As he departs, former Orlando Pirates coach José Riveiro hopes the club will do everything in its power to protect the emerging talent. Riveiro is revered for bringing five trophies during his three-year stint with the Soweto club, before his departure on Tuesday. However, he’ll also be remembered for having faith in young players, which in turn has safeguarded the club’s future. Pirates have had their fair share of “Cocomelons,” as football fans like to refer to the youngsters. Relebohile…

The French Football Federation (FFF) is mulling changes to the Ligue 1 format. The country’s top flight plays out similarly to most leagues in the world, with a certain number of matches and the top team winning the championship. According to top publication L’Equipe, the FFF could introduce a new play-off system that could determine the league champions through a knockout-style competition, breaking away from the traditional system. This would see the top four teams battle it out for the title…

Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have secured their CAF Champions League spots for next season. Sundowns need just one point to win the Betway Premiership, while Pirates, in second place, cannot be overtaken by any other team. The top two from South Africa’s top flight are guaranteed spots in the Champions League. Pirates are one-time winners of this competition, which was in 1995, and Sundowns brought the trophy home in 2016. The Tshwane team is also in this year’s final…

Former Orlando Pirates coach José Riveiro is on the verge of joining Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly. The Spaniard is expected in Cairo in the next 24 hours to conclude talks on a two-year deal. Riveiro bid farewell to the Buccaneers on Tuesday, when they beat Golden Arrows 3-0 at the Orlando Stadium. Riveiro was asked for a comment on his next club but refused to confirm the destination. “I wish, but I can’t. There are things of confidentiality and stuff…

Cassius Mailula has paid a glowing tribute to his late mother. The Wydad Casablanca striker lost his mother, Pinky Mailula, on Mother’s Day, 11 May. “My Queen, my Angel, Pinkilash Waka, Chomi yaka bun. You have raised a star and a king; I’m so proud to call you my mother,” wrote Mailula. “You have always been a supportive mother and amazing human being. Today, I smile because I know I have made you proud and that I gave you the…

Barcelona mentor Hansi Flick has agreed to a new deal with the club. The Blaugrana’s decision to offer Flick an improved contract follows a decent 2024/25 season. Barcelona needs just one win in their last three games to wrap up the La Liga title. They were also in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals before being knocked out by Italian side Inter Milan. Flick’s charges have also won the Supercopa and Copa del Rey. The German’s new deal runs until June…

Kagiso Rabada will spearhead the Proteas attack in next month’s ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia, taking place from 11 – 15 June at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Rabada recently served a ban between April 3 and May 3 for failing a drug test. He has since made a return with the Indian Premier League (IPL) side, Gujarat Titans. Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad named his 15-man squad on Tuesday, with Rabada making the cut. The pace…

South Africa’s U20 team Amajita has qualified for the FIFA World Cup in Chile later this year, joining African counterparts Morocco, Nigeria and Egypt at the global tournament. The South American nation will host the competition from 27 September to 19 October 2025. This marks Amajita’s fifth World Cup appearance, having previously participated in 1997, 2009, 2017 and 2019. Coach Raymond Mdaka’s side secured qualification after defeating DR Congo 1-0 on Monday to reach the semi-finals of the ongoing TotalEnergies…

Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti has put pen to paper on a contract to become the new head coach of Brazil’s senior national team. Ancelotti will start work on 26 May, as confirmed by the New York Times. “The 65-year-old Italian will leave Real Madrid after their final game of the La Liga season against Real Sociedad. Agreements are in place and contracts signed for him to become Brazil’s first foreign appointment in the men’s dugout,” reported the publication. Ancelotti takes over…

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has rejected claims that its president, Danny Jordaan, “was paid more than R10 million from the association without the knowledge and approval of the NEC in 2020.” According to a weekend report, former SAFA media officer Namhla Mphelo “allegedly saw a payment of R10 million made to Danny Jordaan by SAFA and forwarded this information to fellow SAFA NEC member Monde Mondela. This action is believed to have contributed to her dismissal.” Mphelo has…