Sport
March 26, 2014 Indaba
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All set for Ironman SA competition - 4 to 6 April LIZEKA TANDWA
OVER 80 000 spectators are expected to descend in Port Elizabeth over the course of the Ironman weekend from April 4 to 6.
Ironman organisers say this doesn’t even take into account the number of spectators who support on the outer lying sections of the course. Ironman Coordinator, Michael Flanagan, said with the increased number of athletes both locally and internationally taking part in the race, they expect an increase in spectator numbers as most athletes travel with friends and
families. “It is not uncommon to see spectators setting up gazebos the night before the race to get a prime spot, particularly on Marine Drive. Over 80% of athletes come from outside of the Eastern Cape,” he said. Flanagan said they had a very strong professional line up this year which should make for an exciting race. In the men’s field, defending champion, Ronnie Schildknecht, returns along with South Africa’s hopeful, James Cunnama. In addition the 2005 Ironman World Champion, Faris Al-Sultan, comes back, along with professional newly - fledged , Kyle Buckingham, who was placed 1st
in his age group at the Ironman World Championship in 2013. Bas Diederen who came third in 2013 is also back,” said Flanagan. Apart from the professional athletes, sports stars such as Ollie Le Roux, Joel Stransky, Werner Swanepoel, Andre Nel and Jacques Rudolph will all also be participating. “The most significant change this year is the change in the course. The swim course has been changed from two laps of 1.9km to a rectangular course of 3.8km. The rectangle flanks the coastline from Hobie Beach to Kings Beach. “Athletes will now also start in three separate waves as opposed to the previous single mass
start. The bike course has been changed from three laps of 60km to two laps of 90km. The new bike course will take athletes into a whole new section of Port Elizabeth, incorporating some breathtaking scenery. “Athletes will go up Walmer Boulevard as in previous years but instead of turning around at Sea View, they will continue and turn right into Old Sea View Road, go past Lake Farm on to Kragga Kamma Road before arriving at Maitlands via De Stades Road. From Seaview Road they will rejoin the old course and head back down to Summerstrand via Sardinia Bay Road and Marine Drive,” he said.
Skolie helps Youngers win SELBY MADIKANE IT WAS the battle of the unrivalled arch-rivals when Young Professionals snatched a 1-0 victory from Dynamos during ZAFA Njeya Investments Premier League game at Wolfson Stadium on the very scorching Saturday afternoon.
Playing in front of their hundreds of supporters who braved the hot sunny weather conditions, both sides did not disappoint their supporters who watched the top-class football. Both sides went to the break deadlocking in a goalless draw. Youngers supporters were sent into raptures when their veteran striker Xolani Skolie Njongi squeezed the only goal of the game to see Professionals taking the three maximum points from Dynamos. XI Angels were defeated 2-1 by Seven United while Brazil Brothers who are currently in good form also won 2-1 over Leeds United. Young Romans ousted Continental Express 1-0 while NUBS’ 3-0 win over Zamazama kept them breathing behind the heels of the log leaders Romans. Other ZAFA Njeya Investments Premier League results: *Ghetto XI 0-2 Juventus *Golden Brothers 2-3 Santos *United Comrades 3-0 BUBS
Winter Rose player beats Bush Bucks to the ball.
Jumpers hunted Bucks SELBY MADIKANE
Dynamos midfielder Phumlani Bumpdance Mnabisa shields the ball from Young Professionals player. PHOTO:SELBY MADIKANE
Tigers and SUBS drew in exciting clash SELBY MADIKANE SUBS and Young Tigers drew 3-3 during MOFA Build It Premier League eye-catching clash at Motherwell NU 11 Grounds on Sunday. However, SUBS’ surefooted Yanga Faltein scored their opening goal in the first half with Tigers looking sluggish. SUBS continued pressing hard; as such Siyabulela Shumpa banged in their second goal to make it 2-0. Tigers replied with their first goal courtesy of Mzwanele Mavuso to make the halftime score 2-1 with SUBS leading. In the second half both sides played as if they were playing a final. SUBS’ striker Khaya Mtati banged in their third goal. Fans thought that Tigers were finished off; but they proved the critics wrong. They piled on more pressure, and as a result Mavuso finished his brace after unleashing a salvo and the scoreline was 3-2. The long
awaited spectacular goal was scored by Sinethemba Zephe to make the final score 3-3. SUBS midfielder Camagu Gqabuzana was the most outstanding player who contributed towards his side’s goals. Other MOFA Build It Premier League results: *Real Strikers 1-1 Crystal Palace *Shining Stars 2-3 Liverpool *Real Aces 1-1 Highland Spurs *Milan Stars 0-3 Crystal Palace *Manchester United 3-0 Lion Stars *Tottenham Spurs 1-3 Valencia *Young Madrid 4-0 Young Ideas *Young Romans 1-0 Ikamva Movers *Shining Stars 0-0 Young Ideas *Milan Stars 2-3 Young Romans *Young Tigers 0-2 Real Aces *Real Strikers 0-2 Highland Spurs *Lion Stars 0-2 Valencia *Real Strikers 1-1 Crystal Palace *Tomorrow Stars 1-0 SUBS *Manchester United 0-3 Tottenham Spurs *Liverpool 1-1 Tomorrow Stars *Ikamva Movers 0-0 Young Madrid
Imbabala Young Stars stunned by Jamaican Stars SELBY MADIKANE NODEFA VW Community Trust Premier League current winners Imbabala Young Stars could not believe it when they succumbed to Jamaican Stars during their premiership match at Jabavu Stadium in KwaNobuhle on Sunday. Jamaicans silenced the fans of Imbabala when they scored two goals. Imbabala came up with a consolation goal late in the second half. Really Rangers’ league title hopes were dashed when they went down 2-0 to Stokes United. Young Callies beat Black Aces 5-4
while KUBS thumped City Style 4-1. Young Pirates were given a hiding of 2-0 by Golden Chiefs with Khayelitsha Stars drubbing Manchester Babes 3-0. New City Stars managed to bag three points following their 2-1 triumph over City Friends. Despite losing 2-1 to Manchester United, XI Stars gave a good account of themselves. NODEFA VW Community Trust First Division results: *Imbabala Young Stars B 2-1 Young Callies B *Young Cosmos 0-3 Highland Spurs B
PHOTO:SELBY MADIKANE
SOME teams had a black long weekend while other teams did not let down their supporters during the NEBFA Sedgars Premier League games which were played at Chevrolet Stadium. Eastern Jumpers hunted Bush Bucks which they overcame 4-0. Black Stars could not reply when CCX Callies drubbed them
4-0. Winter Rose whipped Boast Pirates 2-0 with Red City defeating their neighbours Real White City 2-0. City Defenders drew 0-0 with City Lads. Amakhosi suffered a 4-1 defeat to Dodgers. Other NEBFA Sedgars Premier League results: *Dodgers 1-1 CCX Callies *Black Stars 1-2 Amakhosi *Red City 1-1 City Defenders *PE Sundowns 1-2 Boast Pirates *Stinging Bees 0-1 Roaring Tigers
Lion City on top of SAFA NMB SAB log table SELBY MADIKANE HAVING beaten Despatch Pioneers 3-0 at Motherwell NU2 Stadium on Saturday, Lion are the SAFA Nelson Mandela Bay SAB Regional League leaders. Apparently the two other league title chasers Callies and SUBS dropped points when they drew with opponents. Royal Bucs seemed to have helped City when they held Callies goalless in their own back yard ( Westbourne Oval Stadium) while Hotspurs also drew 1-1 with SUBS at Moredyke Fields. Lion City managed to collect some important maximum points from Despatch Pioneers in their 3-0 win. Siyasanga Figo Ngetu, Akhona Serero Manxola and Siphesihle Bongo did the damage to Pioneers when they came up with a goal apiece. City midfielders Malibongwe Thwala Maseti and Thabiso Mlungu Minana combined well in the centre of the field while Pioneers striker Luvuyo Gewu was also a player to watch.
Lusindiso Nasri Langa (Pioneers) and Thulani Mambush Shumpa jostle for the ball.
PHOTO:SELBY MADIKANE
Other SAFA NMB SAB Regional League results: *Highland Spurs 2-1 Island City *Showvillage 3-1 Motherwell Academy *Camper United 2-1 Peace United *Fairview Rovers 3-2 Tomorrow Stars *Sunrise Development v Central Acemates (game postponed until further notice).