Downs & Pirates Among Africa’s Highest-Ranked Teams

, , , , ,

Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are currently ranked among the top 10 teams in Africa, according to Opta’s global team rankings. The Opta Power Rankings are a global team ranking system that assigns an ability score to over 13,000 men’s domestic football teams and over 2,000 women’s domestic football teams on a scale between zero and 100, where zero is the worst-ranked team in the world and 100 is the best team in the world. In our last update of the Opta Power Rankings, Sundowns had actually just moved into 100th place globally and were the highest-ranked African team ahead

Read more

Official: Bafana Midfielder Unveiled In US

, , ,

Former Sekhukhune United midfielder Jammie Webber has been unveiled by USL Championship side FC Tulsa. Babina Noko had already announced his departure in the beginning of May and his move to the US has now finally been confirmed by his new club. The 27-year-old joined Babina Noko from SuperSport United at the start of the 2023/24 season, going on to score five goals and providing a further four assists in 30 appearances. “This is a landmark moment for FC Tulsa, not just as a club, but as a rising force in the American soccer landscape,” said Caleb Sewell, FC Tulsa

Read more

Pyramids Coach Talks About Pirates Ahead Of CAFCL Semi

, , ,

Pyramids FC head coach Krunoslav Jurcic believes Orlando Pirates have an advantage over his side due to their experience in the CAF Champions League, while his team was only formed six years ago. Some say Pyramids are the ‘The Manchester City of Egypt’ due the cash injections the club received after being bought in 2018. This season, they are fighting for the league title and are among the last four of the Champions League for the first time. Jurcic has praised his team’s development but also put the favourites tag to the Buccaneers, who have won the competition in 1995.

Read more

Official: Downs Announce Major Zwane News

, , ,

Mamelodi Sundowns have announced that captain Themba Zwane has signed a new contract until 2026 with the club. The 35-year-old missed large parts of the season due to a serious Achilles tendon tear, which he picked up on Bafana Bafana duty in September. As he is close to his return to the pitch after being labelled fully fit to face Al Ahly on Saturday by head coach Miguel Cardoso, Sundowns now announced his contract extension as an extra boost ahead of the game. “Mshishi is here to stay! Captain Themba Zwane has penned a contract extension, keeping him at the

Read more

Rayners Reveals Why He Joined Sundowns

, ,

Ahead of the CAF Champions League semi-final encounter against Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners has admitted that he joined the club in search of silverware success. Sundowns host Al Ahly in the first leg of their semi-final clash in South Africa’s capital on Saturday, looking to advance in both legs and redeem themselves after crashing out at this stage in the last two seasons. The 29-year-old, who signed for the Brazilians at the beginning of this season, says this is an opportunity for him to also contribute to the trophy winning tradition. “I came to Sundowns actually to

Read more

Al Ahly Coach On Job Pressure Ahead Of Downs Clash

, , ,

Al Ahly head coach Marcel Koller says he is focussed on preparing his team for their CAF Champions League semi-final first leg against Mamelodi Sundowns and not talk around his future at the club. The Egyptian giants have had some mixed results in 2024/25, qualifying as second from Group C after losing to Orlando Pirates in the deciding match for first spot in the group. They did beat Al-Hilal 1-0 home and away to qualify for the semi-finals but are currently only sitting in second place in the Egyptian Premier League and recently lost 2-1 to Pharco in the League

Read more

Riveiro Praises Pyramids Ahead Of Crunch Clash

, ,

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has reserved special praise for Pyramids FC ahead of their CAF Champions League clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday. The Buccaneers are still on course for a quadruple this season having already claimed the MTN8, have booked themselves a spot in the Nedbank Cup final against rivals Kaizer Chiefs and still within a chance for the Betway Premiership honours. Pirates welcome the Egyptian side at the Calabash on Saturday afternoon, and the Spaniard admits that their opponents will be tough to break down while they also possess an attacking front that boasts plenty of

Read more

Cardoso Admits Selection Mistakes, Defends Suarez

, , ,

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has made admission of how he’s the first one to make mistakes in his team selection ahead of their CAF Champions League semifinal first leg tie against Al Ahly. The Brazilian made a blunder in Sundowns’ 2-1 loss to Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup this past weekend, with opposing players saying post-match that Lucas Suarez was the weakest link and target. With Sundowns now looking to cross over the line and make the final of the Champions League, the coach was asked how prepares the 30-year-old after such a costly mistake. The Portuguese

Read more

Downs Draw, Wins For City, Stellies & Usuthu At Bayhill

,

Cape Town City, Stellenbosch and AmaZulu FC managed to get maximum points in their opening games, while Valhalla United held Mamelodi Sundowns to a surprise draw at the Bayhil Premier Cup. The second day of the tournemant ended with excitement as Mamelodi Sundowns came from a goal down to draw 1-1 against a gritty Valhalla United. Despite a strong performance from the young Brazilians, they were stunned by the local club, who put in a valiant performance against their loftier opponents, with Aden Solomons scoring in the first half. Even though Simphiwe Mdlondlo equalised with just over ten minutes to

Read more