Johannes Hawala (Blue Waters), Stanley Isaacs (Civics), Mohamed Ouseb (unattached), Oliver Risser (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)
Strikers: Floris Diergaardt (Civics), Joao Paulo dos Santos (United Stars), Dokkies Schmidt (Tigers)

BODUNHA OUT OF SQUAD

Angolan coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves has dropped veteran defender Bodunha from his squad for this weekend’s Cosafa Castle Cup match against Namibia because of alleged indiscipline, the Angolan Football Federation said.
Bodunha, who plays for Portuguese second division club FC Maia, missed a flight to Ghana last week for a friendly international in Accra. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Goncalves named just three foreign-based players for Sunday’s first round match in the annual southern African championship. They are Kali of Santa Clara, Rats from Felgueiras in Portugal and Gilberto from Egyptian club Al Ahli.
Angola had hoped to call up any more but club commitments have ruled out the likes of captain Akwa and the country’s new star forward Marco Paulo from Portuguese club Estoril.
Sunday’s game is the last in the first round of this year’s southern African championship. The winner joins Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe (holders) in the quarterfinal, to be conducted in Luanda at the end of Sunday’s game.

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Lama (Petro Atletico), Nuno (AS Aviacao)
Defenders: Dias Caires (Petro Atletico), Elisio (Primeiro Agosto), Jamba (AS Aviacao), Kali (Santa Clara, Portugal), Mambaia (Progresso Sambizanga), Manuel, Miro (both Petro Atletico), Yamba Asha (AS Aviacao)
Midfielders: Fofana (AS Aviacao), Gilberto (Al Ahli, Egypt), Milex (AS Aviacao), Rats (Felgueiras, Portugal), Simao (AS Aviacao), Stopirra (Primeiro Agosto)
Strikers: Chinho (Sagrada Esperanca), Flavio (Petro Atletico), Jaburu (Petro Huambo), Kadima, Love, Malamba (AS Aviacao)

BAMFUCHILE BACK IN CHARGE

Ben Bamfuchile has returned to the helm of Zambia’s national team and will take charge of their upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign, which gets underway next month. Bamfuchile, who is also coach of the Copperbelt-based club Power Dynamos, previously had a spell in charge of Zambia’s side in 1999 and at the 2000 African Nations Cup finals in Nigeria, after which he was fired. Bamfuchile, who was in charge for 17 matches, then sued the Football Association of Zambia for unpaid wages. Bamfuchile’s new task is to secure qualification for Zambia for the 2006 World Cup finals. They play in group one of the African qualifiers against Congo, Liberia, Mali, Senegal and Togo. Zambia are also in the quarter-finals of this year’s Cosafa Castle Cup.

BENNI’S BAFANA RETURN DELAYED

South Africa appear to have jumped the gun on the return to the national team of FC Porto striker Benni McCarthy, whose much-anticipated recall has been delayed, the South African Football Association (SAFA) said on Saturday.
McCarthy, 26, announced his retirement from international football after a row last year and missed the African Nations Cup finals in Tunisia.
But he was named last week by new coach Stuart Baxter in a 22-man squad to assemble in England next week for a three day training camp in Surrey.
But SAFA admitted on Saturday they had yet to conclude negotiations with McCarthy to get him back into the side and, as a result, he would not be joining up with the training squad.
Baxter has met with McCarthy and FC Porto coach Jose Mourinho but the striker has yet to agree to end his self-imposed exile.
McCarthy is understood to be seeking an assurance that he will not be banned from playing for his club if he missed future internationals.
Under FIFA regulations, players who make themselves unavailable for international matches on officially designated dates can be stopped from playing in their next club match.
McCarthy, who has scored 22 goals in 51 international appearances, has had several previous disputes with the South African association in club versus country rows and also missed the 2000 African Nations Cup finals in Ghana and Nigeria.
Striker Siyabonga Nomvete has pulled out of the squad as has Russian-based left wing Dillon Sheppard.
They have been replaced by Danish-based winger Josta Dladla and the uncapped pair of Asanda Shishuba from Antwerp in Belgium and FC Copenhagen junior Elrio van Heerden.

ZAMBIA NAME WARM-UP SQUAD

Zambia’s squad for their friendly match against Zimbabwe in Lusaka on May 1:
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Kalililo Kakonje (Power Dynamos), Kennedy Mweene (Kitwe United)
Defenders: Laughter Chilembi (CAPS United), Stephen Kunda (Power Dynamos), Kunda Mushota (Green Buffaloes), Joseph Musonda (ZESCO United), Billy Mwanza (Power Dynamos), Clive Sichondwe (Green Buffaloes), Felix Simukonda (Kabwe Warriors),
Midfielders: Ian Bakala (CAPS United, Zimbabwe), Isaac Chansa (Power Dynamos), Christopher Katongo (Green Buffaloes), Mischeck Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Numba Mumamba (Zanaco), Noel Mwandila (Green Buffaloes), Justin Mwilima (ZESCO United)
Forwards: Songwe Chalwe (Red Arrows), Dudley Fichite (Green Buffaloes), Jacob Mulenga (Afrisports), Zechariah Simukonda (Al Merriekh, Sudan)

NAMIBIA TO PLAY BOTSWANA

Namibia will play their first match of the year next Wednesday when they host neighbours Botswana in Windhoek in preparation for next month’s Cosafa Castle Cup clash against Angola.
The hastily-arranged fixture will be a debut for new coach Max Johnson, who will have only locally-based players for next week’s match but a stronger contingent for trip to Luanda on May 9.
Namibia have already named an expanded squad for the trip to Angola for the last of the first round matches in the annual southern African championship.
This will be trimmed to 18 after Wednesday’s match.
Namibia have been hit by the withdrawal of Hamburg SV strike Collin Benjamin, who is due to have an operation of his ankle in Switzerland on May 4, and George Hummel, the defender who has just moved to a club in Vladivostok, Russia.
But they will expect to have the use of Razindura Tjikuzu of Bundesliga club Hansa Rostock and Johannes Jantze who plays in the second division in Germany with MSV Duisburg.
Also called up for the trip to Luanda is Oliver Risser, a utility player who is in the reserve team at former European champions Borussia Dortmund.
Coach Johnson has also included South African-based midfielder Ricardo Mannetti, from Cape Town club Santos, and Mohamed Ouseb, recently released from his contract with Lyn Oslo in Norway.
Namibia will be seeking to beat Angola for the first time. Last year they lost 2-0 in Luanda and 1-3 in Windhoek to ‘Palancas Negras’ in two friendly internationals.

ZIMBABWE NAME SQUAD FOR FRIENDLY

Zimbabwe’s squad for their friendly match against Zambia in Lusaka on May 1:

Goalkeepers: Tapuwa Kapini (Highlanders), Ephraim Mazarura (Black Rhinos)
Defenders: Cephas Chimedza (Dynamos), Herbert Dick (AmaZulu), Allan Johnson (Motor Action), Dazzy Kapenya (Sporting Lions), Zvenyika Makonese (Shabanie Mine), James Matola (Dynamos), Asani Matora (CAPS United), Bhekithemba Ndlovu (Highlanders), David Sengu (CAPS United)
Midfielders: Francis Chandida (Dynamos), Honour Gombami (Highlanders), Leo Kurauzvione (Dynamos), Clement Matawu (Motor Action), Lazarus Muhoni (Black Rhinos), Rowan Nenzou (Shabanie Mine), Esrom Nyandoro, Ronald Sibanda (both AmaZulu)
Strikers: Brian Badza (CAPS United), Lloyd Hlahla (Masvingo United), Ralph Matema (Kambuzuma United), Albert Mbano (Shabanie Mine), Malvern Nyakabangwe (Lancashire Steel), Sageby Sandaka (AmaZulu).

2004 PRIZE MONEY

The prize money for the 2004 Cosafa Castle Cup is as follows:

Winners – R550 000
Runners-up – R280 000
Semifinalists – R145 000
Quarterfinalists – R95 000
First round losers – R80 000

The incentive awards as as follows:
Player of the series – R20 000
Man of match – R2000 per match
Player who scores more than five goals in a year - R25000
Team scoring more than three goals in a match – R10 000

The media awards will be as follows:
Journalist of the year R12 000
Radio journalist of the year R12 000
Photographer of the year R12 000

LESOTHO, MAURITIUS SEEK NEW COACHES

Both Lesotho and Mauritius, two countries who condemned to the wilderness of international competition for the next two years, have both announced they are seeking to hire a foreign coach.
Lesotho, surprisingly beaten 4-1 on aggregate by Botswana in the preliminary rounds of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers last November, have been talking to Kim Splidsboel.
The Danish coach formerly worked in Malawi and took the Flames to the final of the 2002 Cosafa Castle Cup where they lost to South Africa.
Mauritius have also announced their intention to find a foreign technician, according to the country’s football association president Vinod Persunnoo.
Mauritius lost in extra time to Uganda in the 2006 World Cup preliminary round qualifiers.
Lesotho have also approached the German embassy in Maseru to help them in their search for a coach. German government co-operation over the last 30 years has seen countless German coaches working across Africa.
The Basotho government has delegated Makalo Theko, the principal secretary of the ministry of sport, to help with the Lesotho Football Association in its search.
Lesotho have never before been coached by a foreigner.
Mauritius, who fired the Frenchman Patrick Parizon in 2002, beat South Africa 2-0 in January with a tandem of locals of charge – Elvis Antoine and Rajesh Gunesh.
 

MALAWI UNVEIL TRIO OF COACHES

Malawi have announced a bizarre plan to have a trio of coaches jointly take charge of their national team for a year before they choose the best of them to become the team boss.
But the plan is already falling apart after one of the trio announced was not interested in the unusual arrangement.
Yasine Osman, who previously served as coach of Malawi from 1985 to 1987, said he was not prepared to share the job on a part-time basis with another two candidates.
Last week, the Football Association of Malawi decided to appoint Osman along with Kinnah Phiri and John Kaputa as joint coaches.
Osman is also a former international and served as general-secretary of the association.
Phiri, one of the country’s most famous players, recently returned home after working in Swaziland. He is also coach of Bakili Bullets, who are set to qualify for the last 16 of the African Champions League this weekend.
Kaputa has been administrative manager of the Malawi side for several years but is now turned into a coach.
Malawian officials said each individual’s performance would be assessed over the next year before a decision on who would get the job full-time.
Phiri has already told local reporters he is also unhappy with the arrangement.
“I have made it very clear that I’ll only accept the appointment if I will be in charge of the team,” Phiri t