Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi to miss league opener against Stellenbosch
The club confirmed on Friday afternoon that Nabi's wife was involved in a car accident in Tunisia and he had to return home to be with his family.
In his absence, first assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef and second assistant coach Cedric Kaze take charge in this match where Amakhosi will be out to get their campaign off to a positive start.
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IOL News
35 minutes ago
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Sekhukhune United must stay ruthless after Orlando Pirates win in the Betway Premiership opener, says Tinkler
Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler wants his side to stay grounded despite their promising start to the season. Photo: Itumleng English Independent Media Image: Itumleng English Independent Media Sekhukhune United's technical team is building a balanced and competitive side, and coach Eric Tinkler has urged his troops to remain consistent. Babina Noko began their Betway Premiership campaign with a 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon. As such, they will take a huge morale boost into their second league clash against TS Galaxy at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night (7.30pm). Sekhukhune are eager to complete a double over Galaxy in the space of a fortnight, having come from two goals down to win 3-2 during their MTN8 quarter-final clash. Tinkler's side have ample reason to believe they are heading in the right direction this season, as they have shown great character against both Galaxy and Pirates. Betway Premiership Season opener win; thank you all for making it memorable🙏🏿. 🦔🦔🦔🦔🦔#Adibahlabe#BetwayPremiership2025/26 — Sekhukhune United F.C. (@SekhukhuneFc) August 10, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'Yes, it was very important to start the league with a win, and we did well to come back against Galaxy (in the MTN8),' Tinkler said. 'Truth be told, I think Galaxy had six or so players who weren't registered in the MTN8. So, I think the team we are going to face on Wednesday will be different. 'This game was always going to be a character test of where we are. The character the guys showed in the MTN8 came out again in this match. 'We are creating a well-disciplined and cultured team. Beyond the tactical aspects, the players' work ethic at training and on match day has to match. 'We have to transfer what we do at training to match day, and I am seeing that, which is a positive.' While Sekhukhune are riding high at the moment after back-to-back wins, Tinkler is not getting carried away. The former Bafana Bafana coach knows there is still a long way to go before the team can truly be at their best and ready to challenge for their first piece of silverware as a club. With the team also in the MTN8 semi-final — where they will face Stellenbosch in the first leg at Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday — Tinkler says they must be consistent across the board. 'We've got a game in three days (against Galaxy), so if we don't win that, then this result means nothing,' Tinkler said. 'It's about building on that — without becoming complacent. Consistency in performances is what's key.' One of the players who has shown flashes of consistency is new centre-back Medupi Thokolo. Man of the Match: Medupi Thokolo Medupi was outstanding today, driving the team with skill and determination. A game-changer who earned every bit of this award! 🦔🦔🦔#Adibahlabe#BetwayPremiership — Sekhukhune United F.C. (@SekhukhuneFc) August 9, 2025
IOL News
2 hours ago
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Ouaddou calls for quick recovery after Orlando Pirates' defeat in their Betway Premiership opener
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is determined to see his side respond positively when they face Marumo Gallants on Tuesday. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media Orlando Pirates' coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has stressed that it will be crucial for the team to bounce back from their defeat in the first game of the Betway Premiership season. Sekhukhune United handed Pirates a sour start to the league, beating them 1-0 away at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Siphesihle Mkhize scored Sekhukhune's solitary goal early in the second half, burying home a rebound following a scramble inside Pirates' box. That win ensured that Babina Noko showed early signs of living up to their 'dark horses' tag this season, while the loss put Pirates' plans into jeopardy from the outset. Pirates are expected to challenge for — and win — the Premiership this season, as the club have invested heavily in preparations and squad strengthening. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Ouaddou conceded that they had a poor day at the office, although he insisted not all is lost, as the league is not won overnight. 'The chance that we have in football is to play again quickly and aim for victory in the next game,' Ouaddou stated during his post-match press conference in Orlando. 'The league is a marathon; many games remain to be played. We started badly, but we'll get some rest and quickly get back to business.' Pirates' loss to Babina Noko saw them fail to capitalise on Mamelodi Sundowns' slip earlier in the day, as the defending champions drew 1-1 with Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Ouaddou took a different perspective on the defeat, crediting the league for becoming increasingly competitive. Pirates Defeated in League Season Opener ⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways — Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) August 9, 2025 'This result means that every season the league is getting better and tougher,' he reasoned. 'The teams are preparing and organising themselves well. My analysis of the result is that there are no more small teams in the league.' Pirates looked well-prepared and ready to compete across competitions when they brushed aside Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final at Orlando a fortnight ago. The new signings — including Sipho Mbule, Sihle Nduli, and Oswin Appollis — hardly looked out of place in that game, driving Pirates en route to the semi-final. Ouaddou still believes in the players at his disposal and in the team's set-up, but acknowledges there is ample room for improvement going forward. Bradley Grobler drives Sekhukhune United forward against Orlando Pirates on Saturday night. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media 'It doesn't give me a different picture of my team or my boys. We have quality, but there's a lot of work to do, especially when you have many new players,' said Ouaddou. 'Of course, there's still a lot of work to be done. I still believe in the players we have — there's quality within the team. It's only the beginning of the season, so we'll regroup and bounce back.' Ouaddou added that they must quickly get their league campaign up and running, especially with the quick turnaround of matches in the coming weeks. 'It's part of football. We knew that we might have some close games in the schedule from the start of the season,' he explained. 'We need to assess player availability. We have many players, so rotation will be important when you have that many games in a short space of time.' Pirates' next match will be away to Marumo Gallants at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night (7.30pm kick-off). The clash will mark a homecoming for Ouaddou, who began his PSL coaching career at Gallants last season. The 46-year-old is not making the game about himself, but rather about the team's need to secure three points against a side that won their opening fixture of the season. 'I have seen their result, so congratulations to them. But it's not only important for me — it's important for our team to go there and get the result,' Ouaddou said. 'When you lose the first game at home, you definitely need to get points away to stay in the title race.'
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Zwane unfazed by Sundowns stumble ahead of Loftus clash
Arthur Zwane says AmaZulu will need to nullify Sundowns' individual brilliance if they are to take points from Loftus Versfeld. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane is refusing to be drawn into talk of an 'easier' assignment when his side face Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria on Tuesday, despite the champions dropping points on the opening day. Usuthu will travel to Loftus Versfeld in high spirits after beginning their Betway Premiership campaign with a 1-0 victory over newly-promoted Orbit College at the Princess Magogo Stadium. Zwane's men controlled the match from start to finish but needed a first-half own goal from Sekhoane Moerane to seal the three points. Sundowns, meanwhile, were held to a surprising 1-1 draw by Chippa United in Gqeberha — a result that raised eyebrows given the Brazilians' dominance in recent seasons. The defending champions are also navigating uncertainty, with key players Lucas Ribeiro, Peter Shalulile, and Khuliso Mudau all linked with possible moves before the transfer window closes. Zwane has cautioned against reading too much into that slow start or the speculation surrounding their squad. 'We can't think because they drew their first game that perhaps it's going to be an easier game,' Zwane said. 'It's going to be a very difficult season for everyone. There will be fewer underdogs this season because if you look at our previous games against Sundowns, we lost due to their individual brilliance.' The Usuthu boss highlighted the match-winning qualities that Sundowns' stars have consistently produced against his side. 'The likes of Lucas Ribeiro and Peter Shalulile stood out for them in games against us — they made the difference. So this is why I say it's going to be difficult for everyone,' Zwane added. AmaZulu's recent meetings with Sundowns have often been close in general play, only for individual moments to tip the balance towards the Pretoria giants. Zwane knows that neutralising those threats will be key if his team is to return from Loftus with a positive result. His side's defensive performance against Orbit offered cause for optimism, with Keagan Allen and Taariq Fielies marshalling the backline effectively. The clean sheet was a promising foundation, but Zwane will be urging greater attacking efficiency, especially in a fixture where chances may be scarce. For Zwane, the bigger picture is that this season's league campaign could be among the most competitive in years, with smaller clubs showing less fear and bigger teams facing greater challenges across the board. Tuesday's clash will serve as an early litmus test for both teams — Sundowns looking to reassert their dominance, and AmaZulu aiming to prove they can go toe-to-toe with the very best.
