Sporting CP opens sixth Academy School in Africa

The Sporting Academy in South Africa is the country's third and the sixth on the African continent. João Gomes, who lives in the city and was considered as being Sporting Member of the Year, spoke about what the new facilities mean to the region.

"We can feel the passion coming from Sporting and it is a pleasure to see these kids, who are mostly South African, wearing a green and white shirt. A lot of them want to go to Alvalade to watch a match", opened Gomes, adding: "This is just the start of the project for us and we will carry on growing."

The Sporting board member Luís Roque was also on hand to speak about the reasoning behind the building of the Nelspruit facility: "A few years ago we had one school abroad and now we have six in Africa. That shows what Sporting is looking to do with foreign communities. Sometimes the people who join us don't speak Portuguese, but they certainly know how to say Sporting. We are really ambitious and this year alone we are looking to open another ten Academies."

Bruno de Carvalho happy with opening of new facilities in South Africa

The Sporting president has been touring South Africa in recent days and has just opened up the new Sporting Academy School in Nelspruit. With the new facility just 100km from Mozambique, Bruno de Carvalho has already picked ups next target: "We are on the doorstep of Mozambique, which is good. One of our objectives is to build facilities their too and and we will do everything we can to do that next year."

For Bruno de Carvalho, the dedication shown by those behind the new Sporting Academy Schools in South Africa reflects well for the future: "People will start to see that this is a solid project and has everything needed to succeed. People can see how great it is to be in one of these Acadmies."

The role of João Gomes, already named as Club Member of the Year, was also noted by the Alvalade boss: "He is involved in the Academy. He is involved in this project and it is important for us to have such quality people that also have a passion for Sporting."

Sporting president to attend dinner with fans in Nelspruit

The Sporting president, Bruno de Carvalho, has been in South Africa since Thursday. This weekend he will be in the Northeastern city of Nelspruit to open a second Sporting Academy School in the Country.

Following the event, Bruno de Carvalho will join a dinner with local Sporting fans and club members at 18h00 this evening.

Bruno de Carvalho praises the passion involved in opening the new Sporting Academy School

Bruno de Carvalho and Luís Roque had a busy day in Johannesburg this Saturday. In the morning the two Sporting heads were in the headquarters of Sporting FC to meet the local directors.

The afternoon was reserved for the main event: the inauguration of the new Sporting Academy School in Johannesburg. Moved by the event, the club's directors thanked Bruno de Carvalho for the opportunity. "To have the president here is a big step for the future of our dream", said Miguel de Freitas.

Bruno de Carvalho also recognised the importance of the initiative: "The Sporting brand can only win from being in South Afica."

Bruno de Carvalho in South Africa to open two new Sporting Academies

President Bruno de Carvalho in South Africa to open the doors of two new Sporting Academy Schools. Despite his busy schedule, the Alvalade boss took a moment to speak about the recently closed transfer market and Adrien Silva.

"He has always been a person and athlete that impresses me. Adrien is a Sporting captain. The fans will know how to show their love for him. Things like what happened are normal and can happen to any player. I am really happy that he has stayed and he will continue to be one of our captains. The transfer market is always a frantic period and the fans have to stay calm. We have to manage a lot of interests and feelings and that is what we are here to do. We are happy to have fulfilled our promises, without damaging the promises we have made. We will miss João Mário, Slimani and Naldo of course and our heart will stay with them. Now is the time to embrace the new players who have come into the squad" said Bruno de Carvalho, finishing with a note on the importance of his strip to South Africa: "(I am) here to open two more Academies. We are investing a lot here and it is important to bring Sporting to other countries and develop other athletes, like we know best."

Sporting president also set for dinner with local club members and fans

Bruno de Carvalho is in South Africa, on a busy schedule that will see him visit the Sporting CP Affiliate Sporting Johannesburg, before opening two Sporting Academy Schools. The Alvalade boss will round off the day with a dinner with local Sporting members and fans.

Pereira looking to get Alvalade return off with a bang

João Pereira was in the press room ahead of the start of this week’s Cape Town Cup, speaking with the press about his side’s objectives in South Africa.

“It is an international tournament and we want to win the title. We will think about the Supercup when it comes to it, but for now we have to prepare”, opened the Alvalade wing-back, adding a word on his return to Lisbon: “Everything is going really well. Some things have changed of course and our objectives are more ambitious now.”

Jorge Jesus sits down with the press in Cape Town

The Cape Town Cup was officially presented in the Table Bay Hotel this week. Speaking with a crowd of gathered journalists, coach Jorge Jesus shared his thoughts ahead of the start of the competition.

“We have high expectations. We have the honour of being part of this tournament and it will help us carry on our pre-season development. We will treat this competition as one that has a great future. We are really proud to be here”, said the Sporting coach.

Meanwhile, Ajax Cape Town coach Roger de Sá, who is himself a Sporting fan, affirmed that he is expecting a good match on Friday: “It will be another challenge for a young team like ours. We want to carry on our preparations and we are expecting a good match.”

Crystal Palace and SuperSporting United coaches Alan Pardew and Gordon Igesund also proved excited with the tournament, setting out their objective of facing Sporting in the final.

Jesus puts squad through its paces

Sporting continues pre-season preparation in South Africa, ahead of this Friday’s Cape Town Cup.

Jorge Jesus’ squad of 26 faced heavy winds in training this week, going through some warm up exercises for the first 15 minutes of their sessions which were open to the press.

The Cape Town Cup tournament organisers have responded to the requests of fans who considered ticket prices as too high, making available tickets for 60 Rand.

Jesus travels with 26 to South Africa

Sporting will head for South Africa at 05h00 on Monday morning, taking part in a training camp from the 21st to the 27th of July in preparation for the Cape Town Cup.

Following the transfer of Teófilo Gutiérrez, Jorge Jesus has selected 26 players to make the trip:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício, Marcelo Boeck and Azbe Jug
Defenders: João Pereira, Ricardo Esgaio, Paulo Oliveira, Naldo, Tobias Figueiredo, Rúben Semedo, Michaël Ciani, Jefferson and Jonathan Silva
Midfielders: Oriol Rosell, Adrien, João Mário, Wallyson and André Martins
Forwards: Carrillo, Carlos Mané, Gelson Martins, Capel, Iuri Medeiros, Montero, Tanaka, Teófilo Gutiérrez and Slimani

Sporting will take on Ajax Cape Town at 19h15 GMT on Friday the 24th, before facing either Crystal Palace or SuperSport United on Sunday the 26th.