Hervé Koffi rebondit à l’Union Saint-Gilloise

C’est officiel ! L’international burkinabè Hervé Koffi quitte le RC Lens pour rejoindre l’Union Saint-Gilloise sous la forme d’un prêt assorti d’une option d’achat. Le gardien des Étalons tentera de relancer sa carrière au sein du champion de Belgique, où il espère retrouver du temps de jeu et confirmer tout son potentiel. ShootAfrica lui souhaite […]

L’article Hervé Koffi rebondit à l’Union Saint-Gilloise est apparu en premier sur Shoot Africa.

From experienced hands like Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen to the explosive ability of Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Ryan Rickelton, there are some serious contenders to keep wicket for the Proteas. mieszalniakolorado.pl

Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images

The post Poll: Who is SA’s best wicketkeeper right now? appeared first on SA Cricket Mag.

Patrice Motsepe est-il réellement sur un siège éjectable ou assiste-t-on à une nouvelle bataille d’influence au sommet du football africain ? La question mérite d’être posée après la publication d’un article (commandée ? !) annonçant un président de la Confédération africaine de football (CAF) de plus en plus isolé, confronté à une fronde interne et menacé par une motion de censure.

À première vue, le récit est construit avec méthode. Chaque paragraphe ajoute un élément destiné à conforter une même idée : le président de la CAF aurait perdu son autorité, le soutien de ses alliés et, bientôt, son fauteuil. Pourtant, à la lecture attentive, un constat s’impose : l’essentiel des affirmations repose sur des sources anonymes, des conditionnels et des suppositions qui ne sont accompagnés d’aucune preuve publique.

Qui sont les membres du Comité exécutif qui contesteraient Patrice Motsepe ? Existe-t-il un document attestant d’une motion de censure ? Cette question figure-t-elle à l’ordre du jour d’une réunion officielle ? La FIFA a-t-elle confirmé une rupture entre Gianni Infantino et le président de la CAF ? À ce jour, aucune réponse vérifiable n’est apportée à ces interrogations.

Le recours répété au conditionnel n’est pas anodin. «Il serait», «Il aurait», «Il pourrait», «Il aurait perdu»… Ce procédé permet de suggérer des faits sans avoir à les démontrer. Pris isolément, chaque élément peut sembler anecdotique. Mis bout à bout, ils construisent un scénario cohérent : celui d’un dirigeant dont la chute apparaîtrait inévitable.

Cette mécanique n’est pas nouvelle. Dans les grandes organisations sportives internationales, les rapports de force ne se limitent plus aux réunions à huis clos. Ils se jouent également sur le terrain médiatique. Les indiscrétions, les confidences anonymes et les fuites organisées peuvent contribuer à créer un climat, influencer des perceptions ou préparer les esprits à une évolution institutionnelle.

Il ne s’agit pas d’affirmer que tel ou tel article répond à une commande ou à une stratégie concertée. Une telle accusation exigerait des preuves. En revanche, il est légitime de s’interroger sur les effets produits par ce type de publication lorsqu’elle intervient dans un contexte où la gouvernance du football africain fait l’objet de multiples rivalités.

Le moment choisi n’est pas sans importance. La CAF est engagée dans plusieurs dossiers stratégiques qui concernent son avenir, ses relations avec la FIFA, l’organisation de ses compétitions et les équilibres internes entre ses différentes sensibilités. Dans un tel environnement, chaque information susceptible d’affaiblir ou de renforcer un dirigeant prend une dimension politique.

Les faits établis, eux, méritent d’être rappelés. Patrice Motsepe a été réélu à la présidence de la CAF en mars 2025. Aucune motion de censure n’a été officiellement annoncée. Aucun membre du Comité exécutif ne s’est exprimé publiquement pour demander son départ. Quant aux noms régulièrement avancés pour lui succéder, ils relèvent, à ce stade, davantage des spéculations que de candidatures déclarées.

La véritable question n’est donc peut-être pas de savoir si Patrice Motsepe est fragilisé. Dans toute institution, un président peut être contesté. La question est plutôt de comprendre à qui profite l’installation, dans l’opinion, de l’idée d’une chute imminente. Car dans le football international, la communication est devenue un levier de pouvoir. Façonner un récit peut parfois peser autant qu’un vote.

Plus que jamais, le journalisme a le devoir de distinguer les faits des hypothèses. Les débats sur la gouvernance de la CAF méritent mieux que des scénarios présentés comme des certitudes. Les lecteurs, eux, ont droit à une information fondée sur des éléments vérifiables, et non sur des impressions ou des confidences impossibles à contrôler.

Le football africain a besoin de transparence, de débats ouverts et d’une information rigoureuse. C’est à cette condition que les véritables enjeux de sa gouvernance pourront être compris, loin des rumeurs et des rapports de force qui alimentent trop souvent les coulisses du pouvoir. Et qui ne servent que les affamés du pot de miel.

L’article CAF : Quand la rumeur précède les décisions ( Ahmed Bessol) est apparu en premier sur Foot Afrique.

While World Rugby prioritises revenue, proud rugby nations like South Africa and New Zealand continue to be short-changed, writes Jon Cardinelli.

The Springboks and All Blacks have combined to win seven of the 10 World Cup titles since the inaugural global tournament was staged in 1987.

The 1995 World Cup in South Africa is still spoken about in reverent tones, due to the impact it had on the home country and the sport as a whole.

The image of Francois Pienaar lifting the trophy after the final and President Nelson Mandela raising his hands in triumph remains iconic.

“We didn’t have 60 000 South Africans,” the Bok skipper famously said, after the final whistle was blown and the jubilant crowd celebrated in the Ellis Park stands.

“We had 43 million South Africans.” Like South Africa, New Zealand lives for its rugby, and the 2011 World Cup tournament captivated the island nation like never before.

Sadly, neither country has hosted a World Cup in recent times – and if World Rugby has its way, the quadrennial tournament will continue to be held in regions where profits will be maximised.

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer admitted as much earlier this year, when he was asked at a press conference whether his organisation would bid for the rights to host the 2035 tournament.

Australia will host the 2027 World Cup, while the USA will stage the tournament for the first time in 2031. By the time the 2031 edition of the event is done and dusted, the UK and Europe will have staged five of the 12 global tournaments. Africa, meanwhile, may have to be content with the 1995 showpiece as their one and only opportunity to play host.

“I think we have moved away from the philosophy that everybody must get an equal chance to host a World Cup,” said Oberholzer.

“New Zealand and South Africa will not make the money out of a World Cup that World Rugby needs.

“I don’t think it’s a negative on us. It is more what is more important for the best interest of rugby.”

The Boks have won four World Cups to date. While Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry – a regular series between the Boks and All Blacks, which kicks off in 2026 – will be staged in South Africa every eight years and the British & Irish Lions tour every 12, it’s a shame that the most successful World Cup team in history may not get another chance to compete for the title on home soil.

After several failed attempts to secure the rights, it seems that SA Rugby has accepted World Rugby’s stance on the matter.

“The World Cup is the only revenue stream for World Rugby that must fund the whole ecosystem, and all the members get some funding out of a World Cup,” said Oberholzer.

“So World Rugby must take the World Cup to where they can make the most money, and to go where they will be supported by local and national governments.

“I cannot see that the potential money generated out of South Africa will be the same as what is generated in Europe or maybe somewhere in the Middle East. World Rugby will drive World Cups to where they believe they can make the most money, and we all have to understand that. “You cannot ask for a World Cup in your country, make less money, and then want the biggest slice of the cake when it comes to the annual grant that we get from World Rugby,” he added.

According to World Rugby, every World Cup host is confirmed eight years in advance “to optimise the value, reach and impact of Rugby World Cup”.

This model, delivered through collaboration with governments, World Rugby member unions and key stakeholders, ensures “consistent delivery standards, brand integrity, and maximised revenues”.

The 2023 World Cup in France attracted more than 2.3 million people to grounds around the country and generated 1.33 billion viewing hours, while commercially, it delivered a record surplus of £472 million (approximately R10-billion) for reinvestment back into the game.

According to World Rugby’s figures, the 2023 tournament was the most viewed rugby event of all time, and achieved 30% more viewership than the 2015 World Cup in England, and 19% more than the 2019 tournament in Japan.

Growing viewership was observed in emerging markets such as Germany, Italy and the USA – and again, it’s important to note that the latter country will host the tournament for the first time in 2031.

The bidding process for the 2035 event is already under way. Argentina, Japan and Spain are among the countries to have submitted initial expressions of interest.

In March earlier this year, Saudi Arabia abandoned its plans to host the 2035 World Cup as a result of the Public Investment Fund’s new financial strategy.

The ongoing war in Iran is expected to impact on the PIF’s spending in the coming years, and at this stage, it appears as if other sports such as golf, football and Formula One will be prioritised. The deadline for submitting a formal bid is October 2026.

World Rugby will identify a preferred bidder in May 2027 before an appointment is made by the World Rugby Council. The next host will be unveiled at some point during the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

World Rugby has said the selection process will be structured around four core principles: commercial optimisation, operational control through the ownerorganiser model, contractual certainty prior to appointment, and transparency through a fair, collaborative and fully evaluated host-selection process.

The 2035 selection process will operate independently of the Women’s World Cup 2037, which will have its own standalone process.

More recently, Australia and the USA were awarded the rights to host the men’s as well as the women’s tournaments.

“Rugby World Cups are the sport’s greatest platform, and the men’s edition fuels the growth and sustainability of the sport,” said World Rugby chair, Brett Robinson.

“The process we are launching for 2035 sits at the very heart of our renewed strategy to grow the reach, strength and impact of the global game for our members.

“Following historic tournaments in the USA, we see 2035 as another major opportunity to unlock new audiences and additional value while ensuring Rugby World Cup continues to inspire and unite the world through rugby.”

Will South African stakeholders accept that? Will we never see another World Cup on these shores? Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie is among those who have not lost hope.

“We have the best players, the best teams, the best World Cup team – we’ve won the World Cup multiple times – we have to [host] the World Cup,” he told News24 this May.

“I’m not going to rest until I do that.” The minister confirmed that SA Rugby would need massive backing from the government to get its bid off the ground, and meet World Rugby’s financial and commercial demands.

“President Mark Alexander and CEO Rian Oberholzer have stabilised the finances at SA Rugby, so they can’t go and make a commitment on this, on behalf of government,” explained McKenzie.

“I’m going to work very hard to get that guarantee, but I first want to get sponsors to come on board. Then we’ll go to SA Rugby and say to them, ‘Mark, go get us that World Cup.’”

In response to McKenzie’s comments, Alexander said that SA Rugby as an organisation “hasn’t applied our minds to that yet… we haven’t had a discussion. Previously, we decided that we won’t bid for a World Cup.”

While calls for another Rugby World Cup in South Africa look set to continue, it may be another a decade or two before we see another global tournament in this country, if at all.

The post Missed Opportunity appeared first on SportsClub.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is determined to ensure the Brazilians do not suffer another trophyless campaign on the domestic front.

Sundowns endured a frustrating 2025/26 season in the cup competitions, suffering three knockout exits before eventually relinquishing the Betway Premiership title to Orlando Pirates.

The Brazilians were eliminated from the MTN8 by Pirates on penalties following a two-legged semi-final before suffering a similar fate against Marumo Gallants in the last 16 of the Carling Knockout. Their Nedbank Cup campaign also ended at the last-16 stage after they lost 2-0 to TS Galaxy.

“We need to honour the badge we have and play to win every match. Last season, unfortunately we went out of cup competitions twice by penalties,” Cardoso said to the club’s media.

“Let’s hope this year we can take the competition to 90 minutes so that we don’t need to go to moments where things can fall for other teams.”

Sundowns were granted special leave from the opening round of Betway Premiership fixtures at the weekend following the tragic passing of midfielder Jayden Adams.

Their clash against Marumo Gallants was subsequently postponed to August 19, meaning Masandawana will begin their campaign on Saturday when they welcome Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final.

Cardoso expects a difficult test against Polokwane, but insists Sundowns must focus on making a strong start themselves.

“Polokwane City is a tough opponent, and we played them towards the end of last season. They have a new coach and new dynamics for sure,” Cardoso added.

“We have to worry about how we can start stronger ourselves in the first match. Mentally, deal with the difficulties that the match will have.

“Most of all, deal with the objectives that we have. The objectives are clear and we need to play every match to win.”

The Portuguese tactician was speaking after Sundowns concluded their pre-season tour of Austria, where they drew 1-1 with German side Hertha Berlin, lost 2-0 to Karim Benzema’s Al-Hilal and drew 1-1 with Algerian giants MC Alger.

They rounded off the tour with an emphatic 7-0 victory over Qatar side Al-Sailiya as Cardoso used the matches to assess his squad ahead of the new campaign.

“We played some tough opponents along the way and had positive outcomes. We had to deal with different situations,” Cardoso concluded.

“We worked every day with a strong development of the team and gathering energy for physical development and team building, while receiving the new players and making them feel part of the family.”