SPORT

SHAKING UP BAFANA

When Shakes Mashaba was, somewhat controveresially, elected as coach of Bafana Bafana in July, few would have guessed just how well he was destined to perform.

The national side was in deep trouble, almost the laughing stock of the nation, and South Africa’s sports minister Fikile Mbalula had labeled them “a bunch of losers”.

This followed their performance in the 2014 African Nations Championship, where Bafana, the host side, crashed out of the tournament following a heavy 3-1 defeat against Nigeria in their final group A clash at Cape Town Stadium, failing to make it passed the group stage. Enter Shakes Mashaba, whose previous stint with the national side ended abruptly when he was sacked on the eve of the 2004 Africa Cup on Nations. Rumours were that it was due to a dispute in team/squad selection.

Since his current appointment, Bafana remained unbeated in ten games, earning the admiration not only of Mbalula but the entire nation. (and to date only) Olympics in 2000 hosted in Australia. They went out in the first round of the competition with only one win, but that one win was against the U/23 Brazilian team.

From 2008-2010 he had a stint as the Swaziland national head coach before taking charge of the U/23 SA side again. In 2012 he became head coach of the national SA U/17 side before getting the Bafana Bafana job back in 2014 after Gordon Igesund’s contract wasn’t renewed.

At the time of writing, Mashaba’s only defeat under his watch was against Algeria in their first game of AFCON 2015 – a game they really should have won comfortably.

Mashaba’s boys have enjoyed a run of 10 matches without defeat since he took over in the middle of last year. “This is our time, the time to make sure we establish ourselves and exert our authority and we do that not only by winning, but by making people aware that we exist,” he says. “We must also make sure we are counted among the best. We have to make things happen, we don’t have to wait for them to happen. We must not be swallowed by the moment we are in now, tomorrow and yesterday will take care of themselves. We just have to do things to the best of our ability. He says for a long time “people never had respect for us, and for the boys to win 3-0 against Mali and hold Nigeria to a draw away, go to Sudan and Congo and return with results shows there is something that has happened, we have built a team for the future. The boys are now aware what it means to don the national team jersey”.

Players, he says, need to be level headed. “When we enter the field we don’t want to be terrorised by the opposition. We have to stand tall and say we are better than them and that will say to us that is half the job done, and all that has to do with confidence. If a team has to beat us they must work hard, we won’t go like sheep to slaughter and we will compete.

“We have proven in the qualifiers and in the recent matches that most teams can’t match us on pace as well as skill and those are the kind of things we will need. We also expect players to be disciplined tactically, know when to do things on the field. It is not about whom you have in the team but about what can they contribute to make the team do well. Big names will remain big names and you can’t take that away from them, but it’s 11 v 11 at the end of the day. “We want team work from our players and nothing else”. The coach has also thanked South Africans for their support. “We have taught our players not to think about themselves only. Back home we left behind 52 million plus people that are cheering and rooting for us. We don’t want to see them gloomy. “To the people back home, thank you for your support, from churches, schools and everybody that has been backing this team. We will make you happy. Have confidence in us and we will definitely deliver what you expect from us”.

EVENTS & SOCIALS

LOOKING AHEAD

EVENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS QUARTER

ONE DIRECTION

Probably the biggest events news for Soweto this quarter has to be a visit from a very famous group of people: none other than One Direction playing the FNB Stadium.

As stated on the event website: “The world’s biggest band, One Direction, will be playing two concerts at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th of March 2015.

“Last year, One Direction released their record-breaking third album “Midnight Memories”, which saw them named as the IFPI’s Global Artist of 2013 for becoming the biggest selling act in the world. They also became the first ever band to have their first three albums debut at No.1 in the US Billboard Chart, hitting the top spot in a further 30 countries worldwide.” There’s no doubt that One Direction is going to pull a massive crowd, and where the crowds go, there follows thirst. For those who are going to be at the concert, you could do worse than to slake your thirst at once of Soweto’s famous eateries: Chaf Pozi.

In their own words:

Set at the base of the iconic Orlando Towers, Chaf Pozi is a local institution. A relaxed spot where Sowetans and Joburgers come to enjoy a beer and some shisa nyama – a typical township style dish where you chose your own meat to be flame-grilled to perfection and served up with local side dishes such as pap, chakalaka and gravy - all prepared daily!

A popular weekend party spot with DJs playing everything from township jazz to deep house, hip-hop and kwaito.

Reservations recommended!Chaf Pozi is perfectly situated close to both the FNB and Orlando Stadiums in Soweto, and is always the best place in town for pre and post concert and game entertainment. The services of local taxis are also on offer which allows our guests to be transferred from areas outside of Soweto to Chaf Pozi to enjoy a great meal and party vibe, followed by a sporting event or music concert.

SUMMER TRADING HOURS:

Monday to Thursday: 11h00 - 18h00 Friday: 11h00 till late Saturday :11h00 till late Sunday: 11h00 till 22h00

We will open on a request basis for any functions outside of these times.

EASTER FUN AT DURBANVILLE HILLS WINES The Easter Bunny will be favouring Durbanville Hills Wines from 3 to 6 April with a visit and plenty of funfilled family activities. Live music, combined with glorious views of Table Mountain and Table Bay, creates a great setting for enjoying wine tastings, breakfast, lunch or cheese and charcuterie platters. The kids can take part in Easter egg hunts in the vineyards, face-painting and a jumping castle to rid them of their boundless energy.

Open from 10.00 to 16.00 daily, booking is advised for breakfast and lunch. For more information contact Simone Brown on021 558 1300 or send an email to sibrown@durbanvillehills.co.za

WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA’S CAPE WINE 2015 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DHL EXPRESS SET TO SHOWCASE SOUTH AFRICA’S BEST TO THE WORLD

“Rule-breaking”, “trailblazing”, “daring”, “superb” and “exciting” are the adjectives increasingly linked to South African wines. Influential critics and sommeliers are currently singling out the country as the source of what they consider the world’s most original and captivating wines, many of which will come under the spotlight at next year’s industry showcase, Cape Wine 2015.

Hosted by Wines of South Africa, the three-day event is being sponsored for the first time by the world’s leading express logistics company, DHL Express. It will take place at the start of the Southern Hemisphere’s 2015 spring season, running from September 15 to 17 in Cape Town at the city’s International Convention Centre.

Wines of South Africa’s chief operating officer Siobhan Thompson said DHL’s backing of Cape Wine would take the event to an exciting new level, reflecting the dynamism of the industry. “Delegates will have the opportunity to experience the range and depth of South Africa’s vinous dexterity, strengthened by new approaches to wine-growing and winemaking that have resulted in bold, unique and unmistakably local wines. As Tim Atkin MW remarked in his South Africa 2014 Special Report: ‘There’s never been a better time to write about, taste or buy South African wine.’ “ She said Cape Wine 2015, now staged as a triennial exhibition for international wine buyers and industry observers, would give visitors a taste of the broad stylistic and price spectrum of wines currently being produced. “They will also have a chance to engage with winemakers and attend a series of seminars highlighting key current trends in South African wine.”

Hennie Heymans, managing director, for DHL Express South Africa said, “Our role is to ‘deliver’ Cape Wine to the international wine community through this sponsorship. We see our support as part of a long-term partnership with South Africa’s thriving wine industry, increasingly acknowledged for excellence around the world. Ours is a close and symbiotic relationship that continues to strengthen as the country’s wine producers expand their global footprint.”

Many of the exhibitors will also be arranging satellite tastings, dinners, wine experiences and other events of their own for trade and media delegates attending.

Programme details will be announced early next year but for preliminary information you can visit www. capewine2015.com. Stay up-to-date via: Facebook: Cape Wine 2015 and Twitter: @ CapeWine2015