Latest news with #NeoMaema
IOL News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Maema embracing Bafana Bafana challenge ahead of CHAN return
MAMELODI Sundowns Neo Maema set to lead Bafana Bafana in Chan. | BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Neo Maema is hoping the African Nations Championship (CHAN) will offer Bafana Bafana a chance to break new ground after more than a decade of absence from the continental tournament. Maema, who captained South Africa during a number of crucial CHAN qualifiers earlier this year, is expected to retain a central role in the squad for the tournament finals. Notably, he remains one of the few players in the current team still under contract with a Premier Soccer League club. The midfielder's standout displays during the CHAN qualifiers helped him win back the confidence of Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, whose midfield options are among the strongest in the league. His timely return to form saw him earn more minutes at club level. Despite being linked with a move away from Chloorkop in recent weeks, no deal has been finalised, and Maema now appears set to use the CHAN platform to ensure a smooth transition back into the rhythm of competitive football. 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 Speaking after Bafana's 1–1 draw with Angola at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday, the 29-year-old midfielder expressed his pride in representing his country and looked ahead with optimism. 'It is an opportunity and an honor to represent the country,' Maema said. 'It's a proud moment and a massive achievement for us to get to this position, and it's a tournament we haven't participated on in such a long time, and the only thing that will matter is us making sure we put the national team in a good position to be ready for the tournament. 'This will be a huge one because it has been 12 years since we last represented the country at such a competition and we should be excited as a group of players. 'As an individual I am happy to lead the team in such a big competition, we are honored and privileged to be in this position.' Maema will be joined in the squad by teammates Malibongwe Khoza and Terrence Mashego, and believes that their shared club experience could provide the team with an added advantage in terms of chemistry and understanding. 'It does help,' Maema continued. 'The only thing I can say about the players that are familiar to me is that, they have the winning mentality to help the other guys, but we are professionals and we know what to do and we know what is at stake. 'It's just about helping the technical team so that they can also help us to form a team that will be able to compete at such a big tournament.' Given the timing of the tournament—immediately following the pre-season window—many players in the CHAN squad arrived without clubs, meaning they may lack full fitness. Maema believes that unity and collective effort will be vital in building momentum before the first game. 'We just need a bit of time, we have a week left before we start our first game,' he continued. 'We will just go back to the drawing board, today we played a draw, we will help each other. Most of us we are not match fit, we can just help each other to train and push each other to make sure that in every department we (are ready to) help each other. 'It is very difficult not to have a pre-season and go into a tournament that is going to demand so much from us, we should just maintain spirits of brotherhood and ensure we are together in this.'
CAF
a day ago
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024: South Africa team profile
File Fact: Nickname: Bafana Bafana Total Appearances: Three (2011, 2014, 2025) Last Appearance: Algeria 2022 (Did not qualify) Titles: 0 FIFA Ranking: 56 Coach: Molefe Ntseki Captain: Neo Maema South Africa Eye First Knockout Spot At TotalEnergies CHAN Having qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) for only the fourth time, South Africa will be hoping to finally break their group-stage curse and go deeper into the tournament. Bafana Bafana's CHAN journey has been a mixed one. Their best performance came in 2014 on home soil when they made it out of the group stages but were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Nigeria. Since then, they've struggled to make a meaningful impact, with disappointing campaigns in 2016 and failure to qualify in 2018 and 2022. This year, South Africa return with renewed intent and a squad selected from the country's domestic-based players, giving a platform for local talent to shine on the continental stage. Despite hosting the tournament in 2014, they've never reached the semi-final stage. This year presents a big opportunity to rewrite that history. What To Expect: There is cautious optimism around this Bafana Bafana team, which features domestic league standouts and emerging stars the lower division. With more technical depth and attacking flair than in previous editions, expectations are that Ntseki's side will aim to at least make the knockout phase. Fan Zone: Did you know? South Africa's only senior continental title came at the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 1996 on home soil. Since then, the country has been chasing another major trophy at senior level. While CHAN is not contested with overseas-based players, it remains a prestigious platform, especially for homegrown talent seeking to break into the senior Bafana Bafana squad for future TotalEnergies CAF AFCON or World Cup campaigns. How They Qualified: South Africa sealed their spot at the finals after a dominant 2-1 aggregate win over Malawi in the final qualification round. Under the guidance of coach Molefi, the squad impressed over both legs with attacking intent and solid defensive shape. Key Player To Watch: Neo Maema The Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder is a visionary player who is renowned for both creating and finishing off scoring chances. His influence was vital as Bafana Bafana managed to qualify for the next edition of the CHAN. Know The Coach: Know The Coach: Molefi Ntseki Molefi Ntseki returns to the national team fold with the responsibility of guiding Bafana Bafana's CHAN squad. The 54-year-old previously served as head coach of the senior national team from 2019 to 2021, having also worked extensively within SAFA's youth structures, including the U17 and U20 teams. Known for his tactical discipline and deep knowledge of domestic football, Ntseki is seen as a coach who can get the best out of locally-based players. His focus on structured build-up play and defensive organisation will be key in South Africa's quest to make it past the group stage for just the second time in TotalEnergies CAF CHAN history. Past CHAN Performances: 2011 (Sudan): Group Stage Exit Group Stage Exit 2013 (South Africa): Quarter-final (Lost to Nigeria) Quarter-final (Lost to Nigeria) 2016 (Rwanda): Did Not Qualify Did Not Qualify 2019 (Morocco) Did not qualify Did not qualify 2022 (Algeria): Did not qualify
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Neo Maema to use Bafana's Chan campaign to gain match fitness
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Neo Maema has explained how he handled the time while he was not playing at the club. Maema, 29, who is part of the Bafana Bafana African Nations Championship (Chan) squad, said he managed to keep himself motivated while he struggled for game time last season. The South Africans kick off their Group C campaign in the Chan — the Confederation of African Football's tournament for local-based combinations — against Algeria at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda on August 8 (4pm) Since joining Sundowns from Bloemfontein Celtic in 2021, Maema has racked up 120 games, scoring 13 goals with providing 14 assists while winning the league in each of the last four seasons. 🎙️ 'Not there yet, but getting closer!' Bafana's CHAN prep is heating up 🔥 Coach Ntseki gives us the lowdown after a behind-closed-doors clash vs Angola. #BafanaBafana #CHAN #CHAN2025 — PEFMO_ZA (@pefmo_za) July 29, 2025 'In football, you have to be professional first and the next thing is to accept the situation you are in,' Maema said after Bafana's 1-1 Chan warm-up friendly draw against Angola at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday. 'Make sure you look at yourself, check your performances and how you train and make sure you change a few things and work harder to come back strong. So, I'm my own motivation. 'I make sure that whenever I get an opportunity, whether it is an international team or my club, there are no issues there.' This is the second time Maema has been called up to Chan squad having played a crucial role in the qualifiers. He said he will use the opportunity of playing in the finals in East Africa to get his match fitness back. 'It's a huge achievement for me to be here; I'm excited and it's an honour to represent the country in arguably the second-biggest tournament in Africa. I'm happy,' he said. 'It's all about trying to get a few [game] minutes and, if the chance comes, to play. Coach Molefi Ntseki allowed me to come; it was my first call-up last time and I was happy to join the team.' The Chan is being co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from August 2 to 30. Maema is optimistic South Africa will do well. 'We are professionals, we don't need a lot of time, we just need cohesion between the players because we come from different teams and we just need to make sure we come together. 'Match fitness is always going to be a bit of a problem but I don't think it's something to worry about because we have a week left before our first game and we will push hard to make sure we are ready for the tournament.' Maema might also us the Chan as a last chance to try to impress Downs coach Miguekl Cardoso, with whom he fell out of favour last season. Reports are the midfielder might be on his way out of Chloorkop and a strong campaign in East Africa might sway a change in thinking from the Brazilians.
The South African
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Second Sundowns star set to join former Orlando Pirates coach
A Mamelodi Sundowns fan-favourite looks set to leave the club on loan before the new season begins. Former Orlando Pirates coach Fadlu Davids, who is currently Simba SC's coach, is in advanced talks to land a Masandawana midfielder. Simba have already signed defender Rushine De Reuck, who parted ways with the Brazilians last month. Now, another Sundowns star looks set to join the Tanzanian giants. READ MORE • More Orlando Pirates players to leave as Ouaddou wants to trim squad further! READ MORE • Kaizer Chiefs handed golden opportunity to sign Djoumekou! According to the latest transfer gossip, Neo Maema is in advanced talks with Simba SC. The skillful midfielder looks set to be loaned out by Mamelodi Sundowns! Maema joined the South African giants back in 2021. The dazzling midfielder has already made 120 appearances for the club, scoring 14 goals while assisting 14 more. While he was previously linked with a move to PSL newcomers Siwelele FC, the Sundowns star appears to favour a move abroad instead! 'Simba SC are in advanced talks with Mamelodi Sundowns to sign midfielder Neo Maema on loan,' an IDiski Times report read. 'Siwelele were reported to have shown interest in the player. But Simba have acted swiftly when learning about his availability. Sources at the Tanzanian club confirmed the deal has been agreed for the 2025/26 season.' READ MORE • Orlando Pirates set their sights on another big-name signing! Neo Maema is arguably one of the best midfielders in South Africa on his day. Do you think Sundowns are making a mistake by letting him leave on loan? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. You can also follow @ TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
PSL transfer news: Maema, Lepasa, Basadien, Mofokeng
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) kicks off next weekend, but the transfer market has been busy since it opened on 1 July. Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have signed 17 players between them in the past few weeks. Mamelodi Sundowns, on the other hand, have not announced any official signings but have parted ways with six players. Another player set to leave the Brazilians is Neo Maema. The 29-year-old is reportedly in talks with Simba SC as he looks for a move away from Chloorkop. The Bafana Bafana midfielder has struggled for regular first-team football in recent times and it seems he will finally leave to get gametime elsewhere The Sundowns midfielder was called up by Molefi Ntseki to the Bafana Bafana squad, which will participate in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) kicking off next month. Oswin Appollis appears to be the biggest signing so far, but if Sundowns manage to sign Fawaaz Basadien. According to reports, Masandawana are close to finalising the signing of Basadien from Stellenbosch FC. The Bafana Bafana left-back did not train with Stellies on Thursday. Ntseki's Bafana squad has players who are currently clubless. Zakhele Lepasa is one of the players who will look to impress, having played under Hugo Broos' Bafana team two years ago before injuries halted his career. The 28-year-old striker recently parted ways with Orlando Pirates after seven years. He played over 60 matches, scoring 15 times. He is expected to lead Bafana's attack in the CHAN tournament. One PSL player who can shake things up this transfer window is Relebohile Mofokeng. The 20-year-old has been tipped to leave Pirates but no official offer was made by European clubs. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
