Latest news with #Bafana
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Portsmouth snap up Bafana midfielder
'We're delighted that he's agreed to join Pompey and we've brought in an experienced international player,' said Portsmouth coach Jose Mousinho Bafana Bafana midfielder Luke Le Roux has sealed a move to English Championship side Portsmouth FC. ALSO READ: Smith expresses delight after completing QPR move Le Roux, 25, was unveiled as a new signing from Swedish side IFK Varnamo by Pompey on Friday. Bafana's Le Roux 'just what we needed' 'Luke's form over the past couple of seasons means he not only found himself on our radar, but also that of a number of other clubs,' Portsmouth head coach Jose Mousinho told the club's official website. 'So we're delighted that he's agreed to join Pompey and we've brought in an experienced international player. 'Luke is a holding midfielder who likes to sit in and dictate the play. He's physically strong and can also handle the ball. 'It was a position we were looking to fill and is just what we needed. I'm excited to see him in action in a Pompey shirt.' Le Roux has signed a three-year deal at Portsmouth, subject to international clearance and a work permit. Well-travelled The former SuperSport United midfielder made two appearances for Hugo Broos' Bafana in qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. ALSO READ: Ghana snatch bronze from Banyana In February 2020, Le Roux sealed a move from SuperSport to Varbergs Bois in Sweden. He moved to Dutch Eredivisie side FC Volendam ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, before moving back to Sweden and Varnamo the following season.
The South African
4 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
PSL transfer news: Maema, Lepasa, Basadien, Mofokeng
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) kicks off next weekend, but the transfer market has been busy since it opened on 1 July. Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have signed 17 players between them in the past few weeks. Mamelodi Sundowns, on the other hand, have not announced any official signings but have parted ways with six players. Another player set to leave the Brazilians is Neo Maema. The 29-year-old is reportedly in talks with Simba SC as he looks for a move away from Chloorkop. The Bafana Bafana midfielder has struggled for regular first-team football in recent times and it seems he will finally leave to get gametime elsewhere The Sundowns midfielder was called up by Molefi Ntseki to the Bafana Bafana squad, which will participate in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) kicking off next month. Oswin Appollis appears to be the biggest signing so far, but if Sundowns manage to sign Fawaaz Basadien. According to reports, Masandawana are close to finalising the signing of Basadien from Stellenbosch FC. The Bafana Bafana left-back did not train with Stellies on Thursday. Ntseki's Bafana squad has players who are currently clubless. Zakhele Lepasa is one of the players who will look to impress, having played under Hugo Broos' Bafana team two years ago before injuries halted his career. The 28-year-old striker recently parted ways with Orlando Pirates after seven years. He played over 60 matches, scoring 15 times. He is expected to lead Bafana's attack in the CHAN tournament. One PSL player who can shake things up this transfer window is Relebohile Mofokeng. The 20-year-old has been tipped to leave Pirates but no official offer was made by European clubs. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
7 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Bafana midfield maestro says 'come get me' to Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs have made contact with experienced Bafana midfielder Lebogang Phiri. 30-year-old Lebogang Phiri has had two stints with French side Guingamp, first signing for them in 2017 and rejoining them in 2024. Guingamp dropped out of Ligue 1 at the end of the 2018-2019 season after a six-year stay in the French top flight. Pitso Mosimane's son leaves Kaizer Chiefs for Italy Deep-lying playmaker Lebogang Phiri is a veteran of the European scene after stints in Denmark, France and Turkey. He's confirmed that giants Kaizer Chiefs are in touch. 'We had small talks with them, but I think it was the time they were going for a pre-season training camp abroad [in the Netherlands],' said Phiri via Soccer Beat . 'So, those [the negotiations] were stalled a bit. Hopefully, in the upcoming days, we will come up with something; if not, we will respect everybody who shows interest in me, whether it is locally or abroad,' the Johannesburg-born star concluded. Finally, some good news for Kaizer Chiefs fans Kaizer Motaung Jr has plenty to ponder as the 2025-2026 season rolls closer. Image: © Sydney Mahlangu Meanwhile, Chiefs believed that targets Luke Baartman and Asanele Velebayi were no longer contractually tied to the Mother City outfit Cape Town Spurs. This, after Spurs' relegation from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to the amateur ABC Motsepe League. Spurs are contesting Chiefs' claims in court. 22-year-old winger Velebayi made 23 appearances in the 2023-2024 Betway Premiership season. Striker Baartman, still just 19, made nine league appearances in the same season, scoring twice. Click for the story Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs: French-based Bafana star put on hold by Amakhosi
Bafana Bafana midfielder Lebogang Phiri has revealed that he held talks with Kaizer Chiefs before the pre-season break. The 30-year-old midfielder is currently with French Ligue 2 side Guingamp, but says he would be open to a move back to South Africa. Kaizer Chiefs already have several central midfielders on their roster, including Thabo Cele, who was signed from Europe in January. Although negotiations between Phiri and Kaizer Chiefs have slowed down, the Bafana star believes they can resume discussions and ultimately reach an agreement. 'Yes, Kaizer Chiefs did contact me and my representatives. We had small talks with Amakhosi, but I think since they were going to prepare for their pre-season in the Netherlands, the talks stalled a bit,' Phiri told Sunday World . 'But hopefully in the upcoming days or weeks, our talks will resume, and we will come up with something,' he added. 'Should something work out, I will be here, but if not, I will go elsewhere and keep pushing.' Chiefs have already lost Yusuf Maart and Edson Castillo last month. In the midfield, they might need a bit of experience should Thabo Cele get injured. Phiri spent all his playing career in Europe and might not be an instant success if he decides to move to the PSL. Another Bafana midfielder who Kaizer Chiefs looked at is Siphephelo Sithole. The move failed to materialise with Amakhosi having to settle for Siphesihle Ndlovu. It remains to be seen if the Glamour Boys can add more quality players before the Betway Premiership starts next month. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
19-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Ex-Bafana midfielder Lebogang Phiri impressed with quality at Engen Knockout Challenge
Former Bafana midfielder Lebogang Phiri is impressed with the talent on display in the Gauteng leg of the Engen Knockout Challenge under way at Marks Park Sports Ground in Johannesburg. Phiri, who played in the tournament in his youth, said it has had a positive impact on many players with some of them going on to play for Bafana Bafana like him. 'This is not just another youth tournament, and I don't think people realise the gravity of it,' said Phiri who plays for Guingamp in Ligue 2 in France. 'Tournaments like the Engen Knockout Challenge are where you get the next top talents and future big-name players. It's where players learn to handle pressure, build big-match temperament. 'This is where players get exposed to the type of support and attention that prepares them for the next level. If a young player approaches this platform with the right mindset, it can change their career.' Phiri also spoke about the intensity and competitiveness of the tournament. 'The pressure is high, expectations are real and because of that, players learn respect, discipline, and great sportsmanship. These are qualities you don't always get from just training or league matches. This kind of environment shapes you in every way as a footballer.'
