Khumalo pleasantly surprised as hastily arranged Cosafa squad takes shape
The Kaizer Chiefs youth coach, who also steered the South African under-17s to their age group Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal last month and qualification for the U-17 World Cup, will take charge of the Bafana emerging combination at the Cosafa Cup.
Khumalo's side that takes the field in their in their Group A opener at Free State Stadium (3pm) could more accurately be called an 'Emerging B'.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos is taking charge of the senior team in friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique's senior side in Polokwane on Friday and next Tuesday with a squad missing his Mamelodi Sundowns contingent and including a host of new faces as he casts his net wide for talent.
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IOL News
23 minutes ago
- IOL News
Will Fawaaz Basadien's signing strengthen Mamelodi Sundowns after a similar signing failed?
Fawaaz Basadien's arrival at Mamelodi Sundowns creates a competitive landscape at left-back, challenging him to prove his worth amidst a talented squad and potentially impacting national team selections. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The reasons might be slightly the same, but the outcomes could be totally different should Fawaaz Basadien show mental strength and duly fight for his position. When Mamelodi Sundowns signed Terrence Mashego from Cape Town City in 2022, then coach Rulani Mokwena made a bold reason behind the signing. He said: 'When that type of talent is available in the market, you've got to go for it before it goes on to strengthen a rival and make them stronger.' Mokwena was candid more than anything, especially given the fact that the clubs had depth at left-back and enough cover for Bafana Bafana international Aubrey Modiba. And so, after the club announced the signing of Basadien on Saturday, it seemed Sundowns' intentions couldn't be nearer to Mokwena's explanation. The Brazilians still have Modiba, Mashego, Sifiso Ngobeni and Divine Lunga for the left-back position at their disposal. So did they really need Basadien? Well, that remains to be seen. What is known is that Basadien brings depth to Sundowns as he has proven himself at Stellenbosch over the years. Last season, Basadien might have stood out for his set-piece taking technique and scoring abilities, having scored that screamer in the iKapa derby, but he's a fully-fledged product. Basadien aces his primary duties - defending - to the tee, and has evolved in moving high up as he joins in on build-ups, something that can be affirmed with his goals from open play. So, given that Sundowns are a ball-playing team, still playing within the ethos of 'shoeshine and piano', he should be able to fit into the teams' system like a glove. The slight problem is that his qualities are similar to those of Modiba's - something that will give coach Miguel Cardoso either a nice headache, sleepless nights or both. Having identical players means that Cardoso will have a direct replacement in case of eventualities, but in the same breath he can't play them together at once. This two-edged sword does not only apply to Cardoso, but Bafana coach Hugo Broos as well. The sleepless night might even need tablets for Broos especially if another left-back player from another club is on form than the benched one at Sundowns. Broos has always been open about the value of Sundowns players as their continental experience augurs well for the national teams. But in the same breath, the Belgian has always stressed about the number of players that Sundowns sign season in and season out as that deters progress. And so, leading up to the World Cup qualifiers, and the Africa Cup of Nations in December, he might grow more grey hair just from calling up players for the left-back position. Should Basadien or Modiba be dropped at Sundowns that will change Broos' plans as they were regulars last season for their respective clubs, taking the feisty, healthy competition to Bafana. Yes, competition between the two players will help them get the best out of one another at club level, but the issue of them playing together remains a tough puzzle to solve. There's the modern approach of players being fluid, and able to play in a host of positions, but I am sure neither of them will want to hop from one position to another ahead of AFCON. By the time the teams leave the South African shores, they'll both want to fly out knowing that they are the first choice at left-back. Over the years, Modiba has been both Sundowns and Bafana's preferred left-back. So, perhaps the arrival of Basadien will keep him on his toes. Basadien's mental strength, despite reuniting with homeboys Iqraam Rayners and Jayden Adams, and Bafana teammates, will be tested at Sundowns this season. But unlike Mashego who's failed to stamp his authority at the club and is reportedly set to be released, Basadien has the qualities of fighting for a starting berth and quickly adapting. After all, he knows the ins and outs of Gauteng, having played for Moroka Swallows three seasons ago. Hence, he'll unlikely make the statistic of being one of the Western Cape born players who struggled in Gauteng.
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Kenny Kunene still deputy president of Patriotic Alliance
Kunene resigned as a councillor in the City of Johannesburg over the weekend. The Patriotic Alliance (PA) says Kenny Kunene is still the deputy president of the party despite being suspended. Kunene resigned as a councillor in the City of Johannesburg, effective immediately, on Saturday. His resignation comes after the PA deputy leader was seen at the home of Katiso 'KT' Molefe, who has been arrested in connection with the murder of popular South African DJ Oupa John Sefoka, known as DJ Sumbody. PA position His presence at the scene raised eyebrows, prompting PA leader Gayton McKenzie to suspend him pending an investigation. PA spokesperson Steve Motale told The Citizen on Monday, Kunene retains his position in the party. 'Kenny Kunene remains Deputy President of the PA,' said Motale. ALSO READ: Joburg council has 'no jurisdiction over Kenny Kunene, it's a police matter,' Morero says [VIDEO] 'Police matter' Over the weekend, the City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero claimed the City of Joburg council no longer has jurisdiction over the former transport MMC now that he has resigned, and that it has become a 'police matter.' 'Council works quite differently. He has resigned as a counsellor, meaning he's no longer part of the council, and the council, therefore, does not have jurisdiction over him in terms of our own code of conduct as councillors. 'It's a matter for the police and his party to investigate the matter of his being in the place of the guy who is alleged to have been involved in criminal activity. So it's not our matter, it's a police matter, and it's a matter of the party. He has given us a resignation, so the council has therefore officially released him as a councillor,' Morero said. 'Allegations unfounded' Kunene claims he was at Molefe's house to facilitate a meeting for a journalist from his online publication, Africa Global News, for a 'potential exclusive story'. Kunene insisted the allegations against him were 'unfounded' and said he is proud of the contributions he made during his time as councillor and MMC. DJ Sumbody was killed in Woodmead, Johannesburg, in a hail of bullets in the early hours of Sunday, 20 November 2022. ALSO READ: McKenzie suspends Kunene amid DJ Sumbody murder probe [VIDEO]
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Zim activist Duke Maplanka Atterbell criticises South Africa's treatment of foreign nationals
Hope Ntanzi | Published 18 hours ago Zimbabwean activist Duke Maplanka Atterbell says the South African government is complicit in systemic discrimination against foreign nationals and has failed to act in the face of escalating xenophobic violence and medical exclusion. In a formal letter dated 27 July 2025, addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister of health, Minister of home affairs and the South African Human Rights Commission , Atterbell accused the state of both silence and active neglect, warning of formal complaints to African and international human rights bodies if urgent action is not taken. "I write this letter as both a concerned African citizen and a representative voice of thousands of foreign nationals, especially Zimbabweans, living in South Africa," Atterbell said. He described a worsening situation where 'foreign nationals are being chased out of hospitals, clinics, and even maternity wards. Others are beaten in the streets, publicly humiliated, or threatened by vigilantes emboldened by government silence.' His letter denounced what he calls a double standard in South Africa's global human rights stance, referencing Pretoria's condemnation of injustice abroad while allegedly turning a blind eye at home. 'How can South Africa claim the mantle of human rights defender abroad, while at home it presides over de facto ethnic cleansing through economic and medical exclusion? This hypocrisy is staggering,' he said. Atterbell warned that if no action is taken, he will escalate the matter by filing complaints with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and the South African Human Rights Commission. He also promised to engage in public advocacy and international media exposure. 'This is not governance, it is abandonment,' he wrote. 'This is not the South Africa that the continent stood behind during the anti-apartheid struggle. This is not Ubuntu.' Atterbell's appeal comes amid rising tensions in the country over undocumented migration, especially concerning access to jobs and healthcare. In March 2024, radio personality Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma launched March and March, a non-governmental organisation that actively campaigns against the employment and public healthcare access of undocumented foreign nationals in South Africa. What began in KwaZulu-Natal has now spread nationally, with March and March volunteers stationed at entrances of hospitals including Addington Hospital, RK Khan Hospital, and various Gateway Clinics across the province. The group screens patients before entry, turning away those unable to produce South African ID documents. 'We operate where the government has failed,' the group has said. While critics have labelled it a vigilante operation targeting vulnerable people, the organisation continues to draw strong support from South Africans who believe hospitals are being overrun by foreigners. Responding to Atterbell's letter, Ngobese-Zuma posted on Facebook: ' He is Zimbabwean and writes to OUR President and not HIS… Kshuthi ngampela they believe they are South African‼️ Kshuthi we owe them‼️ Kshuthi we must intensify our fight because mentally these ppl don't think that we are serious.'' (Translated : He is Zimbabwean and writes to OUR President and not HIS… Maybe, seriously, they believe they are South African! Maybe we owe them! Maybe we must intensify our fight because mentally these people don't think that we are serious.'') Atterbell was quick to respond addressing Ngobese-Zuma in defiant terms. 'When Dudula royalty thinks they can intimidate you,' he said, in reference to her association with nationalist movements. 'Jacinta Zinhle MaNgobese Zuma, let's get one thing straight. I am not here to bow before self-appointed foot soldiers of hate. ''I am an enigma, not because I hide, but because I refuse to allow you to spread your bitter view of patriotism unchecked. I am a fearless advocate for human rights, not because it's easy, but because people like you have made silence a weapon. And yes, I am a hater of bigotry — proudly, loudly, and unapologetically.' He continued, accusing Ngobese-Zuma of masking fear as nationalism: 'You walk around with your chest puffed out like you're some gatekeeper of South Africa's soul. But what you really are is a loud emblem of fear, disguised as pride. You lead mobs, I lead with conscience. You shout in mobs, I speak in truth. You weaponise suffering, I document it.' Addressing her direct challenge, Atterbell wrote: 'You asked, 'Who are you?' Let me answer clearly: I am the one your hate cannot reach and your intimidation cannot shake. ''I am the storm you didn't see coming, and the voice you'll wish you hadn't tried to silence. Because while you scream for borders, I fight for bridges. While you hunt the vulnerable, I summon accountability. And while you wave your flag with fury, I carry the Constitution with fire.' 'So no, MaNgobese. I won't be quiet. Not now. Not ever,'' said Atterbell. Atterbell, however, insists that the fight is not against South Africa, but for human dignity. 'If your government fails to act, history, and international law, will remember it not for its silence, but for its complicity.' [email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
