Latest news with #CAFChampionsLeague
The South African
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates latest signing puts Angolan star's future in doubt
Orlando Pirates have edged closer to announcing their ninth signing ahead of the 2025/2026 campaign, and it's a name that's already turning heads. Malian midfielder Abdoulaye Mariko has touched down in Johannesburg, ready to join the squad's pre-season preparations. At just 23 years old, Mariko has already made a name for himself on the African football stage, with impressive performances for Djoliba AC in the CAF Champions League. His imminent arrival has not only excited fans but also raised eyebrows over what it means for Gilberto, the Angolan international who returned to Petro de Luanda on loan in January. According to a source, Pirates moved swiftly to fend off interest from rival clubs across the continent to land the highly rated central midfielder. 'The new guy is already in the country, and his announcement is imminent. He's expected to be part of the squad heading to Spain for pre-season,' confirmed a source. Mariko's inclusion in the travelling party heading to Spain next month. The fact that Pirates will face Bolton Wanderers, Pafos, Las Palmas, and Granada all but confirms that coach Abdeslam Ouaddou plans to include him in his setup. Gilberto joined Pirates last July but couldn't secure a regular starting spot, so the club sent him back on loan. His spot now looks increasingly under threat. 'It's not looking good for Gilberto. From what we understand, he could be one of the players placed on the release list,' revealed the source. 'He'll likely either move on permanently or go out on loan again. That's exactly why the club targeted Mariko, to potentially replace him in the available foreign slots.' The Soweto giants have already confirmed eight new arrivals this week. The likelihood of Gilberto remaining at the club appears slim. What will happen to Gilberto at Orlando Pirates? 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.
Barnama
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Barnama
Qatar To Host 2025 FIFA Confederations Cup Finals For Second Consecutive Year
ZURICH, June 28 (Bernama-QNA) -- FIFA announced on Friday that Qatar will host the final three matches of the 2025 FIFA Confederations Cup next December, for the second consecutive year. Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported that FIFA said in a statement that the tournament is scheduled to kick off on September 14 when Egypt's Pyramids FC (CAF Champions League winners) host New Zealand's Auckland City FC (Oceania champions). The winner will face Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli SC in the second match of the tournament on September 23 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, with the winner advancing to the final stage, which will be held in Qatar. bootstrap slideshow FIFA indicated that the three final matches to be hosted by Qatar will begin on December 10 with the Copa Americas match between Mexico's Cruz Azul (CONCACAF champions) and the South American champions, whose identity will be determined later. The second match, scheduled for December 13 for the Challenge Cup, will be between the winner of the Americas Cup match and the winner of the match between Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia and the winner of the match between Pyramids FC and Auckland City. This match will be the semi-final of the tournament. The competition will conclude with the Confederations Cup final on December 17, when Paris Saint-Germain (the European champions) will face the winner of the semi-final match. Qatar hosted the three final matches of the last edition of the 2024 FIFA Confederations Cup, under its new format. Real Madrid won the title after defeating Pachuca of Mexico 3-0 at Lusail Stadium. -- BERNAMA-QNA
The South African
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates: Special meeting for eight new players
Orlando Pirates, a Leading Betway Premiership club, sealed eight new signings this week. The list includes Sipho Mbule, Yanela Mbuthuma, Masindi Nemtajela, Tshepang Moremi, Nkosikhona Ndaba, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Tshepo Mashiloane, and Sihle Nduli. Instead of gradual reports to prolong media coverage, the Sea Robbers first announced Mbule and then seven players within 24 hours. Meanwhile, the club facilitated a special meeting for the new Orlando Pirates footballers. Jessica Motaung talks about Kaizer Chiefs money Dr Irvin Khoza at an Orlando Pirates conference in Parktown, Johannesburg. Image: @orlandopirates/X Former club leaders Tebogo Moloi, Lucky Lekgwathi, Happy Jele, Edward Motale, and Innocent Maela made themselves available to address the newbies on what to expect at the mighty Orlando Pirates. Orlando Pirates legend sends a serious message to Sipho Mbule 'We were inducting our new players to give them a proper understanding of what to expect,' club legend Moloi told KickOff . 'We emphasised that their lives, as well as those of their immediate family members, changed the moment they signed with the club. 'Once you make the spiritual owners happy, you're set for life. Even after hanging up your boots, they will still be there for you. 'Nobody understands this better than I do. I started my journey with Orlando Pirates since I joined in 1987 and how I witnessed Dr. Irvin Khoza take over the team in 1992,' Moloi added. 'Playing for Orlando Pirates is akin to playing for South Africa. Every day, you are under the microscope. The important aspect of the induction is to guide them on how to behave off the pitch as a Orlando Pirates player. 'They were recruited with this understanding. We encouraged them to make history, just like the group of players we signed from a relegated Jomo Cosmos who went on to become CAF Champions League and AFCON champions. We urged them to dream big,' the former midfielder maestro concluded. 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.
Saba Yemen
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Saba Yemen
FIFA approves Qatar as host for 2025 Club World Cup
Zurich - Saba: The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) approved on Friday Qatar's hosting of the Copa America, the Challenge Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup final as part of the 2025 Club World Cup. This marks the second consecutive time Qatar will host the tournament. Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli will participate in the tournament, beginning their campaign in the second match at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah on September 23, 2025. They will face the winner of the first match between Egypt's Pyramids FC (CAF Champions League winners) and New Zealand's Auckland City (Oceania champions), scheduled for September 14 at Cairo's Air Defense Stadium. The winner will directly qualify for the unified tournament in Doha, where they will face the Copa America champion on December 13. (The Copa America final will be held on December 10 between Mexico's Cruz Azul, CONCACAF champions, and the yet-to-be-determined South American champion.) The winner will advance to the tournament final on December 17, where they will face France's Paris Saint-Germain, the UEFA Champions League winners. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Al-Ahram Weekly
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Pyramids FC start Intercontinental Cup 2025 campaign against Auckland City mid-September - Egyptian Football
Egyptian CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC will begin their 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup campaign against New Zealand's Auckland City FC on 14 September. The Egyptian side secured their spot in the prestigious tournament after clinching the CAF Champions League title, defeating South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 on aggregate in the final. In addition to their Intercontinental Cup berth, Pyramids FC also qualified for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. FIFA officially notified Pyramids FC of the Intercontinental Cup fixture dates in a letter sent on Friday. The match will take place at Air Defense Stadium in Cairo on 14 September, with the winner set to face Asian Champions League winners Ahli Jeddah of Saudi Arabia on 23 September. Pyramids FC made history last season by securing their first-ever African title. After drawing 1-1 in the first leg in Pretoria, they triumphed 2-1 in the second leg at home, sealing a 3-2 aggregate win over Mamelodi Sundowns. The team's victory marked a milestone as they became the fourth Egyptian club to win the prestigious title, joining the ranks of Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily. The FIFA Intercontinental Cup, which debuted in 2024 in Qatar, features the club champions from each of FIFA's six confederations. The competition follows a knockout format, with the European champion receiving a bye to the final. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
