Latest news with #KwaMashu-born
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Midfielder surprised by Orlando Pirates fame
Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha has said joining the Betway Premiership giants turned his life upside down in a good and challenging way. Since arriving in January 2024 from SuperSport United, the KwaMashu-born star has played 59 games for the Sea Robbers, scored five goals, and earned five Bafana Bafana caps after limited opportunities (just 29 appearances) at his former club. Joining Orlando Pirates not only turned playing time around, but it also triggered a dream debut for Bafana Bafana—he scored on debut against Uganda and struck again against South Sudan in AFCON qualifiers. Kaizer Chiefs news: Nabi announcement and Ngcobo The former Highlands Park midfielder says the move changed everything, for the better, but with a few downsides. 'Playing for Orlando Pirates changed my life,' he admitted. 'I got my first national team call-up, fans saw me beyond South Africa, and my talent was showcased. But now, privacy is gone.' Thalente Mbatha stars for Orlando Pirates against Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership Soweto derby at the FNB Stadium. Image: Goal TV details: Stellenbosch vs Kaizer Chiefs He reflected on the price of fame: 'People watch you everywhere, even at a mall, a small mix-up can become big headlines.' 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
12-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Thabo Cele on Kaizer Chiefs' rebuilding journey under Nasreddine Nabi
RISE UP Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele has delivered an inspiring message to the Amakhosi faithful. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele says the team is fully embracing the rebuilding phase under head coach Nasreddine Nabi, as they aim to restore the club's former glory through patience, consistency and gradual progress. Cele, who returned to South Africa in January this year after nearly a decade in Europe, believes the foundations are being laid for sustained success — with the squad now more settled under Nabi, who is heading into his second season with the Soweto giants. 'With Kaizer Chiefs, there's so much potential to win the trophies,' Cele said during the Thabo Thalente Games launch in KwaMashu. 'So, for us as a team, we can say that we have become that (successful) team within the club, so we can win things. But for us, we just need to focus on things that we can do for now, so we can improve gradually as time goes on.' The 28-year-old joined Amakhosi as a free agent after parting ways with Russian outfit Fakel Voronezh. 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 Having left the country in 2016 to launch his professional career with Real SC in Portugal, Chiefs became his first club in the South African top flight. And it didn't take long for Cele to make his mark. Since arriving in January, the KwaMashu-born midfielder has made 15 appearances and played a key role in ending Amakhosi's decade-long trophy drought — helping the club lift the 2025 Nedbank Cup after edging arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in a dramatic final. 'Building is a process; for us, we need to focus and try to enjoy that process,' he added. 'It goes back to the fact that we love and enjoy what we're doing. All these difficulties we come across, we're just trying to make that process.' Chiefs have entered the 2025/26 pre-season with cautious optimism. After a rocky first campaign for Nabi, in which the team showed flashes of promise, the Tunisian mentor has been backed with new signings and time to implement his philosophy without the turbulence that derailed previous projects. As part of their preparations, Chiefs have jetted off to the Netherlands for a pre-season camp, where they've already tested themselves against Eredivisie clubs Vitesse and FC Utrecht. The trip is aimed at sharpening match fitness and further embedding Nabi's tactical ideas ahead of what promises to be a demanding season — both domestically and on the continent. Thanks to their Nedbank Cup triumph, the Glamour Boys will also return to CAF competition, participating in the Confederation Cup after a lengthy absence from the continental stage. For Cele, the project is taking shape, and the mood in the camp suggests a unified belief in what's being built at Naturena. 'We're just trying to make that process,' he said. 'Step by step.' With a trophy already secured and continental football back on the agenda, Chiefs are quietly plotting their resurgence — one layer at a time.
TimesLIVE
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Zakes Bantwini gets his qualification at Harvard Business School
Congratulations are in order for Grammy Award winner Zakes Bantwini who is celebrating his graduation from the prestigious Harvard Business School. Zakes, whose real name is Zakhele Madida, is known for his songs such as Osama, Imali and Clap Your Hands. He completed his studies at Harvard Business School in the business of entertainment, media and sport. The KwaMashu-born singer shared on his X account: 'Completing this executive education programme at Harvard Business School is more than a personal achievement. It's a powerful statement about where African creatives belong in every global conversation, every boardroom and at every table where the future is being shaped. Bucket list checked.
The South African
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates' midfield ace returns
Orlando Pirates team at the Orlando Stadium. Image: @safootclassics/X Home » Orlando Pirates' midfield ace returns Orlando Pirates team at the Orlando Stadium. Image: @safootclassics/X Orlando Pirates will have a fresh midfield for Kaizer Chiefs in Durban on Saturday. As reported last week, the Sea Robbers' midfield maestro Thalente Mbatha was suspended for the Golden Arrows match on Tuesday. The KwaMashu-born star had earned a fourth yellow card against Kaizer Chiefs in last weekend's 2-1 derby win at the FNB Stadium. The good news is that the 25-year-old will be available for Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final this weekend. The game is set for 15:30 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi has essentially shared the secrets to Jose Riveiro's glittering stint at the Sea Robbers. Riveiro is a club legend after five trophies in three seasons. What are his individual qualities? The quietly spoken Spaniard arrived in Soweto in July 2022. That same season, he lifted the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup before two more MTN8 titles and a second Nedbank Cup trophy in the past two seasons. Speaking to the media before he departs from Orlando Pirates in June, the assistant Mandla Ncikazi revealed that Riveiro is a unique individual who is more than a coach. 'Coach Riveiro is a very unique individual; more than just a coach, he goes further than that. He is highly professional,' said Ncikazi via FARPost . 'He takes his job very seriously. He is neither too happy nor too disappointed because where there are too many expectations, there is always room for disappointment,' the Orlando Pirates assistant added. 'So, it is easier for the players; whether we win or lose, his approach is the same. I always think that it helps the young players perform without fear. Whether the results are good or bad, he is still the same. 'He is professional, prepares well, and analyses games. He doesn't rely on analysts, which is a new trend in our teams. He does things for himself so he can create his game plan,' Ncikazi concluded on Riveiro. WHO SHOULD REPLACE JOSE RIVEIRO NEXT SEASON? 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. Follow us on Facebook for the latest breaking news, polls - and more!
