Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-11-19 i Star

Telkom’s share price surged 5.5% to R30.42 yesterday after it reported market-beating results for the six months ended 30 September, driven by gains in mobile and fibre revenue while containing costs, leading to adjusted headline earnings per share from continuing operations gaining 68% 146.9 cents per share. Mobile subscribers gained 24.6% to 22.7 million, the bulk of which were pre-paid, Telkom’s results booklet showed. This led to a 10% increase in revenue from this unit to R10 billion, at an earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) margin of 30.4%. Its fibre business increased revenue 15.5%, with 1.3 million homes now passed, an increase of 11.4%. About 640 730 homes are now connected to fibre, an 18.1% increase, with these households consuming 1 389 Petabytes of data each month…

President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday said South Africa fully supported the Brazilian Presidency’s focus on social inclusion and the fight against hunger at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Speaking at the working session on social inclusion and the fight against hunger and poverty, Ramaphosa said it was only through an integrated and comprehensive system of social support that the G20 will be able to assist the most vulnerable in society. According to the World Bank, nearly 700 million people are currently living in extreme poverty and the Sub-Saharan Africa region accounts for 67% of these people. Ramaphosa said that at the same time, countries with developing economies were faced with declining growth prospects, declining investments and rising debt. He said that these challenges had the potential to derail development…

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) accounts for 20% of global annual gold supply as well as 80% of the total labour in bullion production although conditions and environmental standards are often poor, with miners often exploited and proceeds fuelling war, conflict and illicit financial flows. These are the findings of the World Gold Council (WGC), which believes that instituting responsible sourcing standards for the industry would be helpful in strengthening global gold supply chains. “The introduction of legally enforceable and mandatory responsible sourcing rules in all jurisdictions would mark an important step in strengthening global gold supply chains, alongside measures to introduce and expand domestic frameworks that facilitate the integration of ASGM within them,” said the WGC. South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mali, the DRC and others are among the African…

Just over a year ago, during a routine communal office lunch at 54 Collective (54CO), I found myself in an unexpectedly absorbing conversation with Cameron John Walker, the South African CEO of GotU Innovations. While he was ostensibly at 54CO to consult on operational efficiency, our discussion quickly wandered beyond optimal delivery frameworks and success metrics. Perhaps it was our shared experience as Third Culture Kids (TCKs) that sparked such instant rapport. While typically defined as children who spend formative years in cultures different from their parents', the TCK lens has profoundly shaped both our worldviews, albeit in distinctly different ways. However, I digress. That initial chat sparked numerous conversations outside of work, and eventually spawned a kinship anchored by a mutual obsession with defining and quantifying socio-economic impact –…

PPC has begun to see benefits materialise from its ‘Awakening the Giant’ turnaround programme in its second quarter, said CEO Matias Cardarelli yesterday. Africa’s biggest cementitious product producer yesterday reported an increase in headline earnings per share to 22 cents for the six months to September 30, up from 20 cents at the same time a year before. Revenue fell 4.2% to R5.07 billion. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) was marginally lower at R796 million. “PPC's half-year results closed with a strong second quarter, rebuilding off a weaker first quarter. We have early positive and encouraging signs in all lines of our business,” Cardarelli said in a statement. Following the approval of competition authorities of PPC’s sale of its investment in Rwanda, a special dividend of R521m…

Linkin Park has returned to the rock music scene with From Zero, their first album since Chester Bennington died in 2017. The legendary rock band’s 11-track offering features new members and a world tour to celebrate its release. The group comprises Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave Farrell and Joe Hahn, alongside new members Emily Armstrong, who joined the group as a co-vocalist and drummer from the critically acclaimed band Dead Sara, as well as fellow drummer Colin Brittain, who previously worked with for G Flip, Illenium and One OK Rock. Dubbed one of the most anticipated rock releases of the year, the album was released on Friday. It features The Emptiness Machine, which was dropped in September. The song has ranked as the No 1 rock song in the US…

The Parlotones have released their second EP in their Forgotten Songs series which features covers and remixes of reimagined classics. Released on Friday, the South African rock stalwarts’ new five-track musical offering includes distinctive interpretations of Elvis Presley’s Burning Love as well as the Beatles’ Come Together and The Times They Are A-Changin’ by Bob Dylan. The other two songs are reimagined remixes of their own songs, Should We Fight Back? and I’m Only Human. The band comprises Kahn Morbee, brothers Glen and Paul Hodgson, Neil Pauw, Rob Davidson and newcomer Trevor Rebello. Their new offerings follow the success of their first EP in the series, titled Early Recordings, which was released in July. “Building upon EP 1, which took listeners back to the band’s early days with…

Spaza shop owners in Naledi, Soweto, have voiced frustration with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 21-day deadline for registering their tuck shops, and are demanding an extension of four months amid the series of food poisoning cases. This follows a surge in food-borne illness that has hit the country and claimed the lives of 22 children. During his address on Friday, Ramaphosa said since September, there have been a total of 890 reported incidents of food-borne illness across the country. He said Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal have been the most affected, while Limpopo, Free State and Mpumalanga also recorded dozens of incidents. Naledi’s incident is one of the most tragic, where six children died after eating contaminated snacks bought from an unregistered spaza shop owned by an illegal foreigner. According to Ramaphosa, the…

THE extra-marital affair of an imprisoned gang boss from Woodstock took centre stage in the Western Cape High Court yesterday, as the plot to murder top criminal attorney William Booth was laid bare. Chuckles were heard during court proceedings in the trial of alleged underworld kingpin, Nafiz Modack, as seasoned detective, Colonel Eddie Clark, took to the stand to detail the steps taken to uncover who was behind the plot to murder Booth. Booth survived an attack outside his Higgovale home on April 9, 2020, when two gunmen opened fire at his home as he took his dogs out for a morning walk. Clark said the shooting during the national lockdown led him to search the area for cameras, which may have picked up suspicious activity in the area. The…

Build One South Africa (Bosa) deputy president Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster has slammed Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina’s announcement of indefinite water supply cuts for Johannesburg residents, starting from Tuesday, as a “water-shedding gift” from the Government of National Unity (GNU). This comes after Majodina announced on Monday that Joburg Water will start level one water throttling in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) from Thursday, November 14, and residents may have water until December if they adhere to restrictions. The decision comes as the department attempts to address the ongoing water supply problem endured by the metro and Gauteng. Residents across the city have been facing severe water problems for some time, owing to population growth, illegal connections, ageing and damaged infrastructure, poor maintenance, and severe leaks. “Gauteng has no…

A recent survey conducted by Bettabets, a retail and online sports betting company, has unveiled a concerning trend among South African gamblers, highlighting their reliance on betting as a means to counterbalance the rising cost of living. The survey reveals that nearly half (48%) of gamblers are turning to gambling in the hope of covering essential monthly expenses, such as school fees and rent. Alarmingly, 70% of those surveyed admitted to gambling primarily to supplement their income instead of engaging in it as a source of entertainment. The findings come during the launch of Bettabets’ Smart Money Management Workshops, aimed at enhancing financial literacy among punters in conjunction with National Responsible Gambling Awareness Month this November. Despite the allure of potential winnings, the survey indicates that only 27% of gamblers…

The DA supports the steps taken by Minister Dion George against canned lion hunting and the lion bone trade. George issued two government notices – the first announcing voluntary exit pathways for holders of lion bone stockpiles and the second calling for comments on the prohibition of the establishment of new captive breeding facilities. There are an estimated 8 000 captive lions in South Africa across 350 facilities. The steps are the first moves towards a longer-term phasing out of the captive lion industry. The portfolio committee for environmental affairs convened a colloquium in 2018 to discuss captive lion breeding and hunting. Its recommendations were adopted by the National Assembly. A panel was appointed and a White Paper and policy position on sustainable use were published. Two ministerial task teams…

The ANC seems determined to ensure that it suffers a similar fate as the Botswana Democratic Party. The recent Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) is a hard-core austerity budget. The budget outlines significant reductions in public spending, including the termination of the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, which had provided essential support to many vulnerable people. Cosatu has expressed opposition to the austerity measures detailed in the MTBPS. In a statement, Cosatu condemned the budget cuts, stating that they would “entrench racialised apartheid-era economic policies” and fail to address the pressing needs of the country’s most vulnerable populations. Similarly, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has criticised the government’s fiscal approach. Numsa argues that austerity measures have “destroyed South Africa’s growth trajectory”, leading to increased…

Naspers expects to lift interim headline earnings by between 103.2% and 109.6%, boosted by consolidated profitability in its Chinese e-commerce unit, Tencent. Owned by Naspers through its global investment group Prosus, Tencent has raked in the profits from video gaming while it is investing in artificial intelligence and bumping up fintech payments. “The group has demonstrated its continued commitment to deliver profitable growth, with consolidated e-commerce profitability in the first half of FY25, significantly exceeding that of the prior twelve months,” said Naspers yesterday. Core headline earnings per share and headline earnings per share for continuing operations for the period are thus expected to increase by between 87.2% and 93.8% as well as from 103.2% to 109.6% respectively. Naspers said it expected to “continue this growth path by accelerating pace…

Zimbabwe’s construction sector is on the rebound despite the effects of currency volatility and an uncertain monetary policy framework. Piniel Mkushi, chairman of Cafca - the only cable manufacturer in Zimbabwe and a unit of Reunert-controlled CBi Electric - said yesterday that “the construction sector was buoyant purred by the road construction activities, new housing and property development” projects. Nonetheless, the overall trading environment for Zimbabwe has been volatile, worsened by a decline in commodity prices for most metals and alloys as well as the impact of the drought for the 2023/2024 agricultural season, which dampened demand across the economy. Currency instability in September and earlier in the year also drove up inflation while exchange rate fluctuations remain “a challenge to value” preservation. Cafca manufactures electric cables for the Zimbabwe…

WEBUYCARS Holdings has ended its financial year on September 30 with core headline earnings up 23.4% to R815.4 million after strong growth in the number of vehicles it bought and sold. This as its share price has rocketed 93.1% since it listed seven months ago. The used-vehicle trading group, which listed on the JSE in April, bought 167 741 units through the year to September 30, while the number of units sold increased 16.4% to 165 185 units. In fact, sold volumes reached a monthly record for WeBuyCars of 14 594 units in July. A final cash dividend of 25 cents a share was declared. The share price was trading 0.63% weaker at R39.40 yesterday afternoon, but the price was well up from the R20.40 that it listed…

JSE-listed company, Discovery South Africa, which holds the largest open medical scheme in the country came under fire on Monday for inviting Israeli healthcare workers to its Future Of Health (FOH) Summit that is taking place today in Cape Town. The company told Business Report that the delegates from Israel attending the Summit are administrators and managers of the Sheba Medical Centre, and not the Israeli Ministry of Health. This comes after Discovery SA was called out on social media for the company’s intention to host Israeli healthcare officials, saying it was ‘tone deaf and unconscionable.’ Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh, Director at the International Commission of Jurists - Africa, tweeted on Monday, “@Discovery_SA hosting a Health Summit with Israeli healthcare providers while Israel destroys Gaza hospitals is tone deaf and unconscionable.…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has achieved a significant milestone in its fight against corruption by securing a preservation order from the Special Tribunal against Groen Mintirho, previously known as Enviro Mobi. This order is linked to alleged procurement irregularities involving the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment (GDARD) and the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. Groen Mintirho is associated with Pule Mabe, a prominent former MP and former spokesperson for the ANC. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago revealed that the preservation order prohibits Mabe from selling, leasing, or transferring several assets, including a luxury property in Steyn City and a Porsche 911 Carrera GTS. This action is part of a broader investigation initiated under Presidential Proclamation No. R15 of 2021, which has uncovered serious irregularities in a multimillion-rand…

As South Africa approaches the critical period for matric results, concerns are rising around the publication of these outcomes. With only weeks remaining until the results are due, AfriForum has announced that it will mobilise its legal team to challenge a recent directive from the Information Regulator South Africa (IR), which prohibits the public dissemination of matric results. This predicament echoes a similar situation faced in January 2022 when AfriForum, alongside Maroela Media and an affected matriculant, successfully contested a ban on the previous year’s results imposed by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). In that ruling, the court mandated the publication of the results, underscoring the importance of public access to this information. Currently, the IR has taken the lead, having issued an enforcement notice on November 4. The…

A German national who is on Interpol’s most wanted list has been arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng. Officials from The Border Management Authority (BMA) successfully intercepted the man on Friday, November 15. BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi said this significant breakthrough occurred during a routine border operation. They said the German suspect was intercepted in Turkey travelling with a fraudulent Israeli passport and was returned to South Africa on November 8. “Upon investigation, the BMA officials realised that the suspect had a German accent but insisted that he was an Israeli national. “The Department of International Relations and Cooperation was contacted and confirmed through the embassy that the traveller was not an Israeli national.” BMA said Interpol was contacted and the suspect was found to be on…

THE exciting news for South Africa is that the Urban20 (U20) Summit is coming to town in 2025, and it is going to be co-chaired by the two Gauteng metros of Tshwane and Joburg. Mayor of Tshwane, Nasiphi Moya, shared the news after attending the U20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where the declaration for co-hosting and co-chairing rights was confirmed on November 17. The U20 is all about city diplomacy, bringing together cities from G20 member states to tackle global economic, climate change, and development issues. Moya described sharing the co-hosting rights with Joburg as an honour for Tshwane which seeks to improve on its commitment to urban sustainability and inclusivity. The Rio de Janeiro summit, she said, convened delegates from more than 30 cities across the world…

Step into the world of The Michael Jackson HIStory Show, where the spirit of the King of Pop comes alive with electrifying energy, dazzling special effects, and the unmatched talent of Garth Field. A Cape Town native with a passion for performance, Field was handpicked last year by renowned tribute producer Johnny van Grinsven, who saw in him the perfect combination of skill, charisma, and drive to take on the role of a lifetime. Now, fans in South Africa and around the world can witness Field’s talent firsthand in a tribute that is more than just a concert – it’s an unforgettable experience. Following its 2024 debut in South Africa and a tour across New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, The Michael Jackson HIStory Show is back on home turf, and…

Sbusiso “DJ Sbu” Leope, the celebrated South African entrepreneur and DJ, has publicly apologised to a street vendor following a controversial incident that drew significant criticism on social media. This comes after a video surfaced showing Leope trying to buy his energy drink, Mofaya, from a man on the street, only to dismiss him upon discovering it was out of stock. The video showed him approaching the seller, intending to purchase a drink, and upon learning it was unavailable, he swiftly withdrew a R200 note and questioned the vendor’s business acumen, an exchange that many viewers interpreted as rude and dismissive. His response sparked a wave of negative feedback across platforms, with users condemning Leope’s approach to a fellow entrepreneur trying to make a living. After receiving a hail of…

There is a serious irony playing itself out in South African society that is difficult to understand. This is the morbid fascination with crime and criminals in a society ridden with this evil problem. For example, it is no secret that on the Cape Flats, gangsters are venerated in those communities even though they cause mayhem. In many townships across the country, organised gang leaders, such as heist kingpins, are worshipped and admired by residents. The latest example of the sickness concerns the zama zama tragedy unfolding in Stilfontein. We, as a society, are made to believe that there are “trapped” miners underground as the police have sealed entry points to the shafts. The miners are suffering and dying as a result of this. But the reality is that…

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Brad Binder secured fifth position in the 2024 MotoGP Championship ahead of future teammate Pedro Acosta in Barcelona. KTM also secured second position in the constructors championship with 327 points, 395 behind Ducati, who have now secured their fifth straight championship, and sixth overall. The South African rider would have hoped for a different turnout at the beginning of the season, but things didn’t work out as planned, and he had to graft hard to keep his RC16 bike consistently around the top six positions. Binder (217) outscored outgoing teammate Jack Miller (87) by a massive 130 points in the final championship standings, but he needed the last lap of the season to close the door on future teammate Acosta (215), edging the 20-year-old Spanish…

THE entire hall stood up in unison. They chanted “Aaaaaaaaaace!” for what felt like an eternity, stopping only when the man himself ordered them to. And then he spoke, softly as he always did but then sending them all into rapturous laughter. Patrick “Ace” Ntsoelengoe was as good a story-teller as he was a soccer player. It’s a pity that he will not be around to have us all in stitches on the occasion of arguably the greatest honour he is to receive in his home country. Tomorrow night at Monte Casino, the late former Kaizer Chiefs star – believed by many to be the greatest football star this country has ever produced – will be inducted into the South African Hall of Fame alongside other luminaries of the beautiful…

At the hearing, Eskom cited the more than R90bn in municipal arrears debt, which it said was increasing at between R1bn to R1.5bn a month Eskom’s application for a 36.1% tariff increase in the Sixth Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD6) was strongly opposed at the first day of public hearings by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) in Cape Town. This comes as the power utility was heavily criticised for cost overruns, including transport and travelling, that had no direct bearing on electricity production. This is on top of a 4% increase already granted by Nersa to recover losses of R8 billion in the 2021/22 financial year. The Green Connection – an eco-justice organisation advocating for sustainable and equitable energy solutions – said it was opposed to the tariff…

Entrepreneurship is often a path paved with grit, resilience, and a constant belief in a better future. Few stories embody this journey more powerfully than that of Dr Iqbal Survé, a South African entrepreneur, whose life’s work spans healing as a physician, building economic opportunities through business and uplifting communities through philanthropy. In this article, we explore how Survé’s journey from humble beginnings to global prominence reflects lessons for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs everywhere. Humble Beginnings Born into apartheid South Africa, Dr Survé’s early life was defined by struggle. As a young boy growing up in Cape Town, he stood on the corner of Kenilworth Road selling the Cape Times newspapers to help his family make ends meet. Each sale represented not just survival but a step toward a future…

There’s something beautiful about the Checkers Sixty60 as a service. At the same time there’s something very ugly about what makes the service possible. The ability to get groceries from the comfort of your home is a life saver for some. Imagine the delivery benefits for someone with mobility challenges due to a sickness. Imagine an elderly person who can be assisted to get her shopping with ease. The Checkers Sixty60 service is not just for convenience. It is also an income generator for the brave and those with entrepreneurial mindset. What cannot be denied, however, is that the service comes at a great cost to human lives. There’s a high risk attached to a quick delivery on a motorbike in South Africa. While risk cannot be detached to…

Astral Foods’s share price rose 1.9% to R169.33 yesterday after reported that it had rebounded from massive load shedding and avian flu-related losses in 2023 and increased headline earnings per share by 245% in the 12 months to September 30. Revenue increased 6.4% to R19.4 billion, with the increase primarily attributable to the recovery by the Poultry Division from a loss-making position to a profit. Profit before interest and tax increased by 281%. An operating profit of R1.13bn compared to an operating loss of R621 million in the previous year, an increase of 281.2%, was mainly due to the absence of load shedding and bird flu costs in the year. The operating margin increased from a loss of 3.2% (2023) to a profit of 5.5%. Net working capital increased by…

Frank Cadillac, the frontman of the eclectic Canadian band Neon Dreams, recently moved to Cape Town. After holding many performances throughout the country over the years, Cadillac said he finally felt like he had returned “home”. Chatting to Independent Media Lifestyle from his new home in the mother city, Cadillac said the love he received from fans in South Africa kept him inspired and creative. “Every time I had to leave South Africa, I used to cry. I’d be on the plane, thinking: ‘I wish this was my home.’ “I love Canada because that’s where I grew up but when you find something that suits you, you just know,” the singer said. “There is an abundance of love. I really adore South Africa’s sense of community and it has taught…

Adele has opened up about her family plans as her Las Vegas residency comes to an end. The Skyfall hitmaker is due to conclude her Weekends with Adele concert series at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace two years later this month. She has repeated her claim that she does not currently have any plans to get back on stage in the near future because she wants to spend more time with fiancé Rich Paul, her 12-year-old son Angelo, who she has with ex-husband Simon Konecki and “another kid”. According to The Sun on Sunday newspaper, she told fans recently: “In two weeks, I am retiring. This is the end. It’s the 100th and final show the weekend before Thanksgiving. And that’s the last one. “I don’t have any plans to…

Interventions supervisor at TEARS Foundation, Kavya Swaminathan, argued that publishing the National Register of Sexual Offenders (NRSO) would reduce the likelihood of repeat offenders targeting new victims. Swaminathan’s sentiments aligned with Build One South Africa’s (Bosa) call to pressure Parliament in making the NRSO available for the public. Bosa has throughout the year echoed that the Sex Offenders List be made public in efforts to intensify the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). Bosa deputy leader and MP Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster recently highlighted that South Africa is facing a peak in crimes targeting women and children. “South Africa faces one of the highest rates of recidivism in the world. Nine out of 10 ex-offenders re-offend after release. We can reduce this number which creates a dangerous cycle that leaves our communities, and…

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a party characterised by its fiery rhetoric and revolutionary zeal, now stands at a critical juncture in its 11-year legacy. With just a few weeks before its third elective conference, tensions run high as reports emerge of the controversial banning of Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi from the assembly, scheduled for December 12-15 in Nasrec. This pivotal moment reflects not only the internal conflicts within the party but also raises significant questions regarding its future direction. Weekend reports suggested that Ndlozi, the party’s head of politics and a key figure in the EFF’s leadership, has been blocked from participating in what is expected to be a fiercely contested gathering. Analysts say that party leader Julius Malema may have made this decision to minimise competition for his presidency.…

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has highlighted the severe impact of delayed infrastructure projects on South Africa’s economy and the lives of its citizens. Over the past four months, the country has grappled with a backlog of incomplete infrastructure projects, many of which were supposed to provide essential services such as schools, clinics, police stations, and community centres. Macpherson pointed out that the delays have not only disrupted community development, but have also cost the nation nearly R3 billion over several financial years. “These delays are not just figures in a report; they represent stalled progress, halted economic growth, and deferred services for millions of South Africans,” Macpherson said. He further criticised the waste of public funds and the impact on communities, describing delayed construction sites as…

The Suit at Theatre on the Square brings Can Themba’s classic South African story to life in a mesmerising performance filled with humour, tension, and poignant social commentary. Directed by the talented J.Bobs Tshabalala, this adaptation manages to weave the rich history of apartheid-era Sophiatown with universal themes of love, betrayal, and resilience, leaving the audience spellbound. The staging is simple yet evocative, setting the scene with a kist piled with clothes, a neatly arranged table, and chairs on a black-and-white checkered carpet – a perfect homage to Sophiatown’s lively yet troubled spirit. As jazz music ushers the audience in, it is clear that the ambiance is set to transport us to another era. The show opens with a powerful monologue describing Sophiatown, delivered with clarity and energy that draws…

A pair of endangered African Egyptian Vultures have made the final leg of their 16 600km journey from San Diego and are now in their permanent Eastern Cape home. This marks the end of a long and complicated relocation process and the start of a planned breeding programme to reintroduce the birds to their native habitat. It’s hoped the new arrivals will quickly settle in their new enclosure at VulPro@Shamwari, a vulture rehabilitation, breeding, research and education facility on Shamwari Game Reserve about an hour outside Gqeberha. According to Kerri Wolter, VulPro CEO, initial signs are good. “The two are getting on very well. They feed and roost together which is a good sign for eventual pairing when the young female reaches maturity.” The pair, which have grown up in…

Lee Carsley admitted he was relieved to end his reign as England interim boss with the stylish 5-0 rout of Ireland that sealed Nations League promotion ahead of Thomas Tuchel’s arrival. Shrugging off a lacklustre first half performance, England ran riot after the break at Wembley on Sunday to secure the victory they needed to return to League A. Three goals in the space of five minutes and 36 seconds did the damage in Carsley’s last game before Tuchel takes over on an 18-month contract from January 1. Harry Kane opened the floodgates with a penalty conceded by Ireland defender Liam Scales, who was sent off for a second booking. Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen and Taylor Harwood-Bellis all netted for the first time in an England shirt to…

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Carling Knockout final tie with Magesi FC has the making of a “David v Goliath” clash at Toyota Stadium in Mangaung on Saturday (6pm). But while Dikwena will duly wear the underdogs cap against the champions of the land, they’ll want to cause another major upset in the competition. After all, they were responsible for the demise of the local “cup specialists” Orlando Pirates, beating them 3-2 in their own backyard in the opening round of the competition. So, that’s why below, MIHLALI BALEKA, looks at three matchups which could decide the outcome of the result as Sundowns and Magesi eye the second trophy of the term. TEBOHO MOKOENA V SAMUEL DARPOH Mokoena has been an integral figure in the Sundowns set-up, linking attack and defence, and he…