THURSDAY, 1.30PM:
BAFANA Bafana central defender Mark Fish has been ruled out of the match against Fance in Lens on October 11 because of an ankle injury he suffered while playing for his club last week.
South African Football Association (Safa) CEO Danny Jordaan on Wednesday announced that the Bolton Wanderers defender will be out of action for almost three weeks. Coming into contention for Fish’s place is Orlando Pirates defender Willem Jackson, French-based Marseilles central defender Pierre Issa and Mamelodi Sundowns left back Isaac Shai.
Good news for Barker, however, is that Fish’s injury is not as bad as first suspected. “Initially we feared the worst after he had an operation on the knee, but reports from the specialists are positive,” said Jordaan. “I’ve spoken to Clive [Barker] about Fish and, although it is a blow, Barker has faith in the defenders selected and won’t look for a replacement.”
Meanwhile, Barker suffered another blow when he learnt that midfield maestro and playmaker Doctor Khumalo’s American-based club Columbus Crew are reluctant to release him as they are involved in a knockout competition.
SPORT BRIEFS
DU PLESSIS SUES SARFU FORMER Springbok coach Carel du Plessis and his assistant Gert Smal are suing the South African Rugby Football Union for R1-million for breach of contract. Du Plessis and Smal were last month relieved of their duties following the Springboks’ recent disappointing results. Sarfu has offered the two R250 000 each because their contracts were terminated three maonths early, but neither is willing to accept the offer.
CONFED CUP SCHEDULE BAFANA Bafana will play three group games in five days at the Fifa Confederations Cup in Saudi Arabia from December 12 to 21. South Africa will play Czechoslovakia on December 13 at 7pm, United Arab Emirates two days later at 5pm, and Uraguay on December 17 at 7pm.
BUCS BEAT ROVERS TWO second-half goals by midfielder Simon Magagula moved Orlando Pirates from a 12th spot on the log to the fifth spot as the “Buccaneers” beat Real Rovers 2-1 at FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.
KYAMLAMI BACK IN FAVOUR The department of sport and recreation will support Kyalami’s bid to host the Formula One Grand Prix in 1998, a switch from earlier statements by the Sports Minister Steve Tshwete, who favoured a bid from Welkom.
SQUASH INTERNATIONAL SQUASH South Africa will host the 27th World Squash Federation annual meeting in the Pilanesberg, North-West Province, from October 8 to 10. The meeting will be attended by 80 delegates from 36 countries including representatives from Bangladesh, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Brazil.
ZIM CRICKET TESTS SOUTH AFRICA will play two cricket Tests against Zimbabwe in October 1999, United Cricket Board of SA MD Dr Ali Bacher said in Johannesburg on Wednesady. He said one will be in Harare and the other in Bloemfontein.
BLACK PLAYERS IN U19 SQUAD FOUR black players are included in the 13-strong South African under-19 cricket squad named on Wednesday for the first Test against the English under-19 side in Cape Town from December 11-14.
THE SA SQUAD: Matthew Street (Tvl, capt), Murray Creed (EP), Justin de Nobrega (WP), Grant Elliot (Tvl), Andrew Gait (Natal), Dumisa Makalima (Border), Victor Mpitsang (Free State), Robin Petersen (EP), Andrew Puttick (WP), Wasfie Samsodien (WP), Morne van Wyk (Free State), Michael Lumb (Tvl), Jacques Rudolph (Northerns). MANAGER: Fuad Waggie (WP). COACHES: Vincent Barnes (WP), Anton Ferreira (Northerns).
WINDIES TO SA THE West Indies cricket team to tour South Africa next month will be captained by Jimmy Adams, a veteran of 29 tests. The team will play four one-day Tests against the South African A side and three day-night internationals.
THE TEAM:Jimmy Adams (captain), Leon Garrick, Suruj Ragoonath, Floyd Reifer Luarie Williams, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ricardo Hoyte, Nixon McClean, Reon King, Nigel Francis, Pedro Collins, Cameron Cuffy, Robert Samuels, Dinanath Ramnarine.
ZIM vs NZ ONE-DAY DRAW NEW Zealand drew the first of the three one-day cricket international matches against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Wednesday. Needing 234 to win in 50 overs, New Zealand appeared to be out of the hunt as they staggered to 137/7 in the 36th over. New Zealand’s all rounder Chris Harris hit a 77 to help his side settle for 233/7, losing one more wicket than Zimbabwe.