If cricket is a game of pressure, Nonkululeko Mlaba is one of the players who seems built to handle it. As a left-arm spin bowler for the Proteas, she has steadily grown into a trusted presence in the South African setup, offering control and composure in moments where the game can easily slip away or swing in the opposition’s favour.

She slows momentum, builds pressure over a spell, and steps in when things start to unravel, bringing a sense of calm that anchors the team’s bowling attack.

She understands her role with total clarity, and over time Nonkululeko has become more than a great bowling option – she is a stabiliser in the lineup, someone the Proteas rely on when discipline, patience and game awareness matter just as much as breakthroughs. 

Before the Proteas  

Born on 27 June 2000 and raised in KwaMashu, north of Durban, her introduction to the sport came through school and community programmes that made space for girls to pick up a game still fighting for equal footing.

Nonkululeko has spoken about discovering cricket as a child and learning her craft on uneven pitches with limited resources, shaping the accuracy and patience that now define her bowling.

In an interview with ICC Media, she said that growing up playing with boys forced her to “learn to be brave very quickly” – a mindset that later translated seamlessly into international cricket.

She didn’t start out as a spinner, either. That came later, after a coach suggested she switch from pace to spin, a decision that would quietly shape her entire career.

As she told ESPNcricinfo, “I didn’t understand it at first and I was so mad, but then I started to enjoy it more because I didn’t have to run to bowl. I could just walk in and bowl” – which captures how instinctively she took to the craft that now defines her role in the Proteas women’s team.

She added that she “fill in love with the control of spin bowling” and the challenge of out-thinking batters rather than overpowering them. That early fascination with control became a through-line in her game.  Those beginnings did more than produce a great cricketer; they produced a competitor comfortable with responsibility. 

Owning the role  

Nonkululeko’s journey has been a steady accumulation rather than a sudden explosion. Since making her debut for South Africa in 2019, she has become a regular feature in the T20I and ODI sides, trusted for her economy rate and ability to break partnerships.

She has said that international cricket “taught me patience… you can’t rush a batter at this level” – a lesson visible in the way she builds overs like small traps.

Her T20I economy has frequently hovered among the best in the squad, and by the time our women’s cricket team started reaching the latter stages of global tournaments, Nonkululeko’s role had become non-negotiable: bowl in the powerplay, return when control is needed, and close out innings without drama.

As she said on Cricket South Africa’s channels, her focus is “to give the captain options”, a simple brief she fulfils with remarkable consistency.

As her confidence playing at international level has grown, so has the recognition of her impact. “It’s very nice to see my name on the [ICC] rankings” she told The Citizen newspaper, a quiet acknowledgment of how far she’s come in a relatively short space of time. At the time of print, she was at No. 4 on the T201 bowlers’ table. 

On the world stage, Nonkululeko’s value to the team sharpens. During World Cup campaigns and high-pressure bilateral series, her overs often arrive at moments when momentum threatens to swing. She explained to ICC Media that her job is to “stay calm so the team can stay calm”, an outlook that mirrors her unhurried run-up and repeatable action.

Teammates and captains have leaned on that calm, using her as a stabiliser when matches speed up. The wickets matter, but the dots matter more – a philosophy she’s described as “winning the over before thinking about the wicket”. It’s a mindset built for tournament cricket, where control is currency.  

Built for the long game  

Nonkululeko’s rise is a reminder that greatness in cricket is often found in the details – the dot balls, the tight lines, the overs that quietly change the tempo of a match and shift momentum without spectacle. Her career so far reflects a player who understands that influence isn’t always about headlines or highlight reels, but about moments of control when they matter most.

As women’s cricket in South Africa continues to gain momentum, Nonkululeko Mlaba stands as part of the foundation of that progress, shaping games with a quiet authority that speaks louder than celebration ever could.

In doing so, she represents a new kind of cricketing presence – one built on patience, precision and a deep reading of the game – proving that sometimes the quietest players on the field are the ones making the biggest difference. 

Words: Emma Mbuthuma
Photos: Supplied  

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Tabitha Chawinga’s last season ended in a flurry of goals for her French club Olympique Lyonnais as they hammered Paris FC 5-0 on the final day of the campaign, but two strikes for the 30-year-old Malawian attacker saw her narrowly miss out on the Golden Boot.

Chawinga is among Africa’s most exciting footballing exports and has already had a stellar year, finishing the Ligue 1 campaign with 13 goals as the second highest scorer but more importantly making it all the way to the UEFA Women’s Champions League final.

Lyon were handed a 4-0 hammering by Barcelona in the decider in Oslo, but Chawinga’s appearance was only the second by an African in arguably the biggest match in women’s club football.

The other is the Nigerian ace Asisat Oshoala, who scored the consolation goal for Barcelona when they lost 4-1 to Lyon in the 2019 final and two years later became the first African woman to win the competition with Barcelona.

Chawinga is regarded among the deadliest strikers in women’s football, and her goal tallies are astonishing. When she first went across to Europe to Kvarnsvedens IK in Sweden, she scored 43 goals in 25 starts in her first season to win promotion for her team, and then a further 40 goals in 44 starts over the next two seasons.

That earned her a lucrative move to China and a chance to provide for her family. She was Player of the Year in her debut season in the Chinese Women’s Super League and got to play alongside her younger sister, Temwa. 
Tabitha went on loan to Inter Milan and then signed for Lyon two seasons ago. The French club has won eight Women’s Champions League titles, double the tally of the next on the list, Barcelona. That is evidence of the prestige nature of the move. 

Chawinga’s success has come despite considerable adversity, particularly the traditional norms of rural Malawi, where women competing in sport are not always encouraged.

“My mum beat me because she was embarrassed,” Chawinga explained. People would provoke my mum: “Look at your daughter-maybe she will not be married in the future. Your daughter, she doesn’t want to go to school.”

“Even my friends said: “No women can play football in this world. But now I’m very happy because there are many African people waking up and opening their eyes.” Chawinga is modest in her assessment of her ability. “Maybe I’m a good striker, but I’m still learning a lot. Without my teammates, I’m nothing,” she says.

“I need my teammates to give me the ball, and I need to assist my teammates as well. Being a top striker isn’t always about the goals; it’s how you contribute to the club, to the other players.

“Maybe we focus our minds on scoring ourselves. If one day I don’t score, but l assist, it will be really good for me to be a top striker.” 

Words: Mark Glesson
Photography: Adam Davy/BackPagePix  

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Pele vs Sweden

1958 Final

Pelé was only 17 in the 1958 World Cup final, yet he played with a confidence of a veteran.

He scored twice in Brazil’s 5-2 win over Sweden, including a brilliant goal in which he flicked the ball over a defender and finished calmly. What makes the performance so iconic is not just the goals, but the fact he was able to do it on the biggest stage without fear. The teenage forward announced himself to the world and delivered Brazil’s first world title in spectacular fashion.

1966 Quarter-final

Portugal looked finished when North Korea surged into a 3-0 lead in the 1966 World Cup quarter-finals, but Mozambican-born Eusebio responded with one of the great rescue acts in the history of the global finals. He scored four times as Portugal roared back to win 5-3, blending power, intelligence and ruthless finishing. Eusebio dragged his team back into the match almost single-handedly and showed his ability to change a game on his own through his sheer quality.

Diego Maradona vs England

1986 Quarter-final

Maradona’s display against England is probably the most famous individual World Cup performance ever. In one match, he produced two of the sport’s most memorable moments.

First, the controversial Hand of God’ opener that was a clear cheat, and then extraordinary solo run later named the Goal of the Century and with good reason. Beyond those moments, he controlled the tempo, carried Argentina forward under pressure, and looked like the game’s most potent start to finish. It was genius and chaos all in one brilliant, controversial performance.

@the.goatxx

Garrincha vs Chile

1962 Semi-final

With Pelé injured for much of the 1962 World Cup, Brazil needed someone to carry the attack, and Garrincha did exactly that. Against host nation Chile in the semi-finals, he was devastating with his direct, fearless and inventive dribbling that made him nearly impossible to stop in one-on-one situations. He scored twice and constantly destabilised the Chilean defence with his unpredictability. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone Brazil’s brilliance was not dependent on one superstar alone. It is also the reason why Garrincha is considered one of the greatest dribblers of all time.

Geoff Hurst vs West Germany

1966 Final

A hat-trick in a World Cup final has only happened twice in history, but Geoff Hurst’s performance in the 1966 final matters for more than the statistic alone. He was sharp, composed and decisive in the biggest match England have ever played. His second goal remains one of football’s most debated moments, and evidence now suggests it did not cross the line, while his third, struck late with England pouring forward, sealed the match. Finals are usually tense, cagey affairs, but Hurst shone in this setting and his goals delivered England their only title.

@footballworld9442

Paolo Rossi vs Brazil

1982 Second Group Stage

Brazil’s 1982 side is remembered as one of the most stylish teams ever, which is exactly why Paolo Rossi’s destruction of them deserves such praise. Italy needed a win, and Rossi delivered a hat-trick in a 3-2 victory that shattered one of football’s greatest romantically remembered teams. It was an excellent individual display that showed his predatory instincts and would help him win the Golden Boot, and the Golden Ball, at those finals as he scored six times in all, including the final win over West Germany. In one afternoon in the group stages, Rossi changed the whole narrative of that World Cup.

Oleg Salenko vs Cameroon

1994 Group Stage

Oleg Salenko’s place on this list comes from a statistical achievement so extreme it still seems almost impossible as he scored five goals in a single World Cup match. Against Cameroon, he finished clinically again and again as Russia won 6-1, setting a record that still stands in the men’s tournament. Three of his goals came in the first half, including a penalty, and he then added two more in three second half minutes. With some real minnows in the 2026 tournament, could we see this record matched lor even beaten?

Ronaldo vs Germany

2002 Final

The Brazilian Ronaldo’s two goals in the 2002 final were historic not just because they won the trophy, but because they completed one of football’s great redemption stories. Four years earlier in France, his World Cup final had ended in disappointment. After serious knee injuries threatened his career, he returned to lead Brazil again and scored both goals against Germany. He was sharp, alert and predatory, especially on the rebound for his first. The performance gave Brazil the title and gave Ronaldo back his reputation as one of the greatest strikers to have ever lived.

@evcrlqre

Zinedine Zidane vs Brazil

2006 Quarter-final

This was not a hat-trick performance or a statistical anomaly, but rarely has there ever been a player to so completely control a game on such a big stage.

Against a Brazil team packed with star names, France’s Zinedine Zidane dictated the game with his incredible technical ability. Every touch seemed to slow defenders down and open space for France. He drifted between midfield and attack, repeatedly escaping pressure and creating danger, including the free-kick that led to Thierry Henry’s winner. He was simply unbeatable that day.

Kylian Mbappe vs Argentina

2022 Final

He might have ultimately ended up on the losing side, but Kylian Mappé’s (below) final was an astonishing individual performance as he became the second player after Hurst to score a hat-trick in the showpiece decider. For long stretches France were flat and second-best, then Mbappe exploded into the game and changed everything. He scored twice in quick succession, one from the penalty-spot, to force extra-time, then completed a hat-trick to send the game to penalties. He scored in the shoot-out, but it was not meant to be for France, who fell

Words: Nick Said

Images: IBL/Shutterstock/Hulton Archive/VCG/Getty/Gallo Images

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Pele (Brazil)

In many people’s eyes, Pelé (left) was the greatest player ever, but while that debate can rage on, there is no doubt he has been the most impactful in World Cup history.

He is the only player to win three men’s World Cups, helping Brazil to the titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He also scored 12 World Cup goals, which lists him among the top scorers in tournament history. To have lifted the trophy 12 years apart is also a great achievement and shows his longevity, though his title in 1958 did come as a 17-year-old.

He passed away in 2022 at the age of 82.

@allaboutfoodball

Diego Maradona (Argentina)

Another contender for the greatest player ever, Maradona certainly left his mark on the World Cup, for good and bad. His 1986 title triumph with Argentina sums up his career perfectly. He was sublime, a master, and led his team to the trophy with scintillating performances, goals and assists. But there was also the infamous Hand of God goal against England in the quarter-finals that was a clear cheat. In the same game, he scored one of the great goals in World Cup history.

He took Argentina to the final again in 1990, where they lost to West Germany and at the 1994 tournament was banned for drug use. He was, in every sense, a flawed genius.

Zinedine Zidane (France)

Zidane (right) was central to France’s 1998 final win on home soil and managed two headed goals in the final against Brazil. But arguably his best performance came in 2006 in a final that ended in bitter disappointment for him when he was sent off for an infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi and France lost on penalties to Italy. His performance against Brazil in the quarter-finals is regarded as among the best in World Cup history and he won the Golden Ball that year despite his final meltdown. A simply sublime midfielder who you felt could do anything with the ball.

Garrincha (Brazil)

Young Pelé might have dominated many of the headlines during Brazil’s 1958 and 1962 World Cup wins, but there was an equally influential player at both those tournaments in winger Garrincha. He had incredible dribbling skills, perhaps the best of all time, and would bamboozle defences, scoring goals and laying on assists for others.

Pelé was actually injured for part of the 1962 tournament and Garrincha took over as Brazil’s main man.

Amazingly, Brazil never lost a match while fielding both Garrincha and Pelé. Garrincha died in 1983 aged just 49, having succumbed to alcoholism.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Messi’s (below) World Cup story is not complete as he hopes to take Argentina to back-to-back titles in 2026 after being central to their success in Qatar four years ago. He won the Golden Ball at that tournament, as he did in 2014 when he took Argentina to the final, but they lost again to the Germans.

He owns the record for the most World Cup appearances with 26 and will play at his sixth finals in 2026, having debuted 20 years ago in Germany.

@zoeimmigration

Johan Cruyff (Nethelands)

Cruyff played in only one World Cup, in 1974, and did not manage to lift the trophy, but the mark he left on the tournament and global football as a whole enhanced his legend status and made him one of the most influential players of all time. The Dutch legend created an astonishing 36 chances in the tournament, the most ever by any player, and his style of play within the Netherlands’ ‘Total Football’ changed the way many people saw the game. West Germany came from behind to beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the final, with Müller netting the winning goal. He died after a battle with cancer aged 68 in 2016.

@goalglobal

Paolo Rossi (Italy)

Rossi completely owned the 1982 World Cup as his six goals helped Italy to the title in the tournament played in Spain. He became one of a select group of players to win the Golden Boot (top scorer), Golden Ball (best player) and World Cup trophy, and later that year claimed the Ballon d’Or as well.

It was a truly dominant display, but he had also scored three goals at the 1978 tournament to take his career tally at World Cups to nine.

@retro.calcio

Gerd Muller (West Germany)

Müller was one of the most efficient World Cup scorers ever, with 14 goals in just 13 appearances, which sets him apart from many strikers. He scored 10 goals at the 1970 finals, before helping Germany lift the title four years later.

Fellow German Miroslav Klose is the all-time leading scorer in the World Cup with 18 goals from 24 appearances, but Müller had a better conversion rate and on his day was deadly. There have been few others more clinical in front of goal.

He died aged 71 in 2021, having scored 68 goals in 62 caps for West Germany.

Ronaldo (Brazil)

Somewhat controversially, we have chosen the ‘original Ronaldo’ from Brazil – R9 – rather than his Portuguese namesake Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal. The Brazilian played a huge part in leading his side to the 2002 title in Japan and South Korea, where he scored eight goals and was undoubtedly the leading forward in the world at the time. Four years earlier he helped Brazil to the 1998 final, and played despite not being fit as they lost 3-0 to France. He is second on the all-time World Cup scorers chart with 15 goals and won the Golden Ball in 1998.

@somosfutbol24

Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)

Beckenbauer (left) won the World Cup as both a player and a coach, one of only three men, alongside Mário Zagallo (Brazil) and Didier Deschamps (France), to do so. His first tournament as a player ended in disappointment when West Germany lost the 1966 final to England, though he was named young player of the tournament that year.

The Germans were undone by the great Brazilian side in 1970, but Beckenbauer finally captained his side to the title in 1974. He later coached West Germany to the title in 1990.

He is regarded as among the greatest defenders ever to play the game and passed away aged 78 in 2024.

[Check out this video of AI choosing the best players over the years]

Words: Nick Said

Photography: Juan Ignacio Roncoroni/BackPagePix/Getty Images

Text courtesy of Soccer Club magazine.

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For those who experience the pull of an engine rev as something almost spiritual, motorsport museums offer more than static displays. They are living archives of human ingenuity, ambition and speed. Across continents, these spaces invite visitors to step into the stories behind the machines, tracing the evolution of racing from gritty endurance trails to cutting-edge technological spectacle. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia, design inspiration or pure adrenaline, this is your passport to the ultimate motorsport pilgrimage

United States: Where speed became spectacle

At the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, racing history feels almost sacred. Situated inside the famed oval of the Indianapolis 500, its museum captures over a century of American motorsport. Expect to stand inches away from iconic Indy 500 winning cars, each representing a moment when engineering met nerve at 300km/h. It’s not just about speed here – it is about legacy, tradition and the relentless pursuit of victory.

On the West Coast, in LA, the Petersen Automotive Museum offers a broader cultural lens. Sleek, immersive and visually striking. it blends motorsport with design and pop culture. Rotating exhibitions keep things fresh, but the motorsport galleries – featuring everything from F1 cars to endurance racers – highlight how racing innovation trickles down into everyday automotive design.

@petersen_museum

In the South, in Alabama, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is a hidden gem. Home to the world’s largest collection of motorbikes alongside an impressive array of race cars, it’s a love letter to mechanical craftsmanship. The building is surrounded by a lush racetrack that adds to the sensory experience, making it less like a museum and more like a sanctuary of speed.

Europe: The Heart of Motorsport Heritage

In Stuttgart, Germany, the Mercedes-Benz Museum is (to be expected) an architectural and engineering marvel. Its spiral design takes visitors on a chronological journey through automotive history, with motorsport threaded throughout. From the 1930s-50s Silver Arrows era to modern Formula 1 dominance, the museum captures how Mercedes-Benz has consistently redefined performance and innovation. Italy, of course, delivers pure passion.

@mayson_berliner

The Museo Ferrari in Marinello and the Enzo Ferrari Museum in neighbouring Modena are less museums and more emotional experience. Dedicated to the legacy of Enzo Ferrari, they immerse visitors in the mythology of the Prancing Horse. Expect championship-winning F1 cars on display. interactive simulators and exhibitions that celebrate Ferrari’s fusion of artistry and speed. It’s visceral, loud (even in silence) and unmistakably Italian.

Not far away, in France, the Le Mans 24 Hour Museum captures the endurance spirit of the legendary race – the world’s oldest active endurance sportscar race held annually since 1923. Here, the focus shifts from outright speed to resilience. It’s all about cars that have raced throughout the night, drivers who pushed beyond exhaustion and innovations born from necessity. The rotating display of winning cars, from vintage prototypes to modern hybrids, tell a story of survival as much as success.

@24heuresdumans

A Local Lens: South Africa’s Racing Legacy

Closer to home, Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town offers a gateway into South Africa’s motorsport culture. While not a traditional museum, its on-site displays, historic race events and club culture create a living archive of local racing history. From classic saloon cars to contemporary track days, Killarney embodies the grassroots passion that fuels motorsport in our country.

On race weekends, the atmosphere of roaring engines, braai smoke and devoted fans has become an experience no static exhibition could ever replicate.

Vehicle enthusiasts should also head over to the Franschhoek Motor Museum. Housed on the L’Ormarins Estate in the Cape winelands, it features the extraordinary private collection of the Rupert family, spanning over a century of automotive history, including rare racing machines. It’s quieter and more contemplative, but no less powerful in showcasing the evolution of speed and design.

@itsnot_immo

Words: Aaliyah Omar

Photos: Gall/Getty Images, Shutterstock, Unsplashed

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Paolo Barilla’s journey bridges two seemingly unrelated worlds – motorsport and food – but at its core, it is a story about relentless pursuit of excellence, courage, innovation and leaving a legacy that inspires future generations. 

Instead of embracing a future in his family’s food business, young Paulo pursued another passion instead. He entered the world of racing at 14 years old with karting – a discipline known for shaping the skills and instincts of future champions. A year later, in 1976, he’d already claimed the Italian 100cc karting title. Karting was more than a sport for him; it was a classroom for precision, strategy and the art of reading a racetrack. 

Over the next decade, Paolo steadily built a career defined by consistency and achievement. His drive and determination eventually led him in the early 1980s to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the most gruelling races in the world. After two attempts and not finishing, in 1985 he achieved one of the most coveted victories in motorsport, crossing the finish line in a Porsche. This marked him as not only a skilled driver but a master of endurance racing, where focus, stamina and teamwork are just as crucial as speed. 

Paolo then focused on Formula 2 and 3, winning two of his races, before reaching another milestone in 1989 when he debuted in Formula 1 at the Japanese Grand Prix, driving for the Minardi-Ford team. Although F1 presented an entirely new level of challenge and global attention, Paolo approached it with the same mindset that had guided him from karting to Le Mans. 

His F1 career was brief, lasting just two years, but in many ways it was more of a personal journey – the culmination of years of discipline, hard work and an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of excellence. 

Culinary Mind  

After his motorsport career (which included trying his hand at off road racing in the Paris- Dakar rally), Paolo took a road that surprised many, but made perfect sense for someone so driven – and who is, after all, a member of an iconic Italian food family (in business since 1877, when it was a humble bakery in Parma).  

In 1991, he joined the business (at its French office), transitioning from fast cars to the food world. Where he once chased milliseconds on a racetrack, he now pursued flavour, quality and cultural heritage.  

Paolo approached his work with the same rigour he had applied to racing. He became deeply involved in understanding the production process, exploring how ingredients, techniques and tradition could combine to create products that reflect Italian excellence and cuisine. 

In 1994 he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the company (a position he still holds). Through his leadership, the Barilla brand has continued to embrace innovation while honouring tradition. It has also expanded its operations all over the globe, and he’s helped turn it into the world’s largest producer of pasta.  

His passion for the food industry extends beyond profits; Paulo is also chairman of the Barilla Food & Nutrition Foundation (which research sustainability and global food challenges) and the Italian Food Association. 

Legacy In Motion  

Paolo Barilla’s story is about more than personal achievement; it’s about influence, vision and creating a lasting impact across industries. In motorsport, he demonstrated that discipline, resilience and teamwork are essential for success. In the family business, those same values translate into careful stewardship, innovation and a deep respect for heritage. 

Paolo’s ability to excel in such different arenas underscores a fundamental truth: the qualities that make someone a champion are not limited to a single field – they are universal. His legacy extends beyond the world of business or motorsport, serving as an example of how passion, curiosity and dedication can fuel success in any field. From high-speed circuits to high-tech food production, Paolo Barilla has consistently demonstrated that mastery, when guided by passion and discipline, transcends boundaries. 

@scuderiafrancesco DID YOU KNOW? Ep. 2 – Barilla 🍝🇮🇹 Paolo Barilla left F1 to run his family’s business—Barilla, the world’s largest pasta company!Eat pasta, go fasta! 🏎️💨 Big thanks to F190 Store (36 Mihai Eminescu) for providing the space! Their specialty coffee is top-tier, and their name almost feels made for our F1 concept. Speaking of F1 in 90’, that was the year Ayrton Senna won his second world championship! As for what F190 really means, visit their shop and ask Bogdan, a 10/10 guy who’ll tell you all about it. ☕🏁 #scuderiafrancesco #F1 #formula1 #italy #pasta ♬ original sound – Scuderia Francesco

Whether behind the wheel or leading a global brand, Paolo Barilla has also proven that performance and culture can coexist, creating a narrative that is as compelling as it is unique.  

When he returned to the F3 track in the Monaco Historic Grand Prix in 2014 – two decades after his racing career ended – he won the race (driving a 1976 Chevron B34), proving he still has what it takes to be a champion on the tarmac. 

And in a perfect full-circle moment, last year, the Barilla brand became an official partner of Formula 1. 

Click here for cool pasta-themed playlists.

Words: Kauthar Booley  

Photos: Gallo/Getty Images, Shutterstock 

The post Paolo Barilla’s second course appeared first on TFG Media.

Ronwen Williams  

Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns 

Williams is the captain of the team and the last line of defence. One thing that is for sure, is that Williams is likely to be a busy man. He has proven before at major finals that he can carry Bafana Bafana through, and he will have to be at his best again. But more than a great shot-stopper, he is also the leader and the one who organises the defence. He will join the likes of Hans Vonk, Andre Arendse and Itumeleng Khune as the first-choice keeper for Bafana at a World Cup. 

@caf_online Ronwen Williams has become the first goalkeeper to save 4 penalties in a single TotalEnergies AFCON shootout. 🤯🇿🇦 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #AFCON2023 #AFCON #SportsOnTikTok ♬ original sound – CAF_Online

Khuliso Mudau  

Position: Right-back
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns 

Mudau is now vastly experienced after his exploits with the national team and Mamelodi Sundowns in Champions League football, and remains a key weapon for the team. He can attack as a wing-back, but is also a very intelligent defender and, against teams that use quick attackers with plenty of skill, he will need to keep his flank quiet. But he also has the ability to create and score goals and loves to get forward. 

@caf_online Khuliso Mudau’s footwork takes QNet_Official #SkillOfTheDay. ✨ #TotalEnergiesCAFCL ♬ original sound – CAF_Online

Mbekezile Mbokazi  

Position: Centre-back
Club: Chicago Fire, United States 

Mbokazi has had such a meteoric rise in both club and international football that it is easy to forget he only really broke into the Orlando Pirates first team in March last year. But once he earned his place, he never let go of it and, within months, was elevated to the Bafana side, where he has also became a regular. Coach Hugo Broos suggested they had been looking for a player of his physicality and quality for some time. He is primarily a defender, but also has an excellent passing range and a rocket shot. His recent move to Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer has exposed him to different styles and, if he does have a solid World Cup, the 20-year-old’s value will only skyrocket. 

@chicagofireWhat a strike from TLB 🇿🇦🔥 #mls #chicago #bafanabafana #soccer #southafrica♬ original sound – Chicago Fire

Teboho Mokoena  

Position: Midfielder
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns 

The engine of the Bafana midfield, Mokoena is like a Rolls-Royce with his high work-rate from box to box and his importance as both an attacking and defensive threat in the side. He scores spectacular goals and is dangerous from range, but can also break up the opposition’s play and be a physical threat in the centre of the park. He now has vast experience, having spent the better part of a decade in the national team, and is also a key player for Mamelodi Sundowns. 

Relebohile Mofokeng  

Position: Winger/attacking midfielder
Club: Orlando Pirates 

If he can stay fit, Themba Zwane could well get the nod as the starting ’10’ in the team because of his experience, but do not discount the impact of Mofokeng when given the opportunity either from kick-off or as an impact player off the bench. Broos has already said he does not see the player as a winger, where he has spent most of his career but rather as a creative force behind the striker, able to provide chances but also score goals. There has long been talk that Mofokeng should be playing overseas; this World Cup will be a chance to test that theory. 

@bucs.lad 😂🏴‍☠️🔥#relebohilemofokeng ♬ Salary Salary – Robot Boii & Mellow & Sleazy & Soul Revolver

Oswin Appollis  

Position: Winger
Club: Orlando Pirates 

Appollis has emerged as Bafana’s most potent attacking weapon over the last 18 months, with no player managing more than the seven goals he has scored during that time. He has also provided several assists with his trickery on the ball and quality in the cross. He can beat a defender and has an end product in the final third that is missing from so many other players in the Premier Soccer League. He is still only 24, so this will be a big audition for him. 

Lyle Foster  

Position: Striker
Club: Burnley, England 

Foster will almost certainly be the lead striker in the squad and be asked to play up front on his own, using his hold-up play to bring others into the game. It is a role he plays very well, even if at Burnley in the Premier League he is used more as a wide attacker. He is into double figures for goals for the national team and is a good finisher, having learnt a lot from his time in France, Portugal and Belgium before moving to England. He was a prodigious talent as a youngster and is now playing in arguably the best league in the world. This tournament is a chance for him to show he has gone to a new level. 

Words: Nic Said
Photography: Gerhaad Durbaan/Muzi Ntombela/Samuel Shivambu/ Richard Sellers/Backpagepix 

Also read: Banyana Banyana: Top 10 players over the years

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Portia Modise  

Modise stands as one of the most iconic figures in African football history, not just for Banyana Banyana. She became the first African woman to score 100 international goals and carried Banyana through periods when the team lacked resources and truly struggled. She finished with 101 goals in 124 caps between 2000 and 2015, and she goes down as comfortably the country’s greatest international scorer in men’s and women’s football. 

Janine Van Wyk  

If Modise fired the imagination, then Van Wyk anchored the team with steel and longevity. As Africa’s most-capped footballer, men or women, Van Wyk became synonymous with Banyana’s defensive identity in her 185 appearances over almost two decades. Her game-reading ability and organizational skills turned her into the natural leader of the back line. She represented Banyana at multiple AFCON tournaments and two World Cups, while also founding JVW FC, a club that develops young talent.   

Thembi Kgatlane  

Kgatlana represents the explosive new era of South African women’s football with her raw pace and increasingly cultured finishing ability. A forward blessed with unique flair, she has become one of Africa’s most recognisable attacking talents and won the CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year prize in 2018. Kgatlana scored South Africa’s first Women’s World Cup goal against Spain in 2019 and her standout performances at the 2023 World Cup, where she created and finished crucial chances, cemented her status as Banyana’s modern superstar. 

Jermaine Seoposenwe  

Seoposenwe was one of Banyana’s most impactful attackers. Powerful, technically gifted and capable of scoring in high-pressure moments, she delivered one of the most important goals in South African football history, the winner against Italy at the 2023 World Cup that sent Banyana into the round of 16. Her relentless work rate, intelligent movement and ability to combine with teammates make her a constant threat across the forward line and a central figure in the team’s modern success before her retirement with 112 caps last year. 

@pefmo_za “We haven’t thanked her enough as a nation.” Coach Desiree Ellis showers Jermaine Seoposenwe with love ahead of the WAFCON 3rd place clash 💛 When others crumbled, she stood tall. When hope faded, she led the way. #BanyanaBanyana #WAFCON #JermaineSeoposenwe #DesireeEllis #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 @Official Banyana Banyana @SAFA @Banyana_banyana @CAF_Online ♬ original sound – PEFMO

Lebogang Ramalepe 

Ramalepe quietly built a reputation as one of Africa’s most reliable defenders. Her consistency, intelligent positioning and fearless tackling made her irreplaceable for Banyana across the past decade. Ramalepe shone during the 2022 WAFCON-winning run, delivering commanding performances against top opposition. She carried that form into the 2023 World Cup, where her discipline and leadership were crucial in South Africa’s historic progression to the knockout stage. 

Desiree Ellis 

Before she became the most successful coach in South African football history, Desiree Ellis was a pioneer midfielder during the national team’s early years. As captain, she shaped Banyana’s identity in the 1990s, helping establish their competitive and foundations for success. But her second act as coach elevated her into true legend status. Ellis guided Banyana to their first WAFCON title in 2022 and their first Women’s World Cup knockout appearance in 2023, showcasing her strategic brilliance and inspirational leadership that she displayed as a player too. 

Refiloe Jane 

Jane has long been the midfield metronome of Banyana Banyana, a player whose intelligence and calm presence binds the team together. Her exceptional passing range, tactical awareness and leadership made her central to South Africa’s historic WAFCON 2022 triumph. Jane’s influence stretches across continents, having excelled at club level in Australia and Italy. Often described as the heartbeat of the side, she adds structure, balance and control, and is also the current captain of the team. 

 

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Noko Matlou  

Few players have reinvented themselves as effectively as Matlou. Originally a prolific striker, and the 2008 CAF Women’s Player of the Year, Matlou later transitioned into a commanding centre-back. Her aerial strength and pace allowed her to excel in both roles, while remaining a constant presence for Banyana. Her versatility and longevity make her one of the team’s most respected figures. She retired last year with 174 caps, just short of Van Wyk’s record. 

Amanda Dlamini  

A hard-working midfielder who won 105 caps over an 11-year period until her retirement in 2018, Dlamini was part of the generation that laid the foundation for the current success of the side. Her experience and calmness on the ball elevated her to captain of the team and she appeared at Olympic Games and WAFCON but retired just before Banyana qualified for a World Cup for the first time. 

@supersportofficial How important is a jersey number in sports? 🤔💭 Amanda Dlamini, Lerato Phago and Smash Hadebe get real about self-identity and purpose in sport ⚽📺 #SportsonTikTok #SuperSportUnplugged #AmandaDlamini #LeratoPhago #SmashHadebe #HereForHer #WomenInSports ♬ original sound – SuperSportTV

Andile Dlamini   

Dlamini has emerged as one of Africa’s finest goalkeepers. Her agility, sharp reflexes and vocal leadership were central to South Africa’s triumph at WAFCON 2022, where she produced several match-winning saves. Dlamini also excelled at the 2023 World Cup, keeping Banyana competitive against world-class opposition. Beyond her performances, her bubbly personality and presence in the dressing room have made her a unifying force, offering confidence and composure from the back. 

Words by: Nick Said 
Photography: Sydney Mahlangu/Backpagepix

Also read: Alcaraz vs Sinner: Battle moves onto clay in Paris
 

The post Banyana Banyana: Top 10 players over the years appeared first on TFG Media.

Get ready for round seven, with Carlos Alcaraz enjoying a slight points advantage as the latest rivalry in tennis begins to take root. So far, in six meetings in Grand Slam events between the two best men’s players on the planet, the 22-year-old world No.1 (Alcaraz) holds a 4-2 winning record over his 24-year-old opponent, ranked No.2, Jannik Sinner. 

Across all competitions dating back to 2021, that scorecard reads 10-6 to Alcaraz. And yes, the Spaniard will arrive in Paris looking to complete a hat-trick of wins on the Roland Garros clay on the back of his performance at the year-opening Australian Open, when he became the youngest man to achieve the career Grand Slam. Alcatraz is a juggernaut, beginning to average two Grand Slam titles a year. He already has seven, and he turns just 23 a fortnight before the first ball is struck at the French Open. 

Let us do a simple projection. Say Alcaraz continues for another 10 years at this level, taking him to 33 – Roger Federer retired at 41, Rafa Nadal at 38, and Novak Djokovic is still going strong at 38 – and wins those two Grand Slams a year, the numbers become staggering. Just FYI, Sinner won three in 2025, so he is not out of the equation either.  

Barring accident or injury, the next decade could conservatively see Alcaraz add 20 to his list of seven. The currency of determining GOAT status, apparently, is Grand Slams, and Djokovic holds that mythical title with 24. Alcaraz needs 17 more to match the GOAT. 

Given their superiority, the reality is that for now, and the foreseeable future, Alcaraz and Sinner are likely to share the Grand Slams. And, when one falls early, like in the semi-finals, the other is there to pick up the pieces. This is what happened with Djokovic at the Australian Open. He won a five-setter against Sinner in the Friday semi-final and 48 hours later was up against Alcaraz in the final. And, as every other player will find out, they are likely to have to beat Alcaraz and Sinner to win a Grand Slam. This is also because they are certain to be seeded No.1 and No.2 on opposite sides of the draw for some time to come. 

Check out this fascinating take on Carlos Alcarez-Jannik Sinner rivalry!  

Although I was watching from the comfort of the sofa, last year’s final at Roland Garros featured the most brutal consistent hitting of a tennis ball I have seen, and while the game itself might not have reached the heights of the 2008 Wimbledon final between Federer and Nadal, it surely ranks in the top three of championship finals ever played. 

Impossible as it is to compare generations, modern equipment, diet and conditioning have led to the sustained power game. Like golf, where things have evolved to the extent that players are now routinely “bombing drives” of 300 metres off the tee, tennis has become a brutal exhibition of power. But Alcaraz and Sinner are also bringing intelligence and artistry that’s far superior to whoever No.3s and 4 are. 

Last year coughed up the longest modern French Open final, all 5 hours 29 minutes of it, with Alcaraz staring at match point 3 hours 43 minutes into the contest. The Spaniard fought back and eventually won 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6. Stats often lie, but of the 385 points played in the match, Sinner won 193 and Alcaraz 192. It was that tight, but the one that mattered most – match point – went the way of the younger man. 

In trying to keep up with Alcaraz, firstly narrowing the gap in their head-to-heads and even going ahead, Sinner has spent the first quarter of 2026 working on improving his serve.  

And getting more physical. When it comes to the tale of the tape, he is slightly the bigger man – 1.91m and 77kg versus 1.83m and 74kg. “I’m trying to get a very solid serve at the moment, which is what we work a lot on,” Sinner said in February. “Also a lot in the gym, the gym sessions are very important. I try to make an extra step forward in that scenario, and that’s it.”  

If you are of a betting persuasion, you might want to take that advice and pencil Sinner in for Wimbledon, but when it comes to the French Open, Alcaraz is going to be the one with the target on his back, like Nadal was on clay. He enjoys being hunted, and he is determined to do what it takes to stay a step ahead of the pack.  

“You have to find the joy in suffering,” Alcaraz said after last year’s epic in Paris. “I think that’s the key, even more on clay here in Roland Garros, long rallies, four-hour matches, five sets, you have to fight, you have to suffer, but as I talked with my team many, many times, you have to enjoy suffering. Thanks to him (Sinner), I push myself to be better, to be a better player.” 

After Alcaraz had mopped up the Australian Open in January, he was asked to look ahead to the rest of 2026 – the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open – and his opinion on picking up all four majors in this calendar year. “It is going to be a big challenge,” he replied. “I just want it to be one at a time. Right now, the next one is Roland Garros. I have great memories of that tournament. I feel really special every time. I go there. I don’t want to put myself in a really pressure position to have to do it.”  

As Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus often says, “pressure is a privilege”. It is indeed, but there is a different pressure when you are a rugby team of 23 players in the squad heading into every match. If you are an individual and having a bad day, you get substituted, and at all times, there are 14 teammates running onto the field with you.  

Standing on hallowed tennis courts like Roland Garros and Wimbledon, it is just you, with your opponent at the other side of the net. There is no place to hide. Drop your standards by the smallest of percentages and you will lose the final, and that is exactly where Alcaraz and Sinner are right now. 

The head-to-head stats show that for now, Alcaraz is starting to edge ahead of Sinner as the rivalry goes into round seven of this heavyweight tennis slugfest. But, it is all a matter of margins, and with men’s tennis Grand Slams being played over the best of five sets, there is always going to be an ebb and flow. Buckle up for the next in the series.  

Words: Gary Lemke 
Photography: Noushad Thekkayil/Landres Martinez Casares 

Also read: Donald Ramphadi: The dynamic wheelchair tennis ace 

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