The South African senior men’s national team are set to face Nigeria at the Godwill Akpablo Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 7 June 2024.

Bafana will then return to host Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 11 June 2024. The gates at Free State Stadium will open at 15h00

Broos will announce his final 23-man squad in the next few days.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos announces preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe in June pic.twitter.com/rHSxuUgAyk

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) May 15, 2024

Photo by Achille Ndomo Tsanga/BackpagePix

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The reigning champions of both the CAF Women’s Champions League and the Hollywoodbets Super League, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will face some of the top women’s football teams from across the globe, providing a thrilling opportunity to showcase their talent and skill on a new stage.

Now entering its third edition, the Women’s Cup has become the pre-eminent women’s soccer invitational tournament, and this year will feature Atletico de Ma-drid, the Kobe women’s team from Japan, and hosts Kansas City Current alongside the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Team.

This year’s ‘event’ tournament will take place over two ‘game days’ on August 14 and 17. Atletico de Madrid emerged as champions in the European edition of the Women’s Cup in 2023, while NJ/NY Gotham FC won the Latin American edition played this past February in Cali, Colombia.

The Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies team are the first African club to be invited to the tournament, with this historic opportunity having been facilitated through the club’s consultancy partnership with world renowned agency Roc Nation Sports Interna-tional.

Welcoming the invitation to the tournament, the head coach of the Mamelodi Sun-downs Ladies Team, Jerry Tshabalala, said: “For us to participate in the tournament is incredibly important as it will give us an opportunity to test ourselves against world-class opposition and it will give our players the platform to showcase their talent on a global stage.”

This year’s Women’s Cup ‘event’ tournament will take place at the state-of-the-art CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, which was opened earlier this year as the first pri-vately financed facility exclusively designed for a professional women’s soccer team. The venue can accommodate 11,000 spectators, and the Mamelodi Sun-downs Ladies, known for their attacking style and dominant performances, are sure to be a fan favourite.

Mamelodi Sundowns chairman Tlhopie Motsepe welcomed the announcement.

“The Women’s Cup is a special event that showcases the women’s game, while al-so creating opportunities for the next generation of female athletes. Mamelodi Sun-downs is a proudly African Football Club that values the important role that wom-en’s sport plays in inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds.

“We are very pleased to be part of the legacy of this event and look forward to test-ing our South African style of football against some of the best teams in the world.”

John P Reynal, the President and CEO of the Women’s Cup, said it was certainly an exciting moment to welcome an African club to the participants for 2024.

“Our goal is to further expand and globalise the tournament, tapping into the re-markable growth of women’s soccer on an international scale. The addition of the highly-regarded Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies side is a perfect example of this. We can’t wait to see them take part later this year.”

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Liverpool starts their title defense at home against Wolves, who are not doing well, while United plays Everton.

Graham Potter’s team was already out of the League Cup when City beat them 2-0 at the Etihad earlier this month.

The teams will play each other again on the weekend of January 6–9, after the World Cup break.

Arsenal, which is in first place in the Premier League, goes to League One’s Oxford United. Newcastle, which wants to win the FA Cup for the first time since 1955, goes to Sheffield Wednesday.

In the other Premier League games, West Ham goes to Brentford, which isn’t too far away, and Southampton goes to Crystal Palace.

FA Cup third round draw in full:

Preston vs Huddersfield

Middlesbrough vs Brighton

Chesterfield vs West Brom

Manchester City vs Chelsea

Charlton or Stoke vs Walsall

Boreham Wood vs Accrington

Tottenham vs Portsmouth

Derby vs Barnsley

Cardiff vs Leeds

Brentford vs West Ham

Bournemouth vs Burnley

Coventry vs Wrexham

Norwich vs Blackburn

Aston Villa vs Stevenage

Luton vs Wigan

Oxford vs Arsenal

Fleetwood vs QPR

Liverpool vs Wolves

Grimsby vs Burton

Blackpool vs Nottingham Forest

Dagenham & Redbridge or Gillingham vs Leicester

Forest Green vs Birmingham

Bristol City vs Swansea

Hartlepool vs Stoke

Hull vs Fulham

Crystal Palace vs Southampton

Millwall vs Sheffield United

Shrewsbury vs Sunderland

Sheffield Wednesday vs Newcastle

Manchester United vs Everton

Reading vs Watford

Ipswich vs Rotherham

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Gakpo has been the Dutch’s best player so far. He has scored in both of their first two Group A games.

United’s Dutch manager Erik ten Hag is said to have tried to sign the 23-year-old PSV Eindhoven player during the offseason. However, the Red Devils chose to sign Brazilian Antony from Ajax instead.

But reports in the press say that United will make another offer for Gakpo in January.

“My focus is now on the World Cup. It’s always nice to hear such rumours but I just try to focus here and do my best,” he said.

“I’m not surprised of what I’m capable of, but (…) I think I can improve a lot of things,” he added.

The Netherlands play hosts Qatar on Tuesday where avoiding defeat would secure them a place in the last 16 of the tournament.

Photo by EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh

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The Paris Saint-Germain star sustained a ligament damage to his knee in their 2-0 victory against Serbia on Thursday when he collided with Nikola Milenkovic.

The 30-year-old tried to keep playing on, but he was unable to continue and was subsequently replaced by Antony in the 80th minute.

The doctor for the Brazilian football federation (CBF), Rodrigo Lasmar, said that Neymar would not be able to play on Monday against Switzerland.

But Globo Esporte in Brazil said that he could also miss the last Group G game against Cameroon on December 2, but that he would play again if Brazil made it to the knockout round.

“Today is one of the most difficult moments of my career… and again in a World Cup,” Neymar wrote on Instagram.

“I have an injury yes, it’s annoying, it’s going to hurt but I’m sure I’ll have the chance to come back because I’m going to do my best to help my country, my teammates and myself.”

Meanwhile, Brazil right-back Danilo is also set to miss their second group stage game after picking up an ankle strain.

“We will not have these two players for our next match but they continue their treatment with the aim of recovering in time for the rest of the competition,” the doctor said in a video released by the CBF.

Photo by EPA/Ali Haider

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Guardiola has had a lot of success at City. He has won 11 major trophies so far, including four of the last five Premier League titles.

In all competitions, he has won 271 of the 374 games he has been in charge of, which is an impressive 72.4%. During that time, City has scored 921 goals, which is about 2.46 goals per game.

Speaking on the news, club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “I am delighted that Pep’s journey with Manchester City Football Club will continue. He has already contributed so much to the success and fabric of this organisation, and it’s exciting to think what might be possible given the energy, hunger and ambition that he clearly still has.

“Under his very special leadership our first team has accomplished so much, whilst continuously playing, and constantly evolving, a City style of football that is admired the world over. Like every City fan, I am looking forward to what lies ahead.”

"That's why we continue to be together" 💬

Hear from @PepTeam on his decision to extend his City contract 🙌

— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 23, 2022

Meanwhile, Guardiola opened up on extending his stay at the Etihad, stating: “I am so pleased to be staying at Manchester City for another two years.

“I can’t say thank you enough to everyone at the club for trusting me. I am happy and comfortable here. I have everything I need to do my job as best as possible.

“I know the next chapter of this club will be amazing for the next decade. It happened over the last ten years, and it will happen in the next ten years because this club is so stable.

“From day one I felt something special being here. I cannot be in a better place.

“I still have the feeling there is more we can achieve together and that is why I want to stay and continue fighting for trophies.”

The Journey Continues…

We’re delighted to announce @PepTeam has signed a new two-year contract ✍️ #ManCity pic.twitter.com/FI41S0j5OH

— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 23, 2022

Photo by Manchester City website

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Ronaldo is on his way out of Old Trafford following his television interview in which he admitted to feeling “betrayed” by the club and had no respect for new manager Erik ten Hag.

He went on to criticise the United hierarchy and said the Glazer family cared far more about the money-making potential of United than results on the pitch.

He even turned on former teammates Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney by stating that “they are not my friends” after he received criticism from his former teammates.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect,” United said in a statement.

“The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.

“Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect.

The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford.#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 22, 2022

Photo by Backpagepix

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Senegal had high hopes that their star forward, Mane, would help them go far in the tournament in Qatar. Mane’s exclusion is a cruel blow to those hopes.

Mane hurt his shin while playing for Bayern Munich earlier this month, but he was still put on the World Cup team in case he could get back in shape. On Thursday, Senegal announced that the former Liverpool player would not be able to make it.

“Unfortunately, today’s MRI shows us that the improvement is not as favourable as we imagined and unfortunately we have to withdraw Sadio from the World Cup,” team doctor Manuel Afonso said in a video on the official Senegal team Twitter account.

Teams are still making their way to Qatar after finishing last-minute preparations. The tournament starts on Sunday.

Germany arrived in Doha on Thursday, right after beating Oman 1-0 in a friendly match.

The team that won the World Cup in 2014 wants to forget about their bad performance in Russia four years ago, when they lost in the group stage.

Most of the 32 teams have chosen to stay in or around Doha, but Germany has chosen to stay in Al-Ruwais, a seaside town 68 miles (111 km) from the capital.

“We want to develop a team spirit there that will carry us through the tournament — and for as long as possible,” team official Oliver Bierhoff said.

Photo by BackpagePix

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The Dream Chaser combines space-age FUTURE technology and an audacious colourway that features golden finishes and Dream Chaser graphics, both inspired by Neymar Jr.’s biggest dream: to win the world’s biggest international tournament. The chase is on.

More adaptive and comfortable than ever, the FUTURE is all about innovation and pushing the boundaries of technology for players who shape the game to their vision and skill.

With the FUTURE you don’t have to lace up to lock in. The second-generation FUZIONFIT+ technology adapts to the shape of your foot to give you the perfect balance of support and flexibility in each of the key zones, ensuring optimal fit and performance, with or without laces.

The FUTURE features Advanced Creator Zones that are engineered to enhance ball grip and provide softness in the forefoot, which is key for optimal control and touch when dribbling, passing, and finishing.

The lightweight Nano Grip sockliner insole minimizes foot slippage inside the boot, allowing you to maintain power transfer for explosive multi-directional movements.

The Dynamic Motion System outsole is designed for optimal traction. The super lightweight PEBA tooling system, with its eye-catching soleplate reduces weight and provides a solid base to generate devastating accelerations, movements, and skills in all directions.

As part of the NJR Dream Chaser collection, PUMA celebrates brilliant football and chasing dreams with a bespoke capsule that includes the Neymar Jr. jacket, pants, tee, beanie and footballs featuring Neymar Jr.’s logo, signature, and diamond football graphic.

The collection is all about being yourself, backing yourself and staying loyal to your own: from the streets of Sâo Paulo to the world’s biggest stage.

The FUTURE NJR Dream Chaser football boot and collection are available from the 22nd of November 2022 at PUMA.com and key retailers.

The post Neymar, PUMA unveil Dream Chaser collection appeared first on SportsClub.

The Dream Chaser combines space-age FUTURE technology and an audacious colourway that features golden finishes and Dream Chaser graphics, both inspired by Neymar Jr.’s biggest dream: to win the world’s biggest international tournament. The chase is on.

More adaptive and comfortable than ever, the FUTURE is all about innovation and pushing the boundaries of technology for players who shape the game to their vision and skill.

With the FUTURE you don’t have to lace up to lock in. The second-generation FUZIONFIT+ technology adapts to the shape of your foot to give you the perfect balance of support and flexibility in each of the key zones, ensuring optimal fit and performance, with or without laces.

The FUTURE features Advanced Creator Zones that are engineered to enhance ball grip and provide softness in the forefoot, which is key for optimal control and touch when dribbling, passing, and finishing.

The lightweight Nano Grip sockliner insole minimizes foot slippage inside the boot, allowing you to maintain power transfer for explosive multi-directional movements.

The Dynamic Motion System outsole is designed for optimal traction. The super lightweight PEBA tooling system, with its eye-catching soleplate reduces weight and provides a solid base to generate devastating accelerations, movements, and skills in all directions.

As part of the NJR Dream Chaser collection, PUMA celebrates brilliant football and chasing dreams with a bespoke capsule that includes the Neymar Jr. jacket, pants, tee, beanie and footballs featuring Neymar Jr.’s logo, signature, and diamond football graphic.

The collection is all about being yourself, backing yourself and staying loyal to your own: from the streets of Sâo Paulo to the world’s biggest stage.

The FUTURE NJR Dream Chaser football boot and collection are available from the 22nd of November 2022 at PUMA.com and key retailers.

The post Neymar, PUMA unveil Dream Chaser collection appeared first on SportsClub.