When it comes to problems piling up for Bafana Bafana, the old dictum that ”it never rains, but it pours” would not be inappropriate. On Friday, not long after the squad was named for the African Nations Cup qualifying game against the Democratic Republic in Congo, both Bradley Carnell and Dillon Sheppard withdrew from the squad.

Like Samson reduced to a pretty ordinary guy in biblical times when shorne of his hair by Delilah, a listless Kaizer Chiefs seemingly lost their strength when deprived of traditional ”people power” in the goalless Premier Soccer League draw against Black Leopards at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter has admitted to thinking long and hard over making changes for what amounts to a face-saving exercise against the Democratic Republic of Congo on October 8. Bafana need a draw against the DRC to qualify for the African Nations Cup in Egypt.

Kaizer Chiefs, not content with concessions made in an appeal to the South African Football Association against the penalties imposed on the club by the Premier Soccer League for the violence and vandalism of their supporters, have informed South African soccer’s controlling body they are taking the controversial issue to arbitration.

While Orlando Pirates generally outplayed their opponents, it was Supersport United coach Pitso Mosimane who insisted ”we wuz robbed” after a curious, paradoxical 1-1 draw in the big Premier Soccer League showdown in Johannesburg on Wednesday night. Also, Jomo Cosmos played to a 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs.

Commitment — and not reputations — will be key to Bafana Bafana selection for their desperate, reputation-saving game against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Durban on October 8. Coach Stuart Baxter on Monday left no doubt that ”players who are not 100% behind the national team will not be required”.

The pivotal game against the Democratic Republic of Congo, which Bafana Bafana must draw to ensure qualification for next year’s African Nations Cup tournament in Egypt, will be played at Durban’s King’s Park Stadium on October 8.

After protracted argument in the Johannesburg High Court on Friday, Judge Mohamed Jajbhay ruled in favour of Kaizer Chiefs and postponed their Premier Soccer League game against Mamelodi Sundowns, which was due to be played at FNB Stadium on Sunday behind locked doors.

Black Leopards made a mockery of the obscure ”two team” policy of Mamelodi Sundowns coach Angel Cappa at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night and gained a well-deserved 1-0 victory over a mauled Brazilians combination. Ajax Cape Town, playing with 10 men for 51 minutes, deservedly beat Moroka Swallows 2-1.

In what now appears a forlorn last throw of the dice, Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday night failed to have the ban lifted on spectators attending Sunday’s intriguing Premier Soccer League game against Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium. The ban will effectively mean a loss in the vicinity of R1-million for Chiefs.