Latest news with #Maema
IOL News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Maema: I earned my place in Mamelodi Sundowns' Club World Cup squad
Neo Maema departed for the Fifa Club World Cup on Sunday with Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media Neo Maema believes he had long earned his ticket to the Fifa Club World Cup — hence he never doubted he would make Mamelodi Sundowns' final squad. Sundowns jetted off to Florida, US, on Sunday to begin their preparations for the global showpiece. Maema, sporting a short blonde hairstyle, was in high spirits at OR Tambo International, even vlogging for the club's social media platform, Mamelodi Sundowns TV. The 29-year-old's outlook was refreshing, given that he has been a bystander for the team this season, featuring in only 17 of 54 matches across all competitions. Despite his limited game-time, Maema had shone for the Brazilians in the previous two seasons, contributing significantly to their success both domestically and continentally. 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 ✕ As such, when coach Miguel Cardoso announced his final squad for the tournament, Maema had no doubts about securing his place. 'I always knew that I'd make the squad. It's not arrogance — I just feel this is the reward for the work done by the players who were here two years ago,' the Sundowns attacker said. 'We qualified for the Club World Cup two seasons ago, I think. So, when you're still in the team, you just have to eat the fruit of the work you've put in. So, I am happy. 'I am disappointed for the ones who didn't make it, but that's the nature of the competition. It's a big club. I feel for them because they are my brothers.' Maema's limited involvement this season has fuelled speculation about his future at Sundowns, but he remained tight-lipped on the matter on Sunday. 'I'm not going to say anything about my future at the club. I am still a Mamelodi Sundowns player,' Maema affirmed. That moment between Kabelo Dlamini, Neo Maema and Tshegofatso Mabasa was special to witness 🤩 Watch until the end 👀#SSDiski — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 18, 2025 The Club World Cup will not only offer Maema a chance to buy himself more time at the club but also serve as an opportunity for Sundowns to seek some form of redemption. Sundowns missed out on the CAF Champions League crown two weeks ago, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Pyramids of Egypt in the final. That result was a bitter blow for the Brazilians, who had hoped to be third-time lucky after semi-final exits in the previous two seasons. 'It's disappointing to get close to the door, but we kept on knocking and it didn't open,' Maema said of their failed continental campaign. 'We knew it was going to be very difficult to win away. We played against a good team… and when things don't go your way, you can't play your normal football. 'It's a pain in the heart, but we have to move on. We lost out twice in a row in the semi-finals, so we don't want that to happen again. We have to bounce back quickly.' Sundowns have been drawn in Group F at the Club World Cup, alongside Ulsan Hyundai, Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense. They will open their campaign against Ulsan on Wednesday, 18 June. The Brazilians are eager to perform well on the global stage — not just to redeem themselves but also to showcase their talent to scouts from overseas clubs. 'It's disappointing, but there's nothing we can do about it. We just have to accept it and, as men, help the youngsters in the team,' Maema said. 'We have to believe that someday we will win it, but for now, we must focus on the opportunity ahead and see it as a chance for everyone to showcase their talent.'
The South African
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Mamelodi Sundowns: 10 stars heading out!
Mamelodi Sundowns are going to be offloading several players at the end of the season. Mamelodi Sundowns will be releasing a plethora of talent in the next transfer window. Let's take a look at all The Brazilians facing likely exits out of Chloorkop. A number of Sundowns stars contracts are set to expire at the end of the season. Moreover, many of these players have already attracted interest from PSL rivals as well as big sides abroad. Peter Shalulile Sphelele Mkhulise Zuko Mdunyelwa Neo Maema Kobamelo Kodisang Ntando Nkosi Terrence Mashego Thapelo Maseko Matias Esquivel Lucas Suarez Most notieably, prolific PSL goalscorer and legend Shalulile has is linked with a likely departure, according to SNL. Moreover, Mkhulise has attracted interest locally and abroad. Meanwhile, Mdunyelwa is likely to be loaned out in the up-and-coming transfer window. Kodisang is also likely to be loaned out. Also, Nkosi could be loaned out or signed depending on what the player and his agent decide as he seeks gametime elsewhere. Meanwhile, Maema's Chloorkop future is under review with the Bafana Bafana stars contract set to expire soon. Furthermore, Kaizer Chiefs are closely monitoring Maema's situation at Sundowns. Similiarly, Mashego and Maseko are both linked with moves to Amakhosi. Meanwhile, Esquival is linked with a return to South America. Finally, Sundowns have not made a decision on Suarez, who is currently out on loan. Additionally, another five loaned stars are unlikely to return to Sundowns next season. 'This lists excludes players who were out on loan this season. The likes of Sipho Mbule, Thembinkosi Lorch, Ricardo Goss, Sifiso Ngobeni and Luvuyo Phewa are not expected to be part of the team next season,' the report read on SNL. 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 Citizen
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Mama and Ribeiro expresses disappointment at Pyramids FC draw
'Yes, we're disappointed with the result. I mean it's our first final in so many years and we expected to win,' said Maema. Lucas Ribeiro Costa of Mamelodi Sundowns after the CAF Champions League 2024/25 final match against Pyramids at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on 24 May 2025 ©Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix The disappointment was visible on the faces of Mamelodi Sundowns players as they left Loftus Versfeld following a frustrating 1-1 draw against Pyramids FC in the first leg of the CAF Champions League. Only Denis Onyango, Lucas Ribeiro, and Neo Maema stopped to speak in the mixed zone that was designated for the media. Sundowns' Maema – 'We expected to win' Ribeiro had put the Brazilians ahead early in the second half, but Walid El Karti levelled the score deep into stoppage time. Maema couldn't hide his frustration at the missed chance of taking the narrow advantage into next Sunday's return leg in Egypt. ALSO READ: OPINION – Nabi is wrong, Chiefs' league position is inexcusable 'Yes, we're disappointed with the result. I mean it's our first final in so many years and we expected to win,' said Maema, who replaced Arthur Sales with 12 minutes left to play. 'We were playing at home and we wanted the advantage but it's unfortunate. This is a final and I feel like we just need to go and regroup, make sure that we have in ourselves to support each other because it's only a game of 90 minutes so we have to go and play for our lives. 'We're obviously disappointed but we also know that there's still another game to play for so we can only do our best to make sure that we get the results. Mistakes happen and we know that they are a team that plays with crosses and yes, it's just a disappointing result.' Meanwhile, Ribeiro urged his teammates to regroup and complete the job away from home. The influential midfielder also acknowledged the challenges of competing in the Champions League. 'We have to stay strong' 'I'm very happy with the team today because we fought together and I'm happy I scored the goal but the job is not finished,' Ribeiro added. 'We will go to that side in Egypt and finish it on that side. I'm very happy. It's difficult to concede the goal in the last minute but for me this is football. ALSO READ: OPINION: Cardoso must take responsibility for Sundowns' missed opportunity 'Every game in the Champions League is very difficult because tactically you don't have the space to play but in the second game, we have to stay strong and go that side to be champions.'
IOL News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Star midfielder Neo Maema returns to lead Bafana Bafana in crucial CHAN qualifier
Star Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Neo Maema will captain Bafana Bafana in a decisive African Nations Championship (CHAN) second-leg qualifier against Malawi at Loftus Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Bafana Bafana will bank on Maema's experience and leadership as the stakes are high following their narrow 1-0 defeat in the first leg when Kwanda Mngonyama captained the team. Maema's absence was felt keenly in the first leg as Bafana Bafana struggled to turn opportunities into goals. They succumbed to a late strike from Malawi's Zeliat Nkhoma in the 88th minute. In the lead-up to this critical clash, Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki expressed confidence in Maema, who demonstrated his captaincy prowess during the earlier CHAN qualifying round. Under his captaincy, South Africa triumphed over Egypt with an impressive aggregate score of 4-2. It included a remarkable 3-1 victory on the road in Ismailia, signalling their potential and determination when they face the Malawians. The South African squad know that to qualify for the CHAN, they must avoid falling prey to a second defeat. The odds are on Maema to inspire the team to secure victory and a place in the mainstream tournament. 'In the previous camp (against Egypt in March), Maema was voted captain. The captain for the Malawi match is in the camp, but the captain is back. As of now, Maema is the team captain,' he said. 'Kwanda was given the armband for the match against Malawi, and he is fully aware of the change. When SAFA President Danny Jordaan visited the team in camp this week, the captain had to address the president and everybody. So, we will have Maema as captain and Kwanda as his deputy.' Ntseki was a happier man this week because, apart from Maema, Ndumulelo Maphangule, Victor Letsoalo, Siyanda Msani, Simon Ramabu, and Kamogelo Sebelebele joined the squad. Ntseki missed the services of these players in last week's first leg. Ntseki was pleased that clubs availed their players, and he now has a stronger and more balanced team ahead of Sunday's clash. 'The teams responded positively because they sent six of the players we needed in camp.'
Eyewitness News
30-04-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
US shuts down massive Lesotho development project
A 6-billion Maloti (R6-billion) American-funded development project in Lesotho is on the verge of collapse as the United States moves to shut down the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the agency behind the programme. Launched last year, the Lesotho Health and Horticulture Compact was to benefit approximately 2.5 million people over the next 20 years and generate over 90,000 direct and indirect jobs over five years. The Lesotho Health and Horticulture Compact included three projects: A $75.4-million health project to improve primary health care and modernise data systems, improve maternal and child health, and support HIV/AIDS treatment; A $118.6-million food production project aimed at increasing rural incomes and food security through investments in irrigation; and A $62-million project aimed at small businesses, especially owned by women and young people. According to the 2022 agreement between the MCC and the Government of Lesotho, seen by GroundUp, the US committed $300-million, while Lesotho pledged to contribute no less than $22.3-million over the lifespan of the compact. The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) was set up to implement the project in Lesotho. Both the MCA in Lesotho and the Lesotho government have remained silent on the future of the initiative, following the closure of other US-funded programmes. But GroundUp has seen correspondence suggesting that the project is being shut down. In response to questions from GroundUp, acting chief executive for Lesotho of the Millennium Challenge Account, Limpho Maema, said only that MCC and the Lesotho government were discussing the issue. She said once a final decision had been made, the government would issue a statement. Foreign Affairs Minister Lejone Mpotjoane referred all inquiries to Finance Minister Retselisitsoe Matlanyane, but she said she was out of the country and too busy to comment. However, staff on the food production project have been told: 'As per an email from Limpho [Maema]… Regrettably, the determination is that the Lesotho Health and Horticulture Compact will be closing'. GroundUp has also seen correspondence from Maema to contractors saying the same thing. In her email, Maema said services would remain in place 'until we have confirmation of a definitive date of closure' Contractors to the project include consultants on engineering, horticulture, gender, and business development, as well as auditors and providers of phone services, IT, and vehicles. Employees of Cowater International—a Canadian consulting firm awarded a $21-million contract in the small business programme —have already been instructed to return company equipment in preparation for shutdown. In an internal email last week, Cowater Project Manager Antoinette Albisetti told staff to bring laptops and equipment back to the office. 'We are now moving all office equipment into storage and looking to tie up loose ends before the end of the month,' she said. According to the agreement with the US and the Lesotho government, the government must return any unspent funds to MCC. In Phamong, Mohale's Hoek — one of the areas earmarked for implementation of the horticulture project — uncertainty now looms large. 'Maamohelang Tomo, a local villager who served on the land verification committee, told GroundUp that communication about the project has abruptly halted. 'Since we were told to suspend services in January, there's been no word on the way forward,' she said. Tomo and her team had been verifying land ownership for fields earmarked for the project. The initial plan included constructing access roads and irrigation dams before moving into crop production. 'We had already concluded discussions with landowners, and many had willingly agreed to release their fields,' she explained. Now, with MCA operations in question, that progress is at risk. 'The closure would be a heavy blow. We had made plans based on the payments that we were expecting,' said Tomo. 'The community trusted us because we were the ones meeting with them, persuading them to release their land. Now they come to us, asking for answers, but we have nowhere to turn for information and nothing to tell them.' A request for comment to the US Embassy in Maseru had not been answered by the time of publication. On previous occasions, the Embassy has referred queries to the US foreign affairs administration in Washington.
