Connor holds a UEFA Pro License and brings a wealth of experience from various positions within the football industry.

Since getting promoted to the DStv Premiership this season, Cape Town Spurs have suffered seven consecutive defeats.

According to the club statement: “Connor will be tasked with all football operations at Ikamva and will ensure that the club’s football objectives are met”.

The Mozambique international reclaimed his position in the starting lineup as the left-back, replacing S’fiso Hlanti, following a challenging period of injury, which he gratefully acknowledges is now in the past.

“Obviously, it wasn’t how I wanted the season to start for me. It is difficult, as a player, not to be on the field doing what we love, but I just had to deal with it in a positive way and try to focus on my recovery. I’m happy now that it’s a thing of the past and I am back with the gents,” he tells Chiefs website.

“It was amazing to come back into the team and contribute with a goal and a good performance,” he says.

“I have been eager to get back so when my chance came I wanted to play well and contribute to the team, and I am happy I did.

“Obviously, there are areas where I can improve. It wasn’t a 100 percent perfect game, but we learn every day.

“I should also give credit to my teammates because, at certain times in the match I felt a bit tired, this being my first game and lacking match fitness, but the guys kept pushing me and motivating me to keep going.”

“I want to thank the fans for always being with me. Even when I wasn’t playing, I always felt their love and care for me, which I appreciate very much.”

The match began with an early goal by Ashley Cupido, setting the tone for the remainder of the encounter.

Nevertheless, despite their initial lead, the Urban Warriors failed to capitalize on their advantage. A penalty converted by Darwin Gonzalez just before halftime restored parity, while Khanyisa Mayo’s brace secured City maximum points in the derby.

Despite the Citizens dominating possession in the early stages of the game, it was Spurs who took the lead with their very first attacking move. Seizing possession from City in midfield, the Urban Warriors executed a textbook counter-attack, and Ashley Cupido calmly slotted the ball home from within the 18-yard area.

Even after conceding, Eric Tinkler’s team, maintained control of the possession and actively sought an equalizer. Their counter-attacking style often troubled the City defence.

As the game approached the 25-minute mark, City controlled the majority of play in Spurs’ half but struggled to convert their goal-scoring opportunities.

City was awarded a penalty in the 40th minute when the referee detected a handball by Rushwin Dortley inside the penalty area. Gonzalez confidently placed the ball into the net, just out of the reach of goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom.

In the second half, the Urban Warriors displayed greater initiative compared to their first-half performance, while City managed to create a few scoring opportunities.

After an hour of play at the DHL Stadium, Spurs looked lively when moving forward, occasionally causing City to defend nervously.

As the 70th minute approached, the Citizens shifted into high gear and took the lead through a clever strike by Khanyiso Mayo. Gonzalez delivered the ball down the left flank, and Mayo flicked it into the net at the near post.

City sealed the victory with five minutes remaining, as Mayo completed his brace in the iKapa Derby.
Once again, City posed a threat down the left wing, and Mayo was in the right place at the right time to bundle the ball home from close range while battling with Siyanda Msani inside the six-yard box.

The thrilling Caf Confederation Cup match was played at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on a Friday night.

Both teams showcased captivating displays and generated numerous scoring opportunities during the first half, resulting in a halftime score of 0-0.

However, it was the home team that broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, courtesy of Nigerian international Etiosa Ighodaro, who capitalised on a brilliant assist from Ronald Pfumbidzai.

Ighodaro further embellished his performance by completing a brace in the 72nd minute.
In the 76th minute, Matsatsantsa executed double substitutions, with Pfumbidzai being replaced by Terrence Dzvukamanja, and Bradley Grobler stepping in for the two-goal hero, Ighodaro.

Matsatsantsa continued to assert their dominance, culminating in substitute Grobler finding the back of the net in the 90th minute, solidifying their commanding lead.
The match concluded with a final score of 3-0 in favor of the home side, SuperSport United.

This hard-fought win propelled AmaSwaiSwai to the third position in the league standings, and they are now eager to extend their winning streak to two matches when they clash with Chippa United on October 4.

On the other side, AmaZulu remained in eighth place in the standings after their impressive three-match unbeaten run came to a halt.

They are determined to return to their winning form when they face Chippa United on October 28.
In the early stages of the game, both teams struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. However, Usuthu intensified their efforts just after the half-hour mark as halftime approached.

The deadlock was finally broken on the stroke of halftime when Ethan Brooks was given the space and time to unleash a powerful shot that left goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi with no chance. AmaZulu took a 1-0 lead into the interval.

Nevertheless, Usuthu’s hopes were dealt a significant blow 12 minutes into the second half when Abubeker Mobara received a straight red card, leaving coach Pablo Franco Martin’s side with only 10 players on the field.AmaSwaiSwai seized the opportunity presented by their numerical advantage over Usuthu.

Kwanda Mngonyama set up Tshegofatso Mabasa, who found the back of the net to level the score at 1-1 with 19 minutes remaining.

The hosts continued to press for the winning goal, which they ultimately achieved in the 75th minute, thanks to another goal from Mabasa, completing his brace and sealing Swallows’ remarkable come-from-behind 2-1 victory.

Stellenbosch concluded a challenging week in Johannesburg with a 3-1 loss to the league leaders, as Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba, and Siyabonga Mabena found the net to overturn Devin Titus’ early goal.

Expressing his frustration, Barker pointed to the absence of several key players due to injury and suspension, as well as his team’s difficulties in dealing with Sundowns’ set-piece situations.
However, Barker also commended the dedication of his young starting team.

Despite recent disappointments, Barker expressed optimism about having a fuller squad available for upcoming matches, emphasizing that his team would be giving their all in the second quarter of the campaign.

“It’s been a tough two encounters [against Pirates and Sundowns this week] so it’s important to rest and re-energise,” he added. “Our suspensions are over now, and hopefully the injured players will be back by the next match which is a big one against TS Galaxy at home.

“I think in Q2, the next seven matches of the season, will be defining for us. They are games that we have to make sure we’re getting maximum points from as often as we can.”

“Coming into the match, we knew it would be a very challenging task for us,” Barker said during his post-match press conference.

“Sundowns are obviously the benchmark for South African football and one of the best teams on the continent, and having gone unbeaten in their previous 31 games, we knew they would be up to the task of breaking the record [for the longest unbeaten run in the Premiership].

“We were also depleted with three of our starting defenders either injured [Deano van Rooyen and Fawaaz Basadien] or suspended [Ismael Toure], and then Jayden Adams, another key player suspended from the Orlando Pirates game, and Iqraam Rayners also injured.

“The positive side is that their absence gives other players opportunities and when you see players like Kyle Jurgens and Qobolwakhe Sibande play two games against Pirates and Sundowns and apply themselves, it’s good for their development but it doesn’t make our task easier.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 pm. Usuthu recently extended their unbeaten run to three matches in the local top-flight competition when they played to a goalless draw against Polokwane City on September 25, in an away fixture.

Currently, AmaZulu occupies the eighth position in the DStv Premiership standings, trailing fourth-placed SuperSport United by three points. Usuthu has their sights set on a top-four finish and will be aiming for victory to achieve that goal.

Franco Martin, the head coach of AmaZulu, shed light on the decision to have Ben Motshwari as an unused substitute in the Polokwane City match. He also hinted at the possibility of the midfielder featuring in the upcoming game against Swallows.

“His fitness level is inferior to the one that [Taariq] Fielies showed us in the previous training sessions,” said the coach.

“From there we were planning,” Franco Martin said. And I wished I could have given him some game time.

“Because we really wanted to help him get fitter and fitter. “But we couldn’t because of the situation of the game.

“And we thought it was not the right moment to risk him. Let’s see if in the next game he can get his game time because the same as I said with Fielies he is a player who is going to help us.”

Meanwhile, Swallows emerged as a 2-0 winners over Stellenbosch FC away on September 19 and the win saw the Soweto giants bounce back to winning ways in the league.

Amaswaiswai are currently occupying the sixth spot on the DStv Premiership standings – three points behind third-placed SuperSport, but the former have a better goal difference.

Steve Komphela, the Swallows head coach, expressed his delight after masterminding a win over Stellenbosch in the Western Cape.

“It was a nice match, but the highlight for me is keeping a clean sheet,” Komphela said.
“The goalkeepers, goalkeeping coach, and the entire technical team, they have been fighting hard that we need to keep a clean sheet. If you don’t concede you won’t lose a match.

“But above that scoring two goals, the weather was quite bad it was slippery. You learn that by bringing in the right type of equipment (players) we could have scored more goals. But we are delighted with the victory.”

AmaZulu will welcome back Mbongeni Gumede from suspension when they take on Swallows.

Despite falling behind early in the match, goals from Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba, and Siyabonga Mabena proved sufficient to reverse the deficit and maintain Bafana Ba Style’s perfect record in domestic league fixtures this season.

In the wake of their weekend triumph over Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 competition, Mokwena executed a strategic rotation of his squad. He later commended the substituted players for their commendable performances, which greatly contributed to the team’s triumphant outcome.

“It was a difficult game against a very good side, you know they are a team that can defend a 1-0,” Mokwena said after the match.

“I was a little bit unhappy about conceding because it’s something that we worked on, but we came back and we showed good character to come back and make it 1-1.”

“To go 2–1 up at halftime was a very good demonstration of the mentality of this group, and we kept playing, which is good because it’s not easy to keep playing against this Stellenbosh team, the are very well coached.”

“It was a good performance especially when you consider the number rotations, Reyaad Pieterse came in, [Bongani] Zungu, got good minutes & so did Mosa Lebusa. Lebo [Maboe] came in after a long long time out and did well. Thapelo Morena and Thapelo Maseko [did well] and it was good to see the young [Siyabonga] Mabena scoring.”

okwena’s team celebrated a remarkable achievement as they secured their 32nd consecutive unbeaten game in the league, establishing a new league record for the longest undefeated streak during the PSL era.

The Sundowns coach couldn’t contain his joy and expressed his immense pride in the club’s remarkable journey to reach this historic milestone.

“I’m very proud of the players, and the technical team. We’re very proud of our supporters, for staying for so long and singing and helping the players. We have a big sense of appreciation.
“And [congratulations to] everybody from senior management to backroom staff and everyone involved, it’s a big, big result against the only side to have beaten us so far.”

Following a 1-1 draw in the initial leg at FNB Stadium, the stage is set for Sundowns to host Chiefs at Lucas Moripe Stadium in the return fixture.

“Everything is on the cup,” Ntseki told the Chiefs website. “It’s a cup we feel we have to do well in and we have to win. But you can’t win the cup if you don’t play in the final. That’s why we say it’s a semifinal, but for us it’s a cup final, because we need this cup and have to be in the final.

“The players are looking sharp and very positive going into this game. It will be more of a mental, highly tactical and demanding game.

“From within the club, and from us as individuals, the objective is to see ourselves in the final and hopefully winning the final.”

Chiefs lost 1-0 to Supersport United in a DStv Premiership match on Wednesday while Mamelodi Sundowns beat Orlando Pirates 1-0.

Ntseki insist that Amakhosi will keep relatively the same squad that played against Supersport United.

“We don’t have any injuries sustained in the last game and we will largely keep 99% of the same squad we had against SuperSport, as we feel they did very well even if we did not get maximum points from that game.

“It’s going to be a tough one, we always look at Sundowns to be a very good competitor, when it comes to the game itself.

“The competition will be more on the pitch and more about the tactics the two clubs will be deploying. We have done our preparations and we are looking forward to implementing the tactical ideas we have. It’s a cup final.”
By Zola Doda

Disgruntled fans threw objects onto the pitch following Kaizer Chiefs’ 1-0 defeat to Supersport United.

“We do not condone such behaviour and we call on the SA Police to act swiftly against people who do such acts, as they endanger the lives of many people who are at the stadium to enjoy the match,” said Motaung.

“We know things have not gone well but it’s not all doom and gloom. It’s still early in the season and there’s still a lot to fight for.

“The technical team and the players are working hard to ensure that we put smiles on supporters’ faces, but for that to happen it is important that we need to exercise patience,” she says.