Stranded children and coaches back home
Young Cape Town footballers who went to compete for the Donosti Cup in Spain found themselves in that situation.
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The Herald
a day ago
- The Herald
World Supercross comes to South Africa for the first time
South Africa will host a round of the FIM World Supercross championships for the first time this year. On December 13 the DHL Stadium in Cape Town will stage the season finale of the five-round 2025 championship, with the world's best supercross riders going head to head. The South African GP will close out a global tour that kicks off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 18 and spans five continents. Tickets priced from R450 are on sale at and with a range of options available from general admission to premium seats and VIP hospitality. The family friendly racing event will include food stalls and music. 'Bringing World Supercross to Cape Town is a massive moment for the sport in our country,' said Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. 'South Africa has a proud motocross and supercross fan base and we're excited to host the season finale at the iconic DHL Stadium.' Luisa Fernandez, chief product officer of World Supercross, said: 'Cape Town is the perfect setting for our 2025 championship finale. We've been working closely with local promoter Showtime Management and other South African partners to ensure the event delivers an unforgettable experience for everyone on and off the track.' Supercross events take place on specially constructed tracks inside stadiums, differing from motocross, which is on outdoor courses.
Daily Maverick
6 days ago
- Daily Maverick
Kaizer Chiefs defender Rushwin Dortley beating injury blues as he eyes strong comeback
The young player has had a tough journey to recovery but is ready to fulfil his aspirations. One moment Rushwin Dortley was living a fairy tale-like life, playing for one of the biggest clubs in Africa – Kaizer Chiefs. He had also managed to establish himself as a vital cog in Hugo Broos's Bafana Bafana team just months after joining Chiefs. The Belgian is not an easy person to impress, but Dortley quickly convinced Broos to make him part of his plans. By all accounts, the Cape Town-born defender was on top of the world. Then, in March, his fairy tale was shattered by a serious knee injury during a league match against Mamelodi Sundowns. It required surgery and sidelined him for the rest of the 2024/25 season. Injuries are part of sport, especially one as physical as soccer. Nevertheless, it was a disappointing development after the player's stocks had risen drastically during the first half of last season, thanks to his commanding performances in the backline. Uncharted territory Dortley (23) had never had such a serious injury, and at the time it happened he was one of the few shining lights in a struggling Chiefs team. As a result, he had to watch from the sidelines as Amakhosi toiled in the Premiership, eventually finishing ninth. He featured in just one match during Amakhosi's successful Nedbank Cup campaign last season – the 3-0 win over Chippa United in the round of 16. In the end, Amakhosi didn't need Dortley, as they ended a 10-year trophy drought by beating Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the final of the Cup. Chiefs' long-awaited silverware success brought mixed feelings for Dortley. On the one hand, he was elated to be part of this Chiefs group that had finally ended the side's barren trophy run. But he was disappointed not to have played a major part in their success. 'It's been tough being on the sidelines watching the team, especially with the Nedbank Cup… the team winning it and me not being able to participate. But the team winning it gives me a sense of happiness – hope that we can keep going for the upcoming season,' Dortley told Daily Maverick. 'At the moment, I'm at a good stage with my recovery. I'm pushing my rehab because I want to be back before the league starts. I'm looking forward to playing again, to helping the team,' he said. When he arrived at Chiefs a year ago, after joining from the relegated Cape Town Spurs, Dortley quickly adapted to his new surroundings to become one of the first players Amakhosi coach Nasreddine Nabi selected when crafting his starting line-up. Dortley says the key to his quick adaptation at Naturena Village (Chiefs' headquarters) was his positive mentality and hunger to succeed, as well as everyone at the club welcoming him warmly. The side landed his signature from Spurs amid major interest from other Premiership clubs after Dortley had impressed in his debut top-flight season with Spurs. It was a major coup for Chiefs, who have struggled to attract quality players in recent seasons because of their on-field woes. 'It's your hard work and your talent on the training pitch that will put you in the starting 11… I always try to remember why Chiefs brought me to the club, what they saw. 'And that's just what I continue doing, to play my game and to help the club,' Dortley said. A rare breed What exactly did Amakhosi see? For one, Dortley is a rare breed since there are not many left-footed centre backs in soccer. In addition, he is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet and thus able to initiate attacks from defence. During his rapid rise to prominence in South African football, Dortley has endeared himself to the country as a whole, not just to the Amakhosi faithful, but because of his performances for Broos's Bafana Bafana. He made the starting 11 in what was his first official call-up to South Africa's senior men's soccer team. Bafana Bafana drew 2-2 with Uganda during Dortley's debut game in September 2024, in an Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier, but the defender did enough to convince the technical team that he is an asset. Subsequently, he played every single minute of South Africa's successful Afcon qualification campaign for the 2025 tournament, which will take place in Morocco from 21 December. The prospect of representing his country at the tournament has been a major driving force in Dortley's recovery efforts. 'Playing for Bafana and wearing that jersey is an honour. Again, for me it's just about playing my game, doing what I've been doing at Chiefs, which is the reason the coach called me. And just to do my best and help the country to qualify for major tournaments,' Dortley said about his goals with Bafana. 'On the Afcon, it's a dream to be part of the national team to go to the tournament… So, it's just for me to get back to playing, help the club, play my game and for the national team coach to hopefully include me in his plans,' he added. Cape Town woes Dortley is one of the latest products of Cape Town's soccer conveyor belt, which has produced players such as Benni McCarthy. Naturally, he saw it as a major blow for South African soccer that his former team, Spurs, was recently relegated to the third tier a season after falling out of the top flight. Not long after Spurs dropped down to the third tier, Cape Town City also tumbled out of the Premiership to the second tier after losing to Orbit College in the promotion-relegation playoffs. Dortley says it is unfortunate that there will be no Cape Town team in the South African top flight next season, but he's hopeful that both teams can bounce back. 'There was hope when Cape Town Spurs got relegated that Cape Town City would still represent Cape Town in the Premiership. But they will come back, both teams,' he said. 'I'm sure the owners [of Spurs] will do what they have to do for Cape Town football, for the youth, because Cape Town Spurs are huge for the youth. They just produce, it's just another level of an academy. The owners know the importance of the club in Cape Town and they will do their best. 'The same with Cape Town City. I'm sure they will do their best to win promotion back into the Premiership. 'It's football and these things happen. Hopefully they will come back stronger.' Dortley, too, will be hoping to return stronger than he was before his injury setback. His comeback can only be positive for a Chiefs team hoping to be a force in South African soccer once more. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
IOL News
24-07-2025
- IOL News
Seoposenwe bows out with pride as Banyana chase Wafcon bronze
Jermaine Seoposenwe will play her final match for Banyana Banyana on Friday night after a career that spanned over 100 caps, two World Cups and a Wafcon title. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Jermaine Seoposenwe owes football everything. So, as she prepares for her last Banyana Banyana appearance, she bows out with gratitude and pride. Banyana will face Ghana in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off at Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Friday night (kick-off 6pm). The clash is set to mark Seoposenwe's final outing with Banyana after she announced, prior to the tournament, that she would retire from international football after its conclusion. The 31-year-old will leave behind a decorated international career, having earned more than 100 caps, won the Wafcon title and played in two World Cups. Retiring From International Football — Jermaine Seoposenwe (@jermaine109) June 16, 2025 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 ✕ Her journey with the national team endeared her to fans across the continent and the world, thanks to her silky playing style and eye for goal. Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the clash against the Black Queens, the Cape Town-born player reflected on the impact football has had on her life. 'Football has been everything for me. Football has given me everything that I have. The way I play is how I repay what football has given me,' she said. 'The passion and love for the game is why we do it. Over the years, Banyana has given me a platform to showcase my abilities and has taken me to places I never thought I'd go. 'I owe football everything. It's been a great learning curve, not just on the football field but outside of it as well.' What an assist from Rama🥵😤 — Jermaine Seoposenwe (@jermaine109) July 7, 2025 Seoposenwe's decision to call time on her international career ahead of a major tournament sparked mixed reactions in the football fraternity. Some felt it was understandable given the many off-field challenges Banyana have faced, while others believed it could destabilise the team's performance. However, she is confident she made the right decision for her own well-being – and does not anticipate a World Cup comeback. 'It's been a sense of relief – I don't know if that's the right word – and a sense of calmness,' said Seoposenwe of her decision. 'The fact that it's coming to an end is kind of weird, but it was for my well-being and I stand by that decision. It's been an interesting tournament, watching the younger players step up and take responsibility. I am really proud of them. 'I hope that going forward they'll take the torch and run with it. Playing for Banyana Banyana is not the easiest thing – there's a lot of pressure. 'Hopefully, I've shown them that you can do it – stay true to yourself and stay disciplined in whatever you do.' Seoposenwe will bow out as a true Banyana legend who wore her heart on her sleeve every time she donned the national jersey. However, she prefers to be remembered not for who she was off the pitch, but for the player she was on it. She was particularly proud to be a role model to the next generation, including Ronnel Donnely, who idolises her. 'First and foremost, I think it allowed me to just be calm about everything because I made that decision before the tournament,' said Seoposenwe. 'Coming into the tournament, I have been settled and calm. Ronnel, especially, has come up to me and tried to extract a lot of information. 'I am not a No 9, but in this tournament I've been playing as a No 9, which is her position, so she's come up to chat and learn. I appreciate that she sees me as a role model. A lot of players have joked with me about my legacy, but it's very interesting to be in that position.' And so, with Banyana having relinquished their title following the 2-1 semi-final loss to Nigeria, a bronze medal against Ghana would offer fitting consolation for Seoposenwe – and a special farewell to the team that shaped her footballing life.
