Soccer Laduma is giving you a chance to rate Mamelodi Sundowns players in their second leg CAF Champions League match against Pyramids FC of Egypt on Sunday evening. The Chloorkop-based side suffered a 2-1 loss, following their one-all draw in the first leg in Tshwane two weeks ago. Pyramids were crowned continental champions following their 3-2 aggregate win.
Coach Miguel Cardoso’s side started like a team that needed to bounce back, as they needed to score an early goal and take the game to their hosts, but that tempo disappeared halfway through the first half. A defensive mistake from Grant Kekana, who seemed to be in two minds about whether to clear his line or pass the ball to a teammate, resulted in Fiston Mayele taking full advantage and beating Ronwen Williams in the far bottom corner to take the lead.
Ka Bo Yellow had their backs against the wall but continued to probe as they were looking to equalise and possibly get a winner. However, things took a turn for the worst as they conceded a second goal from a set-piece, with Ahmed Samy left unmarked and converting from a free header inside the six-meter box, beating Williams hands-down!
The Egyptians continued to manage the game, with the clock ticking but it was the visitors who almost found the back of the net when Lucas Ribeiro Costa set Tashreeq Matthews one-on-one with the goalkeeper to beat, only for the Downs attacker to have his shot saved. Eventually, the Brazilians found the back of the net with Iqraam Rayners netting in the 75th minute. With 15 minutes of regulation time to go, Downs went all out in search of the winning goal, but it was just not to be.
A SOCCER star from Ottery has been selected by Sim Tours to participate in the upcoming Gateway to Madrid Soccer Tour in Spain from 18 June.
Matthew Barends, 18, will be among other talented ballers who will experience the Spanish football culture and compete in an international football tournament.
Barends said that he has been playing soccer since he was five years old and plays at centreback.
He is looking forward to going on the trip as this is the first time he will be leaving the country.
The teen says: “I am very excited to go on the trip. I love playing soccer because it’s my passion. I used to play soccer for my school as well as the local soccer clubs.”
The total cost of the soccer tour is R48 500 which includes return flights, accommodation, meals, transport, tournament fees, tour apparel, travel insurance, visa and a visit to Real Madrid’s home, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, and rivals Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano home ground.
Dad Andre Barends said that despite hosting fundraisers they still have an outstanding balance of R35 000.
The pa says: “We had a few karaokes and some five-a-side soccer tournament, but the turn out of the karaoke was not well supported.
“Matthew is a very respectful young man who matriculated last year, but football has always been his life. He got the opportunity to play in Spain with Eagle Performance.
“We urgently need help as we are still in need of some outstanding funds to get him to play in Spain.”
As the only FIFA Agency in South Africa, Sim Tours offers trips of the highest calibre as well as domestic training camps with professional club coaches.
Sim Tours has provided hundreds of boys access the global tournaments as well as touring to football meccas such as Paris, Manchester, Dubai and The Netherlands to name a few.
If you would like to assist or donate towards Matthew’s trip please contact 081 020 5413 or 067 189 4451
Jose Riveiro has reportedly been involved in a training ground spat with one of the Al Ahly officials only a few days after the Spaniard was appointed as the club’s new head coach.
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Late last week, the Vigo native was announced by the Club of the Century as their new head coach, becoming Marcel Koller’s permanent successor. The 47-year-old requested to leave Orlando Pirates with three Betway Premiership matches remaining, as he wanted to begin preparations with his new club as soon as possible.
Despite only wrapping up their league campaign last week — which they won for a record-extending 45th time, the players will not be afforded any time off in the immediate future, with the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup looming. It is believed that the Spanish tactician was already putting the players through their paces this past Saturday with an intense training session.
According to El Watan Sports, it was during this session that an argument reportedly broke out between Riveiro and club sporting director Mohamed Youssef. It is alleged that Youssef was having a discussion with a few of the first-team players while the three-time MTN8 winner was conducting the session.
The same report claims that Riveiro did not take kindly to this and told the players to maintain their focus, even going as far as demanding that Youssef leave the session and not return in future if he was going to disregard the instructions being given.
Check Out: Ex-Al Ahly Chief: We Wanted To Sign Saleng
It is also understood that the new Al Ahly boss has asked Youssef for an urgent update on the defensive signings he has requested so that he can adequately prepare for their arrivals.
WATCH: Man B Blames Cardoso For Sundowns’ Loss To Pyramids
Reactactions have come in from various sects of South African football following Mamelodi Sundowns’ dissapointing final loss to Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League.
Check it out
Someone must be held accountable after a dissapointing result, usually the coach and Miguel Cardoso is not exempt.
The Portuguese has received a trove of criticism directed at him for his approach in the final and for leaving out club captian Themba Zwane in his starting eleven or not even bringing him on as a sub.
And it’s not only Sundowns fans who have chimmed in, but supporters of other teams have given their two-cents as well, including Kaizer Chiefs top fan by the name, Man B.
The larger than life character has suggested that Cardoso’s decision costed the team, saying without ambiguity;
“The enemy of Mamelodi Sundowns is the coach with his battle against Themba Zwane, you can’t play that big thing (CAF Champions League), without Zwane”.
WATCH: “I think Rulani must come back to SA”
FANCAM is your ultimate voice in the game, Mzansi! In this thrilling video project, soccer lovers from all corners of South Africa share their thoughts, predictions, celebrations and hot takes. Join the movement and make your voice heard!
The expected departure of players continues at a Soweto giant as another midfielder is reportedly set to follow recent outgoings from the club ahead of the new season.
With former captain Innocent Maela and midfielder Miguel Timm having played their last games for Orlando Pirates, news coming out of Houghton is that one other midfielder is expected to be on his way out this off-season.
READ:The Fresh Exits Expected At Pirates
As previously reported by Soccer Laduma, Pirates are looking at releasing a few more players ahead of the new season as they are apparently building an almost new-look team altogether for next season.
Now insiders close to the club and privy to reliable information have indicated that Goodman Mosele is believed to be on the list of players expected to leave the Houghton-based side.
“At the moment the club is dealing with one player at a moment and it’s apparently believed that Goodman Mosele is the next in line. I don’t think he will get a loan move this time around. It’s believed that the club is not renewing his contract when it expires at the end of the month. He is one of the few who the team is expected to release this month,” the Siya source stated.
A second source privy to reliable information stated that the signing of Sihle Nduli is apparently the other reason for Mosele’s expected departure.
“There are a few players in that department and with Sihle (Nduli) believed to have finalised the move they are cutting some off and Goodman is apparently one of the victims in that exercise,” the second insider observed.
Mosele joined the Buccaneers in 2021 from Baroka FC and the 25-year-old spent 2023 at Chippa United on loan where he did very well, even earning a Bafana Bafana call-up.
READ:Downs Coach: I Have To Be Honest With Myself
However, in this completed season he had only played in a few games. The midfielder’s imminent departure marks another step in what appears to be a significant rebuild at Orlando Stadium. With his contract expiring and new signings arriving, Mosele looks set to become a free agent, potentially offering value for other PSL clubs looking to strengthen their midfield options.
Having already proven himself during his loan spell at Chippa and previously at Baroka, the former Bafana call-up shouldn’t be short of suitors despite his limited playing time this season. Soccer Laduma contacted Pirates to comment on the situation but the club had not responded by the time this report was published.
