UEFA Champions league trophy tour hits SA
JOHANNESBURG - The UEFA Champions League trophy tour began on 8 April in Vietnam and has officially hit South Africa.
The prestigious piece of silverware is being showcased in Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, Zambia and Kenya.
Promoting the tour, is none other than German international footballer, Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Sleepless nights and empty seats: FIFA's broken Club World Cup
Making the Club World Cup great again? FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy to United States president Donald Trump in the Oval Office in the White House. Photo:/AFP Image:/AFP The FIFA Club World Cup gets underway this weekend. In the opening match of the revamped tournament, Egypt's Al Ahly will take on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. In theory, this should be monumental – the world's best clubs converging in America to crown football's true global champion. FIFA's vision of a blockbuster tournament makes financial sense, and the hype would suggest universal excitement. That's certainly the case in South Africa, where anticipation runs high. Yet elsewhere, particularly in Europe, the enthusiasm feels conspicuously absent. Teams from Africa, Asia, South America, and Down Under will be enjoying their time in the sun in the United States, as they smile all the way to the bank. For the big teams in Europe, they need this tournament as much as one needs a nail in the head. European clubs will feel that they already have a competition that determines the best team in the world in the UEFA Champions League, and that the Club World Cup is an obvious "cash grab" on the part of FIFA. They're not entirely wrong. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ But this sentiment is typical of Europe, who want to enjoy the best of footballers who come from all over the world, and don't want to share the wealth among everyone else. At the Club World Cup, teams will get paid. South Africa's very own Mamelodi Sundowns will make around R170 million just for being there. Not a bad payday for a PR exercise meant to boost FIFA's image in America. Perhaps European club fear that once African, South American and Asian clubs have money of their own, they won't be able to plunder the continents of their best talents. So, the competition is good, then? In reality, FIFA has shot itself in the foot with the scheduling. The opening match between Al Ahly and Inter Miami will kick off at 2am (SA time) on Sunday morning. Mamelodi Sundowns' clash against Ulsan will be played at midnight. There are games that have been scheduled to begin at 3am and others at 4am. We love our football in South Africa, but not as much as our sleep. And it's winter, it's cold. By 2am on Sunday, many in Mzansi will be in their beds rather than cheering for Messi against Al Ahly.. Another thing that could embarrass FIFA is the fact that no one seems to be buying tickets. According to recent reports, they've had to slash ticket prices from $230 (over R4,000) to $55 (R970). The fact that FIFA thought Americans, who care very little about the game of football, would spend that much on tickets to watch Botafogo take on Seattle Sounders shows how out of touch they are. There will be some exciting games at the tournament, for sure, but FIFA is going to find it tough to keep fans' attention. Sundowns taking on Borussia Dortmund might sound exciting to people living in Pretoria, but to those from Cincinnati, it might not be the best ticket in town. The FIFA Club World Cup could have been a celebration of global football – a chance to uplift teams outside Europe's elite and captivate new audiences. Instead, it's shaping up to be another tone-deaf spectacle: absurd scheduling, overpriced tickets, and a desperate scramble for relevance. While the payouts might sweeten the deal for participating clubs, FIFA's arrogance in ignoring fans – both in timing and accessibility – proves yet again that the game's governing body prioritises profit over passion. Don't be surprised if the world doesn't show much interest. IOL Sport
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Tashreeq Matthews ready for Mamelodi Sundowns' Fifa Club World Cup challenge
Tashreeq Matthews is buzzing with excitement as Mamelodi Sundowns prepare to compete in the Fifa Club World Cup in the US in the coming weeks. Since returning to South African football one and a half seasons ago, Matthews has worked hard to prove his worth after a challenging spell overseas. Now, he's a key figure in Sundowns' success story, helping the club secure back-to-back league titles and a place on the global stage. The Brazilians will make their first appearance at the tournament since 2016. They are in Group F alongside Ulsan Hyundai, Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense. Matthews has extensive background knowledge of German giants Dortmund, having spent seven years in their junior ranks, despite being regularly sent out on loan. As the prospect of facing his former club looms large for the 24-year-old, he revealed how he felt before the Brazilians' departure on Sunday afternoon. 'Some of the players I played with are on loan, and others have been transferred to other teams, but I think there are still one or two who remain with the team,' Matthews explained. 'The guys who still work there, I am still in contact with them. So, I am very excited. It's always exciting for me to play against a former team.' Matthews' ability to adapt quickly at Sundowns has been remarkable, given the star-studded nature of the team and the already existing partnerships between senior players. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ 𝐀 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐟𝐟! ✈️ Supporters gathered at Chloorkop to watch Masandawana train and share their messages of support, as the team make their way to the #FIFACWC.💛 Watch the full recap on YouTube 📲 #Sundowns… — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) June 9, 2025 'When I arrived, I saw how much of a team we are at Sundowns,' he said of his impression of the club. 'The brotherhood we have in the changing room makes us stronger.' Matthews' first 18 months at Sundowns could have been even bigger and better, but the team fell at the final hurdle in the Champions League, losing to Pyramids. The two-legged affair, which ended in a 3-2 loss on aggregate, was understandably a bitter pill to swallow for the players, including Matthews. The attacker was substituted seven minutes before half-time in the first leg, which ended 1-1 at Loftus Versfeld, in Hatfield. After working his way back into the starting line-up for the second leg, he missed a close-range shot in the first half which could have swung the tie in Sundowns' favour.
The South African
11 hours ago
- The South African
Teko sends honest transfer message to Orlando Pirates boss
Teko Modise knows the world of being an Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana superstar like Relebohile Mofokeng. The Soweto-born legend has sent what sounds like a plea to Orlando Pirates regarding the future of the 20-year-old Mofokeng. Randfontein-born star had a decent season with 12 goals and 15 assists in 49 games. According to Modise, Mofokeng is ripe to take the ideal next step in his career. It is a move to Europe, where football is at its highest level. Orlando Pirates news: Saleng and Sibisi 'When it comes to Rele, it's very difficult for Orlando Pirates to sell, especially when it comes to top players,' Modise told FARPost on the talented Sea Robber. 'The last time they had a player who was exciting like that was [Thembinkosi] Lorch. Yes, sometimes, as South African fans, we want to see the youngsters go further abroad and do great things,' the Orlando Pirates legend added. 'I just wish that happens for him sooner rather than later so that he becomes a better player. The better Rele, the better the national team will be, cause at some point, he's going to be the superstar of the national team. 'I strongly believe that Orlando Pirates know what they have. I just hope that it happens for the boy, I so wish that it happens for the boy. Relebohile Mofokeng in action for Orlando Pirates against Cape Town City FC at the DHL Stadium. Image: @safootclassics/X 'It will not only improve his life but also his family. He must play the UEFA Champions League, cause I think if he gets to be in that type of position, I'll be more proud because he would have gotten the opportunities that I never had. 'I'm rallying that he goes [overseas] because it would be great to see the youngster that we've all seen from the DDC to the PSL to actually go overseas. That would be great,' Modise added on the young Buccaneer. 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.
