Latest news with #ConfederationCup
IOL News
17 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Broos pleased with Bafana Bafana and PSL teams' continental strides
BAFANA Bafana coach Hugo Broos is pleased with strides made by local teams like Orlando Pirates who boast in their arsenal the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota. Photo: Backpagepix Hugo Broos is proud of the upward trajectory of Bafana Bafana and PSL sides' in Africa recently as he believes the two parties have had a beneficial relationship. The kings of continental football will officially be crowned in Cairo on Sunday night as PSL outfit Mamelodi Sundowns will be away to Egyptians, Pyramids. The South Africans are on a backfoot heading into the match as the hosts have an away goal advantage after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw last Saturday in Pretoria. However, whatever happens after the final whistle, Sundowns have already made the nation proud by marching all the way to the final for the first time since 2016. The Brazilians were not the only PSL team that flew the national flag high on the continent, though, as rivals Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch also made their mark. Pirates, of Mohau Nkota who also received his first Bafana call-up, and Stellies went as far as the Champions League and Confederation Cup semi-final in which they lost to Pyramids and Simba respectively. The trio's strides in Africa augurs well for the national team as Bafana aim to win Afcon for the first time in 29 years in December and are on the brink of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. But with Sundowns set to play in the FIFA Club World Cup next month in the US, Broos decided against calling up their players for the two friendlies in June. Bafana will face Tanzania at New Peter Mokoba Stadium on Friday in the first friendly, before hosting Mozambique at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium four days later in the last one. Broos' final 23-member squad for the two matches is largely made up of Pirates players, and that's why he's expected to start most of them in Polokwane - setting the tone for the friendlies. After all, Pirates - like Sundowns and Stellies - know what it takes to navigate the continent after their stellar strides in recent months. 'The reason why Bafana was doing well in the past 10 years is because most of the players were coming from the teams that played on the continent,' Broos, the Bafana coach, said. 'They had the experience of a level that is a little higher than the PSL, and that helped a lot. When I came here I had players that didn't have much international experience. 'So, we have that now - Pirates were close to playing in the final. We could have had a final between two SA teams - Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates. 'If you have that it means the progression that SA teams had in the past few years has been very good. 'And I also think the progress that Bafana had also helped the teams to achieve those performances and results (on the continent).' Sure, Sundowns' players will be absent from the camp, but Broos has emphasised that they'll always be his best players - that's why he declined a friendly against the No 1 ranked side in Africa, Morocco. Broos, though, will also be interested to see how his Mamelodi Sundowns' counterpart Miguel Caroso uses the talismanic and fan-favourite Themba Zwane in the next few weeks. Zwane recently returned from a lengthy injury, which was career threatening. As such, Cardoso has been trying to manage him, including benching him for the first leg. 'I can't judge now which level he's on,' Broos said of Zwane. 'So, maybe, it's a little bit too soon for him. So we will see what happens later. 'But again, when I see his talent and capabilities, I am sure that he can still help us (as the national team). 'Yes (I still believe in him), but he has to perform at the same level as before, and that is something I cannot judge now.'
TimesLIVE
7 days ago
- 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.
Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Renaissance Berkane win African Confederation Cup after stalemate in second leg of final
ZANZIBAR - Morocco's Renaissance Berkane won the African 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 north-east of Morocco. But they endured a difficult afternoon at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar as Simba went ahead in the 15th minute through Joshua Mutale and then missed a gilt-edge 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. 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. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Late Sidibe goal seals third CAF Cup title for Berkane
Soumaila Sidibe equalised in added time to give Renaissance Berkane of Morocco a 1-1 draw with 10-man Simba of Tanzania on Sunday, rubberstamping a third CAF Confederation Cup title in six seasons. Berkane triumphed 3-1 on aggregate after building a two-goal lead in the first leg of the final in Morocco last Sunday. It was the fifth final appearance for the Moroccan club they also triumphed in 2020 and 2022, and were runners-up in 2019 and 2024. Malian Sidibe came off the bench and dispossessed an opponent inside the area on 93 minutes, before scoring with a shot that beat Guinean goalkeeper Moussa Camara at his near post. Simba went ahead in the second leg of the final in Zanzibar City after 17 minutes when Zambian Joshua Mutale took advantage of being unmarked at the far post to fire a low effort into the net. Berkane squandered a great chance to equalise on the day when captain Issoufou Dayo headed over from close range. That chance came after Camara dived to parry away an Adil Tahif far-post header before a capacity 15,000 crowd at the Amaan Stadium in the Indian Ocean island. Simba suffered a huge blow on 50 minutes when midfielder Yusuph Kagoma was sent off after a foul on Imad Riahi triggered a second yellow card. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Simba pressed for a second goal that would level the aggregate score, and thought they had done so on 73 minutes. A free-kick by Ivorian Jean Charles Ahoua was headed past Berkane goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi by Ugandan Steven Mukwala only for the goal to be ruled offside after a lengthy VAR review. The second leg build-up was overshadowed by a Confederation of African Football decision to move the match from Dar es Salaam on the Tanzanian mainland to semi-autonomous Zanzibar. A CAF inspection of the 60,000-capacity Benjamin Mkapa national stadium pitch revealed several problems. "Naturally, this outcome is disheartening. We will go to Zanzibar not by choice, but by duty," said Simba owner Mo Dewji. After eight consecutive appearances in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League, Berkane will not defend the Confederation Cup next season. The Orange Boys recently won the Moroccan league for the first time and will compete in the next CAF Champions League. Simba have also qualified for the premier African club competition. Berkane pocketed $2 million and will receive a further $500,000 if they beat Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa or Pyramids of Egypt in the Super Cup. str-dl/nf
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Cape Town City's PSL status still in balance after Stellenbosch FC derby draw
Haashim Domingo Cape Town City's Haashim Domingo battles away against Stellenbosch FC in the local derby at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Cape Town City's Premiership fate is no longer in their hands. They have run their race and finished on 27 points – one point above the relegation zone. But instead of celebrating after their goalless draw with Stellenbosch FC in the Western Cape derby at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon, they will have to wait until the SuperSport United and Golden Arrows replay 45 minutes – effectively one half – of their abandoned clash due to loadshedding back in February. SuperSport United are a point behind City on 26 points after losing 2-0 to Richards Bay, but still have their get-out-of-jail card available after the PSL's ruling last week. Stellenbosch, meanwhile, have secured third place after Arrows beat Sekhukhune United 3-2, to ensure Steve Barker's team will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup again next season. Stellies reach the semi-finals of the continental competition in their first effort this season. City may yet rue not taking advantage of a host of opportunities in the Cape derby, with Gabriel Amato creating an early chance with a right-footed volley skimming the Stellenbosch crossbar. The Citizens' desperation was evident as they continued to pour forward in search of a much-needed goal. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Experienced midfielder Thulani Serero also found space on the edge of the box, rifling in a shot that forced a double save from Oscarine Masuluke. Central defender Lorenzo Gordinho also had an opportunity immediately after the halftime break when his glancing header nestled into the bread basket of the Stellies goalkeeper. But with City foraging forward, they also left themselves exposed at the back, and against a team with the quality that Stellenbosch possess, they were fortunate not to be punished. Stellies weathered the storm and began creating opportunities of their own, with striker Ashley Cupido working his way down the right touchline before sending in a good cross that found Andre de Jongh unmarked.
