September was a busy month for South Africans and sports fans worldwide. From a shocking own‑goal that gave AZ Alkmaar an edge in Europe to a fierce Ligue 1 showdown, the headlines kept us on our toes. Below is a quick run‑through of the stories that mattered most.
Top Sports Stories
Football dominated the feed. Lucas Bergvall’s own‑goal handed AZ Alkmaar a 1‑0 win over Tottenham, setting the stage for an epic comeback in London. In France, Lille and Lyon squared off with both teams eyeing a top‑four finish, while a storm forced the Marseille‑PSG clash to be delayed by a day. South Africa’s Betway Premiership saw goalkeepers pull off unbelievable saves in August, reminding everyone why a solid keeper can win points.
Across the continent, Real Madrid’s new coach Xabi Alonso struggled with a leaky defence despite a perfect start to the La Liga season. Meanwhile, his side kept a five‑match winning streak heading into a clash with Villarreal. In Italy, Zebre Parma’s URC campaign got a boost from new signings, but the team still fought to climb out of the bottom of the table.
The youth scene wasn’t quiet either. Chelsea’s U19s turned a 2‑1 deficit into a 3‑2 victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Youth League, showing how resilient the academy can be. Rugby fans also got their fix with the United Rugby Championship fixtures that pitted Italian side against Scottish and Irish giants.
Key Local Developments
On the political front, Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie refused to apologise for alleged racist posts, vowing a legal battle that could reach the Constitutional Court. The South African Human Rights Commission opened an investigation, sparking heated debate across parties.
Telkom entered the fast‑growing MVNO market by teaming up with an MVNE platform, a move that reshapes competition with FNB Connect and Capitec Connect. The partnership helps brands launch mobile services while meeting ICASA’s Black‑ownership rules.
Social welfare updates included SASSA’s August 2025 grant calendar, confirming payment dates for older persons and children. The agency reminded beneficiaries to keep banking details current to avoid delays.
Security news came from Europe, where Russian MiG‑31s briefly entered Estonian airspace, prompting NATO’s Italian F‑35s to scramble. The incident highlighted ongoing tensions in the Baltic region.
Tragedy struck in the United States when conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot at a Utah Valley University event, sparking a nationwide discussion on political violence.
All these stories and more lived in September’s archive. Whether you’re looking for fast‑break football analysis, a deep dive into South African politics, or the latest tech moves, you’ll find it here on Daily Wacek News. Keep scrolling for full articles, videos, and expert opinions that keep you in the know.
AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Tottenham – Bergvall Own Goal Gives Dutch Edge
Sep, 29 2025SportsPravina Chetty
AZ Alkmaar's 1‑0 win in the first leg, courtesy of a Lucas Bergvall own‑goal, set up a dramatic Tottenham comeback that saw them win 3‑1 in London and advance 3‑2 on aggregate.
Lille vs Lyon Ligue 1 Showdown: What to Expect on September 28, 2025
Sep, 27 2025SportsPravina Chetty
Lille host Lyon at the Decathlon Arena on 28 September 2025 in a clash that could reshape the Ligue 1 top‑four. Both sides sit within two points of each other, boast strong attacking numbers and solid defenses, and are juggling Europa League duties. Recent head‑to‑head trends point to a high‑scoring affair, while tactical nuances suggest a tight midfield battle. Key players on both rosters could tip the scales.
Gayton McKenzie Refuses Apology Over Racism Claims, Vows Legal Fight
Sep, 27 2025PoliticsPravina Chetty
Patriotic Alliance leader and Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie says he is not a racist and will not apologise for disputed social media posts. The South African Human Rights Commission has opened an investigation, citing possible breaches of the Equality Act. McKenzie has hired lawyers and is ready to go to the Constitutional Court. Opposition parties demand his resignation, but he calls the attacks politically motivated.
Betway Premiership: August’s Best Goalkeeper Saves
Sep, 27 2025SportsPravina Chetty
August 2025 saw South African goalkeepers pull off jaw‑dropping saves in the Betway Premiership. Reflex miracles, last‑minute denials and tactical brilliance changed match outcomes and thrilled fans. The roundup captures the skill, positioning and confidence on display. It also shows how vital solid goalkeeping is for league standings.
Marseille vs PSG postponed after storm hits the Vélodrome
Sep, 26 2025SportsPravina Chetty
A severe storm in Marseille forced the Ligue 1 marquee clash with PSG to be moved from Sept 21 to Sept 22. League rules require a next‑day replay unless exceptions apply. The venue stays the Stade Vélodrome, kickoff at 20:00 CET. Safety concerns for players, staff and fans drove the decision.
Zebre Parma’s 2025‑26 URC Campaign: New Signings, Tough Fixtures and a Fight for Survival
Sep, 26 2025SportsPravina Chetty
Zebre Parma kicks off its fifth United Rugby Championship season with a slew of new players and a packed calendar that includes the Scottish‑Italian Shield and the EPCR Challenge Cup. After two wins in nine games they sit 15th, and head coach Massimo Brunello hopes fresh arrivals can spark a climb up the table. Key fixtures against Leinster, Glasgow and Benetton will test the revamped squad.
Telkom Joins South Africa’s MVNO Boom with New MVNE Partnership
Sep, 26 2025BusinessPravina Chetty
In March 2025 Telkom entered South Africa’s mobile virtual network operator market through a partnership with an MVNE platform provider to meet ICASA’s Black‑ownership rules. The MVNO space is exploding, driven by banks, insurers and retailers, with 4.3 million users at the end of 2023 and a forecast of over 11 million by 2029. Telkom now offers brands a full‑stack platform, flexible onboarding and access to its robust network. The move reshapes competition among existing players like FNB Connect and Capitec Connect.
La Liga Round 2 Kicks Off: What to Expect in the 2025‑26 Season
Sep, 26 2025SportsPravina Chetty
The second round of La Liga's 2025-26 campaign launches this week with a slate of high‑stakes fixtures. Fans can look forward to early title challenges, relegation battles, and a few surprise matchups. Broadcast details, ticket info and key player news are all covered.
Ryder Cup 2025: US Pays Players While Europe Plays for Pride
Sep, 26 2025SportsPravina Chetty
The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black pits a $500,000‑per‑player US payout against a unpaid European team. The payment gap fuels talk of motives, pressure and patriotism. Both sides defend their stance as the event approaches, and the result could reshape how team golf handles money.
SASSA Sets August 2025 Grant Dates – What Beneficiaries Need to Know
Sep, 25 2025NewsPravina Chetty
SASSA released the August 2025 grant calendar, starting with Older Persons payments on August 5 and ending with Children’s grants on August 7. The agency kept amounts unchanged, outlines how beneficiaries can collect funds after the official date, and stresses banking updates to avoid delays.
Real Madrid Defense Becomes Xabi Alonso’s Biggest Headache
Sep, 24 2025SportsPravina Chetty
Xabi Alonso’s first season at Real Madrid is being defined by a mounting defensive crisis. Injuries to Ferland Mendy, disciplinary bans for Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal, and a crowded fixture list have left the Spaniard scrambling for solutions. The article examines how the problems echo last year’s failures, the impact on the club’s €178 million summer spend, and what Alonso can still do to steady the backline.
Real Madrid's Perfect Start Under Xabi Alonso Sets Up Crucial Villarreal Clash
Sep, 24 2025SportsPravina Chetty
Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid have won their first five LaLiga games and sit two points clear at the top. The unbeaten run fuels confidence ahead of a showdown with Villarreal on October 4-5. Stats show a high‑scoring attack and a tightened defence. Analysts weigh the odds of a continued streak versus Villarreal's recent surge.
