Bafana Bafana in fresh controversy ahead of World Cup

Fresh from the visa saga that ended with assistant coach Helman Mkhalele not travelling with the rest of the team to Mexico, Bafana Bafana are enrolled in another controversy.

This time the national team is in the news for allegedly fielding 12 players against Nicaragua in an international friendly at the Orlando Amstel Arena last Friday, which ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

The shocking revelation was made by former FIFA referee and SABC Sport analyst Victor Hlungwani during Soccerzone on Monday night.

During the show, Hlungwani pointed out that Bafana fielded 11 outfield players on the pitch, in addition to the goalkeeper, during the second half of the game.

According to Hlungwani, the incident occurred shortly after halftime when Bafana coach Hugo Broos made several substitutions.

“Bafana Bafana played with 12 players. As play continues, we will see how 12 players are in the field of play.

“Does the law allow a team to play with 12 players? Not under Law 3,” said Hlungwani during the sports show. capturengo.org

Will FIFA take action against Bafana?

According to Law 3 of the Laws of the Game, a team can only field eleven players during the game including the goalkeeper.

If Bafana are sanctioned by FIFA and are found guilty, they could be forced to forfeit the match, with Nicaragua awarded a 3-0 win.

The SA Football Association (SAFA) could also be hit with hefty financial penalties, while administrators and the coaching staff responsible for substitutions may face suspensions.

This is the latest scandal to hit the Bafana camp ahead of the FIFA World Cup. It comes after the team’s departure for Mexico was delayed because some players and technical staff did not get their visas on time.

The team eventually left on Monday, but they left without the assistant coach Helman Mkhalelele and the head of security. The duo’s visas were reportedly rejected and according to SAFA president Danny Jordaan, no reason was given for the rejection.

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À quelques jours des élections tant attendues au sein du Real Madrid, la tension monte d’un cran dans la capitale espagnole.

Chaque camp affine ses arguments, multiplie les sorties médiatiques et tente de convaincre les derniers indécis. Dans cette dernière ligne droite, Enrique Riquelme, principal opposant de Florentino Pérez, continue de frapper fort.

Déjà auteur d’une première annonce remarquée concernant une éventuelle arrivée de Rodri en cas de victoire, l’homme d’affaires espagnol a cette fois dévoilé une nouvelle pièce maîtresse de son projet. Invité sur les antennes d’El Larguero, émission de la Cadena SER, Riquelme a été très clair sur sa vision sportive :

« Si je suis président du Real Madrid, Raúl González Blanco sera le directeur sportif du Real Madrid. »

Une déclaration forte, immédiatement accompagnée d’arguments sur le profil de l’ancien attaquant merengue :

« Il doit être une légende. Quelqu’un qui a joué au Real Madrid pendant 16 saisons, qui a marqué plus de 300 buts et qui a été sélectionné plus de 100 fois en équipe nationale. »

Un symbole du madridisme

Pour Enrique Riquelme, le choix de Raúl s’impose presque comme une évidence. L’ancien capitaine incarne, selon lui, l’ADN du club et la continuité du projet madrilène :

« Il n’y a personne qui connaisse mieux la Maison Blanche. Nous pensons que c’est la bonne personne. Nous avons besoin de quelqu’un capable de transmettre ce madridisme », a-t-il insisté.

Dans un contexte électoral de plus en plus intense, chaque déclaration prend une dimension stratégique. Et cette nouvelle sortie de Riquelme s’inscrit clairement dans une volonté de séduire de nouveaux votants à l’approche du vote décisif.

The post Élections au Real Madrid : Raúl directeur sportif ? La promesse de Riquelme appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

The case of Cape Town murder-accused Tristan Perez has been postponed until Friday, 7 August to allow the State further time to complete its investigation.

Perez appeared briefly in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning in connection with the death of girlfriend Elana Brooke in Heathfield on 23 March 2026.

She was 46.

Perez, who was 24 at the time of the incident, was released from Pollsmoor Prison on 9 April after being granted R5 000 bail.

Raised questions

That court decision raised questions with Brooke’s family who expressed their outrage at his release.

Prosecutors argued that Perez should remain behind bars, having previously been arrested after police suspected his involvement in the alleged murder after what was believed to have been a heated argument.

Investigating officer, sergeant Thabo Mfeka, said at the time that: “There were clear indications of a fight rather than a mere argument. Pills found on the steps were scattered in a suspicious manner, raising concerns of possible foul play.”

Perez reportedly told officers that Brooke had died by suicide.

Granted bail

Regardless, he was ultimately granted bail with Brooke’s ex-husband and family spokesperson, David Brooke, expressing disdain for the decision to set “such a low bail with no conditions”.

“This is not only a murder, it’s a gender-based violence murder, it’s femicide and that is even more worrying that someone like that is let out on bail and is free to walk until a trial has been set,” David Brooke commented.

“We are very upset as a family, but we will deal with it. He will get his day in court and justice will be served for our beautiful Elana.”

Developing story

Perez, who attended Wynberg Boys’ High School, had been a mainstay in Cape Town’s club cricket scene for several years.

However, Claremont Cricket Club abruptly ended his membership in mid-February due to “disciplinary matters arising from conduct deemed to be inconsistent with the ethos, values and spirit of the club.”

This developing news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.