Latest news with #MamelodiSundowns
IOL News
23 minutes ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Desiree Ellis praises Banyana Banyan a veteran Lebogang Ramalepe ahead of Wafcon quater-finals
BANYANA Banyana wingback Lebohang Ramalepe is challenged by Aicha Samake of Mali during the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations match on Monday. | BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix WHEN Banyana Banyana scored four unanswered goals against Mali in their final Group C match of the Caf Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) on Monday, the world of football surely felt that the team that they have come to know had finally arrived in Morocco but coach Desiree Ellis was more impressed by veteran defender Lebogang Ramalepe. The 33-year-old went away with a Player of the match award after two assists and a goal in Oudja to send the defending champions to the quarter-finals against Senegal on Saturday. That match will also be played at 9pm after the match between Algeria and Ghana at 6pm. Ramalepe, one of the legends of Banyana and South African women's football with over 100 caps for the national team, has played all three group matches at wingback - a more forward role than her usual right back. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Ellis had nothing but praise for the player known affectionately as Rama in football circles. 'We've seen Rama at Mamelodi Sundowns play at wingback as well,' said Ellis. 'We're fortunate that she can play in that forward role because it is similar to when she is playing at fullback, (but this position) I think it just gives her more freedom to play further up the field and to create space and assist without shedding her defensive duties. 'It is the same with Karabo (Dhlamini) as well on that left side. You can see the combinations with Gabriel (Salgaldo) when she came on. It was good to see her (Ramalepe) get more minutes and to score.' Ramalepe's game trademark has always been her endurance, tactical intelligence and attacking instincts, which has over the years benefitted the likes of Ma-Indies, Sundowns and Banyana. After the game she was quoted by saying: 'The win for the team is something we worked so hard for. We knew it was not going to be an easy game. The three points really made things easy for us,' she said, before she reflected on he Player of the match award. 'It really showed that I did my best. It was also a collective effort. I would like to thank my teammates.' As they had to the knockout stages, Banyana will again be put under scrutiny as it happened with their last group outing, in which they needed a positive result after drawing 1-1 with Tanzania in their second match in Oudja. 'It's not going to be an easy game. It's a knockout stage and a matter of trying to stay composed,' reflected Ramalepe. '(We will have to) play our normal game and make sure we convert our chances — then we will be heading to the semifinals.'
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Did McKenzie bite off more than he could chew with his R90m VAR promise?
Sport, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie has received backlash after failing to deliver on his promise that video assistant referee (VAR) technology would be implemented in the coming Betway Premiership season. Earlier this year McKenzie promised to introduce VAR technology in South Africa by April. He said the government would make funds available for VAR implementation, with R90m set aside for that in the department's budget. However, during his budget vote speech in parliament on Tuesday, McKenzie said nothing has been finalised regarding how VAR will be funded. 'We are finalising the process of funding VAR to ensure football matches, from the Premier Soccer League through to the international fixtures we host, are fairer and meet global standards,' he said. 'It is a necessity. We see stadiums vandalised when bad refereeing happens and the success of teams such as Mamelodi Sundowns makes global teams want to play here, but they have second thoughts because we don't have VAR.'
News24
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News24
5 minutes with broadcaster Paulette Neo – ‘Dreams delayed are not dreams denied'
Paulette Neo has carved her own lane in the harsh world of media, and unapologetically so. The 30-year-old multifaceted broadcaster and fitness fanatic lights up South Africa's screens daily and takes on news and sports anchoring on S3. Her latest 'breakthrough', she tells TRUELOVE, is taking over traffic reporting from famed on-air voice Rob Byrne on Metro FM. 'It's lovely working with the teams at Metro. Everyone is incredible at the station. A dream,' she shares. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paulette Neo (@paulette_neo) Paulette's career journey spans across industries. As a former beauty pageant queen, Paulette holds titles like Miss Jozi 2016 and Miss Mamelodi Sundowns North West 2018, teaching her one or two things about grace and confidence. From pageantry and modelling to acting in shows like Unmarried and uBettina Wethu, the Wits University alumnus' first love remains with media and reporting. On what sparked her passion for media, Paulette says, 'Getting into the news and reporting was inspired by how I saw the Fees Must Fall movement being reported, propaganda and censorship therefore. So, from graduating, I knew I wanted to be in the space. 'It was matter of opportunity and time. Pageantry helped with my confidence and teaching me a few things.' The media industry is an unpredictable business, where trends come in and out of style and scrutiny comes with the job. 'I've learnt to roll with the punches,' Paulette explains as she shares some of the lessons she's learnt rising in the industry. 'Dreams delayed aren't denied. It can take literally one phone call, email or message for your life to change. Time out is important. To refuel, be centred and surrounded by love and authenticity.' In the next five years of her career, Paulette hopes to be 'established, learned and a household name in the space,' a path she is well on her way on. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paulette Neo (@paulette_neo)
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Why was Rayners snubbed for top PSL Awards?
Has Rayners' impact this season been undervalued? His numbers speak volumes. Ronwen Williams and Iqraam Rayners of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates with the trophy after a Betway Premiership 2024/25 match against Magesi FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on 18 May 2025 ©Alche Greeff/BackpagePix I've made it clear before who I believe should be named the 2024–25 PSL Footballer of the Season. For me, it was always going to be a tight race between Mamelodi Sundowns duo Lucas Ribeiro and Iqraam Rayners. Rayners' omission is startling That's why I was genuinely taken aback when Rayners' name was missing from both the Footballer of the Season and Players' Player of the Season shortlists. ALSO READ: Pirates' Mofokeng gets five nominations for PSL Awards These two awards are decided by head coaches and fellow professionals in the Betway Premiership who are not permitted to vote for players from their own clubs. I'm not here to take anything away from the three players who were nominated. I want to congratulate Ribeiro, Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng, and the rejuvenated Keletso Makgalwa of Sekhukhune United. But the omission of Rayners is a big talking point. When the nominees were revealed on Tuesday, it reignited a conversation that many had already been having. Has Rayners' impact this season been undervalued? His numbers speak volumes. 14 league goals in a 28-game campaign is an exceptional return. Add to that four goals in the Carling Knockout Cup, including a brace against Kaizer Chiefs, and nine league assists, and you're looking at a total of 27 direct goal contributions across domestic competitions. That kind of output should, at the very least, earn a nomination. Rayners finished just two goals behind Ribeiro in the Golden Boot race. So how is it possible that he was completely overlooked? Unless other players had significantly better stats, which they didn't, it's difficult to justify his exclusion. No strong case I'm reluctant to scrutinise the stats of the players who were nominated ahead of him. It wouldn't be fair as they didn't vote for themselves. However, from a purely footballing perspective, there's no strong case for Rayners being left out. ALSO READ: Williams questions Nkota's Pirates to Saudi switch Credit must go to the selected trio, and I wish them all the best ahead of the awards ceremony on July 29. And it would be nothing short of a scandal if Ribeiro doesn't walk away with the Footballer of the Season award.
The South African
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Shocker: Flavio Silva's Kaizer Chiefs salary revealed?
Flavio Silva joined Kaizer Chiefs in a rather surprise move ahead of the new season. The European based striker wasn't amongst the many names linked to the club in his position. However, after putting pen-to-paper at Naturena, his alleged salary has since been revealed! READ MORE • Mamelodi Sundowns set for incredible R60 million City swoop! According to the latest reports doing the rounds, Guinea-Bissau-born Portuguese striker Flavio Silva is a top earner at Naturena. Silva joined the Glamour Boys on a one-year deal with an option to extend for two more years. The ex-Persebaya Surabaya star scored 39 goals in 78 matches out in Indonesia, as per Transfermarkt . His form in Asia caught the attention of Kaizer Chiefs FC who were adamant on luring him to South Africa! According to reputable journalist Eric Ndagijimana, who first reported the move, Flavio Silva is earning in excess of R500 000 per month at Kaizer Chiefs! READ MORE • Orlando Pirates cut ties with fan-favourite worth R14.5 million! While it's still early to tell, from the opening glimpses of Flavio Silva, do you think he's worth the staggering reported salary? Kaizer Chiefs picked up their first pre-season win on Tuesday evening after edging PEC Zwolle 1-0. Silva was part of the winning team and showed glimpses of what he's capable of. He also unfortunately showed some rustiness which he'll have to quickly shrug off ahead of the new season. Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by also emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. You can also follow @ TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
