The new Kaizer Chiefs coach, Fernando da Cruz, has stated the team's intention to compete for all available trophies this season. He also announced that the club is actively working to bring in four attacking players to strengthen the squad before the Betway Premiership 2026/27 campaign.
The French specialist believes that Kaizer Chiefs is building a team capable of competing on multiple fronts. However, he emphasized that success in the championship will require consistency throughout the entire season, not just a fast start. Da Cruz noted: 'We will play every game to win.' He added that the championship (Premiership) is a marathon that cannot be won in December or January, but requires being at the level of other teams by March or April. Furthermore, the team aims to win all cups and every match.
These high goals are supported by actions in the transfer market. Da Cruz confirmed that the management is looking for four attacking footballers before the transfer window closes. Speaking at Chiefs Village on Friday, the 53-year-old coach explained that the management has been tasked with finding players who will give Amakhosi's attack a new dimension. He specified that there are four positions in attack: striker, new wingers, and an attacking midfielder. Although the club already has good profiles, they have requested different types of players from the management so that the team can play more diversely and be less predictable.
The coach's comments provide the clearest picture of the playing style he plans to implement after assessing the squad during the preseason tournament in Spain. Expected arrivals will coincide with the departure of some players. Da Cruz confirmed that the international player from DR Congo, Glodi Lilepo, is likely to leave Naturena, as the club is negotiating his transfer. The winger, who scored 15 goals and provided five assists in 56 matches for Amakhosi, was excluded from the preseason tour in Spain while negotiations regarding his future were ongoing. Da Cruz stated that there are other possibilities concerning Lilepo, and the management hopes to release him while discussions are underway.
Midfielder Thabo Sele also received notification that he is not part of the club's plans for the upcoming season. Like Lilepo, Sele did not participate in the trip to Spain. Da Cruz admitted that he prefers different profiles in central midfield, so Sele is currently not included in the team's plans.
Kaizer Chiefs will continue its preparations by taking on Zimbabwe champions Scottland FC in the Toyota Cup at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday, before starting the Betway Premiership campaign away against Kruger United on August 1st. Since several signings are expected before that date, Da Cruz made it clear that squad rebuilding is only part of the job. A more important task is returning Chiefs to the top of South African football and ensuring the club competes for trophies at all levels again.
Nathan Hendriks secured South Africa's first gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games by winning the men's 100-meter freestyle swim in the S13 category with a time of 54.54 seconds. This triumph marked the culmination of an unforgettable evening at the Tollcross Swimming Centre in Glasgow.
In addition to Hendriks' gold, the South African team earned two bronze medals, highlighting their potential in the race for medals at the Commonwealth Games. On the same evening, Chad Le Clos became the most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history.
Hendriks finished with a time of 54.54 seconds, securing the first title for South Africa in the campaign. He managed to hold his position against fast-finishing competitors, demonstrating excellent final 50 meters. After the race, Hendriks commented: 'It was amazing. I didn't know how it would end, but I am glad it turned out this way.' He added that in the last 50 meters, he knew he had to put in maximum effort, as swimmers next to him could still fight for the win.
The gold victory sparked an outstanding evening for the South African swimming team. Le Clos helped the South African team in the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay, taking bronze alongside Peter Kotsse, Guy Brooks, and Ruard van Renen with a time of 3:13.99. This medal was the nineteenth in Le Clos's brilliant career, allowing him to surpass Australian shooter Phillip Adams and English Mick Holt, becoming the most decorated man in Games history. The South African women's team continued the successful evening, winning bronze in the women's 4x100-meter freestyle relay with a time of 3:38.67 thanks to Amey Cannie, Rebecca Meder, Erin Gallagher, and Olivia Nell.
Earlier that day, Kotsse continued his impressive form, improving on the Games record set by him in the morning, posting a time of 24.29 in another powerful swim. He qualified for the men's 50-meter backstroke semi-final on Saturday along with his compatriot Ruard van Renen. As a reigning world champion, he is among the favorites for gold after updating the Games record twice in one day.
A historic event also occurred in the para-swimming program for the South African team: Danika Vinke broke her African record twice on Friday, finishing fourth in the women's 100-meter freestyle final in the S13 category with a time of 1:04.68. Although she did not win a medal, this result confirmed 2026 as a breakthrough campaign for the South African para-swimmer.
The momentum continued in the butterfly events, where Erin Gallagher took first place in the women's 50-meter semi-final with a time of 25.69 seconds, and Caitlin De Lange advanced to the final, placing second in her swim with a time of 26.28. By the end of the first full day of competition, South Africa had gathered one gold and two bronze medals, broken the Commonwealth Games record twice, updated African records twice, and sent many swimmers to the finals on Saturday.
Milford FC, a club that achieved an impressive rise in the Betway Premiership, is now preparing for its first experience in the top division at the KZN Premier's Cup tournament. This match marks the transition from a history of success to real challenges.
Recently, Milford FC celebrated one of the most significant moments in its history by winning promotion through the PSL Promotion/Relegation Playoffs qualification round. Their place among the South African elite was secured after a tense 1-1 draw in an away match against Magesi FC, concluding an incredible journey for the Richards Bay club.
Before the team can earn its first point in the Betway Premiership, Milford will face strong KwaZulu-Natal representatives in the Premier's Cup. Teams such as AmaZulu, Golden Arrows, Durban City, and Richards Bay will serve as an ideal benchmark for a team that is still adapting to the demands and pace of life in the top league.
For the chairman and coach, Dr. Xanthi Pupuma, this tournament is another important stage in his distinguished personal journey. The gynecologist, who balances childbirth with coaching, has turned Milford into one of the country's most inspiring clubs. Pupuma acknowledged that the team will need time to acclimatize after the shortened pre-season period following the promotion playoffs.
He believes that Milford will truly get into the rhythm of Premiership football only after four or five matches, making the Premier's Cup an invaluable opportunity to accelerate this process. While results may matter, the tournament is primarily aimed at learning. Milford's possession-based style of play will be immediately tested against experienced opponents who have played at the highest level for years, including the relatively new but experienced Durban City. Every minute on the field will bring valuable lessons before the league debut. Although many may consider Milford underdogs, they have already proven their worth by securing promotion to the PSL. The Premier's Cup gives them another chance to demonstrate their place in the elite, and this first experience in the PSL will be unforgettable, regardless of whether they lift the trophy.
Various rumors are actively being discussed in the football world, including the possible end of Cristiano Ronaldo's and Lionel Messi's careers with their national teams, as well as suspicions regarding match-fixing at the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
After Portugal left the 2026 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo stated that this tournament would be his last World Cup. According to circulating information, the 41-year-old forward has decided to end his career with the Portuguese national team. It is planned that the match against Wales in Lisbon at the José Alvalade stadium in September within the Nations League will be his last game for the team.
According to rumors, Lionel Messi has also decided to end his appearances for the Argentina national team. There are reports that after losing the 2026 World Cup final, he told his teammates that it would be his last match for the national team. Currently, Messi has not officially confirmed this information. Meanwhile, the Argentine Football Association expresses hope to see him at the 2028 Copa America.
There is also circulating information that Cristiano Ronaldo supported Argentina and Lionel Messi during the 2026 World Cup. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that Ronaldo liked a social media post where he criticized Argentina for corruption. Furthermore, it is noted that Ronaldo did not want to answer questions about Messi during the tournament.
The Italian Football Federation was negotiating with José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti while searching for a new head coach for the national team. According to available data, Mourinho intends to take a break until at least next summer. As for Ancelotti, he declined the offer from Italy, stating his loyalty to the Brazilian national team. He previously extended his contract with Brazil until the end of the next World Cup.
A report published by the Council of Europe noted that seven matches of the 2026 World Cup raise suspicions. The match Spain vs. Cabo Verde attracted the most attention, where an unknown person placed a bet of more than $4.5 million on a draw before the game. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. The red card shown to Thembe Zwanege during the opening match of the tournament, Mexico vs. South Africa, was also included in the list of questionable situations. However, FIFA has stated that this report does not prove that the matches were fixed, and there is currently no sufficient evidence.
