New coach alert? Orlando Pirates target addresses links!
However, both are being monitored by North African giants Zamalek FC, who will be flying high after their recent Egytpian Cup triumph over Pyramids FC.
Mokwena addressed the links, which will have the Buccaneers pondering whether he wants to fight for the job.
'I didn't hear from them (Zamalek) after I had said I heard that coach Pitso was also in the running for this position,' Mokwena told SuperSport's Africa Soccer show.
'My relationship and my respect for him would not allow me to compete for the same coaching job with coach Pitso. It just wouldn't sit well with me, so I pulled out. I said I would rather they give it to Pitso.'
'Exactly what you are saying, my agent said, 'But this is a big club', and I said my respect for Pitso and what he has done for my career wouldn't allow me to do that.'
While the future surrounding Monnapule Saleng continues to drag out with little-to-no clarity, Orlando Pirates are reportedly in the hunt for starlet Jaedin Rhodes – another sign that the 27-year-old's days in Soweto are limited
'One of those reinforcements could be a long-time target, Jaedin Rhodes. Although the 22-year-old has endured an underwhelming season with Cape Town City, he remains a high priority on the Buccaneers' list,' a source said.
'The club [Orlando Pirates] has been met with resistance by City in previous attempts to lure Rhodes to Gauteng, but according to sources, will try once more in the upcoming window. Complicating matters will be the Citizens' peculiar situation.'
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Chimaev ‘the better man' says Du Plessis after being dethroned as UFC middleweight champion
It's back to the drawing board for Dricus du Plessis who was completely outwrestled by Khamzat Chimaev in their Sunday morning title bout. Dricus du Plessis was dominated from the first bell in round one to the last in round five as Khamzat Chimaev claimed the UFC middleweight belt from the South African by unanimous decision early on Sunday morning, 17 August 2025 (South African time), in Chicago. The passionate South African never had a settled foot in the bout as he was held down, either on his knees — by the weight of the new champion — or on his back in a crucifix position in every minute of the 25-minute duel. In all of Du Plessis' previous fights he was able to adapt to the fighting styles of his opponents. Against Sean Strickland — from whom he initially claimed the middleweight belt, and then defended it against — he was able to outbox the usually front-footed striker. Against former champion Israel Adesanya, who had out-struck him initially, Du Plessis was good enough to capitalise on a moment of weakness and submit the phenom — the first time he had been submitted in his career — as he grew into the fight and was able to eventually enforce his fighting style. But against Chimaev not once was Du Plessis able to fight on the front foot or impose the stand-up style he wanted — outside of a brief 20-second, referee enforced stand-up in the fifth round. 'Everybody in South Africa, you all know this flag means the world to me. I'm sorry [to] anybody I let down. I'll be back stronger,' a visibly emotional Du Plessis said after the fight. 'As South Africans, we rise. We fight through adversity and we'll show the world they still don't know what we know. We're coming back stronger than ever, we will not lose this fight lying down. I promise you that. See you all soon. 'Khamzat deserved the victory 100%. He beat me fair and square. He was the better man tonight, but I'll be back and I'm coming to get my belt back. But for now it's his and he deserves it.' Outclassed Du Plessis is also a better wrestler than he is often given credit for, his rear-naked chokehold submission of Adesanya is testimony of that, but Chimaev is a different beast when it comes to grappling. The Chechnyan-born fighter had his way with Du Plessis, taking him to the ground within the opening seconds of every round. Du Plessis never took a low guard, preparing to stand and fight, but it made Chimaev's 12 takedowns from 17 attempts that much easier. It wasn't a fight for spectators who tune in to be entertained by strikes that could lead to knockouts. Neither fighter took any serious damage either — of the 529 strikes landed – a new UFC record – by Chimaev, only 37 were significant. It was a masterclass of control and physical domination by Chimaev, and one Du Plessis had no answer to. Before the fight Du Plessis was aware of the grappling threat Chimaev posed, saying his fight camp for this fight was more gruelling than he had ever endured before to prepare for the toughest challenge of his career. It was not that the South African was not prepared for the challenge in the octagon at UFC 319. It was just that his three months of wrestling training did not, and could not, adequately prepare him for the monster grappler that is Chimaev. What's next? It does beg the question of who in the middleweight division will be able to take the belt from Chimaev. Despite being thoroughly worked over, Du Plessis was the champion for a reason. He was better than everyone else in the division. But Chimaev is at least a few levels above even that by virtue of his near-untouchable wrestling ability. It will be interesting to see how the upper echelon of the division unfolds once the dust settles after UFC 319. 'I don't care about these things. Whoever gives money… I'll fight anyone,' Chimaev said at the post-fight press conference. Given Du Plessis' grappling struggles with Chimaev and the fashion of the title bout, it's unlikely the former champion will get an immediate rematch despite defending his belt twice before. Du Plessis will probably have to scale the division again, but this time he won't be starting at the ground floor as he's still amongst the best middleweight fighters despite the reputation damage suffered on Sunday morning. DM
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
The octagon wasn't the only place where Dricus du Plessis took a beating
Khamzat Chimaev had no trouble putting Dricus du Plessis anywhere he wanted him. South African MMA fighter Dricus du Plessis lost his world championship early yesterday and some were delighted by that. @Full_Violence All respect to Dricus du Plessis. He may have been dominated, but he proved the world wrong by becoming a UFC champion. One of the most unorthodox to ever do it, always willing to fight to the death if that's what it took. Heart of a lion, no doubt he'll be back, and back stronger. @HappyPunch Khamzat Chimaev had 21:40 of control time in the 25-minute fight with Dricus du Plessis at # most ever in UFC title fight history @Sports_Alien_OG Dricus du Plessis made history tonight He earned the worst performance by a champion EVER, well done. @OnPointMMA Khamzat Chimaev has crucifixed Dricus du Plessis in all 5 rounds – controlled him in every minute of the fight. Have landed the most ground strikes in a fight in UFC history. This is not a domination, this is an annihilation. #UFC319. @ChampRDS Khamzat Chimaev absolutely DOMINATED Dricus du Plessis. 21:40 minutes of control time 529 strikes landed 45 strikes absorbed 12 takedowns landed @Ghostonlysa All South Africans were rooting for Khamzat Chimaev to win against the racist Dricus du Plessis. @K Chimaev, thanks for battering that racist Dricus du Plessis, who was spreading white genocide propaganda on behalf of AfriForum. @Rahul_AJ_1990 I always support our sportsmen & women, whatever colour or creed. Dricus du Plessis has proven to be unpatriotic. He peddles lies about South Africa for no reason other than blatant racism. I will never support racist liars who sacrifice our country to spread their racism. Khamzat Chimaev was born in 1994, Chechnya, Russia. In 2013, he moved to Sweden but retained his Russian citizenship. In 2023, he emigrated to the UAE. Khamzat is a vociferous supporter of an end to genocide & a Free Palestine. I am happy that a humanitarian has beaten a racist. @Thuso1Africa Russian fighter Khamazat Chimaev defeated the racist South African Dricus du Plessis to be become the UFC Middleweight Champion of the world. Congrats to Khamazat. The racist Dricus can go to hell. Free Palestine @KChimaev @EzamaCirha Woke up to good news, that racist Dricus du Plessis just lost the fight. Thank you Khamzat Chimaev dankie, Siyabonga, Siyabulela .@GaytonMcK Dricus du Plessis you made us proud as one of the great champions and we know you will be back. You faced a tough wrestler today but you will come back stronger. It was hard to watch but you never gave up, almost had him & you'll always be a legend. Chin up, #noDNAjustRSA. @SithaleKgaogelo Our own Khamzat Chimaev moered Dricus du Pless to be crowned NEW middleweight champion of the world! @phakxx Congratulations to Khazmat Chimaev who beat Dricus du Plessis. Racists deserve to be thoroughly humiliated. Did I mention Khazmat supports Palestine? I am grateful to him for disciplining a disgusting racist. #FreePalestine #UFC.
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
MTN8 semi-finals deliver drama, draw leaves Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns on knife-edge
Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was solid between the posts as Mamelodi Sundowns battled to a 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semi-final first leg. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media After the weekend's explosive MTN8 semi-final first-leg action between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, there is still no clear pointer as to which team will reach the final, following a 1-all draw. In the other semi-final first leg, Stellenbosch FC have one foot in the final after a 2-0 win over Sekhukhune United on a Winelands cabbage patch that is the Danie Craven Stadium. On the field of action, the major talking points emerged as the two semi-finals wound their course ahead of the second legs next weekend. Here are five talking points: 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 Themba Zwane is destined for the sidelines again It was meant to be a triumphant comeback season for 36-year-old Themba Zwane, who has battled injuries for the past 18 months, but he has been laid low once more. The Sundowns talisman left the pitch early in the first leg against bitter rivals Orlando Pirates, raising concerns about the extent of his latest setback. Despite his attempts to continue, the seasoned player quickly realised he could go no further and exited the field accompanied by medical staff. Let's hope the injury won't keep him out for long. Brain fade and emotions hamstring Sundowns' campaign In the aftermath of Saturday's 1-all draw, Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso criticised the team's inability to maintain composure, noting a decline in 'brainwork' and decision-making. With the second leg on the horizon, Sundowns will be aiming to eradicate the 'brain fade' and ensure emotions don't dictate the outcome. Pirates' Sebelelele looks like the best buy of the transfer window Kamogelo Sebelelele, who joined Pirates from TS Galaxy this window, is already standing out. Technically gifted, aggressive and rapid, he is a nightmare for opponents on the right wing. On Saturday, he showed his versatility when coach Abdeslam Ouaddou moved him to defence — yet he still managed to surge forward to score the equaliser in the dying minutes. Coach Ouaddou predicts Pirates sensation Mbokazi is Euro-bound After the match, all eyes were on 19-year-old centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi. Ouaddou praised the young captain's composure and defensive prowess, which kept Sundowns' threats, particularly Iqraam Rayners and Arthur Sales, at bay. Ouaddou went so far as to suggest that if Mbokazi continues this form, a future at a top European club awaits.
