Latest news with #Gallants
The South African
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates star sends emotional farewell message to fans
Orlando Pirates are reshuffling their squad. Veterans Paseka Mako and Miguel Timm are two of the players who have left. Former Gallants, Chippa and Wits midfielder Miguel Timm is moving on to new pastures after three years with Pirates. The schemer has opened up on his exit from the Buccaneers. Details: Saleng returns to Orbit College 'I'm writing this with a smile, reflecting on my past 3 years with Orlando Pirates. Thank you to the Chairman for allowing me to carry the burdens and hopes of millions of the Orlando Pirates family. 'Thank you to everyone I've crossed paths with during that time, creating unforgettable memories and relationships with the technical team and my teammates. I still share a special bond with them today. 'I've fulfilled my duties, and what I was brought to the club to do, which was to contribute to bringing back silverware on a regular basis and seeing the happy people like never before! I tried to understand everyone and everything that is a part of this big institution and embody what being a Buccaneer is, as best as I could from the day I arrived to my very last day at the club. 'A special mention to the best supporters!!!! Thank you for allowing me to represent millions of you over the years; you will always have a special place in my heart. Once, Always.' Attacking midfielder Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo has been on the fringes since his move in 2022. Time is officially up for the diminutive former Marumo Gallants star. Monnapule Saleng's exile from the first team at Pirates has been a puzzling issue. Now, with the signing of Oswin Appollis and the continuing emergence of Mohau Nkota, his pathway to first-team football is blocked. The board is presumably protecting the player's future resale value, especially if he impresses while out on loan and attracts bids for his services. Click for the story Playmaker Karim Kimvuidi's time at Pirates is up. Photo: Goal 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
09-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Don't overcommit, warns Sello as Gallants change hands
Marumo Gallants head coach Lafitte Alexandre, chairman Abram Sello and assitant coach Julen Outrebon. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix Maumo Gallants chairman Abram Sello is like a cat with nine lives - he continues to survive the whirlwind of businessmen who buy a PSL status only to fail in the end. Sello burst into the local football scene in 2021 after buying the status of Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila who had just bought Bidvest Wits. His joy in top-flight football was short-lived due to poor administration, resulting in Gallants being relegated to the second tier division after two seasons. Sello's bogus administration then included being unable to cater for the team's needs on the continent during their CAF Confederation Cup's campaign As such, this resulted in two club officials being detained in Libya due to the money Sello owed to a notorious businessman who had footed his hotel bill. Before the season ended, the club and the players were allegedly on loggerheads over bonus rows after the team qualified for the Confederation Cup semi-final. Sello stayed for one season in the national first division before resurfacing in the top-flight last season after buying the status of Moroka Swallows. 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 Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have retained their status in the top-flight, but the sale and purchase of status in the statuses during winter transfer window has continued willy-nilly. As such, Gallants will have arch-rivals Siwelele FC in Bloemfontein next season after the son of sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, Calvin Le John, bought SuperSport United. Sello, though, has advised what Le John and other new chairmen must do and avoid in order not to make the same mistake he did when he arrived in the PSL. 'The challenge at the top, as we know, is finance,' Sello said. 'Finance can be run by an individual - auditors - so get the right people to advise you. 'Secondly, commit what you can. Don't be overwhelmed and sit at the corner and satisfy conditions that'll haunt you. Yes must be yes, and no must be no. 'Don't look at what the club has been doing - look at what you can do, who's advising you and the calibre of players you keep at the club.' Sello added it's hard to run a football club without a sponsor in the PSL, and that's why some bosses end up forking up monies from their own pockets to run operations. 'This is a very difficult position to be in,' Sello admitted. 'Our chairman, Dr Irvin Khoza, used to say as a chairman you are always working hard. 'You throw your last cent into the club. When your son comes and asks for R5 you say you don't have it, but when a player asks for R6 you give him immediately. 'So, that's how it is. It is about passion and developing other people's careers. But it's not a child's play - it's very difficult, especially financially. 'You have to prove that you can get the sponsors, and all those particular things. But at the end of the day, you go home with your subsidies to supplement the monthly grant. 'It's not as easy as one may think. It's nice to watch the game on TV, but to run things behind the scenes, you definitely don't sleep.' Now a bit wiser after paying his school fees for misadministration, Sello has revealed how he managed to slightly change things around last season. 'I think the mistake that we do as the leaders of the clubs is to overcommit according to the people you are sourcing,' Sello explained. 'Don't overcommit according to the people you are outsourcing. Don't go over your line of expenditures. Not everybody will laugh. Commit to what you can afford. 'Also, satisfy your people. You are as good as your employees. So, satisfy the people around you. There'll be problems, but be ready to solve them. 'There'll be some disputes, but be ready to go and answer before the disciplinary committee. And amicably sort everything out.'
IOL News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Gallants back youth and vision as 28-year old Alexandre takes the helm
Marumo Gallants chairman Abram Sello says new 28-year-old head coach Lafitte Alexandre was appointed for his vision and hunger, not his age or nationality, as the club targets top-eight success in the upcoming PSL season. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Age or nationality is neither here nor there for Marumo Gallants chairman Abram Sello when it comes to appointing a new head coach. Gallants have named Lafitte Alexandre as their new head coach, replacing Abdeslam Ouaddou, who recently joined Orlando Pirates. At just 28-years old, Alexandre becomes the youngest coach in the DStv Premiership ahead of the new campaign. But this is not unfamiliar territory for Gallants, who previously appointed 31-year-old Romain Folz. Although Folz's stay at the club was brief, he went on to make a name for himself at Horoya AC, Fifa, AmaZulu, and Mamelodi Sundowns. Speaking at Alexandre's unveiling at Hotel Sky in Sandton on Monday — alongside the club's new signings — Sello explained their approach to recruitment. 'I think as our payline, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa, when we look for someone, we really mean business,' Sello said. 'We happen to be lucky by speaking to the right people — we study first, check the profiles, and consult. With that help, it makes us feel great about the candidate. 'We had previous coaches where the media said, 'look how young he is'. But they ended up at Mamelodi Sundowns, Fifa, AmaZulu or Horoya. That kind of development makes us proud, especially if you look at where Romain Folz and Abdes (Ouaddou) are right now. 'We just wish them luck when they go elsewhere. We don't block anyone's way up the ladder, coach or player, because they were with us.' Though Gallants have shown a pattern of hiring French-speaking coaches — with Alexandre and Folz both French, and Ouaddou holding French nationality — Sello denied there was any national bias. 'It's not necessarily French or Moroccan,' Sello clarified. 'We were looking at the profile and the intention of the candidate to understand our vision and mission. 'We interviewed a number of coaches and chose the one aligned with our club's growth and his hunger for success. We will give him the platform to develop himself and the club. It's not about nationality — the profile and intention are key.' Alexandre joins Gallants with a lofty reputation. The 29-year-old led Stade Abidjan to their first Ivorian title in 56 years during the 2023/24 season and guided the team to the CAF Champions League group stage at just 25-years old. Sello believes Alexandre's credentials speak for themselves — but he's not expecting miracles. 'We expect much when we look at his profile,' Sello said. 'We wish and anticipate that he can do what he did before, but it's difficult to win the league. After finishing in the semi-finals of both the Carling Knockout and the Nedbank Cup, we want to get to a final. 'In the league, we're aiming for a better position — closer to the title, as a dream. If things go well for him, we could get there. But let's start simple — get a Top 8 finish.'
The South African
26-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates appointment could open door for Gallants striker
Orlando Pirates appointing the new head coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, has sparked speculation about potential player movements, particularly the possible arrival of Junior Zindoga from Marumo Gallants. Ouaddou stepped into the Buccaneers' hot seat following Jose Riveiro's shock departure to Al Ahly, and insiders suggest the Moroccan's existing links with Gallants players could shape his transfer plans. One name gaining traction in Soweto circles is Junior Zindoga, the 26-year-old Zimbabwean forward who impressed during the recent Betway Premiership campaign. Despite netting just once in nine appearances since joining Gallants from Nsingizini Hotspurs FC in January, Zindoga turned heads with his towering physique, relentless pressing, and intelligent hold-up play. His standout performance came in Gallants' shock 2-0 victory over Pirates in Mangaung, where he reportedly caught the eye of Ouaddou, who was still managing Gallants at the time. Insiders believe Ouaddou's admiration for Zindoga could fast-track a high-profile move to Soweto. 'He's a very good player and his work rate is exceptional,' a source revealed. 'He was doing well before he picked up an unfortunate injury. But even then, several clubs were monitoring him, Pirates included. Now that they're coached by someone who knows him well and is a big fan of his style, there's definitely a stronger possibility.' The source added that Zindoga remains part of Gallants' plans. Especially after the club recently released multiple players, but acknowledged that the situation could change swiftly. 'It all depends on how he performs early in the new season and whether he gets back to his best.' Pirates haven't submitted a formal bid yet. Zindoga's potential move could materialise in January. Particularly as Ouaddou looks to bolster his squad ahead of a gruelling season that includes a return to the CAF Champions League. With the Moroccan tactician now at the helm and aware of what Zindoga brings. The striker's dream move to the big stage in Soweto may finally become reality. Is Zindoga needed at Orlando 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.
The South African
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
'Ouaddou has an opportunity to create his history'
Orlando Pirates legend Benedict 'Tso' Vilakazi believes the new Bucs coach Abdeslam Ouaddou can take the club to the next level. The 46-year-old coach takes over from Jose Riveiro, who has since moved to Al Ahly. After much specualtion about his replacement, Pirates announced on Monday that Ouaddou was their new coach. A day after the announcement, the Buccaneers reveiled that Sipho Mbule was their new signing ahead of the new season. Vilakazi, who is Pirates' all-time leading goalscorer, has backed Ouaddou to succeed. 'Look, he did very well at Marumo Gallants, they [Pirates supporters] just have to give him the support and confidence to say we believe in you, and we saw the job you did at Gallants and hope you will do it here at Pirates,' he told Sowetan Live . 'He is a good coach looking at what he did with Gallants. He didn't even have a pre-season with them. We always know Gallants to be fighting for relegation, but he put them in a position where they didn't have to worry about that. Just imagine with the material and resources at Pirates, I think he can take the club to another level.' Vilakazi did admit that the new coach will need time but felt confident that he will succeed given the fact that he will assess his team during pre-season. 'He has an opportunity to create his history because he will find good players at Pirates,' added the former Bafana Bafana star. 'I think he is going to do well, we just need to give him time and I think it is good that he will have a pre-season with the team unlike at Gallants, yet he still put them in a good position. Imagine with the good players Pirates have … I think things will be much better.' Ouaddou's big test will be during pre-season when Pirates play a number of friendly matches in Spain. 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.
