Latest news with #MamelodiSundowns'
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns now eye the Champions League's glory after tough start
MAMELODI Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners looking to add his name in Caf Champions League history. | BackpagePix Image: backpagePix The CAF Champions League is a different kettle of fish which usually separates ordinary players from the creme de la creme of the continent. As such when Mamelodi Sundowns' striker Iqraam Rayners played in his first-ever African campaign this season he duly endured its wrath. Rayners made 10 appearances for the Brazilians in Africa's premier club competition, and scored only three goals in the process. However, his novelty and mild contribution didn't show as the team still made strides to ensure that they reached the final for the first time since 2016. 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 ✕ Their return to the grandest stage on the continent didn't get off to a positive start, though, as they drew 1-1 with fellow finalist Pyramids in the first leg in Pretoria. That result meant that Pyramids will take an away goal advantage to the second leg at 30 June Stadium on Sunday (7pm kick-off). But not all is lost for the Brazilians as a goal in Cairo will bring them back in contention, and hopefully swing the results back in their favour in the end. Rayners, speaking to Mamelodi Sundowns TV on 'Road to the Final of Finals: Episode 8', recalled his tough start on the continent this season. 'I think it has been a tough journey for us as a team, and myself as a player because it's my first season playing in the Champions League,' Rayners explained. 'For me as a player, it was difficult because the level is not the same as the PSL - you need to bring your A-game week in and week out when you play in the Champions League. 'For us as a team, it was also difficult because we had ups and downs. I think in some games, we were supposed to win and we lost.' Life wasn't made easy by a lot of things at Sundowns this season. They also had to change coaches before the January break as Manqoba Mngqithi was replaced by Miguel Cardoso. The latter did well to find balance between building on Mngqithi's foundation and implementing his philosophy on the players in the process. And that duly paid dividends as Sundowns reached the final, beating Esperance and Al Ahly in the quarter-final and semi-final, and winning their eighth title in succession. 'W kept believing in ourselves (even during the tough times),' Rayners said. 'Even the change of coaches made it difficult for us. But we stuck together. 'When the new coach came in, we stuck with him - we knew what he wanted. He gave us all the small details about the teams. I think it's been good for us - hence we are here! 'So I think as a team, we must just remain humble and work together. I think there's an opportunity as a team when it comes to the second leg - the game on Sunday.'
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso and Brazilian attacker Lucas Costa lift Betway Premiership monthly awards
Lucas Ribeiro celebrates his second goal with his Mamelodi Sundowns' teammates as he scoops another Player of the Month award for the season. Photo: BackpagePix Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso and star attacker Lucas Ribeiro Costa have been celebrated for their outstanding performances during May 2025, clinching the prestigious Betway Premiership Monthly Awards. This recognition marks the third time this season that both Cardoso and Costa have secured these accolades, underscoring their pivotal roles in Sundowns' triumphant Premiership campaign. Under the adept leadership of Cardoso, Sundowns achieved a flawless record in May, winning all five of their league fixtures. This impeccable streak showcases its dominance in South African football and its eighth consecutive Betway Premiership title. Cardoso's strategic prowess on the touchline allowed him to navigate through intense competition, outperforming coaches such as Ronnie Gabriel of Richards Bay FC and former Orlando Pirates manager Jose Riveiro to claim the Coach of the Month award.
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Mamelodi Sundowns can inspire the nation with CAF Champions League triumph, says Ronwen Williams
Mihlali Baleka | Published 1 hour ago Mamelodi Sundowns' players have been the epitome of success in domestic football in the last nine years, inspiring every emerging youngster to dare to dream And that's why they want to add another feather in their cap by conquering the continent yet again to instil even more belief in future prospects. Sundowns recently won their eighth successive Premiership crown, ensuring they are the best club in the PSL era with 15 titles. As such, that made the dreams a reality of players, coaches and staff who wanted to join football so that they can win league titles over the years. Before the success came, Sundowns were infamously known for ending careers, with players said to be joining the club for big pay-cheques, only to sit in the stands. But thanks to the arrival of coach Pitso Mosimane more than a decade ago, players have since wanted to join the club to win trophies and play among the best teams in Africa. Under the reign of Mosimane, Sundowns' players achieved all forms of success, winning the Premiership and CAF Champions League, and playing in the Club World Cup. However, while the local success continued under Mosimane's successors, Rulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi, it didn't come full circle on the continent. Enter Miguel Cardoso, and the script may change this season. The Portuguese mentor has led his team to the Champions League final for the first time since Mosimane triumphed in 2016. Sundowns had a mild start in the first leg of the continental showdown at home, drawing 1-1 with Pyramids FC, who took an away goal to the second leg in Cairo on Sunday night (7pm). That was a setback for the Brazilians as they conceded late in Pretoria through Walid El Karti, after Lucas Ribeiro Costa had put them in the driving seat in the second half. But such is the team's never-say-die attitude that Ronwen Williams, speaking to SuperSport TV yesterday, painted a picture of what it would mean to rule the continent yet again. 'It will mean so much – the world. I honestly can't express how it'll feel at that moment. I just know what it'd do for the country and youth of South Africa,' the Bafana Bafana captain said. 'When people have success, you resonate with them. 'Interestingly, a few years ago, there was no success in South African sport, but back-to-back Rugby (World Cup) championships inspired us. 'We had a wonderful Afcon (with Bafana), and now you see the cricket, athletics, Under-17 and Under-20 (men's national teams) are also doing well. 'I think it just needs one team to trigger, do it, and show us all that it is possible. 'I think with us doing that, (it) will even give the youth in our country extra motivation. 'They'll start believing that they can do greater things. So for me, the inspiring side is one of the reasons I want us to lift the Champions League!' One of the youngsters who could live a first-hand experience of winning the continental crown is defender Malibongwe Khoza, 21, who remembers the 2016 triumph. 'It's my first season here, and the last time they won the Champions League was in 2016 when I joined Sundowns (as a teenager),' Khoza told Masandawana TV this week. 'So it (winning the Champions League) would mean a lot to me, my family and ikasi lam (my township), Mamelodi. I am representing everyone from eKasi.' The majority of the Ka Bo Yellow (Sundowns fans) will not be able to follow the team to Cairo, and cheer them on like they did when they sold-out Loftus Versfeld last Saturday. But Khoza, who'll be eager to make his mark and help the team in Cairo, says they'll be banking on their supporters' backing from a distance. 'It's unfortunate that we didn't do it here at home, but we still need them (the Yellow Nation). We need them to support us,' Khoza continued. 'We are going to play for them, the club and the badge. 'So, we still need them, even when we are as far as Cairo.'
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Sundowns boss expects to win the Champions League
Sunday evening will witness Mamelodi Sundowns' biggest match since the CAF Champions League final in 2016. The occasion will be in Cairo, Egypt, against Pyramids FC. Following the first leg tie last weekend, Sunday's second leg will start at 1-1. Lucas Ribeiro broke the deadlock after 54 minutes before Pyramids' Walid El Karti equalised during 90 minutes of stoppage time. Speaking to the media ahead of the second leg final, Sundowns' chairman, Tlhopane 'Tlhopie' Motsepe, revealed that Kabo Yellow expect nothing less than a win for Abafana BaStyle on Sunday. 'That's what we want, to go there as African champions,' Motsepe said via Sowetan . Mamelodi Sundowns team vs Raja Casablanca. Image: @safootclassics/X 'We have a big chance. Being African champions again is something we've longed for. We are one step away from achieving it. 'If we were to rewind to the start of the season and you asked if we would love to be in this position – one game away from the CAF Champions League title – we would take it. It's what we plan for every season,' the Sundowns boss added. 'The energy in the group is great and that's good considering the coach didn't have a preseason with us. 'He didn't get to pick the players he wants, or instil his methods. But to now be in the final with the players he found there is testament to what he's achieved,' the chairman concluded. 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.
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Amajita hero Kekana praises teamwork for goal that won SA the U-20 Afcon
Amajita's U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) final hero Gomolemo Kekana, 18, is in no rush to play top-flight football, insisting he's still developing. He said his focus is on trying to return to his best shape after a long layoff last year. Kekana is on the books of Mamelodi Sundowns' DStv Diski Challenge team and has trained with the senior Brazilians on a few occasions. He engraved his name in South African football folklore by scoring the goal that saw Amajita beat Morocco 1-0 in the U-20 Afcon final in Cairo this month. 'God's timing is forever perfect, so I won't rush the process,' Kekana said. 'I am trusting the process without putting pressure on myself to say now I must play for the first team. 'I will continue to work hard and it's up to the coaches to decide whether to promote me. I am not in a rush. I've come from a long-term injury last year, so my focus is to accumulate as many minutes as I can to return to my best shape.'
