Orlando Pirates quoted R20 million for ‘Mofokeng replacement’

Orlando Pirates will need to fork out big money to sign a replacement for Relebohile Mofokeng. Fortunately, they recouped a big fee for the 21-year-old. chickenroad.qpon

Pirates look to Cape Town for their Mofokeng replacement

The search for Relebohile Mofokeng’s successor at Orlando Pirates is well and truly underway. The club is doubling down on efforts to sign Cape Town City star Emile Witbooi, but the 17-year-old will come at a cost.

Pirates could have found the new Mbokazi too

Mbekezeli Mbokazi is a physically gifted central defender with crisp distribution skills and an ability to bring the ball out of defence. Mbokazi makes up for his lack of height with electric recovery speed. His stock rose sharply in the World Cup, attracting interest from Napoli and Nottingham Forest. In 20-year-old Cristian Derbyshire, Pirates have a player with a similar stylistic profile.

Messi aims for immortality

Defending champions Argentina survived an almighty scare, coming from 2-0 down with 11 minutes on the clock, to eventually beat Egypt in a thriller. The great Lionel Messi was at the forefront, as he usually is, missing a penalty on 21 minutes but atoning spectacularly with an assist for Cristian Romero’s 79th-minute goal and then a goal of his own on 83 minutes. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez completed the stunning comeback in stoppage time. Messi and Argentina meet Switzerland in the early hours of Sunday morning in the quarter-finals.

À quelques jours de la demi-finale de la Coupe du monde 2026 entre la France et l’Espagne, Rodri a évoqué le cas de Lamine Yamal. Le milieu de terrain espagnol estime que le jeune ailier possède un immense potentiel, mais qu’il doit encore progresser dans certains domaines.

« Lamine a beaucoup de qualités, il est capable de faire des choses incroyables, mais il doit encore apprendre à mieux comprendre les matchs. Il y a des moments où il faut savoir quand accélérer, quand temporiser et comment gérer certaines situations », a expliqué Rodri.

Le joueur de Manchester City estime que cette maturité viendra avec l’expérience : « Il est encore très jeune. Il va continuer à apprendre, à grandir et à devenir un joueur encore meilleur. »

Malgré ces axes d’amélioration, Rodri n’a pas manqué de souligner l’importance de son coéquipier en sélection. « Il nous apporte beaucoup, il peut faire la différence à tout moment et nous sommes très heureux de l’avoir avec nous », a-t-il ajouté.

Avant d’affronter la France, Lamine Yamal sera une nouvelle fois attendu comme l’un des principaux dangers offensifs de la Roja.

The post Espagne : Rodri adresse un message fort à Lamine Yamal avant le choc face à la France appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

« Comment l'État islamique construit son bastion au Mozambique ? » C'est l'objet du rapport de l'organisation ACLED sur les « nouvelles stratégies » du groupe terroriste dans la province du Cabo Delgado. Implantés sur une zone qui s'étend sur plus de 100 km le long de la côte et 50 km vers les terres, les insurgés cherchent à conquérir une « légitimité sociale » auprès des habitants. Acled pointe une approche moins violente de la part du groupe terroriste, afin de gagner la confiance des locaux. Quelles sont les grandes lignes de la stratégie de l'EI décrites dans le rapport ?

Springbok utility back Quan Horn has revealed he was pre-warned that he might be needed at flyhalf against Scotland, writes CLINTON VAN DER BERG.

He was nevertheless caught in what he called “the cauldron” of taking over the No 10 jersey mid-match.

“We chatted during the week about which duties I needed to cover, and I was ready for the call,” Horn said. “I was just grateful once again for the opportunity to represent the Springboks.”

Asked what the coaching staff want to see as he develops into a long-term utility option, Horn pointed to versatility as the priority.

“If I can cover flyhalf and fullback for the Springboks, I think that’s good for the team,” he said, adding that being able to cover multiple positions is increasingly valued at Test level.

Horn credited veteran playmaker Handré Pollard with easing his transition onto the field.

“He made me feel very comfortable,” Horn said. “He made everything so easy in the first half, and then I could step up and do my best.”

PLUS: Handré hails Bok character after Scotland scare

Horn said Pollard talked him through the attacking options available before kick-off, adding that his composure “gives a lot of confidence on the field”.

With Damian Willemse and Pollard both effectively playmakers alongside him, Horn dismissed suggestions that South Africa risked having “too many cooks” in the backline.

“There’s a big respect between the players,” he said. “Each of them knows the job they need to do first, and if you’re on the front foot, everyone can express themselves.”

RASSIE: I’m happy with Handré

Horn also confirmed he had no advance guarantee of finishing the match at flyhalf once the incumbent No 10 was fit to return.

“There were plans during the week in case a player got injured,” he said. “I was prepared to cover the position I was meant to cover.”

ALSO: Rassie defends experimental Boks

He called being kept on for the remainder of the game “a massive confidence booster”.

The performance adds further weight to South Africa’s growing reputation for selection depth, with Horn the latest bench option to deliver under pressure in a genuine Test-match crisis.

Photo: Johan Rynners/Getty Images

The post Quan: Handré made me feel comfortable appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.