Dingaan ”Rose of Soweto” Thobela is not done yet. The 38-year-old fighter will fight Lucian Bute over eight rounds in the light heavyweight division in Canada on December 3. Bute (26), a novice with only eight knockout wins in as many fights, will take on the 38-year-old veteran of 54 fights.

The general feeling among South Africans is that Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter has his hands tied behind his back. They are referring to the withdrawal of star midfielder Steven Pienaar and defender Mbulelo Mabizela prior to the ”clash of the icons” against Nigeria for the Mandela Challenge Cup at Ellis Park Stadium on Wednesday night.

Declarations of war were made on Tuesday by six representatives of the eight clubs that will be seeking a place in the semifinals of the Coca-Cola Cup when they meet this weekend. Dynamos and Jomo Cosmos were not represented at the media briefing, despite being invited.

Drama unfolded at the Loftus stadium on Sunday when a nine-man Orlando Pirates side held on to beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in a Premier Soccer League match. Edward Malinga received his marching orders after tripping Raphael Chuwku, while Gift Leremi was red-carded for arguing with the assistant referee.

Referee Daniel Bennett spoiled what could have been an enthralling derby between life-long Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Saturday. Pirates beat Chiefs 2-1. The school teacher’s inconsistency and his dubious decisions prompted thousands of fans from both clubs to throw missiles.

Supersport United are through to the quarterfinals of the Coca-Cola Cup competition after their convincing 4-1 drubbing over Bush Bucks at Loftus stadium on Sunday. Tsweu Mokoro opened the floodgates in the 10th minute and slid home a pass from Dikgang Mabalane.

Wits University passed their first test in the Coca-Cola Cup with flying colours on Wednesday night when they mauled Manning Rangers 3-0. Wits, the hosts, led 1-0 at interval. The visitors from Durban took home R150 000 for their participation. It was an all-Zimbabwean affair for the Students as all three goals were scored by players from South Africa’s northern neighbour.

The 10th edition of the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge will go ahead with or without a sponsor. This bold statement came from the CEO of the South African Football Association, Albert Mokoena, at the official launch of the high-profile event. He also announced that Bafana Bafana will host the Super Eagles from Nigeria.

The mystery around the eligibility of Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and Eric Barcelona to challenge Cassius Baloyi and Silence Mbuza for their IBO junior light and bantamweight belts respectively in Benoni next month has been solved. Both challengers are not rated in the weight categories in which they will be fighting.

Boxing enthusiast Grant Germanus says it was not too long ago that the noble art of boxing in South Africa was mentioned in the same breath as soccer and rugby. Germanus (35) is an avid enthusiast whose history dates back to his great uncle Vic Toweel, who was the first South African world champion in 1949.