Latest news with #BestXI
CAF
4 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Fikile Magama: A Born Winner shining brightest at WAFCON
In a tournament brimming with global and established superstars, South African defender Fikile Magama has found a deserved place among the TotalEnergies WAFCON 2024 Group Stages Best XI as selected by the Technical Study Group. Her name Fikile means "Arrived" in isiXhosa. And arrive she has. Magama has arrived at the continental stage and looks comfortable with the big names. Quiet and very reserved off the pitch, mostly found in a corner minding her own business but overall locked in on the purpose. 'Being in the Best XI means a lot to me. I didn't expect it but looking back at how far I have come, being in the Best XI shows how much work I've done to get to where I am today,' Magama says to CAFOnline in an exclusive interview. 'The WAFCON is an amazing experience. As someone attending for the first time, I am truly impressed by the community's enthusiasm and knowledge. The sessions have been great, and the chance to connect with others is excellent within Banyana Banyana. What has stood up for me the most is fighting for one another on the field even when I make a mistake my teammate is there to motivate me and that has kept me going and made me want to give my all,' the 23-year-old defender adds. From Gugulethu to the World Magama started playing football at the tender age of seven. Her passion for the beautiful game was supported by her lovely grandmother who took her to Cape Town Roses where her skills were harnessed until she was 15 when she moved to Dangerous Heroes in Philippi still in the Mother City. Then she joined Phuhla FC (a boys' team). As a young girl with dreams of gaining further education, Magama joined the University of Western Cape. UWC as they are commonly known have a solid football platform for young ladies and for Magama, this was the perfect fit. Enrolled into the Sport Recreation Exercise Sciences, Magama is focusing on achieving both her dreams – education and football. Playing under Thinasonke Mbuli at UWC at club level has seen her grow her game whilst also winning titles including the Women's Varsity Football title in 2021. Mbuli is also the assistant coach of the Banyana Banyana. This growth in leaps and bounds earned her more recognition from the national junior coaches including former South African captain cum head coach of the U17 and later the U20 national team at the time – Simphiwe Dludlu. 'When I first met her, she was very shy but could speak up. She didn't impress me on the position she played at first in camp, but I remember her asking me to play a totally different position because she could kick with her left foot. I never regretted keeping her in the team because she ended up being a key player at the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in 2018 in Uruguay and beyond,' Dludlu reminisces. Dludlu, who is working as a broadcast commentator at the WAFCON in Morocco and commentated South Africa's first two games – against Ghana and Tanzania, reveals that, 'Her insight of the game has drastically improved, and she has been tactically versatile. She has so far executed her role as a defender pretty well against different opposition. She was good with 1v1 in defense and covering her other defenders. Her transition from defense to attack has been a marvel to watch. She almost scored against Tanzania. I saw confidence shine through.' Praises galore Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis who has selected her to start in all three of South Africa's Group C fixtures against Ghana, Tanzania and Mali is singing her praises. 'For a very long time, Lebohang Ramalepe has been the right back for Banyana Banyana but the qualities that Fikile has, we realized that we could utilize them at right back and the qualities that Ramalepe has, we could utilize them further up field. She played all three games in the group stages. It shows the quality that she has had. She has grown and she has matured so, so much. She offers us so much going forward as well. She could have scored against Mali but defensively she is very sound,' Ellis says with such enthusiasm about Magama. 'She has played 90+ minutes in all these matches. She has also got the experience of going to the U17 World Cup and that experience is second to none. She was part of our squad at the 2023 World Cup [in Australia and New Zealand]. It just shows how she has grown and how she has matured. In some of our games, she has even played left back. She is that versatile.' 'I think she is a huge part of the defense and why we have only conceded one goal in the tournament, and she is going to be on top of her game in the next game. We trust her and we have faith in her. At the club [UWC], she has matured as well. I think having coach Thina there has really helped her grow and develop but she has really showed that she is up there and can battle it out there with the best that the continent can offer. I just hope that she continues in this reign because she has really matured and grown and gotten better.' 'She also has got the experience of playing at the CAF Women's Champions League (CAFWCL) and the COSAFA in an unfamiliar role. I think she played at left back. It shows the strength and the quality that she has. All those experiences put together are now coming through. It is showing in the way that she performs, in the way that she adds value to the team and she has been one of the pillars of the team at this tournament.' Magama played a key role in inspiring UWC to finishing second in the topflight league in South Africa which earned them a place in the CAFWCL COSAFA Qualifiers reaching the final and winning 9-8 on penalties following a 1-1 after extra time against Botswana's Gaborone United. Magama scored one of the penalties that earned the university side a place at the continent's biggest inter-club competition that took place in Morocco. Quarterfinal test This is the first time that the Banyana Banyana are at the WAFCON as defending champions. Winners in 2022, South Africa have one goal – to defend their title. But in front of them is a very ambitious Senegal side that are desperate to return to the last eight for a second consecutive edition. The Teranga Lionesses will face their biggest test at the competition. And to stop Senegal, Magama and her teammates will have to once again dig deep into their experience of winning the last edition and playing at back-to-back World Cups. 'We want to win against Senegal in the quarterfinals. Our team will need to focus on several key areas; strong defence, clinical finishing, midfield control, teamwork and strategy, physical and mental preparation and lastly adaptability,' Magama predicts. This quarterfinal matchup between South Africa and Senegal will be the first time the two teams are meeting in the knockout stages of the TotalEnergies WAFCON. With Banyana Banyana playing all their three Group C matches at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, it has become a home for them at this competition. Magama and her teammates will be hoping to use that to their advantage against Senegal on Saturday at 8pm (local time).
Morocco World
6 days ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Bounou Extends Contract With Al Hilal After Club World Cup Heroics
Rabat – Moroccan international Yassine Bounou has ended speculation about his future by signing a contract extension with Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, committing to the club until the summer of 2027. At 32, Bounou had been linked with a high-profile return to Europe, with Sevilla—his former club—reportedly eager to bring him back as their primary goalkeeper target for the summer transfer window. However, his new deal with Al Hilal dashes those hopes and strengthens the Riyadh-based club's ambitions to maintain their dominance both domestically and on the international stage. The timing of his decision comes on the back of a remarkable campaign at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where Bounou and fellow Moroccan Achraf Hakimi earned spots in the tournament's Best XI. His performances in the United States elevated him further in global esteem, especially after a record-equalling 10 saves against Manchester City and another heroic display in a narrow 2–1 defeat to Fluminense. Bounou ranked third among the tournament's top shot-stoppers, with his key interventions keeping Al Hilal competitive at every stage. Club sources indicate that Sevilla had been counting on Bounou's potential desire to return to European football. But his new contract suggests he has found a sense of belonging—and perhaps a fresh challenge—in Riyadh. For Sevilla, the rejection is a setback, forcing them to reassess their summer transfer plans. Currently enjoying a well-earned vacation in Morocco after his Club World Cup exploits, Bounou leaves no doubt about his priorities: aligning his prime years with a club that matches his ambition. By extending his stay, Bounou sends a clear message, not just about his loyalty to Al Hilal but also about his role in the Saudi Pro League's broader aspirations to attract and retain elite talent. Tags: bounoubounou al hilalyassine bounou
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carlos Vela: The Legacy of the Best Mexican Player to Ever Play in MLS
Carlos Vela: The Legacy of the Best Mexican Player to Ever Play in MLS Carlos Vela announced his retirement from professional soccer on May 27. His career in MLS will be viewed as one of the best by a Mexican international. For many, both on the national team and in public perception, Vela represents Mexico's unfulfilled soccer potential. And one night, he said 'goodbye.' Carlos Vela hung up his boots at the age of 36. The Mexican international had played for Chivas, Arsenal, Salamanca, Osasuna, West Bromwich Albion, Real Sociedad, and LAFC. Like Gio Reyna of the United States men's national team today, Vela was seen by Mexican pundits as a player with world-class potential. Despite his unquestionable ability, he didn't find a true home until landing at Real Sociedad. Advertisement By the time Vela arrived in MLS with LAFC — a club he helped launch by becoming the face of the franchise — he had already been written out of the Mexican national team, more due to his own personal choice than his on field form. Whatever the circumstances surrounding Vela as a player and national team star, at the MLS level, he was nothing short of fantastic. He was exactly the kind of player the league needed to succeed and shift the narrative surrounding previous Mexican stars in MLS. Vela: The Best Mexican Player to Play in MLS On paper, Vela's numbers are unmatched when it comes to Mexican players in MLS, or Designated Players in general. He was an MLS Cup winner, a two-time Supporters' Shield winner, and a U.S. Open Cup winner with LAFC. Advertisement Individually, he was named to three MLS Best XI teams, won the MLS MVP in 2019, and also took home the Golden Boot that year. He was a four-time All-Star and a two-time CONCACAF Champions League Best XI selection. He also holds the record for most goals scored in a single MLS season (34 in 2019), and he was the fastest player in MLS history to reach 75 goals and 50 assists. Off the field, Vela gave LAFC a strong connection to the Mexican fanbase looking for an alternative to the LA Galaxy. LAFC aimed to capture the hearts of Los Angeles' urban community, and Vela was the face of that effort. He was also surrounded by young talent, including Diego Rossi and Eduard Atuesta. Vela became the first player to score in the El Tráfico derby against the LA Galaxy, netting the first two goals in a game remembered for Zlatan Ibrahimović's incredible debut. Vela finished his debut season with 15 goals. Advertisement In 2019, Vela had the best season of his MLS career, and one of the best in league history, scoring 38 goals in 36 games across all competitions. That season included his first MLS hat trick, which came in a 5–0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. Vela is the all-time leading scorer in El Tráfico with 12 goals and delivered countless jaw-dropping moments. One of his most memorable goals came against San Jose in August 2019, when he weaved through multiple defenders and slipped past the goalkeeper before calmly slotting the ball home. In total, Vela scored 93 goals in 187 matches for LAFC, playing injured in two of those seasons. When compared to other big-name Mexican stars, only Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Jorge Campos — each for different reasons — come close in terms of delivering on all fronts in MLS, both in performance and in drawing crowds. Advertisement The league has seen its share of high-priced Mexican disappointments, including Rafa Márquez, Luis Hernández, Carlos Hermosillo, and more recently Giovani dos Santos and Chicharito Hernández. A Passion for the Game To many Mexican pundits, Vela's Achilles' heel was his 'lack of passion' for the game. It's one of the reasons often cited for why he never reached an even higher level. Vela himself admitted he never had the burning obsession for soccer that drives players like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. For him, soccer was a job, not a lifelong passion. That mindset shaped his career. He showed moments of brilliance — perhaps most notably in the 2013-14 season with Real Sociedad, where he had 28 goal contributions, the fifth-most in La Liga — but lacked the relentless drive to dominate year after year in Europe. And in the brutal world of elite sports, that missing edge can make all the difference. Advertisement At 29, still at the peak of his powers and capable of competing in top European leagues, Vela chose a different path — one of balance, lifestyle, and personal happiness. To many in Mexico, choosing MLS was a fatal mistake and a growing trend among the country's top talents: a reluctance to truly test themselves at the highest levels. Carlos Vela and the Mexican National Team: The Big 'What If'Vela was once seen as the future of Mexican soccer: A gifted forward with European pedigree and rare creativity. But after a fallout with the Mexican Football Federation in 2010, his relationship with the national team grew distant. Vela began skipping call-ups, citing personal reasons and mental fatigue. Advertisement What followed was a series of high-profile absences: the 2011 Gold Cup, the 2013 Confederations Cup, and, most notably, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. In each case, the decision to stay away was his — not due to injury or exclusion. Those years marked a golden window for Mexico, and Vela's absence was always felt. Under Miguel Herrera, the team played bold, attacking soccer, but lacked a player with Vela's vision and calmness in the final third. His skill set might have made the difference in matches that slipped away, like the heartbreaking loss to the Netherlands in 2014. Fans could only imagine what a Vela-Chicharito partnership might have accomplished on the world's biggest stage. When Vela finally returned for the 2018 World Cup, he delivered, scoring in Mexico's group stage win against Korea. But by then, the narrative had shifted. He was no longer seen as the face of a generation, but rather as a gifted outsider who had passed on too many chances to lead. Advertisement Vela's story with Mexico isn't one of failure, it's one of detachment. In choosing distance over devotion, Vela gave up the opportunity to become a national icon. Instead, he remains one of the sport's most fascinating 'what ifs.' Maybe MLS and LAFC saw the very best version of Carlos Vela. And while some may criticize him for spending prime years in MLS, Vela was a star for a segment of fans that the league had long tried to attract. Say what you will about him, but in the halls of MLS and LAFC, Vela is one of the best to ever do it. When Vela was happy, he delivered. And in LA, he was at peace.
Reuters
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Crew sign Daniel Gazdag to extension through 2027
May 7 - The Columbus Crew signed midfielder Daniel Gazdag to a contract extension through 2027 on Wednesday. The deal includes an option for 2028 for the 29-year-old Designated Player from Hungary. The Crew acquired Gazdag from the Philadelphia Union last month in a cash exchange worth up to $4.5 million. "We are pleased to reach this agreement with Daniel and secure his long-term future with the club," said general manager Issa Tall. "Since he arrived in Columbus last month, we have seen first-hand Daniel's talents as a player and his great presence in the locker room, and we are thrilled that he will remain a part of our Club for years to come." He has featured in three MLS matches (two starts) since joining Columbus but has yet to dent the score sheet. "I am very happy to have signed a new contract with the Crew," Gazdag said. "As my family and I settle into our new home, I can fully focus on what I am here for, which is to win games and titles with the Crew!" Gazdag departed Philadelphia as the club's all-time leading scorer with 72 goals in 161 appearances across all competitions from 2021-25. He made the MLS Best XI in 2022. --Field Level Media
Reuters
11-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Union trade M Daniel Gazdag to Crew for up to $4.5M
April 11 - The Columbus Crew acquired midfielder Daniel Gazdag from the Philadelphia Union on Friday in exchange for up to $4.5 million. The Union receive $4 million guaranteed and up to an additional $500,000 if certain performance metrics are met by the 29-year-old Hungarian, who departs as Philadelphia's all-time leading scorer. "We are thrilled to add a high-impact player of Daniel's pedigree to our team. He is an experienced player who has proven to be one of the top players in our league over the past few years," Crew general manager Issa Tall said. "His high soccer IQ, work ethic on and off the ball, and competitive spirit will be a great addition to our team. "Daniel's profile is one we were looking for to complement our current group, and we are excited to see him get started in the Black & Gold." Gazdag recorded 59 goals and 20 assists while playing more than 10,000 minutes in 125 matches (115 starts) since joining the Union in 2021. He has two goals and two assists in six matches this season. Gazdag was an MLS Best XI selection in 2022, leading the Union to the MLS Cup Final that season with 22 goals in 34 matches. "Daniel's contributions to the club have been invaluable," Union sporting director Ernst Tanner said. "Since joining the Union, he has been an integral part of the team's success, and we are deeply grateful for everything he has done for the organization. "At this time, we believe this move is in the best interest of both the club and player. The financial flexibility it provides will allow us to further invest and strengthen our roster, while also providing opportunities for other players who we are confident can step in to the role. Additionally, this gives Daniel the opportunity to pursue what makes the most sense for him in the next chapter in his career. We know Daniel will continue to find great success, and we wish him nothing but the best." Gazdag played for eight seasons with Budapest Honved FC in Hungary's top league before coming to MLS. Gazdag will occupy a Designated Player roster spot for Columbus. He is under contract through 2025 with an option for 2026. His offense will help the Crew overcome the February departures of forward Cucho Hernandez to La Liga's Real Betis and forward Christian Ramirez to the LA Galaxy. The first opportunity for Gazdag to face the Union will be on May 10 when Columbus visits Chester, Pa. The move opens up a Designated Player spot for Philadelphia, which previously sold midfielder Jack McGlynn to the Houston Dynamo for $3.4 million in February. --Field Level Media
