For the first time since 1998, an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final will be contested by two local coaches who will be leading their own national teams, a great story for development of coaches on the continent. Djamal Belmadi captained Algeria at the 2004 AFCON whilst Aliou Cisse captained the Teranga Lions of Senegal at the 2002 and 2004 AFCON as well as 2002 World Cup. Kaizer Chiefs Nigerian goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has had to share part of the blame for the late goal that they conceded at the semi final on Sunday night.

Bafana Bafana Coach Stuart Baxter says South Africans are negative about their national team. He was speaking at the arrival of the national team from African Cup of Nations (AFCON in Egypt on Saturday. Bafana were knocked out of the tournament by Nigeria in the quarter-finals last week. The team qualified for the second round by virtue of finishing as one of the four number three finishers in their group. Baxter says he is accountable.

Chippa United chairman Siviwe “Chippa” Mpengesi believes they have recruited well and that he is happy with the players that they have signed as the Chilli Boyz prepares for the 2019/20 season.

New Black Leopards midfielder Thabo Matlaba says he did not expect his career to lead him to Limpopo. Matlaba joined Leopards last month from Orlando Pirates with the player saying he had expected to end his career in Soweto. Matlaba says he is not bitter over how his relationship and Pirates ended. However the player is pleased to be playing in his home province and he is looking forward to playing in the local derbies.

The Proteas netball team shocked group favourites Jamaica 55-52 at the Vitality Netball World Cup in Liverpool on Sunday night. Both teams started their 2019 Netball World campaigns on a high and won their respective opening two games. Historically the Jamaicans have had the upper hand when it came to that encounter. Proteas player Maryke Holtzhausen says it was a tough match. The two teams have played 15 times now with South Africa winning three times and Jamaica winning 12. Minister of Sport Nathi Mthethwa is also in England.

Toyota Cheetahs coach Franco Smith admits they do have to deal with some niggles and blows heading into their first Currie Cup match of 2019 against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Friday. The 2019 Currie Cup kicked-off this past weekend with three fixtures the most notable being the Tafel Lager Griquas beating defending Champions the Cell C Sharks 37-13 at the Jonsson Kings Park Stadium in Durban. Smith says that due to pre-season training some of his players have picked up injuries.

Cape Town City coach Benni McCarthy says he might not quite be finished in the transfer market. City have been dealt a blow ahead of the 2019/20 Absa Premiership season, with Taariq Fielies out for a few months after having to have his appendix removed. McCarthy admits he could do with an experienced centre back.

When the South African Football Association (SAFA) decides to part ways with Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter, the issue of settlement could be a stumbling block given the financial situation at SAFA. Baxter returned home to South Africa on Saturday after bowing out in the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament losing to Nigeria 2-1. The team had a poor group stages campaign losing two matches but redeemed themselves knocking out hosts Egypt 1-0 in the last 16. But there has been signs even before the tournament that SAFA is not convinced by the long term vision of Baxter, SAFA President Danny Jordaan was non-committal about the Briton’s future.

Bafana Bafana players Dean Furman and Bongani Zungu have expressed their wish for head Coach Stuart Baxter to stay in his position. Many people are divided whether the Briton should remain or not in the wake of Bafana Bafana being knocked in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by Nigeria last week. Both Zungu and Furman wants him to stay.

It’s been 29 years since Algeria last won the African Cup of Nations and on Friday they will attempt to win it for the first time since then, with a son of the soil on their bench. This follows Algeria’s 2-1 over Nigerian in a second AFCON semi-final played at the Cairo International stadium in Egypt on Sunday night. Les Fennecs head coach Djamel Belmadi reflects on this memorable victory before they meet Senegal in the final at the same venue. Manchester City star attacker Mahrez netted his third goal of the tournament. Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr says maybe his players were thinking about the extra time when referee Bakary Gassama punished Wilfried Ndidi for a foul on the edge of the box, which led to this winner.