On 12 September, Phakamani Lungisani Mahlambi will turn 28, and he is supposed to be in his prime. And no one knows this better than Gavin Hunt. Hunt, who introduced Mahlambi at the now defunct Bidvest Wits a decade ago, is now assessing the latter at Durban City for a possible signing. The fact that the forward has not played football in four years is of little concern to Hunt. Mahlambi’s last appearance was in September 2021 when he was…

Thembinkosi Lorch and Neo Maema have played their last games for Mamelodi Sundowns, with the club announcing their exits. The Tshwane club has announced their departure, starting with Lorch. “After two unforgettable years, one league title, 26 appearances, seven goals, and four assists, the Yellow Nation thanks and celebrates Thembinkosi Lorch,” stated the club. African Times reported this week that Lorch will be joining Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca on a permanent deal. Meanwhile, Maema’s time at Chloorkop is also up,…

Sekhukhune United’s new striker Bradley Grobler has hit the ground running this season, and he is now within touching distance of a Premier Soccer League (PSL) record. Incredibly, this is Grobler’s 19th season in the professional ranks, and at 37, it may not have come as a surprise if he walked away from the game. He is the PSL’s third-highest scorer since the league’s inception in 1996, with 120 goals, behind Siyabonga Nomvethe (129) and Peter Shalulile (128). Grobler and…

French club Paris Saint-Germain has won the UEFA Super Cup for the first time in its history. The UEFA Champions League winners met Tottenham Hotspur, champions of the Europa League, in Udine, Italy, on Wednesday. The clash was settled on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. With a 4-3 penalty shootout victory in the 50th edition of the UEFA Super Cup, Paris Saint-Germain entered the competition’s history books by winning the trophy for the first time. Supported by…

Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca have finally succeeded in luring Thembinkosi Lorch back to North Africa. For the past few weeks, Wydad has been engaged in talks with Mamelodi Sundowns for Lorch’s permanent switch following his impressive loan spell at the Red Castle. Lorch’s initial loan deal ran out on 31 July, but Wydad was keen on a permanent deal. African Times can today confirm the 32-year-old forward has signed a two-year deal, broken down into a one-year straight deal, with…

Cape Town Spurs are fighting back in a bid to retain winger Asanele Velebayi. The 22-year-old was declared a free agent by the Premier Soccer League Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) on the basis that Spurs, who were relegated to the ABC Motsepe League, are now an amateur team and their “professional contract” with Velebayi is invalid. Velebayi has since joined Kaizer Chiefs on a free transfer. Spurs, however, are not throwing in the towel and have filed an appeal with…

Bafana Bafana winger Elias Mokwana is set to depart Espérance, a year into his three-year contract with the Tunisian club. African Times has established that Espérance has been looking to offload Mokwana or the Brazilian, Rodrigo Rodrigues Silva. Club insiders firmly believe they can ease their wage bill by getting rid of either Mokwana or Rodrigues, arguing the two players are similar, and the club can afford to let one go. Mokwana’s situation with Espérance appears to be going from…

Last season, Orlando Pirates won their first seven league games, and this season, they have lost their first two. And the Buccaneers’ next league fixture suggests they may encounter more battles for points, facing Stellenbosch at home on 20 August. All eyes are on new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who dropped star player Relebohile Mofokeng to the bench in the 2-1 defeat to Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein on Tuesday. As if that was not enough, midfielder Sipho Mbule was also benched,…

South African winger Mohau Nkota has no intention to stay longer in Saudi Arabia. Nkota, 20, recently switched from Orlando Pirates to Al-Ettifaq on a three-year deal, and he is looking forward to making a big impression to open doors for a bigger move. “I don’t think I’m going to finish my whole contract, my three seasons there, because I’m going there to work. It is a path to go to the top (European) leagues,” Nkota told Metro FM’s Sports…

Following weeks of waiting, Kaizer Chiefs have brought in winger Asanele Velebayi. Amakhosi confirmed the signing of the 22-year-old on Tuesday. “We would like to announce the signing of Asanele Velebayi,” stated Chiefs. “The Cape Town-born winger has signed a long-term contract with the Club. Welcome to the Kaizer Chiefs family!” African Times understands Velebayi has signed for four years. His signing was long overdue. Chiefs made efforts to sign him last year, but his former employers, Cape Town Spurs,…