Maswanganyi's Manager Explodes Over Al-Khaldiya Exit Speculation Patrick "Tito" Maswanganyi has not been sacked, he has not quit, and his manager says someone is trying to destroy his name. Speculation that the midfielder had mutually terminated his contract with Al-Khaldiya SC over alleged ill-discipline trended on social media over the weekend. Now Arnold Rankoko, his long-term confidant and manager, has shut it down in an angry interview with KickOff on Monday afternoon. "There is someone who clearly has it in for this boy," Rankoko said. "There is nothing of the sort at all. "In fact, he is preparing for their game on Wednesday. You can even go to the club's Instagram page and see his pictures there. This is all fake news." Rankoko believes the story is part of a deliberate attempt to smear the player. "They are trying everything to paint him as a rotten apple," he added. "He is being targeted, and people are going all out to assassinate his character, painting him as a Bad Boy. But if you want to know Tito, ask anyone who has played with him, and they will tell you." To explain Maswanganyi's quiet personality, Rankoko reached for some big names. "He is more like (Michael) Olise. He does not talk, and at times you would think he's not there. It's just that people out there don't have the intelligence to read someone's character. Jose Riveiro managed to get the best out of him because he knew what type of person he is. "During his playing days, Doctor Khumalo spoke less and did his talking on the field, and people thought he was arrogant. Same with Brian Baloyi. His character off the field was different to the one he displayed on the pitch." Rankoko was furious that the story spread without anyone checking the facts. "Even more disappointing is that no one had the decency to ask the team, the player, people close to the player. Somebody just decided to write something that's fake, and the whole of South Africa has seen it. They say he terminated his contract. Do they have a copy? The story has spread like wildfire, but there's no story." The manager also revealed that stories like this were exactly why Maswanganyi left South Africa. "That's why he had to move, because of things like this," he explained. "Every day (when he was in South Africa), there was a story like this, and he never got an opportunity to defend himself. That is why he will never come back to South Africa... you can quote me on that!" On the pitch, Rankoko says the midfielder is doing his job. "He has played all the games since he got there, and he has two assists in eight games. He just needs that one goal to open the floodgates, and that's what he is focusing on right now." Al-Khaldiya, second in the Bahraini Premier League after six matches, face Al Wahda on Wednesday at 8.15 pm SA time. If Maswanganyi is in the squad, his manager's point will be made.

BREAKING NEWS 🚨 Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Mudzinganyama, who is facing charges over alleged threats against women at a Sandton restaurant, has suffered another setback as his company, Moriel Infrastructure Group, is blacklisted from doing business with the state.

JUST IN 🚨 Suliman Carrim’s Co-Accused Case Postponed To Friday The case against Suliman Carrim’s two employees, Ibrahim Zakes and Mike Phiri Mussa, has been postponed to 30 October 2026 in the Musina Regional Court in Limpopo. The matter was postponed by agreement between the State and the defence to allow Carrim to be joined to the case as an additional accused. Both employees will remain in custody until their next court appearance. The accused face charges of attempted theft of motor vehicles, fraud and uttering in connection with the case involving vehicles intercepted at the Beitbridge border post.

HAPPENING NOW 🚨 Suliman Carrim’s two employees, Zakes Ibrahim and Musa Phiri, are currently appearing in the Musina Magistrates’ Court in Limpopo this morning. They face charges of attempted theft of motor vehicles, fraud and uttering in connection with two vehicles intercepted at the Beitbridge border post in July.

Actress Asavela Mqokiyana Due Back In Court Over Alleged Speeding Actress and model Asavela Mqokiyana is expected to return to the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 28 October, after allegedly driving at 198 km/h in a 120 km/h zone in KwaZulu-Natal. According to the KZN Department of Transport, Mqokiyana, also known as Asavela Mngqithi, appeared in court on 19 October following her arrest by Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers. The department said the Park Rynie RTI team stopped her while she was driving a BMW X3 on the N2 near Ellingham, in the Scottburgh area. Her arrest forms part of the department’s ongoing #NenzaniLaEzweni road-safety operation, which targets reckless driving and other traffic violations. Transport MEC Siboniso Duma said enforcement operations would continue ahead of the festive season, warning that authorities would show no mercy to motorists who endanger other road users. The department reported that RTI officers recorded 421 speeding charges and stopped more than 12,000 vehicles between 15 and 21 October. Mqokiyana is known for her roles as Ntwenhle in Isibaya and Sizakele in Uzalo. She has also appeared in Abomama and Durban Gen. She is the daughter of football coach Manqoba Mngqithi. The department has not provided further details about the charges or the outcome of her first court appearance.

Young Africans Sack Manqoba Mngqithi After Just Three Months Tanzanian football giants Young Africans SC have parted ways with South African head coach Manqoba Mngqithi with immediate effect, bringing his three-month tenure at the club to an abrupt end. The club announced the decision on Saturday, 24 October 2026, following a goalless draw against TRA United in the Tanzanian Premier League. The result left the defending champions second in the standings, five points behind rivals Simba SC, coached by fellow South African Steve Barker. Young Africans also confirmed the departure of fitness coach Chyna Mokaila. In a statement, the club thanked both coaches for their contributions and announced that the search for a new head coach was underway. Mngqithi, 55, joined Young Africans in July 2026 on a two-year contract after leaving Golden Arrows, whom he had guided to a top-eight finish in the South African Premiership. The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach enjoyed a promising start in Tanzania, guiding Young Africans to victory over Simba in the Community Shield and securing qualification for the CAF Champions League group stage. However, pressure mounted following a 2-1 defeat to Simba in the Kariakoo Derby, with the subsequent draw against TRA United appearing to seal his fate. Despite his dismissal, Mngqithi leaves with an impressive record of approximately 10 wins, two draws and one defeat in 13 matches across competitions. His sudden departure has sparked debate among football supporters, with some questioning the decision to dismiss him so early in the season. The experienced coach has already been linked with a possible return to South African football, although speculation surrounding a potential move to Kaizer Chiefs remains unconfirmed. Young Africans will now turn their attention to appointing a replacement as they look to defend their domestic title and compete in the CAF Champions League.