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Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Sundowns coach Cardoso optimistic and proud despite Champions League heartache
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso expressed his disappointment with his team's defeat to Pyramids in the Champions League final. However, he also highlighted the positives of the team's ill-fated campaign. Mamelodi Sundowns' lengthy wait for a second African Champions League title will continue for at least another season after the serial South African champions were vanquished 3-2 on aggregate by Egyptian outfit Pyramids on Sunday night. Goals by Pyramids' prolific Congolese striker Fiston Mayele and Ahmed Samy in either half piled the pressure on Masandawana, as they attempted to breach the Egyptians' defence. When Bafana Bafana striker Iqraam Rayners finally managed this feat on 75 minutes (making it 2-1 on the night), there was some hope for the visitors. Sundowns knew that another goal would level the tie at 3-3 over the two legs. However, the South Africans would be crowned African champions by virtue of the away goals rule. This is when Pyramids goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy rose to the occasion – thwarting the increasingly desperate South African side's flurry of last-ditch attacks. The defeat Sundowns suffered on 1 June in Cairo handed Pyramids their maiden Champions League title — in what was just the team's second participation in the continental contest. As for Sundowns, the defeat means their quest to add to the Champions League crown they managed in 2016 continues. Below par Brazilians Midfield maestro Teboho Mokoena had said Sundowns did not play to their normal standard in the first leg of the final — in which they conceded with the last kick of the match. 'We were nervous. In the second half, we came back better. But in the last minute we lost our focus and conceded a goal,' said Mokoena in the build-up to the second leg. Mokoena promised that Sundowns would be much better in Cairo. However, the nerves clearly persisted as Mayele's opening goal (which firmly swung the match in the favour of Pyramids) was the result of a schoolboy defensive error. Then they failed to capitalise on their own chances. 'The fact that we are not happy, or that I'm not happy, doesn't mean that I'm not proud of everything we did to get to this final. But at the same time, there was something missing for us to be at the level that we needed to be, in order to win,' said Sundowns coach Miguel Cardo after the match. 'It's not a question of who was best or who was worse, because when there's a winner, it means that they were better,' Cardoso stated. 'What I feel is that in some moments we didn't find a way to compete at the level that we should have competed at, in order to win the trophy. Anyway, it's not many people that play Champions League finals and that have the right to win a medal,' the Portuguese tactician added. Picking the positives When Cardoso arrived at Sundowns in December 2024, replacing Manqoba Mngqithi as head coach, the team was struggling in their Champion League group stage campaign. The Portuguese quickly reinvigorated the Brazilians, although their slow start saw them finish as runners-up in their mini-league – behind Morocco's Asfar. Nevertheless, they trekked all the way to this season's decider (for the first time since 2016), defeating some tough competition along the way. 'I just would like to remind you that on the way to the final we beat Al Ahly, who are still the first on the African rankings. And we beat them in the semifinal. And when we played Espérance from Tunisia and beat them, they were second in the African rankings,' Cardoso said. 'When I arrived, the club was struggling to try to get through the group stage of the Champions League,' added Cardoso, who lost his second Champions League final in a row after also failing in the decider with Espérance in 2024. 'The feeling when you play a final and you don't win is obviously very bitter, very disappointing. But as I said before the match, the sensation that pervades for me is that I have a wonderful group of men in my locker room, that obviously at this moment are suffering. But they will get up. 'What is important is that we go back and settle any objective. And we can repeat the opportunity of playing a final of Champions League and be better than we were (this season),' he said. With the victory over Sundowns, Pyramids maintained Egypt's stronghold in the Champions League. Record champions Al Ahly won the continental title in 2023 and 2024. The result also makes Pyramids the fourth Egyptian team to win the Champions League — an unparalleled dominance by a single nation. DM
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
RELIVE: Pyramids v Mamelodi Sundowns (CAF Champions League – Final, 2nd Leg) - Egyptian Football
Ahram Online is providing live coverage for the CAF Champions League final second-leg match between Pyramids and Mamelodi Sundowns. FT: Pyramids 2-1 Mamelodi Sundowns (1-1) Scorers: Fiston Mayele 23, Ahmed Sami 56 / Rayners 76 Yellow cards Pyramids: Atef, Chibi Sundowns: Modiba, Mokoena Lineups Pyramids FC: Ahmed El Shenawy - Mohamed Chibi (Ahmed Tawfik 88), Ahmed Sami, Mahmoud Marei, Mohamed Hamdy - Mohanad Lasheen, Blati Toure (Ali Gabr 90+2), Walid El Karti - Ahmed Atef, Ramadan Sobhi (Ibrahim Adel 78), Fiston Mayele Mamelodi Sundowns: Ronwen Williams - Khuliso Mudau, Mosa Lebusa (Thapelo Morena 64), Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba (Divine Lunga 46) - Teboho Mokoena, Marcelo Allende, Lucas Ribeiro Jayden Adams (Arthur Sales 64), Iqraam Rayners (Mothobi Mvala 78), Tashreeq Matthews (Peter Shalulile 64) 90+10 FULL TIME 90+5 Poor corner from Sundowns that goes into a goal kick. 90+2 MAYELE MISSES THE GOAL from a clear position 90' Ref shows 10 minutes of injury time. 88' Long pass to Shalulile behind the defense but he is flagged offside. 86' Free kick to Sundowns, El Shenawy punches the ball clear. 84' Sundowns are attacking en masse to grab the equalizer. 81' A cross by Lunga but it is deflected into the corner. 79' Long pass to Atef in the box but the keeper was quicker and holds it. 76' Rayners scores after collecting a poorly cleared ball. 76' GOAL for Sundowns! 71' Pyramids have now a more cautious approach. 68' El Shenawy makes another save to deny Mokoena's free kick. 64' Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso makes three subs. 62' A cross from Sundowns but the defence clear the danger. 60' The South Africans press high now in an attempt to bounce back into the game. 56' Sami heads the second another precise free kick from Chibi. 56' GOOOAAAL FOR PYRAMIDS ! 53' Another powerful shot by Mokoena but it goes into the hands of El Shenawy. 51' Check completed and the ref says play on. 48' Game is suspended for VAR checking. A possible red card on Marei. 46' Sundowns makes a sub as Lunga replaces Modiba. 46' Second half is underway 45+7' Half time 45+5' INCREDIBLE SAVE BY EL SHENAWY. The Pyramids goalie denies Matthews from a one-on-one position. 45' Ref shows 7 minutes of injury time. 44' Powerful long-range shot by Mokoena but it goes over the bar. 39' Sami heads a Chibi cross but it goes into the hands of the keeper. 35' Chibi is receiving treatment. 32' El Shenawy is receiving treatment after a collision with Sami. 29' Mayele sends another header but it goes easily into the hands of the keeper. 23' Fiston Mayele strike from inside the area after capitalizing on a huge blunder from Mudau. 23' GOOOAAAL FOR PYRAMIDS FC ! 19' Mayele hits the side netting after connecting with a cross from Chibi. 14' Rayners has a good scoring opportunity but his volley shot goes wide. 12' A first attempt by Pyramids as Hamy crosses in the box but Atef was late at the far post. 9' The game is deadlocked in midfield as neither team can carve out spaces in the ganger zone. 4' Sundowns are playing their usual possession game while Pyramids seem a little bit cautious in the opening minutes. 0' Match is underway 19:40 A few thousands of Egyptian fans are in the stands to support Pyramids. 19:15 Players are warming up 19:00 Coach Jurcic makes one major substitution to his lineup as he fields Ramadan Sobhi on the left wing leaving the team's star Ibrahim Adel on the bench. 17:30 A view of the 30 June stadium a few hours before the final. 16:00 Star winger Mostafa Fathy has recovered from a muscle injury but is not sure to start the game. The only player that remains a doubt is Nigerian winger Sodiq Awujoola. 14:30 Coach Jurcic is confident that his team can win the tie and called the Egyptian fans to support them. 'We will play our usual way, and we call on the Egyptian fans to support us for the sake of football in the country, not just for Pyramids,' he said. 13:00 They Egyptians claimed a 1-1 away draw which gives them an advantage on the away goal rule. 12:00 Pyramids reached their first Champions League final on their second appearance only. The club was renamed in 2019 and six years later is 90 minutes away from African glory. Venue: Air Defense Stadium, Cairo Referee: Omar Artan Check the match preview HERE. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns confident of returning the African crown back to Pretoria
Mamelodi Sundowns players greet the crowd with confidence in the camp high that they will find a way past Pyramids in the second leg of the Caf Champions League in Cairo. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers Mamelodi Sundowns' camp is high on confidence that they'll be crowned the 'Kings of African Football' when the final whistle goes in Cairo. Sundowns will face Pyramids in the CAF Champions League final second leg at 30 June Stadium on Sunday night (7pm kick-off). They are on a bit of a backfoot as Pyramids scored in the 1-1 draw in the first leg in Pretoria, resulting in the Pharaohs taking home an away goal advantage. But Sundowns have ample confidence that they can turn the tide in the second leg as the draw at home last weekend was due to their own doing. Speaking to Mamelodi Sundowns TV on 'Road to the Final of Finals: Episode 9', midfielder Teboho Mokoena reflected on what went wrong for them at home a week ago. 'I am sure that we'll pitch up and do our best, and lift the trophy,' Mokoena beamed with positivity, before going down memory. 'I don't think Pyramids played against the Sundowns that we know last Saturday (back in Pretoria). 'I think we were nervous, we were not free. Of course, in the second half we came back better, but in the last minute we lost concentration and conceded. 'It was very tough, and sad. We thought we had the game. But it didn't go the way we planned. 'One thing for sure, if we had to decide to take a team that has lost or through the game that must win (the next game) should be Sundowns.'
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Traditional leaders warn initiation schools to toe the line
Contralesa warns unregistered initiation schools that abuse and extort money from families will not be tolerated. The Congress of Traditional Leaders (Contralesa) urges initiation school owners to respect the law to avoid unnecessary deaths. Chief Mathupa Mokoena, president of Contralesa, who is also a senior member of the Mpumalanga House of Traditional Leaders, was commenting after several illegal schools were closed in Mpumalanga. Recently, the police, officials from the Mpumalanga House of Traditional Leaders and the Mpumalanga department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs shut down bogus schools and rescued initiates, who were then taken to legitimate schools. Boys rescued from bogus initiation schools Mokoena said the authorities were alerted by concerned community members, and monitoring teams were sent to investigate. He said the illegal schools' owners 'kidnapped' teenagers and later demanded money from the parents. ALSO READ: Gauteng man arrested for illegal initiation school and taking in children They also initiated underage children. 'We have closed many bogus schools in the province. 'Some owners released the children and ran away when hearing that our team was coming. Underage children initiated 'We know that there are criminals hired to kidnap children and take them to the mountains, especially to the illegal schools. 'They are charging per child, which means the more they kidnap children the more money they make. ALSO READ: Boy runs away to join initiation school, family given list of items to secure his return 'This year we want to deal with that and other related issues. 'Addressing the issues of illegal schools is one of the ways of addressing the kidnapping of children,' said Mokoena. 'Initiation seasons have started throughout the country and we want to make sure that we curb the kidnapping incidents and other things that may lead to unnecessary deaths and the abuse of initiates.' Kidnapping of children Mokoena reiterated that only those who have permits issued by their respective traditional leaders, the provincial house or the municipality, where there are no traditional leaders, are allowed to run these schools. He did not divulge how many initiates had been rescued so far from bogus schools. ALSO READ: Initiation schools: Commission wants answers on why recommendations haven't been carried out The leader said the closure of the schools served as a warning to those planning to commit the same crime. He also warned parents to be cautious and not to take their children to unregistered schools. 'When you get there, the first thing is for the principal of the school to show you the permits. Parent, don't take your children to unregistered schools 'And check whether the stamp is a recent one because there are people who like taking chances, who might even use old permits to run those schools.' Anyone found to have disobeyed the Customary Initiation Act would be sent straight to jail, he said. ALSO READ: Restoring tradition without reinforcing harmful patriarchy He also urged people not to admit underage children to their schools. 'One other issue that I want to caution the owners of the school on is that they should not assault the initiates or treat them as if they are in the army. 'Another issue to caution the Ingoma holders about is the price that they are charging our people. Ingoma is not a money-making scheme 'Ingoma is not a money-making scheme. Therefore, those prices will be monitored. 'If we discover that you are charging exorbitant amounts, you will regret it because we will simply tell the parents not to pay.' NOW READ: 23 arrests made after Eastern Cape initiation school deaths as Hlabisa considers suspension
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Sello Mokoena aims for a comeback in KZN Athletics presidential race
Former KZNA president Sello Mokoena (second right) has announced his bid to return to the hot seat at the regional sports body. Image: Matthew Middleton Former KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) president Sello Mokoena is preparing for another bid for the top position at the athletics body, just as he did for countless races during his running career. 'I've been a runner all my life, for 40 years at least, and I always started a race confident that I'd win — and in most cases, I did,' he said. There are cases where I didn't win, and those are very rare. If I didn't win, I went back, I prepared, and I came back again. Elections are exactly the same. 'In terms of our campaigning in the districts, we don't expect much competition. We think we're likely to win.' Mokoena was elected KZNA president in 2012 and served for seven years before stepping down in 2019. The regional athletics federation was without a leader for two years, having been placed under Athletics South Africa (ASA) administration during a tumultuous period. Steve Mkasi succeeded Mokoena after winning the elections in 2021 and is now bidding for a second term. The fact that Mokoena did not serve two full consecutive four-year terms leaves the door open for a return to the presidency. The veteran administrator and former dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal said he had been approached by clubs urging him to consider returning. 'The clubs have been coming to me for two years now, saying things are not going the right way and that KZNA needs people who are experienced and have a track record. They asked me to consider standing for elections in 2025,' said Mokoena. 'It took me a while to agree to that. But at the beginning of the year, around February, I made up my mind that I would do so and made that public.' The current vice-chairperson of the South African Sports Coaching Association, Mokoena is one of five nominees for the presidency, alongside Chris White, Mkasi, Romeo Hulane and Mandla Mngomezulu. White, an athletics coach, is also challenging for the vice-president role, along with Mngomezulu, Khura Buthelezi and Madoda Nsele. Mokoena, who also chairs the youth development agency Wildness, was asked what the athletics community in the province can expect should he be successful in the upcoming elections, scheduled for the week after the Comrades Marathon on 8 June. 'The most important thing in that position is the ability to communicate and bring parties together. In any organisation, you get different opinions and views, so the ability to bring people together to pull in one direction is your first priority,' he said. 'The second priority is to be able to plan in terms of developing the future of the sport. And then thirdly, without a budget, you can't do anything — so you've got to look at how you draw in resources from different stakeholders.' He added that court conflicts — such as the ongoing legal battle with the Comrades Marathon Association over ownership of the race — only serve to divide the federation. 'You want to ensure that your operations are smooth: your track and field, your cross-country, your road running — every member of the family should feel happy within that. That determines your success as well.' Steve Mkasi, left, is running for re-election as president of KZN Athletics. Image: Supplied Mkasi, meanwhile, has said he is 'ready to propel KZNA forward from the foundation we have laid,' highlighting the financial stability achieved under the current board. He also cited increased athlete participation at national and international levels, and a rise in competitions hosted across various disciplines. Michael Morton, one of the founder members of KZNA, believes the federation needs fresh leadership. He is backing White's bid for the presidency, citing the coach's educational background, proven development record, and experience in running a coaching facility in Pietermaritzburg and working within high-performance sport. As the contenders increasingly jockey for position, the KZNA presidential race is shaping up to be a tightly contested affair. It's just a matter of who will have the extra kick to see off their rivals on the home straight.
