Latest news with #VelaKhumalo
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- General
- TimesLIVE
Khumalo pleasantly surprised as hastily arranged Cosafa squad takes shape
Vela Khumalo, the coach of the Bafana 'B' side that will take part in the 2025 Cosafa Cup in Bloemfontein, was pleasantly surprised at the sharp condition his players arrived in on Monday ahead of their opening game against Mozambique on Wednesday. The Kaizer Chiefs youth coach, who also steered the South African under-17s to their age group Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal last month and qualification for the U-17 World Cup, will take charge of the Bafana emerging combination at the Cosafa Cup. Khumalo's side that takes the field in their in their Group A opener at Free State Stadium (3pm) could more accurately be called an 'Emerging B'. Bafana coach Hugo Broos is taking charge of the senior team in friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique's senior side in Polokwane on Friday and next Tuesday with a squad missing his Mamelodi Sundowns contingent and including a host of new faces as he casts his net wide for talent.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Khumalo to lead Bafana Bafana in Cosafa Cup
"This is another Bafana Bafana team and I'm happy, I'm excited," said Khumalo. The South African Football Association (SAFA) have confirmed Vela Khumalo will lead Bafana Bafana in the 2025 Cosafa Cup. The regional tournament will be held in Bloemfontein from 4-15 June 2025. ALSO READ: AmaZulu release Bafana Bafana goalkeeper – report Khumalo, who is also the South African U17 men's national team coach, will be assisted by Reneilwe Letsholonyane while Molefi Ntseki will serve as technical advisor. Khumalo said he was excited with the challenge of leading Bafana in Bloemfontein. 'We are looking forward to this tournament and we're playing at home, we're playing in Bloemfontein, and we cannot compromise the team. This is another Bafana Bafana team and I'm happy, I'm excited. We want to go through, and we want to win COSAFA (Cup),' Khumalo told SAFA media. 'I remember the last time we won it with coach Morena Ramoreboli when we were co-coaches, now it's me alone. I think this is the right time for us to express ourselves and show how we as South Africans are on the winning streak, and we are happy and in a good space,' added the Kaizer Chiefs Diski Challenge side coach. SAFA technical committee chairman Jack Maluleke said Khumalo and U20 Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach Raymond Mdaka were to lead the COSAFA team, but the draw and workshop for the U20 FIFA World Cup this week put paid to that plan. ALSO READ: Blom leaves Kaizer Chiefs as squad overhaul begins 'Unfortunately, coach Raymond is not around because he is attending the FIFA draw and workshop for the Under-20 national teams in Chile. So, we felt that we must give him a break because he was in Egypt at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (SA won the tournament and are the African champions) only a few days ago and after that he went to Chile to the workshop,' explained Maluleke. Meanwhile, Khumalo has announced his squad for the COSAFA Cup. Khumalo included Chiefs players in the squad. The five players are goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma, defender Aden McCarthy, midfielders Thabo Cele and Mduduzi Shabalala and striker Wandile Duba. The full Bafana Cosafa squad:
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Vela Khumalo to coach Bafana Cosafa Cup team
Vela Khumalo has been appointed as Bafana Bafana coach for the forthcoming Cosafa Cup in Bloemfontein. He will be assisted by former Kaizer Chiefs player Reneilwe Letsholonyane with Molefi Ntseki as technical adviser for the regional tournament to be held from June 4-15. Khumalo, who is also the South African Under-17 men's national team coach, selected some of the players who were in Bafana's preliminary squad for friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique next week. He also picked players who will be considered to represent the country during the 2025 African Nations Championship (Chan) tournament to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in August. 'We are looking forward to this tournament and we're playing in Bloemfontein and we cannot compromise the team,' he said.
IOL News
26-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs have won a trophy: Maiden Diski title in the bag after 10 years
Vela Khumalo Vela Khumalo is the coach of the Kaizer Chiefs Diski team. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Ole, Ole, Ole! Kaizer Chiefs' reserve team are the champions of the PSL reserve team – the DStv Diski Challenge – for the first time in 10 years. Chiefs achieved this milestone with a game to spare after beating Magesi FC 3-0 at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Saturday. Coach Vela Khumalo's team had been leading the standings for some time this season, and they got a huge boost in their aspirations on Friday. The PSL DC ruled that they must be awarded three points and 3-0 win over Chippa United after the Chilli Boys failed to pitch for their clash on February 1. That verdict ensured that they went into their game against Magesi with 64 points, four ahead of the second-placed outgoing champions Stellenbosch FC. Chiefs will feel vindicated for the triumph as Khumalo and his team have shown that they are able to nurture depth for the first team, while grinding results. Amakhosi's sporting director Kaizer Motaung Junior took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to congratulate the young lads. 'Could not be more proud. Congratulations Kaizer Chiefs for a smart, passion filled and hard fought DDC league campaign,' Motaung wrote on his timeline. 'Your spirit has brought glory and pride to the Amakhosi Nation. Great way to celebrate 10 years of DDC reserve team football.' Could not be more proud. Congratulations @KaizerChiefs for a smart, passion filled and hard fought DDC league campaign. Your spirit has brought glory and pride to the Amakhosi Nation. Great way to celebrate 10 years of DDC reserve team football. #Champions #ssdiski #asidlali — Kaizer Motaung Jr (@kaizerm_jr) April 26, 2025 With all their flaws this season, the first team have benefited from the fruits of the reserves, given the impact of the graduates from the youth academy. Mfundo Vilakazi, Wandile Duba and Mduduzi Shabalala are now setting top-flight football alight in the first team after being promoted recently. The success of Khumalo will bring a positive vibe around the club given that the first team has endured a rollercoaster ride this season across all competitions. Chiefs' top-eight finish is not yet confirmed as they need to secure a whopping number of points in their remaining Premiership matches, having lost 2-1 Marumo Gallants on Saturday afternoon at the FNB Stadium.
CAF
14-02-2025
- Sport
- CAF
SA U-17 coach Vela Khumalo weighs in on TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON draw outcome
Head coach of the South African U-17 national team, Vela Khumalo has reacted to the draw outcome of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Draw that was conducted in Cairo on Thursday, 13 February. The continental showpiece, which serves as a qualifier to this year's FIFA U-17 World Cup will take place in Morocco between 30 March - 19 April. The draw, which was conducted by former Mali international Adama Coulibaly and ex-Senegalese star Souleymane Camara saw 'Amajimbos' drawn in a Group B that Khumalo described as 'Intriguing'. The South Africans take on last edition's bronze-medallists Burkina Faso, 2009 champions Egypt, as well as the winners of the UNIFFAC Qualifiers to be confirmed in due course. Reacting to the draw, Khumalo who also doubles as Kaizer Chiefs FC youth coach said the draw was both interesting and intriguing, adding that the confirmation of the UNIFFAC team would help them fine-tune their preparations. 'This is a very interesting group. Very intriguing as well. At the same time, one is still hanging in there to see who the other team will be. Is it Cameroon, Congo, Central Africa Republic or Gabon. At the moment we still waiting but very interesting group and we look forward to getting the finalisation and seeing the fourth team and take it from there', said Khumalo. This year's edition marks South Africa's fifth participation, having come short of lifting the title in 2015 when they were narrowly edged by Mali in the final in Niamey, Niger.
