Saga Rosen (PSG Fan-Club Suède) à AFU : « un miracle pour que la Suèd…

À la veille du match entre l’équipe de France et la Suède en 16es de finale de la Coupe du monde, Saga Rosen, membre du fan-club du PSG en Suède a répondu aux questions d’AFU concernant la rencontre et les performances d’Ousmane Dembélé, auteur de 4 buts dans la compétition.

Que pensez-vous de cette rencontre face à la France et des matchs de la phase de poules disputés par la Suède lors de cette Coupe du monde ?

Jusqu’à présent, la Suède a réalisé un parcours impressionnant en Coupe du monde, surtout si l’on considère ses performances lors des éliminatoires, où elle n’avait récolté aucun point. Notre attaque est indéniablement de grande qualité, avec Gyökeres, Isak et Elanga. En revanche, je vois des difficultés en défense. Le match contre la France s’annonce très difficile, car nous affrontons la meilleure équipe du monde. On dit que tout peut arriver dans le football – et ici, il faudrait un miracle pour que la Suède se qualifie. mwafrika.life

Avec quatre buts inscrits lors de cette Coupe du monde, Ousmane Dembélé figure parmi les meilleurs buteurs de la compétition. Que pensez-vous de ses performances dans le tournoi jusqu’à présent ?

Ousmane prouve vraiment qu’il est l’un des meilleurs footballeurs du monde à l’heure actuelle. Ce qui m’impressionne le plus, c’est son équilibre sur le terrain et son esprit d’équipe. Va-t-il remporter un nouveau Ballon d’Or ? Cela ne m’étonnerait pas…

The post Saga Rosen (PSG Fan-Club Suède) à AFU : « un miracle pour que la Suède se qualifie contre la France » appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

Defending champion Tadej Pogacar will be joined by Isaac del Toro and Adam Yates in his quest for a record-equalling fifth Tour de France, his UAE team announced on Monday.

In addition to Mexican Del Toro – recent winner of the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes – and Briton Yates, his regular mountain lieutenant, the Slovenian superstar’s eight-man team will include German Nils Politt, Belgian pair Florian Vermeersch and Tim Wellens, Austrian Felix Grossschartner and American Brandon McNulty.

The latter two were preferred to two of Pogacar’s seasoned Tour team-mates, Jhonatan Narvaez and Pavel Sivakov, who had been part of his previous winning squad.

‘Biggest challenge’

“The Tour de France is always the biggest challenge of the season and also the race that motivates us the most,” said Pogacar, winner in 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025.

“Every year, you arrive at the start knowing that anything can happen over three weeks, and that’s what makes it so special.

“We’ve prepared really well as a team, everyone has worked incredibly hard, and now we’re excited to finally get started in Barcelona.”

Elite list

The Tour de France will kick off with a team time trial through the streets of Barcelona on Saturday.

Pogacar, 27, will bid to become the fifth rider to win a quintet of Tour de France titles after France’s Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, Belgian Eddy Merckx and Spaniard Miguel Indurain.

Where does the Tour de France rank among your favourite sports events?

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If there’s any consolation to Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup elimination, it is Mbekezeli Mbokazi, also known as “TLB” – the South African defender who has made headlines for his undeniable talent.

And at just 20 years old, football experts believe the player, currently signed to Major League Soccer (MLS) club Chicago Fire, has the world at his feet.

MBOKAZI MAKES HEADLINES AFTER BAFANA’S FARE AT FIFA WORLD CUP

Despite South Africa’s devastating FIFA World Cup elimination, football commentators have been singing Bafana Bafana’s praises for their historic performance in the tournament.

One star that has stood out is Mbekezeli Mbokazi, a former Orlando Pirates player who now plays for Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire.

On TikTok, football content creators from around the world believe he has what it takes to play amongst the world’s best.

NayeemUTDFC said: “Mbokazi, I want to see him at Manchester United next season. This man is the future of centre-backs

SaeedTV_: “What a star in the making, this defender is a beast. They lost, but he was at the heart of everything. He will be playing in the top leagues very soon. He has got the world ahead of him

WaryaaCuler: “Best defensive performance in World Cup history. Mbokazi announced himself to the world with his performance

DanielUTD1: “He’s only 20 years old. Manchester United should be all over this deal. Mbokazi, take a bow”

@wolusfcb Mbokazi MOTM performance vs Canada #football #southafrica #worldcup #mbokazi #wolusfcb ♬ original sound – Wolus

@saeedtv_ South Africa have got a HERO in Mbokazi! 🤩 #southafrica #mbokazi #worldcup2026 #football #talent ♬ Original Sound – TikTok Advertiser

@elfayz_ Mbekezeli Mbokazi is a SUPERSTAR in the making.. #mbokazi #worldcup #canada #southafrica #fyp ♬ original sound – Faysal

WHO IS MBEKEZELI MBOKAZI OR TLB?

Mbekezeli Mbokazi is a 20-year-old centreback who hails from Hluhluwe in KwaZulu-Natal.

Although he now plays in the US, the young player comes from humble beginnings.

As a teen, he was accepted into the Langalibalele Youth Academy before signing with Orlando Pirates’ youth system. He captained the club’s DStv Diski Challenge (reserve) team, earning a reputation for leadership despite being one of the younger players.

He was promoted to the senior division in March 2025 and later signed with Chicago Fire in the MLS on a four-year deal in December 2025.

His nickname is TLB – referring to the construction vehicle called a tractor-loader-backhoe.

He has been voted by fans as a starter alongside Lionel Messi in the 2026 MLS All-Star team. Mbokazi received more votes than any player in the league. He will team up with the Argentine icon against Mexico’s Liga MX All-Stars on 29 July in Charlotte.

INTERNATIONAL INTEREST

Meanwhile, Mbokazi’s FIFA World Cup performance has sparked interest from international clubs.

According to reports, clubs like England’s Nottingham Forest, the Netherlands ’ Ajax Amsterdam and Spain’s Real Betis are keen on adding him to their line-up.

The Round of 32 stage of FIFA World Cup 2026 continues on Monday with three mouthwatering fixtures as six nations battle for places in the last 16.

The day’s schedule features:

• Brazil vs Japan – Houston Stadium
• Germany vs Paraguay – Boston Stadium
• Netherlands vs Morocco – Estadio Monterrey

READ | Hugo Broos extends record as most-capped Bafana Bafana coach

Five-time world champions Brazil enter their clash with Japan as one of the tournament favourites after topping their group, but the Asian side have shown they are capable of causing an upset after an impressive group-stage campaign.

BRAZIL VS JAPAN: MONDAY, 29 JUNE AT 19:00 (SA TIME)

Germany, meanwhile, will be looking to continue their impressive form when they face Paraguay.

The Germans were among the standout teams in the group phase, including a 7-1 victory over Curaçao, while Paraguay reached the knockout rounds after navigating a competitive Group D.

GERMANY VS PARAGUAY: MONDAY, 29 JUNE – 22:30 (SA TIME)

The final match of the day promises to be one of the most evenly balanced encounters, with the Netherlands taking on a confident Morocco side.

Morocco impressed throughout the group stage, while the Dutch remain unbeaten and will be aiming to keep their title hopes alive.

NETHERLANDS VS MOROCCO: TUESDAY, 30 JUNE AT 03:00 (SA TIME)

The winners of Monday’s fixtures will join Canada, who knocked out South Africa on Sunday, in the Round of 16 as the expanded 48-team World Cup continues to gather momentum.

Predict the three winners of today’s FIFA World Cup 2026 matches

Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below …

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has revealed how Riley Norton suffered a “bad” injury in training and the initial prognosis for the 20-year-old lock.

The former Junior Boks captain impressed in an 80-minute performance for the Boks against the Barbarians in Gqeberha last week and had been expected to make his Test debut during the Nations Championship in July.

Instead, Norton has been ruled out after picking up an injury in the build-up to Saturday’s Test against England at Ellis Park.

“Riley got injured in training, unfortunately,” said Erasmus after naming his team for the match.

“It was probably the second-last move of the session. He just pulled his hamstring while chasing. It wasn’t a weird incident, he just pulled it.

“Unfortunately it’s a bad hamstring injury. I think he’ll be out for eight to 10 weeks.”

TEAM: Manie backed to steer Bok attack

Erasmus suggested the intensity of Springbok training may have contributed to the injury, with younger players having to adapt quickly to the demands of the senior national environment.

“[Winger] Jaco Williams also had a hamstring injury, but he’s fully fit now and will be available for selection,” he said.

“I think with some of the younger guys coming into camp, the intensity of training is incredibly high because they really push the older guys.

“I wouldn’t say it was our fault, but maybe for some of the younger guys it’s about getting used to keeping up with that intensity all the time.”

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Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images

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