South Africa are gearing up for a historic World Cup opener against Mexico, but concerns are mounting over the squad's physical profile. Lucky Baloyi has sounded the alarm, suggesting that Hugo Broos’ men may struggle against the more imposing nations on the global stage. Having been ranked as one of the shortest teams in the tournament, Bafana face a significant challenge in the air.
Hugo Broos' team took on Rudolph Speid's Reggae Boyz at the Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca, Mexico on Saturday night. With fans and media barred from attending, little is known about the match with even the scoreline being a subject for debate.
Here GOAL brings you all the details of the friendly match between Hugo Broos' Bafana Bafana and Rudolph Speid's Reggae Boyz. The last time these sides met was 16 years ago when they played a in South Africa's warm-up for the 2010 global tournament.
The Rockets chairman has officially confirmed that Bafana Bafana legend will remain at the helm of the first team for the upcoming Premier Soccer League campaign, as the club looks to steady the ship and build consistency moving forward. The former Kaizer Chiefs marksman was initially handed the reins following a difficult spell that led to the departure of Adnan Beganovic, with the Mpumalanga-based side battling to distance themselves from the relegation scrap. Now entrusted with a full campaign in charge, he is expected to guide the Nedbank Cup finalists as they aim to re-establish themselves as a competitive force in the top flight.
Mexico is facing a major security crisis just days before the opening ceremony as protesters in Mexico City have vowed to derail the tournament's first match. Tensions reached a breaking point on Monday when riot police clashed with demonstrators, leading to the use of teargas and reports of injuries.
A former Orlando Pirates star has voiced growing alarm over the physical condition of the CAF Champions League-winning star, as South Africa gears up for their historic global showpiece. The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder has been pushed to the limit across a demanding blend of domestic and international commitments, with a gruelling schedule sparking growing fears of burnout even before the tournament kicks off.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the African continent's new champions as they take to the field in their second star jerseys for the very first time against high profile European opponents at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Friday night.
Here are all the details of the friendly match between Hugo Broos' Bafana Bafana and Juan Cruz Real's La Azul y Blanco. There is a 71-place gap in the FIFA World Rankings between the teams but expect the home side to be heavily rotated and the Central American side to be out to impress their new coach.
The Brazilians goalkeeper has hailed his side's continental triumph as just reward for years of persistent effort and continental heartbreak. The Bafana Bafana shot-stopper played a pivotal role as the Brazilians secured their second star with a hard-fought aggregate win over the Royal Castle.
The Brazilians' midfielder also revealed that his match-winning goal in Morocco was exactly what he had dreamed of the night before Masandawana went on to secure their second continental title with a hard-fought victory over AS FAR.
Here are all the details you need to follow the premier continental competition's decisive second leg encounter between Alexandre Santos' Al-Zaeem and Miguel Cardoso's Masandawana at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with the Pretoria-based club looking to maintain their 1-0 first leg advantage to claim a second star above the club crest.
The Brazilians midfielder has revealed how they meticulously planned to target a specific mobility issue in the Moroccan side's backline that allowed the hosts to dominate the proceedings at Loftus Versfeld and will hopefully carry that same tactical advantage into the second leg.
The ambitious Libyan giants are apparently not content with luring Thembinkosi Lorch and Stephane Aziz Ki to Tripoli and have set their sights on two Masandawana players to bolster the South African coach's squad.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the continent's premier competition final first leg encounter between Miguel Cardoso's Masandawana and Alexandre Santos' Al-Zaeem at a sold out Loftus Versfeld as the Pretoria-based club look for a significant advantage to take to Morocco for the second leg next weekend.
The Brazilians may be dreaming of adding a second star to their badge, but Eric Ramasike is ready to burst the bubble. In a scathing assessment of the Portuguese tenure, the former Masandawana midfielder has launched a blistering attack on the tactical direction of the club and suggested that the current regime is fundamentally failing to get the best out of Chloorkop’s star-studded arsenal.
It was another goal fest as The Brazilians saw themselves on the wrong end of a five goal thriller to see their title hopes almost extinguished. Now, with just a three point lead and Orlando Pirates with two games in hand and a superior goal difference, the perennial PSL champions look set to lose out on the domestic title for the first time in eight years.
