HUGE changes at Orlando Pirates revealed

Orlando Pirates have confirmed some major departures and arrivals at the club. Here’s a transfer wrap, in case you missed any of them. catcrossgame.com

Orlando Pirates make big changes

New Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates will be a new-look outfit next term after several high-profile departures, notably Relebohile Mofokeng. The following players have left the club:

• Thabiso Sesane
• Selaelo Rasebotja
• Siyabonga Ndlozi
• Gomolemo Khoto
• Sonwabo Khumalo
• Blessing Ngiba
• Seth Green
• Thabiso Lebitso
• Bandile Shandu
• Sipho Mbule
• Tshegofatso Mabasa
• Relebohile Mofokeng

Pirates signings

Pirates have welcomed seven new players aboard. They are Mthetheleli Mthiyane, Sbangani Zulu, Bohlale Ngwato, Ghampani Lungu, Neo Rapoo, Aphiwe Baliti and Matome Mmolai.

Dansin to replace Relebohile Mofokeng at Orlando Pirates?

Although Cemran Dansin operated mostly on the fringes for the club, there’s no doubting his ability. The 21-year-old can operate in several midfield roles, although he might be most useful closer to goal. Just look at his screamer against Sundowns for proof of that. A quick look at the comments section of a Pirates post featuring the player, and you’ll get a clear picture of how fans view him. Although Dansin is stylistically different to the departed Rele Mofokeng, he could end up slotting into that vacant number 10 role. There’s also talk of an R18 million valuation of 17-year-old Emile Witbooi.

L’Espagne a retrouvé ses supporters, à Madrid, moins de 24 heures après son titre mondial remporté face à l’Argentine (1-0, a.p.). Les joueurs de la Roja, accompagnés de leur sélectionneur Luis de la Fuente, ont présenté le trophée dès leur arrivée à l'aéroport avant de participer aux célébrations dans les rues de la capitale. Plus d’un million de personnes ont assisté à la parade, conclue sur la place de Cybèle par un grand concert.

Ben Earl has urged organisers to rethink the Nations Championship schedule after England’s demanding travel across three continents during the inaugural competition.

Steve Borthwick’s side remain in contention for a place in the final at Twickenham on 29 November after beating Argentina on Saturday, but Earl believes the physical toll of the tournament has exposed flaws in its current format.

England covered almost 42,000km in four weeks, travelling between Johannesburg, Liverpool and Santiago del Estero for Tests against the Springboks, Fiji and Argentina.

“It’s been brutal, there’s no two ways about it,” Earl said.

“It’s been a tough way of ending what’s been quite a long season anyway. It’s been back and forth, coming back to England, seeing your families and then going away again. It has seemed a bit weird, but it’s something we’re going to have to get used to.”

STATE OF NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP: Boks, Les Bleus on top

The England No 8 suggested staging clusters of matches in a single host nation rather than sending teams across multiple continents.

“We’ve been speaking about it. Why would we not all be playing in one country? You just go to one nation and have that festival feel,” he said.

“I don’t know the financials, but how good would that be for the fans? I’m not paid to make those decisions. We just get told where to go and where to play.”

PLUS: Four Boks in Nations Championship XV

The relentless travel also limited England’s preparation.

“You just don’t do as much training,” Earl explained. “You train a little bit later in the week and you train harder, closer to the game.”

Despite the logistical challenges, the Saracens loose forward insists the demands disappear once the match begins.

“I love playing for my country,” he said. “Once you get to the stadiums and into a warm-up, everything else pales into insignificance.”

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

The post England star slams Nations Champs format appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Libre de tout engagement depuis la fin de son contrat avec le LOSC, Nabil Bentaleb suscite déjà l’intérêt de plusieurs clubs sur le marché estival. Selon plusieurs sources, le Stade Rennais s’est positionné sur le dossier de l’international algérien afin de renforcer son entrejeu en vue de la prochaine saison. Le profil du milieu de terrain de 30 ans séduit les dirigeants bretons, qui voient en lui un joueur expérimenté capable d’apporter de l’équilibre, de la qualité technique et du leadership au milieu de terrain. Son statut de joueur libre constitue également une opportunité intéressante pour le club français, qui pourrait l’enrôler sans indemnité de transfert.

Passé notamment par Tottenham, Schalke 04, Newcastle, Angers et Lille, Bentaleb dispose d’une solide expérience du football européen. De son côté, le joueur prend le temps d’étudier les différentes propositions qui lui sont soumises avant de trancher sur son avenir. La perspective de poursuivre sa carrière en Ligue 1, au sein d’un club ambitieux visant les places européennes, pourrait toutefois représenter une option particulièrement séduisante pour l’international algérien.

-DJO.

L’article ALG : Rennes s’intéresse à Bentaleb est apparu en premier sur Foot Afrique.