Latest news with #Afcon
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Themba Zwane and Danny Jordaan played a key role in Hugo Broos deciding against an early resignation from his Bafana Bafana post
Broos might have not won the Afcon crown like Barker did 29 years ago, but he's made some great strides since taking over the reins. Earlier this month, Broos became the longest serving Bafana coach, surpassing the record of the late Clive Barker, who was in charge for exactly four years. Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has revealed what made him make a last-gasp decision to not step down from his post after a torrid start. Broos led Bafana to a podium finish in the last Afcon - which was the first after more than two decades, qualified for back-to-back Afcons finals and is on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. But those nearly didn't come into fruition. Broos nearly resigned in the first few months of his five-year contract after being heavily criticised by all and sundry. 'No, certainly in the first year (it wasn't easy),' Broos recalled. 'I know that it is also your job (the media personnel) to criticise, but sometimes the critics were not fair. 'When you lose 5-0 against the world champions, it's not fair to criticise. You have to be smart enough to see this is normal, especially with an inexperienced team. 'But for many people it wasn't. They always referred to the 2010 World Cup when they beat France, but forgetting there was big trouble in the French team (then). 'We lost to Morocco 2-1, and we were criticised. And Morocco was fourth six months later in the World Cup, so that was not fair.' There was a time that the criticism became unbearable that the 72-year-old opened up to his then assistant what he thought of it and his future with the national team. 'I went back home after the first year, and I said to my assistant at that time Cedo (Janevski) that 'I won't go back. It's not nice what they are doing to me',' the Belgian explained. 'I came back, and said if things go on, in the New Year, I will go not back and things will be finished. Then suddenly, I selected (Themba) Zwane and things changed. 'The guy was 33 or 34 years old at the time. You couldn't build a future around that. But yeah, Themba is a talented boy and he helped us a lot. 'He came, and we selected a few other players. And suddenly why, I don't know, but boom, things were getting better and better till our lengthy unbeaten run.'
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Hugo Broos: Glory days now, but new Bafana talent must be brought in
Mihlali Baleka | Published 2 hours ago Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos admits that the glory days are on the horizon for South African football, but he's pleaded for the nurturing of youngsters and continuity. Bafana and their female counterparts Banyana Banyana ended the 2024 calendar year on a high note as they qualified for this year's Afcon and Wafcon finals. As such, the junior men's national teams followed in their footsteps early in the year as the Under-17 men's team and Bafana's B team qualified for the World Cup and Chan finals respectively. However, the Under-20 men's team achieved their own targets in style as they won their maiden Afcon title in Egypt, having already qualified for the World Cup after reaching the semi-final. 'These are glory days for South African football, I think,' said Broos after announcing his 23-member squad yesterday for Bafana's two international friendlies in June. 'Under-17 and Under-20 have qualified for the World Cup. We have qualified for Afcon. Banyana have good results. 'Yeah, from the bottom to the highest level, everything is good at the moment. But I think we are at the crossroad for the moment – now we have to react as a football federation. 'If we are just happy now, I can assure you that in two-three years, you won't find anything of what we have now. So, we have to work hard now, and follow-up.' By following up, Broos means the junior national teams' players must be slowly but gradually integrated into the senior team, so that they are not lost in the system for future. The 73-year-old is putting his money where his mouth is at as he named a youthful squad for their two friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique in Polokwane and Loftus in June. Broos handed 10 players their maiden national team call-up, including Pirates quartet Deano van Rooyen, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe and Mohau Nkota. The bulk of the new faces in the Bafana fold are replacing Mamelodi Sundowns players who'll be competing in the Club World Cup next month. But with Sundowns' players set to be available for the next camp, the World Cup qualifiers in September emphasised that he would still go with most of them. 'We have to see the new players who are in the squad, whether they are at the level to play for Bafana Bafana. That is the first thing,' Broos said. 'But I am sure already, it might be too soon for some of them to be ready to play at that level. The only reason we called them up is because we are looking into the future. 'We have a number of players who are 30 (years old) and more in the team. So, not next week, month or in September, but we have to slowly but surely replace these players in the future.' The majority of the new players at Bafana might only be considered for major games in future, but Broos said it'll be important for them to leave a lasting impression now. 'I will observe them – out of the pitch, on the pitch, during the game and on training,' Broos explained. 'It's not only about seeing the level of achievement, or the talent. But I don't know the guy that is there, and that for me is very important. 'In the next 10 days, I will see how they'll react in some situations. How they are with their teammates, and when eating together. This is very important to me!' Bafana Squad Goalkeepers: Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine, Renaldo Leaner Defenders: Khulumani Ndamane, Nyiko Mobbie, Thabo Moloisane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Deano van Rooyen, Samukelo Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien Midfielders: Simphiwe Selepe, Thalente Mbatha, Ndamulelo Maphangule, Luke le Roux Forwards: Yanela Mbuthuma, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota, Patrick Maswanganyi, Tshepang Moremi, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Ashley Cupido
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Hugo Broos: Glory days now, but new Bafana talent must be brought in
Mohau Nkota Mohau Nkota of Orlando Pirates was one of 10 new faces in the Bafana squad announced yesterday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos admits that the glory days are on the horizon for South African football, but he's pleaded for the nurturing of youngsters and continuity. Bafana and their female counterparts Banyana Banyana ended the 2024 calendar year on a high note as they qualified for this year's Afcon and Wafcon finals. As such, the junior men's national teams followed in their footsteps early in the year as the Under-17 men's team and Bafana's B team qualified for the World Cup and Chan finals respectively. However, the Under-20 men's team achieved their own targets in style as they won their maiden Afcon title in Egypt, having already qualified for the World Cup after reaching the semi-final. 'These are glory days for South African football, I think,' said Broos after announcing his 23-member squad yesterday for Bafana's two international friendlies in June. 'Under-17 and Under-20 have qualified for the World Cup. We have qualified for Afcon. Banyana have good results. 'Yeah, from the bottom to the highest level, everything is good at the moment. But I think we are at the crossroad for the moment – now we have to react as a football federation. 'If we are just happy now, I can assure you that in two-three years, you won't find anything of what we have now. So, we have to work hard now, and follow-up.' 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 ✕ SA U17 Coach Vela Khumalo: "We are all ready for this. This is what we all wanted. Importantly for us, it is not to get carried away and to work towards getting out of the group stages of the U17 FIFA World Cup and go to the knockout stages.' — (@SAFA_net) May 27, 2025 By following up, Broos means the junior national teams' players must be slowly but gradually integrated into the senior team, so that they are not lost in the system for future. The 73-year-old is putting his money where his mouth is at as he named a youthful squad for their two friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique in Polokwane and Loftus in June. Broos handed 10 players their maiden national team call-up, including Pirates quartet Deano van Rooyen, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe and Mohau Nkota. The bulk of the new faces in the Bafana fold are replacing Mamelodi Sundowns players who'll be competing in the Club World Cup next month. But with Sundowns' players set to be available for the next camp, the World Cup qualifiers in September emphasised that he would still go with most of them. 'We have to see the new players who are in the squad, whether they are at the level to play for Bafana Bafana. That is the first thing,' Broos said. 'But I am sure already, it might be too soon for some of them to be ready to play at that level. The only reason we called them up is because we are looking into the future. 'We have a number of players who are 30 (years old) and more in the team. So, not next week, month or in September, but we have to slowly but surely replace these players in the future.' Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has confirmed Amajita number-one goalkeeper Fletcher Smyth-Lowe is definitely on his radar and will be drafted into the senior squad after the FIFA U20 World Cup later this year. 🔗 — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 29, 2025 The majority of the new players at Bafana might only be considered for major games in future, but Broos said it'll be important for them to leave a lasting impression now. 'I will observe them – out of the pitch, on the pitch, during the game and on training,' Broos explained. 'It's not only about seeing the level of achievement, or the talent. But I don't know the guy that is there, and that for me is very important. 'In the next 10 days, I will see how they'll react in some situations. How they are with their teammates, and when eating together. This is very important to me!' Bafana Squad Goalkeepers: Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine, Renaldo Leaner Defenders: Khulumani Ndamane, Nyiko Mobbie, Thabo Moloisane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Deano van Rooyen, Samukelo Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien Midfielders: Simphiwe Selepe, Thalente Mbatha, Ndamulelo Maphangule, Luke le Roux Forwards: Yanela Mbuthuma, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota, Patrick Maswanganyi, Tshepang Moremi, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Ashley Cupido
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Amajita hero Kekana praises teamwork for goal that won SA the U-20 Afcon
Amajita's U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) final hero Gomolemo Kekana, 18, is in no rush to play top-flight football, insisting he's still developing. He said his focus is on trying to return to his best shape after a long layoff last year. Kekana is on the books of Mamelodi Sundowns' DStv Diski Challenge team and has trained with the senior Brazilians on a few occasions. He engraved his name in South African football folklore by scoring the goal that saw Amajita beat Morocco 1-0 in the U-20 Afcon final in Cairo this month. 'God's timing is forever perfect, so I won't rush the process,' Kekana said. 'I am trusting the process without putting pressure on myself to say now I must play for the first team. 'I will continue to work hard and it's up to the coaches to decide whether to promote me. I am not in a rush. I've come from a long-term injury last year, so my focus is to accumulate as many minutes as I can to return to my best shape.'
IOL News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Stellenbosch FC beef up their 2025/26 squad with Amajita star, confirms coach Steve Barker
Amajita star Siviwe Nkwali is on his way to Stellenbosch FC next season. Picture: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker is proud of his team's achievements in the 2024/25 season, but is not resting on his laurels after his team ensured qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup again. Stellies claimed third place in the Betway Premiership for the second successive season after their goalless draw in the Western Cape derby against Cape Town City to conclude yet another highly successful campaign for the Winelands club. But Barker is already looking ahead to the 2025/26 season in order for his team to stay ahead of the chasing pack with the confirmation of new signings of U20 Afcon winner Siviwe Nkwali and MFC top goalscorer Muzomuhle Khanyi. 'I think at the end of the day third was our objective, and we finished in third position,' Barker said. 'I think it's a massive achievement after having played as many games and what we achieved on the continent to also then show the consistency in the league and finish third is really credit must go to the players. Back where we belong now 🌍 See you again next season, @CAFCLCC 👋 — Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) May 24, 2025 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 ✕ 'They've just been incredible this whole season. It's one of the group of players that I've been the most proudest of coaching, just their resilience, their grit, their determination… 'But, yes, we are a team that is proactive. We are in the market to beef up where we feel we need to, so yeah we are definitely being really active and behind the scenes. 'Sometimes these things just take a little bit of time and one or two things happen before you can make one or two of your final decisions. 'But as you may have seen in the news recently, we have signed already, well it was done in January … Nkwali from Cape Town Spurs and Muzi from Hungry Lions,' he said. Stellies' success has often come at a price though the last few seasons with major players such as Ashley du Preez, Jayden Adams, Junior Mendietta, Zitha Kwinika and Iqraam Rayners moving on to the one of the big three clubs in Johannesburg. Barker is resigned to losing influential midfielder Sihle Nduli with the veteran coach handing the captain's armband to the former TS Galaxy midfielder last Saturday against City as a farewell present.
