Sports
S’Africa Puts Confidence On Chiefs’ Defence
South Africa coach Gordon Igesund has included the entire defence of new league champions Kaizer Chiefs in his squad for two key World Cup qualifiers.
Chiefs back four of full-backs Siboniso Gaxa and Tshepo Masilela and centre-backs Eric Mathoho and Tefo Mashamaite are all in the 25-man group.
Bafana Bafana face Central African Republic in Yaounde on 8 June and and Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on 16 June.
Igesund’s side trails Group A leaders Ethiopia by two points.
Ethiopia has seven points, South Africa five, Central African Republic three and Botswana one and only the group winners advance to the final elimination stage.
As well as the Chiefs backline, Igesund has picked the club’s goalkeeper and captain Itumeleng Khune, midfielders Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Siphiwe Tshabalala and striker Bernard Parker.
Chiefs clinched a first Premiership title in eight seasons this week after a 1-1 home draw against SuperSport United.
Orlando Pirates, winners of the previous two titles and potential runners-up this season, are the second biggest contributors to the squad with five players selected.
Goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa and midfielders Daine Klate, Oupa Manyisa, Thandani Ntshumayelo and Tlou Segolela are the Buccaneers to get the nod.
There are 20 home-based footballers in the squad plus two each from England and Sweden and one from Belgium.
Injuries ruled out several stars, including Chiefs centre-back Morgan Gould and Pirates full-back Thabo Matlaba, whose wonder goal set up a 2-0 home win over Central African Republic.
“The players selected are highly technical and ready for the challenge – they know what is at stake and I am confident we will pull through,” Igesund told reporters in Soweto.
“Having beaten the Central African Republic convincingly in Cape Town, we want to continue with our attacking style.
“We need at least a draw to stay in the race before meeting and, hopefully, beating Ethiopia the following weekend.”
Violence in Central African Republic capital Bangui after President Francois Bozize was toppled last March led world football’s governing body Fifa to move the fixture to Cameroon.
“Reports I got say the pitch in Yaounde is excellent,” Igesund said of the artificial surface at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo.
“However, we understand the national stadium pitch in Addis Ababa may be very bumpy.”
South Africa will play a friendly against neighbours Lesotho in Maseru on 1 June before flying to Yaounde.
The decision comes after Benin failed to secure approval for any of their home stadiums from the Confederation of African Football.
As a result, the federation opted to play its “home” fixture at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé.
The first leg of the second-round qualifier will be held in Togo on October 24, whilst the return leg will take place four days later in Nigeria on October 28.
The aggregate winner over the two legs will advance to the 2026 WAFC
Ferdinand soared to victory on Saturday, lifting an impressive 153kg to clinch gold in the women’s up to 79kg category and further cement Nigeria’s legacy in the sport.
Her remarkable feat added to Nigeria’s growing medal haul at the historic championship after Nworgu had earlier won silver in the 50kg category, whilst Ajiboye claimed bronze in the same class.
Nworgu narrowly missed gold to Venezuela’s Clara Fuentes, who edged her out for the top spot in a fiercely contested competition.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, congratulated the athletes on their outstanding performances, commending their relentless drive and patriotic spirit.
“Our athletes continue to make us proud, showing the world that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with in para powerlifting. Their bright start in Cairo reflects the depth of talent, discipline, and dedication that define Nigerian sports,” Olopade said.
“The NSC remains steadfast in providing the necessary support to ensure our champions keep soaring.”
The 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships, taking place from October 9 to 18, 2025, marks the first-ever edition to be hosted on African soil, a milestone event highlighting the continent’s growing influence in adaptive sports.
The National Sports Commission had expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and determination to uphold Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as a force to be reckoned with in global para powerlifting.
The hosting of the championships in Cairo represents a significant moment for African para sports, providing an opportunity to showcase the continent’s growing infrastructure and commitment to disability sports.
Nigeria has established itself as one of the leading nations in para powerlifting, consistently winning medals at major international competitions, including the Paralympic Games and World Championships.
The 10-day competition has attracted top para powerlifters from across the globe, all vying for world titles in their respective weight categories.
The National Sports Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Team Nigeria throughout the competition as the athletes aim for more podium finishes and continue to make the nation proud.
Nigeria’s strong start in Cairo has raised expectations that more medals will follow as the championship progresses, with several other Nigerian lifters yet to compete in their respective weight categories.
The NEC said the only intention of the suspended members of the association is to create confusion, wondering why they leverage the use of thugs to create confusion while colluding with illegal security operatives.
In a firm resolution reached by the NEC and endorsed by the National Secretariat, SWAN reaffirmed that Ms. Olatutu Oladunni and Mr. Bello Omotunde, former Chairperson and Secretary of the Lagos Chapter respectively, remain indefinitely suspended from all activities and structures of the association.
The association has consequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), drawing attention to what it described as a dangerous pattern of intimidation, impersonation, and misuse of security operatives by the suspended duo to disrupt peace within the Lagos sporting and journalistic community.
In the petition signed by SWAN National President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, the association said the suspended officials are attempting to stage an unauthorised election in Lagos on Thursday, October 9, 2025, despite prior notification of their suspension to both the Lagos State Police Command and the DSS Directorate.
SWAN recalled that during the Lagos SWAN Congress held on September 17, 2025, Ms. Oladunni mobilised more than eleven (11) police vehicles and armed operatives to a peaceful gathering of sports journalists — describing the act as “a brazen show of force, abuse of privilege, and a deliberate attempt to intimidate members.
“The so-called Lagos election is not only illegal but also an affront to the authority of the National Executive Council,” the NEC resolution stated. “The individuals behind this plot have no mandate or legitimacy to act in the name of SWAN. Their continued defiance constitutes gross misconduct and will attract further disciplinary measures.”
The association warned that any security officer or agency that lends support to the illegitimate exercise would be aiding an unlawful activity and undermining the association’s recognised constitutional order.
SWAN therefore, urged the IGP and DG DSS to restrain the suspended officials, maintain neutrality, and prevent any misuse of security institutions in matters internal to professional associations.
Reaffirming its authority, the NEC through the National Secretariat, reserves the power to supervise or approve elections in state chapters, stressing that any activity outside that structure “is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
“The NEC of SWAN stands firm in defending the unity, credibility, and sanctity of the association,” the statement added. “We will not permit any act of indiscipline, impersonation, or external interference that threatens our stability and professional integrity.”
The association further assured all members nationwide of its commitment to due process, accountability, and the protection of journalists’ rights, urging them to disregard the actions of the suspended individuals and remain guided by the decisions of the National Executive Council.