Haïti écrase la Nouvelle-Zélande 4-0 : les Grenadiers envoient un mes…

La sélection haïtienne a frappé un grand coup en s’imposant avec autorité face à la Nouvelle-Zélande sur le score sans appel de 4 buts à 0 lors d’un match amical de préparation. Cette victoire éclatante confirme les progrès remarquables des Grenadiers et nourrit l’espoir de tout un peuple à l’approche des prochaines échéances internationales. Dès […]

L’article Haïti écrase la Nouvelle-Zélande 4-0 : les Grenadiers envoient un message fort au monde du football est apparu en premier sur Shoot Africa.

Bafana Bafana are back in the World Cup after a 16-year wait. Here’s everything you need to know including key trivia, danger men, fixtures and more. rocore.sbs

Mexico vs Bafana World Cup opener key details

Mexico and South Africa will kick the 2026 World Cup off at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Incidentally, these sides also played the first match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the first showpiece of its kind hosted on African soil. Co-hosts Mexico, ranked 15th in the world by FIFA, will be eager to get their campaign off to a winning start against a Bafana Bafana side ranked 60th best on the planet. Mexico vs South Africa kicks off on Thursday, 11 June at 21:00 CAT from Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca.

Likely Bafana starting XI vs Mexico

Williams; Mudau, Ndamane, Mbokazi, Kabini; Mokoena, Mbatha; Appollis, Mofokeng, Moremi; Foster.

Bafana squad trivia

Nineteen of the 26-man squad named by Hugo Broos play in the Betway Premiership. Ex-Orlando Pirates star Lyle Foster is the only British-based player, recently relegated from the Premier League with Burnley. Uncapped 22-year-old defender Olwethu Makhanya is on the books of United States MLS side Philadelphia Union. Bradley Cross, also uncapped, was previously on the books of Newcastle United. However, the 24-year-old never played a senior game for the Magpies. Bafana Bafana’s squad contains eight players from the newly crowned champions, Orlando Pirates, and nine from Sundowns.

Full 2026 World Cup squad

Ronwen Williams (Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates).

Defenders

Khuliso Mudau (Sundowns), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane), Khulumani Ndamane (Sundowns), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Aubrey Modiba (Sundowns), Samukelo Kabini (Molde), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Pirates), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire).

Midfielders

Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela), Thalente Mbatha (Pirates), Jayden Adams (Sundowns).

Attackers

Lyle Foster (Burnley), Themba Zwane, Iqraam Rayners, Thapelo Maseko (all Sundowns), Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa, Tshepang Moremi (all Pirates).

South Africa’s 2026 World Cup fixtures

• Thu, 11 June: Mexico vs South Africa (Mexico City), kickoff 21:00 CAT
• Thu, 18 June: The Czech Republic vs South Africa (Atlanta), kickoff 18:00 CAT
• Thu, 25 June: South Africa vs South Korea (Monterrey), kickoff 03:00 CAT

Broos bows out

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has announced that he’ll retire after the finals. The 74-year-old Belgian has won plenty of goodwill with Bafana fans in recent years, taking South Africa to the 2023 AFCON semi-finals, eventually finishing third, and now qualifying them for their first World Cup in 16 years. Broos is no stranger to success, having won the AFCON title with Cameroon in 2017 and scooped five major honours with top-tier Belgian sides during his career.

Who are Bafana’s key operators?

Everything goes through Mamelodi Sundowns midfield metronome Teboho Mokoena. Around him, Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos will also lean on the precocious talents of 21-year-old Orlando Pirates sensation Relebohile Mofokeng. USA-based defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi is still only 20 but is already being earmarked as a future Bafana skipper. Burnley striker Lyle Foster will lead the line with his relentless pressing, channel-running and smart link-up play, perhaps with a point to prove after suffering relegation from the Premier League with the Clarets.

Sipho Mbule’s Orlando Pirates stint lasted just one season, but there were moments when he looked capable of becoming a key figure in the Buccaneers midfield.

The Bethlehem-born star arrived in Soweto on a free transfer ahead of the 2025/26 campaign after leaving Mamelodi Sundowns.

SIPHO MBULE’S AGENT CONFIRMS ORLANDO PIRATES DECISION

Nicknamed “The Master Chef”, Mbule quickly showcased the vision, technique and creativity that once made him one of South Africa’s most exciting talents.

The 28-year-old finished his Orlando Pirates career with 23 appearances in all competitions. With the club deciding not to activate the two-year extension option in his contract,

Speaking to SABC Sport, Mbule’s agent Mike Makaab confirmed the player’s departure, adding that clubs are not required to provide reasons when they decide against triggering an option in a player’s contract.

He played an important role during the first half of the season as Orlando Pirates lifted both the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup, with his performances earning him a recall to the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

However, things changed after AFCON. Mbule struggled for regular game time and gradually fell down the pecking order, making only sporadic appearances during the run-in.

SIWELELE FC MOVE?

In the meantime, emerging rumours say Betway Premiership side Siwelele are showing early interest in signing the midfielder.

Mbule’s arrival at Orlando Pirates was viewed as a gamble given the baggage he carried from previous clubs. The midfielder’s talent has never been questioned, but his career has repeatedly been overshadowed by disciplinary concerns.

Before joining the Buccaneers, Mbule endured troubled spells at SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United, where reports of off-field misconduct often made headlines. Allegations ranged from alcohol-related incidents to breaches of club discipline.

Despite those concerns, Pirates chairman Dr Irvin Khoza was willing to offer the midfielder an opportunity to rebuild his career. The club handed Mbule a short-term deal, reportedly including conditions linked to both his performances and conduct, as they looked to help one of South African football’s most gifted players get back on track.

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE SIPHO MBULE NEXT SEASON?

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