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IOL News
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Keanu Cupido's Mamelodi Sundowns journey: From holiday dreams to automatic starter
Mamelodi Sundowns' Keanu Cupido impressed with his performances at the Fifa Club World Cup. Image: Backpagepix Keanu Cupido thought he'd be flying out to the United States for an all-expenses paid holiday when he made Mamelodi Sundowns' final squad for the Fifa Club World Cup. But rather than finding himself soaking up the sunshine of Florida, Cupido became an integral part of coach Miguel Cardoso's plans. The Portugal-born coach surprisingly drafted Cupido into the starting lineup from the onset, and ended up starting the next two group matches too. Cupido, speaking on the sidelines of the MTN8 launch this week ahead of their quarter-final tie at home to Richards Bay Sunday, admitted he was shocked after getting the nod to start. 'It's not about (walking) straight into the team. It's been about working behind the scenes. So, it's just hard work that paid off,' the central defender explained. 'It did surprise me (to get the nod), because I hadn't played for a while. So, I thought going to a major tournament like this would be a holiday for me, but God works in mysterious ways.' Cupido 🗣 "We want to start the season very well, this is a game where we want to show up. We want to win this trophy." Our season kicks off this Sunday and we are ready to go! 👆 Get your tickets! 🎟 #MTN8 #AreyengMasandawana — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) July 31, 2025 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 ✕ Cupido is understandably surprised. Breaking into the star-studded Sundowns team is not easy, and no coach wants to tamper with his defensive organisation. The 27-year-old, though, insisted that he was welcomed with open arms in the starting lineup as those who played alongside him gave him words of advice. 'The players at Mamelodi Sundowns make it very easy for one of us to perform on the day,' Cupido explained. 'If you go to a big game, the players will tell you: just do the basics, and simple things, then your confidence will grow. And that's what I did. 'So that helped me a lot to settle into the first game, and from then on it was a smooth ride for me.' Cupido didn't only settle at Sundowns with the help of his teammates and technical team. It also took someone close to his heart to keep him going after a tough start at the club. 'In all honesty, it was tough for me at first, but my wife made it easy for me,' said Cupido, who had only made two appearances for the team prior to the Club World Cup. 'She said 'everything works through God, if it's his timing, then it will happen'. That kept me going. 'So, I feel she played a major part in this. She kept me motivated, head down and working hard. I think that support structure is very important.' 🏆 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡 🏆 In a league of his own! 🔥 Lucas Ribeiro your 24/25 PSL Footballer Of The Season! 👆 We are proud of you Lucas! 👏#Sundowns #PSLAwards25 — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) July 29, 2025 Cupido also credited his former Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler for pushing him after a promising start to his career. 'You need someone to trust you,' Cupido acknowledged. 'At the end of Eric's last two seasons in his last spell, he felt like he trusted me more and more. 'So, I also felt like I needed to give him back. So, since he made me the vice-captain, that gave responsibility for me as a player. 'I think it made me grow as a player as well. If you are comfortable in one spot, then you don't grow. He needed to put more responsibility on me.' There'll be more responsibilities and expectations that will be placed on Cupido and Co ahead of the new season after winning the hearts of many in the US. Cupido, though, is not fazed by that, saying the players know that their job at Sundowns comes with expectation, including giving their best season in and season out. 'We feel like we need to take care of our bodies as players firstly, and then the team will come into it when we need to do our recoveries,' Cupido said. 'We also need to look at what we eat because nutrition is very important. So that's the thing that separates professionals from the rest. 'You could see that Tebza [Teboho Mokoena] and [Lucas] Ribeiro played so many games last season, so they are used to the workload.'
The South African
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Inacio Miguel's Kaizer Chiefs salary LEAKED
Angolan publication PontoZero has revealed the monthly salary and transfer details of Kaizer Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel. Image: Facebook Angolan publication PontoZero has revealed the monthly salary and transfer details of Kaizer Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel, providing insight into the club's investment in the 29-year-old centre-back. Miguel, who joined Amakhosi from Angolan giants Petro de Luanda last season, has quickly cemented his role within the squad and is now seen as a captain-in-waiting following the departure of Yusuf Maart. Despite a rocky start to his time at Naturena – picking up four yellow cards and one red in his first six games – the Portugal-born Angolan turned his form around, finishing the 2024/25 season with 28 appearances and four goals. ADVERTISEMENT He was also entrusted with the captain's armband on several occasions. Monthly salary According to PontoZero, Kaizer Chiefs paid approximately $250 000 (R4.4 million) for Miguel's services. The report also discloses that his gross monthly salary at Amakhosi is around 20 million Angolan Kwanza, which translates to about R385 000. This places his annual earnings at roughly R4.6 million, making Miguel one of the better-compensated players currently on Kaizer Chiefs' books. Though his salary is substantial, it remains below the club's past top earners such as Keagan Dolly, Khama Billiat, and Leonardo Castro, who are reportedly on packages close to double that amount. Miguel is now entering the second year of his three-year deal with the Soweto giants and is expected to play a key leadership role in the upcoming Betway Premiership season. ADVERTISEMENT The star defender has five international caps for Angola and was part of the national team squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Is Inacio Miguel worth that much money a month to Kaizer Chiefs? 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.
Edinburgh Reporter
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Braga makes impact from bench as Hearts win again
Head coach, Derek McInnes, gave Stuart Findlay his debut for Hearts at Broadwood against Hamilton Accies in Group E of the Premier Sports Cup and the move paid off handsomely after just five minutes. Blair Spittal flighted a corner from the left to the back post and Findlay, a former Kilmarnock defender, met it perfectly to send the ball into the rigging from close range. A great start after Hearts' 4-1 win over Dunfermline Athletic at Tynecastle on Saturday, and the visitors stayed on the front foot. Elton Kabangu, who had been terrorising the Hamilton defence, darted down the left and fired for goal from a tight angle, but his effort was saved by Jamie Smith in the Hamilton goal. Smith was tested again seconds later when Calem Nieuwenhof shot from distance and Alan Forrest was next to threaten. He cut in from the left and his volley was blocked. The Jambos continued to dominate and Christian Borchgrevink collected a cross and had his volley blocked. Defender Frankie Kent then popped up in attack and he blasted over. Another chance came soon after when Spittal fed James Wilson who held off a defender before feeding Kabangu but he failed to finish. Spittal was then set-up by Nieuwenhof at the edge of the area, but he sliced wide. It became frantic as half-time approached with Hamilton desperately defending as Kabangu, Spittal and Wilson fired shots on goal. The pressure had to tell and it did when Kabangu had a simple task to slot home from close range after good work from Borchgrevink and Wilson. The relentless pressure continued into the second session and Forrest drove to the byline and flashed a ball across goal but, unfortunately, there were no takers. Hamilton, who brought two substitutes on at half time, introduced two others, one a trialist, near the hour mark, but Hearts kept up the pressure and Nieuwenhof shot straight at Smith. McInnes decided on a change, four in fact, after 66 minutes, Craig Halkett, Harry Milne, Cammy Devlin and Claudio Braga being introduced and Michael Steinwender, Forrest, Beni Banningime and Kabango making way. Despite the pressure, the Men in Maroon were unable to break through for a third, that's until Wilson struck after 68 minutes, his second in two games after his opener against Dunfermline. Substitute Braga left a defender in his slipstream down the right and sent in a low cross. All Wilson had to do was tap home at the back post from a few yards out for 3-0. Braga was involved again and almost carved a fourth after a darting run and cross which just eluded the teenage Scotland striker. Accies made a further change in a bid to get something from the game, but they failed to break through. Nieuwenhof was booked for a foul before McInnes introduced Oisin McEntee for Borchgrevink and goal No 4 arrived soon after. Milne was involved, winning the ball and feeding Braga on the edge of the box. The Portugal-born forward saw his low shot deflected in. Smith had no chance. Time 82 minutes. Halkett was booked for a challenge with only minutes to go and Accies made two more changes before the final whistle, but it made no difference as Hearts picked up a second win in three days. SMILES BETTER: Stuart Findlay (centre) shares a joke in training. Picture Nigel Duncan Like this: Like Related
Wales Online
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Swansea City complete fourth summer signing as club fend off interest to land star
Swansea City complete fourth summer signing as club fend off interest to land star Swansea City have added to the signings of Melker Widell, Zeidane Inoussa and Bobby Wales with the free-agent capture of Ricardo Santos Swansea City have signed Ricardo Santos on a two-year deal (Image: Swansea City AFC ) Swansea City have completed the signing of experienced centre-back Ricardo Santos on a free transfer. Santos has signed a two-year deal at the club, having left Bolton Wanderers as a free agent earlier in the summer. The Portugal-born defender spent five years with Wanderers, making 207 appearances for the club, and was also made captain in October 2021. Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone Starting his career with Dagenham and Redbridge, he was handed his chance in the EFL by Peterborough United in 2014. After making 75 appearances for Posh, he then spent a three-year spell at Barnet before going on to Bolton, whom he helped to promotion from League Two. He will become the fourth new arrival in SA1 this summer, with Melker Widell, Zeidane Inoussa and Bobby Wales already joining the club's ranks. Article continues below Commenting on the move to Swansea, head coach Alan Sheehan said: 'We are very pleased to welcome Ricardo to Swansea City. He is an experienced player who is well-versed in the demands of playing in the EFL. 'He is a player I have known about for a long time, and someone we believe is capable of making the step up to Championship level. 'There were a number of clubs interested in securing his services, and we are delighted he has chosen Swansea City.' Director of football Richard Montague said: 'We have identified certain areas of the squad where we recognise there is a need to have greater depth and competition, and we believe the addition of Ricardo will help us do that defensively. 'He has considerable experience of the EFL, and the fact he has been in the team of the year for his division in four of the last five seasons speaks to his consistency. "We believe his character and leadership will be a welcome addition to the squad, and we are looking forward to him linking up with Alan and the team for the start of pre-season.' Global head of analytics and recruitment Adam Worth added: 'As a club we have identified the need to have a blend of youth and experience within the senior squad, and Ricardo brings no shortage of knowledge of the EFL. 'He has been a proven leader at his previous clubs, and we believe he can be an important presence within the squad, and add to the defensive options available to Alan Sheehan and his coaching staff.' Montague had already revealed that Santos is a player who has been on the radar for some time. 'He's a player we have liked as a group for a long time. The data over the years has been very strong," he said. 'I think it's fair to say he didn't have the best year last year, but our job is to try to look beyond that and ascertain where there might be value for money in bringing a player in. 'Rico is being brought in as a player who adds some more leadership, having been a captain of his club, a brilliant character we have all met and had conversations with. 'We think he is someone who can add really good depth to an area of the pitch where we don't have much depth at all at the moment. 'I think it's what he can add on and off the pitch. We think he will elevate the group by virtue of being who he is, being who is around the building.' His arrival is expected to add much-needed cover at centre-back ahead of the new season, with Ben Cabango currently the only recognised senior option on the books following the departures of Kyle Naughton, Hannes Delcroix and Cyrus Christie. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here There's also uncertainty around Harry Darling's future, with the 25-year-old out of contract this summer. Darling is still pondering over an improved offer from the club, with Norwich City, Birmingham City, Wrexham and Sheffield United, all keeping tabs on the situation. Reports in Scotland have also suggested that new Rangers boss Russell Martin might well be tempted to make a move too. Article continues below It's understood the move for Santos is not related to Darling's situation, with adding further centre-back options already a key priority in this window.
IOL News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Cardoso on brink of turning detractors into admirers
Miguel Cardoso Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is close to clinching a Champions League and PSL double. Photo: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media Final Whistle Column Miguel Cardoso is on the cusp of history across all fronts, and that's why he could make his initial detractors, including yours truly, eat humble pie this month. I'll be the first to admit that I initially thought Mamelodi Sundowns shot themselves in the foot when they hired Cardoso. Apart from guiding Esperance to the CAF Champions League final last season, which they lost to Al Ahly, there was nothing special about him, I thought. He had arrived midway through the season at Esperance as his predecessor had all but won the league title and made huge strides on the continent. Cardoso's noteworthy achievements at the time was simply eliminating Sundowns in the semi-final of the Champions League after back-to-back 1-0 wins. And so, forgive me – and many others – who thought that the Portugal-born coach was only hired by the Brazilians based on his triumph over them. Granted, his predecessor Manqoba Mngqithi had started his tenure as the sole coach of the team on a mild note, crashing out of the MTN8 and Carling Knockout respectively. But Mngqithi was fast establishing his footprint in the team as Sundowns were quick in transition and able to find the back of the net with ease. As such, when club chairman Tlhopie Motsepe said during the unveiling of Cardoso that they had lost their identity and wanted to change their approach, that sounded flimsy. How could it not? This was the same club that had fired Rulani Mokwena, who had a clear approach – building up from the back – at the end of the season. But they wanted someone who'd not only be direct, but grind for results in the process. So, kudos, as it seems Cardoso was the right man. He is not a flashy coach who'll demand a unique approach from his troops, but he sets up his team according to the opponent and demand of the games. At first, he really looked out of sorts as his team tended to struggle in the second half after a gallant and clinical first half. But such has been his ability to adapt to the job and familiarise himself with the players at his disposal, he's been on a rampant run that has seen Sundowns rise to the top in every respect. Sundowns just need 10 points from a possible 15 to bag their record eighth Premiership title in succession, which would etch their names in the history books. That wouldn't happen by fluke. Far from it. In fact, it would be due to the hard work of Cardoso and his players, as they have beaten their rivals to climb to the top of the log. Cardoso's troops hammered the second-placed Pirates 4-1 at home, before losing 2-1 in the reverse leg in March. Their ability to pick up the first win and points in other games could all be good enough as Pirates are gasping for air in the title challenge after dropping points against the so -called minnows. Winning the title might be standard procedure for Cardoso given the deep pockets of the club, which have been able to boast their depth. And so, that's why his primary mandate was to challenge for the coveted continental title, something that he's just two matches away from achieving. Sundowns, the 2016 African champions, are in the final of the Champions League, in which they'll face Pyramids of Egypt in back-to-back matches this season. This is the first time they reached the first hurdle in nine years, having lost in the last two semi-finals. Their road to the final hurdle wasn't smooth. But nevertheless, they got the job done, including eliminating the record-extending 12-time champions Al Ahly in the semi-final. So, perhaps, that's what Sundowns needed all these years: someone who'll get there, adopt the squad at his disposal and get the best out of it. And that's what Cardoso has done. Hence, myself and many others will probably need to get our coaching badges before demeaning a qualified coach as not good enough.
