Latest news with #NeoMaema
IOL News
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Maema: I earned my place in Mamelodi Sundowns' Club World Cup squad
Neo Maema departed for the Fifa Club World Cup on Sunday with Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media Neo Maema believes he had long earned his ticket to the Fifa Club World Cup — hence he never doubted he would make Mamelodi Sundowns' final squad. Sundowns jetted off to Florida, US, on Sunday to begin their preparations for the global showpiece. Maema, sporting a short blonde hairstyle, was in high spirits at OR Tambo International, even vlogging for the club's social media platform, Mamelodi Sundowns TV. The 29-year-old's outlook was refreshing, given that he has been a bystander for the team this season, featuring in only 17 of 54 matches across all competitions. Despite his limited game-time, Maema had shone for the Brazilians in the previous two seasons, contributing significantly to their success both domestically and continentally. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ As such, when coach Miguel Cardoso announced his final squad for the tournament, Maema had no doubts about securing his place. 'I always knew that I'd make the squad. It's not arrogance — I just feel this is the reward for the work done by the players who were here two years ago,' the Sundowns attacker said. 'We qualified for the Club World Cup two seasons ago, I think. So, when you're still in the team, you just have to eat the fruit of the work you've put in. So, I am happy. 'I am disappointed for the ones who didn't make it, but that's the nature of the competition. It's a big club. I feel for them because they are my brothers.' Maema's limited involvement this season has fuelled speculation about his future at Sundowns, but he remained tight-lipped on the matter on Sunday. 'I'm not going to say anything about my future at the club. I am still a Mamelodi Sundowns player,' Maema affirmed. That moment between Kabelo Dlamini, Neo Maema and Tshegofatso Mabasa was special to witness 🤩 Watch until the end 👀#SSDiski — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 18, 2025 The Club World Cup will not only offer Maema a chance to buy himself more time at the club but also serve as an opportunity for Sundowns to seek some form of redemption. Sundowns missed out on the CAF Champions League crown two weeks ago, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Pyramids of Egypt in the final. That result was a bitter blow for the Brazilians, who had hoped to be third-time lucky after semi-final exits in the previous two seasons. 'It's disappointing to get close to the door, but we kept on knocking and it didn't open,' Maema said of their failed continental campaign. 'We knew it was going to be very difficult to win away. We played against a good team… and when things don't go your way, you can't play your normal football. 'It's a pain in the heart, but we have to move on. We lost out twice in a row in the semi-finals, so we don't want that to happen again. We have to bounce back quickly.' Sundowns have been drawn in Group F at the Club World Cup, alongside Ulsan Hyundai, Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense. They will open their campaign against Ulsan on Wednesday, 18 June. The Brazilians are eager to perform well on the global stage — not just to redeem themselves but also to showcase their talent to scouts from overseas clubs. 'It's disappointing, but there's nothing we can do about it. We just have to accept it and, as men, help the youngsters in the team,' Maema said. 'We have to believe that someday we will win it, but for now, we must focus on the opportunity ahead and see it as a chance for everyone to showcase their talent.'
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
South Africa round off CHAN 2024 qualifiers
South Africa became the final nation to qualify for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) with a 2-0 victory over Malawi on from Victor Letsoalo and captain Neo Maema in Pretoria proved enough for the hosts to turn around a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of the gave South Africa the lead in the 12th minute with a close-range shot after a goalmouth scramble and, after wasting several chances to increase their second-leg advantage, Maema sidefooted home following another melee in the 87th beat The Gambia 3-0 on Friday to progress by the same scoreline over the two qualifiers will be in Group C alongside co-hosts Uganda, Niger and 19-team tournament, which is for domestic-based players on the continent, was due to be held in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in the finals were postponed just 18 days before the opening game and rescheduled to be played from 2-30 August. CHAN 2024 draw Group A: Kenya (co-hosts}, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, ZambiaGroup B: Tanzania (co-hosts), Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African RepublicGroup C: Uganda (co-hosts), Niger, Guinea, Algeria, South AfricaGroup D: Senegal, Equatorial Guinea*, Sudan, Nigeria*Equatorial Guinea replaced Congo-Brazzaville after the latter fielded an ineligible player in qualifying
CAF
11-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Neo Maema sends Bafana Bafana to TotalEnergies CHAN 2024 finals
South Africa sealed their place to the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 finals with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Malawi at the Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday, overturning a first-leg deficit to progress 2-1 on aggregate. Trailing 1-0 after last weekend's defeat in Lilongwe, Bafana Bafana needed a strong response – and they delivered under pressure in front of their home supporters. Head coach Molefi Ntseki made several key changes to the starting line-up, handing starts to goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse, Siyanda Msani, Yandisa Mfolozi, Ndumulelo Maphangule, and influential Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Neo Maema – all of whom played vital roles in the comeback. The hosts wasted no time in asserting themselves. Just 11 minutes into the match, Victor Letsoalo levelled the tie on aggregate with a thunderous left-footed volley that flew past the Malawian shot-stopper. Despite dominating possession in the opening half, the home side went into the break with only a narrow 1-0 lead. Bafana Bafana emerged from the tunnel with renewed energy and nearly doubled their advantage midway through the second period. Letsoalo came close to a brace, rising highest to meet a pinpoint cross from Sebelebele, but his header was well-saved. With extra-time looming and tension building in the closing stages, captain Neo Maema produced a moment of brilliance in the 87th minute. Pouncing on a loose ball at the edge of the area, he calmly slotted past the goalkeeper to seal the aggregate win. The result marks a significant milestone for South African football, as Bafana Bafana return to the CHAN finals for the first time since 2014 when they were hosts – a 12-year absence from the prestigious tournament reserved exclusively for players plying their trade in their domestic leagues. The TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship will take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The South African
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs to raid Sundowns? FOUR targets revealed
Kaizer Chiefs have several Mamelodi Sundowns players on their rador. Kaizer Chiefs are considering massive moves in the up-and-coming PSL transfer window. So, a plethora of Mamelodi Sundowns players are in Amakhosi's books. As reported on The South African, Neo Maema, Terrence Mashego and Thapelo Maseko are all linked with Chiefs. Most noticeably, Sundowns and Bafana Bafana defender Maema is linked with a possibe move to the Soweto giants. 'As for Sundowns, they are looking at downsizing the squat at the end of the season and Chiefs are believed to be looking to use that window space to pursue Maema. They have apparentally been monitoring him for sometime now and they have the chance to sign him if Sundowns let him go. So yes it's true, Chiefs are believed to be pursuing Neo Maema,' the insider reported on SNL. So, Chiefs are closely monitoring The Brazilian contract situation at Chloorkop. Finally, Maseko is well-known by Chiefs scouts who have made serious enquiries about him. 'The Chiefs scouts know Maseko very well, and they know what he could bring to the team, and that's why they are enquiring about him. For now, it's still early to say what will happen but what I can tell you is that they are seriously looking into that, ' the Siya source stated on SoccerLaduma. Therefore, Amakhosi have a golden opportunity to lure these Sundowns players to Naturena. WHICH SUNDOWNS PLAYER/S SHOULD AMAKHOSI SIGN? 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.
CAF
10-03-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEneriges CAF CHAN 2025 Qualifiers: South Africa stun Egypt in Cairo, Gambia advance
Published: Sunday, 09 March 2025 South Africa secured their place in the next round of the 2025 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers with a commanding 3-1 victory over Egypt in Cairo, sealing a 4-2 aggregate win on Sunday night. The Bafana Bafana put on a dominant display in the second leg on Sunday, outclassing the Pharaohs in front of their home crowd. Goals from Neo Maema, Yandisa Mfolozi, and Luthuli ensured a comfortable victory for the visitors, while Egypt struggled to match their intensity. The match began with South Africa on the front foot, as they wasted no time asserting their dominance. In the 15th minute, Neo Maema broke the deadlock, silencing the home fans with a well-taken goal. Just over ten minutes later, Yandisa Mfolozi doubled the lead in the 26th minute, putting Egypt in a precarious position. The hosts responded before halftime, pulling one back to make it 2-1, but they failed to build on that momentum. Any hopes of an Egyptian comeback were dashed five minutes into the second half when Luthuli converted a penalty to restore South Africa's two-goal cushion. The visitors then managed the game efficiently, preventing Egypt from creating any clear-cut chances. With the first leg having ended 1-1, South Africa's comprehensive performance in Cairo ensured a 4-2 aggregate victory, eliminating the Pharaohs and securing their place in the next round. Meanwhile, Gabon's hopes of progressing were dashed as they suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Gambia after a goalless draw in Libreville on Saturday. Despite dominating the second-leg match of the second qualification stage and creating numerous scoring chances, the Panthers failed to find the net, ultimately paying the price in the shootout. The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when Gabon was awarded a penalty, but Samson Mbingui failed to convert, leaving the Scorpions with a lifeline. With the match still deadlocked at 0-0 after regulation time, the contest went to a penalty shootout, where Gambia kept their composure to secure victory and advance to the next round. The Scorpions converted all their attempts, while Gabon's Nasta Oyono missed his shot, sending his effort wide and sealing his team's elimination. Elsewhere, Malawi advanced thanks to their 2-0 home win over Comoros to seal a 4-0 aggregate victory. Wongani Lungu opened in the scoring for the home side in the 50th minute before Binwell Katinji's strike on the hour mark secured the win. First Leg Results: Gambia 0-0 Gabon (February 28, 2025) Comoros 0-2 Malawi (March 2, 2025) South Africa 1-1 Egypt (March 2, 2025) Second Leg Fixtures: Malawi 2-0 Comoros – March 8, 2025 - Malawi win 4-0 on aggregate Gabon 0-0 Gambia – March 8, 2025 - Gambia win on penalties Egypt 1-3 South Africa – March 9, 2025 - South Africa win 4-2 on aggregate
