A nine-year-old South African chess talent, Thandeka Mokoena, is set to compete on the global stage after a successful crowdfunding campaign raised R105,000 to support her participation in an upcoming international tournament.

The funds, contributed by members of the public and supporters of youth sport, will cover travel, accommodation, coaching support, and tournament entry fees. The campaign has been widely praised as a powerful example of community backing stepping in to support emerging talent.

Despite her age, Thandeka has already made a strong impression in local chess circles, regularly competing against and defeating older, more experienced opponents. Coaches describe her as a focused and strategic player with sharp tactical awareness and a calm approach under pressure.

Her rapid rise through school and regional competitions has positioned her as one of the country’s most promising young players. Within development structures, she is increasingly being recognised as a future contender capable of competing at elite levels with the right support and exposure.

The success of the crowdfunding effort highlights a broader challenge within South African chess, where many talented young players struggle to access international platforms due to financial constraints. Travel and tournament costs often limit opportunities, making community-driven funding initiatives critical for development.

Chess officials and supporters have welcomed the initiative, saying early exposure to global competition plays a key role in shaping a player’s growth. Competing internationally allows young players to experience different styles of play, strengthen decision-making skills, and build confidence at higher levels of competition.

The campaign has also sparked widespread support across the chess community, with many praising the public for rallying behind a young athlete and helping to unlock an opportunity that might otherwise have been out of reach.

As she prepares for the international event, the focus will be on gaining experience and continuing her development rather than immediate results. Coaches have emphasised the importance of allowing her to grow naturally while making the most of the exposure.

Thandeka Mokoena’s journey to the global stage, powered by community support, stands as a strong example of how collective effort can help nurture young talent and create opportunities for the next generation of South African competitors.

Brentford 5-3 Wolves. Brentford secured a commanding 5-3 victory over Wolves at the Gtech Community Stadium, capitalizing on a disastrous defensive performance from their opponents. This result marks Brentford’s first Premier League win since August, while Wolves remain winless this season under Gary O’Neil.

Fast Start for Brentford

The game kicked off with a bang, as Brentford took the lead just 75 seconds into the match. Nathan Collins headed in a pinpoint cross from Mikkel Damsgaard, giving the Bees an early advantage for the fourth consecutive game. Wolves, however, responded quickly when Matheus Cunha steered Nelson Semedo’s cutback past Brentford keeper Mark Flekken just two minutes later.

Brentford regained their lead shortly after with a penalty. Mario Lemina fouled Collins in the box, and Bryan Mbeumo stepped up to convert, sending Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone the wrong way. This was Mbeumo’s sixth Premier League goal of the season, further solidifying his impressive form.

Wolves Fight Back, But Brentford Dominate

Wolves refused to back down, equalizing for a second time through Jorgen Strand Larsen, who turned in a low cross from Rayan Ait-Nouri. However, Brentford quickly restored their lead less than 90 seconds later when Christian Norgaard fired a precise shot into the far corner after a pass from Vitaly Janelt.

The home side continued to exploit Wolves’ defensive frailties, with Ethan Pinnock heading in a fourth goal just before halftime from another Damsgaard corner. Pinnock was left completely unmarked, and his header found the back of the net with ease.

Brentford Control the Second Half

In the second half, Brentford remained in control. Johnstone kept Wolves in the game with a couple of impressive saves, including denying Pinnock from another corner and stopping Kevin Schade in a one-on-one situation.

Fabio Carvalho, a second-half substitute, scored Brentford’s fifth goal after Johnstone parried a shot from Keane Lewis-Potter, allowing Carvalho to slot home the rebound. Ait-Nouri grabbed a late consolation for Wolves, but it did little to mask a poor performance from O’Neil’s side.

Wolves’ Defensive Woes Continue

Wolves remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table with just one point from seven matches, having conceded a staggering 21 goals in that span. Their defensive vulnerabilities were on full display against Brentford, as poor marking and giveaways led to easy goals for the home team.

The defeat means Wolves have now equaled their worst start to a top-flight season since 1963. Despite positive moments in attack, including goals from Cunha and Larsen, their defensive frailties overshadowed any potential progress.

Brentford Climb Into Top Half

For Brentford, this win was a much-needed boost. After tough outings against Manchester City, Tottenham, and West Ham, the Bees finally capitalized on their early pressure and converted chances into goals. Their relentless attacking left Wolves struggling to cope, and Brentford’s well-deserved win moves them into the top half of the Premier League table.

Head coach Thomas Frank will be pleased with his team’s resilience, especially after Wolves responded twice in the first half. Brentford’s ability to keep pushing forward and maintain their offensive pressure throughout the game was key to their success.

What’s Next?

Wolves will need to regroup quickly, as they remain in search of their first win of the season. O’Neil will likely focus on shoring up their defense ahead of their next fixture. Meanwhile, Brentford will look to build on this momentum as they continue their Premier League campaign, hoping to maintain their attacking flair and climb further up the table.

source – BBC

Arsenal 3-1 Southampton. Arsenal came from behind to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-1 victory over winless Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.

Two quick goals in the second half from Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli turned the tide after Cameron Archer gave Southampton a surprise lead. Bukayo Saka sealed the win with a late goal, ensuring Arsenal’s continued strong form.

This victory also marked Arsenal’s 400th home win in Premier League history, making them only the second club to reach that milestone. They remain just one point behind league leaders Liverpool heading into the international break.

Southampton, who have just one point from their first seven games, struggled to contain Arsenal’s pressure throughout the match. Despite some resilient defending, they managed to hold off the Gunners until halftime.

The Saints took an unexpected lead 10 minutes into the second half when Cameron Archer scored on the counterattack, capitalizing after Raheem Sterling, making his first league start for Arsenal, lost possession to Mateus Fernandes.

Arsenal responded swiftly. Just three minutes later, Havertz curled a brilliant shot in off the post to equalize. Martinelli then made it 2-1 with a well-timed run to meet Saka’s cross at the back post.

Southampton refused to give up and came close to leveling the score, with Dominic Ballard’s deflected shot hitting the post and Adam Armstrong rattling the crossbar moments later. However, Arsenal’s dominance prevailed, and Saka put the game beyond reach with a clinical finish in the dying moments.

The win extends Arsenal’s unbeaten run in all competitions to 16 matches, and manager Mikel Arteta praised Saka, who provided two assists and scored the third goal. “He has the capacity to change and decide games. That is his maturity and it’s another step in what he wants,” Arteta said, adding that Saka’s ability to deliver in crucial moments is what defines a top player.

Arsenal had to dig deep for the second week in a row, having required a late rally to beat Leicester in their previous match. For much of the game, Arsenal looked dominant yet frustratingly wasteful, failing to break down Southampton’s defense in the first half.

It was Southampton’s goal that finally woke Arsenal up. Havertz’s equalizer and Martinelli’s quick follow-up turned the game around, and Arteta’s triple substitution—bringing on Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and summer signing Mikel Merino—added fresh energy to secure the win.

Southampton, despite their battling performance, have now matched their worst-ever top-flight run, extending to 20 matches without a win, a record last seen in 1969. While their defensive resilience showed promise, manager Russell Martin will be concerned as they remain at the bottom of the table.

Arsenal’s solid start to the season, with five wins and two draws (both achieved with 10 men), puts them in a promising position in the Premier League title race, while Southampton continue their search for their first victory.

source – BBC