Nawaal Deane SOCCER
Bafana Bafana jetted off from Europe to the United States for the Four Nations Nike Cup Tournament starting in Washington on Saturday.
The four countries competing will be South Africa, the United States, Mexico and the Republic of Ireland.
South Africa will open their US tour against the US on June 2 followed by a match in Dallas on June 7 against Mexico and winding up against Ireland in New York on June 11.
The team warmed up for the tournament with a narrow and unconvincing 1-0 victory against Malta in Valetta last Sunday. To reinforce the team extra players joined the squad, including Quinton Fortune, Fabian McCarthy, Aaron Mokoena,David Kannemeyer and the Swiss- based strike duo of Shaun Bartlett and George Koumantarakis.
n South African defender Mark Fish is likely to move back to England’s premier soccer league soon in a big-money move to newly promoted Manchester City or Charlton, reports Neal Collins.
Fish, who retired from international football earlier this year after a row with coach Trott Moloto and team-mates over alleged racism, has declared he doesn’t want to spend another season in division one – and is set to leave Bolton Wanderers for the blue side of Manchester.
Manchester City manager Joe Royle had the former Orlando Pirate watched last season and is ready to pay 3-million to shore up his back four. Charlton, promoted to the Premiership along with City, have also inquired about the 26- year-old.
Following the play-off defeat at the hands of Ipswich, Fish said: “After losing the Worthington Cup and FA Cup semifinals, this is the worst year I’ve had. And, from my own career point of view, I can’t see myself playing in this division again.