FRIDAY, 1.30PM:
SOUTH African national soccer coach Clive Barker knows that Bafana Bafana are expected to win their friendly match against Brazil at Ellis Park Stadium on December 7. Barker was speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg at the official launch of the Spoornet Brazil Tour on Thursday.
Brazil are due to meet the African Champions for the second time in two years, after beating Bafana Bafana 3-2 in 1995.
Barker has vowed that his charges will be ready for the World Champions and will not repeat what happened in the first encounter. “I wouldn’t like to mess it up in the second half,” said Barker.
He said his squad has learnt a lot since then. “Our perfomance against France underscores our growing status and soon we will be among the best soccer playing countries in the world,” he added.
The Brazilian contingent is likely to include USA World Cup ’94 stars Romario and Berberto. Ronaldo is also likely to make the trip.
SPORT BRIEFS
AUSSIE ARRIVES FOR ‘BEAST’AUSTRALIAN Arnel Barotillo, who challenges South Africa’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior featherweight champion Vuyani “The Beast” Bungu in the Jumbo Cash and Carry world title extravaganza at the Carousel on November 15, arrived in the country on Saturday. Barotillo has vowed to dethrone the “The Beast”: “I’m here to take the title.”
COETZER WINS LUXEMBOURGSOUTH AFRICA’S Amanda Coetzer beat Austrian Barbara Paulus 6-4 3-6 7-5 to win the $164 250 Luxembourg Open in Luxembourg, Belgium on Sunday. Coetzer fought back from 0-2 deciding test to win.
MATITZ QUALIFIESSOUTH AFRICA’S Laurette Maritz has qualified for the European Tour Women’s golf team for the inaugural match against the European senior men in Portugal next month.
BUCS DRAWORLANDO Pirates and USMA Algeir played to a 1-1 draw in an African Champions League match at FNB Stadium on Saturday. Adlane Hadji opened the score in the 17th minute and substitute Andries Sebola replied for the Buccaneers in the 80th minute.