South Africa have settled the long-running case with Bafana Bafana. The money will be paid over 12 months to Johannesburg-based Stanton Woodrush, who registered the name almost 20 years ago.

"We feel very happy about the acquisition of the Bafana Bafana name which allows us to exploit this great brand for the good of the game," the South African FA's president Kirtsen Nematandani told reporters.

The South African Football Association has joined hands with SA football fraternity to pass the condolences to the family of football coach Eddie Lewis.

A former footballer with English giants, Manchester United, Lewis coached top South African teams successfully and his passing leaves a void which will be difficult to fill.

FIFA president, Sepp Blatter has praised South Africa for improving the reserves of the world football's governing body that has increased to $1.2 bn after last year's World Cup in South Africa.

Blatter told African football adminstrators that the financial results were better than the 2006 World Cup hosted by Germany. He said more details of its success will be published next week in Fifa's annual report.

Fifa began the World Cup year with reserves of $1.06 bn.

South Africa's Kagisho Dikgacoi has got new deal with Crystal Palace. The South African international, 26, joined Premier League side Fulham in 2009 but has found his first team chances limited this season.

A statement from Palace, who play in the second tier of English football, says the loan deal is till the end of the season.

Kagisho Dikgacoi could make his Palace debut against Sheffield United on Saturday.

He has made just one substitute appearance under new Fulham boss Mark Hughes and was linked with a January move away from Craven Cottage.

South Africa has won the 2017 African cup of nations hosting rights. The Confederation of African Football made the call yesterday, awarding the rights to the 2015 event to Morocco. South Africa and Morocco had remained the only bidding nations for both games after the withdrawal of their contender the Democratic Republic of Congo.
South Africa has hosted the Afcon once before in 1996, a tournament they won.

South Africa will likely institute a local bidding process for hosting games as the Afcon is a four venue tournament.

World Cup highlights was one of the major achievements of SA in the football year. Fifa President Sepp Blatter declared the event "near perfect", and gave it a rating of nine out of 10.

Contrary to the stories of some doom mongers ahead of the playing of football's showcase event, the World Cup proved to be a massive success and, as the tournament progressed, South Africa and South Africans changed the perceptions of people from afar, leading to many football fans making a late move to join in the festive atmosphere of the tournament.

The World Cup 2010 gave much joy to the South African's and it is expected to continue with more tournaments. TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo would like to finish a memorable 12 months for the continent with a Club World Cup championship.

"I hope the success of Africa is not finished this year," said Lamine N'diaye, coach of the African Champions League winners. "We would like to make a success here for ourselves and for Africa."

Africa is set to announce its candidates for the FIFA executive committee. South Africa is also one of the nations that hasn't announced their candidate yet. So far, South Africa's 2010 World Cup chief organizer Danny Jordaan, Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi, Galadima and Anouma have said they will contest elections. Anouma will seek a second term.

South Africa are set to host some high profile friendlies in the coming months. Last month Bafana played against World Cup quarter-finalists, Ghana, in an international friendly at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. And the prospects for another top side looks good. The Daily Dispatch can today reveal that Safa are negotiating with reigning World Cup and European champions, Spain; 2010 World Cup quarter-finalists Argentina and Nigeria as Bafana's possible opponents on November 17.

South Africa kicked off 2012 AFCON qualifiers with a win. At an almost full stadium, South Africa was the dominant side throughout the match with goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune not as busy as Kassali Daouda, the Niger goalkeeper.

Bafana Bafana opened their scoring in the 12th minute from strike Katlego Mphela following a great pass from Steven Pienaar. This was Mphela’s 18th goal for Bafana Bafana in 37 matches. He has now scored in three consecutive matches for the national team.