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TEL: 058 ­ 3035411 WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015 WWW.EXPRESS­NEWS.CO.ZA FREE

} Teboho Setena

THE suicide of tycoon Masopha JonasLekitlane may have had more to do with hisguilt regarding fluctuating finances and taxevasion than family duty.

The well-known businessman allegedlyshot himself on 31 December – mere hoursbefore the dawn of the new year.

Lekitlane’s body and the gun was found inhis vehicle.

It was parked at the Masiza Scrapyard,just a stone’s throw away from the BonganiRegional Hospital in Welkom.

The 57-year-old Lekitlane was buried lastWednesday at the Thuhloane Cemetery inThabong, Welkom.

It is alleged that he left a suicide note forhis surviving family, stipulating his funeralproceedings and where he wished to beburied.

Lekitlane was ranked as one of the richestpioneering businessmen in the Free State,generating millions through business andconsortiums with other associates.

Yet, according to informed sources, he sawhis wealth ebbing away, leaving him a“broken” man.

To casual observers, it appeared that thewell-known businessman had committedsuicide because he was unable to cope withlosing the sort of riches most can onlydream of.

Amidst his financial troubles, Lekitlane,affectionately known as Charlie, foundhimself on the wrong end of the law,contravening tax.

According to a charge sheet whichQwaqwa & Eastern Free State is in posses-sion of, he pleaded guilty to failure to submitIncome Tax Returns from 2008 to 2012 at ornear Welkom and in the district of Welkom.

The charges of tax evasion originate fromhis failure to submit individual Income TaxReturns and that of the Lekitlane FamilyTrust registered at the South AfricanRevenue Service (Sars) for income purposes.

Lekitlane was the trustee and representa-tive of the Lekitlane Family Trust, whichowned property in respect of which rentalincome was received.

He pleaded guilty during his appearance inthe Welkom District Court in July last year.

He faced eight counts of tax evasion,contravention of Section 66 of the IncomeTax Act, Act 58 of 1962 read with sections 25and 234 (d) of the Tax Administration ActNo. 28 of 2011, failure to submit the Lekit-lane Family Trust and his individual IncomeTax Returns. With counts 1 to 4, taken

together for sentencing, the deceased wasfined with R20 000 or 12 months’ imprison-ment, wholly suspended for three years. Forcounts 5 to 8, taken together for sentencing,he was also fined with R20 000 or 12 months’imprisonment, wholly suspended for threeyears.

Lekitlane was further ordered to submitthe outstanding returns for both the trustand individual Income Tax Returns on orbefore 30 September 2014.

According to the charge sheet, Lekitlanewas in control of the trust and responsible

for performing the duties of the trust asrequired by the relevant tax acts.

Even after receiving final demands forsubmission of Income Tax Returns, Lekitlanefailed to adhere to it beyond the submissiondue date of the tax years from 2008 to 2012.

The court found that the deceased hadcommitted various offences over a period oftime which caused the treasury to suffereconomic losses, adding that his conductadversely affected broader taxpayer compli-ance.

Regarding findings in mitigating factors,

the Lekitlane Family Trust appeared tooperate at a loss.

During the tax years in question, thedeceased was allegedly unable to requestaudited financial statements from theauditing firm PwC.) Attempts by Express to get comment fromthe Lekitlane family proved fruitless as thefamily refused to speak to the media.Qwaqwa Express & EFS understands the

deceased left strict instructions in hissuicide note that no-one must speak to themedia.

Finances troubled tycoonSaw wealth ebbing away, leaving him a ‘broken man’

THE late tycoon Masopha Jonas Lekitlane’s framed photo was placed on his coffin in the Freddie Meyer Hall where his funeral washeld last Wednesday. Photo: Teboho Setena

For more news and

photos go to

www.express-news.co.za

‘Lekitlane was ranked asone of the richest pioneer-ing businessmen in theFree State, generatingmillions through businessand consortiums withother associates.

} Teboho Setena

GRIEF-STRICKEN family members of thedeceased businessman Masopha JonasLekitlane have been dealt another heavyblow after a fire partly destroyed hisupmarket house in Jim Fouché Park onMonday morning.

The fire broke out just five days after the57-year-old Lekitlane had been buried inThabong, Welkom.

About six members of Lekitlane’s familywho occupied the house at the time escapedunharmed. Some found refuge in theneighbourhood while the firefighters battledthe fire that started at about 09:00 onMonday morning. Other members of thefamily reacted in time to move out some ofhis vehicles.

The cause of the fire, as well as the cost ofdamages to the house, is still unknown.

It took firefighters approximately 40minutes to extinguish the flames that almostdestroyed Lekitlane’s remaining riches.

The deceased Lekitlane was one of the 14people who are on trial for allegedly defraud-ing the Free State Department of Educationof R30 million in tenders. The deceased’sco-accused are facing charges ranging fromcorruption, extortion, money laundering andracketeering.

The other accused include Teboho Lioma,former director of the Free State Departmentof Education, Nelson Majola, an attorney,Isaac Soee, Virginia Moseia, Sekese Motaung,former senior administrator of the Depart-ment of Education, Motseke Mphuti, TebohoMotajane, Maria Letsela, Vuyisile JamesMajola, Gertrude Ramaema, Teboho Mota-jane, Malehana Letsetla and NtebohengLesetla. They are set to appear again in theBloemfontein High Court regarding thetender fraud and corruption case on 2 May.

Five other people, including Sandile Tsopo,husband to Ouma Tsopo, senior ANCpolitician in the Free State, have alreadybeen convicted and sentenced. Tsopo’s appealagainst his four-year prison sentence failed.

Fire damagesLekitlane’s house

2 EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015

NEWS

} Tladi Moloi

BETHLEHEM. – “I like to break records. Iwanted to get distinctions in all mysubjects.”These are the words of Lehlohonolo

Molehe (18), who passed his matric withflying colours.Molehe, who matriculated at the Thabo

Thokoza Secondary School in Bohlokongnear Bethlehem, got four distinctions: inMathematics, Physical Science, LifeOrientation and Life Sciences. He obtainedlevel 6 in English, Sesotho and Geography.The optimistic Molehe has put Thabo

Thokoza back on the map. The school hadto wait seven years to brag about a learnerin the top 50 again. The previous top 50candidate, Pakiso Mokoena, achieved thisin 2007.The hard-working Molehe said he was not

surprised with his achievement and addedthat he should have done better.“I knew from January that setting a big

target for myself would pay off in the end. Iwas once told I should always shoot for thesky, because if I don’t get there I will fallamong the stars,” he said.Molehe, together with his school’s

principal, Maekane Nthinya, was invited tothe Free State Department of Education’sannual well-done function which was heldin Bloemfontein last Tuesday.His name was announced among the 50

best students in the Free State. His hard

work has also earned him a bursary,courtesy of the Free State Department ofEducation.He said he was going to study a Forensic

Science degree at the University of the FreeState.“I knew that working hard would repay

me in the end and now I am going toschool without asking my parents formoney. I would like to thank all the peoplewho have supported me throughout theyear. My parents and the teachers whowere patient enough to make me a betterperson,” he said.Meanwhile, the school obtained a 97,1%

pass rate in the 2014 matric exams, whichshows a 21,5% improvement from theprevious year.Nthinya said he was happy with the

achievement even though they had aimedfor 100%. “We will make sure that we buildon what we have achieved. I am going toinvite the parents to a meeting on 23January to map a way forward. We need100% and I am adamant that it is possiblewith their help,” he said.He said one thing that they would make

sure of, was that they worked on improvingthe quality of the results. He wants half thestudents to have admission to diplomastudies and the other half bachelor degreeadmission. Nthinya said they had knownthat Molehe was going to be in the top 50.“The boy has made us proud and we wishhim all the best in the future,” he said.

Lehlohonolomakes school proud

LEHLOHONOLO MOLEHE of the Thabo Thokoza Secondary School in Bohlokong nearBethlehem poses with Maekane Nthinya, the principal of the school. Photo: Tladi Moloi

} Reporter

FICKSBURG. – Human remains wererecently found in a shallow grave at anopen field in Katlehong near Ficksburg.Capt. Phumelelo Dlamini of the

Ficksburg police’s CommunicationServices said the Ficksburg policereceived a complaint from the commu-nity on Tuesday at about 10:00 aboutthe human remains at an open field inKatlehong.

He said the police had rushed to thescene and found human bones protrud-ing from a shallow grave.“The rest of the skeleton was still

beneath the ground.“The scene was cordoned off for

further investigation by police forensicsspecialists who came from Pretoria.“They will do human identification by

gathering the DNA from the skeletonto try and identify the deceased,” hesaid.

Remains found inshallow grave

THE Ficksburg police officers cordoning off the crime scene. Photo: Supplied

} Tladi Moloi

TSHESENG. – A 27-year-old suspect,Mosiuwa Mofokeng, who is facing chargesof rape, is expected to re-appear before theTseseng Magistrate’s Court for a bailapplication. He appeared briefly at the samecourt on Friday and his case was post-poned.Mofokeng was arrested last Tuesday

through the help of the community.

According to police spokesperson, SgtMmako Mphiring, an 11-year-old girl wasallegedly raped by an unknown person onTuesday at approximately 17:00 in theTseseng Village.She later spotted her alleged rapist and

with the assistance of the community thesuspect was arrested.“It is alleged that the girl was with her

two other friends walking in the street inthe Makeneng Village when she spotted the

suspect.“She immediately ran to a nearby house

requesting help to phone the police and wasassisted by her sister. They followed thesuspect whilst her sister phoned theirfather at work to contact the investigatingofficer in the case.“The police officer investigating the case

acted swiftly and rushed to the victimwhich community members still followingthe suspect.

“Upon noticing the police officer, thesuspect started to run away and was chasedby about 80 to 100 members of the commu-nity.“He was caught in a donga at the Thaba

Bosiu Village and handed over to thepolice,” he said.Mophiring said his arrest could resolve

three other cases of rape committed withthe same modus operandi in the Namahadiand Phuthaditjhaba area.

Rape suspect to re-appear for bail application

THE family of Joseph Mokoena (47) requests members of the community to helpthem in finding their loved one. He was last seen in 2011. Apparently he was some-where in Slovopark in Soweto. Anyone who might know of Joseph’s whereaboutscan contact Sam Mzizi on 078-482-2842.

Missing since 2011

For more news andphotos go to www.express-news.co.za

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015 3

NEWS

MANY of last year’s matricu-lants now find themselves ina situation where their plansto study towards a degreethis year were thwarted bymarks which did not allowthem to make the cut.

However, an educationexpert says that there is stillan option for those whoremain determined to studytowards a bachelor’s degree:that of pursuing a HigherCertificate, which will allowthem to take the next stepwithout having to repeatmatric. Dr Anne-Ka van denHoek, academic manager atthe Independent Institute ofEducation, South Africa’slargest and most accreditedprivate higher educationinstitution, says a HigherCertificate is a great optionfor these prospective students.

“A Higher Certificate inBusiness Principles andPractice, a Higher Certificatein IT in Support Services or aHigher Certificate in EventsManagement, for instance,will give students access to aBCom, a Bachelor of IT inBusiness Systems, or BA theyear after completion. Andthe good news is that thehigher certificate is availableto anyone who only achievedan HC pass in their NationalSenior Certificate.

“So you do not have to giveup your degree dreams. Thekey is to fully engage withyour Higher Certificate, sothat you can develop some ofthe key skills you may havebeen lacking that resulted inyou not achieving a Bache-lor’s pass to start with.”

Van den Hoek says it isimportant that matriculantscheck that the institutionthey register with for aHigher Certificate supportsall students with focusedacademic literacy modulesand a fullyear programmedesigned to bridge the gapbetween school and highereducation. She says thatHigher Certificates havereplaced many foundationprogrammes, as they providestudents with an opportunityto gain a full qualification,while at the same timemastering those essentialskills needed for highereducation success – broadly

known as academic literacies.“These range from how to

engage successfully withacademic material, to how toreview information andpresent it appropriately withthe level of synthesis re-quired for successful academ-ic study,” she says.

But she also warns that,while all degrees at publicand private higher educationinstitutions are subject to thesame quality-assurancerequirements, they are not allalike. “Students should notonly look at entrance require-ments, but also at thecurriculum and the alignmentof that curriculum with theirfuture career aspirations.This is particularly importantfor those degrees that can bequite generic, such as aBCom or a BA.

“A focus on strategicmanagement, for instance,raises the bar on one’s studyof business management anddifferentiates graduates. Andbecoming a lawyer is not theonly career path to follow adegree with a legal focus. Theintegration of legal subjectswith business management ina BCom degree forms a solidbasis for a career in corpo-rate governance or leader-ship.

“Corporate communication,on the other hand, is anentire professional field thatencompasses the traditionaldisciplines of communicationand public relations, buttakes them to the levelrequired in the moderncorporate world that includesstakeholder management.”

Van den Hoek says thatthose students who were notaccepted at the institution oftheir choice, did not gain aBachelor’s pass, or who needto strengthen their academicabilities before studying for adegree, will all do well toconsider the Higher Certifi-cate route.

“It may take you a little bitlonger to get there, but theexperience and ultimateachievement will be wellworth it, and will set you onthe road to the career you’vedreamed of, but deemed outof reach.” – Lange 360 onbehalf of the IndependentInstitute of Education

An idealstudy choice

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} Sidwell Guduka

TATE MAKGOE, MEC forEducation in the Free State,hosted a well-done function forthe top 100 matric learners inthe province.

Speaking during the pressconference at the CentralUniversity of Technology, FreeState, in Bloemfontein lastTuesday, Makgoe said that thetop 100 class of 2014 deservedtheir achievement because theyhad worked hard for it.

“These are the best brains inour province. You’ve beenworking very hard and that’swhy you are smiling today.You did extremely well. Andyou deserve your achieve-ment,” Makgoe told the top tenperformers who attended themedia briefing.

The MEC said he had noexcuses after the Free Statehad lost its title as the number

one province in terms of thematric results.

“We’ve got no excuses.As a province we had

performed well in the pastthree years. When we came in2009, our percentage was at69,4.

“But from 2012 until 2014 wehave always been above 80%.Since that period we have beencounted as one of the bestprovinces that delivers educa-tion,” explained Makgoe.

The Free State, whichachieved an 82,8% pass rate,dropped to third position afterNorth-West (second positionwith 84,6%) and Gauteng (firstposition with 84,7%). In 2013,the Free State was the bestprovince after having achievedan 87,4% pass rate. Theprovince went down by 4,6% inlast year’s matric results.) For more stories, visitwww.express-news.co.za.

No excuses forloss of top spot

WELL DONE! From the left are Tshepo Mosoeunyane, Moloi Maleke, Tate Makgoe, MEC for Education, Ruvévan Rooyen, AceMagashule, premier of the Free State, Lucky Hlatshwayo and SydneyMalope, HODof the Depart-ment of Education. Photo: Sidwell Guduka

4 EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015

NEWS

} Sidwell Guduka

A WELKOM GIRL has been named as thetop matric learner for the Free State in2014.Eight distinctions and dedication earned

Welkom Gymnasium learner Ruvé vanRooyen this honour.She spoke to Express Eastern Free State at

the Central University of Technology (CUT)in Bloemfontein last Tuesday, where shewas attending a press conference for the top100 learners in the province.This event was hosted by the Free State’s

MEC for Education, Tate Makgoe, andPremier Ace Magashule.The 18-year-old got a full house of

distinctions in Afrikaans, English, Mathe-matics, Life Orientation, Accounting, LifeSciences, Physical Sciences and AdvancedProgrammed Mathematics.“I am very happy to be the top matric

learner in the Free State,” Ruvé said. “Thefact that I’m number one in the provincehas not sunk in yet.”Ruvé had expected to be one of the top

matric learners in her home town, but theresults held a bigger surprise for her.“I guess my results are a mix between

working hard and being naturally smart. Iwas dedicated to my school work and Isacrificed a lot of things to focus on mybooks. Of course, God gave me the wisdomto achieve the best results,” she said.“I want to thank my excellent teachers

for their support system and my parents foralways being there to support me. I’m theonly child in the family and my parentsgave me everything I needed. They are mybiggest supporters and are very proud ofme. They motivate me a lot and make surethat I focus on my studies,” she added.This year Ruvé will start a qualification

in BCom Chartered Accountancy at theNorth-West University in Potchefstroom.

Top spot mix of hard work, talent

THE BEST: Ruvé van Rooyen received eight distinctions in her matric exams last year. Photo: Sidwell Guduka

PHUTHADITJHABA. – The Phutha-ditjhaba Cluster police reservists werehanded their certificates for excellentservice for performing volunteer dutiesin fighting and reducing crime byassisting seven police stations.The function, which was held at the

Phuthaditjhaba Robala Lodge on Friday,came as a surprise to the police reser-vists.In her short speech the Phuthaditjhaba

Cluster commander, Brig. MatsietsiMahloko, acknowledged their good work.“It is because of you that we alwaysmake an impact in the fight againstcrime within this cluster. You assist usat any given time when we need you atvarious operations. That is why today Ifelt it worthwhile to appreciate yourwonderful work under the leadership ofyour commander, WO Nyane Malape.You even availed yourself at difficulttimes when we buried our own perma-nent police members. We will alwaysrecognise your excellent service withinthis organisation.”On behalf of the cluster station

commanders, Col Nkai Molefe fromHarrismith showed his appreciation forthe good work and encouraged thereservists not to become despondent, butkeep their heads held high for voluntari-ly rendering service to the communitywithout a payment.Speaking on behalf of the reservists,

police reservist Const. Mookgo EllahNotsi thanked Brig. Mahloko for thewonderful surprise of handing outcertificates of recognition. She requestedthat the same gesture be conductedyearly in the cluster to boost theirmorale. She also thanked her officer forthe arrangement of the event.

Reservists acknowledged for service

GOODWORK: Brig. Matsietsi Mahloko and her station commanders sitting in the front row, with the Phuthaditjhaba police reservistsafter receiving their certificates. Photo: Supplied

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015 5

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6 EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015

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WEEK IN and week out we readdisturbing news about politicianswho have faked their qualifica-tions in order to acquire toppositions in government orparliament.

The first incident of SABCCOO, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, openeda Pandora’s box and after that wegot to see cases such as SAAexecutive, Pallo Jordan, and EllenShabangu to name a few, beingpublicly questioned about theircredentials.

One would have to wonder,why now and why after all theseyears is this information onlybeing brought to light?

Well, I think the chickens are

coming home to roost for theruling party.

The ruling party has lost CapeTown and is rapidly losingGauteng as well as the NelsonMandela Bay Metro, all becausethe ruling party deploys incompe-tent and unqualified cadres allfor the sake of comradeship.

They are putting the interestsof the individuals in the partyfirst before the people.

They are losing the metros andslowly, but surely, will be testedin the coming 2016 municipalelections.

Deploying a cadre who is notqualified for a certian position,can only open the door formaladministration, corruption,nepotism and racketeering andtime after time this is revealed inthe Auditor General reports.

The cadre redeploymentprogramme is crippling thiscountry. Our country is going tothe dogs.

I dare all public office bearersto publish their qualificationsand declare their matric certifi-cates.

No degree, no top job

MBUSI MUSAWENKOSI RADEBE,Bohlokong, Bethlehem:

PEOPLE, as we are in a new year with thecontinuous ability of analysing ideas,thoughts and forces we respect, we also haveto gain perspective and converse aboutoppression of a different kind.

We constantly speak about capitalism inthe West and we are in awe of its economicprowess. Obviously, we as Africans arechallenged in this regard, we are in need ofeconomic freedom and liberation from debt.

The concepts of socialism and/or imperial-ism could easily define the principles of the

East. The East for a longperiod has denied thatthey are interested in anethically-motivateddomination movement,especially Asia’s “Drag-on/Tigers”, just as theNazis and the SovietUnion before them. The East wants controlof the military of politically desperate states.A good example was when progressive forcesleft South-Africa in a disgraceful position bynot welcoming the Tibetan spiritual leader,the Dalai Lama.

The position of indigenous people to escape

Western exploitation isnow revived by the Eastin dominating BEErequirements over toblack people and govern-ment is scared to actagainst cheap labourpractised by the descend-

ants of the East.South-Africa is not vocal on this type of

imperialism to be dealt with. We need aspirit with full national sovereignty inrelation to our socio-economic initiativeswhich should be controlled by the Africanworking class. All developed states are daily

turning to us to be the “job-seeking” genera-tion with a head of state dependant andpoorly advised on decision making.

Socialism Imperialism (SI) is very tricky inthat leftist movements narrowly focusingonly on the West. Our political approachdoes not need a go-ahead or blessing fromstates that economically liberated themselvescenturies ago. The reality is that evenprogressive formations that are advisory areto be accommodated, but careful analysis oftheir motives is needed because the truth isthat South Africa is rich in minerals and canbe easily exploited. SI is unassuminglymoving slowly to conquer all in its path.

Imperialism is the new oppressor

EVERY YEAR we make New Year’sresolutions. The success rate forachieving these resolutions is verylow. However, this does not deterus. Year-in and year-out we do thesame thing.

Some wise man said it is insanityto do the same thing again andagain and expect different results.So let us see what we can dodifferently.

The usual resolutions have to dowith losing weight, going to churchmore regularly, reducing debt,taking better care of ourselves,quitting smoking or drinking, andhelping others.

The first thing to do is to writethe resolutions down with timelines.They must be SMART – specific,measurable, attainable, realistic andtime bound. For example: I want tolose 10 kg by June; or I want to payoff two clothing accounts and closethem by September.

You must have a plan with detailsas to how you are going to achieveyour resolutions. Have details as towhat you should do and how youare going to do it.

You should not have more thanthree resolutions. If you achieve twoout of three it is a 66% success rate,but if you achieve two out of ten itis 20%. One sound idea is all youneed. Choose a definite goal, andplace all your energy, all yourwillpower, and all your effort intoachieving that goal.

It is easy to have excellent goalsand plans, but you must havepersistence. Willpower and desire,when properly combined, make anexcellent pair. Lack of persistence isone of the major causes of failure.

I read somewhere about a manwho was digging for gold and foundnothing. After losing hope, hestopped digging and decided to sellthe land. After quitting, he discov-

ered that he had been only threefeet from the gold.

Another thing is: Never stopbecause men say no.

The majority of unsuccessfulpeople generally are influenced bythe opinions of others. Close friendsand relatives often handicap onethrough opinion and sometimesthrough ridicule, which is meant tobe humorous.

The next thing to keep in mind, isthat if you do not know what it is,you will not achieve it. No one isready for something until he or shebelieves they can acquire it. Thereare lots of people who believethemselves “doomed” to poverty andfailure because of some strangeforce over which they believe they

have no control. They are creatorsof their own misfortunes because ofthis negative belief, which is pickedup by the subconscious mind andtranslated into its physical manifes-tation.

They say it takes about 21 days toform a habit. If for example youwant to lose weight, make it a habitto exercise and eat less. They say inlosing weight 80% depends on whatyou eat and 20% on exercise. Thosewho have been on yo-yo diets willtell you it is easy to diet, butdifficult to maintain your goalweight. So make it a habit or alifestyle.

It is essential for you to encouragethe positive emotions as dominatingforces of your mind and discourageand eliminate negative emotions.One comes finally to believewhatever one repeats to oneself.Make your mind believe positivethoughts.

Anything acquired without effortand without cost is generallyunappreciated, often discarded. Youwill therefore need to sacrifice toreach your resolutions. Definitenessof decision always requires courage.

For 2014 I only had one resolution:to reduce my debts. I am happy tosay I have achieved that. I havebeen able to pay off my overdraft. Ihave reduced one of my bonds byalmost 70%. I am not bragging – Iam giving God the glory.

For 2015 one of my resolutions isto play golf. I have made a pact withmy colleague, so we are going topractise golf together. For you toachieve your resolutions, make apact with a friend or a familymember.) Contribute to this column bysending your piece, of no morethan 500 words, toJabulani.Dlamini@volksblad.com,or call 051-404-7910.

Be realistic about those resolutionsMy viewAdvocate KuniDitiraAuthor

It is easy to have ex-ce l len t goa ls andplans, but you musthave persistence.Willpower and de-sire, when properlycombined, make anexcellent pair. Lack ofpersistence is one ofthe major causes offailure.

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LERATO MANZINI is set for anearly return to BloemfonteinCeltic after battling for game timeat SuperSport United.

The 23-year-old striker joinedMatsatsantsa a Pitori from PhunyaSele Sele on loan for the whole2014-’15 season.

However, with just three starts

and a couple of substituteappearances halfway into thecampaign, Manzini could bereturning to Bloemfontein soonerthan expected.

“Bloemfontein Celtic wants himback . . . There is a big chance ofthat happening,” Tim Sukazi,Manzini’s business manager, told

KickOff.com.Sukazi also added the fact that

the player had seen little game-time had been the decidingfactor.

During his time at Celtic,Manzini scored 12 goals in 38appearances.– KickOff.com

Manzini set for return to Celtic

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY 2015 7

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} Tladi Moloi

QWAQWA. – Morena Ramorebudi,the new African Warriors headcoach, is adamant that his team canfight for a place in the top four ofthe National First Division (NFD)and qualify for the promotionalplay-offs.He said the team had quality and

experienced players that could fightfor a better position.“I have to make sure that the

team is out of the relegation zone atthe end of the season. I would behappy if we can finish in the topeight. But we still have a chance tofinish in the top four. We still havemore games to play,” he said.Ramorebudi, who guided the

Maluti FET College for four seasons,jumped ship late in December totake the coaching reigns at Maihlo-me Ihlasele.He penned an 18-month contract

with the struggling Warriors. Hecame in to fill the boots of AbramNteo who had left the team early inDecember to re-unite with ThamiNgubane at the Royal Eagles inDurban.Ramorebudi joined Maluti in 2011

from Bloemfontein Young Tigers. Hemade name when he thrashedOrlando Pirates 4-1 in the last 32 ofthe Nedbank Cup.However, he left the college boys

rooted at the bottom of the log tablewith 8 points in 16 games.He rubbished rumours claiming

that he had left the team because ofpressure and the position he hadfound himself in.“It is not true that I left the team

because it was in the relegationzone. I did not leave them for ateam which is in the comfort zone.Warriors’ position on the table isnot good and it means I have todrive them out of that position,” hesaid. He said that he had felt it wastime to leave after he had achievedsome of his goals with the team.“When I arrived there, my aim

was to unearth the local hiddentalent. I also wanted the team toplay the kind of soccer that every-one would like to watch.“I am happy that I did manage

those things. I left the team at thetime that they were starting torealise the importance of winninggames and believe me they will goout of that position,” he said.He said he would like to see the

two Qwaqwa-based teams, Warriorsand Maluti, playing quality footballat the end of the season.

Warriorscoachaims for top4

JUMPED SHIP: Morena Ramorebudi, who joined the National First Division outfit AfricanWarriorsfrom the Maluti FET College FC. Photo: Tladi Moloi

“I would be happy ifwe can finish in thetop eight. But we stillhave a chance to finish

in the top four.”

Roman's Pizza Bethlehem 14A Muller Street CBD087-802-0965 and 058-303-1030

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E F SASTERN REE TATE

} Tladi Moloi and TebohoSetena

EPHRAIM “SHAKES” MASHA-BA, head coach of Bafana Bafanahas another chance to completeunfinished business of 2004following his controversialsacking after he guided the teamto the African Nations Cup finalin Tunisia.

The outspoken mentor wasfired in 2003 on the eve of BafanaBafana’s departure for Mauritiusfor a Cosafa Cup match as part oftheir build-up for the AfricanNations Cup finals X a match theteam lost. He was sacked forrefusing to obey orders by thethen leadership of the SouthAfrican Football Association – toinclude overseas-based players.

Now water under the bridge,Mashaba has to prove his worthby guiding Bafana Bafana to coupthe 2015 continental showpiecewhich kick offs on 17 January,culminating in the final on 8February in Equatorial Guinea.

South Africa has been drawn inGroup C of the CAF OrangeAfrica Cup of Nations alongsideGhana, Senegal and Algeria inMalabo and Equatorial Guinea.Mashaba believes they have beenhanded a tough draw but addedthat with good planning theyhave a good chance to getthrough the group stages.

In three meetings, BafanaBafana have won once againstAlgeria with two draws and haveplayed Ghana on nine occasions,winning five of those clashes.Against Senegal, South Africa hasonly managed two draws, losingthe rest. Algeria is ranked

number one on the continent,while Senegal and Ghana are 4thand 5th respectively.

Mashaba’s glory-hungry menhave recently proven to be atough team to beat. They areunbeaten in 12 games whichinclude official and friendlygames. Bafana Bafana’s best runin the competition away was in1998 reaching the final, but losingto Egypt. For that effort they wona silver medal. A bronze medal in2000 was the last silverware forBafana Bafana.

Many are waiting impatientlyto witness who will lift thetrophy on 8 February. But the bigquestion for the South African iswhether the National Senior teamcould cope and go all the wayand win the cup like the class of1996.

The Express sports team islooking closely at the teams asthe tournament is only three daysaway. Ghana and Cameron cometo this tournament with might asthey have both won it four times.

Ghana is fifth on the CAF Fifarankings and 37th in the world.The West African giants havewon the cup four times X in 1963,1965, 1978 and 1982. They beat theSudan 0-3, Tunisia 2-3, Uganda 0-2and Libya 6-7 after a 1-1 draw.The Black Stars will be hoping toadd the fifth tittle to their trophycabinet by winning the 2015tournament.

Players to watch: AsamoahGyan, Jordan Ayew, ChristianAtsu, Mohamed Awal andEmmanuel Agyemang-Badu.

Cameroon are currently 8th inthe CAF Fifa Rankings and 42ndin the world. They have won the

cup four times X in 1984, 1988,2000 and 2002. The CentralAfrican nation Cameroon won thecup in the hands of Nigeria 1-3,0-1, 3-4 (penalties) and Senegal 2-3(penalties).

Players to watch: NicolasN’Koulou, Vincent Aboubakar,Stéphane Mbia and Clinton N’Jie.

The Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)is rated 28th on the World Fifarankings and third in Africa. TheWest African giants have wonthis tournament once in 1992beating Ghana 10-11 on a penaltyshootout after the game ended 0-0.

They were the runners-up in2006 and 2012 losing in the finalto Egypt and Zambia respectively.In 1965, 1968, 1986 and 1994 theyfinished third.

Players to watch: The Ele-phants will be hoping to win thetournament for the second timeand surely players like WilfriedBony, Gervinho, Yaya Touré,Kolo Touré and Salomon Kalouwill be keen to guide their teamto a victory with their experi-ence.

Algeria is currently top of theCAF FIFA ranking and 18th inthe world rankings. A team fromNorth Africa has lifted this cuponce in 1990. That was after theyhad defeated Nigeria 1-0.

They were the runners-up in1980 losing in the finale 3-0 toNigeria. They finished third inthe tournament in 19984 and 1988.

The current squad would liketo be remembered and that willonly be by winning the cup.

South Africa, Mali, Zambia,Guinea, Burkina Faso, Senegal,Tunisia and Congo have all wonthis cup once. DR Congo, theCape Verde Islands and Gabonare the countries which will takepart in the competition but theyhave never won the African Cupof Nations.Group A (Bata)Equatorial GuineaBurkina FasoGabonCongo (Brazzaville)Group B (Ebebiyini)ZambiaTunisiaCape Verde IslandsRD CongoGroup C (Mongomo)GhanaAlgeriaSouth AfricaSenegalGroup D (Malabo)Cote d’IvoireMaliCameroonGuinea

All eyes will now beon coachMashaba

ASAMOAH GYAN, the skipper ofGhana.

STÉPHANE MBIA, captain of Cameroon.YAYA TOURÉ, Ivory Coast skipper.

MADJID BOUGHERRA, Algerian captain.

EPHRAIM “SHAKES” MA-SHABA is on a mission tograb the cup trophy at the2015 African Nations Cupfinal. Photo: Lefty Shivambu

Ready tolead Bafana

The big question forthe South African iswhether the NationalSenior team couldcope and possibly goall the way and winthe cup like the class

of 1996.