Marc Strydom
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Football writer but not breather, former London cycle courier and Alps ski bum, son of soil of Africa and prophet of Clive Barker (coach), all views are my own
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Articles by Marc Strydom
Relebohile Mofokeng hails growth at Orlando Pirates, pens emotional farewell
Story audio is generated using AI Relebohile Mofokeng has penned a heartfelt farewell to Orlando Pirates as he leaves for a career in Europe at Belgian top-flight outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Titled “This is not goodbye”, the burgeoning 21-year-old midfielder, who starred for Bafana Bafana at the World Cup last month, spoke about the honour of representing the Soweto giants, where the Transnet School of Excellence product came up through the youth ranks.
Relebohile Mofokeng hails growth at Orlando Pirates, pens emotional farewell
Relebohile Mofokeng has penned a heartfelt farewell to Orlando Pirates as he leaves for a career in Europe joining Belgian top-flight outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Titled, “this is not goodbye”, the burgeoning 21-year-old midfield talent who starred for Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup last month spoke of the honour of representing the Soweto giants, where the Transnet School of Excellence product came up through the youth ranks.
Football saved Jayden Adams from the tough life, but in the end just not enough
Story audio is generated using AI Jayden Adams was well on his way to being an African football star. The skilful central midfielder who possessed muscle, a pass and vision won the Caf Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns in May. He played the full 90 minutes of the 1-0 opening leg win against FAR Rabat in Pretoria, then 53 of the 1-1 draw in Morocco before being substituted. That capped a fine second-half recovery in form in the 2025-26 domestic season.
Football saved Jayden Adams from the tough life, but in the end just not enough
Story audio is generated using AI Jayden Adams was well on his way to being an African football star. The skilful central midfielder who possessed muscle, a pass and vision won the Caf Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns in May. He played the full 90 minutes of the 1-0 opening leg win against FAR Rabat in Pretoria, then 53 of the 1-1 draw in Morocco before being substituted. That capped a fine second-half recovery in form in the 2025-26 domestic season.
SA football rocked by death of Bafana star Jayden Adams, 25
South African football has been rocked by the news of the death of Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns star Jayden Adams at 25. While no official statement has been released by Sundowns or the South African Football Association yet, yet sources close to the player and his club and former team Stellenbosch FC confirmed the news of the death of the midfielder.
Williams urges keeping this Bafana team together, sees bright future after World Cup
Hope for the future was the predominant sentiment Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams took from the team’s performance at the 2026 Fifa World Cup. As supporters digest their team’s display, the prevailing sentiment seems to have been that there was a lot of good, and there was some bad. Coach Hugo Broos’s Bafana Bafana punched above their weight in North America. In a 48-team World Cup there will be some soft touch groups. South Africa’s was not one of those.
Serie A, Portugal, Ligue 1, England: where Bafana players are being linked after World Cup
Several Bafana Bafana players caught the eye with impressive performances as the national team punched above its weight at the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Orlando Pirates’ burgeoning 21-year-old playmaking talent Relebohile Mofokeng flew straight from the World Cup and Bafana’s final game in their 1-0 last-32 defeat against Canada in Los Angeles to conclude a deal with Belgian top-flight outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
‘We need to talk to Hugo Broos’, says Safa boss Jordaan as Bafana return
South African Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan said the ruling body needs to “talk to Hugo Broos” as Bafana Bafana arrived at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg from the 2026 Fifa World Cup in North America on Thursday morning. Jordaan hinted the talks could be about Broos’ future as Bafana coach. The 74-year-old Belgian announced long before the World Cup he would retire from coaching after the tournament.
Peter Shalulile leaves Mamelodi Sundowns Original
Veteran Namibian striker Peter Shalulile has left Mamelodi Sundowns, the club announced on Thursday. The 32-year-old spent six seasons at Sundowns after joining them in September 2020. “Thank you Sha Sha,” Downs posted on X. “Peter Shalulile departs Mamelodi Sundowns as one of the club’s most prolific forwards. “Thank you for the goals, trophies and the commitment in yellow.
‘What he’s done for this team words can’t describe’: Williams salutes Bafana coach Broos
Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has sung the praises of Hugo Broos, saying the national team would not be where it is without the work done in the five-year tenure of its “father figure” coach. South Africa had a mixed bag overall of a young team showing immense potential progressing past a World Cup group stage for the first time, though with searching questions on certain technical elements at the highest level at the tournament in North America.
WATCH | Booing, insults for South Korea and coach at Seoul airport after World Cup exit Original
The South Korean squad and former coach Hong Myung-bo were booed at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport on their return from a group stage exit from the 2026 Fifa World Cup. South Koreans at the airport for the team’s arrival at 4am chanted “Hong Myung-bo out”, hurled insults amid drumming and held banners, one of which read, “South Korean football is dead”. Some banners demanded Hong return his salary.
Mokoena rues ‘three more steps’ that could have stopped Canada’s goal against Bafana
It is the small margins that make all the difference at the highest level — that’s the lesson Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena will take away from his first World Cup. It would be hard to criticise the Mamelodi Sundowns star, given his stellar performances in the two group games he played in the defeat against Mexico and the draw against Czechia, but Mokoena might have felt he did not give his best returning from suspension in the 2-0 last-32 defeat against Canada on Sunday.
Crucial for Bafana to be at 2030 World Cup, says Thalente Mbatha
Story audio is generated using AI Bafana Bafana midfielder Thalente Mbatha has spoken out on the importance of South Africa qualifying for the 2030 Fifa World Cup to be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain. South Africa were knocked out of the current tournament by co-hosts Canada at their historic last 32 stage with a 1-0 defeat in Los Angeles on Sunday. Mbatha said Bafana must take lessons from the experience and push for another qualification.
LIVE UPDATES | Bafana v Canada in the last 32, all the build-up and action Original
Refresh for latest updates. Rea from bottom up ... 6.56pm - To follow, some match info ... 6.55pm - Wow. Here we are. Bafana Bafana in a World Cup knckput stage match. That’s just crazy, isn’t it. And not. It was going to happen sometime.
WATCH | Saffers, Tartan Army, Dutch crazies, Viking Row: World Cup’s best fan videos Original
Story audio is generated using AI Videos on social media are going viral of the supporters turning the 2026 FIFA World Cup into a huge party. Scotland’s Tartan Army, with their bagpipes and bonhomie, have been making friends all over the US, while also finishing stocks of beer in Boston and Miami. The Norwegian supporters’ Viking Row has been a hit and they have performed it all over the place, including on the New York subway.
WATCH | Celebrations in Mexico and SA streets as Bafana beat South Korea Original
Story audio is generated using AI Celebrations erupted among the few hundred South Africans in Estadio Monterrey and on the streets of this country after Bafana Bafana beat South Korea 1-0 on Thursday morning to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup last 32. Thapelo Maseko’s 63rd-minute winner in Mexico on Wednesday (Thursday morning SA time) saw Bafana upset fancied Korea and end second in Group A and make history reaching the World Cup knockouts for the first time at the fourth time of asking.
LIVE UPDATES | Bafana Bafana v Czechia, all the build-up and action Original
Refresh story for latest update, read from bottom entry up ... 4.37pm - BAFANA KEY PLAYERS AND TACTICS Who to watch out for in in Bafana’s ranks: As per Mahlatse Mphahlele, SA’s five key players. Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams — the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper remains key for South Africa’s World Cup ambitions. There have been questions over recent form, but he pulled off some stunning saves against Mexico.
Bafana v Czechia in second World Cup game — all you need to know Original
Bafana Bafana meet Czechia in their second 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A game at Atlanta Stadium in Georgia, US on Thursday. The South Africans lost the opening match of the tournament 2-0 against co-hosts Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City last week.
LIVE UPDATES | Mexico v Bafana in World Cup opener, all the build-up and action Original
Refresh story for latest update 7.25pm - To warm us up, here are some videos sent from Mexico by Mahlatse Mphahlele, with some of the pre-match interviews and footage of training for this huge, huge game: WATCH | Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is targeting a win over Mexico in World Cup opener to calm nerves.
An amazing tale — Bafana coach Broos and Mexico’s Aguirre squared up as players in 1986 opener Original
As Bafana Bafana and Mexico stride out carrying the hopes of their nations in Thursday’s 2026 Fifa World Cup opening game at Estadio Azteca (9pm SA time), South Africa coach Hugo Broos and El Tri counterpart Javier Aguirre might give each other a knowing look. It will not be the first time the two square up on the turf of Mexico City’s fabled Azteca. In a remarkable tale, they also did previously as players.
Mexico v Bafana, World Cup kickoff and opening ceremony — all you need to know Original
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday when Mexico clash against Bafana Bafana at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
2026 WORLD CUP GROUP K | Portugal and Colombia dark horses; DRC make historic return
Story audio is generated using AI By Marc Strydom Portugal will be a threat and looking to end Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career with a bang in North America. Colombia have been impressive and are dark horses, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are making a historic return to the tournament. Portugal are hugely experienced campaigners at the World Cup. There is also a feeling they have underachieved, especially in the now-ending Cristiano Ronaldo era.
2026 WORLD CUP GROUP K | Portugal and Colombia dark horses, DRC make historic return Original
Portugal will be a threat and looking to end Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career with a bang in North America. Colombia have been impressive and are dark horses, while Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are making a historic return to the tournament. Portugal are hugely experienced campaigners at the World Cup. There is also a feeling they have underachieved, especially in the now-ending Cristiano Ronaldo era.
EXCLUSIVE | Rankings mean little in tough Group A: Ronwen says Bafana can go through
Story audio is generated using AI Bafana Bafana might be the lowest-ranked and least experienced team in the 2026 World Cup’s Group A, but it’s a tight mix of sides with no outright favourite and that means everyone starts on an equal footing, Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams insists.
EXCLUSIVE | Rankings mean little in tough Group A: Ronwen says Bafana can go through
Story audio is generated using AI Bafana Bafana might be the lowest-ranked and least experienced team in the 2026 World Cup’s Group A, but it’s a tight mix of sides with no outright favourite and that means everyone starts on an equal footing, Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams insists.
WATCH | Bafana win friends, sign autographs and train in front of big crowd
Story audio is generated using AI Bafana Bafana are winning friends in Mexico ahead of the World Cup kickoff. Videos shared on social media show members of the South African squad lining up to sign autographs and have pictures taken with a lone young Mexican boy who visited the team hotel. Coach Hugo Broos gave the boy a jersey, which the players signed.
Bafana opponents Mexico have named their squad — here’s what you need to know
Story audio is generated using AI In November 2020 Mexico’s star player at the 2026 World Cup, Raúl Jiménez, was playing in a Premier League match for Wolverhampton Wanderers when he suffered a sickening clash of heads with Arsenal’s Brazilian defender David Luiz.
WATCH | Bafana Bafana arrive, get settled in and train in Pachuca Original
Bafana Bafana have arrived at their 2026 World Cup training base in Pachuca, 95km outside Mexico City and almost immediately set about a training session. Videos shared on social media show the team bus being accompanied by a convoy of heavy police security, in a country that has its share of safety issues, including from drug cartels.
WATCH | Bafana Bafana touch down in Mexico City for the World Cup Original
Bafana Bafana’s chartered flight has arrived in Mexico, where they will begin their preparations to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After a day’s delay in their departure from Johannesburg from Sunday to Monday over the controversial non-arrival of their US visas by the weekend due to an alleged South African Football Association bungle, Hugo Broos’ team have disembarked in Mexico City.
MARC STRYDOM | What genuine sense of shame or accountability does Safa actually have?
Is there genuinely no sense of shame or vaguely any awareness of the embarrassment the South African Football Association (Safa) is capable of bringing on itself? This is a genuine question, not one posed for dramatic or rhetorical purposes. It is simply astounding the level Safa is capable of falling to without feeling the need for accountability or introspection.
Safa apologises as visa chaos delays Bafana’s World Cup departure to Mexico
The South African Football Association (Safa) says most players and technical staff in the Bafana Bafana squad have received their visas, and their aircraft to the 2026 World Cup was set for take-off on Monday. Safa said “four members of the camp” remain without visas, but it is hopeful those will be resolved in time to be on the chartered flight with the rest of the squad.
Safa says Bafana plane leaving on Monday, apologises to the nation
The South African Football Association (Safa) says the majority of the players and technical staff in the Bafana Bafana squad have received their visas and their plane to the 2026 World Cup is set for take-off on Monday. Safa said just “four members of the camp” remain without visas, but said it is hopeful those will be resolved in time to be on the chartered flight with the rest of the squad.
McKenzie slams ‘Safa travel debacle’ as Bafana scramble for visas to go to World Cup Original
Bafana Bafana’s departure for Mexico for the 2026 World Cup has been pushed back from Sunday to Monday due to several players not receiving their visas in time from the US embassy. TimesLIVE is informed the late visas for some Bafana players and technical staff were due to an administrative bungle by the South African Football Association (Safa). A number of players and officials had not received their visas by this weekend.
Broos cuts from 32 to 26 as he names final Bafana Bafana World Cup squad Original
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos did not spring any major surpises as he announced his final squad for the 2026 World Cup in Pretoria on Wednesday night. The squad was disclosed in a ceremony attended at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House, part of the Union Buildings complex in Pretoria, where President Cyril Ramaphosa greeted the players on stage with Broos.
Bafana Bafana World Cup squad announcement: all you need to know Original
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos will name his final 23- to 26-player Bafana Bafana 2026 World Cup squad in Pretoria on Wednesday.
2026 WORLD CUP GROUP G | Belgium and Egypt favourites, Iran in tricky territory Original
Belgium and Egypt will be the favourites to make it out of Group G and then potentially go far at the World Cup. The last time a World Cup was played in Mexico, Belgium were one of the stories of the competition. Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos was part of the great 1986 squad — which included Enzo Scifo, Jan Ceulemans, Jean-Marie Pfaff, Eric Gerets, Nico Claesen and Frank Vercauteren — that bowed out in the semifinals to Diego Maradona’s Argentina.
Ouaddou hails Pirates’ title triumph after ending 14-year wait
Abdeslam Ouaddou hailed a “great achievement” by his players and club winning their first Premier Soccer League title in 14 years with Saturday’s 2-0 win against Orbit College at Mbombela Stadium. The coach said he feels “honoured” to be an African coach at Pirates, winning a first league title since Bucs’ famous second treble in succession in 2011-12. Saturday’s Premiership coup also completed a remarkable treble for Ouaddou in his first season at the Buccaneers.
Kings of Africa again! Superb Sundowns add second star with final win against FAR
A decade later, Mamelodi Sundowns are kings of Africa again. And what a deserved title that is for a side who have bashed at the door in the Champions League for that 10 years since their 2016 triumph, and were outstanding on the night drawing in Sunday night’s second leg of the final against AS FAR in Rabat. And excellent, too across both legs for a 2-1 aggregate scoreline.
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