Bafana tame Mambas in international friendly
The home side wasted several excellent goal-scoring opportunities in a one-sided encounter at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane last night.
It took until the second half before they broke the deadlock.
Sinoxolo Kwayiba headed home the opening goal before substitute Ashley Cupido added an emphatic second goal to secure a deserved triumph over the Mambas.
It's a morale-boosting result for Hugo Broos and Co ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, after they were held to a stalemate by Tanzania at the same venue last Friday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
CHAN gives Bafana coach Hugo Broos a few more World Cup options
Bafana Bafana's Thabiso Kutumela scored their only goal against Algeria in their first game of the CHAN tournament. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Bafana Bafana's African Nations Championship campaign may have ended prematurely at the group stages, but there were encouraging signs to take forward. Under the guidance of Molefi Ntseki on the touchline, and with head coach Hugo Broos monitoring closely from home, South Africa unearthed several players who seized the opportunity to shine on the continental stage. Their performances not only provided a glimmer of promise in an otherwise disappointing exit, but also strengthened the pool of talent available for the senior side. With crucial Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifiers looming against Lesotho and continental giants Nigeria, these fresh options could provide Broos and his technical team with a timely boost in depth, competition and energy. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Malibongwe Khoza The 22-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns talent impressed by adapting to a defensive midfield role, despite normally playing at centre-back. Drawing on his experience in the DStv Diski Challenge, Khoza showcased composure, positioning and calm distribution under pressure. His versatility, tactical awareness and maturity beyond his years made him one of the brightest sparks for Bafana at CHAN, suggesting he could be a long-term prospect for Broos' senior squad. Thabiso Kutumela Free agent Thabiso Kutumela reminded fans and coaches of his natural goal-scoring instincts. The former Orlando Pirates and Sundowns striker was involved in four goals across his four CHAN appearances, proving his ability to find space and finish clinically. South Africa has long sought reliable forwards, and Kutumela's timing, movement and composure in the box could earn him a recall if he maintains form and fitness for future national team call-ups. Neo Maema At 29-years old, Maema captained Bafana with authority and played with distinction, despite recently being deemed surplus at Sundowns. The midfielder's vision, creativity and ability to dictate play stood out in East Africa, providing stability and inspiration to his teammates. Comfortable in tight spaces and decisive in transition, Maema's combination of experience and flair makes him a rare asset. Broos could view him as a familiar, reliable option to reinforce the national squad. Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo Energetic and fearless, 30-year old Ndlondlo was a standout performer throughout the tournament. Named Player of the Match in the 3-3 draw against Uganda, he repeatedly unsettled opponents with his runs, pressing and ball-winning ability. A goal worth watching again and again. 💛 Ndlondlo showcases it all with a wonder strike that takes home the @1xBet_Eng #GoalOfTheDay. 💥 Purchase your #TotalEnergiesCHAN2024 tickets here 👉 — CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) August 18, 2025
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
Jacaranda FM's Mack Rapapali and Mark Fish to face off in charity boxing night
Rapapali says he is ready to take on the former Bafana Bafana, embracing the pain of training while raising funds for his foundation. Jacaranda FM radio show host Mack Rapapali and former Bafana Bafana football star Mark Fish will go head-to-head in a charity black-tie fight night next month. Rapapali said he had mixed emotions about the fight on 5 September at Silverlakes Hotel in Pretoria East. 'I am excited and at the same time, I'm like, Mack, there you go again. But there is a bigger goal. It's about making a difference in communities through my foundation, Step By Step,' he said. Rapapali said he wasn't scared because he was training hard. Training hard for the challenge 'My favourite part of boxing is the sparring sessions. I like the bliksem-me-hard session. I like it when my nose hurts for two weeks, like now. I like the pain,' he said. ALSO READ: 'For the good of the country': Why some South Africans are celebrating Dricus du Plessis' UFC title defeat 'I haven't trained this hard in my life before. I have trained to the point where I want to throw up. I have come close many times. I wore a large size when I started training, and now I am down to a medium and small.' He added: 'Discipline is the biggest lesson I have learned. I now know how to look at situations from a different angle.' Ambitions beyond Mark Fish Rapapali said he also wanted to fight dethroned UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. 'The next fight will be at Loftus in November. I heard some of the Bulls might want to fight, or Riaan Benade,' he added. Rapapali's coach, two-time world champion Sebastiaan Rothmann and owner of Sebs Elite Boxing Club at Loftus, said: 'I didn't coach Mack; he coaches me. He is an unbelievable human being and what he brings to the atmosphere is what you want to bring out in him. Coaching him is so easy.'
The Citizen
18 hours ago
- The Citizen
From Brighton to Vietnam: Is Tau still worth a place in Bafana?
It's hard to see how a stint in Vietnam will elevate the former Brighton & Hove Albion striker's game. Is it time for Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos to finally close the Percy Tau chapter in the national team setup? That's the burning question may football fans are asking after the forward secured a move to little-known Vietnamese 1 champions, Xanh Nam Dinh FC. Why Vietnam, Percy Tau? Truth be told, Vietnam is not recognised as a football powerhouse. It is far better known as a tourist haven than a football destination. So why would Tau make such a move with the Africa Cup of Nations around the corner and the potential of playing at next year's Fifa World Cup in the United States? ALSO READ: Bafana star Percy Tau finds new home He was a key figure in Broos' Bafana squad that claimed a bronze medal at the last AFCON. This transfer, in my view, places his spot in the Bafana squad in jeopardy. At 31, he still has plenty to offer in a stronger league, where his match sharpness would have been of greater benefit to Bafana in what promises to be a crucial year ahead. It's hard to see how a stint in Vietnam will elevate the former Brighton & Hove Albion striker's game, and this feels like a step backwards. A move back home or to a more competitive league in the Gulf would have made far more sense. Instead, this decision to play in Vietnam gives the impression of a player winding down the twilight of what has been a remarkable career. Nothing to excite Broos Xanh Nam Dinh will feature in the AFC Champions League Two, the Asian Confederation's second-tier competition, but this will do nothing to excite Broos. Bafana currently top Group C in their World Cup qualifiers with four wins from six matches and will also feature at AFCON in Morocco later this year. Players such as Relebohile Mofokeng, Elias Mokwena, and Oswin Appollis should now be central to Broos' plans. Bongokuhle Hlongwane, who continues to perform consistently in Major League Soccer with Minnesota United, is already operating at a far higher level than Tau's new club. ALSO READ: Pirates' Mbokazi asks fans to keep the faith If Hlongwane can't earn a call-up despite excelling in a stronger league, then Tau should not be anywhere near the squad. He has served the Rainbow Nation well, but the time has come for him to pass the baton to the next generation of Bafana stars.
