OFFICIAL: Bafana Bafana's rising star poached by English giant!
A month after winning player of the tournament at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Bafana Bafana prospect Tylon Smith has reportedly agreed terms with Championship side Queens Park Rangers.
Hailing from Stellenbosch's academy, the 20-year-old defender is expected to soon travel to London to complete his medical. Bafana Bafana are now amongst the best top 10 teams in Africa according to the latest FIFA rankings. Image: X/BafanaBafana
Bafana Bafana fans will have to wait until September 1 to cheer on their side. That day, they will take on Lesotho in matchday 7 (out of 10) of the World Cup qualifiers before facing Nigeria a week later.
As things stand, South Africa lies at the top of the log, five points ahead of joint second-placed holders Rwanda and Benin.
Meanwhile, head coach Hugo Broos made a wild prediction regarding the future of Bafana youngster Relebohile Mofokeng, who is heavily linked with a move abroad following another successful season for the 20-year-old.
'Talking about Mofokeng, I just hope that he makes the right decisions. And that he is not going to a team where he won't play,' said Broos.
'I see all the things around, Barcelona and Rangers and… (sighs) I'm a little bit afraid. I just hope that the people around make the choice of the best sportive solution and not the best financial solution.
'Okay, I think his parents want the best for him, that's for sure. But there is another guy who wants to win a lot of money also, but that's the problem. But ok, let's hope, maybe I talked too soon about that.
'We'll see. I think in June, Rele will not be a player of Orlando Pirates anymore, but a good choice is very important.'
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
23 minutes ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Moremi, Kwayiba, Mofokeng, Saleng
Orlando Pirates have already confirmed eight signings – and it's not even July. AmaZulu FC winger Tshepang Moremi and Stellenbosch midfielder Sihle Nduli, along with Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Yanela Mbuthuma, Masindi Nemtajela, Sipho Mbule, Tshepo Mashiloane, and Nkosikhona Ndaba will report for duty on July 1. Each player is a star in their own right, signifying a remarkable seven-player haul by the Buccaneers, who are desperate to end Mamelodi Sundowns' eight-year PSL reign. Regarding sour news, it appears that Monnapule Saleng and Relebohile Mofokeng could both be heading in different directions this offseason, but for differing reasons. The former player hasn't featured since December 7, amid salary demands that the club was unwilling to meet. Meanwhile, Mofokeng has several clubs interested, from MLS side FC Cincinnati to Egyptian giants Al Ahly. However, the player's father believes his next destination should be Europe. 'My biggest wish is to see Rele overseas in 2025/2026. I'm praying every day. I don't want to see him in the Betway Premiership again this season. I know God will answer my prayers,' said the Orlando Pirates' player's father, Sechaba. '[Whether it's in] Spain, England, Netherlands, France, Denmark, Switzerland — Rele can play. I believe that with all my heart. Take him to Barcelona? He can play. PSG? He can play. Any country. I'll be happy — but not Saudi Arabia,' he added. 'Not yet. He's still young. He needs to compete in UEFA competitions. If he goes to Saudi now, he won't experience that. Yes, he'd be rich — but happiness is more important. You can have all the money in the world, but if you're not happy, it's worthless.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
28 minutes ago
- The South African
Springboks lose key lock for Loftus Versfeld Test
Springbok lock Jean Kleyn has been ruled out of the squad travelling to Johannesburg for the opening match of the Incoming Series after sustaining an injury during the team's 54-7 victory against the Barbarians on Saturday. Kleyn, who started the match with lock partner Lood de Jager, will return to Irish club Munster to recover from the injury and undergo the necessary rehabilitation. The Springboks made the journey from Cape Town to Johannesburg on Sunday to begin their preparations for the opening match of the Incoming Series against Italy at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, 5 July. They will line up against Italy again a week later at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Gqeberha before taking on Georgia at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit in the closing match of the series on Saturday 19 July. 'We feel for Jean,' said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, 'but injuries are part of the game, and we are fortunate to have good depth at lock within the squad, so there is no need for us to replace him at this stage.' The team had Sunday off to travel and recover from Saturday's encounter and will begin their on-field preparations for the first official Test match of the season on Monday. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Calvin Price takes helm of SA women's indoor hockey team following World Cup success
Cailynn den Bakker scores for South Africa in their FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2025 Group B opener against Thailand. The team will enter a new era under head coach Calvin Price. South African Hockey confirmed the appointment of Calvin Price as head coach of women's national indoor hockey team, after he had led Namibia to a surprise top-six finish at the 2025 FIH Indoor World Cup in Croatia. The vastly experienced Justin Rosenberg, who led the men's indoor hockey team to a historic bronze medal at the World Cup, will continue the legacy he has already built with the national team. The appointments will cover the period until the conclusion of the 2029 World Cup. Price is no stranger to the domestic and international hockey scene, having served previously as an assistant with the SA women's indoor team. Domestically, he boasts an exceptional coaching record with five SA Indoor IPT titles and one runner-up finish.
