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Chiefs’ Brandon Petersen breaks silence on Bafana Bafana snub
Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen has reacted with a mix of disappointment and renewed motivation following Hugo Broos’ admission that the shot-stopper was destined for a Bafana Bafana call-up before injury struck. amunra-online.pl
The 31-year-old has recently returned to the Amakhosi matchday fold, featuring in three fixtures after a frustrating five-match layoff due to a setback.
However, the timing of that injury proved particularly costly. Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos recently revealed that Petersen was high on his list for the national team’s recent friendlies against Panama. In Petersen’s absence, Broos turned to Sekhukhune United’s Renaldo Leaner, while Orlando Pirates’ Sipho Chaine was a notable omission.
How injury derailed Chiefs goalie Petersen’s Bafana return.
Speaking on the missed chance to represent the nation, Petersen admitted that while the news was tough to swallow, he is choosing to view the coach’s comments as a massive vote of confidence.
“It’s disappointing, but only for that moment. With the coach saying that, for me, it’s an opportunity. I see it as a positive,” Petersen told the media during the Soweto Derby press conference on Thursday in Johannesburg.
The former Bidvest Wits man is well aware that the path back to the national colours is paved with consistent domestic performances.
“In order for me to be there, I have to perform well at club level. We have six games to go, and that’s where my focus is. There’s no other way you can be picked without performing at your club. I need to concentrate on finishing these last six games strong. Whatever happens, happens—God is in control.”
The Race for the World Cup
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming in June, the stakes could not be higher for the Amakhosi keeper. Petersen is effectively in a six-game audition to secure a plane ticket, competing against the likes of Ronwen Williams, Chaine, and the emerging Leaner.
Petersen’s return to fitness comes at a crucial juncture for Chiefs. The Glamour Boys are currently embroiled in a high-stakes battle for a top-three finish in the Betway Premiership, a goal that would secure CAF interclub football for the next campaign.
If Petersen can maintain his “rich vein of form” and keep the clean sheets piling up, a return to Broos’ squad for the global showpiece remains a distinct possibility.
The Chiefs goalie will be eager to keep a clean sheet when Chiefs take on Pirates in the Soweto Derby Betway Premiership tie this Sunday at the FNB Stadium.
Entry lists published for Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26
The entry lists for the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 have been published, confirming a strong global line-up for the eighth edition of the event, set to take place in the capital of Botswana on 2-3 May.
Entries by event and federation
Entries by federation and event
A total of 723 athletes from 40 nations are entered, with teams competing not only for relay honours but also for qualification places at the World Athletics Championships Beijing 27 and this year’s World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
All six winning teams from the 2025 World Relays are set to defend their titles, while the fields also include four of the five victorious nations from the 2025 World Championships and three gold-medal-winning teams from the 2024 Olympic Games.
Host nation Botswana will be aiming to make a strong impression in front of a home crowd as their squads for the men’s relay disciplines are led by the nation’s two global champions. Olympic 200m gold medallist Letsile Tebogo is entered for the 4x100m, while world 400m champion Collen Kebinatshipi is joined on the 4x400m team by fellow world 4x400m champions Bayapo Ndori and Leungo Scotch.
Relays powerhouse USA – winner of numerous world and Olympic titles across multiple relay disciplines – has named a formidable squad. Ronnie Baker and Courtney Lindsey, part of the triumphant men’s 4x100m team at last year’s World Championships, are among the standout names.
Jamaica, another sprints superpower, also has a powerful line-up. World 100m champion Oblique Seville is listed for the men’s 4x100m, while multiple Olympic gold medallist Elaine Thompson-Herah and two-time world champion Shericka Jackson are entered for the women’s event. In the mixed 4x100m, world and Olympic 100m silver medallist Kishane Thompson is joined by Tia and Tina Clayton, while 2023 world champion Antonio Watson is named for the men’s 4x400m.
Canada has entered the four men who claimed 2024 Olympic gold and 2025 world silver in the 4x100m: Andre De Grasse, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney and Aaron Brown.
South Africa will be keen to match their success from last year’s World Relays. All four men from their triumphant 4x400m quartet are named for this year’s edition, while Akani Simbine, who anchored them to glory in the men’s 4x100m, also returns.
Spain, another one of the success stories from 2025, has also fielded a strong team for Gaborone. Three of the four women from their victorious 4x400m team will be in action, alongside three of the four athletes who finished runner-up in the women’s 4x100m.
World indoor 60m champion Zaynab Dosso features on the Italian women’s 4x100m team. Meanwhile Germany has entered several of the women who have contributed to their world and Olympic bronze medals in the 4x100m.
Other experienced relay standouts include Lieke Klaver on the Dutch women’s 4x400m team, 2024 world indoor 400m champion Alexander Doom on Belgium’s mixed 4x400m squad, and Polish duo Natalia Bukowiecka and Justyna Swiety-Ersetic, both key members of their nation’s 4x400m teams.
Event-by-event previews will be published on the World Athletics website during the week of the competition.
The post Entry lists published for Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 appeared first on SportsAfrica - Sports news | Live scores | Match highlights | Betting tips.
Ackers thrilled by ‘world-class’ Kurt-Lee’s return
Coach Johan Ackermann believes the return of Kurt-Lee Arendse could provide an extra spark for the Vodacom Bulls in Saturday’s clash against the Scarlets.
The explosive Springbok wing has recovered from a finger injury and will start on the left wing as the Bulls chase a first victory in Llanelli.
Ackermann made no secret of how important Arendse’s return could be.
“Kurt-Lee is world class,” Ackermann told the media from Wales.
“He’s been unlucky this year with not having continuous games. He came back from the Boks with a sore knee and then had one or two niggles, so we hope to get a run of games with him.
“These players have world-class abilities and they don’t need a lot of games to get back to their best, so hopefully it’ll start tomorrow.”
TEAM: Boks bolster Bulls for Scarlets clash
The Bulls also welcome back fellow Springbok Wilco Louw, who returns at tighthead prop after compassionate leave following the death of his father.
In the backline, David Kriel shifts to fullback, while Cheswill Jooste returns on the right wing following Canan Moodie’s injury setback.
Ackermann backed the young Jooste to grab his opportunity.
“It’s great to have the quality of those wingers coming in,” he said. “I know Cheswill is early in his career, but I think he’s proven that he can play at this level.”
MORE: Bulls out to break Llanelli duck
The Bulls head into the clash sitting eighth on the URC standings with just three rounds remaining.
Despite the Welsh side occupying 14th spot, Ackermann warned against underestimating them.
“The Scarlets are a very good team,” he said. “If you think just because they’re not in the top half of the table, they’re not a good side, you’ve got it totally wrong.”
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post Ackers thrilled by ‘world-class’ Kurt-Lee’s return appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Dobbo: Damian on the wing worked
Stormers coach John Dobson has explained Damian Willemse’s return to fullback for Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash against the Glasgow Warriors, despite his impact on the wing.
The Springbok playmaker impressed in the No 14 jersey in last week’s defeat to Connacht, but the coaching staff were always intent on restoring him to his preferred position.
“Damian on the wing worked,” Dobson said. “From a technical side, he made more carries than [centre] Dan du Plessis last week and in terms of a contestable game, I think we were 75% to zero.
“The way Damian regathered the restarts, he played exceptionally well on the wing.
“But that is not Damian’s full-time position and I don’t think he’s going to play for South Africa like that, so we wanted to get him back at fullback.”
TEAM: Gaza back at 15, Markus on Stormers bench
Dobson stressed that the shift was not a reaction to performance, but rather a decision aligned with the Stormers’ broader approach.
“We had a contestable plan for Edinburgh. We had a contestable plan for Toulon, which worked. We had a contestable plan for Connacht.
“We lost the game, but that plan worked in terms of the contestables and how we wanted to play.”
Willemse is replaced on the right wing by Wandisile Simelane, with Suleiman Hartzenberg still working his way back after a string of injuries.
ALSO: Fourie bids farewell to ‘My Chippendale’
The positional tweak comes after a difficult week for the Stormers, who were emotionally drained following the death of long-serving team manager Chippie Solomon.
“If you saw the state that Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] was in 30 seconds before kick-off … Hopefully tomorrow we have a little bit less heavy emotion,” said Dobson.
Captain Ruhan Nel said the squad had spoken about the situation.
“It was an emotional week. But post the funeral, we addressed that and said at some point we have to pick it up again. The energy has been really good and the boys are up for it.”
KEO: URC ‘madness’ robs Cape Town
Looking ahead to Glasgow, Dobson expects a major response from the URC leaders.
“This is a proper game. You can’t read anything into last week. It’s going to be full metal jacket.”
SUPERBRU: Stormers bounce back, Lions lash Connacht
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Dobbo: Damian on the wing worked appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Sénégal: la qualité des eaux au large de Dakar contrastée selon les plages, révèle un rapport
Une étude publiée le jeudi 23 avril dresse un état des lieux de la qualité des eaux au large de Dakar. Pour ce projet, coordonné par l’ONG Surfrider Foundation entre octobre 2023 et mars 2026, plus de 460 prélèvements ont été réalisés sur six sites de baignade et spots de surf dakarois. Les analyses réalisées par l’Institut Pasteur de Dakar montrent une situation contrastée à l’échelle de la capitale.