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IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos applauds Khulumani Ndamane's superb debut
Khulumani Ndamane Khulumani Ndamane of South Africa challenged by Selemani Mwalimu of Tanzania during the 2025 International Friendly match at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. | BackpagePix Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has applauded 21-year-old Khulumani Ndamane for his standout performance during his international debut against Tanzania in Polokwane on Friday. Despite the youthful side being held to a goalless draw by the Taifa Stars, Ndamane's contributions on the pitch did not go unnoticed, earning him the coveted 'Player of the Match' award. Ndamane was in the news earlier this year when he was named in the squad to play in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin in March. However, a hiccup arose when it was discovered that the TS Galaxy defender did not possess a valid passport, and he was dropped. Fast forward a few months, and the 21-year-old Ndamane made his national team debut on Friday, showcasing his determination and talent. Broos was unequivocal in his admiration for the young defender's display. 'It means that he made a good performance,' he stated after the match, underscoring the importance of Ndamane's debut in the context of a largely inexperienced team. The Belgian coach, known for his discerning eye, remarked, 'I don't always agree with the Man of the Match, sometimes when I'm seeing the Man of the Match, it was someone else. "Today, when we see our team, you can see that Khulumani made a good performance for his first time in the team, and he deserves it.' Khulumani's debut is not only a personal milestone but also a reflection of the new direction Broos is taking with the team by involving younger players. As Bafana Bafana prepares for future challenges on the international stage, talents like Ndamane may very well play a pivotal role in the evolution of South Africa's football narrative. 'I said before that little by little, Bafana is getting old. So we must look at the future, and if you look at the performance from the young guys against Tanzania this evening, you can only be happy," said Broos. In the absence of the USA-bound Mamelodi Sundowns players, most of the squad was from the Premiership runners-up club Orlando Pirates. Broos said, initially, the team for the Tanzania clash included eight Pirates players. 'I remember that the first team we selected when the XI were on paper, we said, oh, s*&#, there are seven or eight players from Pirates, and we decided that we are not going to do that. So, we needed to find a balance. Players like (Simphiwe) Selepe and (Thalente) Mbatha are used to playing together," said Broos. 'So that helped those guys. Next week it will be (Mbekezeli) Mbokazi and (Nkosinathi) Sibisi. So, we looked at that. So that's the way we select these teams. The performance against Tanzania will give us more choices in the future, younger choices." Tanzania posed numerous challenges, which kept the South Africans at bay, despite their decided possession advantage. "The opponent (Tanzania) was not easy. They are a team playing behind the ball and then trying, in transition, to be dangerous. I think, as far as I can imagine, there was no (scoring) chance for Tanzania today, nothing, nothing," said Broos. "I couldn't have asked for more, I'm happy with the performance of some players, even very happy. Others could have been better, but again, for the first time, I can't be too harsh because the goodwill was there." Bafana Bafana will continue to build upon this experience as they prepare for their encounter against Mozambique at the same venue on Tuesday night.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Coach Hugo Broos is happy with Bafana Bafana newcomers despite Tanzania stalemate
Ashley Cupido of South Africa challenged by Lusajo Mwaikenda of Tanzania during the 2025 International Friendly match at Peter Mokaba Stadium. | BackpagePix Bafana Bafana's coach, Hugo Broos, expressed his satisfaction with his side's performance in Friday's international friendly against Tanzania, on a night marked by debut displays and new beginnings. The match ended in a goalless draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo. Despite the lack of goals, Broos was encouraged by the contributions of fresh talent within the squad. Bafana Bafana fielded a reshuffled lineup, with eight newcomers donning the national team jersey. Broos acknowledged the challenges of assembling a side with limited experience playing together, aside from the few who share club commitments. 'There were eight new national team jerseys today, and what I want to say is we had a new team today, with players who have never played together before, except those who play for the same team,' said Broos. 'So, it was not easy. I said it before the game, the result is not important. For me, it was not important." The sentiment that performance precedes results is echoed throughout Broos' statements. There were opportunities for Bafana Bafana to clinch the win, yet the coach found solace in their overall performance and teamwork, noting: "Sure, we wanted to win the game, and we could have won the game because we had some chances to do so. But the performance was more important. "You don't have to underestimate the fact that if you bring 23 players together and select 11 to play a game, players who've never played together, that is not easy." Coaching counterpart Hemed Suleiman of Tanzania's Taifa Stars also felt the magnitude of the match, acknowledging Bafana Bafana's potential as they both prepare for upcoming tournaments. "As I said before, South Africa have a good team. I think they are trying to build their team for the future because I saw that they were missing some players," Suleiman noted. He acknowledged the challenge the South African squad presented and appreciated the players' efforts to adapt and mould their strategy even amid challenges. Bafana Bafana will continue to build upon this experience as they prepare for their encounter against Mozambique at the same venue on Tuesday night. With the prospect of refining team dynamics and fostering player chemistry, the current squad would improve with more experience. Broos is likely to add more fresh faces to the squad to face Mozambique, and possibly the changes will help secure a victory.
Fox Sports
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
France vs. Spain Nations League semifinal: How to watch, time, TV channel, streaming
Two European giants, France and Spain, face off in the UEFA Nations League semifinals, promising a thrilling encounter between the reigning champions and the 2021 titleholders. With both teams boasting world-class talent, this match is set to be a highlight of the tournament. The winner will advance to the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday, June 8, to face the victor of the Germany vs. Portugal semifinal. The loser will compete in the third-place playoff earlier that day. Here's everything you need to know to watch France vs. Spain. When is France vs. Spain? How to watch Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025 Time: 3:00 p.m. ET Location: MHP Arena, Stuttgart, Germany TV: FS1, FOX Sports app, Betting Odds As of June 4, 2025, the odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook) for the match are: France: +200 Draw: +210 Spain: +135 France vs. Spain Head to Head France has played Spain a total of 37 times (all-time). France has won 13 games, drawn 7, and lost 17 to Spain since 1922. France vs. Spain Head-to-head (All time) 4/30/1922: Spain 4, France 0 (International Friendly) 1/28/1923: Spain 3, France 0 (International Friendly) 5/22/1927: Spain 4, France 1 (International Friendly) 4/14/1929: Spain 8, France 1 (International Friendly) 4/23/1933: France 1, Spain 0 (International Friendly) 1/24/1935: Spain 2, France 0 (International Friendly) 3/15/1942: Spain 4, France 0 (International Friendly) 6/19/1949: Spain 5, France 1 (International Friendly) 3/17/1955: France 2, Spain 1 (International Friendly) 3/13/1958: France 2, Spain 2 (International Friendly) 12/17/1959: France 4, Spain 3 (International Friendly) 4/2/1961: Spain 2, France 0 (International Friendly) 12/10/1961: France 1, Spain 1 (International Friendly) 1/9/1963: Spain 0, France 0 (International Friendly) 10/17/1968: Spain 3, France 1 (International Friendly) 3/17/1971: Spain 2, France 2 (International Friendly) 11/8/1978: France 1, Spain 0 (International Friendly) 2/18/1981: Spain 1, France 0 (International Friendly) 10/5/1983: France 1, Spain 1 (International Friendly) 6/27/1984: France 2, Spain 0 (UEFA European Championship) 3/23/1988: France 2, Spain 1 (International Friendly) 2/20/1991: France 3, Spain 1 (UEFA European Championship) 10/12/1991: France 2, Spain 1 (UEFA European Championship) 6/15/1996: France 1, Spain 1 (UEFA European Championship) 1/28/1998: France 1, Spain 0 (International Friendly) 6/25/2000: France 2, Spain 1 (UEFA European Championship) 3/28/2001: Spain 2, France 1 (International Friendly) 6/27/2006: France 3, Spain 1 (FIFA World Cup) 2/6/2008: Spain 1, France 0 (International Friendly) 3/3/2010: Spain 2, France 0 (International Friendly) 6/23/2012: Spain 2, France 0 (UEFA European Championship) 10/16/2012: Spain 1, France 1 (FIFA World Cup) 3/26/2013: Spain 1, France 0 (FIFA World Cup) 9/4/2014: France 1, Spain 0 (International Friendly) 3/28/2017: Spain 2, France 0 (International Friendly) 10/10/2021: France 2, Spain 1 (UEFA Nations League) 7/9/2024: Spain 2, France 1 (UEFA European Championship) Previous Games Spain (ESP) France (FRA) Get more from UEFA Nations League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Monger, Riverview among most family-friendly schools
ELKHART — In a recent report from the Indiana Department Of Education, two Elkhart Community Schools elementary schools were named among the state's 45 most family-friendly schools. The honor is given to schools that go above and beyond in engaging the families of the students they serve in the educational process. 'We're proud that two of our exemplary schools were given this honor,' ECS superintendent Dr. Larry Huff said. 'They embody the Elkhart Promise to know students by name, and to partner with their community to prepare them for their careers and the rest of their lives.' Also named in the list was Prairie View Elementary in Goshen. The Indiana Department of Education designated 45 Indiana schools as 2025 Family Friendly Schools. These schools – which span across the state, and include public and non-public schools – are demonstrating excellence in engaging families in their children's education, a release said. Launched in 2015, the Family Friendly Schools designation focuses on fostering the active involvement of families through schools and the community. The program recognizes and honors schools that welcome all families into the school community, communicate effectively, and work together to maximize student success.
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Caledonian Braves celebrate FENIX Trophy win in Italian sunshine
The Motherwell outfit were on top form in picturesque Lake Iseo Caledonian Braves boss Ricky Waddell says winning the FENIX Trophy has brought the club together over a magical weekend in Italy. The Motherwell club were stationed at Lake Iseo for the finals, beating Belgian side Bechem Sport 3-0 in their semi-final, before dispatching two-time winners FC United of Manchester in the final 3-1. Greig Stewart and Ross McNeil netted in the semi-finals, with the Belgians scoring an own-goal, and McNeil scored in the final, alongside Connor McLaren and Cameron Breadner. McLaren holds the distinction of scoring Braves' first-ever European final goal. The FENIX Trophy (Friendly, European, Non-professional, Innovative and Xenial) was set up four years ago, and Waddell says they enjoyed the whole experience. He said: 'It's a tournament that's designed to bring clubs together from our level, at semi-pro level, from around the world. 'The early teams we played against weren't particularly much of a challenge, but when we got to the finals it was four good teams in it. It was honestly fantastic, a really good team bonder as well, and the fact that we won it was great. 'What was really special is that my family was there, a lot of the players' had their families, wives, girlfriends, and whatnot, and it was really special to have everybody away. 'We're already a tight-knit group with a really good team spirit, but that just topped it off. But it was absolutely brilliant to get away and see everybody together and happy, and winning the tournament was an important thing as well.' Waddell added: 'The tournament is growing in size every year with better clubs getting involved in it. 'The Belgian team we played in the semi-finals, I got a look at a couple of their games, they get a decent crowd at home. They're an old-fashioned team that were at the top level 30-40 years ago, then hit hard times financially, but they kept a lot of their crowds. 'FC United are a different type of model, and they don't want to support Man Utd in their current form and ownership, but they were your classic strong, physical English team, with a couple of wide players. 'They were fancying themselves, and I think they thought they could beat us without too much concern, but we were brilliant on the day. 'Manchester were decent, and I spoke to quit a few of them after, when they were very complimentary which was cool. 'This shows how far we've come this season, finishing third, winning the FENIX and just trying to progress the club in every way.' On their location, Waddell said: 'The word 'stunning' doesn't do it justice. It's a classic little Italian town, quite quiet, on Lake Iseo, along the road from Lake Garda, which is a bit more popular. It was beautiful, so it was the perfect weekend for us.' Braves end their season on Friday with the Southern Counties Cup final against Gretna 2008 at Raydale Park, and Waddell wants to retain their trophy. He said: 'We want to do well in it. Gretna have had an OK season, they might look on it as a success, they weren't involved in the relegation scrap too much at the end of the season. 'But it's a cup final, they will be geared up for it, and I think if we can play to our potential, and get players back fit, then we want to retain that trophy.'
