Latest news with #DeonHotto
2 days ago
- Sport
Orlando Pirates midfield veteran signs new contract
Orlando Pirates have rewarded Makhehleni Makhaula with a new one-year contract to keep him at the club until 2026. 35-year-old midfield enforcer Makhehleni Makhaula will stay with Pirates for another season. He made 44 appearances for the Sea Robbers across all competitions in 2024-2025, making him a virtually indispensable member of the first team. Big changes at Pirates for the senior players Club captain Innocent Maela and veteran midfielder Miguel Timm are both leaving Pirates. There are also whispers that top earner Deon Hotto could be following them out of the exit door. One X user said: 'Do not touch King Hotto,' presumably suggesting that the club would be foolish to release the versatile 34-year-old Deon Hotto. The Namibian is still a dependable player and popular among fans and teammates, and managers, comfortable in several positions and tactical systems. Since joining from Wits in 2020, club stalwart Hotto has notched up over 200 appearances, collecting six trophies. To say he's an underrated performer is a massive understatement. THEORY: Orlando Pirates need to strengthen these three positions 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.
2 days ago
- Sport
Orlando Pirates news: Sesane, Sibisi, Hotto, Rivaldo, Mbule
Today's Orlando Pirates rumours involve Deon Hotto, Nkosinathi Sibisi and a potential chance for the club to sign Rivaldo Coetzee. ADVERTISEMENT Pirates fans want 'King Hotto' to stay Club captain Innocent Maela and veteran midfielder Miguel Timm are both leaving Pirates. There are also whispers that top earner Deon Hotto could be following them out of the exit door. One X user said: 'Do not touch King Hotto,' presumably suggesting that the club would be foolish to release the versatile 34-year-old Deon Hotto. The Namibian is still a dependable player and popular among fans and teammates, and managers, comfortable in several positions and tactical systems. Since joining from Wits in 2020, club stalwart Hotto has notched up over 200 appearances, collecting six trophies. To say he's an underrated performer is a massive understatement. THEORY: Orlando Pirates need to strengthen these three positions Could Orlando Pirates make a move for Rivaldo or Mbule? Mamelodi Sundowns won't be extending the contracts of defender Rivaldo Coetzee and midfielder Sipho Mbule. 28-year-old Coetzee has been riddled with injury issues since moving to Sundowns in 2017 from Ajax Cape Town. Meanwhile, 27-year-old Mbule has struggled with off-pitch issues and battled to claim a place in the Downs XI for sustained periods. Click for the story Mamelodi Sundowns defender Rivaldo Coetzee trains at Chloorkop. Image: @masandawana/X Sibisi to skipper Bafana Hugo Broos will hand the Bafana captain's armband to Orlando Pirates central defender Nkosinathi Sibisi. South Africa contests friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique. ADVERTISEMENT Click for the story Will Pirates sign Rivaldo Coetzee? Is he worth the trouble? 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.
2 days ago
- Sport
'Do not touch Orlando Pirates king Hotto'
Orlando Pirates have released Innocent Maela and Miguel Timm. Some fans are worried about other club veterans. Club captain Innocent Maela and veteran midfielder Miguel Timm are both leaving Pirates. There are also whispers that top earner Deon Hotto could be following them out of the exit door. One X user said: 'Do not touch King Hotto,' presumably suggesting that the club would be foolish to release the versatile 34-year-old Deon Hotto. The Namibian is still a dependable player and popular among fans and teammates, and managers, comfortable in several positions and tactical systems. Since joining from Wits in 2020, club stalwart Hotto has notched up over 200 appearances, collecting six trophies. To say he's an underrated performer is a massive understatement. Broos explains why he likes Selepe for Bafana Riveiro throws unintentional shade at Orlando Pirates? The ever-reliable Deon Hotto. Image via @power987sport / X Thabiso Sesane started the campaign in domineering form, becoming a pillar in the heart of their defence. It was, therefore, a massive blow to the club and player when he was cruelly struck down with a serious tendon injury in February. The rupture was deemed bad enough for the 25-year-old to undergo surgery. Full recovery could take anywhere between four and six months. If Sesane's rehabilitation goes well, he could be back in time for the start of the 2025-2026 season. 44-year-old Pablo Franco Martin is a serious candidate for the top coaching job at Pirates. The Madrid-born tactician has held several interesting roles. Those include Opposition Analyst for Real Madrid and Head Coaching posts for Tanzanian side Simba SC, AmaZulu, Kuwaiti outfit Qadsia SC and now Al-Faisaly in Saudi Arabia's second tier. Click for the story Did Makgopa and Mabasa offend Hugo Broos? Should Hotto get a new deal with Pirates? 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.
21-05-2025
- Sport
Orlando Pirates star veteran could exit on a free
Orlando Pirates risk losing one of their most consistent and decorated players, Deon Hotto, on a free transfer. The Namibian international's contract is due to expire within a month, and surprisingly no renewal talks have begun. The 34-year-old joined the Buccaneers from Bidvest Wits during the 2020/2021 season, following a fierce transfer battle involving Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns. Pirates triumphed in securing his signature, marking a major coup at the time. Since arriving at the Soweto giants, Hotto has clocked up over 200 appearances across all competitions. Operating as a left-back, left-winger, and occasionally on the right, he has scored 27 goals and provided 38 assists, an impressive contribution for a utility player. During his five-year spell, Hotto helped Orlando Pirates lift four MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups. Most recently, he played a pivotal role in the club's journey to the CAF Champions League semi-finals, showcasing his experience and versatility on the biggest stage. Despite his loyalty and achievements, Hotto's future at the club hangs in the balance. With his current deal running out in just a few weeks, and no communication from the club regarding a renewal, he looks set to walk away as a free agent. If Pirates fail to act swiftly, they may lose him without any financial return, a major loss both on and off the pitch. In contrast, Orlando Pirates have moved quickly to secure the services of Nkosinathi Sibisi. The club has exercised a two-year extension clause in his contract, ensuring the reliable centre-back remains part of their defensive unit for the 2025/2026 Betway Premiership campaign. If Hotto leaves, will that be good business by Pirates? 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.
IOL News
25-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Ugly scenes at Orlando Stadium unacceptable, says Pirates coach Jose Riveiro
Deon Hotto Orlando Pirates player Deon Hotto (bottom centre) escapes a clash with an MC Alger staff at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night. Photo: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media The Algerians did not take their elimination in Soweto kindly, so much so that they started a physical altercation with their hosts after the match. Pirates won the tie and progressed to the semi-final for the first time since 2013, after Mohau Nkota had scored the lone goal in the reverse leg away in Algeria. Orlando Pirates drew 0-0 with MC Alger in the CAF Champions League quarter-final second leg, resulting in winning the tie 1-0 on aggregate. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) must take actions against the unsavoury scenes that unfolded at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Wednesday night. Those nasty scenes happened for back-to-back Champions League quarter-final games in SA as the Mamelodi Sundowns' game against Esperance experienced them as well. But unlike in Orlando, where the two teams were involved in a physical altercation, the ugly scenes in Pretoria were between the fans of the two teams. CAF safety and security division held a meeting earlier this week to deliberate on the matter as it brought the governing body into disrepute. As such, Dr Christian Emeruwa, the CAF safety and security head, opened up on what the hosting clubs are expected to do to ensure everything runs smoothly. Emeruwa said: 'For CAF interclub football to live up to the expected standards, each club must work hard to create an environment whereby supporters feel safe at the stadium. 'All club managers and security stakeholders are expected to work alongside CAF security and their respective national security officers to ensure the stadium is safe and welcoming.' Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA), the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Pirates did their part to ensure that all safety protocols were in place. But MC Alger's officials did their best to contravene all those regulations as they also fought with the security staff, including the SAPS, that were put in place. The North Africans' fight at Orlando did not only end on the pitch, some of their officials took it down the tunnel with the media personnel. The barbaric behaviour shocked everyone, especially given the fact that Alger were on foreign territory, and were expected to act as distinguished guests. Pirates' coach Jose Riveiro refused to put his head on the block and point fingers. Instead, he said such behaviour doesn't have a place in football. 'I don't really know what happened,' Riveiro said. 'We'll suddenly now have to go into a space to know who started the fight. I think it doesn't matter. 'I think for me, us, and my group, football is something that cannot get dirty with these types of behaviours. It's something that's unacceptable. 'Probably, someone was making mistakes from outside, but those behaviours must be far from sport because we don't really need it. 'We have to learn how to win and lose, and accept whatever result that's coming. Again, I don't really know. I was still sitting on the bench when that happened. 'I was trying to understand the dimension of what we achieved, and a second later, everything was a mess in front of me.'
