Mexico's super stadium the right choice for 2026 World Cup opener

Many football fans around the world, including in South Africa, mistakenly believe that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted solely by the United States. In fact, the tournament will be co-hosted by three North American countries: Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will host the opening match on Thursday, June 11, 2026. With a capacity of 87,000, it will become the first stadium in World Cup history to host three opening matches, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986. The opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca promises to celebrate Mexico’s rich football heritage while offering a glimpse into the broader cultural legacy of the Americas. Expect the ceremony to showcase elements of Aztec history. The Aztecs, also known as the Mexica—the root of the modern name “Mexico”—were the architects of a sophisticated Mesoamerican civilization centered in what is now central and southern Mexico. Their capital, Tenochtitlan, was founded in 1325, and their society thrived until the Spanish conquest in 1521. The Aztec civilization contributed significantly to the world’s knowledge and culture. Innovations such as the chinampa system of floating gardens, step pyramids, a 260-day religious calendar, the macuahuitl weapon, and extensive canoe transportation networks reflect their advanced society. Education was mandatory and comprehensive, blending practical skills with religious and military instruction. The 2026 World Cup will conclude with the final match on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, bringing together fans from across the globe to celebrate the beautiful game.

Soweto giants Chiefs, Pirates share Lubumbashi spotlight

South Africa’s biggest football clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, find themselves in a rare shared situation this weekend — both are in Lubumbashi, DR Congo, for continental battles. First off the mark are Chiefs, who on Saturday meet AS Simba in the CAF Confederation Cup at the TP Mazembe Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm SA time. On Sunday, Pirates take on Saint Eloi Lupopo in the CAF Champions League at the 35,000-capacity Stade Frédéric Kibassa Maliba. While Lupopo are based in Lubumbashi — the DRC’s second-largest city after Kinshasa — Simba hail from Kolwezi, about 300km northwest of Lubumbashi. They have been forced to stage their CAF home fixtures in Katanga’s capital because their home province, Lualaba, lacks a CAF-approved stadium. Simba booked their spot in the 2025–26 CAF Confederation Cup by winning the Coupe du Congo, the national cup competition, defeating MK Kinshasa 1–0 in the final. Jacques Mangoba netted the decisive goal in the 90th minute, sealing both the trophy and a US$250,000 (about R4.3 million) first prize. Lupopo, meanwhile, are traditional rivals of TP Mazembe. Both clubs were founded in 1939, and their meetings in the famed Lubumbashi derby remain among the fiercest in African football. The two sides once shared the city-run Stade Frédéric Kibassa Maliba before TP Mazembe owner Moïse Katumbi funded the construction of the club’s own modern ground, the TP Mazembe Stadium, opened in 2011. The two venues are just 4km apart, located in the neighbouring Lubumbashi communes of Kenya and Kalamondo respectively. Though TP Mazembe Stadium holds just 18,500 fans, it is widely rated among the best football facilities in Central Africa, featuring modern dressing rooms, VIP suites, covered stands, a press centre and advanced floodlights. Both the Pirates and Chiefs fixtures are part of the second preliminary round, with the winners advancing to the group stages of the Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively. It would be refreshing to see the two Soweto giants cast aside their rivalry, if only briefly, and support each other in Congo. Meanwhile, two other South African clubs are also in continental action this weekend. Stellenbosch FC (Confederation Cup) visit 15 de Agosto in Equatorial Guinea at the 8,000-capacity Estadio de Ebibeyin on Saturday (4pm SA time), while Mamelodi Sundowns (Champions League) face Nigerian champions Remo Stars at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta on Sunday (5pm SA time). The venue, located in the hometown of the late music legend Fela Kuti, seats only 10,000 — a setting that could make Sundowns feel right at home. Good luck to all four South African clubs flying the flag in Africa.

Lack of suitable home venue points to deepening crisis for Lesotho football

The relocation of Lioli’s “home” fixture against Orlando Pirates from Lesotho to the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein underscores the deepening crisis of football infrastructure in the mountain kingdom. While football remains a unifying and popular sport in Lesotho, the absence of an internationally compliant stadium has turned home advantage into a paradox—forcing clubs and national teams alike to host matches on foreign soil. At the heart of this problem is the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru, the only facility previously recognized for international use. Since its suspension in 2021 by FIFA and CAF, due to its failure to meet international standards, Lesotho has been stripped of the ability to host matches at home. This not only damages the country’s sporting reputation but also undermines the growth of local football. For Lioli and other clubs, being forced to host continental matches outside the country strips them of the psychological and logistical benefits that come with playing in front of their own supporters. A Bloemfontein fixture against Pirates, although closer than many alternatives, still robs Lioli of the unique atmosphere their fans could have created in Teyateyaneng or Maseru. The symbolism of a national stadium lying dormant for years is damning. Stadium maintenance and renovation are not merely technical matters; they reflect governance, planning, and prioritization of resources. The fact that FIFA’s regional delegation only visited Setsoto last month to assess progress suggests that little has been done since the suspension. This delay reflects a lack of urgency from the Lesotho government, which should treat stadium compliance as a national priority. For a country whose national teams must play “home” games abroad, the damage extends beyond football—it dents national pride and imposes unnecessary costs. Financially, the consequences are severe. Clubs like Lioli must now shoulder additional travel and accommodation expenses when hosting fixtures in South Africa. Supporters face the same burden, with many unable to afford the journey across the border, leading to reduced crowd support. For the national team, this situation diminishes the potential for revenue generation through gate takings, merchandising, and hospitality. At a time when African football needs to be strengthened at grassroots and national levels, such infrastructural shortcomings widen the gap between countries with strong sporting institutions and those without. Politically, the Setsoto crisis points to a failure in public policy. Governments across Africa frequently make grand promises about sports development but often neglect the unglamorous task of infrastructure maintenance. While Lesotho is not alone in this regard, the prolonged suspension of its only national stadium is exceptional and reflects a broader governance deficit. International football bodies like FIFA can push for compliance, but ultimately, the political will to prioritize sports infrastructure must come from within Lesotho itself. There are also continental implications. CAF’s insistence on international standards is correct—it ensures player safety, television broadcast quality, and a professional environment. Yet the harsh reality is that several African nations face similar struggles. Lesotho’s plight raises a broader debate: should CAF and FIFA do more to provide technical and financial assistance to struggling associations, or is it solely the responsibility of national governments? In conclusion, the Lioli–Pirates fixture in Bloemfontein is more than a logistical inconvenience; it is a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting sports infrastructure. For Lesotho, the inability to host matches at home has diminished football’s power to inspire and unite. Unless the Setsoto Stadium is urgently renovated and maintained, the country risks permanent exile from the global football family, with dire consequences for the development of its players, clubs, and national pride.

Team SA looks sharper for Tokyo world athletics championships

When the 20th World Athletics Championships get underway at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday, September 13, Team South Africa will be chasing a return to the global podium after an agonizing eight-year wait. Not since the 2017 edition in London has the country won medals at the world’s premier athletics showpiece. That year, Wayde van Niekerk, Caster Semenya, and Luvo Manyonga spearheaded a golden generation, delivering six medals combined. In 2017, Van Niekerk claimed gold in the 400m and silver in the 200m, Semenya won the 800m and secured bronze in the 1,500m, while Manyonga leapt to gold in the long jump. Ruswahl Samaai added a long jump bronze to complete what remains one of South Africa’s finest performances at a World Championships. Since then, however, the nation has endured a dry spell, failing to reach the podium in subsequent editions. This year, hope has been rekindled. A 49-member squad carries the weight of expectation, led by the experienced Akani Simbine, who remains one of the world’s premier sprinters. The evergreen 31-year-old grabbed silver in the 100m at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finally stepping onto the Olympic podium after years of near-misses. In Tokyo, Simbine once again carries South Africa’s sprinting dreams, and he will be joined by two promising compatriots, Retshidisitswe Mlenga and Gift Leokela. Van Niekerk is also back, though this time he has shifted his focus to the 200m, making way for a new star in the 400m: Zakithi Nene. If there is one athlete who embodies South Africa’s new wave, it is Nene. After surprising many by reaching the Olympic final in Paris last year, the 26-year-old has since proven he belongs among the best. In 2025, he became the world’s fastest over one lap, clocking a breathtaking 43.76 seconds in Nairobi, the fastest time recorded globally this season. With consistent sub-45 performances and strong Diamond League results—including a runner-up finish behind Olympic champion Quincy Hall in Rome—Nene is widely seen as South Africa’s strongest medal hope. The team suffered a setback when teen sprint sensation Benjamin Walaza, who impressed in Paris, withdrew this week due to an injury. His replacement, however, brings a fascinating storyline. Retshidisitswe Mlenga, once a teenage prodigy, returns to the global stage after serving a four-year ban for doping. At just 25, the Bloemfontein-born sprinter is eager to revive his career. Mlenga won gold at the 2017 World Under-18 Championships before his suspension derailed his progress. Now, with a second chance, he is motivated to make the 100m final and perhaps even push for a medal. His presence alongside Simbine and Leokela gives South Africa depth in the men’s sprint events. On the women’s side, South Africa’s brightest prospects lie in the middle distance and field events. Prudence Sekgodiso has emerged as a force in the 800m. Earlier this year, she won the World Indoor title, and she enters Tokyo with renewed confidence. The 22-year-old also set a personal best of 1:57.16 in Ostrava to claim victory at the prestigious Golden Spike meet. While her Olympic campaign ended in disappointment after fading in the final, Sekgodiso’s consistency and talent make her a genuine contender for a medal. In the javelin, Jo-Ane van Dyk is targeting another podium finish after securing silver at the Paris Olympics with a throw of 63.93m. She has remained competitive on the international circuit, producing a season’s best of 62.77m in Oslo, where she placed third behind Japan’s Haruka Kitaguchi and Serbia’s Adriana Vilagos. With her proven ability to deliver on the big stage, Van Dyk is among South Africa’s strongest female medal prospects in Tokyo. As the competition kicks off, South Africa’s mix of seasoned campaigners and fresh talent creates a sense of cautious optimism. The likes of Simbine and Van Niekerk will provide experience, while Nene, Sekgodiso, and Van Dyk could well usher in a new era of success. If the pieces fall into place, Team SA may finally break its medal drought and reignite the golden memories of 2017. The World Championships conclude on September 21, and South Africa will be hoping that by then, its athletes will have returned to the podium, restoring the nation’s pride on the global athletics stage. All the best, Team SA!

Nigerians pay the price for ignoring their own league

Earlier this year, Nigerian media, commentators, and football followers erupted in outrage following the March 25 World Cup qualifier in Uyo, where the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe. On paper, it should have been an easy assignment. Nigeria’s squad, stacked with stars from Europe’s top leagues, was expected to sweep aside a Zimbabwean side traditionally considered lightweight. Yet the Warriors who arrived in Uyo were far from the Zimbabwe of old. The southern Africans had undergone a quiet transformation, with several players now plying their trade in big European leagues. Zimbabwe has also borrowed from West Africans by pursuing diaspora kids for its national team. The outpouring of anger in Nigeria was not surprising, given the country’s unmatched passion for football. But in hindsight, the fury was misplaced. The ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN), currently being staged in East Africa, has brutally exposed where Nigeria’s real weakness lies. Unlike the AFCON or World Cup qualifiers, CHAN is reserved strictly for players who feature in their domestic leagues. And Nigeria has fared disastrously, crashing out after two successive defeats—1-0 to Senegal and 4-0 to Sudan. Their final group match against Congo-Brazzaville on August 19 is a dead rubber, with the Super Eagles already eliminated. The lesson is clear: Nigeria’s league is simply too weak to sustain a competitive national team structure. Long before CHAN laid it bare, the decline of Nigerian club football was evident. The country’s clubs have become invisible in the advanced stages of CAF competitions. The last Nigerian side to command continental respect was Enyimba, and that was years ago. Since then, South African, Central African, and even East African clubs, have pulled ahead to challenge the North African domination. While mismanagement and corruption within the football system are always cited as culprits, ordinary Nigerians also shoulder part of the blame. The obsession with the English Premier League and other European competitions has drained local football of attention, revenue, and prestige. Stadiums remain half-empty, clubs struggle to attract sponsorship, and promising players lack the competitive environment to flourish at home. If Nigerian fans redirected even half of their passion to their own league, the results would be transformative. Stronger domestic clubs would attract investment, create jobs, and nurture talent that could feed directly into the Super Eagles setup. More importantly, Nigeria would rely less on scouring the globe for players of Nigerian descent and instead develop world-class talent within its borders.

Until that shift happens, Nigeria will continue to punch below its weight in African football. This week the Nigerian Premier Football League kicks off for the 2025/2026 season - with new champions Remo Stars hosting Rivers United on Friday in Ikenne, Ogun state, for the opening match. Hopefully, the season start will also mark the start of a new attitude by Nigerians towards their own league. And it's no rocket science, Naija guys and gals, just show the NPFL more love than any other league in the world. Finidi George coaches Rivers; what more would people want to appreciate that charity begins at home!

Ambitious Pyramids rank as Pirates' most important foe so far this CAF season

For decades, the Egyptian league had been dominated by Cairo giants Al Ahly and Zamalek football clubs, with some limited challenge offered by Ismaily and Arab Contractors. Both Ismaily and Arab Contractors had significantly receded in the past decade, with the Contractors (now preferring to be known as Al Mokawloon Al Arab) losing their premier league status as they currently campaign in the Egyptian second-tier. Despite their fallen fortunes, the Contractors and Ismaily remain among five other clubs to win the Egyptian league apart from Al Ahly and Zamalek. Amid these events Pyramids FC emerged in 2018 to forcefully stake a claim in the top 3 of the Egyptian league. The club was in fact formed in 2008 as Al Assiouty Sport in Beni Suef, a city 120km south of Cairo. In 2018, a season after the club had returned to premier for its second stint, it was bought by the chairman of the Saudi Sports Authority Turki Al-Sheikh, renamed Pyramids and relocated to New Cairo, a modern metropolitan city developing on the outskirts of the original Cairo. In their first season under the new name, Pyramids finished third in the Egyptian and reached the final of the 2019 Egyptian Cup where they lost to Zamalek. The same year, the club was bought by UAE businessman Salem Al Shamsi and continued to fortify its position in the Egyptian top 3. Pyramids have now finished as runners-up to the league title three times including the previous season. They were runners-up in 2019/2020 CAF Confederation Cup, losing to Morocco's RS Berkane in the final. In the meantime, Pyramids' value also increased by leaps and bounds that last year at €22.25-million, they were ranked the third most valuable African club behind Mamelodi Sundowns (€35.40m) and Al Ahly (€28.45m). They value is set to increase as they are on course to win their first Egyptian league title, as they lead the league table. Today, Pyramids seek to raise the bar to a higher level in their quest to be rated among the best when they come up against Orlando Pirates in the Champions League semifinals. The first leg is scheduled for 6pm at the FNB Stadium. Pirates' home venue, Orlando Stadium, is not available after it was booked for Easter festivities by the Grace Bible Church. Pirates should know they are meeting a hugely ambitious club, and by now, I trust they have not only studied the team's strengths and weaknesses but also understand Pyramids' philosophy and ambition. So, today it will not be about winning a football match for both teams but a show of determination to grow their brands and respect on the continent. In my opinion, this is the most important challenge for Pirates in their Champions League journey this season. Pyramids mean business and Pirates in return must show they have a longer, colourful history that the visitors must respect. The only way to achieve that is to win today and eventually qualify for the final by sailing through in the second leg on April 25.

Broos returns respect and the swag to Bafana

When Hugo Broos was announced in May 2021 as the new manager of the South African national football team, the news was received by sneers and jeers if not completely ignored by some of those it affected the most - the SA soccer fraternity. At the time Bafana Bafana, the national team, had not long been labelled a "bunch of losers" by the sports minister Fikile Mbalula. His words cut like a blunt knife, even though the truth is that Bafana were at the time hopeless and lacked confidence. It was fair-game for anyone, including the lowest-ranked nations, to meet Bafana because the chances of scoring a victory over the SA team were real and attainable. So, more than the sports minister, the nation was despondent over Bafana circumstances. Even Broos appointment, despite his known success on the continent, was slammed as that of an old man chasing an easy retirement fund. It was a tough job from the start for the Belgian - having to rouse the players from a comatose of low self-esteem, telling touchy soccer bosses the truths they don't want to hear and setting the media right about its lack of space in the technical forum deciding who to call up. Broos slowly worked his magic, as he appealed to the nation to stop making Bafana play home internationals in empty stadiums. The results turned positive, the fans returned to the stadium for the games and Bafana qualified for the 2023 Ivory Coast Cup of Nations (which played earlier this year) and the team returned home with bronze medals and huge smiles on their faces. Bafana Bafana have qualified for the 2025 Morocco Afcon in great style, topping their group with 14 points and no loss after six qualifying matches. The last qualifier, on Tuesday in Cape Town, was a celebration of entertaining football by Bafana and the love from the fans who packed the stadium to the rafters. Bafana Bafana are on the right track and looking the part with the swagger of champions in their step; one thing South Africans football fans had been missing for a long time until Hugo Broos came along.