Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup sparked vibrant celebrations in New York City and across Spain, as fans united in their nation's triumph.

Julius Malema has ruled out any future alliance between the EFF and the DA or FF+, saying such coalitions undermine the liberation agenda.

Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana rising star Mduduzi Shabalala has joined the PUMA South Africa football family and features in the campaign for the new PUMA ULTRA 7 football boot.The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who made his Bafana debut in October 2025, joins a glittering PUMA football lineup which includes Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane, Iqraam Rayners, Bathusi Aubaas, Malibongwe Khoza, Patrick Maswanganyi, Thapelo Morena, Sailor Mudau, and Mfundo Vilakazi. “Mdu’s performances last season were impressive, and we believe that we are signing a player that will be at the forefront of SA football for many years to come, and who will drive on-pitch visibility of our ULTRA football boots,” said PUMA SA’s Tshepo Mashishi.“He is a player that has the talent to be a part of the SA national team and become one of the leaders when we are back on the world stage at the 2030 World Cup.” Mdu delighted to join PUMA Shabalala is excited to join the PUMA football family. “My decision was based on how well PUMA’s values, vision, and commitment to athletes align with my own goals and journey as a footballer. I push myself every day to improve, compete at the highest level, and make an impact on and off the pitch. I believe my ambition, work ethic, and passion for the game align perfectly with the brand.” Looking forward to the new season, he said: “I want to improve my consistency, contribute more goals and assists, and continue developing all aspects of my game to help the team succeed.” Shabalala will open the new season playing in the new PUMA ULTRA 7. “It’s lightweight, comfortable, and built for speed, which suits my style of play perfectly,” commented Shabalala.Chiefs will kick off their 2026/2027 Betway Premiership season with an away match against newly-promoted Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium on 1 August.

Former Ajax Cape Town Head of Youth Scouting Thembela ‘Tera’ Maliwa believes the late Jayden Adams was destined for a successful career in Europe, saying the midfielder had all the qualities needed to thrive at the highest level. Adams’ career had been on a remarkable upward trajectory after helping Mamelodi Sundowns lift the CAF Champions League title last season before representing Bafana Bafana at the FIFA World Cup. Before his untimely death on June 11, the gifted midfielder featured in all three of South Africa’s group-stage matches and played a key role in helping Bafana Bafana reach the knockout stages for the first time. “When I spoke to him and I said to him that I would like to get a jersey of a team that he’s going to in Europe,” Maliwa said on Radio 2000. “He asked me why I said that and I told him he’s not going to come back from the World Cup because there will be one or two teams that will take him. I’m not at Sundowns but I can tell you that there should be one or two teams that would have been interested in Jayden. “He is a player that would have made it outside of South Africa and in Europe. If you look at how he plays, he’s so clever, technically good, tactically superior and he was disciplined. He was a player you needed next to you in your team.” Although Adams established himself as one of the country’s best midfielders during his time at Stellenbosch FC before earning a move to Sundowns, Maliwa revealed that he first discovered him as a promising right-back. “We had a programme called first touch at Ajax. It specialised in identifying 9,10 and 11-year-olds. That’s how Jayden came to join the first touch programme,” Maliwa recalled. “From Stellenbosch, it was him and Luke Le Roux that we had identified. They joined the team of Tashreeq Matthews who is now at Sundowns. What people don’t know is that Jayden was not a midfielder, he was the best right back we’ve ever seen. “When we had him, we knew he would replace Abbubaker Mobara who was already in the first team at the time. He started playing as a midfielder when he was 17 or 19 if I’m not mistaken but he started as a right back.” Meanwhile, Sundowns have arrived in Austria for their pre-season training camp after their departure was delayed following Adams’ death. The Brazilians are scheduled to face Hertha Berlin on Tuesday before taking on Al Hilal on July 24.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has revealed what he described as a frank private phone conversation with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Museveni disclosed that he challenged his counterpart over recent ‘xenophobic attacks’ that forced dozens of Ugandans to flee the country. Speaking on Sunday at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, where Ugandans repatriated from South Africa are receiving counselling and rehabilitation, Museveni said he told Ramaphosa that South Africa had ‘betrayed’ the rest of the continent by allowing fellow Africans to be targeted. Museveni: ‘Who exactly is xeno?’ Museveni said one of the main issues he raised with Ramaphosa was the use of the term ‘xeno’ to describe African migrants living in South Africa. According to the Ugandan leader, he questioned why Africans who had supported South Africa’s liberation struggle were now being labelled as outsiders. “I asked Ramaphosa, who exactly is xeno? Is it me you are calling xeno?” Museveni said. He said he had researched the origin of the word, noting that it comes from Greek and means “alien”, before arguing that Africans should never regard one another as foreigners. ‘South Africa betrayed us’ Museveni said he reminded Ramaphosa that many African countries stood behind the African National Congress (ANC) during apartheid, offering political, diplomatic and material support. “I told President Ramaphosa I felt South Africa betrayed us,” Museveni said. The Ugandan leader said he had personally supported the ANC for six decades and found it painful that Ugandans were now being targeted by anti-immigrant groups. “I supported the ANC for 60 years, not just in words, but also with material help, and yet you call my grandchildren xeno?” he said. Museveni blames ANC opponents Despite his criticism, Museveni said he does not believe the attacks reflect the views of ordinary South Africans. Instead, he told Ramaphosa that those driving xenophobic violence appear to be political opponents trying to damage the ANC’s reputation across Africa. “But from what he told me, it seems that they have political problems there,” Museveni said. “It appears that the people behind this xenophobic campaign are enemies of ANC who wish for the party to lose its reputation around Africa.” Museveni’s warning over African unity Museveni also warned that xenophobia risks creating divisions across the continent and undermining decades of African solidarity. Drawing on his own experience of living in exile in Tanzania for eight years, he said he was treated with dignity and returned home with a positive view of the country, something he believes strengthened relations between the two nations. He contrasted that experience with the current situation in South Africa, saying African countries should welcome one another rather than deepen divisions. “I told President Ramaphosa to rectify this because it is dangerous,” he said. “If we also chase away the South Africans who are here, that is what the enemy wants, that we start fighting amongst each other.” Uganda plans compensation claims Museveni also announced support measures for Ugandans who recently returned from South Africa. He directed the Ugandan government to provide each returning family with Shs2 million (about R8 900) to help them restart their lives. At the same time, he instructed returnees to compile detailed records of businesses, homes and other property they lost during the unrest. Museveni said he had reached an understanding with Ramaphosa that Uganda would document the losses and seek compensation for affected citizens. “I agreed with President Ramaphosa that you should truthfully write down all the properties and businesses that were destroyed for compensation,” he said.

Kaizer Chiefs may have been handed a fresh transfer opportunity after Mamelodi Sundowns reportedly gave Thapelo Maseko permission to find a new club. The Bafana Bafana winger was left out of Sundowns’ pre-season tour to Austria. This has cast further doubt over his long-term future at Chloorkop. THAPELO MASEKO TOLD TO FIND A NEW CLUB According to SABC Sport journalist Mazola Molefe, Maseko has been allowed to explore his options after returning from a loan spell at Cypriot outfit AEL Limassol. “SABC Sport can reveal that Mamelodi Sundowns have given winger Thapelo Maseko permission to find a new club after leaving him out of their pre-season tour to Austria.” The 22-year-old joined AEL Limassol in January in search of regular football after falling out of coach Miguel Cardoso’s plans. During his time in Cyprus, Maseko made 15 appearances in all competitions. He scored two goals and providing one assist before returning to Mamelodi Sundowns after the clubs failed to reach a permanent agreement. KAIZER CHIEFS COULD HAVE A NEW OPTION Kaizer Chiefs remain in the market for a winger ahead of the new Betway Premiership season. Negotiations for Stellenbosch FC star Langelihle Phili are proving difficult. Reports suggest Stellenbosch FC are demanding around R16 million for Phili, making any deal a costly one for Amakhosi. While Maseko could emerge as an attractive alternative because he is available for transfer. His contract with Mamelodi Sundowns reportedly runs until 2028. That means the Bafana Bafana international may not necessarily be a cheaper option than Phili, whose deal with Stellenbosch FC expires in 2027. Kaizer Chiefs are eager to strengthen their attacking options. Maseko’s situation is one to watch as the transfer window gathers momentum. DO YOU THINK AMAKHOSI WILL MAKE A MOVE? Share your thoughts by clicking on the red comments block below.

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