Orlando Pirates gave their hopes of finishing second in the PSL this season a significant boost with 1-0 victory over SuperSport United at the Orlando stadium on Saturday.

Orlando Pirates gave their hopes of finishing second in the PSL this season a significant boost with 1-0 victory over SuperSport United at the Orlando stadium on Saturday.
Tapelo Xoki scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 79th minute with the Buccaneers moving to within two points of their opponents in the league standings as both sides jostle to end the campaign behind champions-elect Mamelodi Sundowns.
Both teams failed to create any clear-cut openings in the first half with the best opportunity falling to Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus, who had his goal-bound effort blocked by Thulani Hlatshwayo.
Matsatsantsa also some half-chances with Pirates loanee Zakhele Lepasa almost coming back to bite the hand that feeds him but he rushed his shot wide.
Pirates were let down by poor execution in the final third of the pitch after the interval as they let slip plenty of good opportunities.
Against the run of play, SuperSport's Patrick Mswanganyi raced his way into the box but the midfielder's whot was blocked by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
The hosts were then awarded a penalty when Thathayaone Ditlhokwe brought down Monnapule Saleng in the box.
Xoki stepped up and made no mistake from the spot as he sent Ricardo Goss the wrong and wrap up the maximum points for the Soweto side.
Pirates' win also means Sundowns are just two points from being officially crowned PSL champions for the sixth consecutive campaign.

Tapelo Xoki penalty gives Orlando Pirates victory over SuperSport United

Manchester United fans would be the focal point of the club if Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus is successful in his proposed takeover.

Manchester United fans would be the focal point of the club if Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus is successful in his proposed takeover.
Zilliacus, founder and chairman of investment company Mobile FutureWorks, has put together an offer that is being considered by the Raine Group, the firm overseeing a possible sale on behalf of the Glazer family.
The Finn, said to be a long-term United supporter, favours a 'Nordic model' that would see his consortium buy the club and then sell shares to supporters worldwide.
"It (United) was there long before all these people who are bidding for it were born and it will be here long after all these people who are bidding for it have passed away," he told the I newspaper.
"The backbone of that institution is the fans and in that respect it's hugely important the fans are at the centre of the decisions."
Zilliacus says that if his bid is chosen, supporters will be given a say on major issues such as ground redevelopment and squad building, but not team selection.
Although an outsider and a latecomer to the race to buy United - becoming the third party to publicly declare an interest after Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani - Zilliacus claims his investment group should be considered serious contenders.
"I actually saw that the deadline was last Wednesday, literally on Wednesday morning and then I had to act very, very fast," the former chief executive of Nokia in Asia said.
"I called the bank [Raine], told them we would like to participate, Raine said it was kind of late and they weren't sure it made much sense.
"They discussed it internally and got back to us and said 'OK, here's an NDA [non-disclosure agreement], sign it then we'll discuss the next steps after that'.
"We signed the NDA, put in a bid in general terms on Wednesday but then the deadline was extended to Friday, which gave us two more days to put in a revised bid, which had an actual number of what we were bidding, and that's how it's played out.
"I have been doing business all my life, I have started companies, bought companies, sold companies so I have a global network and I have done this on a global scale - first with the largest phone company in the world, Nokia, then with my own group.
"I have a network that spans the globe of people who want to participate in interesting ventures, and this certainly is one. To put together financing for something like this - and it is a big sum - is something I'm used to."

Thomas Zilliacus: Manchester United fans the priority in proposed takeover

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford said a reported new deal worth £500,000 per week is not true. 

Marcus Rashford says reports he is looking for a new deal worth £500,000 per week to extend his contract at Manchester United are "complete nonsense".
The England forward will be out of contract in 2024, with the club having triggered a one-year extension earlier this season.
Negotiations continue over finalising a long-term deal for Rashford, who has been in fine form since his return from the World Cup, scoring 19 goals in 25 appearances.
Rashford, though, has rejected suggestions he is holding out for a big-money pay deal to stay at Old Trafford.
"Just before this one starts to do the rounds! It's complete nonsense," Rashford wrote on his Instagram story.
"The club and myself have been respectful to one another, and that's how it will remain. My focus is purely on finishing as well as possible in the league and winning trophies."
Rashford was called up for England's Euro 2024 qualification double-header against Italy and Ukraine, but withdrew having picked up a knock during United's FA Cup quarter-final win over Fulham.
The 25-year-old, who spent some time in New York during the international break, has returned to training with United ahead of Sunday's Premier League game at Newcastle.

Marcus Rashford says £500,000-a-week wage demand is 'complete nonsense'

Aleksandar Mitrovic has apologised for grabbing referee Chris Kavanagh during Fulham's FA Cup defeat at Manchester United.

<section class="nac nac-body ng-tns-c202-5 ng-star-inserted">
Aleksandar Mitrovic has apologised for grabbing referee Chris Kavanagh during Fulham's FA Cup defeat at Manchester United.
Fulham boss Marco Silva has also said sorry for his dismissal in his side's 3-1 quarter-final loss earlier this month and he too regretted his actions.
<div class="collapsible ng-tns-c202-5 ng-trigger ng-trigger-collapse" style="opacity: 1;">
Mitrovic was shown a straight red card for handling Kavanagh after the referee awarded a penalty and dismissed team-mate Willian for deliberate handball.
The Serbia striker, waiting to learn his punishment after being charged by the Football Association for violent conduct, said his reactions were "wrong" and that he had apologised to Kavanagh.
Silva has been charged with multiple misdemeanours, including improper conduct, improper behaviour and abusing match officials.
Mitrovic said he had had time to reflect "a very emotional" match while on international duty.
He said: "On a personal level, I regret my actions that led to me being sent off. I allowed my frustration to get the better of me, and how I reacted was wrong.
"I was trying to get the referee's attention, but I appreciate that I should not have put my hands on him and I understand why he showed me a red card, my first in-game sending off for Fulham and my first since the 2015-16 season."
The Football Association (FA) have since announced the standard punishment for Mitrovic’s dismissal – a three-game ban – would be "clearly insufficient".
Mitrovic added: "I have accepted the three-match ban for my red card, I have spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise, and I have volunteered to accept a club fine.
"I now want to do what I can to put this incident behind me and get back to helping my teammates on the pitch as soon as possible.
"In the meantime, I would like to reiterate my regret that this happened. I have already said sorry to my team-mates, but I would also like to apologise to the Fulham fans, particularly those who travelled to Old Trafford to support us and who did not stop singing all game. I hope to be back soon and repay their faith and support."
Silva, who has also been separately charged for comments made about Kavanagh after his side’s meltdown at Old Trafford, said he should have handled “a very difficult moment” better.
He added: "I regret what happened and I have spoken to Chris Kavanagh to apologise.
"He knows that I respect him and the job he has to do. Unfortunately, we did not see eye-to-eye on the day, but I recognise that he is one of the top referees in this country and I know that, when our paths cross again, there will be mutual respect between us.
"I am sorry that I was not on the pitch to try to lead the team to what could have been an historic FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, but I am thankful for all the support I have received from Fulham fans over the last few days."
</div>
</section>

Aleksandar Mitrovic 'regrets actions' and apologises to referee Chris Kavanagh

Tottenham's managing director of football Fabio Paratici has seen his initial FIFA ban in Italy expanded to be in effect globally.

Tottenham's managing director of football Fabio Paratici has seen his initial FIFA ban in Italy expanded to be in effect globally.
Paratici was serving the suspension in his homeland after former club Juventus, where he was sporting director and latterly managing director, were found guilty of false accounting.
Having left the Serie A club in May 2021 he joined Spurs the following month and would have been involved in the search for a new manager following Antonio Conte's departure last week.
However, FIFA's extension of their ban - which was initially 30 months and applicable only to Italian football - means he will have to step aside.
"FIFA can confirm that following a request by the Italian FA (FIGC), the chairperson of FIFA disciplinary committee has decided to extend the sanctions imposed by FIGC on several football officials to have worldwide effect," said a statement from world football's governing body.
Juventus have denied wrongdoing and they and Paratici have appealed the sanctions.
On Tuesday Tottenham published a lengthy interview with Paratici in which he said Conte's departure was "the right decision for everyone" and the club was "focussed" on supporting interim head coach Cristian Stellini as they try to secure a top-four finish.