Latest news with #Letlapa
The South African
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates Best XI: One BIG sale, two huge arrivals
The Orlando Pirates board must stand on business in the winter window to make the Sea Robbers next season's title favourites. ADVERTISEMENT Best Pirates XI with two huge signings and a big sale Chaine; Van Rooyen, Sesane, Mbokazi, Letlapa; Mbatha, Makhaula; Appollis, Nkota, Mofokeng; Mabasa. The evergreen 35-year-old Makhehlene Makhaula is certainly still effective and good enough for at least another season at the top level. Pirates might invest in their midfield, but any new arrivals would need to work hard to dislodge the outstanding hard man in the centre of the park. This projected XI also presupposes that Pirates might accept a big-money offer for Patrick Maswanganyi if it arrives. That would see Relebohile Mofokeng more often utilised in the number 10 role. A return to action for the outstanding central defender Thabiso Sesane would also be a massive bonus. Letlapa headlines a list of names linked with Pirates The future is now for Pirates. Image: BackpagePix Kekana hails Orlando Pirates hard man Makhaula Hlompho Kekana is a huge fan of Makhehlene Makhaula's industry in midfield for the Sea Robbers. 'This is my Player for the Season [Makhehleni Makhaula],' said Kekana on SABC Sport's Soccer Zone. Click for the story ADVERTISEMENT Will Oswin Appollis choose The Sea Robbers? Polokwane and Bafana winger Oswin Appollis is reportedly leaving Rise and Shine at the end of the season. The 23-year-old is much coveted by Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. Who would you add to this current Pirates roster to take them to the next level? 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.
The South African
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates target heading to France
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates might be disappointed to hear that a primary transfer target is heading to Ligue 1. According to Soccer-Laduma , Sekhukhune left-back Vuyo Letlapa is poised for a move to Nice in France's Ligue 1. The 21-year-old has made 22 league appearances this term with four assists. 'There are local teams which have shown interest, and Pirates were believed to be at the forefront to sign him, but apparently the French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice is the one leading now. They are very close to closing the deal. Remember we spoke about European interest before,' said the source. 'Yes, that's what Sekhukhune United are looking at. R20m is what the price is believed to be for Vuyo (Letlapa). And just like they did with Elias Mokwana to Esperance de Tunis, they are including a 30% sell-on clause in the next club agreement on the deal. So, if Nice sells Vuyo, then Sekhukhune United will get 30% from that deal. That's why they are looking at R20m for now,' said the source. According to Soccer Laduma, Neo Mokoena has joined up with the first team in training. He's unlikely to feature against Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final, but big things are expected of the teenage winger. He'll be eager to follow in the footsteps of outstanding 19-year-old central defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who's become a pillar of the Pirates back four. Click for the story Chiefs and Pirates fans. Image: BackpagePix Will Letlapa excel in France? 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.
The South African
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Top prospect set to REJECT Orlando Pirates for French club!
Orlando Pirates are set to lose out on one of South African football's top prospects according to the latest. It is believed that Pirates were eyeing the signing of Sekhukhune United left-back Vuyo Letlapa ahead of next season. Pirates were thought to be just one of a number of interested clubs. It is believed that both arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns were also eyeing Letlapa. That comes as no coincidence as all of the above mentioned giants are also set to be interested in another top left-back, Fawaaz Basadien. It is thought that the 21-year-old was sen as a viable alternative to any team that doesn't sign the Stellenbosch FC and Bafana Bafana star. Now it looks like all of Pirates, Chiefs and Sundowns will not have the luxury of Letlapa as an alternative. This because, according to Soccer-Laduma , the former Jomo Cosmos side is poised for a move to French Ligue 1 club OGC Nice instead! 'There are local teams which have shown interest and Pirates were believed to be in the forefront to sign him but apparently the French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice is the one leading now. They are very close to closing the deal. Remember we spoke about European interest before,' said the source to the same publication. A second source then revealed that Nice could win the race because of a R20 million bid. This is believed to be enough for Sekhukhune to part with Letlapa. It is also unclear if either Pirates, Chiefs or Sundowns were willing to pay that much for him. 'Yes, that's what Sekhukhune United are looking at. R20m is what the price is believed to be for Vuyo (Letlapa). And just like they did with Elias Mokwana to Esperance de Tunis, they are including a 30% sell on clause to the next club agreement on the deal. So, if Nice sells Vuyo then Sekhukhune United will get 30% from that deal. That's why they are looking at R20m for now,' said the source. Pirates, Chiefs and Sundowns fans, how do you feel about losing out on Letlapa to Nice? 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
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates beaten to R20m Bafana star
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates beaten to R20 million Bafana Bafana star as a French club closes in. The Soweto giants have reportedly been outmaneuvered in one of the most talked-about transfer chases in South African football. Rising star Vuyo Letlapa is on the verge of joining French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice, leaving the Soweto giants empty-handed after weeks of pursuit. Letlapa, the 21-year-old left-back from Sekhukhune United, has been on the radar of both Chiefs and Pirates. But just as local fans anticipated a domestic blockbuster signing, OGC Nice entered the picture with a financial package South African clubs couldn't match. 'There are local teams which have shown interest and Pirates were believed to be in the forefront to sign him, but apparently the French Ligue 1 side OGC Nice is the one leading now. They are very close to closing the deal. Remember we spoke about European interest before,' a source confirmed. While Orlando Pirates reportedly led the charge, Kaizer Chiefs had also shown strong intent. Both clubs now face disappointment as the French side moves swiftly to finalize the deal. Sekhukhune United is playing hardball, demanding R20 million for the Bafana Bafana international, a fee too steep for local teams. The club is also including a smart 30% sell-on clause, ensuring long-term benefit from any future transfer. 'Yes, that's what Sekhukhune United are looking at. R20m is what the price is believed to be for Vuyo (Letlapa). And just like they did with Elias Mokwana to Esperance de Tunis, they are including a 30% sell-on clause to the next club agreement on the deal,' the source added. OGC Nice's willingness to meet those terms leaves Chiefs and Pirates unable to keep pace. Letlapa joined Sekhukhune from Jomo Cosmos only at the start of the season. Since then, he's become a regular at Babina Noko and earned a Bafana Bafana call-up from coach Hugo Broos—making him one of the hottest defensive prospects in South African football. For Chiefs and Pirates, his looming departure to Europe marks another lost opportunity to lock down elite homegrown talent. This isn't the first time Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have fallen short when European clubs come calling, and it likely won't be the last. Despite their iconic status, the Soweto giants continue to lose top-tier local talent to wealthier, better-positioned foreign clubs. If Letlapa's move to OGC Nice goes through, it will be another painful reminder that financial firepower and forward-thinking negotiations are now key to landing South Africa's brightest stars. Stay tuned with The South African as Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates beaten to R20m Bafana star. Will Nice get their man, or will we see a late push by the Soweto giants? 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
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates 'looking good' for signing star defender!
Orlando Pirates are reportedly whiskers away from landing Sekhukhune United star Vuyo Letlapa. With twenty-two out of a possible twenty-six league appearances so far, the 21-year-old has been pivotal to the Limpopo outfits lightning season, who are neck-and-neck with Stellenbosch for CAF Confederation Cup qualification. The Buccaneers, who are losing patience in their pursuit of Fawaaz Basadien, see Letlapa as the alternative solution, but Babina Noko will not let him go easily. 'The Letlapa transfer won't be as straightforward as you may think because the boy just joined Sekhukhune, and they are also an ambitious club,' a source said. 'Bringing in Eric Tinkler shows that they are serious… They will think twice unless the money is too good and they have a replacement ready.' Orlando Pirates have longed for a star in the left-back position, and it appears they're close to having that void filled by the Sekhukhune United defender. 'They [Orlando Pirates] are believed to be intensifying talks for the Vuyo Letlapa possibility as things stand. Talks are believed to be at an advanced stage and looking good,' a source revealed. 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.
