Brandon Petersen believes victory in MTN8 will set the tone for Kaizer Chiefs' season

Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen expresses hope that a victory in the MTN8 tournament will help set a positive tone for the team's upcoming season.

Petersen believes that winning the MTN8 trophy will serve as an ideal start to the 'Amakhosi' season, as they prepare to face Golden Arrows in the quarter-finals on Sunday. The Chiefs return to South Africa's main knockout tournament after missing the previous two editions and aim to make a strong impression at the FNB stadium.

The Glamour Boys managed to qualify for the MTN8 this season due to their improved league standing last season, giving them a chance to compete for the first trophy of the new cycle.

MTN8 Tournament Discussion

Speaking after the MTN8 presentation in Randburg this week, Petersen admitted that the return to the competition itself has given extra motivation to the Chiefs players. He stated: 'Returning to MTN8 is motivation in itself because we know what it's like not to be part of it, and I think that alone is enough to set the tone for us.'

Furthermore, Kaizer Chiefs have strengthened their squad by signing Faiz Abrahams. He joins Naturena on a one-year loan from Stellenbosch FC with an option to buy at the end of the campaign. This transfer showed the team that success is achievable. Petersen noted that in just four matches, and especially in the upcoming weekend against Golden Arrows, the team can take the first step towards success.

The team knows that the shortest path to the trophy begins this weekend, as they are only three wins away from ending their trophy drought in this tournament. Nevertheless, Petersen emphasizes that the significance of the tournament goes beyond simply lifting a cup, insisting that early success can shape the entire remaining season.

He added: 'I believe it is important for us to start with a strong launch, to ensure we set the tone for the season. That is, if you win this trophy, it sets the tone for the season. So I think this is our goal—to try to go through the tournament and provide a good foundation for the rest of the season.'

Chiefs face Golden Arrows, who are starting a new era under head coach Pitso Dladla. He came after managing Durban City, leading them to the top eight and success in the Nedbank Cup last season. This match promises to give an early indication of Chiefs' progress under Da Cruz following a promising pre-season and active transfer window.

For Amakhosi, the goal is clear: a positive start against Arrows will allow them to get closer to MTN8 glory in just two victories, and also provide the confidence that they hope will fuel a stronger fight in the Betway Premiership and CAF Confederation Cup throughout the season.

iol.co.zaAugust 5, 07:15

Eight Key Players Who Could Determine Team Success in the MTN8 Tournament

The MTN8 tournament resumes on the weekend of August 8th, offering not only a substantial cash prize of 10 million rand and the first trophy of the season, but also an opportunity for eight teams to set the tone for the rest of the season. This review examines the players who are expected to play a key role in each team in this tournament.

Oswin Appollis – Orlando Pirates

Appollis is expected to be the main figure for the Pirates this season. He needs to help the team defend their title starting with MTN8. A successful defense in MTN8 would allow them to win a fifth consecutive title, setting a new record.

Throughout his career, this forward has demonstrated the ability to perform in crucial matches. He possesses the talent to score goals, dribble past defenders, and boost team morale in critical moments.

Brayan León – Mamelodi Sundowns

Last season, Sundowns had an unusually dry domestic spell, including losing the desired Betway Premiership title to Orlando Pirates after eight years of dominance. Now they need to show their strength again at home, starting with MTN8. Therefore, they will rely on their forward León for goals. The Colombian player has natural goalscoring instincts and can score from various angles.

Brandon Petersen – Kaizer Chiefs

Chiefs are currently under the management of new coach Fernando da Cruz. The French specialist is expected to bring back the club's glorious days by winning trophies, including MTN8, which they have won a record 15 times. Clean sheets become extremely important before entering the playoffs. Petersen steps onto the scene here. The captain and number 1 player must lead the team forward and continue his outstanding performances in goal, for which he was nominated for the Best Goalkeeper of the Season award.

Athini Maqoloko – AmaZulu

AmaZulu finished an impressive fourth place in the league last season. Consequently, coach Arthur Zwane stated that the team needs to improve this result and win a trophy this season. Maqoloko was AmaZulu's best player last season, completing an impressive debut campaign. He cannot afford to lose form this season; instead, he must build on this foundation and remain a central attacking figure for the team.

Brighton Ndlovu – Sekhukhune United

The arrival of new coach Cedric Khase has generated high expectations around the club. The coach, born in Burundi, already understands that he needs to improve upon last season's fifth-place finish and win a trophy. After winning the pre-season tournament, Mafori Khase seems ready for this challenge. However, he will need his forward Ndlovu to maintain his rich attacking form. The forward has already succeeded by scoring the winning goal against Durban City.

Ayabulela Maxwele – Golden Arrows

The arrival of coach Pitso Dladla was met with close attention. Some believe he will continue the work laid down by Mangoba Mngkiti, while others think it is a step backward. Having won the Nedbank Cup with Durban City, he is confident in his ability to win another trophy. Dladla will demand support from his players. After Siyanda Ndlovu's departure last season, Maxwele must take on more responsibility and meet expectations. The midfielder must bring creativity and dynamism to the midfield and ensure team cohesion.

Thabang Matuludi – Polokwane City

The departure of coach Futi Mohafe will inevitably lead to a major restructuring in the team, but they cannot let this become a negative factor. Instead, they should focus on all positive aspects, allowing the new coach Bayano Moloto to implement his philosophy. As one of the senior players, Matuludi must take the lead. He must continue to set an example by flawlessly executing his defensive duties on the right flank and providing stability that allows the team to thrive.

Gastón Sirino – Durban City

iol.co.zaJuly 27, 11:30

Barebones MMA Championship 9 concludes in Milnerton, crowning new champions among rising stars.

Barebones Mixed Martial Arts Championship 9 (BMC9) took place at the Sunningdale Sports complex in Milnerton, showcasing new talent in African amateur mixed martial arts. Thirty-eight fighters participated in the event, entertaining over 200 spectators with thrilling bouts.

Atmosphere and Sport Development

The event gathered families, teammates, coaches, and friends, creating an electric atmosphere. The rapid development of the amateur scene in South Africa indicates that the MMA movement is approaching a professional level in terms of activity and participation. The sport is becoming part of mass culture, attracting more people to gyms.

Beyond the competitive aspect, mixed martial arts play an important social role across South Africa, helping to combat social issues by instilling discipline and providing youth and adults with opportunities for self-improvement through mentorship and structure.

Main and Preliminary Card Fights

At the tournament organized by Barebones—one of Africa's leading amateur promotions—athletes demonstrated determination. A fight in the Youth Card was particularly memorable between Jordanis Hernandez Sampre (CDS) and Ashik Road (House of Warriors). The Cuban-Namibian fighter Sampre showed comprehensive dominance, using destructive body shots as a decisive factor in his victory, despite Road remaining calm and counterattacking.

In the closing segment of the Preliminary Card, a spectacular women's grappling match took place between Akiela Dali and Haani Manan. Although Manan initially attacked aggressively, Dali's quick reversal forced her to stop. Dali landed overwhelming strikes, and after regaining the top position, she maintained continuous ground pressure, leading to a referee stoppage in the first round.

Main Card and Title Fights

The Main Card began with a thrilling lightweight bout between J. P. Konradi (Troublemaker) and Junayd Brown (Trident). Despite Brown being the clear underdog, he quickly excited the crowd with a powerful right hook that left a cut above Konradi's left eye. After several submission attempts from Konradi, Brown successfully took his opponent's back and applied a rear-naked choke, winning in the first round. His next target will be a challenge against the current lightweight champion, Kiran Jeffery, at the upcoming BMC event.

The lightweight title fight, which became the 'Fight of the Night,' featured Josh Bester (MadFit) and Lukman Hartley (House of Combat). In the first round, Bester dominated, pinning Hartley against the cage and landing strong, consecutive knee strikes to the torso. However, Hartley remained composed, choosing the right moment to land precise strikes. In subsequent rounds, Hartley became harder to read, but Bester continued to press until the final bell. In this masterclass of fights, Hartley's pure boxing secured him the victory, and he was crowned the new champion.

The main event—the heavyweight title clash between Nico Smuk (SASL) and Hervé Zeng (CDS)—lived up to expectations. Defender Zeng effectively managed distance, keeping Smuk at bay with jabs while evading. Although Smuk controlled the cage space, Zeng used this to mislead him. Zeng then landed a perfectly timed jab-left hook combination that sent Smuk to the canvas. He immediately capitalized on the moment, achieving full control from above and unleashing a furious ground assault. Smuk, stunned by the initial combination, could not withstand Zeng's relentless barrage. After the referee stopped the fight in the third round, Zeng successfully retained his title.

BMC9 Results

Following BMC9, in the main card, Hervé Zeng defeated Nico Smuk via technical knockout in the third round in the heavyweight title fight (93.1kg–120.2kg). In the lightweight title fight (52.3kg–56.7kg), Kiran Jeffery defeated Damien Muller by judges' decision. In the lightweight title fight (65.9kg–70.3kg), Lukman Hartley overcame Josh Bester by unanimous decision. Winners were also announced in other weight classes, including Devon Sarkis and Tapivu Mugiyo.

In the preliminary card, Akiela Dali defeated Haani Manan via technical knockout in the first round. In the early youth card, Jordanis Hernandez Sampre won against Akib Road by unanimous decision.