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The South African
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
A full starting XI of Orlando Pirates players in the Bafana squad
You can build a proper starting XI from all of the Orlando Pirates players in the latest Bafana squad. What formation would they play in, though? Chaine; Van Rooyen, Sibisi, Mbokazi, Selepe; Mbatha; Maswanganyi, Mofokeng; Makgopa; Mabasa, Nkota. Sipho Chaine, Deano van Rooyen, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe, Thalente Mbatha, Evidence Makgopa, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Patrick Maswanganyi, Rele Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota are the 11 Sea Robbers stars in the group. Bruce Bvuma, Yusuf Maart and Mduduzi Shabalala are the Chiefs trio included. Check the whole squad out below: Chaine; Van Rooyen, Sesane, Mbokazi, Letlapa; Mbatha, Makhaula; Appollis, Nkota, Mofokeng; Mabasa. Meanwhile, Letlapa headlines a list of names linked with Orlando Pirates Is Kekana the best PSL player in history? Hlompho Kekana was a combative and explosive character on the pitch, but off it, he's as humble as they come. Regarded by his teammates as a model professional and example, he took care of his body and was fit as a fiddle even at the ripe age of 36. Also, his devotion to a healthy diet didn't do him any harm either. The retired midfield general remains popular with journalists, too, having always made himself available for calls and interviews. In the aftermath of Sundowns' tenth ABSA Premiership title win, a triumph that completed a fabled 'La Decima', Kekana was effusive when praising his teammates. Those men fought alongside him to snatch the title on the very final day. Kekana was truly a team-oriented man. Check out Kekana's amazing story and CV Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Orlando Pirates whispers: Kekana, Makhaula, Mofokeng, Benni McCarthy
Today's Orlando Pirates rumour wrap involves the likes of Hlompho Kekana, Benni McCarthy and some big opinions on Makhehlene Makhaula and Rele Mofokeng. Hlompho Kekana is a huge fan of Makhehlene Makhaula's industry in midfield for the Sea Robbers. 'This is my Player for the Season [Makhehleni Makhaula],' said Kekana on SABC Sport's Soccer Zone. Click for the story Former Orlando Pirates, Bafana Bafana and FC Porto striker Benni McCarthy did a whole lot more than win the Champions League. Click for the story Benni's 2011 Rabbit Food diet Meanwhile, here's Benni in a Buccaneers jersey. Image: SoccerLaduma Hlompho Kekana was a combative and explosive character on the pitch, but off it, he's as humble as they come. Regarded by his teammates as a model professional and example, he took care of his body and was fit as a fiddle even at the ripe age of 36. His devotion to a healthy diet didn't do him any harm either. The retired midfield general remains popular with journalists, too, having always made himself available for calls and interviews. In the aftermath of Sundowns' tenth ABSA Premiership title win, a triumph that completed a fabled 'La Decima', Kekana was effusive when praising his teammates. Those men fought alongside him to snatch the title on the very final day. Kekana was truly a team-oriented man. Check out Kekana's amazing story and CV Hlompho Kekana admits he knew he had 'overstayed his welcome' at Mamelodi Sundowns when his game time became limited. Image: @iDiskiTimes / X Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
PSL GOAT revealed, Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates fans won't argue
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have produced some superb PSL footballers. However, the greatest the land has ever seen is a Sundowns icon. Hlompho Kekana was a combative and explosive character on the pitch, but off it, he's as humble as they come. Regarded by his teammates as a model professional and example, he took care of his body and was fit as a fiddle even at the ripe age of 36. His devotion to a healthy diet didn't do him any harm either. The retired midfield general remains popular with journalists, too, having always made himself available for calls and interviews. In the aftermath of Sundowns' tenth ABSA Premiership title win, a triumph that completed a fabled 'La Decima', Kekana was effusive when praising his teammates. Those men fought alongside him to snatch the title on the very final day. Kekana was truly a team-oriented man. Kekana let his football do the talking at Sundowns, collecting a treasure trove of silverware after making the switch from Bloem Celtic in 2011. 8 x Betway Premiership titles 1 x CAF Champions League title 1 x CAF Super Cup 2 x Telkom Knockout titles Hlompho Kekana admits he knew he had 'overstayed his welcome' at Mamelodi Sundowns when his game time became limited. Image: @iDiskiTimes / Twitter Kekana is the most decorated player in the history of South African top-flight football with eight league titles to his name. He was truly one of Pitso Mosimane's most trusted lieutenants in battle. Somewhat surprisingly, Kekana was only capped 21 times by Bafana Bafana but didn't allow that oddity to get in the way of his quest for club glory. It's hard to forget Kekana's match-winning display in the 2015 Telkom Knockout against Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Amakhosi were denied not once but twice from the penalty spot by the excellent Denis Onyango in goal, first from Siphiwe Tshabalala and then Camaldine Abraw. It would be Kekana who smashed home Sundowns' third from a sublime Themba Zwane backheel to seal a 3-1 win. As was the case on so many occasions throughout his career, Hlompho was on the winning side in a cup final. A year later, Kekana would lift African club football's biggest prize as Sundowns became CAF Champions League kings. Hlompho Kekana was more than a 6. He was also a marauding number 8. Photo: Deryck Foster/BackpagePix Kekana's evolution into a complete midfield player saw him reinvent his style on more than one occasion. Originally a pure defensive midfielder, he moved through the gears as a destructive box-to-box operator, later a classic number 8, and finally, he did a bit of everything on a football pitch with panache and authority. Nothing quite says 'the complete package' like a midfielder who chips in with crucial goals in big games, thunderbolts from range, curling free-kicks and a nomination for the Puskás award in 2016. Only players with massive personalities can pull off an audacious effort from around 60 yards like Kekana did against Cameroon some six years ago, and this man had those qualities and more in abundance. The Guardian called that goal 'Beckham-esque.' On March 4th 2012, Mamelodi Sundowns broke the South African record for most goals scored in a single match when they beat Powerlines FC 24-0 in the Nedbank Cup. Kekana helped himself to seven goals on the day as Sundowns showed no mercy to their amateur opponents. Back when there was a galaxy of Sundowns stars like Zwane, Zungu, Billiat, Modise, Dolly & Tau, Hlompho Kekana was the rock orbiting Lucas 'Masterpieces' Moripe Stadium for almost a decade. Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
The case for a unified trophy in the PSL . . . tradition vs sponsorship
The new Betway Premiership trophy, designed by Nelson Makamo, was handed to champions Mamelodi Sundowns over the weekend. Sponsorship is the lifeblood of all sporting codes. Without it, professional sport as we know it would cease to exist. With that money comes many perks and privileges, and, in the case of Premier Soccer League's (PSL) top flight, it also comes with a personalised trophy. Mamelodi Sundowns lifted the new Betway Premiership trophy over the weekend after winning a record eighth consecutive league title. The new shiny gold trophy, designed by Nelson Makamo, replaced the silver and blue DStv trophy. Before that, the ABSA Premiership trophy featured a cup with big handles on the side, reminiscent of the UEFA Champions League trophy. When the Premiership started in 1996, the Castle Premiership also featured a cup until 2007. The South African top flight is one of the few leagues that changes their top prize to accommodate their sponsors. Most other major leagues around the world have one trophy design for their league winners.
