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The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Cardoso grateful to his staff & club after PSL nomination
'The nomination is obviously the recognition of all the coaching staff and the level of adaptation that we arrived at," said Cardoso. Miguel Cardoso, Head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates with players for winning the 2024-25 Betway Premiership at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on the 18 May 2025 © Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has expressed his gratitude to the club and his technical team after being nominated for the prestigious PSL Coach of the Season award. Cardoso, who joined Sundowns midway through the 2024/25 campaign following the sacking of Manqoba Mngqithi, made an immediate impact at Chloorkop. ALSO READ: Nkota: Ettifaq move is a 'dream come true' The Portuguese tactician guided the Brazilians to a record-extending eighth consecutive Betway Premiership title in his first season at the helm. Since taking over, Cardoso has overseen 21 league matches, winning 18, drawing one, and losing just two. His impressive record helped him seal his place among the top three nominees. Under Cardoso's leadership, Sundowns have continued to assert their domestic dominance, with his tactical discipline and game management earning plaudits from across the football fraternity. 'The nomination is obviously the recognition of all the coaching staff, the level of adaptation that we arrived at,' Cardoso said the Sundowns media team. 'Ultimately, it is also the consequence of the work of the players and their dedication to the proposal that was put forward and I see it as a joint effort 'The monthly awards I received throughout the season is a joint effort of all the work at the club that led to results and ultimately the coach is the face of the results but I really share this individual nomination with a group of people that are behind me.' ALSO READ: Ex-Sundowns striker Maluleke backs Mofokeng for top PSL award The 53-year-old is joined on the shortlist by former Orlando Pirates coach José Riveiro and Stellenbosch FC's Steve Barker. The PSL Awards ceremony is scheduled for 29 July, where the winner will be officially announced.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Who will triumph in the WAFCON quarterfinals?
It's down to the serious business of the WAFCON knockout stages this weekend. Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis is looking to guide her team to another WAFCON title. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix The Women's African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco gets down to the serious business of the quarterfinals this weekend, with Banyana Banyana very much in the mix to defend their title. Desiree Ellis' side will take on Senegal on Saturday in the last quarterfinal at the Honneur Stadium in Oidja, coming into that match on a high after a 4-0 mauling of Mali in their last Group C match. Banyana in WAFCON form After a stuttering start to this WAFCON, that performance was more like the Banyana that won the WAFCON for the first time 2022, and went on to reach the last 16 of the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup. The Lionesses of Teranga are not the force that the Senegal men's team are in the continental game, and Banyana are clear favourites to progress from this last eight game. Betway's latest odds reflect this, with South Africa priced at 1.40. Senegal did reach the quarterfinals of the last WAFCON, losing to Tunisia on penalties, but are outsiders for this one, priced at 6.20, with a draw at 4.40. The West African side did score six goals in the group stages, and only lost narrowly to Zambia and Morocco. But Banyana should have too much skill and experience for them on Saturday. In Saturday's other quarterfinal, Algeria will host Ghana at the Berkane Stadium. Ghana gave Banyana serious problems in their opening Group C match, with South Africa slightly fortunate to emerge with a 2-0 win. They then drew with Mali and pummelled Tanzania 4-1 in their last group match to move into the quarterfinals as Group C runners-up. Algeria finished as runners-up in Group A, without conceding a goal but only scoring one. The odds for Algeria-Ghana are tight, with Ghana slight favourites at 2.24, a draw at 3.00 and Ghana Algeria at 3.10. In Friday's first quarterfinal, by far the continent's most successful side, Nigeria, take on Zambia. Zambia's attacking sensations Barbara Banda and Racheal Kundananji, already have three goals apiece in this WAFCON. Two clear favourites But Nigeria are still clear favourites, priced at 1.66, to Zambia's 4.90, with a draw at 3.40. In Friday's other quarterfinal, hosts Morocco take on Mali. Morocco are even clearer favourites than Nigeria for this one, priced at 1.27, with Mali the underdogs at 8.40 and a draw at 5.20. Please note that these Betway odds are correct at the time of writing and subject to change.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Pat Moroney 'ideal man for the job' as CSA announces new Proteas Convenor of Selectors
The Proteas Men's team will have a new Convenor of Selectors moving forward. Photo: BackpagePix Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the appointment of Patrick Moroney as the new Convenor of Selectors for the Proteas Men's Team. With a wealth of experience and a keen eye for talent, Moroney is set to begin his role on 1 August 2025, reporting directly to Enoch Nkwe, the Director of National Teams and High Performance. Moroney's cricketing journey has been marked by diverse roles that showcase both his leadership and selection acumen. Starting as the Director of Sport and Marketing at the high school level, he has since escalated through various selector positions, notably contributing to the Youth Men Talent Identification Programme and serving as the Lions Cricket Convenor of Selectors. His extensive background enables him to bring a nuanced understanding to his new responsibilities.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Motaung goes down memory lane as he reflects on how The Mighty Amakhosi was born
Kaizer Motaung reflects on the founding and challenges of Kaizer Chiefs FC, now South Africa's most popular football club. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Kaizer Chiefs founder, Kaizer Motaung, has reflected nostalgically on the humble beginnings of what would one day become the most popular football club in South Africa. Back in 1970, Motaung started the club after he returned from the USA where he was plying his trade as a striker for the Atlanta Chiefs. The name Kaizer Chiefs was therefore a natural progression in coming up with a name for a club in South Africa. Motaung was speaking at Wits University as he was awarded a second honorary doctorate in Commerce for his achievements in SA football. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Overcoming Challenges: The Founding and Rise of Kaizer Chiefs FC 'When we founded Kaizer Chiefs, many thought it was a crazy idea,' said Motaung. 'One of the most significant challenges I faced was starting Kaizer Chiefs FC and building it into the powerhouse it is today.' 'We had limited resources, no established fan base, and a lot of scepticism about our chances of success. But I believed in the potential of the club, and I was determined to make it happen.' Founding the club 55 years ago, it took some time to build a passionate fanbase, Motaung explained. 'There were many obstacles along the way. We faced financial struggles, logistical challenges, and intense competition from established teams. 'But I never gave up. I worked tirelessly to build a strong club. We attracted talented players, and developed a winning culture and subsequently became known as the winners.' Kaizer Chiefs Conclude Netherlands Pre-Season Tour with 2-1 Defeat to FC Twente On Wednesday, Kaizer Chiefs ended their pre-season tour of the Netherlands with a 2-1 loss to FC Twente. Daan Rots opened the scoring for Twente just before the break, before they equalised just after the hour mark from the spot through new skipper Inacio Miguel. The hosts would have the final say though, as Mitchell van Bergen bagged the winner with five minutes remaining in the clash. It brought to an end Chiefs' pre-season tour, with four losses and a win over their five friendly clashes against much-fancied opposition. @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Why was Rayners snubbed for top PSL Awards?
Has Rayners' impact this season been undervalued? His numbers speak volumes. Ronwen Williams and Iqraam Rayners of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates with the trophy after a Betway Premiership 2024/25 match against Magesi FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on 18 May 2025 ©Alche Greeff/BackpagePix I've made it clear before who I believe should be named the 2024–25 PSL Footballer of the Season. For me, it was always going to be a tight race between Mamelodi Sundowns duo Lucas Ribeiro and Iqraam Rayners. Rayners' omission is startling That's why I was genuinely taken aback when Rayners' name was missing from both the Footballer of the Season and Players' Player of the Season shortlists. ALSO READ: Pirates' Mofokeng gets five nominations for PSL Awards These two awards are decided by head coaches and fellow professionals in the Betway Premiership who are not permitted to vote for players from their own clubs. I'm not here to take anything away from the three players who were nominated. I want to congratulate Ribeiro, Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng, and the rejuvenated Keletso Makgalwa of Sekhukhune United. But the omission of Rayners is a big talking point. When the nominees were revealed on Tuesday, it reignited a conversation that many had already been having. Has Rayners' impact this season been undervalued? His numbers speak volumes. 14 league goals in a 28-game campaign is an exceptional return. Add to that four goals in the Carling Knockout Cup, including a brace against Kaizer Chiefs, and nine league assists, and you're looking at a total of 27 direct goal contributions across domestic competitions. That kind of output should, at the very least, earn a nomination. Rayners finished just two goals behind Ribeiro in the Golden Boot race. So how is it possible that he was completely overlooked? Unless other players had significantly better stats, which they didn't, it's difficult to justify his exclusion. No strong case I'm reluctant to scrutinise the stats of the players who were nominated ahead of him. It wouldn't be fair as they didn't vote for themselves. However, from a purely footballing perspective, there's no strong case for Rayners being left out. ALSO READ: Williams questions Nkota's Pirates to Saudi switch Credit must go to the selected trio, and I wish them all the best ahead of the awards ceremony on July 29. And it would be nothing short of a scandal if Ribeiro doesn't walk away with the Footballer of the Season award.
