Latest news with #Ndamane
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
'I couldn't believe it'
'Since I started playing football, this is my first Man of the Match,' added the TS Galaxy defender. TS Galaxy defender Khulumani Ndamane is making the most of his second chance with Bafana Bafana. ALSO READ: Komphela vows to maintain Sundowns' style at Club World Cup The former Kaizer Chiefs youngster was dropped from Hugo Broos' Bafana squad in March for the Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin. This was not for footballing reasons, but because Ndamane, to the Bafana coach's disbelief, did not have a passport. Bafana's Broos calls on Ndamane Broos, however, has shown himself to be a coach who bears no grudges, and Ndamane was back in the squad for the June friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique. And the Rockets defender rewarded the faith shown in him by Broos with a Man-of-the-Match performance in Friday's goalless draw with Tanzania at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. 'I was nervous, I don't want to lie because that was my first game playing for the national team,' said Ndamane. 'Actually, I couldn't believe that it was me (making my debut). But once we got into the pitch, I told myself that I'm not here by fluke, so I will play the way I know best. 'I had a good game and also received the Man of the Match award. So I was so happy. When they called me after the match and told me that I was Man of the Match, I couldn't believe it,' he added. 'I asked them if it was really me, and they confirmed it. Since I started playing football, this is my first Man of the Match, and it happened when I was playing for Bafana Bafana.' 'That made me happy, to receive it on my first call-up. I would like to thank all our supporters. I also promise to work hard and not disappoint. So they must keep on supporting me … I am very grateful.' More debuts incoming With Broos promising every player in Bafana's squad an equal chance over these two games, it seems unlikely Ndamane, who played the full game against Tanzania will start Tuesday's game against Mozambique at the same venue. ALSO READ: Sundowns' Matthews relishing Dortmund clash It would make more sense, given the Bafana coach's words, if Orlando Pirates duo Nkosinathi Sibisi and Mbekezeli Mbokazi started the game. There could, indeed, be an entirely new first eleven, as Bafana look for a win against the Mambas.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos applauds Khulumani Ndamane's superb debut
Khulumani Ndamane Khulumani Ndamane of South Africa challenged by Selemani Mwalimu of Tanzania during the 2025 International Friendly match at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. | BackpagePix Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has applauded 21-year-old Khulumani Ndamane for his standout performance during his international debut against Tanzania in Polokwane on Friday. Despite the youthful side being held to a goalless draw by the Taifa Stars, Ndamane's contributions on the pitch did not go unnoticed, earning him the coveted 'Player of the Match' award. Ndamane was in the news earlier this year when he was named in the squad to play in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin in March. However, a hiccup arose when it was discovered that the TS Galaxy defender did not possess a valid passport, and he was dropped. Fast forward a few months, and the 21-year-old Ndamane made his national team debut on Friday, showcasing his determination and talent. Broos was unequivocal in his admiration for the young defender's display. 'It means that he made a good performance,' he stated after the match, underscoring the importance of Ndamane's debut in the context of a largely inexperienced team. The Belgian coach, known for his discerning eye, remarked, 'I don't always agree with the Man of the Match, sometimes when I'm seeing the Man of the Match, it was someone else. "Today, when we see our team, you can see that Khulumani made a good performance for his first time in the team, and he deserves it.' Khulumani's debut is not only a personal milestone but also a reflection of the new direction Broos is taking with the team by involving younger players. As Bafana Bafana prepares for future challenges on the international stage, talents like Ndamane may very well play a pivotal role in the evolution of South Africa's football narrative. 'I said before that little by little, Bafana is getting old. So we must look at the future, and if you look at the performance from the young guys against Tanzania this evening, you can only be happy," said Broos. In the absence of the USA-bound Mamelodi Sundowns players, most of the squad was from the Premiership runners-up club Orlando Pirates. Broos said, initially, the team for the Tanzania clash included eight Pirates players. 'I remember that the first team we selected when the XI were on paper, we said, oh, s*&#, there are seven or eight players from Pirates, and we decided that we are not going to do that. So, we needed to find a balance. Players like (Simphiwe) Selepe and (Thalente) Mbatha are used to playing together," said Broos. 'So that helped those guys. Next week it will be (Mbekezeli) Mbokazi and (Nkosinathi) Sibisi. So, we looked at that. So that's the way we select these teams. The performance against Tanzania will give us more choices in the future, younger choices." Tanzania posed numerous challenges, which kept the South Africans at bay, despite their decided possession advantage. "The opponent (Tanzania) was not easy. They are a team playing behind the ball and then trying, in transition, to be dangerous. I think, as far as I can imagine, there was no (scoring) chance for Tanzania today, nothing, nothing," said Broos. "I couldn't have asked for more, I'm happy with the performance of some players, even very happy. Others could have been better, but again, for the first time, I can't be too harsh because the goodwill was there." Bafana Bafana will continue to build upon this experience as they prepare for their encounter against Mozambique at the same venue on Tuesday night.
The South African
23-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Former Kaizer Chiefs star improves TS Galaxy's young talent
The ex-Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs forward Dolly made a significant impact on Ndamane and his teammates at the Rockets. Dolly joined TS Galaxy in November 2024 after a period without a club. Despite initial concerns about his fitness, Dolly's influence both on and off the field has been undeniable. Ndamane, a former Kaizer Chiefs junior, says Dolly's presence has been a source of inspiration for the younger players, providing them with valuable insights and guidance. According to Ndamane, the former Kaizer Chiefs captain's ability to read the game and his technical skills have elevated the team's performance, fostering a more cohesive and confident squad. 'The presence of Keagan Dolly is helping us a lot, as youngsters, we know where he's coming from in his career,' Ndamane told FARPost . 'Sometimes we see old videos of where he used to play, and that makes us believe that at some point we're also going to get opportunities to play overseas. 'He also helps us to improve. If we lose the ball on the field, he tells us not to drop our heads, and that helps us to keep going. And it's not only him, even senior players like Mlungisi [Mbunjana] are helping us young players,' Ndamane 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.
