Latest news with #BafanaBafana
TimesLIVE
11 hours ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Growing concern at ‘disappearance' of ex-Bafana midfielder Thando Mngomeni
There is growing concern among family, friends and former teammates with reports that former Bafana Bafana, Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits midfielder Thando Mngomeni has gone missing. According various media reports, Mngomeni, who also played for Bush Bucks, SuperSport United, Helsingborgs IF in Sweden and the South African Under-23 side, has not been seen in over a month. Speaking to TimesLIVE on Tuesday afternoon, his brother and Bafana and Orlando Pirates legend Thabo Mngomeni said he could comment much on the matter at the moment.
The South African
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Former Bafana Bafana star missing for a MONTH
Over a month has passed since former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Thando Mngomeni was last seen, prompting urgent appeals from his family and growing concern from South Africa's football community. Mngomeni, now 42, was last seen in mid-June, and has not made contact with family or friends since. His sudden disappearance has sparked widespread anxiety and a nationwide search effort. His brother, Thabo Mngomeni, a former Orlando Pirates midfielder, and other family members have called on the public to help trace the missing footballer. Their fears were compounded this week following the death of Zanyiwe Martins, a person close to Thando, who the family believes he would have made every effort to see if he could. In a Facebook post, family friend Mark Totoyi wrote: 'Family and friends are deeply concerned as Thando Mngomeni has been missing for almost a month now… We are appealing to anyone who might have seen him or has any information about his whereabouts to please urgently reach out to the family. Your assistance could help us bring Thando home safely.' The post has since been widely shared across social media as the search intensifies, with former team-mates and supporters joining the call for information. Despite a few leads being pursued, there have been no confirmed sightings of Mngomeni, and the silence surrounding his whereabouts is growing increasingly distressing. The Mngomeni family have requested that anyone with information to please come forward, no matter how minor it may seem. He hails from Gugulethu on the Cape Flats and is the younger brother of former Orlando Pirates player and South African international Thabo Mngomeni. Mngomeni spent a season and a half in Sweden with Helsingborgs IF and made 29 appearances before returning to South Africa claiming he could not cope living abroad. He returned to Santos after semi-retirement and impressed with some good performances during the 2007/08 season. He signed for Mamelodi Sundowns (16 matches) and moved to Bidvest Wits (43 matches) after a year and half. He played five matches for Bafana Bafana between 2004 and 2007. 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
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs - Full list: 11 targets from PSL rivals, Sundowns and Bafana Bafana
Kaizer Chiefs are in the market for some key player recruitments. Kaizer Chiefs are closing in on their SEVENTH signing of the current transfer window. Jessica Motaung has confirmed that Amakhosi will be making more signings with new player announcements expected soon. So, let's take a look at all the players linked with Chiefs. Stanley Nwabali Croatian keeper (Pirates too) Asanele Velebayi Luke Maartman Lebogang Phiri Djenan Zajmovic Mayambela Feisal Salum Percy Tau Fiston Mayele Etiosa Ighodaro So, Chiefs have been linked with all of the above players this transfer window. In goal, Nwabali remains a top target for Amakhosi. This is because Fiacre Ntwari is one of FIVE more Chiefs players heading out of Naturena. Furthermore, PSL rivals Chippa United are open to offers for their top goalkeeper. Meanwhile, both Velebayi and Maartman have agreed to personal terms with Chiefs. However, they face an ongoing legal dispute over their contracts with Cape Town Spurs. Motaung has hinted at both being announced if and hopefully when these issues are resolved. Also, this R3-million capped Bafana Bafana has confirmed that Chiefs made contact with him. Furthermore, he is open to joining Amakhosi. Phiri is a former Chiefs transfer target and is one of the players they could sign if Nasreddine Nabi and co opts to do so. Mayambela is the other capped Bafana Bafana star linked with Chiefs. His brother recently teased the move on social media. Finally, a couple of international players are on Amakhosi's radar – Croatian goalkeeper Antonio Tuta and TS Galaxy striker – Dzenan Zajmovic. Percy Tau and Fiston Mayele were two of the biggest names linked with moves to Naturena. However, neither of these players is likely to join Chiefs. Amakhosi have shown no interest in Tau despite the Bafana Bafana attacker's willingness to join the Soweto giants at a reduced rate. They do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past. Mistakes that saw them sign big names that did not perform such as Keagan Dolly and Khama Billiat. Whilst, Mayele brother has stated that a move to the PSL is no longer on the table. Thus, closing the door over a possible Chiefs move. Another player heavily linked who Amakhosi who is unlikely to sign for them is Salum. The midfielder has been strongly linked with a move for Naturena for months but talks have gone quiet. Meanwhile, outbound Mamelodi Sundowns striker, Ighodaro was initially named in Amakhosi's training squad for their pre-season tour of the Netherlands but he did not play in the friendlies. Moreover, he was not announced as a new player following the tour. Talks have stalled and the move no longer looks likely. 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
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Former Mamelodi Sundowns star missing for over a month
Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana star midfielder Thando Mngomeni's family has sounded the alarm, confirming he has been missing for over a month. The much-loved football figure vanished in mid-June, and no one close to him has seen or heard from him since. Mngomeni's sister, Pat Maki, expressed the family's rising distress, revealing that not even those who typically know his whereabouts have a clue about his current location. 'I'm Thando's older sister, and as a family, we are deeply concerned because no one knows where he is, we're all looking for him. Even those close to him, who would usually know his whereabouts, have no idea where he is,' she said, as quoted by Soccer Laduma . According to Maki, her last interaction with Thando took place on 16 June, a public holiday when they spent time together. She last saw him at their home in Gugulethu around 17 or 18 June, waiting for a friend named Musa to pick him up. 'I last spoke to him on June 16, which was a public holiday, and we were together. I last saw him a day or two later. He was waiting for his friend Musa to come and pick him up.' But Musa has reportedly told the family he also hasn't seen Thando since that day. He said the two of them left together with Thando's girlfriend, who might be the last person to see him. The family has struggled to trace any reliable leads, and conflicting accounts surrounding Thando's girlfriend have only intensified their worry. Maki said the girlfriend becomes defensive when asked about Thando's location, refusing to answer their questions. 'A guy we spoke to said he saw Thando and his girlfriend coming out of a B&B, and that Thando told him they were heading to Johannesburg. But when we spoke to the girlfriend, she claims she doesn't know where he is. She gets upset and doesn't want to be questioned about him.' Efforts by Thando's older brother Thabo to contact her have proven fruitless, as she reportedly denied making any statements about his whereabouts. The family also received a mysterious voice note claiming Thando is alive and well but does not want to reveal his location. However, they remain sceptical, as they have no idea who recorded it or whether it's trustworthy. 'There's also a voice note going around saying Thando is fine and that we shouldn't worry, but he doesn't want anyone to know where he is. All we're asking is that he at least says something to confirm that he's safe.' With rumours placing Thando in areas such as Khayelitsha and other unnamed locations, the Mngomeni family continues their desperate search. Clinging to hope and urging anyone with information to come forward. If you have any leads regarding the former Mamelodi Sundowns star Mngomeni's whereabouts, please contact the family or local authorities immediately. Every detail could bring them one step closer to finding him. 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
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
R3-million Bafana midfielder open to joining Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs have made contact with this R3-million capped Bafana midfielder who's open to the move. Former Bafana Bafana midfieldrr, Lebogang Phiri is open to joining Kaizer Chiefs. So, will Amakhosi seal the deal? Former Bafana Bafana midfielder, Lebogang Phiri has expressed his willingness to join Chiefs. 'Should something work out, I will be here, but if not, I will go elsewhere and keep pushing,' Phiri told SundayWorld. Furthermore, Chiefs recently made contact with Phiri and his representatives. '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 . Talks have stalled since Amakhosi's pre-season tour of the Netherlands. However, Phiri is hopeful that Chiefs will make contact again. 'But hopefully in the upcoming days or weeks, our talks will resume, and we will come up with something,' he added. Phiri is valued at roughly R3-million, according to the latest transfer market values on Transfermarkt . Chiefs will be making more signings this transfer window. In fact, Jessica Motaung has confirmed that more Amakhosi player announcements are set to be made. 'So, we're taking a very professional approach in terms of integrating and bringing the players into the team, so we will make sure we only make announcements when the time is right – so watch this space,' 'But certainly, we can't be engaging on players who are still with teams or still contracted. Once there are any changes, we will make those announcements,' she told the Media. So, Chiefs are closing in on their SEVENTH signing. Meanwhile, these are the main areas that Amakhosi are focused on reinforcing in the current transfer window as well as their main transfer targets. 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.
