Banyana Banyana's title defence off to a perfect start at WAFCON
South Africa kicked off Group C with a win over Ghana's Black Queens in the city of Oujda.
Banyana braced the scorching heat to defeat Ghana 2-0 and move to the top of the group.
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The Herald
4 hours ago
- The Herald
Broken but unbowed: Webber's 15-win season defies the odds
For the last two months of the 2024/2025 season, injured Eldin Webber could only watch from the sidelines, but that didn't stop him from becoming the Champion Local Jockey in the Eastern Cape for the first time. It was an extraordinary season for Webber. He started brilliantly, then the winners dried up and then disaster. A broken leg ended his season with two months to go. Webber watched on and waited for the other jockeys to go past his 15 winners — they couldn't. 'I arrived back home [in Gqeberha] from Ireland, where things didn't quite work out for me. I wanted to prove to myself and the people that I can do this,' Webber said 'My goal was to win the championship. I put my head down and worked hard. 'Piece by piece, things fell in place for me and I did it. I achieved my goal.' Webber is quick to acknowledge the role many people played in his journey, thanking all the owners and all the Fairview trainers who helped him to achieve his goal. 'It all started with the Emmanuel Kaknis stable. The Kelly Mitchley yard gave me opportunities before trainer Zietsman Oosthuizen took me under his wings. 'Desmond Zackey then became my agent and we started building the winners up like that. 'One person who helps me tremendously is [former jockey] Justine King. She does all my paperwork, and if there are any problems, I turn to her for advice,' Webber said. Those 15 winners could have been a lot more with a little bit of luck. Webber had 22 second places and 25 thirds. 'You win some, you lose some. That is the name of the game. Sometimes you make mistakes. If you don't make the right move at the right time, you lose.' Webber is known as a jockey who doesn't stand back for anyone and that does get him into trouble at times. 'One has to stand up for what is right. I am not going to take the fall for something I didn't do. Everything must be done the correct way.' Webber, who won the Eastern Cape Champion Apprentice title twice, is delighted that there is a championship for the local jockeys to aim for. 'We feel we are worth something. Being the local champion means a lot, it is something that I can put on my CV when I want to go riding overseas.' The visiting jockeys dominate the Fairview meetings, and the local jockeys have been pleading for many years now for more opportunities from the owners and trainers. 'If owners can see the hard work we put in, they will appreciate more what we do and probably give us more chances. 'We work with very temperamental horses sometimes. 'We prepare the horses for the out-of-town jockeys to make the game look so easy, but the situation is what it is.' With the new Eastern Cape season starting with a Fairview Turf meeting on Monday, Webber will have to wait before he can start defending his title. 'I am making good progress with my injury. I can return to gym work now and will see the doctor on Thursday. Hopefully, I will get the green light then to return to work. 'I guess I will have to kick-start my season. Next season, I want to do even better. I want to at least double my number of winners.' So, his competitors had better look out — the champion can't wait to get back in the saddle and into the winners' enclosure.
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs starlet draws local and European interest
Kaizer Chiefs' rising right-back Sfiso Timba has caught the eye of PSL club Sekhukhune United following his stellar displays for the DDC team and South Africa's U20 national side, Amajita. Timba, who recently impressed at trials with Belgian outfit RWD Molenbeek and also trained with the Amakhosi senior team, now finds himself at the centre of growing transfer interest. A reliable source close to Naturena revealed that Sekhukhune United have formally enquired about the 19-year-old. 'You know Chiefs were looking at promoting him this season, but it's believed that with the signing of Thabiso Monyane they have enough right backs at the moment and they are looking at him growing. And since it's believed that Sekhukhune United have enquired about him, then they could loan him there. It won't be a permanent move. No, it is expected to be a loan move. But, yes, the interest is there from Sekhukhune United,' said the source. While Chiefs considered elevating Timba to the senior team, Monyane's arrival has temporarily blocked that pathway. However, a loan deal to Sekhukhune could offer the young defender valuable top-flight experience. Meanwhile, the door to Europe remains open. Timba left a strong impression during his stint at RWD Molenbeek, and the Belgian club reportedly still monitors his progress. 'They were happy when he was there. They even made a follow-up on him, and the chances are that he could still go there. But, for now, the club has to deal with the local interest first and take it from there.' Timba's stock has surged since helping coach Raymond Mdaka's Amajita squad clinch the U20 AFCON title. Securing a coveted spot at the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup. His leadership and composure at the back have positioned him as one of the brightest young talents in South African football. As local and international clubs line up for his signature. Kaizer Chiefs face a crucial decision on how best to nurture one of their most promising academy graduates. Should Kaizer Chiefs release another youngster? 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.
The Herald
7 hours ago
- The Herald
Bafana Bafana's huge World Cup clash against Nigeria hosted in Free State
Phase three will kick off on August 16 at R150 for the grandstand area, to be sold at Spar, Postnet and most petrol stations. Both the Lesotho and Nigeria matches will kick off at 6pm. Lesotho will make announcement on how tickets for that match will be sold. Fifa are yet to announce whether South Africa will be sanctioned, potentially with points docked, for fielding ineligible Teboho Mokoena (who should have been suspended) in their 2-0 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane in March. The top teams from nine African groups qualify for the first 48-team World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the US, with four best runners-up going into playoffs for one more place. Bafana drew their away fixture against Nigeria - compounding a disastrous start to the campaign by the Super Eagles - 1-1 in Uyo in June 2024.
