Sports
Mokoena Backs Pitso For Bafana Bafana Job
Although an official announcement has yet to be made, Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena has endorsed Pitso Mosimane’s appointment as national team coach.
South Africa Football Association (SAFA) has quardedly announced last night that they had ‘reached an agreement’ with Mosimane to take over the national team following the departure of Carlos Alberto Parreira, but added that some matters needed to be cleared before it became final.
‘Mbazo’ has not waited for confirmation and tells Tidesports source that, “Pitso has been in the foundation of Bafana Bafana and he knows the ins and outs of the team.
“Yes, there are lots of good coaches out there that can take the post, but the fact that we have the foundation, we need someone from within the structure to build on this foundation,” Mokoena said.
The Portsmouth skipper has revealed that Mosimane has already shared his vision with the players.
“Firstly, it’s all about development, we had a chat with Pitso and we said that development can be much better in football in South Africa, I’m sure his appointment can make a difference to South African football.
“I’ve been working with him for years and I know what kind of manager he is. I look forward to working with him if he gets the job,” Mokoena added.
According to the Daily Dispatch report, despite SAFA sitting the whole day before agreeing Mosimane is their man, they were, however, concerned about his salary package.
“We are thinking of making an announcement today, but there are still a number of things that we have to sort out,” Fanyana Sibanyoni the chairman of the SAFA technical committee said yesterday.
Sibanyoni’s assertion follows after SAFA president, Kirsten Nematandani, confirmed that Mosimane will indeed coach.
There were initial fears the appointment of Mosimane would give rise to massive restrictions, with the team controlled more from the boardroom than on the pitch itself.
However, Nematandani has quashed those fears, saying SAFA will be there to help out if needed not in an interfering manner.
“He is the one who will work with the national team and it is absolutely up to him to decide whom he will have next to him. It is his call. We want to make sure that he gets everything that he wants so that he does not have to stress about minor off-the-field stuff,” Nematandani said.
SAFA has been dilly-dallying in confirming Mosimane as national team boss since Bafana bombed out in the first round of the World Cup tournament.
This will put pressure on Mosimane as he will have his work cut out with the qualifiers for the next Africa Cup of Nations starting in September where Bafana are in a difficult group with Niger, Sierra Leone and defending champion Egypt.
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
-
Editorial5 days agoDomesticate FG’s Exit Benefit Scheme
-
News4 days agoRSU Unveils Five-Year Strategic Dev Plan …Calls For Collective Commitment To Institutional Excellence
-
News5 days agoDHQ Confirms Deaths Of Terrorists, Soldiers In Borno Attack
-
News5 days agoTinubu Commissions Bayelsa Gas Turbine, Other Projects Today
-
Business5 days ago
Niger Delta Investment Summit Targets $5bn Inflows, 500,000 Jobs
-
Sports5 days ago
Full Draw For 2026 U-17 AFCON
-
Nation4 days ago
Rumuji Youth Leader Condemns Protest, Disowns Alleged Government Empowerment Claim
-
Nation4 days agoHaniel Jack Foundation Awards Five Rivers Indigenes Scholarship