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IOL News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
‘Amakhosi for life': Yusuf Maart bids emotional farewell after Kaizer Chiefs exit
Khosi for life Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart has completed his move to newly promoted Austrian side SV Ried. Photo: Alche Greeff/BackpagePix Image: Alche Greeff/BackpagePix Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'I know that Austrian football is very intensive and physical. Ried has a great atmosphere in their stadium, and the fans are known for it.' Maart also penned an emotional letter and thanked Chiefs as well as his previous club, Sekhukhune United, for how his career had turned out. The Capetonian actually began his professional career in the colours of Orlando Pirates. However, things didn't pan out, and after a brief loan spell to Cape Umoya United, he secured a move to Sekhukhune United, where he started to make an impact. After helping Sekhukhune earn promotion to the Betway Premiership, he moved to Kaizer Chiefs and quickly became one of their key players. He was the club's captain last season and scored the winning goal in the Nedbank Cup final against Pirates. Read Maart's full letter below: Firstly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Chairman and CEO of Sekhukhune United for believing in my talent,' he wrote in the letter shared by his agency, P Management. Their unwavering support and the leadership opportunities they provided were pivotal in shaping not only my confidence as a player but also as a person. The lessons I've learned will stay with me forever. I would also like to thank the Chairman of Kaizer Chiefs and the entire management for entrusting me with the honor of wearing the armband. Leading one of the biggest and most prestigious teams on the continent is something I will always cherish and be proud of. To all the coaches who have guided me throughout my journey, I am beyond grateful. The knowledge and wisdom you've shared have helped me grow in ways that go beyond the game itself. Your influence has shaped me into the player I am today. To my teammates, thank you for your support and the unforgettable moments we've shared on and off the field. But most importantly, I want to thank the Amakhosi faithful – the fans. Your unwavering belief in us through both the triumphs and the challenges has been a constant source of motivation. Amakhosi for Life. IOL Sport Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Preparations have been 'very positive'
'We are training hard to be ready for the upcoming season,' said the Chiefs winger. Glody Lilepo believes Kaizer Chiefs' pre-season in the Netherlands is going well. Picture: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix Kaizer Chiefs winger Glody Lilepo believes Amakhosi's pre-season camp in the Netherlands has been a successful exercise. ALSO READ: Rulani explains MC Alger technical team Chiefs have played three friendlies up to now, losing all of them, and have two more – back-to-back games against PEC Zwolle and FC Twente on Tuesday and Wednesday. Chiefs' Lilepo – 'Physical training' Lilepo was pleased with the way Chiefs played in their last friendly, a 1-0 loss to NEC Nijmegen on Saturday. 'We played really well in our last game,' Lilepo told the Chiefs official website. 'So far we have focused a lot on physical training, having two sessions a day. The physical aspect always comes before the tactical and technical aspects of the game. That's typical pre-season.' 'The preparations in Holland have been very positive,' Lilepo added. 'We are training hard to be ready for the upcoming season. 'Besides training hard, soccer is also about discipline, including tactical discipline. If you master that, you will succeed. 'It's as simple as that' 'And if you want to challenge for trophies, one needs to have a good pre-season. It's as simple as that, there is no other option. We are gelling nicely as a team, including the new players. I really feel positive looking ahead.' ALSO READ: Ellis delighted with 'statement' Banyana win Chiefs will return to South Africa on July 19 and will then play Asante Kotoko in the Toyota Cup at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on July 26.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Williams questions Nkota's Saudi switch
'Where is he going to go after Saudi because if you send him there, there are no teams that are going to watch him,' said Williams. Mohau Nkota of South Africa during the International Friendly match against Mozambique at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, on 10 June 2025 ©Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix Bafana Bafana legend Mark Williams has voiced concern over Mohau Nkota's transfer from Orlando Pirates to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, questioning the timing and long-term benefit of the move. Pirates confirm exit The Buccaneers confirmed the 20-year-old's departure on Sunday, following a standout debut campaign in which he made 39 appearances and notched up 12 goal contributions. ALSO READ: Pirates winger joins Saudi Pro League side Ettifaq Nkota found the back of the net seven times across all competitions and registered five assists which were enough to earn him a move to Saudi Arabia. Williams, who also played in the Arabic country for Al-Shabab in the twilight of his career, believes Nkota should have pursued a path through Europe rather than heading to the Middle East so early. 'At 20, that's not the right move. If I was his agent, you don't send a 20-year-old to Saudi. Where is he going to go after Saudi because if you send him there, there are no teams that are going to watch him,' Williams said to Phakaaathi. 'Players like him must be sent to France or Belgium where I started my career. When you're in Belgium, then you're sitting on the brink of European football. 'For me, (it's hard) to say that he's going to improve. Most teams that he will play against in Saudi are senior players because you go to Saudi when you have your last three or four years to make a lot of money.' While financial details of the transfer remain undisclosed, clubs in the Saudi Pro League have earned a reputation for their financial muscle and willingness to spend freely in the transfer market. Although Williams is not in favour of the youngster's move to the lucrative Gulf league, he extended his best wishes to Nkota. The former striker believes the decision was driven more by financial gain than footballing development, 'Nobody will see him' 'For the company, it's good but for the player, I wouldn't have sent him to Saudi. If the money is good then it's a money-making move and we all know that,' he added. 'Good luck to the boy but he won't get the world of experience there because nobody will see him. He's also not going to get into the national team. Who's going to go watch him play Saudi? It's nobody. Is there Saudi TV on our radar? ALSO READ: Chelsea boss Maresca hails 'great triumph' in winning Club World Cup 'All I'm saying is good luck to the boy but if I was his agent, I would have sent him to Europe because he's still young. Saudi is for players like me when I was 30 years old.'
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns plans to extend Divine Lunga's contract post-Club World Cup
Mamelodi Sundowns is set to extend Zimbabwean defender Divine Lunga's contract following his impressive performances at the Club World Cup and his key role in their CAF Champions League final run. Picture: Lyn Gleeson/BackpagePix Divine Lunga is in line for an extension on his Mamelodi Sundowns contract following his strong showing at the Club World Cup. The 30-year-old Zimbabwean defender featured in all three matches for Sundowns at the showpiece event, and by all accounts delivered impressive performances. Since Lunga is now in the optional year of his contract, the timing of his strong play could not be better. Having first joined Sundowns back in 2021, Lunga was loaned out for the 2022/2023 season to Golden Arrows.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Banyana held to a draw by Tanzania in WAFCON clash
South Africa coach Desiree Ellis made a couple of changes from the team that won 2-0 against Ghana. Opa Clement Tukumbuke of Tanzania celebrates goal during the 2024 Womens Africa Cup of Nations match against South Africa in Oujda on Friday. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix Banyana Banyana came back from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw against a 10-woman Tanzania outfit in a Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) clash at Honneur Stadium in Ouja on Friday night. The draw saw Banyana retaining their spot at the top of Group C, level on four points with Mali who played to a 1-1 draw against Ghana in the other group match played earlier on Friday. South Africa coach Desiree Ellis made a couple of changes from the team that won 2-0 against Ghana. Just like the opening game, Banyana didn't start the game well and there were a lot of stray passes and poor decision-making especially in the final third. Tanzania's goal came from a mistake in the middle of the field from the defending champions. Noxolo Cesane received a pass from Karabo Dhlamini and instead of returning the ball to her she tried to make a turn and was dispossessed. She then committed an unnecessary foul and from that resultant free kick captain Opa Tukumbuke put Tanzania in the lead with a header. Jermaine Seoposenwe tried her luck with a long-range shot, but his shot was saved by Najiati Idrisa, who made sure that her side took their slender lead into the half-time break. Ellis made two changes at the start of the second half, taking out Cesane and Kgalebane Mohlakoana and replacing them with Hilda Magaia and Lebohang Ramalepe respectively. Banyana took the game to Tanzania in the second half as they pushed forward in search of the equaliser. Kaylin Swart, who was partly to blame for Tanzania's first goal after coming out of her area and then got caught in no man's land by Tukumbuke's looping header, almost gifted them with the second one in the 57th minute when again she failed to reach the ball, but Dhlamini was there to clear the danger. Fikile Magama came close to finding the equaliser for Banyana in the 68th minute with a long-range shot, but Idrisa did well to parry the ball over the crossbar for a corner kick. From that resultant set piece, Bambanani Mbane netted the equaliser for South Africa with a header. Following a VAR review, Tanzania were reduced to 10 women in the 84th minute after Winifred Gerald was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Linda Motlhalo. Banyana, however, were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage as Tanzania hanged on to hold them to a draw and get their first point of the tournament.
