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Orlando Pirates’ THREE new signings: Title defence loading?
If their rumoured transfer activity is anything to go by, Orlando Pirates seem serious about retaining their crown next season. raccoongame.org
Orlando Pirates chase proven Betway Premiership stars
Highly regarded Sbangani Zulu made 20 league appearances for Richards Bay last term, while 25-year-old central midfielder Mthetheleli Mthiyane made 25 league appearances for Stellenbosch. Widespread local reports point to Pirates snapping up both players in the coming weeks.
Ndlovu is already in the bag
Pirates have wrapped up the signing of in-demand winger Siyanda Ndlovu from Golden Arrows. With four goals and six assists from 25 appearances in the league last term, he’s been in demand. Tshepang Moremi, Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng are already at the club, so here’s now a seeming oversupply of wide attackers on the books. Ndlovu’s imminent arrival could be the clearest sign yet that 21-year-old Mofokeng’s final form is in the number 10 role. Ndlovu’s arrival is hot off the heels of Sipho Mbule’s exit from the club.
Orlando Pirates star Mofokeng will be key at the World Cup
Rele Mofokeng is expected to play a pivotal role for Bafana at the 2026 World Cup. Bafana starts its campaign against Mexico in the tournament opener on June 11th. The iconic Estadio Azteca will play host to this grand occasion.
FIFA World Cup: How Bafana Bafana can progress to the next round
Bafana Bafana remain well placed to reach the Round of 32, with three possible qualification routes available from Group A.
The tournament format sees the top two teams in each of the 12 groups qualify automatically for the knockout stages. They are joined by the eight best third-placed teams across all groups.
With matches against Mexico and the Czech Republic still to come, South Africa’s fate remains firmly in their own hands.
TOP-TWO FINISH GUARANTEES PROGRESSION
The simplest route for South Africa is to secure automatic qualification by winning their next two matches.
Victories over Mexico and the Czech Republic would guarantee South Africa a place in the Round of 32 and see them qualify with a game to spare.
Six points from those two fixtures would be enough to ensure Bafana finish in the top two positions in Group A.
Another route is qualification as runners-up.
South Africa could still finish second in the group by collecting between four and six points from their remaining matches. To achieve that, they would need to end the group stage above either South Korea or the Czech Republic in the standings.
A runners-up finish would also secure direct passage to the knockout rounds without relying on results elsewhere.
THIRD PLACE COULD STILL BE ENOUGH FOR BAFANA BAFANA
Even if South Africa finish third in Group A, qualification remains a possibility.
The tournament allows the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups to advance to the Round of 32.
In that scenario, South Africa would need to compare favourably with the third-placed teams from the other groups.
Also read: Top 5: Bafana Bafana’s most-capped players of all time
Points would be the primary factor, while goal difference and goals scored could become decisive if teams are level on points.
That means every result, and potentially every goal, could play a significant role in determining whether Bafana progress.
For now, South Africa know that strong performances against Mexico and the Czech Republic could remove any need for complicated calculations and secure their place in the knockout stages.
WHEN IS MEXICO VS BAFANA BAFANA?
- Date: 11 June 2026
- Kick-off: 21:00 SAST
- Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Other Group A Fixtures
- 18 June 2026
- Czech Republic vs South Africa
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States
- 18:00 SAST
- 25 June 2026
- South Africa vs South Korea
- Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico
- 03:00 SAST.
Santé et nutrition : la Banque mondiale accorde 90 millions de dollars supplémentaires
Madagascar bénéficiera d'un financement additionnel de 90 millions de dollars destiné à renforcer les services de santé et de nutrition dans les régions les plus vulnérables du pays. L'annonce a été faite par le Groupe de la Banque mondiale, qui entend soutenir la poursuite du Programme d'amélioration des résultats nutritionnels (PARN), lancé en 2017.
Cette enveloppe comprend 80 millions de dollars accordés par l'Association internationale de développement (IDA) et une subvention de 10 millions de dollars du Mécanisme de financement mondial pour les femmes, les enfants et les adolescents (GFF). Plus de cinq millions de personnes devraient bénéficier de cet appui, notamment les femmes enceintes, les enfants et les adolescents.
Le financement permettra d'étendre l'accès aux services de santé reproductive, ainsi qu'aux soins maternels, néonatals, infantiles et nutritionnels. Il vise également à assurer la continuité des activités prévues dans le cadre du PARN jusqu'à son terme.
Les indicateurs affichent une amélioration au cours des dernières années. Le taux de retard de croissance chez les enfants est passé de 42 % en 2018 à 37 % en 2025 à l'échelle nationale. Dans certaines régions couvertes par le programme, la baisse a atteint jusqu'à 19 %. La mortalité maternelle a également reculé, passant de 426 à 298 décès pour 100 000 naissances vivantes, selon les données du MICS 2025.
Malgré ces résultats, la situation reste préoccupante dans plusieurs régions du Sud et du Sud-Est, où le retard de croissance dépasse encore 47 %. Les autorités et leurs partenaires s'inquiètent également de la hausse des cas d'émaciation chez les enfants observée ces dernières années.
Le nouvel appui financier doit permettre de répondre à ces difficultés en renforçant les soins de proximité, les infrastructures sanitaires et les capacités des personnels de santé. Une attention particulière sera accordée aux adolescents ainsi qu'aux populations vivant dans les zones les plus exposées aux difficultés d'accès aux services essentiels.
Depuis son intégration au partenariat du GFF en 2017, Madagascar a reçu 35 millions de dollars de subventions qui ont contribué à mobiliser près de 243 millions de dollars de financements du Groupe de la Banque mondiale. Cet accompagnement a également porté sur l'amélioration du financement du système de santé, la gestion des ressources humaines et le suivi des prestations de soins.
À travers ce nouveau financement, les partenaires du programme souhaitent accélérer la réduction de la malnutrition et améliorer l'accès aux soins pour des millions de Malgaches, alors que plusieurs indicateurs sanitaires demeurent parmi les plus préoccupants de la région.
Johan Botha steps down as Queensland and Brisbane Heat coach
Former Proteas white-ball captain Johan Botha on Tuesday quit as coach of Queensland and the Big Bash League side Brisbane Heat with a year left on his contract.
The 44-year-old steered Queensland to the Sheffield Shield final in his first year at the helm, but failed to win a trophy with reports saying he was forced out.
Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine, currently head coach of Australia A, is among those being touted as a replacement.
‘Strong contribution’
Queensland Cricket chief Terry Svenson thanked Botha for his commitment.
“While we haven’t achieved all of our on-field goals, Johan has made a strong contribution towards the development of the next generation of Queensland and Brisbane Heat players,” he said.
“Despite this decision, Johan’s contributions to our high performance group have been valued.”
Botha played five Tests, 78 ODIs and 40 T20 internationals for South Africa between 2005 and 2012, captaining both white-ball sides during that time.
He was previously head coach of the Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings and Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League.
Mexico vs Bafana Bafana: Date, kick-off time, how to watch World Cup opener
Bafana Bafana will have the honour of kicking off FIFA World Cup 2026 off against co-hosts Mexico.
Here’s all you need to know.
Mexico vs Bafana Bafana: 2026 World Cup opener key details
Mexico and South Africa will kick the 2026 World Cup off at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the scene of Diego Maradona’s iconic ‘Hand of God’ goal in 1986 against England.
Incidentally, these sides also played the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the first showpiece of its kind hosted on African soil.
Co-hosts Mexico, ranked 15th in the world by FIFA, will be eager to get their campaign off to a winning start against a Bafana Bafana side ranked 60th-best on the planet.
Mexico vs South Africa kicks off on Thursday, 11 June at 21:00 (SA time).
All you need to know about the Orlando Pirates/Mamelodi Sundowns-dominated squad
Nineteen of the 26-man squad named by Hugo Broos play in the Betway Premiership.
Ex-Orlando Pirates star Lyle Foster is the only British-based player, recently relegated from the Premier League with Burnley.
Uncapped 22-year-old defender Olwethu Makhanya is on the books of United States MLS side Philadelphia Union.
The squad contains eight players from the newly crowned champions Orlando Pirates. Mamelodi Sundowns, champions in eight of the last nine PSL campaigns, also have eight representatives.
South Africa face co-hosts Mexico in the tournament opener on 11 June in Mexico City, before Group A clashes with the Czech Republic in Atlanta on 18 June and South Korea in Monterrey on 24 June.
Scouting report on the Mexico team
The co-hosts are under the tutelage of the street smarts of 67-year-old Javier Aguirre.
He has held posts as the head coach of Japan and Egypt’s national sides, and coached several club sides in Mexico and Spain, notably Atletico Madrid, Espanyol, Mallorca, Real Zaragoza, Leganes and Monterrey.
He was at the helm for Mexico’s 2002 and 2010 World Cup campaigns.
He’ll lean on 34-year-old Fulham striker Raul Jimenez, veteran of 125 caps for Mexico, the most of any active player.
Exciting Club Tijuana star Gilberto Mora isn’t expected to start games regularly, but the prodigiously gifted 17-year-old playmaker is one to watch in 2026.
South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup fixtures
All times SA
- Thursday, 11 June: Mexico vs South Africa – 21:00
- Thursday, 18 June: The Czech Republic vs South Africa – 18:00
- Thursday, 25 June: South Africa vs South Korea – 03:00