Latest news with #Ibenge
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
CONFIRMED: African coach offered to Orlando Pirates!
Orlando Pirates will begin new era which will include a new coach for the first time in three years. Pirates had stability under former coach Jose Riveiro who has just left the club to join Al Ahly. During his tenure, Riveiro has helped Pirates win five trophies. Three MTN8 titles in a row as well as back to back Nedbank Cup titles. Furthermore, Beyond that, he led the Buccaneers into a second place in the Betway Premiership. Beyond local boarders, he ensured qualification for the side, into the group stages of the CAF Champions League. After doing so for the first time since 2018, they finished top of their group and unbeaten. Riveiro led Pirates to a semifinal finish in the CAF Champions League, with a Nedbank Cup final too. That has seen a vacancy open up at the Sea Robbers for the first time. A familiar name has since resurfaced in Rulani Mokwena. Having had a short stint with the Buccaneers before, he has expressed interest in a potential return. It was then reported earlier that Pirates were also looking at Mokwena as their next potential coach. According to Micky Jnr , a new candidate has emerged with DRC coach Florent Ibenge has been offered to the Buccaneers. 'Florent Ibenge has been offered to Orlando Pirates by some agents. But it's all rumors at this stage, as no one from the club officially approached Ibenge as at yesterday. Ibenge still hasn't signed any contract extension with the Sudanese giants. Yesterday, in a conservation with the former CAF Confederation Cup winner, he said: 'Look, Micky…everything is still rumors for now.' When pressed forward to ask him about contract extension with Al Hilal, he replied and said:'You'll know in few days time.'. Ibenge is also a strong fan of the Tanzania Premier League. Where do you see the Congolese manager coaching at next season?' Wrote Micky Jnr on his X account. Pirates fans would you take Ibenge as Riveiro's successor? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates new head coach news: Florent Ibenge the one?
Orlando Pirates are on the brink of unveiling a new head coach following the sudden departure of José Riveiro to Egyptian giants Al Ahly. The club has kept its cards close to its chest, refusing to confirm or deny ongoing speculation, but behind the scenes, the coaching search has intensified. A source has revealed that agents have offered highly-rated Congolese coach Florent Ibenge to Orlando Pirates. While interest around the former CAF Confederation Cup winner is heating up, no formal approach has been made by the Buccaneers yet. As of yesterday, Ibenge remains under contract with Sudanese powerhouse Al Hilal but has not signed any extension, leaving the door wide open for a potential move. Ibenge poured cold water on swirling rumours but did little to close the door. 'Look, Micky… everything is still rumours for now,' Florent told Micky Jnr, African social media journalist. Pressed further about his future with Al Hilal, he added. 'You'll know in (a) few days' time.' The urgency within the club is mounting, as Pirates prepare for a European pre-season tour. The squad is scheduled to jet off to Germany in the first week of July. And the technical team is keen to have a new head coach installed before then. 'The team is expected to leave for pre-season in Germany during the first week of July. So they are planning to have the new coach by that time as part of their pre-season,' revealed a club insider. With time ticking and speculation swirling, all eyes are now on Orlando Pirates. Will they swoop in for Ibenge, or does the Bucs' management have a different ace up their sleeve? 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.
Al-Ahram Weekly
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Ahly are the top favourite team to win the CL title: Al Hilal coach Ibenge - Africa
Ahly remain the top favourite team to win the CAF Champions League title according to coach of Sudanese side Al Hilal Florent Ibenge who insisted that Tuesday's game between both teams will be exceptional. The Cairo giants will host their Sudanese counterparts in the first leg of the continental prestigious tournament quarterfinals. 'Ahly has 13 Champions League titles and is always the top favourite team to win the title and in the last two editions the Egyptian team won the title despite not being in the best form,' the Congolese tactician Ibenge said in the pre-match press conference. 'Facing Ahly, the best team in Africa, is like a final and the fact that they qualified as runner-up of their group doesn't reduce their chances,' the coach added. The defending champions, Ahly, advanced after finishing second in Group C with 10 points, while Al Hilal topped Group A with an identical tally. Ibenge asked his players to enjoy the confrontation against Ahly and also to get a positive result ahead playing the return match in Mauritania as the team plays the home games there recently due to the ongoing instability in Sudan. 'We will deliver our best against Ahly. I asked my players to enjoy the game and also to be cautious to avoid regret in the second leg,' Al Hilal asked CAF to host Ahly in the return match on 9 April in Libya, but the African football governing body refused the request. Ibenge insisted that his team is fully prepared for the 'exceptional' game on Tuesday, expecting a tough mission in the return match. 'Tuesday's game will be exceptional. Our target is to qualify and hope to make Ahly's mission a difficult one,' Al-Hilal coach explained. Ibenge highlighted that fact that Ahly are collective team with a variety of top players; heaping praise on in-form midfielder Emam Ashour. 'We are accustomed to the dangerous of Ahly outside their pitch and the team already delivered strong away games and I expect a strong performance from our opponents in the return match,' the coach concluded. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
