Latest news with #GrantKekana
IOL News
27-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Kekana: Sundowns proved they can compete at the FIFA Club World Cup
STRONG SUNDOWNS TEAM Mamelodi Sundowns celebrate their victory against Ulsan at the Inter&Co Stadium in the US. | Supplied. Image: Supplied Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana believes their second appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup was a vital learning experience — and clear proof that African clubs can match global footballing standards. Sundowns, who previously featured in the tournament in 2016, earned their place this time through continued domestic and continental dominance. And while their campaign ended in the group stages, Kekana insists the Brazilians showed enough resilience and structure to believe they belong on the biggest stage. 'It was a good learning experience,' said the 32-year-old. 'It's a tournament that shows we are capable and have the talent to compete. We weren't humiliated or overrun — we just ran out of time in most games.' One of the standout moments of the campaign came in the 4-3 loss to Borussia Dortmund, where Sundowns went toe-to-toe with the Bundesliga giants and only fell short in the closing stages. The match drew praise across the continent for the PSL side's fearless approach. Kekana described that encounter as the toughest test of the tournament, particularly from a tactical and technical point of view. 'In terms of quality, Dortmund were the hardest,' he said. 'Their movement off the ball was really good, and they were very clinical in front of goal. It was a game of small margins.' Those margins, Kekana says, ultimately underline the next level African clubs need to reach if they're to win games, not just compete. 'That's the difference — efficiency,' he explained. 'We need to be more clinical. When you get chances against teams like that, you have to take them. That's what separates the best.'
IOL News
02-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
And so the courting continues . . . Mamelodi Sundowns spurned again as CAF glory slips through their fingers
Mamelodi Sundowns lost the CAF Champions League final 3-2 on aggregate on Sunday night to Pyramids. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix The flirting game must continue unabated for Mamelodi Sundowns. The Brazilians must keep courting the CAF Champions League – as their former coach Rulani Mokwena once suggested – until the belle of continental football agrees to walk down the aisle. She agreed to the lobola negotiations this time around, but the uncles baulked at the offer for their niece, leaving Sundowns to return home and strategise once more. It is a painful way to be rejected, but they'll be encouraged by the fact that they were at least allowed through the gate. 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 ✕ Ad loading Sundowns' 3–2 aggregate defeat by Pyramids FC in the final of Africa's premier club competition will have stung more than previous near-misses, which saw them knocked out in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. This will surely feel even more painful than that 4–1 defeat to Al Ahly back in 2001, when they were thoroughly played off the park in the second leg, having drawn 1–1 at home – just as was the case this time around. This defeat, as they will realise when they inspect the wreckage at June 30 Stadium, was largely self-inflicted. The opening goal they conceded was a gift – Grant Kekana, inexplicably, passed the ball to Fiston Mayele of all players, when a simple clearance would have sufficed. The Congolese forward is a supreme goal-poacher and, unsurprisingly, he made no mistake, slotting home his ninth of the campaign to claim the golden boot with ease. Even before the ball entered the Sundowns box, Mayele had been allowed to launch a dangerous move down the right and combine with Atto, who was then given ample space to deliver what appeared to be an innocuous cross – until Kekana's tame clearance turned it into a lethal assist. Being champions is a state of mind! Stay tuned for the #TotalEnergiesCAFCL champions official photoshoot! 🔜 — TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) June 1, 2025 Sundowns should have equalised before the break thanks to the genius of Lucas Ribeiro, who threaded a sublime through-ball to set up Tashreeq Matthews one-on-one with Mahmoud El Shenawy. But instead of lobbing the advancing goalkeeper, Matthews tried to slide it past him, only for the veteran – who was in the Zamalek team defeated by Sundowns in the 2016 final – to block with his outstretched left leg. It was more a miss than a save, and the reactions of Ribeiro and the Sundowns bench said it all – the Brazilian hopping madly as the bench ran off with hands on their heads in disbelief. Sundowns were made to pay early in the second half, as Sami made it 2–0. Once again, it was self-inflicted. Substitute Divine Lunga needlessly conceded a free-kick on the edge of the area, and his teammates defended the resulting set piece like Sunday league amateurs, allowing Sami a free header for his first goal of this year's Champions League. A lifelong dream, now a reality! 🤩 Pyramids FC radiate pure winners' energy as our #TotalEnergiesCAFCL champions! 🏆💙 — TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC 🏆 (@CAFCLCC) June 1, 2025
See - Sada Elbalad
01-06-2025
- Sport
- See - Sada Elbalad
Pyramids FC Win CAF Champions League for the First Time
H-Tayea Pyramids FC won the CAF Champions League title for the first time in their history after defeating South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns 2–1 at Cairo's Air Defense Stadium. The second-leg win secured a 3–2 aggregate victory following a 1–1 draw in the first leg in Pretoria last week. Pyramids opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a powerful finish from Congolese striker Fiston Mayele after a defensive error by Sundowns' Grant Kekana. Defender Ahmed Sami doubled the lead in the 56th minute with a precise header from a corner kick. Sundowns responded with a goal in the 75th minute through Iqraam Rayners, but failed to find an equalizer. Goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawy made key saves to preserve the result. The win marks Egypt's third consecutive CAF Champions League title — following Al Ahly's victories in 2023 and 2024 — and the 19th title overall for Egyptian clubs. Al Ahly has won 12 titles, Zamalek 5, Ismaily 1, and now Pyramids 1. Pyramids reached the final after eliminating Orlando Pirates in the semifinal, while Sundowns advanced after beating Al Ahly. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
CAF
30-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Confident Khoza gearing up for the final stretch in Cairo
As the stage shifts to Cairo for the decisive second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final, Mamelodi Sundowns are brimming with belief as they prepare to face Pyramids FC on Sunday, 1 June. The first leg, played in Pretoria on Saturday, 24 May, ended in a thrilling 1-1 stalemate, leaving everything to play for in the Egyptian capital. Both teams will be eyeing a strong start as they look to seize control early in what promises to be a fiercely contested decider. Sundowns, champions in 2016, are aiming to lift their second continental title and cement their status as one of Africa's elite clubs. Their experience and composure at this level could be key as they step into a cauldron-like atmosphere in Cairo. On the other side, Pyramids FC will be chasing history, hoping to emulate Egyptian powerhouses Al Ahly and Zamalek by claiming their first TotalEnergies CAF Champions League crown. Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, Sundowns defender Grant Kekana expressed confidence in his side's preparation and tactical approach: 'We are very confident in our team. Of course, it was a tough match in the first leg but I think we're going to do very well. We know what we're going to do. We know how they will play. It's more of a team that stays at the back. We know how we're going to exploit the spaces. We're going to support each other and go forward', said Kekana. With a strong defensive unit, a dynamic midfield, and clinical finishers, Sundowns will look to stay compact against a Pyramids side known for their discipline and quick transitions as evidently seen in their last gasp come-back in Pretoria. With everything on the line, Sunday's clash promises to be a captivating contest between two teams chasing glory.
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
CAF Champions League final: Five key battles that could decide Sundowns vs Pyramids
Mamelodi Sundowns captain Grant Kekana lifted the Betway Premiership earlier this week. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Mamelodi Sundowns host Pyramids FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) for the first leg of the CAF Champions League final. Both clubs are determined to seize the early advantage in the race for continental glory. Obakeng Meletse highlights five crucial match-ups that could define the outcome of this decisive tie. 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 ✕ Grant Kekana vs Fiston Mayele Mayele is an old-fashioned box poacher with a natural instinct for sniffing out goals. His sharp positioning and hunger in front of goal make him a constant threat. The Congolese striker has shown clinical finishing when opportunities arise. Kekana, by contrast, has been one of Sundowns' most consistent defenders. Set to marshal the backline at the heart of defence, the ever-reliable centre-back will need to remain alert throughout, especially against a team known for creating and converting chances with efficiency. Aubrey Modiba vs Mostafa Fathi Pyramids' right winger, Fathi, brings flair and versatility, often switching flanks with ease. His ability to adapt to the flow of the game and provide attacking impetus has been a key factor in his side's Champions League run, as well as their current lead in the Egyptian Premier League. Standing in his path is the experienced Modiba, a player noted for his reliability on both ends of the pitch. While his forward contributions strengthen Sundowns in attack, it is his defensive discipline that will be vital in keeping Fathi contained. Walid El Karti vs Teboho Mokoena Karti, the versatile Moroccan midfielder, thrives in multiple roles under coach Krunoslav Jurčić, who regularly adjusts tactics based on the opposition. His intelligence and positional awareness make him effective in both defensive and attacking transitions. Mokoena, a powerhouse in midfield, has already made his mark against Pyramids, scoring the decisive goal in their 2023/24 group stage encounter. This renewed rivalry could prove pivotal in a midfield battle expected to be fiercely contested. The player who asserts greater control may well swing the tie in their side's favour. Ahmed Samy vs Lucas Ribeiro Costa At 33, veteran Egyptian centre-back Samy has been a defensive cornerstone for Pyramids throughout their campaign, appearing in ten matches and providing leadership at the back. He will face a stern test against Ribeiro, the Betway Premiership Golden Boot winner. Ribeiro not only has a keen eye for goal but also excels at linking up play, making him a multifaceted threat.
