Latest news with #PitsoMosimane
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Teams shine at Waterstone Super Cup
Top-performing U13 and U19 boys' and girls' football teams from across Gauteng gathered at the Waterstone College Super Cup for three days of action-packed football from June 28 to 30. Hosted at Waterstone College in Kibler Park, Johannesburg, the tournament delivered thrilling matches, competitive energy and standout performances. Participating schools included Curro Soshanguve, Thatchfield, Wilgeheuwel and Aurora, and Meridian Cosmo City. Last year's champions, Waterstone College, Wilgeheuwel Academy, and Northern Academy, returned to defend their titles against strong contenders, including several affiliates of the Pitso Mosimane Soccer Schools. Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane attended the tournament and emphasised the importance of school-level development. 'Football development starts when a player is young. They develop skills through practice. If that practice starts at school, it can only help a player grow even further,' he said. More than 850 footballers competed in the tournament held on Waterstone's top-tier facilities, including a FIFA-designated pitch. Executive head JC Engelbrecht highlighted the broader purpose of the event. 'Waterstone is committed to sports development. We want our school to produce top players. This event gives students the opportunity to express their sporting talent. The Super Cup is a festival of football, where passion, positivity, and respect shine the brightest,' he said. Engelbrecht added that the Super Cup is about more than football. 'It's about building community and promoting holistic education. We focus on a strong connection between academics and sport, helping students develop perseverance and emotional intelligence.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Herald
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Pirates confirm preseason tour schedule amid anticipation of coach announcement
A few names have been bandied about with the vacant job, including two unattached highly-respected local coaches Rulani Mokwena and Pitso Mosimane. During the tour of Spain, the Soweto giants will play exciting friendly matches against English side Bolton Wanderers, Cyprus champions Pafos FC and two Spanish sides Las Palmas and Granada CF. This won't be the first time that Pirates face off with the Spanish teams as they played Granada during their time in the European country ahead of last season. Their friendly clash ended in a 1-1 draw with Angolan winger Gilberto scoring for the Premier Soccer League giants. Pirates and Las Palmas played each other in 2023 and their battle ended in a goalless draw. The Soweto giants will play Bolton on July 11, Pafos on July 13, Las Palmas on July 17 and Granada on July 19.
Forbes
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
How Themba Zwane And Mamelodi Sundowns Are Taking Shoe Shine & Piano To The World Stage
When Themba Zwane steps onto the pitch to begin South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns' FIFA Club World Cup campaign, he won't just be representing the Pretoria-based club. He will be carrying the hopes of a continent and the pride of a club that has grown from a domestic powerhouse to a global competitor. Zwane, is no stranger to the elite competition, having been part of the Mamelodi Sundowns squad that featured at the Club World Cup in 2016, following their historic CAF Champions League victory under then-coach Pitso Mosimane. However, this time, he returns older, wiser under the tutelage of Head Coach Miguel Cardoso, and with the captain's armband on his sleeve, a symbol of how far both he and the club have come. 'Obviously we are excited as a team,' Zwane shared with and other international media. 'We're going to represent Africa as a whole. It's the kind of experience every player dreams of, to go there, compete at a high level, and test how far you've come.' Mamelodi Sundowns have been drawn into a fiercely competitive Group F, alongside South Korea's Ulsan HD, Brazilian giants Flamengo, and German Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund. This draw reflects the evolution of the tournament, which is no longer simply a coronation of European and South American champions but a genuine clash of footballing cultures from around the globe. For Sundowns, this presents an opportunity to showcase their growth not only as a club but also as a symbol of African excellence. Over the past decade, they have solidified their status as a domestic powerhouse while also becoming a prominent presence in CAF inter-club competitions. Their playing style is one of the most distinctive on the continent. Affectionately known as 'Shoe Shine and Piano,' Sundowns play a possession-based brand of football characterised by control, patience, and precision. Similar to Barcelona's tiki-taka or Manchester City's positional play, the Brazilians of South African football prioritize ball retention, building from the back, circulating the ball methodically, and waiting for the opportune moment to break through the opposition. In the recently concluded season, they averaged 67% ball possession, often wearing down their opponents through a high volume of passes and movement. This style not only showcases tactical sophistication but also enables Sundowns to dictate the tempo of matches, reducing chaos and maximising their strengths in tight spaces. Zwane embodies this philosophy; he remains calm under pressure, is intelligent in his positioning, and has the capability to change a game with a single touch. He is a leader forged through consistency rather than theatrics. 'Our confidence is high,' he asserts. 'So far, so good. We have prepared very well for the Club World Cup, and I believe we have enough depth and quality to compete in the tournament.' That quiet confidence is well-earned. Despite their recent disappointment in the CAF Champions League Final, where they fell to Egyptian side Pyramids FC, Sundowns' campaign was marked by resilience and tactical maturity. Rather than diminishing their stature, the loss offered valuable lessons, particularly for a squad that has become accustomed to continental pressure. What sets this iteration of Sundowns apart from the 2016 squad is the team's sustained exposure to top-tier African football. Over the past eight years, they've consistently reached the latter stages of the CAF Champions League, gaining invaluable experience. Several players have also featured for Bafana Bafana, South Africa's national team, which recently claimed a third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations and currently leads its FIFA World Cup qualification group. This cross-pollination between club and country has bred a group of players who are not just technically capable, but mentally battle-hardened. 'It's exciting, you know, as a player to go into such a tournament,' Zwane says. 'You want to be in these games, to see how far you've come as a player, and to compete with the best.' The allure of the Club World Cup is undeniable. For players, it offers a rare platform to measure themselves against clubs with some of the deepest talent pools and most sophisticated footballing infrastructures in the world. For clubs like Sundowns, it's a chance to gain visibility and alter the narrative around African football. Zwane is aware of the stakes, and the responsibility. 'We've been watching them,' he says of Sundowns' upcoming opponents. 'We know they are good teams with good players. We respect them but we don't fear them. We'll go there, play our football, and try to match them in terms of quality and the pace of the game.' That mindset, respect without intimidation, reflects the growing maturity of African clubs on the world stage. No longer content to simply participate, teams like Sundowns are arriving with the intention to compete and to win. And beyond the tactical and technical elements, Zwane believes this moment carries symbolic power. 'We just give hope to other teams in Africa, that it's doable,' he says. 'Hopefully next time, we have more numbers going that side to represent Africans as a nation.' His words are a rallying cry, not just for his teammates, but for clubs across the continent that have long fought for credibility in global football. Sundowns' return to the Club World Cup comes at a time when African talent is being increasingly recognised across Europe and the Americas, but club-level respect still lags behind. With a seasoned coach, a data-driven football department, and a squad built for continental consistency, Sundowns have positioned themselves not just as South Africa's leading club, but as a model for how African teams can build long-term competitiveness. Their participation in the expanded Club World Cup format serves as both a reward and an opportunity. For Zwane, this journey is also personal. At 34, he remains at the heart of Sundowns' midfield, a metronome with vision and composure. And while football is his profession, he is inspired by an unlikely source: NBA superstar Stephen Curry. 'In America, I only enjoy basketball,' he reveals. 'My favourite athlete is Steph Curry. I always watch him, and I follow his interviews. He's always positive, always working hard. It would be a pleasure to meet him, hopefully.' With a balanced squad, tactical depth, and a captain who blends experience with humility, Mamelodi Sundowns are not arriving at the Club World Cup as mere participants. They are coming to compete. And for Zwane, who has seen the highs, lows, and evolution of this team, the return to the world stage feels like a mission renewed. 'It feels great,' he says, smiling. 'To be part of this journey again, it's an honour. We're ready.'
IOL News
17-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns out to prove that they belong among world's best at Fifa Club World Cup
Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane will hope to lift the Fifa Club World Cup trophy in the United States. Photo: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media Mamelodi Sundowns have continued to grow in stature both on the domestic front and across the African continent. As they embark on yet another significant chapter in their illustrious journey, their participation in the Fifa Club World Cup stands as a powerful testament to their sustained excellence over the past decade. This tournament marks the Brazilians' second appearance on the global stage, having previously featured in 2016 under the leadership of Pitso Mosimane, who guided the club to their first-ever CAF Champions League title earlier that year. Their debut at the Club World Cup presented a stern challenge, as they returned home with two defeats from two matches, offering them valuable lessons about football at the highest level. This time, however, they approach the competition with greater maturity and deeper continental experience. As the tournament unfolds, three key elements could be vital to their prospects in the United States... Key veteran figures 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 Among the current Sundowns squad are experienced players who have not only played central roles in the club's rise over the last 10 years, but also featured during their first-ever Club World Cup campaign in Japan in 2016. Thapelo Morena, Denis Onyango and club captain Themba Zwane were all part of that 23-man squad, and their consistency has kept them relevant and influential even today. Their familiarity with the demands of this kind of tournament – even through past disappointments – could prove vital, particularly for Zwane, whose leadership will be central in setting the tone for the team both on and off the pitch. Experience from top-level competition The current edition of the Club World Cup is historic, being the first to include 32 teams in a format that mirrors the structure of the Fifa World Cup for national sides. Sundowns are among the elite clubs competing and will be up against world-class opposition in the group stages, including German giants Borussia Dortmund, South Korean side Ulsan Hyundai and Brazilian outfit Fluminense. Historically, African clubs have found it tough in tournaments of this nature, with only a few – such as Morocco's national team at the 2022 World Cup – making it into the semi-finals. However, what sets this Sundowns side apart is their sustained exposure to CAF Champions League football, and the fact that several players have also been part of the Bafana Bafana team that recently secured a third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations and are currently leading their Fifa World Cup qualification group. While the level may differ from what they face at the World Cup, the intensity and tactical demands of these competitions will serve them well for their upcoming challenges. Maintaining footballing identity
The South African
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates: Big-names who WON't coach the Bucs
Some of the biggest names in the SA football have been linked with the Orlando Pirates job. Orlando Pirates are actively searching for a new coach. Furthermore, the next coach will have massive boots to fill following the departure of Spaniard, Jose Riveiro. As mentioned, several massive names have been linked with Pirates including Pitso Mosimane, Rulani Mokwena, Benni McCarthy and Manqoba Mngqithi. However, some of these men are not in contention due to current circumstances. Bucs legend, Benni McCarthy will not be coaching Olando Pirates next season. This is because the Bafana Bafana and Bucs legend has recently started his next coaching job. McCarthy is now in charge of Kenya. So, all reported links have now been outrightly dismissed. However, this does not mean he will never return to Mayfair. It just means McCarthy will not be coming back to Pirates any time soon. EX-SUNDOWNS COACH RULED OUT OF CONTENTION Manqoba Mngqithi will also not be coaching Pirates next season. Moreover, the ex-Sundowns coach has just started coaching PSL rivals, Golden Arrows. Meaning, he is committed to his next coaching journal with the KwaZulu Natal-based outfit. Initially, Manqoba was one of the big names linked with the Pirates hot seat. However, similarly to McCarthy he is also no longer in the running for the Bucs hot seat. Meaning, Rulani Mokwena and Pitso Mosimane are still technically in the running for the Pirates job. Meawhile, Mandla Ncikazi and Carlos Nodar Paz join the likes of Pablo Franco Martin, Florent Ibenge and German tactician, Marco Rose. 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.
