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Progress made in relocating Lapland flood victims

Location: News

Progress made in relocating Lapland flood victims

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor, Gary van Niekerk, says plans to relocate flood disaster victims from a floodplain area in Lapland, Kariega, in the Eastern Cape, to a safer area in Ward 48 are progressing well.

Van Niekerk said the initial delay was caused by an application for approval by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment on the residential usage of the identified land.

The Mayor said the approval, which has since been received from the department, came with conditions.

Among the conditions is that the metro must appoint an environmental specialist to monitor and guide the work to clear the building site, as well as the relocation and erection of temporary housing structures.

"The supply chain process to appoint this specialist started immediately after the go-ahead from the department was received, resulting in the tender process being concluded on Tuesday, 20 August 2024. 

"The appointment of the specialist will now follow and should not take longer than the anticipated two weeks,” Van Niekerk said.

Van Niekerk said following the floods, Lapland residents were moved to temporary accommodation in the town of Kariega, but they went back to their area after the floodwater subsided, to wait for imminent relocation.

In Walmer, Van Niekerk said flood victims are waiting for the electrification of temporary housing structures before they can be relocated.

READ | Relocation of Walmer flood victims imminent

“Availability of stock for electrification is causing the delays. Intervention measures have been put in place to speed up the process,” the Mayor said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 10:48

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Read moreProgress made in relocating Lapland flood victims

R25 million to provide sanitation for Nelson Mandela Bay communities

Location: News

R25 million to provide sanitation for Nelson Mandela Bay communities

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) has committed R25 million over three years to provide dignified sanitation solutions for communities across the metro.

MMC for Infrastructure and Engineering, Khanya Ngqisha, said for the past decade, the municipality has experienced the mushrooming of illegal informal settlements across the metro.

“These settlements have exerted pressure on the already strained system, with communities demanding sanitation, water, and electricity. These demands come on top of the already existing backlog of the bucket system,” Ngqisha said.

Ngqisha said in 2015, the municipality had 32 000 bucket toilets and through focused interventions dating back to 2019, the number has since been reduced to 6 100 buckets.

Ngqisha said for the next three years, the metro plans to eradicate the remaining buckets entirely, ensuring that every resident has access to dignified sanitation.

To facilitate this goal, cluster service providers have been appointed to construct various sanitation typologies, including communal ablution blocks and single toilet units.

“This initiative is designed not only to improve health and hygiene but also to enhance the overall quality of life for our residents. As part of the rollout, contractors have been introduced to local councillors and community members [with] some contractors already on site, actively working.

“As a critical element of this project, the directorate is also conducting community engagement sessions to ensure that contractors understand the unique needs of the areas they serve before they start with construction,” Ngqisha said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 08/23/2024 - 09:32

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Survey reveals uneven progress in Eastern Cape’s fight against HIV

Location: News

Survey reveals uneven progress in Eastern Cape’s fight against HIV

The Sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI) for the Eastern Cape has found that HIV prevalence in the province seems to have stabilised from 15.9% in 2017 to 13.7% in 2022. 

This translates to approximately 980 000 people with HIV in the Eastern Cape, down from one million in 2017. 

The data is based on the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), which released the key findings of the SABSSM VI for the Eastern Cape on Thursday. 

The findings also revealed that in 2022, HIV prevalence in the province was highest among individuals aged 25 to 49 years (27.7%), with females (35.4%) and males (17.1%) in the same age group being disproportionately affected.

Among males, HIV prevalence was highest in urban areas (8.7%), while among females, it was highest in rural informal or tribal areas (19.8%).

According to the overall principal investigator of the study, the HSRC’s Professor Khangelani Zuma, the survey shows that HIV prevalence peaked at 34.8% among those aged 40 to 44 years in 2022, down from a peak of 39.8% in 2017 among those aged 35 to 39 years. 

“This indicates a decline in HIV prevalence in 2022 across the following age groups: zero to 35 years and 45 to 59 years, except the peak among those aged 40 to 44 years and 60 years and older,” he explained. 

The data also presented results for six priority districts within the province, including Alfred Nzo, Amathole, Buffalo City, Chris Hani, Nelson Mandela Bay, and OR Tambo. 

The survey found that in 2022, HIV prevalence was highest in Chris Hani (14.4%), followed by Amathole (14.1%), Alfred Nzo (13.9%), and Nelson Mandela Bay (9.7%).

However, the HIV prevalence data for the Joe Gqabi and Sarah Baartman districts were not reported due to insufficient data.

Treatment 

Nationally, the current use of antiretroviral treatment (ART) among all people with HIV increased to 80.9% in 2022 from 63.7% in 2017.

The Eastern Cape recorded an increase in ART coverage, from 67.8% in 2017 to 83.5% in 2022. 

This translates to an estimated 723 000 people receiving ART in 2022. 

The survey further shows that in 2022, ART use among all people with HIV in the province was 70.9% among adolescents and youth aged 15 to 24 years, and 84.8% among those aged 25 to 49 years. 

ART coverage was substantially lower among females aged 15 to 24 (68.7%) compared to those aged 25 to 49 (88.2%).

In terms of districts, ART use was lowest in Nelson Mandela Bay (69.4%) and Buffalo City (79.4%), and highest in Alfred Nzo (92.0%).

Viral load

The survey further found that in the Eastern Cape, the proportion of people with Viral Load Suppression (VLS) was 79.3% in 2022, which was an increase from 66.3% in 2017. 

However, VLS was 61.4% among children aged zero to 14 years. Among those aged 15 to 49 years, VLS was 78.6%, but substantially lower among males (65.4%) compared to females (83.9%) in this age group. 

Nationally, the survey found that 81.4% of all people with HIV were virally suppressed.

Zuma said it was concerning that people with HIV aged between 25 and 49 years account for most people living with HIV in the Eastern Cape, who are unaware of their HIV status (61.2%), aware but not on ART (63.3%), and on ART with no VLS (65.6%). 

“However, adolescents and youth aged 15 to 24 years contribute disproportionately to gaps in treatment, accounting for just 9.6% of all people living with HIV, but 22.4% of them are unaware of their status, 18.3% are aware but not on ART, and 13.8% are on ART with no VLS,” he said.

Female adolescents and youth aged 15 to 24 years account for a minority of female people living with HIV (11.3%), but a relatively larger proportion of those who do not know their HIV status (31.4%), are not on ART (24.2%), or are on ART but not virally suppressed (18.7%).

Early sexual debut

Focusing on the key drivers of the HIV pandemic, Zuma indicated that the Eastern Cape had the highest prevalence of early sexual debut among provinces in 2022.

“The proportion of adolescents and youth aged 15 to 24 years who reported having sex before the age of 15 years remained unchanged from 2017 (15.8%) to 2022 (15.3%). In 2022, sexual debut before the age of 15 years among adolescents and youth aged 15 to 24 years was higher among males (21.7%) than among females (9.5%),” the Professor said. 

Among districts, early sexual debut ranged from 8.7% in Nelson Mandela Bay to 18.9% in Buffalo City.

Multiple partners

Other key drivers included having multiple sexual partners. In the province, 11.9% of people aged 15 years and older reported having multiple sexual partners in 2022, compared to 10.9% in 2017. 

Among people aged 15 years and older, the proportion of males who reported having multiple sexual partners was threefold higher (17.9%) compared to females (5.5%). 

The proportion of people who reported having multiple sexual partners was highest in rural informal or tribal areas (13.6%). 

By district, the prevalence of multiple sexual partners was highest in Alfred Nzo (15.2%) and OR Tambo (15.2%), and lowest in Nelson Mandela Bay (7.0%).

Condoms

Regarding condom use, 34.7% of respondents in the Eastern Cape reported using a condom with their most recent sexual partner in 2022, compared to 38.1% in 2017. 

Condom use was substantially lower among those residing in rural formal or farm areas (18.0%) compared to urban areas (35.6%). 

However, nearly 60% of adolescents and youth reported using a condom sometimes or never. 

“The consistency of condom uses with the most recent sexual partner among people aged 15 years and older was highest in Nelson Mandela Bay (65.5%) and lowest in Amathole (38.7%).”

In this province, the self-reported circumcision rate was 80.5% in 2017 and 77.2% in 2022. 

However, the province had the lowest proportion of medical male circumcisions in the country, at 14.3%.

Knowledge (30.9%) and use (2.5%) of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) were universally low; however, willingness to take PrEP was high (70.3%). – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile
Thu, 08/15/2024 - 15:40

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Read moreSurvey reveals uneven progress in Eastern Cape’s fight against HIV

Anastasia Venter and Thomas Lindhorst Are The 2024 SA Surfing Champions.

Location: MyPR

  Mens finalists © Zane De Lange Victoria Bay: In an exciting finish to the 59th SA Surfing Championships, Anastasia Venter is the new Women’s Champion, and defending Men’s Champion Tom Lindhorst retains his title. Buffalo City wins the coveted President’s Cup, and Tyrell Johnson wins the Surfer Of The Contest Award Women’s Finalists © Zane …

Read moreAnastasia Venter and Thomas Lindhorst Are The 2024 SA Surfing Champions.

DWS priorities completion of bucket eradication projects

Location: News

DWS priorities completion of bucket eradication projects

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) says it will prioritise the completion of the remaining delayed Bucket Eradication Programme projects in the Northern Cape and the Free State.

Briefing the media on the department’s plans and priorities for the 2024/25 financial year on Monday, Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina said of the 33 projects which formed part of the programme in the Free State, 26 have been completed (eradicating approximately 32 000 buckets).

“Approximately 10 000 buckets remain to be eradicated in the seven incomplete projects. Of 30 projects which formed part of the programme in the Northern Cape, 29 are completed (eradicating approximately 12 000 buckets), and 596 buckets remain to be eradicated in the one incomplete project,” Majodina said.

However, the Minister acknowledged that the programme will not result in the eradication of the “undignified” and “repugnant” bucket system altogether from the South African landscape. This is because the programme only focuses on eradicating buckets in certain towns in certain provinces, where they were identified in 2012.

She said since then, and on an ongoing basis, other municipalities elsewhere have introduced buckets systems in formal and informal settlements.

“The eradication of buckets is therefore a moving target. In order to address this, Cabinet has recently approved a National Sanitation Framework which will provide the basis for the department to issue new national minimum norms and standards for sanitation which will prohibit the use of the bucket system in both formal and informal settlements,” Majodina said.

Working together with the Water Research Commission, the department is developing new safe, dignified, on-site and non-sewered sanitation systems.

“These solutions will use much less water than water-borne sewered sanitation systems, which is necessary in a water scarce country such as South Africa. Such systems will need to be implemented by municipalities.”

Strengthening partnerships

The Minister added that the Ministry of Water and Sanitation will continue to collaborate with all sectors, especially the private sector, to contribute to resolving the country’s water and sanitation challenges.

This is in line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to strengthen collaboration and social compacts with the private sector, labour, civil society and government.

In addition to partnerships with mining houses for water supply projects, the department is also facilitating partnerships between the private sector and municipalities, through its Water Partnerships Office, which was established in collaboration with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).

This includes finalising plans with the eThekwini, Mangaung, Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay, and Tshwane municipalities to mobilise private sector finance for the replacement of leaking municipal water distribution pipes which are resulting in high levels of non-revenue water.

Water Services Amendment Bill 

Meanwhile, the department will shortly be presenting the Water Services Amendment Bill to Cabinet for approval for it to be submitted to Parliament.

Majodina noted that despite the high level of support provided by the department to the municipalities, the municipal water and sanitation services continue to decline.

She said the Amendment Bill provides for the introduction of an operating license system for Water Services Providers, to enable Water Services Authorities to ensure that their providers have a minimum level of capability to provide water and sanitation services that meet national norms and standards.

“The amendments propose that this should be done through the introduction of an operating license requirement for Water Services Providers, to ensure that they have a minimum level of competency.

“The Bill also introduces measures to enable the national department to take regulatory action against municipalities which do not comply with national minimum norms and standards for water services,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Mon, 08/05/2024 - 14:23

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Relocation of Walmer flood victims imminent

Location: News

Relocation of Walmer flood victims imminent

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor Gary van Niekerk says he is satisfied with the process made to electrify temporary houses in Walmer, Gqeberha, where flood affected families will be relocated.

This comes as the metro is accelerating its efforts to ensure that outstanding work is completed in order to bring normality to the lives of the affected residents.

Van Niekerk said that a total of 20 families will be accommodated in the newly built temporary shelters in Walmer.

"We are happy to see work progressing well, as we updated our residents last week about the work that is underway and upcoming developments. Teams are on site electrifying the bungalows, [and] we are happy with the quality of the structures too.

“Water is already connected, and sanitation services will also be in place by the time the residents move in. We anticipate the electrification work will be completed later this month. Once that is done, the families will move in,” Van Niekerk said.

Van Niekerk said the municipality will continue to monitor progress in Walmer and the Kariega sites, where residents from Lapland will be moved to.

He said the municipality will continue to update the residents on developments so that everyone is "on the same page and there is no confusion".

“We are waiting for the greenlight from DEDEAT [Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism], but our teams are on standby, and as soon as that has been finalised, we are ready to clear the site and commence with the construction work.

“We wish to thank all stakeholders who are working with us and thank our residents for their patience with the work underway,” the Mayor said. - SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Fri, 07/19/2024 - 10:02

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Reclaiming Your Space: 6 Steps to Remove Flood Water For Your Home/Building

Location: MyPR

The Cape of Storms has once again lived up to its name as multiple cold fronts battered both the Eastern and Western Cape during July, bringing gale-force winds and flooding to the Nelson Mandela Bay and Cape Town metros and surrounds. Thousands of people have been displaced and 15, 000 structures in the Cape Town …

Read moreReclaiming Your Space: 6 Steps to Remove Flood Water For Your Home/Building

New Police Minister outlines priorities

Location: News

New Police Minister outlines priorities

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says the seventh administration will act decisively to bring the high level of crime in the country, under control.

“It is our view and understanding that tough measures may need to be taken to reduce crime where necessary,” Mchunu said, addressing the media in Pretoria on Monday on the Ministry’s priorities, following the establishment of the Government of National Unity after the General Elections.

“We are honoured and humbled to have been given the enormous responsibility of ensuring that South Africans are safe and feel safer.

“We have spent the first week in office meeting with the executive management, provincial commissioners and divisional heads of the South African Police Service. We have done this to ensure that we have a broad understanding of the portfolio, including the challenges and opportunities, so that we can map out the priorities and urgent tasks at hand,” said the Minister.

He said he had benefited from briefings from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) and the Civilian Secretariat for the Police Service as well as various organisations and institutions within the security arena.

“The crime levels in the country are on the increase and are intolerable. We need to act decisively and bring this under control.

“The levels and type of crime differ from one province to the other. We need to take this into account as we implement the integrated National Crime Prevention Strategy,” said the Minister.

Currently, the leading crimes in the country are contact crimes such as murders and rape, as well as hijackings and kidnappings for ransom payments.

“The killing of women and children also continues to be cause for serious concern and warrants intensive action from law enforcement. Our mission is clear - our country must be safe for all citizens. People all over South Africa must be able to move around at any time without fear of marauding criminals.

“Gang violence is also on the rise, noticeably in the Western Cape. The situation must be brought under control so that children in the Cape Flats, Khayelitsha (Site C), parts of Nelson Mandela Bay and parts of Gauteng can be able to play in the streets without fear of being hit by stray bullets,” he said.

Mchunu said as the police, they take the issue of “construction mafias” in the country very seriously.

“This trend is associated with destructive activities which disrupt construction and infrastructure development which our country urgently requires. 

“Genuine quests for economic transformation can be handled through the correct channels and by using existing policy prescripts, without resorting to hijacking construction sites and using extortion to source business. This matter will continue to receive priority attention,” the Minister said.

Police will prioritise the amendments to the South African Police Service Act as it is outdated, still making incorrect references to the 1993 Interim Constitution.

“It needs to be in line with modern day crime fighting and prevention demands. We will also finalise the National Policy on Policing. It must take into account provincial needs and priorities,” Mchunu said.

He said there was an urgent need to professionalise the SAPS and instill positive ethical values, patriotism and the understanding that the primary duty of a police officer is to always serve and protect the public.

“Uprooting corruption and removing corrupt police officers from SAPS will remain a top priority. Misconduct by SAPS members will not be tolerated and action will be taken.

“We want to change the negative perceptions of our police officers. People must respect police officers; have confidence in them and feel safe in their midst. Professionalism in the work of police is also part of the police protection mechanism.

“Our police officers need to work in a conducive environment. We are committed to ensuring that our police stations are well-resourced. We have to provide the necessary tools and vehicles to serve our communities effectively,” he said.

According to Mchunu, over the past two years, over 20 000 new police officers have been trained. 

“We will strive to continue bolstering capacity and to enhance police training. A police officer must attend regular refresher courses to stay operationally ready. We will also strengthen some existing units within the police force,” he said.

With regard to the use of technology in the police service, Mchunu said the integration of technology in police services is crucial for enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness and overall capability of law enforcement.

“We will prioritise the roll out of new technologies to detect and deter crimes. Advanced technologies such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, surveillance systems, and digital communication tools enable police to better predict, prevent, and respond to criminal activities.

“These tools provide officers with real-time information, improve decision-making, and facilitate faster, more accurate investigations. Technology also enhances transparency and accountability and fosters greater public trust. 

“We will benchmark against other successful law enforcement agencies worldwide and endeavour to bring SAPS on par with the best in terms of technology and operational efficiency,” Mchunu said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Edwin
Mon, 07/15/2024 - 12:06

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Water partnerships office to support funding for municipal infrastructure

Location: News

Water partnerships office to support funding for municipal infrastructure

The Department of Water and Sanitation, in collaboration with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), has put in place an office to support municipalities in establishing partnerships with the private sector.

This as poor investment in water and sanitation infrastructure by municipalities is one of the biggest challenges in the water sector currently.

Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Madojina, said this when she tabled the department’s Budget Vote in Cape Town on Friday.

While South Africa is doing well in terms of mobilising private sector finance for investment in national water resource infrastructure, Majodina said it is not doing so well in terms of private sector financing of municipal water and sanitation infrastructure.

“Aging infrastructure, pipe leaks and lack of operation and maintenance, among others, are some of the main causes of high levels of non-revenue water in municipalities. For example, the water partnerships office is currently supporting the eThekwini, Mangaung, Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay and Tshwane municipalities to mobilise private sector finance for the replacement of leaking municipal water distribution pipes which result in high levels of non-revenue water,” Majodina said.

She added that other focus areas include private sector investment in municipal water-reuse and desalination projects.

Water resource infrastructure agency

The Minister further announced the establishment of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency, which will own all the national water resource infrastructure assets and obtain the revenue streams associated with those assets.

This will enable the agency to borrow additional funds on the strength of its balance sheet.

“The establishment of the agency will be one of the major focus areas of the department over the coming year. Parliament passed the National Water Infrastructure Agency Bill before it rose in May this year and we are expecting it to be signed by the President shortly.

“This will involve the transfer of all the national water resource infrastructure assets currently owned by the department to the agency, as well as the staff responsible for the operation and maintenance of the assets,” Majodina said.

The Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) will be merged into the National Water Infrastructure Agency, along with the water trading entity in the department, which is responsible for collecting revenue from the sale of raw or untreated water to the water boards, municipalities and industry.

“A transition plan is in place, and we aim to complete the establishment of the agency by May 2025. During this financial year, the department will be focusing on implementing the major structural changes and staff transfers associated with the establishment of this agency,” the Minister said.

The Minister shared her intentions to ensure that there is continuity of the various reforms and improvements that were initiated by the former Minister Senzo Mchunu. Many of them were mandated by the National Development Plan and the Presidency’s Operation Vulindlela. – SAnews.gov.za

 

GabiK
Fri, 07/12/2024 - 15:04

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Water restored after Sundays River Canal rehabilitation

Location: News

Water restored after Sundays River Canal rehabilitation

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) says a number of areas have started receiving water from Wednesday morning following the completion of repairs to the Sundays River Canal, with water being subsequently pumped back into the system.

The municipality embarked on a 10-day rehabilitation project for the Sundays River Canal, which commenced on 24 June 2024.

Led by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the project aimed to enhance the reliability and sustainability of the water supply to Nelson Mandela Bay residents.

The Lower Sundays River Canal repairs have led to added pressure on the municipality’s water reticulation system, with more areas identified as high risk.

The Lower Sundays River Canal forms part of the Lower Sunday’s Government Water Scheme (LSGWS). 

The LSGWS forms part of the greater Orange-Fish-Sundays Inter Basin Transfer Scheme and it transfers 740 million kilolitres of water annually from the Gariep Dam to the Eastern Cape through the 80km Orange-Fish Tunnel. 

The repair of the canal is a result of a May 2017 incident, where a section of the canal embarkment slipped, about 4.4km south of Enon. 

The Department of Water and Sanitation then had to construct a temporary embarkment using a plastic membrane to ensure the continuous supply of water to users. However, a secondary embankment failure has occurred, with 200m downstream of the initial embankment and canal failure.

The work on the canal included the demolition of the existing canal at the upstream and downstream tie-in sections.

The municipality said the production at Nooitgedacht Water Treatment Works is averaging 120 megalitres per day, with the Motherwell Reservoir at 27% and Grassridge and Oliphant Kop seeing increases to 23% and 32%, respectively.

“Most low-lying areas are receiving water, with the exception of high-lying areas around NU 8, 9, 10, and 11. Water trucks will remain in the Motherwell area.

“Bloemendal and Bethelsdorp reservoirs are also increasing, with average levels of 9%. This indicates that the system is full and that the affected areas in the Northern regions will also begin to receive water, starting with low-lying areas,” the municipality said in a statement on Wednesday.

Planned water shutdown

Meanwhile, the municipality announced that a water shutdown is planned for Thursday, 4 July 2024, for maintenance on the water pipe network to be carried out.

“Areas that will be affected include South End, and Forest Hill. Water supply will be shut off from 8am to 5pm. – SAnews.gov.za

GabiK
Wed, 07/03/2024 - 10:36

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Read moreWater restored after Sundays River Canal rehabilitation

As Loadshedding Recedes There is Still a Huge Compelling Reason to Install Solar

Location: MyPR

Choose your electricity monthly average cost: R416.66 or R13 629.63 over 20 years The average Middle Income home consumes 1000 kWh of electricity per month A 9% average increase in electricity cost per year could see Middle Income homes paying R8 144.94 per month for electricity 20 years from now The average lifespan of a …

Read moreAs Loadshedding Recedes There is Still a Huge Compelling Reason to Install Solar

Bafana draw with Botswana in Cosafa Cup clash

Location: News

Bafana draw with Botswana in Cosafa Cup clash

Bafana Bafana were held to a goalless draw in the group stages of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup on Saturday.

This as national football side took on Botswana at the at Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.

The Group A match ended in a 0-0 stalemate just days after the 1-1 draw against Mozambique in the opening match of the regional tournament.

“Coach Helman Mkhalele’s team had multiple chances to win the match, but just as they did against Mozambique, the home side was unable to make full use of the opportunities and find the breakthrough they needed against a solid Botswana,” said the South African Football Association (SAFA) in a statement.

Mkhalele said his charges should have done better than the final score suggests as they were in control for long periods of Saturday’s encounter.

“We were not in command of the ball, especially in the final third. We looked like we didn’t have the confidence. But again, we were not giving the early support or were unable to read the game to support Thabang Sibanyoni, who was dominating the aerial balls.

“We lacked that confidence. Yes, we did get those half chances, but we were not taking them or we were not approaching them with aggression. We were just more comfortable in dominating the possession in our own half. But we lacked the speed and the penetration to the middle,” said the coach.

Botswana coach Didier da Rosa was very proud of his players, even though they could not find the back of the net.

“It was a second draw (of the tournament after the 0-0 outcome against Eswatini), but at least we didn’t concede any goal. I’m proud of my players today because they followed the plan we worked on. It was very interesting for me as a coach to see these young players so disciplined”.

Mkhalele has a few days to regroup before his charges face Eswatini in the last match of Group A at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 3pm on Tuesday. – SAnews.gov.za

Neo
Sun, 06/30/2024 - 10:49

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Read moreBafana draw with Botswana in Cosafa Cup clash