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News24
29-05-2025
- General
- News24
No Sundowns players as Broos names new-look Bafana squad for important June friendlies
With the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations sharpening into view, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has named his 23-man squad for a pair of international friendlies next month against Tanzania and Mozambique. Ranked 56th in the latest FIFA rankings, South Africa will first welcome 107th-ranked Tanzania to the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, 6 June. Four days later, on Tuesday, 10 June, they'll clash with 96th-ranked Mozambique at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. The friendlies are more than just warm-ups - they're key tune-ups for what promises to be a demanding calendar, with World Cup qualification and the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco fast approaching. The continental showpiece kicks off this December and will spill into early 2026. Broos named a wide 41-man provisional squad last week, but now, he's trimmed it to a tight 23. Noticeably absent from the selection are players from Mamelodi Sundowns - unsurprising, given the Betway Premiership champions will be representing Africa at the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup in the United States from 15 June. The omission of the Sundowns core has forced Broos to reshuffle his pack, offering opportunities to fringe players and rising talents keen to stake their claim on the international stage. The team will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday, 1 June, before heading to Polokwane later that same day.
Arab News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Cameroon soccer great Emmanuel Kundé dies at age 68
YAOUNDE, Cameroon: Emmanuel Kundé, Cameroon's defensive anchor on the first African team to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup, has died, the country's soccer federation said. He was 68. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Kundé scored a penalty against England in the last eight of the 1990 World Cup in Italy before the Indomitable Lions lost in extra time. He also played at the 1982 World Cup when Cameroon made its tournament debut. 'His death is a huge loss for Cameroonian soccer,' the country's football federation said in a statement late Friday. Federation president Samuel Eto'o hailed Kundé as the 'control tower' and 'defensive wall' on the field. Kundé twice helped the team win the Africa Cup of Nations — in 1984 and 1988. His second-half penalty was the difference in Cameroon's 1-0 victory over Nigeria in the '88 final in Casablanca. He made over 100 appearances for the national team. 'He was an intelligent and peaceful man filled with dignity and had a precise magic foot,' Emmanuel Maboang Kessack, a former team member told The Associated Press. 'We will never forget him.' Kundé died of cardiac arrest in his own home, Maboang Kessack said. Kundé also played club football in France for Reims and Laval, but his main team was Canon de Yaoundé in Cameroon's capital.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Emmanuel Kunde dead at 68: Pioneering World Cup icon who scored against England at Italia '90 passes away
EMMANUEL KUNDE has tragically died at the age of 68. The former footballer is best remembered for scoring against England in the 1990 World Cup. 4 4 4 4 His death was confirmed by the Cameroonian football federation. A statement read: "His death constitutes a huge loss for Cameroonian football." His most famous career moment came when he netted the winning penalty in the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria. He also scored a penalty against England in the 3-2 defeat in the quarter-finals of Italia '90. Former Chelsea and Everton striker has shared an emotional tribute to Kunde on Instagram. He wrote: "I'm just learning of the demise of the Elder Emmanuel Jérôme Kundé, an iconic figure in Cameroonian football, who died at the age of 68. "Oh the sadness! It is a certain value of our heritage that is thus cruelly taken away from us. "I keep with him the memory of a discreet and affectionate man, a figure of moderation and consideration. "He was a fantastic footballer, the control tower in the midfield, the defensive wall the opponent crashed into but also a great playmaker when the team had possession. "Individually, it was a fine passer and an artifact with phenomenal power and goldsmith precision. "In fifteen years as a national team (127 selections), he took part in the two legendary epics of the Indomitable Lions in the World Cup (1982 and 1990), twice winner of the CAN (1984 and 1988). "His long career brought him to France (Laval, Reims) and Gabon (US Bitam) as a coach, even though it is in the Canon sportif de Yaoundé that his name and legend will remain associated forever, as a player and as a coach. "Praying for the great football family to keep him in your thoughts and my deepest condolences to his nuclear family." Kunde started his playing career at the Mbankomo Club in Cameroon. He then played for the likes of Tempête de Nanga-Eboko and Canon Yaounde before joining French sides Laval and Reims. He retired in 1992, back in Cameroon after two years with Olympic Mvolye. More to follow... THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
Reuters
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Emmanuel Kunde, linchpin of Cameroon's 1990 World Cup team, dies aged 68
May 16 (Reuters) - Emmanuel Kunde, who was a mainstay of the 1990 Cameroon side that became the first African team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, has died, the country's football federation said on Friday. Kunde, 68, also played at the 1982 World Cup in Spain, where Cameroon made their debut appearance, and was in the winning team when the Indomitable Lions won the Africa Cup of Nations in both 1984 and 1988. He took the penalty that decided the 1988 Cup of Nations final against Nigeria in Casablanca and also scored from the spot in the dramatic 3-2 loss to England in Naples in the last eight of the 1990 World Cup. 'His death constitutes a huge loss for Cameroonian football,' said a federation statement.
CNA
09-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
West Ham's Wan-Bissaka called up to play for DR Congo
West Ham United's English-born right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been named in a 26-man squad by Democratic Republic of Congo for friendlies in June, setting him up for a possible trip to the next Africa Cup of Nations and potentially the 2026 World Cup. The 27-year-old Wan-Bissaka had turned down previous approaches from the Congolese to play for them, notably ahead of last year's Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast. His family hails from DR Congo but he has played for England at under-21 level and earned a first senior England call-up at the start of the 2019-20 season, having made an impressive start with Manchester United following a move from Crystal Palace. However, he had to withdraw from the England squad through injury and never got called up again. Wan-Bissaka, who joined Premier League side West Ham last year, would have to switch international allegiance to play for the Congolese but FIFA's latest list of players who have been allowed to make nationality changes does not include him. DR Congo, under coach Sebastien Desabre, are using the two friendly matches in Orleans, France against Mali on June 5 and Madagascar three days later to prepare for the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers, where they lead Senegal by a point at the top of Group B and host them in a key match in September. The winners of each group qualify directly for the finals. DR Congo will also compete at the Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco at the end of the year, drawn in the same group with Benin, Botswana and Senegal.
