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IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs have always been South Africa's team – not just Soweto's pride
Large backing in Durban Kaizer Chiefs supporters in Durban watch their team in action in last season's Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix Image: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs announced their intention to continue playing their home games all over South Africa. Last season, Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane served as their home base alongside the FNB Stadium in Soweto. And it paid off for the club. They drew bigger crowds in Polokwane and Durban as fans in those cities got the chance to watch their heroes up close. 'We're definitely a national brand, so the country is our home. So, definitely, we'll be playing at FNB Stadium, but we're certainly going to be playing in Mabhida – you'll see us playing in the Toyota Cup there on Saturday,' Jessica Motaung, the club's marketing director, was quoted by iDiski Times. 'Then we will look at playing our other home games in other parts of the country. We also have the opportunity to play elsewhere for our CAF games, in CAF-certified stadiums. Certainly, the balance of travel vs having a base here at FNB will be managed.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Chiefs moving their games around the country makes sense, as it's consistent with how the club was founded by Kaizer Motaung back in the 1970s. Back then, the mighty Amakhosi didn't have a permanent home and played in townships and rural towns across South Africa. They took the game to places where fans had little access to top-tier football. Entertaining players like Ace Ntsoelengoe, Teenage Dladla, Vusi "Computer" Lamola, and Pro Khumalo, kept fans on their feet for the duration of matches. Because of this, the club built up a large following, which resulted in them becoming the most supported club in the country. Despite having the most fans in South Africa, Chiefs have struggled to fill up FNB Stadium in recent years. There is a sense of apathy among the club's supporters in Soweto, who would rather watch games from the comfort of their own homes instead of going to the ground and cheering on their players. Two seasons ago, Chiefs were embarrassed when only a few of their supporters showed up to honour one of the club's greatest-ever players, Itumeleng Khune. When the club chooses to play their home games across South Africa, they should be lauded for celebrating their roots. When they play in Durban, Gqeberha, Polokwane, or even Stellenbosch, you get the sense that you are watching the biggest and most supported club in the country. At FNB Stadium, not so much. By embracing a national footprint, Kaizer Chiefs are not just chasing crowds – they're reconnecting with their identity. It's a very bold move, and it's aimed at reigniting passion and loyalty across South Africa. In a time when football fans crave authenticity and engagement, Chiefs are taking the game to the people, just as they did in their early days. It's a reminder that their greatness has always come from being more than just a club – they are a movement. IOL Sport * The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media. ** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to [email protected]. Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication). Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
11-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Ricardo Nascimento refuses to let go of R600k owed by expelled Royal AM
Still owed money Former Royal AM captain Ricardo Nascimento still wants to be paid what he is owed by the club. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix Brazilian defender Ricardo Nascimento still wants what's owed to him by Royal AM, despite the club being kicked out of the PSL after a financial scandal involving owner Shauwn Mkhize. After going months without receiving a salary from the club, Nascimento took the issue up with world football governing body FIFA, who ruled that he was owed R600,000. The club was also handed a transfer ban until they settled their debts. They also owed Serbian striker Samir Nurkovic R15 million, plus interest and related costs. Speaking from Brazil, attorney Matheus Augusto Bertasso insisted that the player was still after what he was owed, despite the club being taken off FIFA's list of clubs serving a transfer ban. 'The player's attorneys are now studying other ways to claim the amount due in favour of Ricardo Nascimento, since the transfer ban imposed was not sufficient,' Bertasso was quoted by KickOff on Friday.
IOL News
09-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
‘Legacy is priceless': Richards Bay reject R70m PSL status offer from Cape Town City
Legacy over financial gain Richards Bay chairman Sfiso 'Jomo' Biyela says he has turned down an offer of more than R70 million for their PSL status. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix Image: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ On Wednesday, Richards Bay FC turned down a lucrative offer worth more than R70 million for their status, according to chairman Sfiso 'Jomo' Biyela. That offer is reported to have come from Cape Town City. 'I've got someone I won't mention by name who sent me a message on Tuesday, saying there's a desperate club looking to buy into the top flight,' Biyela said, according to FARPost. 'They stated that they put up R60 million. They told me if I sign, the money can kick in just the next day. And they also put R12 million or R15 million – it'll be up to me if I take the status in the NFD. 'Think about it – it's R72 million. I asked them if they knew what a legacy meant. I said to them, legacy is priceless – there's no value you can table here. Try elsewhere. 'How can we play outside Richards Bay for five years, and just when people are excited that we're coming back to town, we, out of the blue, sell the club? We all need money, but we cannot make money at the expense of people who have prayed for and supported us.' IOL Sport Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
SA gears up for epic weekend of sport
Springboks, Proteas, and the Durban July headline a weekend of world-class sport and entertainment. Last year Oriental Charm became the second straight Durban July winner to have been prepared by James Crawford at Randjesfontein. Picture: Gerhard Duraan/Gallo Images If you are a sports fan, then there is probably no better time than the first weekend of July. Our national rugby team host Italy at Loftus Versfeld tomorrow in the first of two Tests, while our Proteas men's cricket team – the world Test champions – are up against Zimbabwe in the second Test in Bulawayo from Sunday, having won by 382 runs with a young, new-look team at the same venue in the first Test this week. Both teams are led by new captains, the Springboks by Jesse Kriel in the absence of the injured Siya Kolisi and the Proteas by Wiaan Mulder, who covers for the injured duo of Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj. The Springbok rugby women are also in action in Pretoria against Canada. ALSO READ: Inside the must-attend marquees at the 2025 Durban July It's also time for Africa's premier horse race, the Durban July, which not only attracts racing fanatics, but also fashionistas at Greyville racecourse. Abroad, there's the start of the Tour de France cycling race from Lille tomorrow, tennis' third Grand Slam of the year finishes the first week of play on the hallowed grass of Wimbledon, the British and Irish Lions are on tour Down Under and there's several incoming rugby Test series between New Zealand and France, Japan and Wales, Argentina and England and Georgia and Ireland. Phew, we are definitely spoilt for choice.
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ncikazi says Pirates youngsters ‘not at fault' for club failures
"It's a courageous decision from our club, and I don't see any fault in it,' said Ncikazi. Orlando Pirates players observe the moment of silence during the Betway Premiership 2024/25 match against AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix Orlando Pirates' interim coach Mandla Ncikazi has defended the club's young players following the Buccaneers' recent poor performances since Jose Riveiro's departure. The Buccaneers have only won one match in three games since the Spaniard left the club a few games before the end of the season. ALSO READ: Ncikazi proud of Pirates contribution amid uncertain future Ncikazi began his tenure as the interim coach with a 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy in Orlando before edging SuperSport United 1-0 away in Polokwane. Pirates then drew 1-1 with AmaZulu in Durban this past weekend. Speaking after the game against Usuthu, Ncikazi refused to blame the Pirates youngsters for the recent poor results. 'Regarding the number of games, we might consider easing the load, but when it comes to experience, I don't think that's necessary,' said Ncikazi. 'Fielding [Mohau] Nkota in Egypt and [Simphiwe] Selepe in a Soweto Derby will provide valuable experience. 'The team is developing, and I believe the direction we're taking is the right one for the growth not only of our team, but of South African football as a whole,' added Ncikazi before urging other Premier Soccer League clubs to follow suit by giving young players a chance to shine. 'It's a significant step for our club to be bold enough to embrace this process, and perhaps other teams should follow suit. It's a courageous decision from our club, and I don't see any fault in it.' Pirates will 'improve' next season Meanwhile, Ncikazi said that despite Pirates' failure to topple Mamelodi Sundowns this season, the Buccaneers could still be proud of what they achieved. The Buccaneers not only closed the gap between them and Sundowns, but they also broke their record for the number of wins in a single league season. 'The growth that has been mentioned, the narrowing of the gap, the broken records [most wins, 19, so far in a single league season]. The introduced youngsters are positive. 'Yes, we fell short on some objectives that we wanted, and one can only learn from that and improve going into the next season,' concluded Ncikazi. ALSO READ: Nabi drops hint over Chiefs future Pirates next face Magesi FC at the Orlando Pirates in what could be Ncikazi's last game in charge of the team. The Buccaneers will announce a new coach before the start of the new season.
