Perhaps there are some positives for Bafana

Although his new side failed to make it past round one at the Africa Cup of Nations, Carlos Alberto Parreira won't be entirely depressed. Bafana's performance at the tournament in Egypt in 2006 was marked by a medley of administrative foibles, disruptive player mutinies, pre-tournament shenanigans and sepulchral lethargy that showed on the field when they failed to score.

The comeback kids

Carlos Alberto Parreira has warned all along that fans should not have unrealistic expectations for the Bafana Bafana side he has chosen for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. Parreira picked a team which he expects to be more competitive in 2010 -- when South Africa hosts the World Cup.

Van Heerden helps SA snatch a draw

Elrio van Heerden scored two minutes from full-time to salvage a 1-1 draw for South Africa against Angola on Wednesday in another 2008 African Nations Cup Group D thriller. No team arrived in Ghana more desperate to impress than South Africa after descending from champs to chumps in a 12-year freefall.

Mokoena's task: Keep it simple

Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's tinkering in the two warm-up matches before the team leaves on Saturday for the African Cup of Nations in Ghana has raised eyebrows. How will captain Aaron Mokoena cope with his shift in position from central defence into a holding midfield role once the opposition become more serious about attacking Bafana?

Chiefs goalie is Telkom Knockout's big winner

Kaizer Chiefs's Itumeleng Khune won this year's awards for goalkeeper and player of the Telkom Knockout Cup at a ceremony held at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The 23-year-old not only received the trophies for his outstanding performances, but also a whopping R300 000.

SA ditch Benni for Nations Cup

South Africa have ditched star striker Benni McCarthy for the 2008 African Nations Cup in Ghana. Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira also dumped first-choice defender Bradley Carnell and midfielders Delron Buckley and Macbeth Sibaya from a 23-man squad named on Friday.

Modise nets twice against Canada

Teko Modise netted twice to give Bafana Bafana a 2-0 win in an international friendly against Canada at the Absa Stadium in Durban on Tuesday. The Orlando Pirates playmaker netted a splendid goal from 20m in the 39th minute and got his second on the stroke of halftime with a well-taken penalty.

Bafana field depleted squad against Canadians

After a humbling defeat against the United States, Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira will be taking a squad devoid of overseas-based players into Tuesday night's friendly match at Durban's King's Park. It is a decision in contrast to that of the Canadians who have included 17 European-based players in their squad.

Baloyi takes Sundowns to the final

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Brian Baloyi was unflappable, stopping numerous goal-scoring attempts from the Free State Stars, as his team won 2-1 in the extreme heat of Kimberley where they played their Telkom Knockout Cup soccer semifinal match.

Sundowns get the better of Bucs

The emerging Orlando Pirates lost 2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns at a packed Loftus Stadium in an Absa Premier League game played on Sunday. Esrom Nyandoro scored first for the two-time league champs in the 37th minute and then Lucas Thwala netted the equaliser four minutes later.

IN THIS WEEK'S PAPER

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