Latest news with #Afcon2025
The South African
07-08-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: 18 Bafana players and missing strikers
Orlando Pirates signed a staggering 12 new players ahead of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season. Six of the new arrivals are fresh Bafana Bafana internationals after the June international friendlies, as well as the 2025 COSAFA Cup. The names include Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Tshepang Moremi, Yanela Mbuthuma, and Masindi Nemtajela. Adding the likes of Nkosinathi Sibisi and Relebohile Mofokeng, the new total number of Bafana Bafana internationals at Orlando Pirates shot up to 18. Using the opportunity to expand the selection pool before Afcon 2025 in December, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos picked Orlando Pirates players Deano Van Rooyen, Mbekezeli Mbokazi…Full story here. Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou after his debut match against Polokwane City in the MTN8. Image: orlandopirates/Instagram Orlando Pirates coach Abdelsam Ouaddou has explained the surprise absence of Evidence Makgopa and Tshegofatso Mabasa in the MTN8 last weekend. The future of Orlando Pirates strikers Evidence Makgopa and Tshegofatso Mabasa became a hot topic following their surprising absence in the team's recent MTN8 quarterfinal clash against Polokwane City. The duo, who have shared the number nine role under former coach Jose Riveiro, were both missing from the matchday squad, raising eyebrows among supporters and analysts alike. In their place, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou opted to start with young forward Boitumelo Radiopane, while Orlando Pirates' new striker signing Yanela Mbuthuma (23) debuted from the bench. 'Makgopa and Mabasa are very important players for me,' said Ouaddou…Full story. 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.
The South African
06-08-2025
- Sport
- The South African
New Orlando Pirates squad has 18 Bafana Bafana players
Orlando Pirates signed a staggering 12 new players ahead of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season. Six of the new arrivals are fresh Bafana Bafana internationals after the June international friendlies, as well as the 2025 COSAFA Cup. The names include Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Tshepang Moremi, Yanela Mbuthuma, and Masindi Nemtajela. Adding the likes of Nkosinathi Sibisi and Relebohile Mofokeng, the new total number of Bafana Bafana internationals at Orlando Pirates shot up to 18. Why Orlando Pirates strikers were missing on Saturday Orlando Pirates' sensational young talent Mbekezeli Mbokazi makes his Bafana Bafana debut against Mozambique at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. Image: IOL Using the opportunity to expand the selection pool before Afcon 2025 in December, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos picked Orlando Pirates players Deano Van Rooyen, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Tshepang Moremi and Yanela Mbuthuma for their first caps during the friendly internationals against Mozambique and Tanzania in June. Orlando Pirates coach reads Mofokeng news A few weeks later, Bafana Bafana participated in the COSAFA 2025 tournament. The team included Masindi Nemtajela, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Simphiwe Selepe, and Boitumelo Radiopane. Meanwhile, Bafana's 'A team', which competed in the Afcon and FIFA World Cup qualifiers, featured nine Orlando Pirates footballers. Full list of all Orlando Pirates who played for Bafana Bafana last season: 1. Sipho Chaine 2. Nkosinathi Sibisi 3. Thabiso Sesane 4. Thalente Mbatha 5. Patrick Maswanganyi 6. Relebohile Mofokeng 7. Oswin Appollis 8. Tshegofatso Mabasa 9. Evidence Makgopa 10. Deano Van Rooyen 11. Mbekezeli Mbokazi 12. Sinoxolo Kwayiba 13. Tshepang Moremi 14. Yanela Mbuthuma 15. Masindi Nemtajela 16. Kamogelo Sebelebele 17. Simphiwe Selepe 18. Boitumelo Radiopane. 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.
The South African
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates player told to thank ancestors and God
They call him the Master Chef. Orlando Pirates will compete in next season's Betway Premiership with Sipho Mbule as one of the new options in central midfield. The 27-year-old from Bethlehem, Free State, was available on a free transfer after Mamelodi Sundowns opted against a contract renewal on his expired deal. According to reports, Mbule lost his place at Sundowns after he had reported for training under the influence of alcohol. His agent, Mike Makaab, soon offered Mbule to Kaizer Chiefs, but Amakhosi seemingly took too long to make a decision. Kaizer Chiefs news: Amakhosi money and another star from Europe Sipho Mbule at Sekhukhune United. Image: SuperSport TV While many were still anticipating Amakhosi's decision, the Buccaneers astounded the nation via X, Facebook and Instagram on Wednesday: 'Orlando Pirates is pleased to welcome Sipho Mbule to the Club,' the short statement ended. Orlando Pirates news: Sipho Mbule and a special meeting According to Khanye, whose playing career was cut short due to the same ill-discipline with alcohol, Mbule should realise he is a lucky man. Khanye feels that the new Orlando Pirates midfielder, given the due commitment and discipline, has the talent to make the Bafana Bafana squad for Afcon 2025. 'Let me be honest, I'm surprised, and he is very lucky,' said Khanye on iDiski TV . 'But he must know one thing, this is a last chance he has now because we have seen players previously at the club who have had the same problems, and they got rid of them. 'Even though fans loved them, the club got rid of them and their careers ended. If you leave Orlando Pirates under such a cloud, it's over. 'Mbule is so lucky, and he must thank his ancestors, God and age for being on his side. He really needs to understand that he is done if anything happens with him at Orlando Pirates. 'I compliment his God-given talent. The boy is one of the best, one of the most talented players, and I cannot wait to see him play with [Patrick] Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng, [Mohau] Nkota and [Tshegofatso] Mabasa. 'It's his last chance and if he trains properly, get game time he may even go to the AFCON if he gets his act together,' Khanye concluded. 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.
Ya Biladi
04-04-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco kicks off tourism campaign ahead of Afcon 2025
With just a few months to go before the Africa Cup of Nations, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) is ramping up efforts to make Afcon 2025 a strategic lever for international visibility. From April 2 to 6, a large-scale fam trip is being organized in Morocco, bringing together tourism operators from more than a dozen African countries—from Nigeria to Senegal, including Ghana, the DRC, Angola, and Cameroon. The goal: to position Morocco as a destination of choice during the tournament by forging commercial ties among professionals across the continent. Two pan-African workshops will allow African travel agencies and tour operators to meet their Moroccan counterparts, create tailor-made packages for Afcon, and showcase Morocco's national tourism offering. This initiative marks the official launch of ONMT's promotional strategy around the tournament. Beyond sports, the aim is to capitalize on the visibility the event offers to highlight Morocco's diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and high-quality tourism infrastructure. A European roadshow is also planned in countries with large African communities to engage European travel agencies in this momentum. Through this wide-reaching mobilization, the ONMT aims to make CAN 2025 an unprecedented tourism showcase for the Kingdom—blending the passion for football with Morocco's renowned art of hospitality.
BBC News
17-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
What is in store as Africa's 2026 World Cup qualifying resumes?
African qualifiers for the 2026 Fifa World Cup resume this week after a nine-month hiatus - and the stakes are high for some big rounds of the 10-match group campaign remain, and the two fixtures this month will go a long way to deciding the fate of many nine group winners are assured of a place at the finals in Canada, Mexico and the four best second-placed sides will have a chance to earn one final spot via play-offs.A raft of managerial changes have occurred since the last round in June, with Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia among the sides with new what should fans look out for? No room for error Among the heavyweights of the continental game it is Nigeria who have the greatest need for immediate in Group C, and languishing four points behind leaders Rwanda, Eric Chelle assumes an already high-profile role which is amplified by difficult former Mali coach becomes the first non-Nigerian African to take charge of the Super West Africans travel to Kigali before hosting Zimbabwe, and Chelle accepts they are must-win encounters for the three-time African champions."There is pressure in football," he told BBC Sport Africa."I say time is the enemy of the coach. But I'm confident and I believe in my players."Star striker Victor Osimhen says he and his team-mates are "desperate" to make the finals after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar. Saintfiet aims to harness Mali talent Another new boss needing positive returns is Tom Saintfiet, who looks to revive Mali's campaign in Group I after succeeding four-point gap to group leaders Comoros can be cut straight away as the Eagles travel to face the islanders."We are not in an easy position but I have a very talented group," Saintfiet told BBC Sport Africa."It's a big luxury to have so many quality players."Mali have never reached the World Cup finals and, after going unbeaten through preliminaries for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), Saintfiet is upbeat about their hopes."After six matches with four wins, two draws, I'm quite positive," the Belgian added."We going to try everything to write history."Elsewhere in Group I, Ghana will look to put their disastrous Afcon 2025 qualifying campaign behind them against Chad and Martins is now in the dugout for the latter, while Rigobert Song faces his first games as Central African Republic boss. Teranga Lions tackle surprise package Sudan Senegal boss Pape Thiaw is another man inheriting a World Cup bid after succeeding Aliou Cisse, to whom he was an assistant, last West Africans ended Afcon 2025 qualifying unbeaten and former striker El Hadji Diouf has been impressed by the smooth transition in the Teranga Lions hotseat."Pape was there when Aliou was here so we [have] good continuity," Diouf told BBC Sport Africa."Senegal is a family and we have a wonderful group. We have to work together and be happy all together."The former continental champions are two points behind surprise Group B leaders Sudan and Thiaw will be without injured Premier League forwards Nicolas Jackson and Iliman Ndiaye for their away game against the Sudanese, which will be played in the neutral Libyan city of Benghazi, and the subsequent home tie against Sudan boss Kwasi Appiah, who has relied on the power of psychology, continue his team's remarkable run amid ongoing conflict in the country? Pharaohs in command Egypt have the healthiest lead of any side, with a four-point cushion at the summit of Group captain Mohamed Salah was rested during the latter stages of the Afcon 2025 qualifying campaign, but the forward will hope to carry his rich vein of form with Liverpool into games against Ethiopia and Sierra will come up against new Leone Stars head coach Mohammed Kallon, and the former Inter Milan and Monaco striker has selected Manchester City's new teenage defender Juma Bah and 40-year-old Kei Kamara in his first Sami Trabelsi is back for a second stint in charge of Tunisia with the Carthage Eagles top of Group H by two continental champions Ivory Coast have a one-point advantage in Group F, while new Kenya coach Benni McCarthy is targeting a first-ever World Cup qualification as he looks to reduce the five-point gap to the Group D, Cameroon are just one point ahead of Cape Verde and Libya, who last week appointed Aliou Cisse as their new Indomitable Lions are looking to add to their eight World Cup things stand, the closest group to call is Group G, where the top five sides are separated by just three Petkovic comfortably guided Algeria to qualification for Afcon 2025 but Les Verts face Mozambique and Botswana, two more teams who will be in Morocco in and Afcon 2027 co-hosts Uganda are also poised to capitalise on any slip ups. Congo suspension throws up questions Africa's top-ranked side Morocco have the only 100% record remaining, but the picture in Group E is withdrew before qualifiers kicked off and last month Congo-Brazzaville were suspended from international football by world governing body Red Devils' ties in March against Tanzania and Zambia have been cancelled, and there is little room to rearrange games in a packed international calendar, even if they somehow succeed in overturning their eyes are now on Fifa and the Confederation of African Football for a decision on how teams finishing second in their group will be ranked heading into potential Congo-Brazzaville drop out as well, then things become even more complicated and every game takes on extra meaning.
