logo
Kaizer Chiefs to sign and announce Polievka?

Kaizer Chiefs to sign and announce Polievka?

All eyes are on Kaizer Chiefs. If not Fiston Mayele, who will be the chosen striker coming to Naturena in the Betway Premiership next season?
According to this latest report, Nasreddine Nabi has eyes on a European striker. The name is Robert Polievka from Krupina, Slovakia.
Sportswire, this new Kaizer Chiefs striker, Polievka, is still contracted to the Hungarian club MTK Budapest until 2027. He has scored four goals in 26 games for them.
Big call for Pitso to return to Sundowns Kaizer Chiefs' Sporting Director Kaizer Motuang Jr with the head coach Nasreddine Nabi. Image: Citizen
Transfer news: Mako said 'yes' to Chiefs and 'no' to Pirates
'Sportswire can confirm that Kaizer Chiefs are interested in the Slovakian attacker Robert Polievka,' the outlet reported. 'However, for Chiefs to acquire him from MTK Budapest in Hungary, they will need to pay a transfer fee, as his contract expires in 2027,' the report added.
In the meantime, the Glamour Boys are still linked with Fiston Mayele at Egyptian club Pyramids FC, where he scored 18 goals and made two assists in 38 matches in the past season.
Another striker mentioned as a target for Kaizer Chiefs is Simba SC's Jean Charles Ahoua, who has managed 15 goals and seven assists in 23 games in all competitions.
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.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Why the Currie Cup still has a key role to play in SA's rugby system
Why the Currie Cup still has a key role to play in SA's rugby system

Daily Maverick

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Maverick

Why the Currie Cup still has a key role to play in SA's rugby system

Squad development will be the priority for the leading franchises over the course of a Currie Cup campaign that sets the tone for the URC and European tournaments. The physicality of the Currie Cup has always been its selling point, and one cannot talk about the history of South Africa's (SA's) domestic tournament without highlighting one of the most brutal contests of the professional era. South African rugby enjoyed a golden run of results in 2009 with the Springboks winning the Test series against the British & Irish Lions as well as the Tri Nations, and the Bulls claiming the Super Rugby title. And yet, Schalk Burger's titanic tackle on national teammate Fourie du Preez in the 2009 Currie Cup semifinal between Western Province and the Blue Bulls remains one of the most enduring moments of a monumental season. No quarter was given as Burger hammered an unsighted Du Preez into the Newlands turf, much to the delight of the capacity crowd. When Du Preez got to his feet and glanced in Burger's direction, the WP flanker winked. The Bulls scrumhalf responded with a smile – and this interaction came to symbolise what the Currie Cup and South African rugby is all about. Already a diluted product What many forget is that the Currie Cup was already a diluted product in 2009. Leading Springboks were managed over the course of the Super Rugby tournament and only released for provincial duty at the back end of the Currie Cup. Although this led to some heavyweight match-ups in the play-offs, it wasn't a fair reflection of the standard of the tournament as a whole. Peter de Villiers, the Bok coach at the time, as well as his successor, Heyneke Meyer, often admitted that the players were assessed and selected on the basis of their Super Rugby performances. There were one or two exceptions who forced their way into contention via a match-winning performance in the Currie Cup final, such as Pat Lambie in 2010 and Pieter-Steph du Toit in 2013. But by and large, the domestic tournament wasn't on a par with Super Rugby, which at that stage was on a par with the European Cup. Rugby has changed a great deal over the past 16 years, with SA pivoting to the northern hemisphere and deploying its leading teams in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and European tournaments. Once the be-all and end-all in South African rugby, the Currie Cup has in effect been downgraded to a third-tier club tournament. The URC, which includes the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers, as well as international teams from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, is a significant step up, and the Champions Cup, which features the very best clubs from Europe and SA, is at the top of the club pyramid. That said, the Currie Cup remains an essential part of the South African system, and player performances and coaching decisions at this level have the potential to impact an entire season across multiple tournaments. It is here where the Springbok stars of tomorrow are given an opportunity to shine and where the respective coaches can address various issues, such as squad depth, before the URC kicks off in September and the Champions Cup commences in mid-December. Building a base Although the Bulls, Cheetahs, Lions, Sharks and Stormers will have specific goals for the season ahead, all the franchises will be under pressure to deliver improved results – particularly in Europe. The Bulls have bolstered their squad in recent months and haven't been afraid to introduce a few new signings in the Currie Cup, which kicked off last week. Marvin Orie, the 2023 World Cup winner, and another seasoned loose forward in Jeandré Rudolph, starred in the 48-23 win over Western Province in Cape Town. The Bulls have the experience to go deep in this tournament and also boast a large group of promising youngsters. With regard to the latter, it's a matter of when rather than if Junior Boks winger Cheswill Jooste is unleashed in this competition. Jooste, Bathobele Hlekani and Haashim Pead were recently invited by Rassie Erasmus to train with the Springboks after winning the World Rugby U20 Championship with the Junior Boks in Italy. Hlekani is currently contracted to the Sharks, but may join the Lions before the URC starts, and Pead will bolster a Lions squad that has speed to burn. The Lions laid down a marker when they thrashed a young Sharks side 46-5 in Johannesburg in round one. Like the Bulls, the Sharks are blessed with formidable depth across the age groups and won't be happy with such a one-sided result. WP will be equally disappointed with a heavy loss to the Bulls at home. Although Cobus Reinach and Ruan Ackermann have signed with the Stormers and will add value to the squad in the URC, there are bound to be some growing pains for the Cape side in the preceding Currie Cup. Fighting for recognition The Cheetahs' 37-35 loss to the Boland Cavaliers in the first round will come as a blow to their play-off chances, as well as to their overriding goal of reminding all and sundry that the Free State region remains a rugby force. Beyond the Currie Cup, they will feature in the next edition of the Challenge Cup – although director of rugby Frans Steyn has made it clear that the franchise needs to join a leading tournament like the URC sooner rather than later. Boland have similar goals, and in the wake of a significant investment by Sanlam as well as a strategic partnership with the Blue Bulls, the team looks set to reach new heights. It may be a few years yet before Boland realise their potential, but they have already made a statement by qualifying for the Currie Cup Premier Division for the first time since 2016, and by beating the 2023 champions in round one. Well-travelled coach Hawies Fourie has taken the reins and built a squad that should be competitive. Louis Schreuder, a former Springbok scrumhalf who recently won the English Premiership title with Bath, is among the key signings. Meanwhile, the Pumas and Griquas, who contested the recent SA Cup final in Mbombela, will look to claim some big scalps while some of the leading franchises are in a development phase. The Pumas won the Currie Cup in 2022 and were losing finalists in 2023. DM Jon Cardinelli is a freelance writer.

Stellenbosch FC chief Rob Benadie: How SA can become a continental powerhouse again
Stellenbosch FC chief Rob Benadie: How SA can become a continental powerhouse again

IOL News

time6 hours ago

  • IOL News

Stellenbosch FC chief Rob Benadie: How SA can become a continental powerhouse again

Stellenbosch FC chief executive Rob Benadie says South African football can be a continental powerhouse if they sort out the off-field issues. Image: Backpagepix In the ever-turbulent world of South African football, few voices speak with as much calm, clarity, and measured insight as Rob Benadie, CEO of Stellenbosch FC. As his club prepares for another competitive Betway Premiership season, Benadie's reflections offer not only a window into the ambitions of a growing club but also a pointed commentary on the state of football in the country. Speaking during an interview with the South African Football Journalists Association (Safja), Benadie was characteristically open, outlining both the footballing and operational blueprint of a club that has steadily emerged from the Cape Winelands to become a respected force in the PSL. 'We go into the season usually as one of the better-prepared clubs,' Benadie noted. 'We try to do everything we can to ensure we're ready — from pre-season training camps to scouting smartly.' Indeed, the club's approach to recruitment is methodical. While Stellenbosch FC lost key players such as Ismael Toure, Fawaaz Basadien and Sihle Nduli, Benadie is confident in their replacements — a Belgian centre-back, a left-back from Azerbaijan, and depth in midfield, including the arrival of midfield dynamo Khiba. 'We're confident in our scouting process,' Benadie explained. 'Our recruitment uses data, video analysis, and coach consultations. We don't just sign names — we sign players who fit our style.' This measured approach extends off the field as well, particularly in an era when financial mismanagement plagues many clubs. Unlike some of their bigger rivals, Stellenbosch FC is not a club throwing money at problems. 'We don't pay exorbitant salaries,' Benadie said candidly. 'But we do offer a conducive environment for players to grow, compete, and be seen by bigger clubs. Our players know they're in the shop window.' In fact, Stellenbosch's model — modest salaries, focused development, and consistent exposure — has made it a destination of choice for ambitious talent. The club's use of platforms like TransferRoom, which connects clubs globally for transfer dealings, is just one example of their forward-thinking approach. 'We're not here to hoard talent,' Benadie stated. 'If a player can go overseas or to a bigger local club, that's a win for us too. We focus on long-term sustainability.' Yet, even with their success, there remain frustrations — particularly with the lack of proper stadium access and infrastructure support in the Western Cape. For now, they'll play their MTN8 fixtures at Cape Town Stadium due to poor pitch conditions at Danie Craven Stadium. It's far from ideal, but Benadie sees a longer-term solution in the works. With the backing of major shareholder Remgro, the club is in advanced negotiations with the Stellenbosch Municipality to take over the historic Van der Stel Sports Grounds — with the intention of building a purpose-fit stadium and high-performance training centre. 'We envision a facility with an 8,000 to 10,000-seater stadium — that's more than enough for PSL matches,' said Benadie. 'We want to create a home-ground advantage, like Wits did when they won the league. That kind of intimacy can be a weapon.' The project, expected to cost tens of millions of rands, will also house development infrastructure, possibly making Stellenbosch a genuine academy powerhouse. While timelines stretch into 2026, the long-term thinking is clear — this is a club laying down roots for the future. And what of that future? For Benadie, the dream is both local and continental. He openly admires Morocco's recent rise in African football and points to their investment in elite youth academies as a key reason. 'When we visited RS Berkane, we saw the future of African football. Their academy had 400 kids living and breathing football,' he recalled. 'We want to do the same — build the best academy in Africa, right here in Stellenbosch.' But he's also clear-eyed about the broader challenges in South African football — administrative bungling, governance failures, and missed opportunities.

Hands off the Currie Cup . . . It is the lifeblood of South African rugby
Hands off the Currie Cup . . . It is the lifeblood of South African rugby

IOL News

time6 hours ago

  • IOL News

Hands off the Currie Cup . . . It is the lifeblood of South African rugby

FILE - The Sharks beat the Lions in last year's Currie Cup final. Image: Backpagepix If I had ten bucks for every voice I've heard trashing the Currie Cup, I could have a well-stuffed couch. But my opinion is that the domestic competition is as rich as ever — and must be treasured. While the Currie Cup is no longer the chief prize in our rugby, life goes on, and it remains a national treasure. Eddie Jones, the former coach of too many teams to mention — but widely respected — once said that South Africa's trump card against the rugby world is the Currie Cup, a competition rivaled only by New Zealand's National Provincial Championship. Jones highlighted that the annual Currie Cup produces future Springboks through a second-tier competition that most rugby nations simply do not have. The words 'second tier' will rankle with traditionalists, who hearken back to the days of yore when the Currie Cup was everything in South Africa. I'm talking about the people who say the Cup should be put in a museum and revered for what it once was. To these people, I say: hang on — let's reframe this. Yes, the Currie Cup doesn't have the bang it once did in the days when Naas Botha and Frik du Preez won titles for Northern Transvaal before adoring masses. But those were the days when the Currie Cup was all South Africa had, as isolation starved the Springboks of international competition. To be fair, the Currie Cup's allure endured into the professional era, and up until about ten years ago, the major unions still coveted the trophy as much as they ever did. But that has changed. There are now bigger fish to fry for the likes of the Stormers, Sharks, Lions, and Bulls in their European competitions — but that doesn't mean the Currie Cup should be shelved. It just needs to be seen from a different perspective and valued for its contribution to the health of South African rugby. The history of the actual Currie Cup trophy gives merit to why it should be cherished. In 1891, the British Isles team touring South Africa brought with them a golden cup given to them by Sir Donald Currie, owner of Union-Castle Lines, the shipping company that transported them to the Cape.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store