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Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Mdantsane, currently on loan at Richards Bay, is believed to have attracted interest from another PSL club.

Insiders close to the club have indicated that Sekhukhune United are the team believed to have made enquiries about the 30-year-old as Amakhosi prepare for a squad overhaul.

READ: Pirates Sign ‘The New Mofokeng’

The Siya sources added Sekhukhune’s coach Eric Tinkler is keen on reuniting with Mdantsane, having worked with the midfielder during his productive spell at Cape Town City.

“Coach Eric Tinkler knows him better and he played part of his best football under him at Cape Town City and it’s believed that now he wants him at Sekhukhune United. The club has shown interest in him and things could happen at the start of next season but the interest from Sekhukhune United is there, ” the insider told the Siya crew.

A second insider hinted that Chiefs are likely to release or loan out Mdantsane at the end of the season, which could open the door for Sekhukhune United to swoop in.

“Sekhukhune United could have the advantage of signing Mdu (Mdantsane) because Chiefs are looking at either loaning him out or to release him permanently with his contract remaining with one year on it and this could give Sekhukhune United the chance to sign him. They may wait for Chiefs to make the decision and move in or they could start talks even before the end of the season,” the second source stated.

READ: What Next For New Royal AM Boss?

Mdantsane, who joined Amakhosi in 2023 on a three-year deal, featured in many games last season but had struggled for game time in this campaign at both Chiefs and Richards Bay. His current contract is set to expire in June 2026, according to Siya sources.

Soccer Laduma reached out to Sekhukhune for comment on their reported interest in Mdantsane, but no response was received at the time of publishing.

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Source: https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/local/kaizer-chiefs/mduduzi-mdantsane-kaizer-chiefs-interest-by-sekhukhune-united-psl

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Pyramids FC are set to welcome back a former English Premier League star to action ahead of their CAF Champions League semi-final second-leg clash against Orlando Pirates.

Check Out: Pyramids Get Big ‘Boost’ Ahead Of Bucs Return Leg

Sobhi was an unused substitute for the first leg against the Soweto Giants in Johannesburg on Sunday 20 April as the two sides played out a goalless draw.

Egyptian publication Sport Elwatan denied reports that Pyramids head coach Krunoslav Jurcic deliberately omitted Sobhi from the starting lineup.

A club source said told the aforementioned publication that Sobhi remained unused due to previous knee injury he suffered but he is set to feature in the return leg.

“Ramadan Sobhi was sitting on the bench because he is still suffering from severe inflammation in his knee, which is the reason for his absence from the first leg,” the source said. “He is being prepared to be used in the next match.”

The source added that the former Al Ahly and Stoke City winger was not booked and was being prepared to play in Egypt this week.

Check Out: Pyramids Coach Hits Back: ‘I Won 2-0’

“Ramadan Sobhi did not receive a yellow card from the referee in the last match, and the player is being medically and technically prepared to play in the return match against Al-Difaa Al-Gawiya.”

Pyramids will face The Buccaneers in the second leg on Friday 25 April at the 30 June Stadium.

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Source: https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/international/african-football/pyramids-discuss-sobhi-s-exclusion

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We’ve had all sorts of looks in the Betway Premiership League, from mowhawks to the classic bald look, but nothing beats a clean fade.

Check it out!

The Story

Mamelodi Sundowns players are none the different in their choice of barber as most have visited or got a visit from the same barber, who goes by the name, the_gorgeous-barber.

The said barber has worked his magic on various Sundowns players over the years and all have come out looking fresh.

Mothobi Mvala, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekena and other off-field staff have had their heads worked on by the Pretoria native and with such a catalogue his asking price sure doesn’t come cheap.

A clean fade goes for R200, whilst a sleek fade with dye is R300. Other options in the form a fade and design are slightly more expensive at R350.

In no Particular order, our list of the best fades:

Ronwen Williams

Malibongwe Khoza

Iqraam Rayners

Tashreeq Matthews

Askekho Tiwani

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Source: https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/local/fan-park/sundowns-players-at-the-barber

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Andy Kohlberg (New York, 65-years-old) is the president of RCD Mallorca in LaLiga and co-owner of the Phoenix Suns in the NBA. He exudes a sense of calm, the same ease that allowed him to face the football team’s relegation to the now-defunct Segunda B in his first season. With clear ideas and working alongside both Steve Nash and Steve Kerr, he has returned the team to the First Division and is in the fight to play in Europe, with a clear vision of the team’s future.

Can you explain why you chose Mallorca?

I think we looked at Mallorca as a unique opportunity to do something different, given the level of tourism and the broad reach of the different fan bases.

We thought we could have a fan experience that was unique and different while still maintaining the culture of the island, still continuing to cater to the local families who’ve been coming for many generations, and also providing some experiences for maybe a German family who was a Bayern Munich fan, but they had a house in Mallorca, and give them a unique experience in the VIP area.

They might not be a real Mallorca fan, but they want to come see a good football match and have a unique and different experience with great food and entertainment.

What’s the plan as regards Mallorca in the United States? Lots of clubs have relationships and presence out there.

I think we’re still developing a plan working with LaLiga, obviously with our American ownership group, and the well known people like Steve Nash and Steve Kerr, but I think doing things in conjunction with LaLiga and maybe having some pre-season games, which the bigger clubs have done, is something on the horizon.

Is your plan to expand to the USA?

We have to get a plan together and go slowly. It takes a long time to build a brand, especially in a big market like the US, but we can have a niche, because more Americans are coming to Mallorca now with the non-stop United Airlines flight.

Even in the last three years, the number of Americans is increasing a lot in Mallorca, so we want to build on that, and we have a partnership with Air Europa to help establish that.

Do you think soccer can become one of the strongest sports in the USA?

I think Messi has made a big difference in the US, in the popularity, attendance is doing well. The difficulty with soccer in the US is the TV and the TV revenue and the number of people watching on TV is still not growing so much, but the overall popularity of the sport, both men’s and women’s, is growing a lot, and some of that is because of Messi.

Some of the women’s national team was very good, but it will take a while, but the big thing that has to come around is TV.

Will the 2026 World Cup be the springboard for soccer to make a leap forward in the US?

I think so. I think Messi has started it, and the World Cup will coincide with the end of his career. I think that’s a good thing and a good send off. So, yes, I think it has the potential to be a really big driver of a larger fan base.

Is it tough to create a balance between catering for those fans and the local fans?

Oh no, I think we’re doing a good job. The basic premise is you listen to the customer and give them what they want, and the local fan who’s been coming for generations and doesn’t come early or stay late, and that’s fine.

We have different things for everybody, so I think it’s a good mix and a good blend, and everybody seems to be happy. We haven’t heard many complaints about the fans who have been coming for 50 years, that ‘this is different’ or that ‘this is terrible’. They still can do what they’ve always done, but we have other areas for people who want a different experience.

You mentioned before that you looked at certain Premier League clubs, but in the end, you chose LaLiga. Why? What was the defining factor in that decision?

I think there’s a bit more opportunity in Spain. As we said, Financial Fair Play was coming into fruition at that time, 2014/15 when we were looking at clubs, and we thought that was the discipline that we wanted and the Premier League wasn’t doing that.

Also, it was much more expensive to buy a Premier League club, and yet they still lost huge amounts of money, most of the clubs, even the top ones. So we just felt there was more opportunity in Spain and a little bit easier to advance and become a top 10 club than it was in the Premier League.

Would you look to expand the board? Lots of US investors have come into the Premier League and La Liga, would you be open to more US investors, sports, people like yourself coming into Mallorca?

We’ll see. We’re doing well right now, we have five or six partners. You never know what will happen in the future, but we’re very happy with our group right now and we’re taking Mallorca to the States.

And you have a unique identity that you’re an island, and the identity of the club.

Most Americans know where Mallorca is, but they don’t have any idea about Real Mallorca, but they know Mallorca. Trying to take the notoriety of the island and transfer it to the club as part of the strategy for us.

What’s the Asian strategy?

I think we’re third or fourth in Japan in terms of views. I was over there last year and we’re going again. As we said, we have a Japanese sponsor; we are the club with the most number of Japanese players. And, you know, we had Lee Kang-In, who was very, very popular.

We had probably 100 tourists every week coming from Korea just to watch him, and so it turned out to be a really good thing. So we think we have some unique opportunities to expand in Asia because of the connection. And we’re there, we’re going over there more often than anyone else. So that helps when.

What do you make of Donald Trump’s tariffs? Will it affect you?

I’m not a big fan of the tariffs. So we’ll see what happens. I don’t think anybody knows what’s going to happen. There’s so much uncertainty, which is never good for business. It would be better if they said ‘these are the tariffs’, but they’re changing so often, and nobody is sure if they will be negotiated. So no companies will make an investment, and that’s even worse, the uncertainty is almost as bad as the tariffs themselves. So we’ll see. But hopefully things get worked out.

When you arrived you moved through the divisions, how important is that calmness and holding your nerves?

The word I like to use is stability. You know the good franchises, successful franchises in the NBA, have been very stable. The Golden State Warriors had the same owner, the same general manager and the same coach for many years. Miami Heat: same owner, same general manager, same coach for a dozen years. San Antonio: same owner, same coach, same general manager.

Football is not like that…

America is not normally like that, but the good teams have figured out how to keep stable management, and I think that’s helpful in sports in general. So that’s what we’re trying to do. You don’t get it right all the time, and if you make a mistake, you obviously have to change.

But I think going through the ups and downs, our feeling of stability was very important, and that’s what we want to do going forward: hire people who want to be at the club for a long time, and we’re doing that.

Do you have a Europa League/Champions League dream?

You know, I think our main objective is to stay in the league and be in the top 10. And if you’re top 10, that means you’re fighting and you’re competing and you’re right there every year. But it’s not realistic.

There are five clubs, maybe six clubs that we’re never going to be better than over the course of many seasons. Obviously, we can beat Athletic Bilbao in a game or even maybe a season, but we’re never going to be better than Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético, Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal, over four or five seasons – it is not realistic. They are bigger clubs with more budget.

So we got to be in the next group, which is kind of 5 to 10 and be there every year, competing for those things. And that’s our objective, and stay in the league, obviously.

So is that the ceiling for the team? Top 10 but not top 5?

I wouldn’t say the ceiling at any given moment or season, but over the course of 5-10, years, we’re not going to be third place every season, so I think that’s realistic. We need to improve a lot to get to that consistent level of 5-10th place every season.

With the success of the club, the players’ values have risen. How does that fit into your model?

I think it’s part of a realistic strategy. We have to be willing to sell some players occasionally. You know, we’re not doing that as the main driver of the business model, but players like Take Kubo and Lee Kang-In, they’re going to want to go to the bigger the bigger clubs.

And we know that when Kang In signed with us, we knew that, and same with Take Kubo, so we have to make that part of our strategy and be a club that is good at developing young players.

We also have to let them know that we’re willing to let them move on to bigger clubs when it makes sense, and not fight it too much. You can’t have five to seven guys you sell at the same time, but we know that if we’re getting a top young player for two or three years, they’re going to be with us and then move on. And the same thing with our young kids. We don’t want them to move on, but Real Madrid and Barcelona come calling and they leave. So we have to build that into our strategy and not try to fight it. This is the inevitability of the size of our club.

It’s very honest and humble for you to say that you’re willing to let them go to a bigger club when the time comes.

We’re just trying to be realistic and then build it into our strategy and have a balance. Obviously, we want good young players to stay, but that’s not realistic.

Can you speak about Jagoba Arrasate and the job he’s done this season?

I think he’s been a great fit. He’s very humble. He plays a bit more offensive style, with a bit higher up the pitch, and that’s what we wanted. The players have adapted very well, but it’s a long season, and to continue with that, but he’s been a great coach and has adapted really well, and the players have adapted to him really well.

I’d also like to say that we’re very thankful for what Javier Aguirre did. He set a very strong foundation of defence, solidity and consistency. Jagoba has built on that and improved on that without tearing the whole thing down. A lot of coaches come in and they just fire everybody to start a completely new regime. Jagoba wasn’t like that. He liked some of the people who were already working there, he liked the players and built on what was good and improved some things we needed to improve. So I’m very impressed.

What’s his personality and mentality like day to day?

He’s very calm, humble, it’s very easy to get along with him and all the staff. The staff all say he’s just fantastic to deal with on a day to day basis.

Can you tell us about your plan for the academy?

That’s something we’re working on. We need to get better at it and we need to invest more money with dorms and more young players. So it’s the next step in our evolution. It’s hard to invest in the academy when you’re in a different division every year, first, second, third… But now we’re stable and La Liga, we can invest in the academy, and that’s our plan.

What are your thoughts on the LaLiga spending limits? Does it stop you from doing everything you’d like?

Overall, I think the financial fair play rules have been very positive for LaLiga because of the reasons we mentioned regarding the discipline. I think they can make some small adjustments to the rules that would help, but I think that generally they’ve been very positive, and LaLiga has been pretty disciplined about enforcing them. And so those we view as positive things, but there can be some tweaks that I think could

be improved.

So you’d like a bit more leniency?

I think in terms of putting new dollars in right now, you only get a very little credit each year for those dollars. They could just increase the percentage a little bit. The concept, I think, is right.

The other thing that the NBA has done that I think works very well is that if a team spends more than a salary cap, they get a penalty and that money gets distributed among other teams that are not in the penalty. I think that makes sense. If an owner wants to spend a billion dollars, then make some of that money good to the other teams to bring them up.

I think the concept makes a lot of sense but it’s how you adapt that to Spain, I’m not sure. As a general theme, I think if someone’s willing to put money in, there should be some caps, but there should be some stages where more and more money goes to the rest of the teams. And if the owner wants to continue to do that and subsidise the other teams…

What’s the latest on contract renewals? Muriqi, the important players…

I can’t speak to anyone individually, but our theme, as I mentioned, as a club, is stability, and we want to continue with our players. We’ve had a very good track record of renewing players who wanted to renew with Dani and Abdon, Raillo, all of our captains, so we want to continue with that. But I can’t speak to any players.

What has surprised you about Spain? What do you find curious about Spanish football compared to American sports?

Relegation changes everything. I’m also surprised at how the rules haven’t adapted a little bit quicker to the realities of the new style of game. NBA changes the rules more quickly to adapt to what’s happening: now there’s a lot more three-point shooting and a lot more offense. They change the rules.

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It seems like I mentioned earlier, some simple things could be changed in the rules. It would make it, I think, a much better game, and easier to referee. There wouldn’t be so many complaints, some simple things, and they seem to take a long time to get around to that here. So that’s what’s surprising, that to me as an outsider looking in, it seemed there were some obvious, real changes that would make things a lot easier.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

Source: https://en.as.com/soccer/phoenix-suns-owner-explains-unique-decision-to-move-to-european-soccer-with-steve-kerr-n/

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It’s a feel-good moment for Kaizer Chiefs supporters as both the senior and reserve teams are lighting up the local football scene.

With the first team having secured a spot in the Nedbank Cup final last weekend, there’s a renewed sense of belief in Naturena – and the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side is also riding that wave of momentum.

Read: Mali & Chiefs Scout Maliwa To Spread Wings In Malawi

Vela Khumalo, fresh from guiding South Africa’s U17 national team to historic qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup, is now focused on steering the Amakhosi reserves to league glory.

The young Glamour Boys sit at the summit of the DDC standings with 61 points from 25 matches, just one point ahead of title rivals Stellenbosch FC, who have played a game more.

Khumalo, who has seamlessly balanced his national team duties with his role at Chiefs, believes winning the Diski Challenge this season would be a major statement for the club’s future.

“Yeah, it has always been the plan,” Khumalo told the Siya crew in an exclusive interview. “We spoke about it to say that because we’re having a new coach now (at the senior level), let us not disturb him. Let’s give him time and space so that he can bring his footprint to the (first) team. We said ‘let’s rather go for the league, because we aren’t promoting any players, and it looks good so far’. And I think it is in our hands and it’s for us to lose it,” he added.

Despite missing two matches due to national team commitments, Khumalo expressed satisfaction with the team’s consistency and mental strength.

“At the moment, we’re doing so well. I’m happy that even the two games that I was not there, we got four points out of it. I think we played SuperSport and won, and we drew with Stellenbosch. And I think my last game was when we beat Pirates in Bloemfontein,” he said.

The reserve side recently secured back-to-back victories, first defeating TS Galaxy before putting three past Richards Bay in a commanding 3-1 performance – results that have kept them firmly in the title race.

Read: 5 Pirates Strikers Who Performed Best Under Riveiro

With just a few matches to go, Chiefs’ DDC team are in pole position to clinch the league title and potentially cap off a golden season for the club’s development structures.

With confidence oozing from both the first team and the youth ranks, it’s safe to say – happy times may indeed be returning to Amakhosi.

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Source: https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/local/kc-campaign/kaizer-chiefs-reserve-team-eyeing-dstv-diski-challenge-glory-vela-khumalo

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Al Ahly’s management has reportedly offered substantial bonuses to their players if they advance to the CAF Champions League final.

Check Out: Al Ahly To ‘Miss’ Four Key Stars In Downs Clash

The Red Devils are preparing for a second-leg semi-final clash against Mamelodi Sundowns following a 0-0 draw in the first leg.

The Egyptian side will be at home for the second leg and will be hoping to advance to the final and stand a chance to win the title for the third season in a row.

According to the Egyptian publication Kooora, a club source said that Al Ahly President Mahmoud El Khatib offered 200 000 Egyptian pounds (R73 000) to each squad member involved in the two games against Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.

The source added that El Khatib has offered each player 500 000 pounds (R182 500) if they can get past Masandawana in the semi-finals, while 1 000 000 (R365 000) pounds is on offer if they win the competition.

Check Out: Al Ahly Coach Bags New Record After Downs Clash

The source said this would be a historic reward for the Al Ahly players, who stand to win a total of 1 700 000 pounds (R620 000) for winning the competition, more than half of the 800 000 pounds (R292 000) awarded to each player last season.

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Source: https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/international/african-football/al-ahly-incentives-for-caf-win

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Ghanaian forward Kwame Opoku is on the radar for a potential move to South Africa, with clubs in the Betway Premiership set to be offered his services ahead of the new season.

The 25-year-old has been a revelation since joining Asante Kotoko in December from Moroccan side Olympique Khouribga, hitting the ground running with six goals and an assist despite arriving mid-season.

Read: 5 Pirates Strikers Who Performed Best Under Riveiro

His contributions have been key in keeping Kotoko in contention for a domestic League and MTN FA Cup double, underlining his value in front of goal.

Now, his camp is looking at the next chapter.

“Kwame Opoku’s next move could be in South Africa, and he is keen,” a source close to the player told the Siya crew.

“He has been doing well and scoring goals in Ghana. His representatives are assessing options for him in the PSL, targeting the Big Three. As you saw this past weekend, those teams struggled in front of goal, and hence the plan to offer them this capable striker from Asante Kotoko.”

South African-based agency Moscow Africa Renewal Project, which represents the player in Mzansi, confirmed the intention to bring the striker to the local top flight.

Speaking on the matter, Abbie Rasimphi of the agency said, “Yes, we are working on opportunities for Kwame Opoku in the Betway Premiership. He’s doing well and we believe he can add value to the right club in South Africa.”

Read – Feutmba: The Advantage That Sundowns Have…

A move to the PSL could be an ideal next step for Opoku, whose physical presence, goal sense, and versatility make him an attractive prospect for clubs looking to bolster their attacking options.

With several local sides battling for consistency up front, his arrival could provide a timely solution ahead of the new campaign.

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Source: https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/local/orlando-pirates/ghanaian-striker-kwame-opoku-set-to-be-offered-to-kaizer-chiefs-orlando-pirates-sundowns

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Kaizer Chiefs continue to prioritise the importance of young players in their squad by offering a contract to a midfielder, the Siya crew understands.

The promotion of youth academy talent at Amakhosi to the senior team, mirrors the strategies of clubs like Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

READ: Pirates Sign ‘The New Mofokeng’

The latest player to benefit from Chiefs’ development focus is believed to be young midfielder Manqoba “Pelembe” Ozoemena, who is expected to be offered a long-term professional contract starting next season.

As previously reported by Soccer Laduma, Amakhosi began discussions about offering Ozoemena a senior team deal after his pre-season trip to Turkey with the first team. However, the deal was delayed to allow the technical team time to finalise the squad with other signings.

Now, insiders have indicated that Chiefs are believed to have agreed to a five-year contract for Ozoemena, reflecting the club’s great faith in his potential. The deal could then run until June 2030.

“The talks had started last year after the trip to Turkey but they could not finalise everything as the new technical team had to look at building a team with the other players they had signed but after his performance in the DDC this season they are believed to have finally reached an agreement for a five-year deal. It’s going to run until June 2030 because they are looking at building a strong squad with some of their development products and Manqoba (Ozoemena) is one of them,” the insider told Soccer Laduma.

A second Siya source noted that Chiefs initially considered loaning out Ozoemena last season. However, they decided to keep him in the DDC team to monitor his development closely.

READ: What Next For New Royal AM Boss?

“They believe since he didn’t go out on loan as they had previously planned then it worked well for the club as he has grown very well as a player while playing for the DDC and both coaches from the DDC and the senior team have agreed that he deserves a senior team contract and that’s why they are believed to have agreed on a five-year contract,” the second insider stated.

Ozoemena has been a standout performer for Chiefs in the DDC side this season, showcasing the talent and consistency that secured him this long-term opportunity.

Despite efforts to contact Kaizer Chiefs for comment, no response was received at the time of publishing.

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Source: https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/local/kaizer-chiefs/manqoba-pelembe-ozoemena-kaizer-chiefs-youngster-five-year-pro-contract

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Former Magesi FC attacking midfielder Tshepo ‘Jomo’ Matsemela has spoken about how coach Clinton Larsen revived his football career when he was at his lowest.

Matsemela was signed by Magesi after his short stint with NB La Masia at the beginning of the 2023/24 season. At the time, Magesi were still competing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship under the tutelage of Larsen.

The 29-year-old attacker played a significant role in helping Magesi gain promotion to the Betway Premiership, having featured in 22 games across all competitions for the Limpopo side in the SA second tier. In those 22 matches, he managed to contribute five goals.

However, in the current campaign, Matsemela struggled for game time at Dikwena Tsa Meetse, as he only played in four league matches.

Following Larsen’s departure from Magesi in December last year, the player also cut ties with the club in January this year to seek greener pastures.

‘Jomo’, as he’s affectionately known, went on to join the Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit Orbit College FC in January 2025, where he has already played eight matches.

TSHEPO MATSEMELA SHOWS LOTS OF GRATITUDE TO CLINTON LARSEN

Matsemela stated that he will always remember the support coach Larsen showed him during his difficult times and the coach’s faith in him.

“You know, I won’t forget the man [Clinton Larsen] who called me at Magesi FC and took me in and believed in me when I had nothing,” Matsemela told FARPost.

“To be honest, I don’t even have the words to express myself about that man because he is a truly great human being. He instilled confidence in me and brought the best out of me with his guidance.

“Clinton Larsen calling me when I had nothing shows the love that he has for me, even though I didn’t know him that well at that time.”

Matsemela continued: “But I can tell you for free, he is one of the best coaches in South African football. That’s how I can describe him.”

RELATED STORY: ‘It’s because of my head’: Magesi star on Jomo Sono comparison

Source: https://farpost.co.za/2025/04/22/tshepo-matsemela-on-how-clinton-larsen-revived-his-career/

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