Photo by Tracy Benta/Gallo Images

Zambia 0-1 Kenya

Benni McCarthy’s Kenya claimed top spot in Group and qualified for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarter-finals after defeating Zambia on Sunday afternoon.

The Harambee Stars came into the clash top of Group A following their 1-0 win over Morocco last weekend, while Zambia were playing for pride, having already been eliminated.

However, neither side could be separated in the opening 45 minutes although McCarthy’s charges enjoyed more of the chances and possession.

After a goalless first half, Kenya got the breakthrough in the 75th minute as Ryan Ogam bagged his second goal of the tournament.

The one goal was enough to secure the win and Kenya’ spot in the last eight, while also finishing top of the group ahead of Morocco and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Democratic Republic of Congo 1-3 Morocco

Morocco advanced to the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over the Democratic republic of Congo on Sunday afternoon.

Both nations came into the clash with their fate in their own hands, with the winner securing their spot in the next round.

The Moroccans opened the scoring after just eight minutes courtesy of a strike from Oussama Lamiloui.

Congo, however, brought themselves level three minutes before the halftime break as Jephté Kitambala Bola opened his account for the campaign.

Mohamed Hrimat restored Morocco’s lead from the penalty spot on 70 minutes, before Lamiloui completed his brace in ten minutes later to seal the win, which secured second spot in Group A.

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Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

With only four goals from four matches, Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has been advised on how to get Boitumelo Radiopane firing.

Pirates looked good on the eye in their opening MTN8 quarter-final win over Polokwane City, with the surprise inclusion of Radiopane as a striker leading the line dividing opinion.

Read: Ouaddou To Bucs Fans: ‘It’s Not The Way Of Big Clubs’

The Buccaneers academy graduate was praised by some fans for his ability to get on the ball and exchange passes with the likes of Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick Maswanganyi.

However, after goals dried up in back-to-back losses against Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants in the Betway Premiership, Evidence Makgopa got the start in the 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final while Radiopane started on the bench.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Vuyo Mere has questioned whether Pirates need a striker that drops and likes to be on the ball rather than a forward who would have the anticipation to stay in the box and look to finish rather than to assist.

“The young man Radiopane, learn a bit from Makgopa because you end up assisting too much more than going to score,” Mere said on TimesLIVE Video YouTube Channel.

“In the quarter-finals he assisted Appollis, now he starts to drop too much, you’re the one passing the likes of Appollis, who is going to finish? Let the midfielders do that, stay there (in the box).

Read: Stats Confirm Mofokeng’s Slow Start At Pirates?

“He likes to be on the ball more, he gets frustrated when he doesn’t have the ball and he follows the ball. Once you follow the ball as a striker, I’m (as a defender) going to have a good game against a striker like that. I’ll let you receive there (deep), it’s fine, you’ll have to come to me,” Mere added.

Mabasa is yet to get any minute in a Pirates shirt this season, despite being the leading goal-scorer from last season with 15 goals from 48 appearances.

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Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando Pirates

After a slow start by Orlando Pirates, legend Edward Motale and Mohau Nkota respond to whether transfer rumours are affecting Relebohile Mofokeng. 

Mofokeng made the nod as one of the top three best footballers of the 2024/25 season in the PSL, by virtue of being shortlisted for the Players’ Player and Footballer of the Season awards, which were both won by Lucas Ribeiro Costa of Mamelodi Sundowns. 

And so naturally, there was going to be scrutiny on his performances under new Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. 

READ | How sold out ‘noise’ at Orlando affects Pirates new signings

After three matches with Ouaddou in charge, including back-to-back losses in the Betway Premiership, there are suggestions from some quarters that the 20-year-old does not appear to be himself. 

Especially given the rumours around his future, with a number of overseas clubs reported to have or continue to make bids for his services. 

The latest reports that Saudi Arabia outfit Al-Ettifaq, who have already signed Mohau Nkota from the Soweto giants, have been making efforts to lure the Bafana Bafana attacker have created a debate that Mofokeng could be affected.

“I don’t know what’s happening to my boy but he will be okay, I don’t know because people are talking,” Nkota responded on that particular question when asked on Metro FM Sports. 

READ | Ouaddou: Everybody is important for us this season

“Those we don’t know (whether he’s affected or not). But I wish him all the best, I hope he’s gonna do better than last season.”

The Siya crew spoke to Pirates legend Edward Motale on whether he sees Mofokeng distracted or affected on the pitch by all these transfer speculations, especially with Nkota already moving to Saudi Arabia.

“No, he’s not affected, Nkota came in while Mofokeng was already established in the senior team,” Motale told this publication.

“So nothing is gonna affect Mofokeng. Me, I don’t entertain rumours,” Motale said.

Mofokeng came on a second-half substitute in Pirates’ 2-1 defeat to Marumo Gallants.  

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