Argentina star Lionel Messi is not 100% certain he will play in next year’s FIFA World Cup. The South Americans are one of the countries that have already qualified alongside co-hosts Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Iran, Japan, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, New Zealand, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Colombia are the other teams that have booked their spots. “Because of my age, the most logical thing is that I won’t make it (to the World Cup),” said…

South African football’s dream of utilising the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system is closer to reality. This comes after the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture allocated R82-million for VAR. “The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) is pleased to announce significant progress in the procurement and implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system for South African football, in close collaboration with the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL),” announced the department on…

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has stuck to his tried and tested combinations for their third Castle Lager Rugby Championship encounter against the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. Erasmus has made only four changes to the starting team that beat the Wallabies in Cape Town, with Jesse Kriel retaining the captaincy. The changes see the return of South Africa’s most experienced player, Eben Etzebeth, to the starting XV in the engine room alongside Ruan Nortje, in what…

Lesotho’s Football Association has sent a warning to their counterparts, the South African Football Association (SAFA), regarding Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena. Mokoena is once again in the spotlight ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He was fielded in Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 win over Lesotho in March while suspended for accumulating two yellow cards. Lesotho did not lodge a protest; hence, FIFA has not taken action. As a precaution, Mokoena did not play the subsequent match, a 2-0…

South African striker Khanyisa Mayo is living on borrowed time at Algerian club CR Belouizdad. Mayo, 27, has been with the North Africans for only one season, since joining them last year from Cape Town City for a reported transfer fee of $800,000 (R14 million). Mayo has been left out of the CR Belouizdad squad for the season after the transfer window closed in Algeria on 31 August. CR Belouizdad coach Sead Ramovic has confirmed that the forward is not…

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is on the mend after being discharged from the hospital, African Times has learnt. Ouaddou, alongside five Pirates staff members, was hospitalized on Sunday, but the Pirates mentor is expected back at work soon after leaving the hospital. The incident occurred on the R21 highway as the team returned from Gqeberha, following their 3–0 victory against Chippa United. “Upon encountering a collision between two vehicles, Coach Ouaddou and several staff members disembarked from the team…

Premier League club Manchester City have brought Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain, subject to international clearance. The 26-year-old Italian goalkeeper has penned a five-year deal, which will see him stay at the Etihad Stadium through to the summer of 2030. Over the course of a hugely impressive career to date, the Italian has gone on to establish a reputation for being one of the finest goalkeepers operating in the European game. A tall, commanding and imposing presence standing at 6ft…

The camp of South African sprinter Bayanda Walaza has allayed any fears he may miss the World Athletics Championships. Walaza, 19, was named in a 49-member team (32 men and 17 women) for the Championships to be held in Tokyo, Japan, between 13 and 21 September. However, there were injury concerns after Walaza pulled up with a hamstring injury in the 100m race at the final Diamond League meet in Zurich on Thursday last week. But Newton Sports Agency -…

Exciting winger Monnapule Saleng’s loan switch from Orlando Pirates to Orbit College was meant to bring him back to the spotlight. On the contrary, he is now in the media for all the bad reasons, with his coach, Pogiso Makhoye, clearly disappointed with what he has seen from Saleng thus far. Makhoye told Metro FM on Tuesday that Orbit College appears to play better when “big name” Saleng is not in the team. “So far, I think he is not…

Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho has moved over to Glasgow Celtic following his departure from Spanish outfit, Sevilla. “Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Kelechi Iheanacho on a one-year deal, subject to international clearance, with the club having the option of a further year,” Celtic announced. The 28-year-old Nigerian forward spent two years with Manchester City at the start of his professional career, and he picked up a League Cup winner’s medal during his time at the…