Football: Former Bafana Bafana defender Bradley Carnell named MLS Coach of the Year with Philadelphia Union
Carnell claims top honour in Major League Soccer
The last few years have been incredible for South African football, with the senior side finishing third at the last Africa Cup of Nations and clinching automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup last month.
Amajita, the nation's U-20 team, also had an excellent year, winning the U-20 AFCON for the first time ever, while the U-17 side, Amajimbos, have made it to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, where they will face Japan U-17 later this week.
However, it is not only on the field that South Africa is making waves, as Bradley Carnell, former Bafana Bafana left-back, was named the Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year for 2025 after an incredible season with Philadelphia Union.
Carnell, who also played for Kaizer Chiefs in the South African PSL, led the Union to the Supporters’ Shield this year, with his side earning 66 points in 34 league matches (W20 D6 L8), which was the best record in the MLS for 2025.
Being a defender by trade, it is perhaps unsurprising that Zolos ended the campaign with the best defensive record in the US top flight, conceding just 35 goals, five fewer than Eastern Conference runners-up FC Cincinnati. Speaking to the media after receiving his award, Carnell said:
“It’s not just about me, it’s about the club. But through the club doing well, I’m doing excellent in terms of my personal gains and personal achievements. So it’s almost a thought process and a shift in the thought process.”
Carnell also steered his team to victory over Chicago Fire in the first round of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs and will now face New York City FC in the Conference semi-finals, which will be covered live on our football livescore tool.
Bafana Bafana prepare for Zambia friendly ahead of AFCON
With the international break now upon us, Hugo Broos will have a chance to reassemble his troops and begin fine-tuning their preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next month.
With Bafana Bafana having already punched their ticket to the World Cup in North America, the team will play a friendly against Zambia in Gqeberha this weekend, but Broos is not willing to allow his players to step off the gas. He said in an interview this week:
“We are preparing for the friendly game against Zambia on Saturday. But for me, friendly games do not exist. Every match demands full focus and commitment. We play to win, and this one is no different.”
The South African national team commenced their training camp at Ellis Park Stadium on Monday, November 10, and are expected to depart for Gqeberha on Thursday morning for their clash against Chipolopolo on Saturday.
