Latest news with #GoalkeeperoftheSeason
TimesLIVE
31-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Pirates' Chaine, Makhaula prizes at PSL awards trigger controversy
There was no disputing Lucas Ribeiro Costa's winning of the biggest honours at the PSL Awards on Tuesday, but controversy reigned in other categories as fans debated whether some prizes went to worthy winners. The biggest controversy and debate on social media — mostly aligned along club lines — was around the Midfielder and Goalkeeper of the Season winners. Sipho Chaine of Orlando Pirates claimed the best keeper gong ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns' Ronwen Williams and Magesi FC's Elvis Chipezeze. Many felt Chaine should not have won ahead of Chipezeze, who was outstanding for Magesi and kept the most clean sheets last season. Chaine featured in 25 Premiership matches for the Buccaneers last season. He kept 11 clean sheets and conceded 18 goals, while Williams who played just 16 league games for Masandawana, also kept 11 clean sheets and conceded just six goals. #PSLAwards25: @orlandopirates ' Sipho Chaine is the #BetwayPrem Goalkeeper of the Season. — Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) July 29, 2025 Despite being level on the same number of clean sheets as Chaine, it seems the number of games Williams played was a disadvantage for him. Chipezeze, however, featured 26 times in the league but conceded 28 goals and kept 10 clean sheets. A major factor should also be that Chipezeze's team Magesi has limited financial resources. Pirates' Makhehlene Makhaula won Midfielder of the Season ahead of Marcelo Allende and Teboho Mokoena of Sundowns. This has also sparked heated debate and the stats seem to back up the argument that Allende should have emerged victorious. 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒/𝟐𝟓 𝐏𝐒𝐋 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑 🏆 Congratulations to Makhehleni Makhaula — Betway Midfielder of the Season ⚫⚪🔴⭐ #OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways — Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) July 29, 2025 Makhaula, 35, had an outstanding campaign, featuring in 22 league matches. But Allende was one of the standout players for eight-time successive league winners Sundowns, playing 24 matches and providing four assists. Mokoena played 23 league matches and scored two goals while providing three assists. The conveners for both the Midfielder and the Goalkeeper of the Season awards could not be reached for comment. Meanwhile, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, who was crowned Coach of the Season, was pleased with the recognition he received. 'I feel privileged to have received the award. It's a reflection of the work of many people who are behind the scenes and who support the work of the coach,' he said. 'I dedicate this award to my players. They are the face and allow us coaches to be successful. 'To the management of the club that believed in me and to our fans, it is an award that reflects good work and many fantastic moments we had together.'
The South African
29-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
PSL Awards: FIVE Orlando Pirates players honoured!
Orlando Pirates had FOUR different players honoured by the league at the PSL Awards on Tuesday, 29 July. The Buccaneers gave a good fight in their attempt to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns but their efforts were not enough. However, a number of their players stood head and shoulders above the rest throughout the campaign. And it was, therefore, not surprising to see four of them walk away with accolades from different categories. Sipho Chaine won the Goalkeeper of the Season award, beating both Ronwen Williams and Elvis Chipezeze. Nkosinathi Sibisi walked away with Betway Premiership the Defender of the Season gong after some solid shifts for Pirates. Veteran Makhehleni Makhaula was named the best midfielder in the entire league for his outstanding performances last season. Relebohile Mofokeng win the Betway Premiership Young Player of the Season award as well as the MTN8 Last Man Standing award. Lastly, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, on his debut season, won the Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Tournament award. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
29-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
PSL Awards: Orlando Pirates star named the best goalkeeper
Orlando Pirates star goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has walked away with the Goalkeeper of the Season award. Chaine was nominated alongside Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns and Elvis Chipezeze of Magesi FC. And in the end, it was the Bucs goalkeeper who proved to have done enough to win the accolades at the PSL Awards on Tuesday. Chaine featured in 25 Betway Premiership matches for Pirates last season, kept 11 cleansheets and conceded just 18. Williams, on the other hand, played just 16 league games for Sundowns, kept 11 cleansheets and conceded just six goals. And despite being tied on the same number of cleansheets with Chaine, the number of games he played disadvantaged him. Chipezeze, who had a fantastic season with 26 league matches under his belt, was let down by the number of goals he conceded (28) despite keeping 10 cleansheets. Nonetheless, he was also one of the winners in the Carling Knockout Player of the Tournament category where he was nominated alongside teammate Edmore Chirambadare and Iqraam Rayners of Sundowns. Chipezeze beaten by Orlando Pirates 'keeper Sipho Chaine for Goalkeeper of the Season award. Image: Archived Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Mandla Ncikazi: Orlando Pirates still have so much to fight for
Mihlali Baleka | Published 2 hours ago The expectations that come with playing for Orlando Pirates are so high that players do not have room for complacency when they play for the team. This was the revelation of Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi after his troops bounced back to winning ways on Tuesday night with a 1-0 victory over SuperSport United. Pirates secured their No 2 spot on the log with five games to spare, as Mamelodi Sundowns had wrapped up the Premiership title this season. But after Ncikazi dropped the ball in the second game of those five, having former coach Jose Riveiro win the first one in his last outing, that incensed The Ghost. They saw their chances of avoiding the gap at the top of the log to not end on double digits take a huge knock ahead of their last three games. Ncikazi and his troops heeded positively to the critics on Tuesday night in Polokwane, though, as they beat SuperSport United 1-0 to trim the gap to 14 points with two games to spare. That win didn't only mean the gap could be eight points by the end of the season, but it also saw Pirates break an 18-game winning record in the league for the first time in the PSL era. Ncikazi, speaking during the post-match duties deep in the bowels of New Peter Mokaba Stadium, was relatively pleased by that achievement. However, the 56-year-old added why it's important for the team to win with every passing game, even if there is no silverware to compete for. 'Contrary to people believing that we have nothing to play for, I feel there's still so much to play for in our team,' he said. 'The records are important for the club, and the players must be proud of the history – having done what happened. It is game number 19. 'Secondly, there's still individual awards for all these players to compete for – the Goalkeeper of the Season might come from our club (during the award ceremony). 'A defender of the season might come from us – (Nkosinathi) Sibisi and (Deon) Hotto have an opportunity. There's nothing that has been confirmed yet.' Ncikazi has continued with where Riveiro left off, integrating more youngsters into the team as goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla made a full debut against SuperSport. It was a good day in the office for Dladla, so much so that he also kept a clean sheet as No 1 Sipho Chaine, who was rested after being injured against TS Galaxy last Saturday, watched from the bench. 'I am happy for the young players that we gave an opportunity to today – Siya, the goalkeeper, produced a good performance,' Ncikazi said. 'We are playing game number 50, so we know that physically it was going to tell towards the end. Subconsciously, I am just proud that the other players pulled through.' Another youngster, Simphiwe Selepe, who produced a Player of the Match-winning first start for Pirates against Galaxy, shone yet again on Tuesday, impressing Ncikazi. 'It's amazing how these youngsters are adapting, but again, credit must be given to the process of the club, youth coach and former coach,' Ncikazi said. 'It's just a lot of process from different people. 'It's not only Selepe, but a group of them that are waiting for the opportunity. I hope we give them an opportunity and grab it!' It is not only the youngsters who are coming to the fore for Pirates and easing the workload on the regulars who've been playing week in and week out, but seniors as well. Karim Kimvuidi crowned off another cameo with a goal contribution, assisting Mohau Nkota's lone goal. 'We have got quality, and that tells you that we have options. I am very proud that Kimvuidi has not played for a long time, but when he plays, he gives a crucial assist,' he said. 'That's why we have subs. 'I said in the change-room at the stage that we are in and having played so many games, substitutes become important. 'So, the game might be at a stalemate where we will get extra energy from the bench. And Karim did that for the team.'
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mandla Ncikazi: Orlando Pirates still have so much to fight for
Simphiwe Selepe Simphiwe Selepe was the Player of the Match for Orlando Pirates against SuperSport United. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix The expectations that come with playing for Orlando Pirates are so high that players do not have room for complacency when they play for the team. This was the revelation of Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi after his troops bounced back to winning ways on Tuesday night with a 1-0 victory over SuperSport United. Pirates secured their No 2 spot on the log with five games to spare, as Mamelodi Sundowns had wrapped up the Premiership title this season. But after Ncikazi dropped the ball in the second game of those five, having former coach Jose Riveiro win the first one in his last outing, that incensed The Ghost. They saw their chances of avoiding the gap at the top of the log to not end on double digits take a huge knock ahead of their last three games. Ncikazi and his troops heeded positively to the critics on Tuesday night in Polokwane, though, as they beat SuperSport United 1-0 to trim the gap to 14 points with two games to spare. That win didn't only mean the gap could be eight points by the end of the season, but it also saw Pirates break an 18-game winning record in the league for the first time in the PSL era. Ncikazi, speaking during the post-match duties deep in the bowels of New Peter Mokaba Stadium, was relatively pleased by that achievement. 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 However, the 56-year-old added why it's important for the team to win with every passing game, even if there is no silverware to compete for. 'Contrary to people believing that we have nothing to play for, I feel there's still so much to play for in our team,' he said. 'The records are important for the club, and the players must be proud of the history – having done what happened. It is game number 19. 'Secondly, there's still individual awards for all these players to compete for – the Goalkeeper of the Season might come from our club (during the award ceremony). 'A defender of the season might come from us – (Nkosinathi) Sibisi and (Deon) Hotto have an opportunity. There's nothing that has been confirmed yet.' Ncikazi has continued with where Riveiro left off, integrating more youngsters into the team as goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla made a full debut against SuperSport. It was a good day in the office for Dladla, so much so that he also kept a clean sheet as No 1 Sipho Chaine, who was rested after being injured against TS Galaxy last Saturday, watched from the bench. 'I am happy for the young players that we gave an opportunity to today – Siya, the goalkeeper, produced a good performance,' Ncikazi said. 'We are playing game number 50, so we know that physically it was going to tell towards the end. Subconsciously, I am just proud that the other players pulled through.' Another youngster, Simphiwe Selepe, who produced a Player of the Match-winning first start for Pirates against Galaxy, shone yet again on Tuesday, impressing Ncikazi. 'It's amazing how these youngsters are adapting, but again, credit must be given to the process of the club, youth coach and former coach,' Ncikazi said. 'It's just a lot of process from different people. 'It's not only Selepe, but a group of them that are waiting for the opportunity. I hope we give them an opportunity and grab it!' When one of Us Wins We all Win ☠️Sipho Chaine Celebrated with the Youngster Siyabonga Dladla 🔥☠️ — Mazilitha Photojournalist (@mazilitha04) May 20, 2025 It is not only the youngsters who are coming to the fore for Pirates and easing the workload on the regulars who've been playing week in and week out, but seniors as well. Karim Kimvuidi crowned off another cameo with a goal contribution, assisting Mohau Nkota's lone goal. 'We have got quality, and that tells you that we have options. I am very proud that Kimvuidi has not played for a long time, but when he plays, he gives a crucial assist,' he said. 'That's why we have subs.
