GP de Brescia : Maboundou Koné signe deux podiums

Miguel Cardoso has warned Mamelodi Sundowns supporters to expect a few minor speed bumps before his team starts firing on all cylinders in the new campaign.

With key players returning from injury and hitting top form, the Brazilians are starting to hit their stride, having scored eight goals in their last two matches across all competitions.

The Tshwane giants booked their place in the MTN8 final after edging Golden Arrows 3-2 in the second leg of their semi-final at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.

With Sundowns playing every four days, Cardoso expects some fluctuations in performance as he manages his players and rotates his starting XI.

“There’s a big responsibility from our side, we want to do well. We also don’t want to be penalised when things are not going well here and there,” Cardoso said after reaching the MTN8 final.

The Portuguese coach believes the team deserves the backing of the supporters as they continue to build momentum.

“We still need support because I see a team that is not less committed from any of the teams I have coached at Sundowns. Since I’ve been here until now, I see a team that is more committed than it was,” he added.

“We’re growing in attitude and consistency. Of course, there will be ups and downs. Today we’re up but we’re ready for everything. Mostly, we’re ready to keep ourselves to the highest standard possible.”

Sundowns’ attention immediately turns to the Betway Premiership. They host newly-promoted Milford FC at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night, with Cardoso expected to make further changes to his line-up.

“People need to understand that those rotations will bring about fluctuations in the performance,” Cardoso said ahead of the league match.

“It’s fantastic for a coach that prepares every match with the same players and keeps the core of the team. That gives stability and capacity for the team to progress.”

Sundowns face a demanding period, with four league matches scheduled in 10 days, starting with the home encounter against Milford.

Cardoso has therefore been asked when he expects his team to finally hit top gear, but the coach insists that finding the right balance will take time.

“Sometimes when you ask me when will your team be ready? My will to answer is which team? That is because it’s the same team but different line-ups,” Cardoso concluded.

“That stability comes with time, commitment of the players, their quality, time we’ve had together and the capacity the players have to give answers to the plans we try to put in practice.”

Orlando Pirates will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the Betway Premiership standings when they face Kruger United at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit tonight (kick-off is at 7.30pm).

The Buccaneers are currently tied on 10 points with second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, but occupy top spot due to their superior goal difference.

Their hosts, Kruger United, sit at the bottom of the log standings after collecting just one point in their opening four matches of their first season in the top flight.

With games coming thick and fast for Pirates, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will likely change his starting line-up and once again give youngsters like Mpho Padime and Simphiwe Masilela a chance to shine against the newly promoted Premiership side.

Ouaddou introduced the two youngsters in the second half of the 3-0 win over Sekhukhune United in the second leg of the MTN8 at the Orlando Amstel Arena this past weekend. And the Moroccan was pleased with how they played in the match.

Ouaddou warns Pirates youngsters

Speaking after the game in Orlando on Saturday, Ouaddou issued a stern warning to Padime and Masilela and other Pirates youngsters, urging them to prioritise their physical health and professional discipline.

“Not only him (Mpho Padime}, I think we can include Masilela in the talk. Well, done to both of them. I think Pirates is a club that is giving chances to the young. It’s not the first time, and we continue the process. They did very well, we saw they have great potential,” said Ouaddou before giving advice to the Pirates academy graduates.

“Now, they must keep on working, they must keep on being humble, listening to be coachable. It’s only the first game. A career is a minimum of 10 years. When I have an opportunity to give them game time, definitely I will give them.

“But they must still work and be very professional because in football you can go high quickly, but you can fall quickly as well.

“Well done, keep working. Be careful about your life. You have to be professional. Think football, you train, you go home, you rest. You eat good, you drink water and not something else. Don’t smoke, don’t take things that can destroy your body,” added the Moroccan.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 31, 2026 – Former Gor Mahia midfielder Ali ‘Teargas’ Abondo has rejoined the club as head coach of the ladies’ side, Gor Mahia Queens.

In a statement, the FKF Premier League champions announced Abondo’s appointment, following the departure of immediate former head coach Tom Odiyo over the weekend.

“Legend Victor Ali Abondo is back at the club, this time, on the touchline as the new head coach of our ladies’ team, Gor Mahia Queens,” the club said.

Despite playing at a number of clubs, locally and internationally, Abondo enjoys somewhat of a cult status at K’Ogalo.

He earned the moniker ‘Teargas’ after his dismissal in a Mashemeji Derby in 2012 resulted in crowd unrest and running battles between police officers and fans.

Abondo enjoyed a trophy laden career, mostly at Gor with who he won the 2015 Kenya Premier League, 2015 and 2017 Super Cup, 2012 FKF Cup and 2015 Top 8 Cup.

He had previously won another league title in 2011 with Tusker and the 2014 Top 8 Cup to add to another league crown with Sony Sugar in 2006.

Until his appointment, Abondo — a holder of Caf C coaching license — has been nurturing talents at his Ali Abondo Academy.

At K’Ogalo, he will have his work cut out as he attempts to secure a first ever Women’s Premier League qualification for the team.

Gor Mahia Queens narrowly missed out on promotion in the previous season, losing 2-0 to Elim White Ladies in a playoff at the Afraha Stadium in June this year.

Rassie Erasmus welcomed Kurt-Lee Arendse back into the Springbok starting XV for Saturday’s third Test at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, while explaining the need for continuity.

Erasmus made four changes and one positional switch to the team that beat the All Blacks 33-26 in Cape Town to level the four-match Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

The front row of Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw, who were moved to the bench shortly before kick-off in Cape Town, return to the starting lineup. Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit revert to the bench.

An injury to Damian Willemse sees Cheslin Kolbe shift to fullback and Arendse come onto the right wing.

Arendse was initially included in last week’s team, but dropped out when Kolbe was cleared to play.

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“It was always our plan to have a little more continuity in player combinations for this series,” Erasmus said. “We thought that the players who did the job for us last week really showed composure and did well to stick to the plan.”

Erasmus said Willemse and flyhalf Handré Pollard (calf injury) were both unavailable, making continuity important.

“By sticking to these combinations and making one switch with Cheslin at fullback, we thought it would be the best for this match.

“Kurt-Lee was unlucky not to play last week after Cheslin recovered from his niggle, so we are pleased to see him back. He is a quality player and his 25 tries in 33 matches so far shows the type of player he is.”

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Erasmus also explained his decision to revert to the front row originally selected to start the second Test.

“We decided to change our front rows last week due to the weather conditions, and Johannesburg weather is different to Cape Town, so we thought this would be the best decision for us this weekend.

“Gerhard, Thomas and Deon have played massive games for us, and at the same time know how to deal with pressure.”

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With the series locked at 1-1, Erasmus expects an All Blacks response similar to the one demanded of his own team after their opening defeat at Ellis Park.

“We know how it felt after the first match in Johannesburg, and such a result really galvanises a team,” he said.

“They are one of the two best teams in the world and based on experience, they never give up, as we saw last weekend.

“After two games, we are both into hard Test rugby mode, and we have a good idea of what to expect from one another, so it is going to be another grind of a match.”

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Erasmus expects the stakes to raise the intensity further at the 94,000-capacity FNB Stadium.

“This game is going to be equally, if not more intense than the last two,” he said.

“With the vuvuzelas and passionate crowd there, we can hardly hear one another on the field, so we are all thrilled about this occasion.

“But make no mistake, this is going to be another intense battle between the two top teams in the world who are both looking to get an edge in the series.”

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images

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