Manchester United : Marc Skinner quitte son poste d’entraîneur

Manchester United a annoncé ce lundi la fin de l’aventure de Marc Skinner à la tête de son équipe féminine. Le club a confirmé que l’entraîneur anglais quittait ses fonctions après cinq saisons sur le banc des Red Devils.

Dans un communiqué publié sur ses réseaux sociaux, Manchester United a tenu à rendre hommage à son désormais ex-technicien : « Marc Skinner a quitté son poste d’entraîneur de l’équipe féminine de Manchester United. Nous souhaitons lui adresser nos plus sincères remerciements pour son importante contribution au cours des cinq dernières années. »

Arrivé en 2021, Skinner aura notamment conduit les Red Devils à leur premier grand trophée avec la FA Cup remportée en 2024. amunra.qpon

The post Manchester United : Marc Skinner quitte son poste d’entraîneur appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

Mamelodi Sundowns youngster Siyabonga Mabena is reportedly in line for a season-long loan move to Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit AmaTuks.

The 19-year-old will link up with Michael Loftman, who has taken charge of the University side as they target a return to the Betway Premiership.

Mabena’s potential move is aimed at giving the highly-rated youngster regular first team football after struggling for consistent minutes at Sundowns.

The South African youth international made just six appearances across all competitions last season, scoring once as he found opportunities limited in the star-studded Sundowns squad.

A loan spell at AmaTuks could therefore provide Mabena with the platform to gain valuable experience and develop his game through regular competitive football.

The forward was also absent from Sundowns’ pre-season tour, although his absence was understood to be linked to him undergoing a cultural initiation practice back home.

AmaTuks, who have a partnership with Sundowns, are now set to bring Mabena on board as they prepare for the new National First Division campaign. The proposed move remains subject to the youngster completing and passing a medical.

With the new season fast approaching, a spell at AmaTuks could be exactly what Mabena needs to take the next step in his development and return to Chloorkop ready to challenge for a more prominent role.

Tadej Pogacar, quintuple vainqueur du Tour de France, participera au Tour d'Espagne (22 août - 13 septembre) pour la première fois depuis 2019, a annoncé lundi 3 août son équipe UAE-Emirates sur X. Le Tour d'Espagne est le dernier Grand Tour qui manque au palmarès du coureur slovène de 27 ans, cinq fois vainqueur du Tour de France (2020, 2021, 2024, 2025, 2026), du Tour d'Italie en 2024. Alors débutant sur le circuit professionnel, il s'était révélé sur la Vuelta en 2019 avec trois victoires d'étapes de montagne, terminant ensuite à la troisième place du classement général derrière le vainqueur final, son compatriote Primoz Roglic, et l'Espagnol Alejandro Valverde. La Vuelta s'élancera le 22 août depuis Monaco et s'achèvera trois semaines plus tard, le 13 septembre, à Grenade, au terme d'un parcours qui longera la côte espagnole jusqu'à l'Andalousie, sans passer par la capitale, Madrid.

Wallace Sititi and Simon Parker are excited to clash with South African clubs for the first time as the All Blacks steel themselves for Friday’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry opener.

The loose forwards spoke pitchside after training at Athlone Stadium on Monday, ahead of kicking off their seven-match tour of the Republic against the Stormers in Cape Town.

It is set to be a blockbuster showdown with the likes of Springboks Deon Fourie and Evan Roos, who are expected to pack down for John Dobson’s men at Cape Town Stadium.

WATCH: All Blacks bruiser gets his reps

The 23-year-old Sititi, who started for the All Blacks in a 2024 defeat by the Springboks at the Mother City venue, has never faced a South African club after lockdown restrictions and SA’s Super Rugby exit six years ago.

“My first year of Super Rugby, playing in South Africa was already finished,” the Chiefs star said. “I wouldn’t know what it was like to play these franchises. At the same time, I would love to know as well.”

Known for his power and work rate, Sititi flagged the Stormers pack as a massive threat for the New Zealanders this week.

READ: All Blacks need to use Ardie better

“They’re a big pack, that’s what we know,” he added. “Big forward pack that loves to run the ball, and loves collision battles. We’ve got to respect them up there.”

Sititi, the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of 2024, said the All Blacks would approach every match on tour with the same mindset.

“Those midweek games against the franchises, we’re treating them like Test matches. We know what the quality is like here and we’ll prepare accordingly.”

MORE: All Blacks ready to rip into Stormers

Fellow Chiefs flanker Parker added: “It’s a cool prospect coming over here and was not something I got to do in Super Rugby.

“But speaking with the boys that have done it, they loved coming over here and getting a couple of weeks on tour. I’m champing at the bit.”

The 26-year-old said South African club rugby now registers mostly via Vodacom URC matches.

“The boys have plenty of interest in the URC games, and especially the last couple of years [Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane] have been playing for Leinster and been watching them with interest.”

Asked what will separate the teams on Friday, Parker kept it simple: “It just comes down to whatever team shows up and whatever team wants it more.”

ALSO: Stormers stay coy on Yaqeen call

Photo: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

The post All Blacks brace for unknown Stormers battle appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

The All Blacks Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa gets under way this week, with the tourists’ first match taking place in Cape Town on Friday when they clash with the Stormers.

The New Zealanders will also take on the three other SA United Rugby Championship sides, the Lions, Sharks and Bulls. They will also face the world champions, the Springboks, in four Tests.

Those matches take place at Ellis Park, Cape Town Stadium, FNB Stadium and in Baltimore, USA.

According to Rapport, ticket sales for the four provincial matches have been slow.

“Sales range from modest to poor, so ‘sold out’ signs won’t be going up anytime soon,” Rapport quoted an SA Rugby spokesperson as saying. “We hope things pick up, but it has been a struggle so far.”

Tickets for Friday’s clash against the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium are priced between R650 and R1,350.

The All Blacks take on the Sharks in Durban on 11 August, the Bulls in Pretoria on 15 August and the Lions at Ellis Park on 25 August.

It is understood tickets for the first two Tests, at Ellis Park and Cape Town Stadium, are sold out. There are, however, still tickets available for the third Test at FNB Stadium, ranging from R1,650 to R4,000.

There are also still limited tickets available for the fourth Test at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

For tickets click here.