8 SPORT
INDABA | WEDNESDAY 10 AUGUST 2016
Bay boxers double booked in must-win fights NCEBA DLADLA PORT Elizabeth boxing mentor Caiphus Ntante is between a rock and a hard place. His two charges at Caiph Camp, the South African (SA) Female Junior Lightweight champion Nozipho Bell and Masixole Botile, a middleweight pugilist are booked to fight on the same date, Saturday 27 August in East London and Johannesburg, respectively. Bell, who is the only national boxing champion in Nelson Mandela Bay currently, will put her title on the line against mandatory challenger Rushda Mallick of the Western Cape over 10 rounds. Botile, who has been dropped in the Top 10 ratings in the Supermiddleweight divi-
sion, will square off with Gauteng’s 4th ranked SA contender Barend van Rooyen over eight rounds. “We are double booked but because the two fights are that important for my two boxers we’ll take both of them,” said Ntante. Botile, with 13 fights – four wins all by Knock Out and nine losses – lost on points to East London’s Yanga Pethani in a contest for the vacant Eastern Cape Middleweight title in his last fight. He must beat van Rooyen, a veteran of 27 fights, who turned professional in 1998. Van Rooyen, with 22 wins (2KOs), four losses and a single draw lost against SA Middleweight champion Christopher Buthelezi in his last fight. He argued, “Botile’s fight against van
Rooyen will give my assistant trainer, Herbie Booysen an opportunity to stand on his own so that he could gain his confidence as a trainer while I shall go to East London to man Bell’s corner against the unbeaten Mallick,” said Ntante. Mallick won two and drew one in three outings as a pro while the champion from Walmer Township, has a record of six fights, 4 wins, a single stalemate and a loss.
; Hard in training to defend her SA Female Junior Lightweight title is Walmer’s Nozipho Bell (left) with her mentor Caiphus Ntante. Bell faces Rushda Mallick of the Western Cape in East London on Saturday 27 August. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
Palace draws with SUBS SELBY MADIKANE IT was a do-or-die clash when Crystal Palace shared a 1-1 draw with SUBS during their Motherwell Football Association (MOFA) Build It Premier League clash at Motherwell NU 9 Stadium on Saturday. The SUBS lanky striker, Athenkosi Mpati, was tightly marked by Palace’s young defender, Thamsanqa Smith. Smith, who was the man of the match, also closed SUBS’ experienced Lwando Nkohla on many occasions. Palace goalkeeper, Luvuyo Bavuma, pulled a brilliant save from a powerful close range header by Mpati. SUBS goalkeeper, Vuyolwethu Fonya, also showed the spectators that it was not a fluke for him to be goalkeeper with his world class save when Palace mid-fielder, Nkosiyethu Nzelani, fired a salvo. Late in the second half SUBS finally broke the deadlock when Nkohla drove home a beautiful goal to the far post with Bavuma
well beaten. SUBS’ joy was, however, short-lived, because Palace defender, Onesimo Maxengwana, delivered a long range shot that passed Fonya, who was not at his goal line. The final score was 1-1 after both sides played their hearts out. Young Romans went from trailing 2-0 to beat Motherwell United 3-2. Manchester United defeated Manchester FC 2-0 while Milan Stars overcame the FC Angels 2-1. Tomorrow Stars, who are the league title contenders, were led into a goalless draw by Valencia. Shining Stars’ head coach, Roger Klaas, and his technical team heaved a sigh of relief after their side, whose results have improved in the last few games, secured a welldeserved 3-0 win over Young Tigers. Real Strikers, who had escaped relegation zone, conquered Royal Bucks 2-1. Young Madrid devastated Liverpool 2-1 while Highland Spurs thumped Real Aces 5-0.
Crystal Palace defender, Thamsanqa Smith, and SUBS striker, Athenkosi Mpati, compete for the ball. PHOTO:SELBY MADIKANE
Aces make history after 38 years
ZWIFA President, Chippa Quntu, and his General Secretary, Phakamile Daca, present a trophy to the Golden Aces skipper, Tebogo Kukame. PHOTO:SELBY MADIKANE
GOLDEN Aces made history when they won the Zwide Football Association (ZWIFA) Ntando Tours and the Transport Premier League Cup for the first time since their inception 38 years ago. Aces came to the game with guns blazing and defeated their hoodoo team, Real Crusaders, 3-0 in their deciding game. The side that exerted pressure on Aces was Zwide Pirates who overcame Swartkops United 3-0. Pirates became the log leaders for 90 minutes, but their hopes of winning the prestigious league trophy were dashed by Aces. In the 15th minute Aces’ left wing, Sinethemba Kilibe, sent a nifty cross to Givemore Manuella whose shot beat the Saders goalkeeper, Khanyiso Majikela. Saders took the game to Aces, but they could not beat Aces’ seasoned goalkeeper, Thando Barthez Mthimkhulu. In the 40th minute Aces increased their lead to 2-0 when Siyabonga July drove home a powerful header that beat Majikela. Saders were nearly rewarded with a shot after Maliviwe Msila’s shot from the set piece was parried by Mthimkhulu in the 50th minute. Kilibe scored a beautiful goal in the 70th minute after he noticed that Majikela was off his line. Saders finished the game with 10 men following a red card that was given to Songezo
Mpambani in the 75th minute. Aces Head Coach, Ndumiso Jomo Jaji, was visibly elated with his team who have been making their preparations for this win since December 28 in 2015. Jaji said, “We started early with our preparations. Our boys did us proud. Our victory is attributed to discipline, dedication and determination. These players have indeed made history. Our club has never won any league trophy since it was established in 1978. Our side deserves an accolade because they worked very hard to win a most important trophy. “I want to thank the entire club supporters for supporting the boys. We have quality players who will represent ZWIFA during SAFA NMB Regional League Promotional Playoffs.” Aces experienced player, Mcebisi Gerald Mdwayi, who played a most phenomenal role towards his side’s success, said that they knew as players that their mandate was to win a league trophy. Mdwayi said, “We told ourselves that we should win a league title. We worked very hard despite some difficulties here and there. I am overwhelmed that we have accomplished our mission.”
Other ZWIFA Premier League results:
Young Killers 0-2 Shooting Stars Camper United 0-2 Strikers United Sophakama FC 6-0 Zwide Celtics Kuyasa United 2-0 Morning Stars Shining Stars 1-1 Gal City. – SELBY MADIKANE
Umzobomvu takes honours SELBY MADIKANE RED City, which is affectionately called Umzobomvu, took the honours when they defeated PE Sundowns 2-1 in the New Brighton Football Association (NEBFA) Iron Bridge Events One Day Tournament finals at New Brighton Oval on Sunday. Sundowns, tipped as hot favourites, were
ruthless when they walloped Friendly City 5-1 in the semi-finals. Fans saw an enthralling semi-finals game when Umzobomvu beat the gallant Stinging Bees 2-0 in a hard-earned victory. City never had a chance to collect any silverware, because their opponents, Sundowns, came in with their guns blazing in the semi-finals. City showed the fans that they were one of
the oldest sides in the Eastern Cape that had made their mark in the soccer fraternity. City beat the high-riding Sundowns 2-1. The fans were treated to football of a high standard from the start to the last minute of the game. Umzobomvu scooped the first prize of R10 000 while Sundowns went home with R5 000. The losing semi-finalists Friendly City and Stinging Bees received R2 500 each.
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