Verts : Guitoun, le Mondial en travers de la gorge et une révélation …

Kévin Guitoun continue de faire parler de lui en Belgique, où ses performances avec Charleroi lui ont permis de décrocher le titre de joueur du mois d’août. Mais au-delà de cette distinction individuelle, le latéral droit garde encore en travers de la gorge son absence à la Coupe du monde 2026 avec l’Algérie. Dans un entretien accordé à DH Les Sports, l’international algérien est également revenu sur les coulisses de l’arrivée de Yacine Titraoui à Lens, révélant avoir joué un rôle dans cette opération.

The post Verts : Guitoun, le Mondial en travers de la gorge et une révélation sur Titraoui appeared first on Football Algérien - DZFOOT.COM.

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Khulumani Ndamane says the Brazilians are ready to shift their focus to their FIFA Intercontinental Cup clash against Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ahli at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. newssport.cv

Sundowns earned their place in the annual tournament after winning the CAF Champions League last season, securing their spot among the six continental champions competing for the global title.

Al-Ahli booked their place in the second round of the competition after beating Auckland FC of New Zealand, setting up a mouth-watering clash with the African champions.

Sundowns will advance to the play-off round if they overcome the AFC Champions League holders, taking them one step closer to the final.

Al-Ahli boasts several high-profile players, including England international Ivan Toney. Ndamane insists Sundowns are prepared for the challenge.

“When you play for Sundowns, you should always be ready,” he said to the Sundowns media.

“Any tournament that we play in, we’re able to focus on it and take it seriously. I know the guys are ready for the game on the 19th against Al-Ahli.”

Ndamane was speaking after Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw by Chippa United in their Betway Premiership clash at Buffalo City Stadium last Saturday.

The Tshwane giants needed a late equaliser by Antonio van Wyk to earn a point against Chilli Boys who had taken the lead by Sirgio Kammiies.

However, the former TS Galaxy defender believes there is no reason for the team to dwell on the stalemate, particularly with the league campaign still in its early stages.

“They didn’t want to lose on their own ground because the way they came at us, showed that they wanted to win and we also tried to get three points, but it didn’t happen,” Ndamane added.

“What’s most important at this stage when the league has just started, I think collecting points this early will help us a lot. That didn’t happen, but it doesn’t mean that we should give up.”

Sundowns will now have the whole week to prepare for the Al-Ahli game that is scheduled to get underway at 3.pm in Tshwane.

Paris Saint-Germain are the defending champions of the Intercontinental Cup and will face the team that emerges from the knockout rounds in this year’s final.

Having lost four URC finals in five seasons, the Bulls will be desperate to finally lift the trophy next year, writes SIMON BORCHARDT.

Their 36-7 defeat to Leinster in the 2026 final in Dublin was particularly disappointing given they were at full strength, on an eight-match winning streak in the competition and had supposedly learned from defeat at Croke Park the year before. Yet they again started poorly, allowing Leinster to race into a commanding lead, while their big-name Springboks failed to deliver.

However, it is worth remembering that, at one stage of the 2025-26 campaign, the Bulls were on a seven-match losing streak across competitions and sat 11th on the URC log. Had coach Johan Ackermann been offered a fourth-place finish and a place in the final at that point, he would have snapped it up.

The Bulls bid farewell to three key Springboks in June – tighthead prop Wilco Louw, lock Ruan Nortjé and wing Kurt-Lee Arendse – as well as utility back David Kriel, who attended a Bok alignment camp but never wore the green and gold. However, they lured experienced loose forward Hanro Liebenberg (who can also play lock) back to Pretoria from the Leicester Tigers, while signing wings Thaakir Abrahams from Munster and Dylan Maart, who impressed for the Stormers while on loan from Griquas last season.

With Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard set to miss large parts of the URC campaign because of Test commitments, the Bulls recruited former Bok flyhalf Curwin Bosch from Brive and 20-year-old Junior Bok Luan Giliomee, who made two URC appearances for the Sharks last season. Both are also capable of playing fullback.

To finally win the URC, the Bulls will almost certainly need to finish top of the log and host the final. That means making a fast start, and they have a good opportunity to do so with an away match against last season’s wooden spoonists, Zebre, followed by Munster, who they beat at Loftus in last season’s quarter-finals. They then host three successive matches before three away South African derbies that could determine whether Ackermann’s men make history or are condemned to repeat it.

FACT FILE
Coach: Johan Ackermann
Captain: Marcell Coetzee
2025-26 log finish: 4th (finalists)

ONE TO WATCH
The signing of Curwin Bosch on a three-year deal gives the Bulls another experienced option at flyhalf and fullback. The 29-year-old, who earned two Springbok caps in 2017 and 2018, arrived in Pretoria in July after a two-season stint with French Pro D2 club Brive. Bosch previously played for the Sharks from 2016 to 2023 and also had a short spell in Japan with the Munakata Sanix Blues in 2018. Known for his tactical kicking game and accuracy off the tee, Bosch has said he is returning to South Africa as a more mature player who embraces pressure rather than fears it. He will no doubt be hoping to force his way back into the Bok squad, although the Bulls would prefer that not to happen during the 2026-27 URC season, with first-choice flyhalf Handré Pollard set to miss several matches because of international duty.

FAST FACT
The Bulls scored the most points in last season’s URC (640), including the second-most tries (92).

PLAYERS IN
Thaakir Abrahams (Munster)
Curwin Bosch (Brive)
Luan Giliomee (Sharks)
Hakeem Kunene (Sharks)
Hanro Liebenberg (Leicester)
Dylan Maart (Griquas)
Mawande Mdanda (Sharks)
Sango Xamlashe (Pumas)

ALSO: Bulls, Lions to borrow Griquas hookers

PLAYERS OUT
Kurt-Lee Arendse (Sagamihara Dynaboars)
Johan Goosen (retired)
Henry Immelman (Cheetahs)
Jannes Kirsten (Mont-de-Marsan)
David Kriel (La Rochelle)
Wilco Louw (Stormers)
Ruan Nortjé (Kubota Spears)
Jan Serfontein (retired)

PRE-SEASON: Bulls claim bragging rights in Paarl

URC FIXTURES
26 September: Zebre (a)
3 October: Munster (a)
10 October: Lions (h)
24 October: Ulster (h)
31 October: Scarlets (h)
5 December: Lions (a)
19 December: Sharks (a)
3 January: Stormers (a)
23 January: Benetton (a)
30 January: Leinster (a)
21 February: Stormers (h)
27 February: Sharks (h)
20 March: Dragons (h)
27 March: Edinburgh (h)
17 April: Ospreys (a)
23 April: Cardiff (a)
8 May: Glasgow (h)
15 May: Connacht (h)

The boys describe the 2026/27 home kit in one word.

Let us know yours . pic.twitter.com/Csxvq2olyB

— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) August 26, 2026

Photo: Vodacom Bulls

The post 2026-27 URC preview: Bulls appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Le Betis de Séville reçoit ce lundi à 19h00 GMT la formation de Villarreal. Il s’agit d’un match qui compte pour la 5e journée de la Liga. Sur quelle chaîne TV suivre ce match en direct ?

Le Betis est sur une belle dynamique actuellement et ne veut pas s’arrêter en si bon chemin. Villarreal, pour sa part, connaît une situation critique. Les deux équipes sont focalisées sur la victoire.

Où suivre ce match en direct ?

Le match Betis – Villarreal est à vivre en direct sur DAZN, beIN Sports, Canal+ et SuperSport.

The post Betis – Villarreal sur quelle chaîne TV voir le match en direct ? appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.