Latest news with #Afcon-winning
IOL News
24-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
QPR pip the competition to land Stellenbosch FC's Tylon Smith
Queens Park Rangers have signed 20-year-old Stellenbosch FC defender Tylon Smith, a standout player from South Africa's Under-20 Afcon-winning team, with permanent contract starting in their development squad. Picture: Queens Park Rangers Image: Queens Park Rangers Tylon Smith has completed a permanent transfer to Queens Park Rangers (QPR) from Stellenbosch FC, trading the vibrant fields of the Winelands for the bustling atmosphere of West London, marking a pivotal moment in his blossoming career. The 20-year-old defender's growth in the footballing world has been nothing short of meteoric over the past year. Just a year ago, Smith signed his first professional contract following a successful run with South Africa's U20 team, where he played a key role in lifting the COSAFA U20 Challenge Cup. His standout performance in the final against Zambia earned him the Player of the Match accolade and a place in the Team of the Tournament, signalling his potential on the international stage. Since then, Smith has only grown in stature, further enhancing his reputation in May with a pivotal role in South Africa's U20 Africa Cup of Nations victory. His contributions were instrumental enough to earn him the title of Player of the Tournament, underscoring the impact he has made early in his career. QPR's CEO, Christian Nourry, expressed enthusiasm about securing Smith's services, stating: 'We are happy to beat significant competition to land the services of Tylon. "His raw attributes give him every opportunity to become a successful central defender, and we are excited that the player feels, as we do, that we are best placed to develop and extract that potential from him. We will take it step by step.' Smith's transition to QPR will initially see him integrated into the development squad, where he will have the opportunity to hone his skills further within a club renowned for nurturing young talent. Expressing his excitement about the move, Smith remarked: 'I'm happy to be here. "I'm proud and grateful for the opportunity QPR have given me to showcase my talent. QPR is well known for developing young players. The style of play here is like how we play in South Africa, and it's a style that I like.' Rob Benadie, the CEO of Stellenbosch, described Smith's move as a monumental achievement, not only for the player but for the club as well. 'This is a very proud moment for everyone at the club, the town, and his family. We've watched Tylon grow from a young boy in Jamestown into a player ready to take on the world stage. "His move is a reward for years of hard work, not just from him, but from everyone involved in his development, and we hope it inspires the next generation to dream even bigger.' Notably, Smith's transfer represents a landmark achievement for Stellenbosch FC, as he becomes the first player to progress through the club's youth ranks — including Under-14, Under-16, Under-18, and reserve teams—before securing a move abroad. His journey to the UK serves as a compelling narrative of hard work and dedication, reflecting the bright future of South African football.
IOL News
24-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Amajita star Tylon Smith signs for Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers have signed 20-year-old Stellenbosch FC defender Tylon Smith, a standout player from South Africa's Under-20 Afcon-winning team, with permanent contract starting in their development squad. Picture: Queens Park Rangers His top performances did not go unnoticed as he makes his move to the UK, as he will slot straight into the side's development squad. The youngster shone for South Africa at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations ( Afcon U20 ) as Amajita won the title and Smith was named player of the tournament. The 20-year-old has signed a permanent contract with the English Championship side. Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Smith Showing Confidence at QPR 'I'm very happy to be here. I'm really proud and grateful for the opportunity QPR have given me to showcase my talent,' said Smith. 'QPR is well-known for developing young players. The style of play here is similar to how we play in South Africa and it's a style that I really like.' Asked to describe his playing style, a clearly confident Smith said: 'I would say I'm like a modern defender; composed, good on the ball but I also enjoy defending.' As for his exploits at the Under-20 Afcon, Smith said: 'It was incredible! 'Scoring the winning goal in the semi-final against Nigeria was amazing and we made history by winning the final. 'It was very special to win Player of the Tournament - it's very rare for it to go to a defender, it usually goes to an attacking player, so that was amazing for me.'
IOL News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mweene has the best goalkeepers at his disposal for Mamelodi Sundowns in Fifa Club World Cup
Ronwen Williams is sure to be the starting goalkeeper for Mamelodi Sundowns at the Club World Cup. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Kennedy Mweene will complete a full circle in his career when he returns to the Fifa Club World Cup in the United States as Mamelodi Sundowns' goalkeeper coach. Such is the depth that he has at his disposal, the 40-year-old is adamant that he'll have a nice selection headache as well. Mweene was one of the goalkeepers – alongside Denis Onyango and Wayne Sandilands – who were part of the Sundowns team at the 2016 Club World Cup in Japan. He built on the experience that he garnered from that event as he played a key role in the Brazilians' dominance of South African football. The Afcon-winning goalkeeper with Zambia hung up his gloves two seasons ago, trading standing between the sticks to being a deputy goalkeeper coach at Sundowns. But after his superior Wendell Robinson was sacked alongside head coach Manqoba Mngqithi late last year, he ascended to the position of head goalkeeper coach. 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 ✕ 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬. 🙌 Hlompho Kekana and Teko Modise take us through a moment of pride and purpose as Masandawana step onto the global stage in a kit that reflects the spirit of Pitori,… — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) June 12, 2025 Mweene has managed to get the best out of his goalkeepers, No 2 Onyango and first-choice Ronwen Williams, as Sundowns won the Premiership on home soil. The Brazilians' goalkeeping department was so good that they missed out on the CAF Champions League crown by a whisker, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Pyramids FC in the final. But with that disappointment now behind them, Sundowns have put all their focus on the World Cup, in which they'll face Ulsan HD, Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense in Group F. The Brazilians first game will be against South Koreans Ulsan next Wednesday, and Mweene has revealed who'll be his No 1 at the event. 'It's easy for me – it's not difficult. I think Ronwen and Denis have been doing well. We have Reyaad (Pieterse) as well,' Mweene said of his goalkeeping selection. 'We have got a balance of experience and youth, in this case, Reyaad, when it comes to playing on the international stage. For me, it's about continuity. 'Everyone knows that it'll be Ronwen (who'll be the No 1 and start most of the games) unless otherwise (due to injury).' Sure, Williams is Sundowns' undisputed No 1, but Onyango's experience will come in handy in America, given his overall experience and participation at their last World Cup. Mweene, who's the same age as Onyango (40), has lifted the lid on what it has been like to coach the former Ugandan No 1 in the last two seasons. 'I think the most important thing as a goalkeeper coach is to know how to train him. He's 40-plus,' Mweene said. 'It's not easy. You must know how to train him. 'There are exercises that he doesn't complete, because we look at his body and what he needs. He always pushes himself.' DJ Naves brings Africa to the World as he takes us behind the lens in Germany, giving us a glimpse of city life and a rare look inside the facilities of our Group F opponents, Borussia Dortmund. 🇩🇪👆 Tune in now on our YouTube channel.📲 #Sundowns… — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) June 11, 2025 The upcoming global showpiece has been extended to 32 teams. As a result, Africa have four teams – Sundowns are joined by Al Ahly, Esperance and Wydad Casablanca. The quartet's qualification has all but given the continent a slim chance of earning a podium finish, something that pleases Mweene. 'I think it's good for Africa because last time, it was maybe two teams or one. But this time there are about four, and that gives us a chance as Africa,' Mweene said.
