Latest news with #Maart
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Kaizer Chiefs trio in Bafana squad
Broos names 12 first-time call-ups. Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma, captain Yusuf Maart and attacking midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala have made it into Hugo Broos' preliminary Bafana Bafana squad for two international friendlies in June. ALSO READ: Chiefs' Dove – 'It is a feeling of failure' Broos named a 31 man squad for the games against Tanzania and an as yet unnamed opponent. The Bafana head coach will trim the squad down to around 23 players closer to the international break. Bafana will play Tanzania on June 6 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Broos has left all Mamelodi Sundowns players out of his squad. They will be preparing to play in the Fifa Club World Cup in the USA. This will give an opportunity for other players to raise their hands in the two friendlies. The full Bafana squad Maart and Shabalala both made telling contributions as Kaizer Chiefs beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban to lift the Nedbank Cup on May 10. Maart has played for Broos before. He came off the bench almost three years ago in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match away to Morocco. Chiefs' Maart has had his struggles He has had an up and down time at Chiefs. But he will now hope to get the chance to show what he can do at international level again. Shabalala is one of 12 players given a first time call-up to the Bafana squad for these friendlies. Bvuma has been called up before, of course. But it remains to be seen if he makes the final cut, having lost his place as Chiefs number one to Brandon Peterson. ALSO READ: Mayele admits to Chiefs. transfer contact Other first time call-ups in the squad include Club Brugge forward Shandre Campbell and Pirates' young stars Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe and Mohau Nkota,
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sundowns have turned the Premiership into a farmer's league
Since Bidvest Wits lifted the title in 2017, the Brazilians have danced their way to every championship crown. Mamelodi Sundowns have just secured their eighth consecutive league title. That's not just dominance, its total control. While the club deserves immense credit, it's impossible to ignore this uncomfortable question: has the South African Premier League become a farmer's league? Sundowns have become like PSG The term 'farmer's league' is often thrown around to mock competitions where one team runs away with the title season after season. It's been used to describe the French Ligue 1, where Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have often strolled to victory, and the Bundesliga, where Bayern Munich have made the trophy their personal property. ALSO READ: Mamelodi Sundowns seal eighth straight Premiership title So if we can call those leagues farmer's leagues, why should the Betway Premiership be any different? Since Bidvest Wits lifted the title in 2017, the Brazilians have danced their way to every championship crown. Year after year, they've set the standard, and no one's really come close. At this point, you'd be very brave to bet against them making it nine in a row next season. That's not to take anything away from what they've built. The winning foundation that was laid by Pitso Mosimane still underpins everything they do. They've maintained a clear footballing identity, invested smartly, and developed depth that most other clubs can only dream of. This is not luck, but long-term planning and the facts are undeniable. I don't think we will ever see anything like this we can admire Sundowns' brilliance, we must also question the competitiveness of the league. Where are the challengers? Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs have struggled to mount any serious title push in recent years, but it's not just about the traditional big two stepping up, the whole league needs to improve. Clubs must invest smarter A strong domestic league depends on balance, unpredictability, and competition. Right now, fans can almost predict the title winner before the season even kicks off and that's not healthy for the game. It weakens rivalries, lowers excitement, and risks disengaging supporters altogether. The challenge now lies with the rest of the league. Clubs must invest smarter, develop better, and think bigger. The goal can't be just finishing in the top eight. It has to be about raising the bar and challenge the juggernaut that is Sundowns. Credit to the Tshwane giants for their relentless obsession with success, but the local game needs a stronger league. Dominance is fine, but without competition, it becomes a problem. It's time for the chasing pack to raise their standards. ALSO READ: Chiefs' Maart thanks 'father' Kaizer Motaung For me, the argument about Downs' financial huge muscle being the only reason for their success is both lazy and boring. The conversation has to be bigger than that. If we keep moving in this direction with one club miles ahead of the pack, we may have to accept the farmer's league tag, no matter how uncomfortable it sounds.
The South African
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Miguel on who is the 'real Kaizer Chiefs captain'
Kaizer Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel has declared his respect for his captain, Yusuf Maart. The two players have captained Amakhosi this season, but many fans have preferred the Angolan international over Maart. The former Sekhukhune United midfielder has had a mixed season with some fans asking him to hand over the armband to Miguel. This past weekend, Maart scored the winning goal to give Kaizer Chiefs their first trophy in 10 years. 'I have huge respect for Yusuf (Maart),' Miguel said. 'Yusuf is my captain. I respect him a lot … he has a lot of leadership skills. I don't see any difference when it's me or him wearing the armband because we're two great leaders,' he told SABC Sports . Miguel has hailed his captain, Maart, calling him the face of Kaizer Chiefs. 'For me, he's my leader. He has played a huge role for the team. He gives the face of the team; he never hides. He has a lot of personality and character; I love him a lot. I can't say that if I were the captain, things would have been better, no.' Last month, Kaizer Chiefs reached an agreement with their club captain, Yusuf Maart, extending his contract by two years. 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 Citizen
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Chiefs' Maart thanks ‘father' Kaizer Motaung
'When he speaks to us, we feel like anything is possible,' said the Chiefs captain. Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart has praised the support given to every player at Amakhosi by the club's founder and chairman Kaizer Motaung. ALSO READ: Chiefs' Lilepo and Sekhukhune duo win PSL Awards Amakhosi on Saturday ended a ten year wait for a trophy, when they beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 to lift the Nedbank Cup title at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Chiefs' Maart – 'Everyone loves and respects the chairman' And it was Maart who scored the winning goal, lashing home an excellent volley from the edge of the box with ten minutes left. 'Thank you for being like a father to each and every player since you started the club,' said Maart, according to the official Chiefs website. 'Everybody loves and appreciates the Chairman. When he speaks to us, we feel like anything is possible; through him we understand what the club stands for, and the responsibility we have to the millions of fans that support us through thick and thin. So I want to thank him. We are all very pleased to make him happy with this trophy.' Kaizer Chiefs will play away to Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership on Saturday, hoping to scramble into the top eight in their final two league games of the season. Chiefs are currently in ninth place on 30 points, after a disappointing league campaign. But there is still a possibility for them to qualify for next season's MTN8. Chiefs only trail eighth-placed Chippa United on goal difference, and are three pints behind seventh-placed Polokwane City. 'We haven't had a great season in the league, and that is something we will have to improve on, but we all fought as a team and put a lot of work into bringing the Nedbank Cup back to Naturena,' added Maart. 'More consistency' 'Cup games are different to league matches in a lot of ways, but mainly we want to build more consistency going forward.' Maart has had to deal with plenty of criticism since arriving at Chiefs in 2022, and playing for them during a difficult time for the club. The fans have often been on his back, even this season, though his winning goal in the Nedbank Cup final will surely have changed plenty of hearts and minds. 'I became aware of how much it meant when I joined the club and it wasn't easy because of the pressure of knowing what is expected at Kaizer Chiefs,' said Maart. ALSO READ: Chiefs coach in the dark about future 'But I have worked my hardest from the first day. My first two seasons were not easy but now in my third season, we have been rewarded with something great, which is something I deeply appreciate.'
TimesLIVE
14-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Miguel says there's no armband tussle with Chiefs captain Maart
Kaizer Chiefs deputy captain Inácio Miguel has stressed that there is no armband rivalry between him and captain Yusuf Maart. The Angolan defender emphasised his 'huge respect' for Maart, dispelled the notion he could a better leader than the former Sekhukhune United midfielder. Maart led Chiefs to their first trophy in 10 years winning the Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates 2-1 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. He also etched his name in Amakhosi's history books scoring the goal that ended their agonisingly long trophy drought. Introducing your 2024/25 #NedbankCup Champions ✌️🏆 #SSDiski | #NedbankCupFinal — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 10, 2025 However, discussions on social media and radio chat shows have questioned his leadership qualities, especially in the context of Amakhosi's otherwise poor 2024-25 season. The 28-year-old Maart — who joined Chiefs from Sekhukhune in July 2022, where he was also captain — cuts a quiet figure, in contrast to the vocal Miguel. The Angolan, 29, arrived at Chiefs from Petro Luanda at the start of the season. 'I have huge respect for Yusuf. Yusuf is my captain,' Miguel said. 🏆 ℕ𝕖𝕕𝕓𝕒𝕟𝕜 ℂ𝕦𝕡 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟝 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 🏆 Kaizer Chiefs players' reaction after being crowned the #NedbankCup2025 champions! #SABCSportFootball #NedbankCupFinal — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 10, 2025 'I respect him a lot — he has a lot of leadership skills. I don't see any difference when it's me or him wearing the armband because we're two great leaders. 'For me, he's my leader. He has played a huge role for the team. He present the face of the team, he never hides. 'He has a lot of personality and character — I love him a lot. I can't say that if I were the captain, things would have been better, no.' 'I will never coach any other team in SA': Riveiro thanks Khoza for time at Pirates 'Over the three years, we have managed to have an open and honest relationship with the management of the club.' Sport 3 hours ago Miguel said Chiefs were pleased to have humbled their naysayers with their Nedbank Cup triumph. 'A lot of people doubted us but look at us now. It was written, no-one can take this away from us,' he told SABC Sports. 'This is a feeling we've been searching for so long. This will stay in my memory for so long.' Chiefs will now fight to finish in the top eight, aiming to win their last two fixtures against Sekhukhune at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday and Polokwane City at FNB Stadium on May 24.
