Latest news with #Lekgwathi
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Legend names his Orlando Pirates Player of the Season
Lucky Lekgwathi played 226 games for Orlando Pirates in the Premier Soccer League. He should know what a Player of the Season looks like. With Orlando Pirates finishing second behind Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns in 2024/25, including an MTN8 title, Lekgwathi believes Sipho Chaine was the best player at the Orlando Stadium. Chaine, born in Bloemfontein, Free State, 28 years ago, finished the season with 11 clean sheets for the Sea Robbers, while also earning consistent Bafana Bafana call-ups. Orlando Pirates team against Stellenbosch FC at the Orlando Stadium. Image: Goal 'For me, Sipho Chaine,' Lekgwathi answered after he was asked by iDiski Times to name his Player of the Season at Orlando Pirates. 'He had his best season and even got called up to Bafana Bafana. It shows you that you are doing great when you get a call-up. In defence – Mbokazi. 'I know he came in late; he is a gem, he is something else, we have really invested in him. And [Deon] Hotto as well, most of the time he played at left-back and he excelled there,' the former Orlando Pirates skipper added. 'So for me, Hotto has to win that one. In midfield, it's very tough, but obviously Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] is topping it. Yes, [Thalente] Mbatha and [Evidence] Makgopa had a good season, but Rele was outstanding and Nkota was coming. 'And in the striking department, it's [Tshegofatso] Mabasa because he scored the most goals,' Lekgwathi added. 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
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Why former player says Monnapule Saleng saga ‘almost ruined' Orlando Pirates' season
EXPERT INSIGHT Orlando Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi discusses how the Monnapule Saleng saga, believed to be due to a salary dispute, nearly derailed the club's season, despite their runner-up finish and squad depth. Picture: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Orlando Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi has weighed in on the Monnapule Saleng matter, and how it affected the club this season. Pirates, of course, secured another runner-up finish in the Betway Premiership under José Riveiro and it was without the services of Saleng since December. The 27-year-old was believed to have been left out of the side due to a salary dispute, although the club has not confirmed this as they remained tight-lipped on the situation. As one of the best wingers in the country and not known to be nursing any kind of injury, his absence was keenly felt by Pirates, believed Lekgwathi. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Lekgwathi Highlights Pirates' Squad Depth and Challenges 'I think we have depth in the squad,' Lekgwathi, who played for Pirates for 12 years as he earned over 300 caps for the Soweto Giants, told iDiski Times. 'In previous seasons, I have complained about the number of players in each position, but now you can see it. For example, the defenders, Tapelo [Xoki] came in, he did well, when he's out [Nkosinathi] Sibisi is there, and now [Mbekezeli] Mbokazi is bossing the backline, and we still have the likes of [Olisa] Ndah and [Innocent] Maela on the bench. I think there is competition and a healthy one at that in all the positions.' Stopping short of saying that Saleng would be the first choice for Pirates, Lekgwathi said: 'The danger of having too many players in the team is that even the coach won't be able to focus. The only thing I think almost ruined things was the [Monnapule] Saleng matter. If we hadn't had that issue, I think we'd be talking a different story because you'd know we have depth on the left and on the right. 'Right now, if [Mohau] Nkota isn't playing, I don't know who is supposed to be in that position.'
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Saleng cost Orlando Pirates the league and CAF?
Mmh, Orlando Pirates legend Lucky Lekgwathi might be on to something here… Following a salary row with the club, the 28-year-old Saleng has been frozen out of the playing squad since the start of the year. Orlando Pirates, with Mohau Nkota as his replacement, went on to finish second behind the Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns and in the semifinals of the CAF Champions League with that narrow 3-2 loss to Pyramids FC. According to the club's former skipper Lekgwathi, Saleng's presence could have delivered a major difference between winning and losing. |The only thing I think almost ruined things was the [Monnapule] Saleng matter. If we didn't have that issue, I think we'd be talking a different story because you'd know we have depth on the left and on the right,' Lekgwathi said via iDiski Times . Orlando Pirates team against Stellenbosch FC at the Orlando Stadium. Image: Goal 'Right now, if [Mohau] Nkota isn't playing, I don't know who is supposed to be in that position,' the Orlando Pirates legend concluded. 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
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates legend on Rulani rumours
Most Orlando Pirates supporters should be excited about this prospect. Rulani Mokwena back to the Sea Robbers? In case you have missed it, the 38-year-old Mokwena left Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca after 11 wins, 12 draws and four defeats in the Botola Pro 1 league in Morocco. While the former Orlando Pirates tactician is still without a new club, rumours have suggested a possible return to the Sea Robbers. According to the club's great legend Lekgwathi, the name of the next coach is not really material. The most important thing is for Orlando Pirates to sustain the success. 'Look I don't have a problem with the coach as long as the coach can come and take this team to another level,' Lekgwathi told iDiski Times . Lucky Lekgwathi in action for Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup against Cape Town City FC. Image: Kick Off. 'Look at [Mamelodi] Sundowns. Rulani left, and they got a new coach. That coach has now won the league, and the coach is in the final of the Champions League. 'We played the semi-finals of the Champions League this season, so next season we need someone who is going to take us to the final and challenge for the league as you know now our problem is in the league where we are not consistent. 'No matter who is coming, we as supporters, we just need to make sure we support him. When Jose came people called him a plumber and he surprised everyone. We supported the plumber and look where the plumber is today. 'He's one of the best coaches to have coached Pirates. That's why I'm saying whoever is coming to coach Orlando Pirates, even if he's a plumber, let's support that plumber or carpenter. 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.
