Category: African Sports

A number of Kaizer Chiefs supporters took to social media to express their frustration after only one Amakhosi player was included in Bafana Bafana’s final squad for the FIFA World Cup.

Defender Bradley Cross was the only Chiefs player to make Hugo Broos’ final 26-man squad.

Amakhosi stars, Brandon Petersen, Thabiso Monyane and Lebohang Maboe were among the other players who failed to make the cut.

The 25-year-old Cross is also one of only two uncapped players selected, alongside Philadelphia Union defender Olwethu Makhanya.

Chiefs players left out again in Bafana squad

Chiefs players have largely been overlooked by Broos in recent years.

During the World Cup qualifying campaign, no Amakhosi players featured regularly for Bafana Bafana, while the club also had no representatives in the squads for the 2023 and 2025 AFCON tournaments.

Adding to the frustration among Chiefs fans, Broos selected eight players from rivals Orlando Pirates in his final squad.

The Belgian tactician opted to rely on a core group of players he has trusted throughout his tenure.

Supporters quickly reacted online following the squad announcement.

Chiefs fans slam Bafana coach

@ChosenDick247 wrote: “Sad, sad, sad. No Brandon Petersen. Hugo’s hate for Kaizer Chiefs runs deep.”

@Sibuzakes posted: “That coach has something against Kaizer Chiefs players. He hates them with passion.”

Meanwhile, @MpseSimon tweeted: “Kaizer Chiefs fans wanted him to hijack the success of other players, and the old man Broos said: ‘Over my dead body.’”

Another supporter, @Mashesha_RSA, wrote: “Brandon Petersen is the only Kaizer Chiefs player who deserves to be part of the Bafana Bafana team. He worked very hard and proved himself.”

Bafana will open their World Cup campaign against Mexico national football team at the iconic Estadio Azteca on 11 June. The are in Group A alongside Mexico, Czech Republic and South Korea.

Here’s the final 26-man Bafana World Cup squad

Goalkeepers:
Williams, Goss, Chaine

Defence:
Mudau, Sibisi, Okon, Ndamane, Modiba, Kabini, Matuludi, Makhanya, Sebelebele, Cross, Mbokazi,

Midfielders:
Mokoena, Mbatha, Sithole, Adams,

Forwards:
Appollis, Rayners, Moremi, Mofokeng, Makgopa, Zwane, Foster, Maseko

Whats your take on the squad?

The Springboks have announced that – in partnership with Betway – they will be looking to pay tribute to supporters by replacing the sponsors logo on the back of the shorts with the names of 23 lucky fans chosen from across South Africa for the team’s first fixture of the year.

This will be for the season-opener against the Barbarians in Gqeberha on 20 June.

The selected winners will be joined by Betway Squad campaign captain Jean de Villiers for the ultimate Springbok experience in Gqeberha during match week.

“Springbok fans are behind every tackle, every try and every victory,” said Jason Shield, Head of Sponsorship at Betway Africa.

“This initiative will give 23 fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get their names behind our Springboks and an experience they will never forget. We see this as an opportunity to pay tribute to the fans who are truly behind the Boks.”

How to enter Springbok activation

To enter, supporters can visit www.behindeverybok.co.za, submit their details, and generate a personalised preview showing exactly what their name could look like on the Springbok shorts. Fans will then need to share their entry on social media using #BehindEveryBok to officially enter the competition.

“Springbok supporters play an important role in the team’s journey, and this initiative is a unique way to recognise the passion and support South Africans bring to the game,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby. “To see fans’ names carried onto the field alongside the Springboks makes this a really special moment.”

Entries are officially open, and the closing date is 11 June 2026 – enter now at www.behindeverybok.co.za.

2026 fixtures (kick off times in SA time)

• Saturday 20 June: Springboks v Barbarians
  • Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
  • Kick-off: 15:00

Nations Championship

• Saturday 4 July: Boks v England
  • Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
  • Kick-off: 17:40
• Saturday 11 July: Boks v Scotland
  • Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
  • Kick-off: 17:40
• Saturday 18 July: Boks v Wales
  • Venue: Kings Park, Durban
  • Kick-off: 17:40

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (v All Blacks)

• Saturday 22 August: Boks v All Blacks
  • Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
  • Kick-off: 17:00
• Saturday 29 August: Boks v All Blacks
  • Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
  • Kick-off: 17:00
• Saturday 5 September: Boks v All Blacks
  • Venue: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
  • Kick-off: 17:00
• Saturday 12 September: Boks v All Blacks
  • Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA
  • Kick-off: 18:00 (Expected)

Once-off Test

• Sunday 27 September: Wallabies v Boks
  • Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
  • Kick-off: 11:30

Nations Championship (End of Year Tour)

• Saturday 7 November: Italy v Boks
  • Venue: Venue TBC
  • Kick-off: 16:00
• Friday 13 November: France v Boks
  • Venue: Stade de France, Paris
  • Kick-off: 22:00
• Saturday 21 November: Ireland v Boks
  • Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
  • Kick-off: 19:30
• 27–29 November: Finals Weekend
  • Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
  • Kick-off: TBC

For most players, an injury layoff is a pause. For Thanasi Kokkinakis, it became another chapter in a career repeatedly interrupted just as momentum appeared within reach.

Now back competing at Roland Garros after months away from the tour, the Australian’s latest return may be his most remarkable yet.

Extended absence

Thanasi Kokkinakis arrived in Paris ranked outside the world’s top 850 after an extended absence caused by chronic shoulder and pectoral issues that eventually required an unconventional surgery involving an Achilles tendon graft.

The 30-year-old has long been regarded as one of the sport’s great “what if” stories.

A junior prodigy who once defeated top names including Roger Federer and Stefanos Tsitsipas, Kokkinakis has also endured repeated setbacks involving shoulders, knees, pectoral muscles, and abdominal injuries across more than a decade on tour.

His most recent battle began after pectoral surgery in early 2025 failed to completely resolve persistent pain.

Emotionally draining

Speaking earlier this year, Kokkinakis revealed the extent of the procedure, explaining: “I have an Achilles tendon from a dead person in my arm,” as surgeons attempted to reconnect damaged areas between his shoulder and chest.

The recovery proved emotionally draining.

He returned briefly during the Australian summer but was visibly restricted.

After withdrawing from the Australian Open singles draw in January, Kokkinakis admitted he was “not ready yet” despite desperately wanting to compete at his home Grand Slam.

During a doubles appearance alongside Nick Kyrgios, the injury again flared badly enough to require treatment mid-match.

Afterwards, Kokkinakis conceded: “I don’t want to play another match feeling like that ever again.”

Different tone

But Monday’s press conference at Roland Garros carried a very different tone.

While realistic about the physical uncertainty still surrounding his body, Thanasi Kokkinakis spoke optimistically about finally being back on court after months of rehabilitation.

“I know where my tennis can be,” he said.

“I’m only playing to try and get a year healthy.”

That simple goal – just one uninterrupted season – says everything about the scale of the journey.

Greater challenge

For players at the top of the game, ambitions are usually measured in titles and rankings. For Kokkinakis, merely competing pain-free has often felt like the greater challenge.

His ranking may currently sit far below where his talent suggests it belongs, but there remains widespread respect for the resilience he has shown simply to continue.

Every comeback has required another rebuild, another rehabilitation block, another attempt to trust his body again.

And as he steps back onto the Grand Slam stage in Paris, Kokkinakis is once again choosing belief over frustration – still convinced there is more tennis left in him yet.

UPDATE: Kokkinakis beat France’s Terence Atmane in five sets in his opening round match at Roland Garros. He will take on Spain’s Pablo Carreño Busta in Round 2 on Wednesday, 27 May.

Dave Marshall is reporting exclusively from the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros for The South African.

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has opened up on the moment he tendered his resignation just weeks into his tenure.

The comments follow a few days after the Moroccan cliched the South African top division title for the Buccaneers.

WHEN DID ABDESLAM OUADDOU RESIGN AT ORLANDO PIRATES?

The Sea Robbers sealed the Betway Premiership title with a commanding 2-0 win over Orbit College on Saturday, completing a remarkable domestic treble after also lifting the MTN8 and Carling Knockout earlier in the campaign.

It is a feat that places Ouaddou in rare company, becoming the first coach since Ruud Krol to guide the club to such a clean sweep of domestic honours in a single season.

Yet the story of the campaign began far from silverware celebrations. Just two matches into his spell, the Moroccan-French coach had already offered to walk away.

“I would not lie to people, and today I will not get you the results,” Ouaddou told the media. “So when I lost those two games, I didn’t have a choice but to propose my resignation to my management.

“I am an honest man. I am not chasing contracts or money. I am doing the job for love.” He admitted that pressure and early results pushed him to a breaking point, even preparing to leave the country and step away from the project entirely.

“If people don’t like me, what can I do? I just have to give my resignation and don’t ask for anything. I shake hands, take my flight and go back to France,” he added.

APPRECIATION FOR ORLANDO PIRATES MANAGEMENT

But Pirates’ leadership had other ideas. Instead of accepting his resignation, the club hierarchy backed their coach and urged him to continue. “We listened to you, and we know exactly that you are the man who can lead us to the Promised Land,” Ouaddou said.

That backing, he believes, became the turning point in a season that shifted from uncertainty to dominance. “So credit has to be given to them… maybe in other clubs, they would chase you after two games,” he said.

Despite the success, Ouaddou declined to discuss his long-term future, instead pointing to fatigue after a demanding campaign.

DO YOU BELIEVE HE IS STAYING?

Share your thoughts by clicking on the red comments block below.

Mamelodi Sundowns have conquered Africa – and they are cashing in big time after a historic CAF Champions League triumph.

Coach Miguel Cardoso’s side edged Morocco’s AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate after battling to a tense 1-1 draw away from home on Sunday night.

Masandawana won the first leg 1-0 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Second star

The result saw Mamelodi Sundowns crowned CAF Champions League winners for the second time in their history, 10 years after they earned their iconic first star back in 2016.

This Mamelodi Sundowns squad has successfully followed in the legendary footsteps of Pitso Mosimane (the head coach at the time) and Percy Tau who starred during that memorable campaign.

This latest generation has now written its own chapter in Mamelodi Sundowns history.

Ronwen Williams once again delivered on the big stage, while Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane, Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau and Iqraam Rayners – among others – played key roles throughout the campaign.

SUNDOWNS POCKET CLOSE TO R100 MILLION IN PRIZE MONEY

Continental success comes with a massive financial reward.

As reported on The South African, Mamelodi Sundowns will pocket a record $6 million (around R98 million) after lifting Africa’s biggest club trophy.

CAF increased the winner’s prize money by 50% ahead of this season’s tournament, thus making it the richest payout in CAF Champions League history.

However, that’s not all.

Mamelodi Sundowns have now qualified for a number of other one-off matches and tournaments, all of which bring guaranteed financial incentives.

ONTO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS FOR THE BRAZILIANS BAFANA BAFANA STARS

Attention will now shift to international football.

Several Mamelodi Sundowns stars are expected to feature prominently for Bafana Bafana during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Hugo Broos included nine Mamelodi Sundowns players in his 32-man preliminary squad, underlining the club’s dominance in South African football.

While one or two – at most – may be cut from the final 26-man squad heading to next month’s showpiece in North America, it’s a certainty that Broos will lean heavily on his Mamelodi Sundowns stars.

For now, though, Mamelodi Sundowns sit firmly on top of African football, with silverware, history and tens of millions of rands in prize money to show for it.

HOW DOES THIS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS SQUAD COMPARE TO THE 2016 SIDE UNDER PITSO MOSIMANE WHICH EARNED THEIR FIRST EVER CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE STAR?

Let us know in the comments below …

Mamelodi Sundowns are CAF Champions League winners once again after holding AS FAR to a 1-1 draw in Morocco to seal a 2-1 aggregate victory and lift their second continental crown.

Masandawana headed into the second leg at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah with a slender 1-0 advantage from Tshwane, but there was still plenty of work to do in a packed and hostile atmosphere in Rabat.

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL: AS FAR 1-1 MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

AS FAR came flying out of the blocks and immediately put Sundowns under pressure. The Moroccan giants launched wave after wave of attacks, throwing crosses into the box and asking questions of the visitors’ backline.

However, Sundowns refused to panic. The South African champions stood firm defensively, with the back four showing discipline and composure as they weathered the early storm.

Also read: Orlando Pirates win the league!

KABO YELLOW SURVIVE MOROCCAN PRESSURE

The final burst into life when both sides found the back of the net before half-time, leaving the match level at 1-1 on the night but still keeping Sundowns ahead 2-1 on aggregate.

As the second half wore on, the tension inside the stadium only grew. Then came the moment that nearly changed everything.

AS FAR were awarded a penalty in the 76th minute, handing the hosts a golden opportunity to swing the tie in their favour and ignite the crowd.

But up stepped captain Ronwen Williams. The Bafana Bafana goalkeeper produced a massive save under immense pressure, diving the right way to deny the penalty and preserve Sundowns’ advantage.

From there, Miguel Cardoso’s men dug deep and managed the closing stages brilliantly before the final whistle sparked celebrations on the pitch.

The triumph also completes a remarkable continental journey for Sundowns over the last decade. After finishing as runners-up in 2001, Masandawana finally reached the summit in 2016 when they lifted their first CAF Champions League title.

Since then, Sundowns have become one of Africa’s most consistent sides, reaching the quarter-finals in 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2022, while also making the semi-finals in 2019, 2023 and 2024.

Their run continued with another final appearance in 2025, where they finished as runners-up, before finally returning to the top in 2026 to secure their second continental crown.

Mamelodi Sundowns have officially conquered Africa again, securing the club’s second CAF Champions League star after withstanding the Moroccan storm.

Cheslin Kolbe is heading back to Cape Town, and it is a special partner of his, SportyBet, who deserve huge credit for making the deal happen.

Kolbe is set to return to the Stormers by 1 July, but the Cape side’s strict financial policies meant the deal would never have happened without outside intervention.

According to Rapport, the Stormers were willing to bring the 32-year-old Springbok wing home as part of director of rugby John Dobson’s “Project 2029” blueprint. However, the franchise’s new ownership operates under tight financial controls and was only prepared to offer Kolbe a standard contract.

EXPLAINED: HOW BETTING COMPANY HELPED CLINCH KOLBE’S DEAL WITH THE STORMERS

That left a significant gap to bridge. Kolbe had recently extended his deal with Japanese club Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath until the end of the 2026/27 season, meaning any move required a sizeable buyout fee.

Roc Nation Sports International, Kolbe’s agency, went to work. Unable to extract more money from the Stormers, RNSI approached Kolbe’s commercial partners and found a willing backer in international sports betting platform SportyBet, who put up a substantial transfer fee to bring the winger back to Cape Town.

SA Rugby’s Players of National Interest funding structure also contributed to the final package. But it is SportyBet’s intervention that ultimately made the move a reality.

The signing fills a pressing need out wide for Dobson’s side. Dylan Maart moves to the Bulls from Griquas after the Currie Cup, leaving Leolin Zas and Suleiman Hartzenberg as the current first-choice wings.

SportyBet ambassador

Earlier this year it was confirmed that Kolbe had joined SportyBet as a global ambassador.

Kolbe shared his excitement about teaming up with SportyBet and the opportunity to connect with millions of fans.

“SportyBet is where champions play, and I’m grateful to represent this team now. Can’t wait to bring my passion and energy to this field.”

A statement added: “As SportyBet continues to bring fans closer to the sports they love, the partnership with Cheslin Kolbe represents a meaningful step forward, combining world-class talent with a brand focused on entertainment, innovation, and genuine sporting connection.”

Orlando Pirates ended their 14-year league drought in dramatic fashion, benefiting from two own goals by Orbit College defenders Ndumiso Ngiba and Sabelo Nkomo in a tense final-day clash.

Needing only a victory to seal the title, the Buccaneers dominated proceedings but struggled to convert their chances.

Their breakthrough eventually came through an unfortunate own goal before a second defensive error from Orbit handed Pirates a comfortable cushion.

The result secured a historic treble for the Sea Robbers, capping off a memorable campaign.

However, the nature of the victory sparked debate among rival supporters on social media, with some questioning the legitimacy of the result after Orbit conceded two own goals.

Pirates benefit after own goals

@Ta_Fitty wrote: “Hayi no, the bank notifications have reflected now.”

@NathiSibiya8 added: “I’ve never seen such — two own goals. They must be investigated.”

@MrksPSLClub posted: “These are the weakest champions I’ve ever seen.

“You play two games without scoring a single goal, then on the last day the Orbit goalkeeper scores an own goal. Then Orbit score another own goal.

“Was this league bought by Pirates knowing next season VAR is coming?”

Despite the criticism, Pirates supporters quickly defended their club and pointed to past incidents involving Mamelodi Sundowns. Fans referenced Sundowns’ 7-4 victory over Siwelele, a match in which Siwelele also conceded two own goals.

@JustTrish_23 responded: “Siwelele scored two own goals and conceded seven. Nobody cried, we all laughed about it.”

@NtombikayiseBa6 added: “Siwelele literally scored two own goals and still failed to win the league, that’s the truth we both know. I’m loving your tears though.”

What’s your take? was the trophy earned?

Pitso Mosimane has made claims at several junctures in the past two years about stories linking him with the Kaizer Chiefs job.

Kaizer Chiefs connection is there, but it’s nothing more than that

Legendary coach Pitso Mosimane has explained his inextricable connection to Kaizer Chiefs. The former Sundowns boss is perennially linked with Chiefs, whether there’s any legitimacy to those links to a club which might roll out a key phase of their rebuild this winter.

Via FarPost:

“It’s a small world. Doc’s [Khumalo] father was the one putting me in the car. Football is a small world, and we belong to one family. It’s a big, but very small family,” said Mosimane.

Pitso wasn’t sure in 2024

Two years ago, Pitso poured cold water on the notion that he would coach another African club. Has anything changed in the interim?

“To be honest, there is interest in me now and in a totally different space that you and I could ever think of – Asia, not the Gulf,” he stated.

“So there has been interest. And there’s been an interesting one also from North America. And why not? Why not go to North America, why not go to Japan, China, those places, because for us, it is also our legacy.

“So if you can get a project that’s interesting in the Gulf, just for example, and a similar project in Asia, probably I would go to Asia, just to go see.

“But on that one, national teams, I don’t have a problem to be back in the continent, but club-wise no.”

Pitso has said many times that right now, his priority isn’t to take charge of a club on the African continent. When will Amakhosi fans accept that and move on? There are plenty more fish in the sea, and the board needs to focus on fishing the right one out of the right pond and go from there.

Mduduzi Shabalala to miss the World Cup?

22-year-old Mduduzi Shabalala will likely miss Bafana’s World Cup campaign after breaking his arm against Sundowns. The club could also release up to seven players at the end of the campaign. Gaston Sirino, Khanyisa Mayo, Zitha Kwinika, Bruce Bvuma, Dillan Solomons, Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Pule Mmodi all face uncertain futures.