LIMPOPO MIRROR
18 December 2015 17
By Frank Mavhungu
By Tshifhiwa Mukwevho
A Christmas gift for Leopards’ fans? Black Leopards are preparing to give their loyal supporters a Christmas gift in the form of league points by beating Thanda Royal Zulu in their NFD League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium tomorrow afternoon (Saturday). That will only become a reality if the words of the club’s chairman, Mr David Thidiela, are anything to go by. Thidiela said that he was humbled by the fact that the supporters were fully behind the team through thick and thin from the beginning of the year. He further indicated that the only way they would be able to demonstrate their appreciation to their supporters was to give them a Christmas gift in the form of league points. He further indicated that the fact that they had managed to secure the services of the team’s former head coach, Mr Kostadin Papic, was a clear indication that they were still aiming for promotion, come the end of the season. The only Leopards player who will not be available tomorrow is their
right back, Jonathan King, who is still nursing an injury. Marks Munyai will take his place. Thidiela appeals to the fans to buy their tickets from Computicket, saying no tickets would be sold at the stadium, as usual. Amazulu will host Mbombela United at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban. The pace setters in the NFD, Baroka, will lock horns with FC Cape Town at the NNK Rugby Stadium and African Warriors will have a date with Royal Eagles at the Charles Mopedi Stadium in Phuthaditshaba. Milano United and Witbank Spurs will fight for league points at the Blue Downs Stadium in Cape Town, and Highlands Park will host Santos at the Makhulong Stadium in Thembisa. Sunday will see Cape Town All Stars play against Vasco da Gama at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, while Mthatha Bucks will host Moroka Swallows in Mthatha.
Ready to fill the gap: Marks Munyai.
Out due to injury: Jonathan King.
By Frank Mavhungu
Huge interest in Zama Zama tournament The last two batches of the last-32 stage of the Zama Zama Soccer Challenge will take place at the Homu 14 B grounds today (Friday, 18th) and Saturday. The first two batches of matches were staged at the same grounds on Wednesday. Today’s matches are: Giyani All Stars vs Church Super Eagles, Ntsavulani United vs Thomo All Stars, Juluka FC vs Gawula United and Dzekula Mighty Stars vs Sunshine FC. Tomorrow’s fixtures are: Bucks Tsetsefly vs Masipala FC, Giyani Superstars vs Gawula Arsenal, Olifantshoek Super Eagles vs Ngove Leeds and Limpopo Poison vs FC Barcelona. This year’s champions will take home a cash prize of R20 000, a new soccer kit, a floating trophy and gold medals. The runners-up will become R10 000 richer and will receive silver medals. The teams booted out of the competition in the semifinal stage will each take home a cash prize of R5 000. The top goal scorer, player of the tournament, goalkeeper of the tournament, coach of the tournament and the best referee of the tournament will also receive prizes. One of the organizers, Mr Joel Baloyi, said that they were impressed by the fact that the tournament was growing over time in terms of sponsorship and the number of teams. This year’s number of participating teams increased to 36. The final will be staged at the same venue on Thursday, December 31. A well-known professional football referee, Mr Tinyiko Victor Hlungwani, is the founder and sponsor of the Mr Tinyiko Victor Hlungwani, founder and sponsor of the tournament. annual tournament.
SPORTS NEWS
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“We are aiming towards a safe festive season” - Cluster commander The new commander for the the crime-fighting mechanism,” safe festive season.” Makhado cluster of the SAPS, he said. He indicated that the He warned people about the Col Eddie van der Walt, has festive season was the period consumption of alcohol in pubsent his festive season message where most fatal accidents were lic places and while driving and to all people living and visiting happening on public roads and said that the Makhado SAPS the Makhado cluster policing urged all people to obey the cluster had already intensified area during this season. laws of the road in order to their visibility, which includHe started by acknowledging arrive alive at their different ed foot patrols, road blocks that the year 2015 had brought destinations. “Let us keep our and joint operations with other a lot of challenges within the homes safe at all times, and law-enforcement institutions. cluster, but all those challenges never leave little children unat“Let us all enjoy the festive were swiftly tackled by the po- tended,” he advised. “That also season in harmony in the comlice officers who were always includes our elderly and acutely pany of our beloved families readily available for maintaining disabled persons, who all need and friends,” he said. “May we peace, security and safety. to be taken good care of at all all have a merry Christmas and “Our members have had times. We are aiming towards a a prosperous new year!” sleepless nights attending to different incidents and addressing all challenges which faced them as police officers,” Van der Walt said. “However, as police officers, we would not have tackled all cases and helped or attended to victims of crimes if we didn't work hand in hand with our people within the communities.” He said that it was through community-outreach programmes that the police were able to reach most of their work-related goals. “Community involvement in the fight against crime enables residents or members of the com- The new commander of the Makhado cluster of the SAPS, Col Eddie van munities to be part of der Walt, says that the cluster is aiming towards a safe festive season. Crime
Safeguard your pets against poisoning The national police have issued a warning to safeguard pets against poisoning during this festive season. According to the police, many pets become targeted and die annually as a result of toxin misuse for criminal intent, such as housebreaking and theft. The toxins usually used by criminals are found in a variety of forms such as spot-on preparations, liquid dip preparations, powders and aerosols for household use, plant and crop sprays, and granules for agricultural use. Most of these products are easily available and can be bought without a permit. The police have warned that the toxin most popular among criminals contains the active ingredient aldicar, which comes in the form of small black granules that resemble poppy seeds. Informally and among spaza shop owners, aldicarb is known as one take, last step or sunset because once ingested the poisoned animal or person will never walk upright again, or see another sunrise. The poison affects the nervous systems of animals and humans, interfering with the conduction of impulses to the heart, muscles and intestinal tract. Signs of poisoning include sali-
vation, muscle tremors, vomiting, diarrhoea, difficult breathing, seizures, weakness and paralysis, slow heart rate and contracted pupils. Residents are advised to be on the lookout for bait, which is usually meat-based, containing these black granules. If an animal is suspected to have been poisoned, keep other pets and children away, wear shoes and rubber gloves to limit exposure and protect your eyes. Wrap the pet in a blanket to limit bodily contact and also to keep it warm and calm. The animal should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Suspected bait should be handled with extreme caution, and should also be taken to the veterinarian for visual identification and submission for chemical analysis if necessary. The police have cautioned residents to be vigilant and aware for any sign of bait or poison that criminals leave for their pets, but also to continue with this vigilance after the festive season. A good practice is to inspect the borders of your property and garden beds first thing every morning to make sure that someone had not left poisoned bait during the night for animals to find.
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