Linda Mntambo's plea to Sipho Mbule
For most of his career, Mntambo has been captain of the sides that he has played for and he discusses his leadership style and how he navigated around leading some difficult personalities in a team environment.
Over the past few seasons, Mamelodi Sundowns have dominated the Betway Premiership with eight successive titles. Mntambo believes consistent Sekhukhune — top-half finishers in three of their four seasons since being promoted in 2021, and fourth-placed finishers in the last two campaigns — can be among the teams to challenge the Brazilians.
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IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Sekhukhune United aim for MTN8 comeback against Stellenbosch, with talisman Makgalwa on song
Keletso Makgalwa in action as Sekhukhune United secured a 3-0 victory over Orbit College. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Eric Tinkler must be a happy coach — his team, Sekhukhune United, and talisman Keletso Makgalwa, have hit the right notes at the right time. Sekhukhune United will face Stellenbosch in the MTN8 semi-final second leg at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday at 6pm, trailing 2-0 from last weekend's first-leg defeat in Stellenbosch. The ginger-haired coach lamented after that game that his troops had not followed his instructions. That loss also dented their perfect start to the season, having won all three of their opening matches — two in the Betway Premiership and one in the Wafa Wafa Cup. However, Tinkler's troops bounced back on Tuesday night, defeating newcomers Orbit College 3-0 away. The victory propelled them to the top of the log standings with a perfect record after five matches, including wins over Orlando Pirates and TS Galaxy. 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 Tuesday's win — coupled with a clean sheet and a Player of the Match performance from Makgalwa — has boosted confidence ahead of the MTN8 semi-final clash. In knockout matches, clean sheets are as important as goals. Having already conceded twice away to Stellenbosch, Sekhukhune cannot afford to concede at home. A goal for Stellenbosch in Polokwane would count twice — cushioning their lead and providing an away-goal advantage, if needed. Renaldo Leaner and his defence must be as solid as they were against Orbit, avoiding the mistakes made in the first leg. Goals will also be crucial if Sekhukhune are to come back and progress to the MTN8 final for the first time since their promotion four seasons ago. That is where Bradley Grobler and company enter the equation. They need to bring their scoring boots and showcase relentless attacking prowess against an improving Stellenbosch defence. What will please Tinkler heading into the game is that Keletso Makgalwa is in fine form, living up to his 'King of Assists' moniker. Makgalwa was the standout performer against Orbit, providing all three assists — two for Vusumzi Mncube's brace and one for Tshepo Mokoena's goal. 3 - Keletso Makgalwa is the first player in the PSL's top-flight to make a hat-trick of assists in a game since Themba Zwane in April 2024 (v TS Galaxy). Generous. — OptaJabu (@OptaJabu) August 19, 2025 The outstanding display and current form of the 28-year-old are exactly what Babina Noko need, particularly after Tinkler had bemoaned Makgalwa's sluggish start to the season. The coach admitted before the first leg that transfer rumours seemed to have affected the player's performances. He advised Makgalwa that the only way to attract serious interest from other clubs was to improve on last season's form, and the club would not stand in his way if genuine offers came in. The former Mamelodi Sundowns youth product appears to have heeded his coach's advice. After just five games this season, he is only seven assists shy of last season's tally. Makgalwa's progress has not gone unnoticed by rival fans either — some Orlando Pirates supporters have suggested he could replace Relebohile Mofokeng should the youngster move abroad. Mofokeng is reportedly on the radar of MLS side Minnesota United, who have allegedly tabled an offer close to $2 million (about R35m). While a move abroad may be out of Makgalwa's control, he can determine his own fate by staying consistent and delivering top-level performances week in and week out. A strong showing ahead of Bafana Bafana's 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers and the Afcon tournament in Morocco later this year could further enhance his chances of a big move. That is why he cannot afford to take his foot off the gas, particularly when Tinkler will be relying on him to deliver more assists against Stellenbosch in Polokwane on Saturday evening.
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Stellenbosch FC eyeing victory over Orlando Pirates
'We know what is ahead of us, but I also know what the players in this team are capable of," said Enyinnaya. Stellenbosch FC defender Kazie Enyinnaya is expecting a tough fixture but that he believed the Maroons have enough quality to record a positive result against the Soweto giants. The sides meet in a Betway Premiership clash at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto this evening. ALSO READ: Pirates' Mbokazi asks fans to keep the faith 'It's going to be a tough game, but we have trained and prepared well ahead of the match,' Enyinnaya told Stellies media. 'We know what is ahead of us, but I also know what the players in this team are capable of. 'We have to keep pushing and get something against Pirates to build on the start the club has made to the season. The aim is always to improve, so we want to build on what we achieved last season, starting on Wednesday.' Enyinnaya heads into this clash against the Buccaneers full of confidence after scoring his first goal for the club during last weekend's MTN8 semi-final first leg victory over Sekhukhune United last weekend. 'I was thrilled to score my first goal in the Maroon jersey,' added the former Nigeria international. 'This is something I have been working on, and I believe more goals are on their way. I'm working hard and putting in my best to improve and help the team with more goals. ALSO READ: Chiefs hope to have Nabi back for Sundowns showdown 'We performed very well against Sekhukhune United. We stuck to our game plan to make sure we got the result without conceding. Even though we have only played the first half, we've put ourselves in a good position, and I believe we can get the job done. 'We have to focus and make sure we don't concede early, and make sure we score. If we can do that, we'll give ourselves the best possible chance of reaching the final.'
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Richards Bay struggles continue after loss against Chiefs
RICHARDS Bay players led by Tlakusani Mthethwa tackle Kaizer Chiefs' Wandile Duba during the Betway Premiership match at the FNB stadium. | Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers Richards Bay FC closed out last season on a strong note, even sneaking into the top eight at the very last moment. However, their new campaign has taken a far less promising turn, with Kaizer Chiefs condemning them to their fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions. A narrow 1-0 loss at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday night continued their winless run and highlighted the problems the club faces in trying to rediscover form. The decisive moment came in the second half, when Gaston Sirino found the back of the net to secure Chiefs' third straight victory. For the KwaZulu-Natal side, though, the performance ranked among their poorest so far this season. The Natal Rich Boys managed to hold on during the first half, keeping the game tight despite constant Chiefs pressure, but after the break they struggled to cope and spent much of the half chasing shadows without creating a lot of their own chances. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ With three defeats in as many games, head coach Ronnie Gabriel admitted that his side had failed to carry out their plans on the night, overwhelmed by the intensity and pressure Amakhosi applied throughout the contest. 'Coming to this match on the back of two losses, we felt our performances were good even though we had lost,' Gabriel reflected after the game. 'After analysis we had a lot of final entries, we dominated the opponent in possession, there was a lot of synergy in the team in the last two games. Coming into this game we expected a bit more, but we were dominated in possession against a very good Chiefs team. 'We managed to hang on in the first half and went into the break without conceding. In the second half we planned to keep it tight and cagey before going offensive, but it wasn't to be. "We lost the ball in midfield and allowed Chiefs to counter-attack us. It was not what we had planned for.' Part of Richards Bay's struggles stem from the loss of several key players during the off-season. With the replacements unable to match the same level of quality, cracks have already begun to show just weeks into the campaign. The next fixture against fellow strugglers Chippa United now looms large, as Gabriel's side searches for both points and confidence.
