Latest news with #TebohoMokoena
IOL News
11 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Bafana Bafana could still be punished for Teboho Mokoena yellow card blunder, portfolio committee told
Teboho Mokoena celebrates after scoring a goal Teboho Mokoena celebrates after scoring a goal during Bafana Bafana's Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 football match against Morocco. Photo: Sia Kambou/AFP Image: Sia Kambou/AFP It appears that Bafana Bafana are not out of the woods and could still face punishment after Teboho Mokoena played in a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho when he should have been serving a one-match suspension. SAFA officials, including president Danny Jordaan, appeared in front of the portfolio committee on sport, arts and culture on Tuesday, and were often left speechless and at times looked sheepish as they were questioned on accountability. The meeting also laid bare the organisation's terrible financial state. Present with Jordaan were SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao, CFO Gronie Hluyo, as well as executive member Poobie Govindasamy. Conspicuous by his absence was sports minister Gayton McKenzie. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 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 ✕ Ad loading One of the issues confronted was that of Mokoena's participation against Lesotho. Mokoena was supposed to be serving a one-match suspension for that match after being shown two yellow cards in previous qualifying games. That blunder now threatens to derail the team's qualification campaign. It had been thought that Hugo Broos and his men had escaped punishment after Lesotho missed the deadline to complain, but a comment by Govindasamy suggested Bafana Bafana were not yet out of the woods. Demanding accountability from officials, Action SA's Athol Trollip asked what had been done against the individual responsible for missing the yellow cards. It took a while to get an answer from the SAFA officials, who were looking around the room and did not know what to say, Govindasamy eventually spoke up and stated that the issue was still being investigated. 'That matter is still under investigation. It will be dealt with… When FIFA makes that decision, then only can we complete the investigation,' Govindasamy said, suggesting that world football's governing had not yet decided how they were going to deal with it. Explaining how the blunder could have happened, Govindasamy added: 'FIFA, CAF and the match commissioner were not informed of the yellow cards. When you get to a match commissioner's meeting, that's when you're alerted to this. Even SAFA was not alerted. It came up after the game against Lesotho.' IOL Sport
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
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Has CAF football become bring?
African football is at risk of falling behind on the global stage if the current status quo remains. This season's CAF Champions League knockout phase has been average at best, and at times downright boring. Last Saturday's 1-1 draw in the final of the first leg between Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC at Loftus Versfeld was a perfect example of a match that didn't live up to the hype. It was a damp squib that promised fireworks and delivered a flicker. It has further ignited an uncomfortable conversation that African football can no longer afford to ignore. ALSO READ: Chiefs-linked striker inks new long term deal with Richards Bay In today's world of endless entertainment options, African football can't afford to be stagnant. The strategies and structures that worked decades ago might no longer be relevant because the game has evolved, and so must we. African football is at risk of falling behind on the global stage if the current status quo remains. UEFA recognised this reality in 2021 when it scrapped the away goals rule in its club competitions. Since then, the champions league has become a spectacle in the knockout rounds. Teams no longer play with the handbrake on, fearful of conceding a goal at home. Instead, matches have become open, entertaining and filled with goals. Just this season, the competition has produced 47 goals from the quarter-finals to the semi-finals across 12 games, with none of the games ending goalless. By comparison, a meagre 18 goals were scored in the same period of Africa's elite club competition. The first legs of both semi-finals ended goalless. There were two other stalemates in the quarter-finals. These numbers are more than just statistics, they are a reflection of what fans are being served. The current format in CAF encourages a conservative, often cynical brand of football. Teams are more interested in protecting slim leads and playing the numbers game rather than entertaining their fans or showcasing their full attacking potential. We've reached a point where defensive tactics are praised, not out of admiration, but because we've normalised low-risk football. I've covered CAF football for years, and while the tournament remains one of the most magical in the world, I can't ignore the concerning dip in quality and spectacle during the knockout stages. Sundowns and Pyramids FC now have one game to change the narrative, but don't hold your breath as Pyramids are likely to protect their slim advantage. They will waste time, play on the counter and this is because of a rule that prioritises caution over entertainment. Goals bring excitement and they help sell the sport to the younger audience. They should know about Teboho Mokoena just as much as they admire Jude Bellingham, but I have younger relatives that would rather watch Real Madrid play than continental football. ALSO READ: Chelsea aim higher after Conference League triumph The away goals rule may have had its time, but that time might be up. If CAF wants to remain relevant and exciting, it's time to embrace bold change because the football we are watching now just isn't good enough.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
The untold story of Mamelodi Sundowns' CAF Champions League title aspirations
Teboho Mokoena With Teboho Mokoena's control in midfield, Sundowns have the depth and quality to compete with any team in Africa. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix In the unyielding world of African football, few stories resonate as deeply as that of Mamelodi Sundowns, who are on the cusp of securing their second CAF Champions League title. Since their historic triumph in 2016 when they won their only title, Sundowns have weighed in with incessant effort, honed their skills, altered strategies and built a squad brimming with talent and potential. This, seemingly, has laid the foundation for another successful bid for continental supremacy. The final is a two-legged affair, with the Brazilians hosting Egyptian upstarts Pyramids FC in the first leg on Saturday (3pm kick-off) at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. The next stop will be the crucial return leg on June 1 in Cairo. We track the features of Sundowns' Champions League journey ahead of the two pulse-pounding encounters over the next two weeks... 1 Group-stage resilience and depth During the Group B stage, Sundowns have emerged as formidable contenders. Despite the pressure of playing in a group with Moroccan heavyweight clubs such as Raja Casablanca and AS FAR Rabat, who have four Champions League titles between them, they underlined their ability to navigate the complexities of continental football. 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 ✕ Masandawana suffered one loss in six games and secured crucial victories, marked by strategic prowess. It speaks volumes about their preparation and execution during high-pressure games, a testament to their tenacity and character on the field. 2 Cardoso transformed knockout campaign The coaching baton was handed to the Portuguese tactician Miguel Cardoso after two matches in the knockout stages. Both games under Manqoba Mngqithi ended in draws. Cardoso first showed his hand in the next with a win over three-time champions Raja Casablanca. He brought structure, stability, and a continental edge to Sundowns. With this mix, under his stewardship, they edged out last season's finalists Esperance 1-0 across two legs in the quarter-finals. They displayed remarkable fortitude in revising the playbook against the tournament's giants, Al Ahly, in the semi-finals. Cardoso's tactics laid the platform for individuals to shine. 3 Ronwen Williams, the Rock of Gibraltar Sundowns' stalwart goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has become the rock on which his team's continental dreams are built. He has emerged as one of the competition's best shot-stoppers, maintaining a contest-high number of clean sheets. His contributions extend beyond mere saves; they embody a presence and leadership, particularly during hostile games in Tunis and Cairo. As the last line of defence, Williams is expected to play a pivotal role in the forthcoming finals, where every save could mark the difference between glory and disappointment. His influence on his team's fortunes cannot be overstated. 4 Domestic arena a breeding ground for success The confidence bubbling in Sundowns' ranks signifies the emergence of a confident, battle-hardened squad that thrives under pressure and knows how to claim victory. For months, the squad balanced local and continental fixtures, as well as national team call-ups. Often, there was very little recovery time, but the Brazilians carved out a legacy of excellence that has transformed the South African football landscape. Their domination locally cultivated a belief amid deep-seated expectation that knows how to prevail. Even amidst injuries or fixture congestion, their system persisted with fluidity and competitiveness. 5 Sundowns can bury ghosts of the past After being crowned 2016 champions, Sundowns dropped out three times in the semi-final rounds in subsequent seasons. This year's squad, however, appears mentally steeled, tactically astute, and infused with an emotional resolve to overcome past demons. Having eliminated heavyweights like Esperance and Al Ahly, teams with deep reservoirs of experience and winning history. Progressing past such heavyweights has fortified their confidence and highlighted their undeniable talent. The upcoming finals will offer a chance to eradicate the ghosts of previous campaigns and transform past disappointments into triumphs.
The South African
04-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
PSL transfer news: Mokoena, Lucas Ribeiro, Mayele, Mofokeng
Mamelodi Sundowns are favourites to claim their eighth successive PSL title but will need to tread lightly with Orlando Pirates not far behind. The Soweto giants, nine points back with two games in hand, can close the gap to three if they take advantage of their extra fixtures. A slip-up from the Tshwane giants could be enough to end to open the door for the Buccaneers. Sundowns star Teboho Mokoena is reportedly garnering interest from an unnamed club in France. Insiders say multiple foreign suitors are monitoring the three-time PSL winner. Lucas Ribeiro Costa is another Brazilian attracting eyes overseas. The Brazilian is the frontrunner for PSL Player of the Year. Kaizer Chiefs' long-term target Fiston Mayele has been offered a two-year extension from current club Pyramids FC, potentially derailing AmaKhosi's negotiations with the 30-year-old. Relebohile Mofokeng is expected to receive several offers in the offseason. Orlando Pirates will struggle to keep their man. 'They [Pyramids] are doing everything to keep him [Mayele]. They know there is interest not just from Kaizer Chiefs but other clubs as well and they want to make sure they keep him. So they have offered him a new two-year contract which increases his value as well,' Soccer Laduma reported. 'They are doing everything to keep him. They know there is interest not just from Kaizer Chiefs but other clubs as well and they want to make sure they keep him. So, they have offered him a new two-year contract which increases his value as well.' 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.
