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CAF
a day ago
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: South Africa face must-win battle against co-hosts Uganda
A draw in Kampala on Monday will be enough for Uganda to reach the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024, while South Africa must likely win to advance. This is the first-ever CHAN meeting between Uganda and South Africa. It is also South Africa's first match against an East African opponent and their first against a host nation at the tournament. For Uganda, South Africa will be the 19th different team they have faced at CHAN, while the Cranes are South Africa's ninth different opponent in the competition. Uganda have struggled historically against teams from Southern Africa, facing COSAFA members five times without a win (D2 L3). They drew twice with Zimbabwe (0-0 in 2014 and 1-1 in 2016) but lost three times to Zambia and Namibia between 2016 and 2018. They also failed to score in three of those four fixtures. The stakes are clear: a Ugandan win secures top spot in the group, while victory for South Africa would see them qualify instead. A draw would confirm Uganda's first-ever progression to the knockout stages. Even with a defeat, Uganda could still advance if Algeria lose to Niger. South Africa – Key Facts · Unbeaten in their first three games; drew 0-0 with Niger. Only the second time they have gone three successive games without defeat (also in 2011). · Never previously gone four games without a loss at a single CHAN edition. · The 0-0 draw with Niger was their first goalless game in 10 CHAN matches. · The clean sheet against Niger was their first of this tournament and only their second at CHAN. The other was also against Niger in 2011 (2-0). · Had conceded in seven successive games before that clean sheet. · Another clean sheet would mark their first consecutive shutouts at CHAN. · Reaching the knockouts would be their second progression beyond the group stage after 2011. · Attempted 435 passes against Niger (364 completed), their highest at this edition. · Malibongwe Khoza had 105 touches, made 73 passes and completed 65, all game highs. · Khoza's 93 passes against Niger were the most by a South African in a single CHAN 2024 match. · Had nine shots against Niger, their most in a game so far (five on target). Uganda – Key Facts · Playing a fourth game at CHAN for the first time. · Would reach the quarter-finals for the first time in seven appearances. · Had only two wins in 18 CHAN matches before this edition; already two wins in three games here. · Won back-to-back games for the first time (3-0 Guinea, 2-0 Niger). · Only the second time they have avoided defeat in successive games (also in 2014). · Have kept consecutive clean sheets for the first time. · Their five goals are the most scored at a single CHAN edition; previous best was three. · Three matches have produced eight goals; their most in an edition was 10 in 2020. · Four different scorers among their five goals; only Allan Okello has more than one. · Okello has scored in two straight games, first Ugandan to do so since 2020. · If Okello scores again, he will be the first Ugandan to score in three games at one edition, and the second to score three in a single edition after Yunus Sentamu (2014). · Okello has three goal involvements (two goals, one assist). · He scored and assisted in the 2-0 win over Niger. · In all three games so far, only the winning team has scored. · Three of their five goals have come in the second half; both goals conceded also after halftime. · None of their three matches has been goalless at halftime. · Their last five CHAN games have had first-half goals; the last 0-0 at halftime was against DR Congo in 2022.
IOL News
09-08-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Malibongwe Khoza shines as Bafana Bafana secures a vital CHAN draw against Algeria
Mamelodi Sundowns defender Malibongwe Khoza Mamelodi Sundowns defender Malibongwe Khoza, here in action against Kaizer Chiefs, was the star performer for Bafana Bafana against Algeria in their 1-1 draw on Friday evening at Kampala's Mandela National Stadium.. | Itumeleng English Independent Media Bafana Bafana displayed remarkable resilience and teamwork during their African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group C match against Algeria, which ended in a 1-1 draw on Friday evening at Kampala's Mandela National Stadium. The Mamelodi Sundowns attacker, Malibongwe Khoza, delivered a stellar performance, earning the 'Player of the Match' award, despite being deployed in an unfamiliar central midfield role. Khoza's nonchalant attitude towards his accolades highlighted his commitment to the team. After the match, he said: 'First of all, I'd like to give thanks. I'm pleased with this draw, considering we conceded very early, but I must say this award belongs to the group, not just to me. "The most important thing is that we got the point.' His sentiment echoed the spirit of unity within the team, a vital ingredient that helped them secure the draw after trailing behind early in the game. Algeria's Abdennour Belhocini opened the scoring just minutes into the match, putting South Africa under immediate pressure. However, just before half-time, Thabiso Kutumela found the net, which gave the team renewed hope. Reflecting on his new role, Khoza explained, 'I have never played as a midfielder, and it has been an experience playing in this position. I am confident in my team, and we are here to play.' His adaptability and tactical acumen were crucial, especially against a technically adept Algerian side. Coach Molefi Ntseki praised Khoza's versatility, asserting that he has the potential to become a mainstay for the national team. 'Malibongwe (Khoza), when he was playing in the DDC (DStv Diski Challenge), he played as a midfielder,' Ntseki explained. 'He's a brilliant player. He reads the game very well.' He further elaborated on Khoza's performance, emphasising that his ability to transition between defensive and midfield roles was instrumental in maintaining the team's tactical structure throughout the match. Khoza was also quick to highlight the role of coach Molefi Ntseki in forging a sense of unity within a relatively new-look squad. 'The team doesn't know each other very well yet, but the excellent work our coach has done helps create unity and cohesion in the group, and we are here to fight until the end. 'We want to qualify from the group stage. We will fight until the end,' Khoza said, embodying the team's determination as they look ahead to their next match against Guinea on Monday.
TimesLIVE
09-08-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Khoza excites Ntseki as Bafana earn a crucial point in Chan opener against Algeria
Playing with a team made up of many players who are unattached and looking to attract clubs in the Premier Soccer League and elsewhere for the 2025-2026 season, Ntseki said they started well against an Algerian side that never gave them a chance to execute their plan throughout the 90 minutes. 'Credit must be given to players for grinding the result like they did with the high intensity coming from Algeria. We played against a very structured team with very good individual players. In saying so, I'm also giving credit to our structure and our players to carry out our tactical plan,' said Ntseki. Indeed, Bafana's structure looked good in their equaliser which came from a long, good pass from Mamelodi Sundowns young defender and man-of-the-match Malibongwe Khoza to Menzi Masuku who trapped the ball to Kutumela to cancel Algeria's opener which had come via Abdennour Belhocini. Bafana turn their attention now to their second game against Guinea in Kampala and Ntseki said it will be crucial to collect the maximum points in that game. Bafana face Niger on Friday before finishing their group matches against the hosts Uganda on August 18.
CAF
01-06-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Khoza: Sundowns know the plan to sink Pyramids in Cairo
Published: Saturday, 31 May 2025 Mamelodi Sundowns defender Malibongwe Khoza believes his side's deep tactical understanding and unity will give them the edge as they prepare to face Egypt's Pyramids FC in Sunday's decisive second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final. The tie is finely poised after a tense 1-1 draw in the first leg in Pretoria. Now, with everything to play for in Cairo, Khoza says Sundowns are calm, focused, and confident they can get the job done on enemy territory. 'We are very confident in our team,' Khoza said. 'It's true that the first leg was difficult, but I think we will perform well.' Sundowns are chasing their first Champions League title since 2016, and they will need all their experience and mental strength to prevail at the Air Defense Stadium, where Pyramids FC are unbeaten in this season's competition. The 27-year-old full-back pointed to the tactical lessons from the first leg as key to unlocking their Egyptian opponents. 'We know what we will do to win, we know how they (Pyramids) will play, and we know how we will exploit the spaces,' he said. 'We will support each other and move forward.' Khoza's measured confidence mirrors that of the broader Sundowns camp, where coach and players like Tebogo Mokoena have all emphasised the importance of belief and execution in what could be a historic night for the club. The South African champions have already dispatched African heavyweights like Al Ahly en route to the final, showing their ability to deliver when it matters most. Their trademark possession-based football and compact defensive structure have made them one of the most tactically disciplined sides on the continent. Sunday's showdown in Cairo will not only crown a new African club champion, but could also reshape the African football landscape. A win for Pyramids would make them the fourth different Egyptian club to lift the trophy — an unprecedented feat for any single country. But Khoza is not dwelling on Pyramids' ambitions. His focus is on ensuring that Sundowns impose themselves and bring the trophy back to Pretoria. 'It's a big match for all of us,' he concluded. 'But we know what's required. We're ready.'
