Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Legend slams ‘worst Bafana’, Transfer Updates and more

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Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Legend slams ‘worst Bafana’, Transfer Updates and more
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Latest on Mamelodi Sundowns, in the last 24 hours including legend slamming ‘worst Bafana’, what inspired Masandawana to CAF Champions League triumph and more.

Zwane opens up to what helped Sundowns win CAF CL

Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane has noted mentality among the key differences in his side’s CAF Champions League triumph last season.

Sundowns prevailed 2-1 over Morocco’s AS FAR in a two-legged final to secure their second continental star having first won it 10 years ago.

The midfielder who endured an injury-laden past season expressed how being mentally strong helped the team.

“The biggest difference was mentality,” Zwane told the Mamelodi Sundowns Magazine edition 16.

Bafana Bafana midfielder Themba Zwane
Bafana Bafana midfielder Themba Zwane

“We understood better how to manage big moments because of everything we have been through as a group. That experience helped us stay calm, focused and execute when it mattered most.

“Nothing in football is guaranteed because you have to earn everything. What we have achieved shows that if you stay consistent, keep working and remain united, your moment will come.”

We can’t stop Sundowns!

Milford FC head coach Dr Xanti Pupuma is confident that the side will be able to keep majority of their players following their promotion to the Betway Premiership – unless the big teams come knocking.

The Black Stallions came from a goal down to hold Magesi FC 1-1 in the final match of the PSL promotion playoffs in Seshego over a week ago to reach the Promised Land and also condemn the Limpopo side to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

“Most of the boys they grew up in the team. So, its 99% that most are going to stick around,” Pupuma told iDiski Times.

“We just have to work out the proper packages for them unless I mean if [Mamelodi] Sundowns comes and looks for someone or [Orlando] Pirates and so on and they will talk to me and if it’s the right deal for them then it’s fine.

Orlando Pirates legends celebrate winning the Clash of Legends cup.
Orlando Pirates legends celebrate winning the Clash of Legends cup. Photo: The Voice BW

“Otherwise, if it’s anybody else that we can compete with financially we are probably going to just try and see.”

Bafana Bafana, worst-performing African team?

Former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Kenny Niemach says Bafana Bafana is currently the worst-performing African team on the field in the FIFA 2026 World Cup compared to other teams.

Although South Africa is at the bottom of Group A with only a single point and a 2-goal difference, they still have an outside chance of advancing to the last 32 of the FIFA World Cup.

“Results-wise, we are not the worst African team in the World Cup, but playing-wise we are, compared to the other teams,” Niemach told KickOff.

“We keep pointing at our Bafana Bafana players, saying this one and that one are playing overseas, but where in overseas? In what league? What kind of football is played in that league? What brand of football is it? Because a league reflects the football played there in that particular country.

“We don’t mind having players in small leagues, but the standard of those leagues should be much higher. Bafana Bafana needs to perform better on the pitch.

“At the moment, there is a gap in class, and it shouldn’t be that way. We should be able to compete, but many here seem not to expect enough. I think we are settling here.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos instructs his players during their match against Mexico.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos instructs his players during their match against Mexico. Image: Imago

“If you look at previous Bafana teams of Lucas Radebe, Shoes Moshoeu, they didn’t have the opportunities these players have, but they performed. Do you know why? Because it was pride wearing that jersey.

“So, for everything to change, it will have to start at the club level. What I have seen so far in the World Cup is not good enough; it doesn’t represent the standard of football in this country. We look bad compared to the rest of Africa.”

More about Masandawana legend Mmotong

In this edition of My First, KickOff speaks to retired former Mamelodi Sundowns and Platinum Stars speedy winger Koketso Mmotong about his origin and football career.

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Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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