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TimesLIVE
26-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
RS Berkane win Confed Cup as Fadlu Davids' Simba fall just short
Morocco's Renaissance Berkane won the Caf Confederation Cup on Sunday, holding on for a 1-1 draw against 10-man Simba of Tanzania away in the second leg of the final for a 3-1 aggregate victory. A two-goal advantage from last week's home first leg provided the foundation for a third success in the Confederation Cup in the last six years for the club from the northeast of Morocco. But they endured a difficult afternoon at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar as Simba, coached by South African Fadlu Davids, went ahead in the 15th minute through Joshua Mutale and then missed a gilt-edged chance in front of goal minutes later. Simba had midfielder Yusuph Kagoma sent off five minutes into the second half for a second cautionable offence and two more members of their technical staff were sent to the stands in a tempestuous encounter. Faouzi Lekjaa must be a Proud man the former RS Berkane President 2009 -2019 when he relinquished his role to Hakim Ben Abdellah after a decade-long tenure as President. Under the RFMF President RS Berkane grew in status both on and off the pitch. RS Berkane regained its spot… — Collins Okinyo (@bedjosessien) May 25, 2025 Despite the one-man disadvantage, Simba had the ball in the Berkane net again in the 73rd minute after Steven Mukwala glanced home Jean Charles Aboua's free kick but the goal was ruled offside after a lengthy VAR check. Berkane then made sure of success when substitute Soumaila Sidibe snatched an equaliser from a tight angle at the start of nine minutes of stoppage time. It crowned a dream season for Berkane, who won a first Moroccan league title earlier in the season. Their third Confederation Cup success equals the record for the most successes in the competition, held by Tunisia's CS Sfaxien.
The Citizen
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Nabi can say what he wants. Chiefs' league position is inexcusable
For Nabi to try and put the cup and league on the same platform in an angry reaction to a question post match is laughable. Nasreddine Nabi went on the offensive again on Saturday after Kaizer Chiefs' Betway Premiership draw with Polokwane City meant they have failed to qualify for the MTN8 for the second season in a row. ALSO READ: Nabi – Some people are not happy Chiefs are back The Chiefs head coach pointed to the Nedbank Cup victory as a clear indication of progress since he took over at the start of the campaign. Chiefs coach Nabi needs more humility If Nabi stays at Chiefs, it may yet be borne out that the cup win was the start of a successful era for Amakhosi. Right now, however, the Chiefs head coach would be better off showing a bit more humility. As impressive as Amakhosi's cup run was – they beat Stellenbosch, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates en route to the title – league form is universally accepted as the main barometer of a side's quality. It is simple maths that over 30 games (28 this season thanks to the Royal AM fiasco) you are going to get a better idea of a side's abilities. So for Nabi to try and put the cup and league on the same platform in an angry reaction to a question post match is laughable. Last season, Chiefs ended the season tenth in the table, with 36 points from 30 matches. This season they have ended on 32 points from 28 matches. At best, under Nabi Chiefs have gone nowhere in the Premiership. The glum faces of Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jnr and football manager Bobby Motaung in the director's box on Saturday said plenty about their thoughts. Despite a host of new signings, Chiefs won just eight of their league games, one less than they won last season. Nabi deserves a second season to try and turn it around. The cup win is certainly noteworthy, also taking Amakhosi into next season's Caf Confederation Cup. The Tunisian has also been consistent in talking incessantly about a 'process' at Chiefs, even in the aftermath of the Nedbank Cup victory. A Nabi conundrum But to continue the process their needs to be realism. Chiefs are the most popular side in the country, they have more resources than most, and they should not be finishing in the bottom half of the table. It is as simple as that. ALSO READ: Misfiring Chiefs fail to reach the MTN8 again For this reason it will not exactly be surprising if Chiefs management do bring the axe down on Nabi, as the Sunday Times reported recently. Nabi should have done better in the Premiership, and a simple acknowledgement of this would go a long way.
TimesLIVE
24-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Chiefs miss out on top eight again after draw with Polokwane
Kaizer Chiefs finished outside the top eight of the Betway Premiership for the second successive season for the first time in their history after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Polokwane City at the FNB Stadium where they were looking for their first win in eight league matches. A win would have ensured Amakhosi are in the top eight with 34 points but the point only left Nasreddine Nabi's side on the 9th spot with 32 points. Last season Chiefs finished in 10th position, their worst in the league. Chiefs created better chances in this match, but their poor finishing in both halves saw them sharing the spoils with Polokwane who were happy with the draw as it kept them in seventh spot on 34 points. Chiefs may still finish 10th again if Lamontville Golden Arrows win their unfinished match against SuperSport United that the PSL have not yet rescheduled. With this draw Nabi's future at Chiefs will continue to be in doubt though the club may decide to keep the Tunisian after he managed to break an unprecedented 10-years without a trophy after beating Orlando Pirates in the final of the Nedbank Cup early this month. The cup victory ensured Chiefs' qualification to the Caf Confederation Cup next season where they will be accompanied by Stellenbosch FC whose 0-0 draw against Cape Town City was enough to see them finishing third for the second season in a row. Stellies were helped by Arrows who beat a nine-man Sekhukhune 3-2 in Durban. With Richards Bay beating relegation threatened SuperSport 2-0 in Polokwane, Chiefs' draw was never going to be enough to help them break into the top eight. Bay's victory ensured they are the ones in eighth position and their better (+5) goal difference is likely to keep them there even if Arrows beat SuperSport in their final match.
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Why missing out on the top eight will be 'disastrous' for Chiefs
'You can categorise it as one of the biggest games of the season, it is like a cup final,' said Solomons. Dillan Solomons says Chiefs need to bring a cup mentality into their last Betway Premiership fixture of the season. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Kaizer Chiefs right back Dillon Solomons says it will be 'disastrous' if Amakhosi do not make it into next season's MTN8. ALSO READ: Chiefs midfielder yet to discuss new Amakhosi deal Chiefs head into their final Betway Premiership game of the season on Saturday at home to Polokwane City knowing only a victory is likely to be enough for them to get into the top eight in the table. Chiefs' poor run Nasreddine Nabi's side are on a run of eight consecutive Premiership games without a victory. Chiefs have won the Nedbank Cup, their first trophy in ten years. And they will play in next season's Caf Confederation Cup. But Solomons says a top eight finish is still hugely important 'We had goals for this season and haven't reached them in the league, so for us that is already a downer,' said Solomons on Wednesday at the Chiefs Village. 'Winning the Nedbank Cup was fantastic, it is something we have been striving for a long time. But … we want to be in every competitions next season. Our goal was to get into the top eight, to get into Caf (competition) and to get into the top eight. 'Not getting into the top eight will be disastrous for us.' Since beating Magesi FC 1-0 at home in the Premiership on March 4, Chiefs have taken down the league's top three in the Nedbank Cup. Amakhosi won away at Stellenbosch in the quarterfinals, and then beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the semifinals and Orlando Pirates in the final to lift the trophy. In the Premiership, however, they have managed to pick up just four points out of a possible 24. 'I think it's a mentality thing,' said Solomons. 'Playing in cup games and league games is totally different. In cup games we know we have to win (to stay in it). I think if we can take that mentality into league games it will get better for us. In the cup no one can compare to us, we have gone all out.' 'We know how important it is' Chiefs must hope the pressure of having to win on Saturday brings the best out of them at FNB Stadium. ALSO READ: Ncikazi praises Pirates youngsters 'You can categorise it as one of the biggest games of the season, it is like a cup final,' added Solomons. 'We know how important it is … we have to get the three available points.'
The Citizen
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Chiefs and Sekhukhune both left frustrated by a point apiece
Amakhosi have now gone eight top flight matches on the spin without a win. Kaizer Chiefs came back to earth in the land of mid-table mediocrity on Saturday, a 1-1 draw at Sekhukhune United not enough to get Amakhosi back into the top eight of the Betway Premiership, with just one match left to play. This was an eighth consecutive Premiership match that Nasreddine Nabi's Chiefs have failed to win. As much as they have finally won a trophy – the Nedbank Cup last weekend – a failure to improve in the league is exactly why rumours over Nabi's future continue to persist. For Sekhukhune, meanwhile, this was a blow to their bid to finish third and qualify for next season's Caf Confederation Cup. Stellenbosch's 2-1 win at home to SuperSport gives them a one point advantage on Eric Tinkler's side, with one game left to play. With Angolan defender Inacio Miguel out through suspension, Nabi opted to partner Edmilson Dove and Zitha Macheke in central defence at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. 21 year-old Aden McCarthy, meanwhile, was handed his Premier Soccer League debut at left back. But it was Sekhukhune who got off to the perfect start in Polokwane, going in front after just four minutes. Vusumzi Mncube's cross from the right found Mpho Rammala inside the box and he spun and deceived Brandon Peterson with a low shot that beat the Chiefs' keeper at his near post. Peterson did far better on the half hour mark, springing to his right to tip away a rocket of a shot from Keletso Makgalwa as the home side threatened to double their lead. Chiefs did get better as the half wore on. Zitha Kwinika's cross from the right found Nedbank Cup hero Yusuf Maart. But his header was straight at Sekhukhune 'keeper Renaldo Leaner. Wandile Duba then found Gaston Sirino inside the area with a clever pass. But with the goal gaping, Sirino opted to try and return the ball to Duba and the danger was cleared. Chiefs did get their equaliser, however, in first half stoppage time. Glody Lilepo cut in from the left hand side, was not pressed by the Sekhukhune defence, and curled a fine effort past Leaner and into the corner of the net. Tinkler's side should really have known better than not to get out to Lilepo. The goal was all-too similar to the Congolese winger's strike against Marumo Gallants that earned him the Goal of the Month Award for April. Both sides had chances to grab the lead after the break. Chiefs winger Pule Mmodi stung Leaner's palms from outside the box. At the other end, Peterson then needlessly gave possession away and had to scramble back to make a fine stop. Sekhukhune should have gone in front in the 65th minute, as Mncube raced through on goal, but with only Peterson to beat, and the ball sitting up perfectly for him, he somehow fired wide. The stunned reaction from the Sekhukhune bench said it all. Chiefs then saw Mmodi sent off in the dying moments of the game, for an elbow on Shaune Mogaila.
