Latest news with #Polokwane

The Herald
10 hours ago
- General
- The Herald
Jordaan promises MPs ‘accountability' as Tseka named as culprit for Bafana yellow card bungle
Bafana Bafana team manager Vincent Tseka was named by fuming MPs in parliament's sports portfolio committee as the official responsible for missing that Teboho Mokoena was suspended in SA's 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Lesotho. The MPs demanded to know why the SA Football Association (Safa), reporting to the committee on Tuesday, has not taken action against Tseka . Mokoena played in the 2-0 win over Lesotho in Polokwane in March as Bafana's team management missed the midfielder having accumulated two yellow cards in previous matches, meaning he should have been suspended. The huge gaff seems certain to result in Group C leaders SA losing three points, which will endanger their chances of a first World Cup qualification other than as hosts since 2002. However, Tseka received a fair degree of cover from Safa head of legal Poobalan Govindasamy and president Danny Jordaan, who told MPs they were waiting for Fifa's final decision concluding their internal investigation.


The South African
4 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates target former Real Madrid opposition analyst
Orlando Pirates are making ambitious changes to their technical team after the announcement that Jose Riveiro will be leaving. 44-year-old Pablo Franco Martin is a serious candidate for the top coaching job at Pirates. The Madrid-born tactician has held several interesting roles. Those include Opposition Analyst for Real Madrid and Head Coaching posts for Tanzanian side Simba SC, AmaZulu, Kuwaiti outfit Qadsia SC and now Al-Faisaly in Saudi Arabia's second tier. Click for the story Pablo Franco Martin while at Usuthu. Image: (@AmaZulu/IG) Oswin Appollis suffered a little from 'second-season' syndrome after a breakout campaign in 2023-2024. This term, the Polokwane livewire only managed two goals and an assist from 25 league outings. Hardly earth-shattering numbers for a player expected to win games for his manager. Polokwane improved on last season's eighth-placed finish with a seventh-placed finish this term, so it's not as if his teammates regressed. Appollis claimed six goals and three assists in the league last time out. Chiefs 'land' Appollis, but is he worth it? Maela says goodbye Would you like to see Martin hired as the new Pirates boss? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

The Herald
6 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Pirates youngsters get Bafana call as Broos names new faces in squad
Another 20-year-old Buccaneer, midfielder Simphiwe Selepe, who impressed being introduced to the first team late in the recently-concluded season, is also included, as is Deano van Rooyen, who has been in form at right-back for Pirates. Bucs' 20-year old attacker Relebohile Mofokeng, defender Nkosinathi Sibisi and midfielder Thalente Mbatha are included among some more regular recent national performers. Among other new faces are Sekhukhune United keeper Renaldo Leaner and Samukelo Kabini, a 21-year-old left-back on the books of Molde FK in Norway. More interesting inclusions are of TS Galaxy defender Khulumani Ndamane, Polokwane City midfielder Ndamulelo Maphangule, Stellenbosch FC attacker Ashley Cupido, AmaZulu attacker Tshepang Moremi and Richards Bay forward Yanela Mbuthuma. There are no players from eight-time successive Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns. The Brazilians conclude their first Caf Champions League final since winning the competition in 2016 with Sunday's second leg against Pyramids FC in Cairo (the first leg at Loftus ended 1-1), then will need time off before starting to prepare for the Club World Cup in the US in June and July. Bafana meet Tanzania at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on June 6 then Mozambique at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on June 10.


News24
7 days ago
- General
- News24
No Sundowns players as Broos names new-look Bafana squad for important June friendlies
With the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations sharpening into view, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has named his 23-man squad for a pair of international friendlies next month against Tanzania and Mozambique. Ranked 56th in the latest FIFA rankings, South Africa will first welcome 107th-ranked Tanzania to the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, 6 June. Four days later, on Tuesday, 10 June, they'll clash with 96th-ranked Mozambique at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. The friendlies are more than just warm-ups - they're key tune-ups for what promises to be a demanding calendar, with World Cup qualification and the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco fast approaching. The continental showpiece kicks off this December and will spill into early 2026. Broos named a wide 41-man provisional squad last week, but now, he's trimmed it to a tight 23. Noticeably absent from the selection are players from Mamelodi Sundowns - unsurprising, given the Betway Premiership champions will be representing Africa at the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup in the United States from 15 June. The omission of the Sundowns core has forced Broos to reshuffle his pack, offering opportunities to fringe players and rising talents keen to stake their claim on the international stage. The team will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday, 1 June, before heading to Polokwane later that same day.


The South African
7 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs news: Appollis, Aziz Ki, four dream signings
Kaizer Chiefs are ploughing ahead with plans to make themselves title contenders next season. Here are today's rumours. Kaizer Chiefs are in pole position to sign Bafana and Polokwane winger Oswin Appollis. The 23-year-old has reportedly decided on a change of scenery for next season. Click for the story Four dream signings to transform Amakhosi's fortunes Meanwhile, according to PanAfrica Football, Stephane Aziz Ki will be a Wydad player imminently. The 29-year-old Burkinabe star has been a standout performer for Tanzanian giants Young Africans. It's understood that Rulani Mokwena played a big role in convincing the talented goal-scoring midfielder to move to Morocco. As it happens, Mokwena will leave his post at the end of the season. Click for more Yanga SC star Stephane Aziz Ki. Image: Weam MostafaBackpagePix Nwabali; Solomons, Msimango, Miguel, Dortley; Cele, Maart; Duba, Kingsley Michael, Appollis; Mayele. Click for the story Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.