Hlatshwayo to captain South Africa
JOHANNESBURG, June 5, (AFP): Championship winner Thulani Hlatshwayo was named captain of South Africa on Monday by new coach Stuart Baxter, five days before facing Nigeria in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The 27-year-old Soweto-born centre-back who led Wits to the league title last month succeeds Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
England-born Baxter, a recent appointment after Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba was sacked for insulting top football officials, said he believed central defenders were ideally suited to be captains.
“I have always liked to have a centre-back as captain because they can drive the whole team,” he told reporters. “Thulani has all the qualities of a leader.”
The Group E clash between Nigeria and South Africa in Uyo on Saturday is a highlight of the 24-fixture opening round of qualifying for the 2019 Cup of Nations in Cameroon. footballers who have visited and participated in the tournament over the last eight years.
The organizing committee has given opportunities to ten of the superstars currently participating in the tournament to play in the entertainment match and fulfill their dream of playing side by side with the chief guest of the tournament Ryan Giggs.
The participants in the first dream match were chosen through public voting on the tournament’s official website. In addition, 30 tickets were given to fans in order for them to take pictures with the former Manchester United legend Giggs.
The first dream game, which will be held on Tuesday, will be followed by two matches for the second stage of the first round. The teams of Martyr Fahad Al-Ahmad and McDonalds will face each other in the first match, and the Binraddad Group team will face Boubyan Bank team in the second.
In yesterday’s matches, the Late Abdullah Muhammad Al-Medlej team lost heavily to the team of Kuwait Credit Bank after it failed to score even one goal to beat the latter’s four goals.
The late Ali Karam team also lost to the late Musaed Al-Mailam team by 4-0. The Kuwait Capital team was defeated by The Blues team in a tightly contested game that ended in a score of 2-1.
Meanwhile, the Brazilian coach of Yarmouk Club Jasenir de Silva expressed his delight over the excellent technical and organizational level witnessed in the tournament.
He revealed that he has been a fan of indoor football (Futsal), and that it is considered as top sport for all Brazilians in their early years of learning football and its skills.
De Silva affirmed that Futsal is one of the main reasons behind the high level of football skills among the Brazilian players, especially since
Young players in action
they enroll in Futsal competitions at a tender age of 5-12 years, which is the time when their skills are nurtured and developed.
He said, “I wish the tournament could be take place four-five times a year so that most of the youths get a chance to participate. The same should also be held for adults. This will nurture and develop their skills, let alone their ambition”.
In the amateur category, the Stars’ team managed to win through penalty kicks after their match with the Rawda team reached a draw of a goal each.
The team of Qadsiya Cooperative Society achieved an important win against the Gulf team by 1-0. In the third match, the team of Egypt’s Academy achieved another win against AlShabab team by 2-1 goals, becoming the first team to qualify to the second round.
In today’s matches, the Kuwait Z team will meet Barcelona team, the Salah Boessa team will face Salmiya Club team, and the Atom Sporting (B) team will meet Al-Shabab (B) team, all aiming to reach the second round — the best 16. done good work to prepare the ground for him.
Over in Dublin meanwhile, Ireland carved out a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Uruguay, ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Austria in Dublin.
With Seamus Coleman recovering from a double leg fracture Derby full-back Cyrus Christie deputised and scored his second international goal.
Ireland had taken a 28th-minute lead through skipper Jonathan Walters, with Jose Gimenez levelling before the break.
Christie’s strike and a third from substitute James McClean rounded off a pleasing night for manager Martin O’Neill.
Ireland are on 11 points with Serbia who top Group D on goal difference. The Austrians are placed fourth, on seven points.