Latest news with #YusufMaart
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart named in Bafana Bafana preliminary squad for June friendlies
National team call-up for Chiefs captain On the back of scoring the winning goal in the Nedbank Cup final, Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart has been included in the preliminary Bafana Bafana squad for upcoming friendlies. Photo: BackpagePix With Mamelodi Sundowns players not available due to next month's FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, the team named by Broos is dominated by Orlando Pirates, with 11 players from the club included in the 30-man preliminary squad. Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart has been rewarded for his stellar performances for his club by being included in the Bafana Bafana preliminary squad for upcoming international friendlies. Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. There is also a first-time call-up for Pirates' teen sensation Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who has turned heads with his performances since being promoted to the first team by Jose Riveiro during the season. Club Brugge's Shandre Campbell, who sat on the bench during the Belgian club's UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Marcus Rashford's Aston Villa two months ago, has also been included. With skipper Ronwen Williams not selected due to Sundowns's Club World Cup commitments, Pirates' Sipho Chaine is expected to be in between the sticks. Chippa United's Darren Johnson, Chiefs' Bruce Bvuma, Ricardo Goss of SuperSport United, as well as Renaldo Learner from Sekhukhune United will provide competition for the number one jersey. Bafana's opponent for the June international window are yet to be named.
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Chiefs' Maart thanks ‘father' Kaizer Motaung
'When he speaks to us, we feel like anything is possible,' said the Chiefs captain. Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart has praised the support given to every player at Amakhosi by the club's founder and chairman Kaizer Motaung. ALSO READ: Chiefs' Lilepo and Sekhukhune duo win PSL Awards Amakhosi on Saturday ended a ten year wait for a trophy, when they beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 to lift the Nedbank Cup title at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Chiefs' Maart – 'Everyone loves and respects the chairman' And it was Maart who scored the winning goal, lashing home an excellent volley from the edge of the box with ten minutes left. 'Thank you for being like a father to each and every player since you started the club,' said Maart, according to the official Chiefs website. 'Everybody loves and appreciates the Chairman. When he speaks to us, we feel like anything is possible; through him we understand what the club stands for, and the responsibility we have to the millions of fans that support us through thick and thin. So I want to thank him. We are all very pleased to make him happy with this trophy.' Kaizer Chiefs will play away to Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership on Saturday, hoping to scramble into the top eight in their final two league games of the season. Chiefs are currently in ninth place on 30 points, after a disappointing league campaign. But there is still a possibility for them to qualify for next season's MTN8. Chiefs only trail eighth-placed Chippa United on goal difference, and are three pints behind seventh-placed Polokwane City. 'We haven't had a great season in the league, and that is something we will have to improve on, but we all fought as a team and put a lot of work into bringing the Nedbank Cup back to Naturena,' added Maart. 'More consistency' 'Cup games are different to league matches in a lot of ways, but mainly we want to build more consistency going forward.' Maart has had to deal with plenty of criticism since arriving at Chiefs in 2022, and playing for them during a difficult time for the club. The fans have often been on his back, even this season, though his winning goal in the Nedbank Cup final will surely have changed plenty of hearts and minds. 'I became aware of how much it meant when I joined the club and it wasn't easy because of the pressure of knowing what is expected at Kaizer Chiefs,' said Maart. ALSO READ: Chiefs coach in the dark about future 'But I have worked my hardest from the first day. My first two seasons were not easy but now in my third season, we have been rewarded with something great, which is something I deeply appreciate.'
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Nabi breathes sigh of relief as Chiefs end decade-long drought with Nedbank Cup win
Yusuf Maart Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart celebrates after scoring what turned out to be the winning goal against Orlando Pirates. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Nasreddine Nabi says lifting the Nedbank Cup with Kaizer Chiefs may have bought him time to prove he's the right man to lead the club beyond this season. The Tunisian tactician guided Amakhosi to a dramatic 2-1 victory over bitter rivals Orlando Pirates at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon, ending the club's painful 10-year wait for silverware. 'My first objective for the club is to place Kaizer Chiefs back in its natural position,' he said at the post match press conference. 'I'm happy for this trophy because it is going to help me continue my process, and it is going to give the fans a lot more confidence in this project,' Nabi said. Gaston Sirino put Chiefs ahead from the spot before Evidence Makgopa equalised shortly after for the Buccaneers. But it was skipper Yusuf Maart who sealed the win late on – a symbolic goal from a player whose leadership has been under scrutiny all season. Picture of The Year 🇿🇦 ♥️ Coach Nasreddin Nabi #NedbankCupFinal2025 The Glamour Boy — IG:Joy-Zelda (@joy_zelda) May 10, 2025 Despite securing a first major title since 2015, doubts over Nabi's future remain, with Chiefs still at risk of missing out on the top eight. But the coach pointed to the journey of their Soweto rivals as a lesson in patience and rebuilding. 'Orlando Pirates understood how important it is to build your team. If you looked at how they played today and how they played last season, you would realise that they are a completely different team,' he said. 'That means, sometimes, you don't want to get things right away, you need to give time to rebuild and to allow yourself to suffer and to rebuild to be better.' Crucial to that win were the changes made in the second half, with substitutes like Mduduzi Shabalala adding spark and composure when it mattered most. 'We started well in the second half, but we believe that the changes we made with Mthetwa, du Preez, and Shabalala gave us more energy and more balance to get back into the game, and to establish more control in the game. 'It's been a tough ten years, and you could see that everyone wanted to win it so bad,' he added. 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 Another bold call from Nabi came in goal, where Brandon Petersen replaced Bruce Bvuma – a move many questioned but one that paid off. 'Brandon Petersen, we noticed that there was extreme pressure on Bruce in these last few weeks, we believe it was inhumane pressure on him. 'we didn't just want to protect him but we noticed the other two keepers are almost the same level but Brandon has been training tremendously well with Ilyez Mzoughi,' Nabi explained. 'Don't think for one minute it was an easy decision because it could have gone either way, had he conceded, people would have asked why did you change in the final. 'But our goalkeeper coach was confident that what he's put in, the work with Petersen can help us. In the 90 minutes, he proved that it was an excellent bet.' Petersen has featured 47 times for Chiefs, with 17 clean sheets and 46 goals conceded since joining the club from the now-defunct Bivdest Wits back in July 2021.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs' M people provided the sheet anchor for historic Nedbank Cup triumph
Yusuf Maart, Miguel Inacio, Pule Mmodi, Mduduzi Shabalala, and Sibongiseni Mthethwa collectively formed the backbone of the team's success, proving that sometimes, a shared initial can signify a shared destiny on the pitch. Each contributed significantly to this monumental conquest, all sharing the common thread of their names featuring the letter 'M'. On Saturday, Kaizer Chiefs claimed the Nedbank Cup title, thanks largely to the extraordinary contributions from five key players whose names all carry the letter 'M'. In a resonant nod to the iconic band M People, Chiefs embarked on a 'Search for the Hero' and uncovered five exceptional players. The match showcased the tactical prowess of Tunisian coach Nabi Nasreddine and the individual brilliance of these five players, who intertwined their skills to create a tapestry of teamwork that ultimately overwhelmed their opponents. Yusuf Maart 8.5 His tenacity in midfield provided Chiefs with the control they needed to dictate the tempo of the game. He emerged as the standout performer, earning the 'Player-of-the-Match' accolade while leading his side to a hard-fought victory. Chiefs' captain scored the match-winning goal, demonstrating his skill and unwavering commitment to the team's success. His ability to rise to the occasion solidified his status as a leader on the field. He intercepted passes and transitioned the play effectively. Miguel Inacio 7.5 The Angolan showcased his prowess to help turn the tide in favour of Chiefs. He effectively neutralised the threats posed by Pirates' dynamic duo, Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng. His ability to read the game allowed him to intercept passes and shut down potential scoring opportunities, thus ensuring the Chiefs maintained their defensive composure throughout the match. His deft passing and work rate ensured the team's attack remained fluent and relentless. Pule Mmodi 7 He turned heads with a performance that showcased his brilliance in the Chiefs' attack. Although he failed to score, he was a constant threat to the Pirates' defence. He weaved through their lines with agility and intent. His pace and skill were evident as he frequently created scoring opportunities for his teammates. His role in winning a penalty proved pivotal for Chiefs' goal. It was clear that Mmodi was not just participating in the game; he was influencing its outcome. Mduduzi Shabalala 7 Substitute Shabalala was key to Chiefs scoring the second goal as his exchange of passes with Ashley Du Preez saw Maart score the winner. His youthful exuberance and tactical brilliance made him a key player for Chiefs as they wished to close out victoriously. Although he failed to score, he illustrated his capability to seize the moment and create opportunities in critical situations. His contribution reflected his growing importance in Chiefs' attacking forays. Sibongiseni Mthethwa 6.5 Substitute Mthethwa, affectionately known as 'Ox', made a powerful impact after he came off the bench to bolster Chiefs' defence. He offered physicality and a relentless tenacity, which was crucial for the team to maintain their composure in high-pressure situations late in the game. His robust presence added an essential layer of security as Pirates' pressure mounted in the closing stages of the game. His level of performance reinforces the importance of squad depth.
The South African
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates to loose Relebohile Mofokeng after Nedbank Cup upset?
Seven days after securing three points against Kaizer Chiefs in the league, Orlando Pirates were humbled by their bitter rivals as they watched match winner Yusuf Maart lift the Nedbank Cup last Saturday. It was the Buccaneers' second heartbreak in the last three weeks after suffering Champions League elimination at the hands of Pyramids FC. Orlando Pirates have experienced several purple patches throughout the season, winning their first eight league games, but will struggle to look past their late-season anguish. Adding more fire to the rage is their league defeat to Sekhukhune United on May 1, while Mamelodi Sundowns have continued their fine form and now look like a lock for an eighth successive PSL title. It could be a few months to forget for the Soweto giants, who are on the brink of losing several stars, including Relebohile Mofokeng. Earlier this year, Orlando Pirates rejected an R25.8 million bid for the golden boy, a sign of what's to come as several foreign suitors begin lining up. In fact, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos believes his exit is imminent, saying, I think his parents want the best for him, that's for sure. But there is another guy who wants to win a lot of money also, but that's the problem. But ok, let's hope, maybe I talked too soon about that. 'We'll see. I think in June, Rele will not be a player of Orlando Pirates anymore, but a good choice is very important.' 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.
