Comitis moves Aces to city

Mashaba set to shake things up in Bakau

IN the earlier rounds of Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, coach Shakes Mashaba’s starting XI was almost predictable. But this could all change when South Africa face Gambia at the Independence Stadium in Bakau tonight (kickoff 7pm).

Defenders Thabo Matlaba, Anele Ngcongca and Thulani Hlatshwayo are unavailable and the strikers have shown poor form recently.

Mashaba will have no choice but to ring the changes as he looks for maximum points to keep his side in contention for a spot in next year’s tournament in Gabon.

Bafana, who are second from bottom in Group M, are still hopeful they can qualify as one of the two best runners- up groups. But Mashaba will probably benefit more from tonight’s clash if he uses it to prepare for the upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers in October. Matlaba was part of the original squad for the Gambia clash, but asked to be excused due to family commitments earlier this week, while Ngcongca and Hlatshwayo are injured. This means Ramahlwe Mphahlele, from 13 the Mamelodi Sundowns skipper, could be in line for his Bafana debut, having come so close over the years. Polokwane City hitman Thobani Mncwango is also another potential debutant, to partner Thamsanqa Gabuza, as a just reward for his 13 PSL goals this season. JOHN COMITIS last night confirmed that Mpumalanga Black Aces, the PSL club he has purchased, will be based in Cape Town next season.

There had been a suggestion that with the franchise having changed hands, it would have to stay in Mpumalanga for one season before relocating. But Comitis revealed there was no such clause in the PSL rules, and he will immediately be moving the club to the city.

Turkish mentor Muhsin Ertugral, who has always been very close to the Comitis brothers – John and George – will continue as head coach.

“Officially, as of the 1st June 2016, I am the owner of the PSL club. I can further confirm that the club will be based in Cape Town as of the new season 2016/2017. I am delighted that the head coach will be Muhsin Ertugral. He was instrumental in Aces achieving their best ever season. I am excited to work with such a top-level coach again,” Comitis said in a statement.

“The delay in the final transaction was based around the fact that the Morfou brothers pleaded to see how I could possibly keep the club in Mpumalanga. My business strengths and vision, however, and infrastructure, are totally Cape Town-based, and the decision to move the club to the city has not been an easy one.

“What is clear to me is that I am humbled by the overwhelming support and desire by Capetonians, and the football fraternity at large, to make Cape Town a football powerhouse.

“Through my recent involvement with community football at grassroots level (at FC Cape Town), I discovered a passion and desire for a sense of belonging. This inspired me to purchase a PSL club for the city. With my team, I will be disclosing our plan, vision and identity at a press conference to be held within the next two weeks,” he added.