Latest news with #Wafcon
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Hugo Broos: Glory days now, but new Bafana talent must be brought in
Mihlali Baleka | Published 2 hours ago Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos admits that the glory days are on the horizon for South African football, but he's pleaded for the nurturing of youngsters and continuity. Bafana and their female counterparts Banyana Banyana ended the 2024 calendar year on a high note as they qualified for this year's Afcon and Wafcon finals. As such, the junior men's national teams followed in their footsteps early in the year as the Under-17 men's team and Bafana's B team qualified for the World Cup and Chan finals respectively. However, the Under-20 men's team achieved their own targets in style as they won their maiden Afcon title in Egypt, having already qualified for the World Cup after reaching the semi-final. 'These are glory days for South African football, I think,' said Broos after announcing his 23-member squad yesterday for Bafana's two international friendlies in June. 'Under-17 and Under-20 have qualified for the World Cup. We have qualified for Afcon. Banyana have good results. 'Yeah, from the bottom to the highest level, everything is good at the moment. But I think we are at the crossroad for the moment – now we have to react as a football federation. 'If we are just happy now, I can assure you that in two-three years, you won't find anything of what we have now. So, we have to work hard now, and follow-up.' By following up, Broos means the junior national teams' players must be slowly but gradually integrated into the senior team, so that they are not lost in the system for future. The 73-year-old is putting his money where his mouth is at as he named a youthful squad for their two friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique in Polokwane and Loftus in June. Broos handed 10 players their maiden national team call-up, including Pirates quartet Deano van Rooyen, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe and Mohau Nkota. The bulk of the new faces in the Bafana fold are replacing Mamelodi Sundowns players who'll be competing in the Club World Cup next month. But with Sundowns' players set to be available for the next camp, the World Cup qualifiers in September emphasised that he would still go with most of them. 'We have to see the new players who are in the squad, whether they are at the level to play for Bafana Bafana. That is the first thing,' Broos said. 'But I am sure already, it might be too soon for some of them to be ready to play at that level. The only reason we called them up is because we are looking into the future. 'We have a number of players who are 30 (years old) and more in the team. So, not next week, month or in September, but we have to slowly but surely replace these players in the future.' The majority of the new players at Bafana might only be considered for major games in future, but Broos said it'll be important for them to leave a lasting impression now. 'I will observe them – out of the pitch, on the pitch, during the game and on training,' Broos explained. 'It's not only about seeing the level of achievement, or the talent. But I don't know the guy that is there, and that for me is very important. 'In the next 10 days, I will see how they'll react in some situations. How they are with their teammates, and when eating together. This is very important to me!' Bafana Squad Goalkeepers: Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine, Renaldo Leaner Defenders: Khulumani Ndamane, Nyiko Mobbie, Thabo Moloisane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Deano van Rooyen, Samukelo Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien Midfielders: Simphiwe Selepe, Thalente Mbatha, Ndamulelo Maphangule, Luke le Roux Forwards: Yanela Mbuthuma, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota, Patrick Maswanganyi, Tshepang Moremi, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Ashley Cupido
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Hugo Broos: Glory days now, but new Bafana talent must be brought in
Mohau Nkota Mohau Nkota of Orlando Pirates was one of 10 new faces in the Bafana squad announced yesterday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos admits that the glory days are on the horizon for South African football, but he's pleaded for the nurturing of youngsters and continuity. Bafana and their female counterparts Banyana Banyana ended the 2024 calendar year on a high note as they qualified for this year's Afcon and Wafcon finals. As such, the junior men's national teams followed in their footsteps early in the year as the Under-17 men's team and Bafana's B team qualified for the World Cup and Chan finals respectively. However, the Under-20 men's team achieved their own targets in style as they won their maiden Afcon title in Egypt, having already qualified for the World Cup after reaching the semi-final. 'These are glory days for South African football, I think,' said Broos after announcing his 23-member squad yesterday for Bafana's two international friendlies in June. 'Under-17 and Under-20 have qualified for the World Cup. We have qualified for Afcon. Banyana have good results. 'Yeah, from the bottom to the highest level, everything is good at the moment. But I think we are at the crossroad for the moment – now we have to react as a football federation. 'If we are just happy now, I can assure you that in two-three years, you won't find anything of what we have now. So, we have to work hard now, and follow-up.' 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 ✕ SA U17 Coach Vela Khumalo: "We are all ready for this. This is what we all wanted. Importantly for us, it is not to get carried away and to work towards getting out of the group stages of the U17 FIFA World Cup and go to the knockout stages.' — (@SAFA_net) May 27, 2025 By following up, Broos means the junior national teams' players must be slowly but gradually integrated into the senior team, so that they are not lost in the system for future. The 73-year-old is putting his money where his mouth is at as he named a youthful squad for their two friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique in Polokwane and Loftus in June. Broos handed 10 players their maiden national team call-up, including Pirates quartet Deano van Rooyen, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe and Mohau Nkota. The bulk of the new faces in the Bafana fold are replacing Mamelodi Sundowns players who'll be competing in the Club World Cup next month. But with Sundowns' players set to be available for the next camp, the World Cup qualifiers in September emphasised that he would still go with most of them. 'We have to see the new players who are in the squad, whether they are at the level to play for Bafana Bafana. That is the first thing,' Broos said. 'But I am sure already, it might be too soon for some of them to be ready to play at that level. The only reason we called them up is because we are looking into the future. 'We have a number of players who are 30 (years old) and more in the team. So, not next week, month or in September, but we have to slowly but surely replace these players in the future.' Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has confirmed Amajita number-one goalkeeper Fletcher Smyth-Lowe is definitely on his radar and will be drafted into the senior squad after the FIFA U20 World Cup later this year. 🔗 — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 29, 2025 The majority of the new players at Bafana might only be considered for major games in future, but Broos said it'll be important for them to leave a lasting impression now. 'I will observe them – out of the pitch, on the pitch, during the game and on training,' Broos explained. 'It's not only about seeing the level of achievement, or the talent. But I don't know the guy that is there, and that for me is very important. 'In the next 10 days, I will see how they'll react in some situations. How they are with their teammates, and when eating together. This is very important to me!' Bafana Squad Goalkeepers: Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine, Renaldo Leaner Defenders: Khulumani Ndamane, Nyiko Mobbie, Thabo Moloisane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Deano van Rooyen, Samukelo Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien Midfielders: Simphiwe Selepe, Thalente Mbatha, Ndamulelo Maphangule, Luke le Roux Forwards: Yanela Mbuthuma, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota, Patrick Maswanganyi, Tshepang Moremi, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Ashley Cupido
SowetanLIVE
6 days ago
- Sport
- SowetanLIVE
Banyana made to sweat by Botswana in friendly
Banyana Banyana started the final phase of their preparations for the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco in July with a 3-2 win over stubborn Botswana in their Tri-Nations friendly at Lucas Moripe Stadium yesterday. Banyana coach Desiree Ellis started the match geared towards build-up to South Africa's defence of their Wafcon 2022 title with veteran midfielder Refiloe Jane, who was making her return to the team for the first time in more than a year after injury. Jane, who stayed on the pitch for 70 minutes until she was replaced by Bongeka Gamede, played closely with Amogelang Motau in the heart of the midfield.
The Herald
6 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Banyana made to sweat by Botswana in Wafcon warm-up friendly
Banyana Banyana started the final phase of their preparations for the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco in July with a 3-2 win over a stubborn Botswana in their Tri-Nations friendly at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria, on Wednesday. Banyana coach Desiree Ellis started the match as part of the build-up to South Africa's defence of their Wafcon 2022 title with veteran midfielder Refiloe Jane, who made her return to the team for the first time in more than a year after a career-threatening injury. Jane, who stayed on the pitch for 70 minutes until she was replaced by Bongeka Gamede, played closely with Amogelang Motau in the heart of the midfield, where she looked comfortable.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Banyana Banyana survive Botswana scare in five-goal thriller
Gabriela Salgado Banyana's Gabriela Salgado clears the ball away from Botswana's Senwelo Leungo in Atteridgeville on Wednesday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Banyana Banyana kicked off their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) preparations with a gritty 3-2 triumph over Botswana in the Three Nations Challenge opener at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Wednesday. Early strikes from Jermaine Seopesenwe and Adrielle Mibe handed South Africa a dream start in the tri-nation series, which also includes Zambia. But Botswana battled back with a goal in each half to keep the contest alive. South Africa, eyes set on continental glory once again and with the Wafcon just weeks away, Banyana used their Challenge clash against Botswana to sharpen their blades – and they cut deep. Having barely unpacked their bags from a double triumph over Malawi last month, Desiree Ellis' side wasted no time finding their rhythm. Despite limited time in camp, the chemistry returned like an old song – smooth and dangerous. It wasn't long before the tempo rose, the passes flowed, and the intent was that of a team looking to hit the ground running. Back from injury, Refiloe Jane wore the armband like a crown, and wasted no time reminding the field of her class. Her pinpoint diagonal pass found Seopesenwe lurking, and though defender Kesegofetse Mochawe scrambled the danger away, the writing was already on the wall. From the resulting throw-in, Amogelang Masego turned sharply inside the box, setting up Seopesenwe for a powerful shot that was parried by keeper Sedilame Bosija. But the ball went only as far as Mibe, who pounced with the hunger of a lioness, and South Africa were on the board in the 13th minute. Botswana, still reeling, was caught napping minutes later. Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart launched a ball from deep, and Kgaelebane Mohlokoana played through Seopesenwe, who showed grace and poise to take it down with a silky touch before firing past the on-rushing keeper Bosija, and Banyana were 2-0 up in the 17th minute. Their last meeting between the two sides had been a cagey 1-0 win for South Africa during the 2022 Wafcon, but this time, the gap in class was widening. Botswana, desperate for a turnaround, saw their attempt to build from the back turn disastrous when Lone Gaofetoge's misplaced pass fell to the feet of a prowling Seopesenwe, who, with eyes set and locked in on target, rolled it past the keeper for South Africa's third goal of the match. Though down, Botswana were not yet out. With five minutes to halftime, Bosija combined with Radiakanyo Duduetsang, who stepped up with a thunderbolt from distance, catching Swart off her line and giving the visitors a flicker of hope with a stunning strike to go into the halftime break at 3-1. The visitors had found a new spur of energy and began the second half better than they did the first. They would soon be rewarded for their patience, with Phenyoyaone Moloi ensuring a tense finish to the match with her 63rd-minute strike pulling the visitors back within one of South Africa's lead. But it wasn't to be as Banyana were able to hang on for the win.
