Latest news with #Lilepo
The South African
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs' star forward Lilepo urges fans to rally behind team
Kaizer Chiefs star forward Glody Lilepo has revealed the club's clear mission. To win silverware and restore joy to the long-suffering Amakhosi faithful. With the MTN8 competition firmly in sight. Lilepo has urged the team to finish the season on a high note and secure a place among South Africa's elite eight. The 27-year-old DRC international hit the ground running following his January transfer, netting six goals and providing an assist in just 14 appearances. His explosive impact has reignited hope at Naturena and sharpened the team's focus ahead of a crucial final league clash. Lilepo emphasised the importance of the upcoming fixture against Polokwane City, calling it a decisive moment in the club's campaign. 'We are all very happy because we know how important it is for the Club. Our goal was to end this long period without trophies and bring back some joy to the fans,' he told the club's official website. With a top-eight finish within reach, Lilepo and his teammates are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations. 'Personally, I am training well, as is the rest of the squad. We understand how important this game is for our chances of finishing in the top eight and give us a more positive outlook to prepare for next season.' The club's leading goalscorer didn't just deliver a call to action for his teammates. He also sent a heartfelt plea to the supporters as well. With one final hurdle remaining, Lilepo asked fans to turn up in numbers and energise the squad. 'Khosi Nation, once again we need you on Saturday for the last game of the season. Please bring your fantastic energy to help us finish the season strongly. Thank you in advance. Love and Peace,' concluded Kaizer Chiefs star attacker Lilepo. With tensions high and hopes even higher, all eyes will be on Kaizer Chiefs this weekend. A strong finish could set the stage for a trophy-chasing 2025, and Glody Lilepo has made it clear, the mission is not over yet. Will the Amakhosi rise to the occasion? 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
19-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
In-form Kaizer Chiefs attacker Makabi Lilepo is not yet at his best, says coach Nasreddine Nabi
Makabi Lilepo has made an immediate impact since joining Kaizer Chiefs earlier this year. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Makabi Lilepo has quickly become a fan favourite at Kaizer Chiefs, emerging as a shining light in an otherwise turbulent season for the Soweto giants. When Lilepo joined Amakhosi from French outfit Valenciennes FC during the January transfer window, he arrived without much fanfare. Like many African-born players returning from underwhelming European spells, he was expected to languish on the bench or even in the stands. So far, he has proved his doubters wrong. Lilepo has made an immediate impact, silencing critics with five goals — making him Chiefs' top scorer in the Betway Premiership. His performances reflect his pedigree, having previously featured in continental competitions with Al Hilal of Sudan and AS Vita of his native Democratic Republic of Congo. However, Lilepo's success hasn't come in isolation. The presence of coach Nasreddine Nabi, who had reportedly shown interest in signing the winger at his previous clubs, may have helped ease his adaptation to South African football. Speaking after Lilepo scored the equaliser in Chiefs' 1-1 draw with Sekhukhune United on Saturday, Nabi revealed that the 27-year-old has yet to hit his full stride. 'He's a player that has not reached his potential yet,' Nabi explained. 'Before he came here, he spent some months without playing due to issues at his previous club. You can see he hasn't been finishing games — once he's had a proper pre-season and more time with his teammates, he'll be able to offer even more in attack.' Despite not being at his best, Lilepo has already won the hearts of the Chiefs faithful, who chant his name — 'Lilepo, Lilepo, Lilepo' — whenever he is involved in an attacking move or scores. With the season finale looming, he will be key to Chiefs' hopes of securing a top-eight finish. They host Polokwane City at FNB Stadium needing a win to boost their chances of breaking into the Top 8. Chiefs are currently ninth on the log with 31 points — one behind eighth-placed Chippa United, who have already completed their league campaign. A draw might still be enough for Chiefs, provided their goal difference remains superior to Chippa's, but they would also need other results to go their way. With Lilepo in form — having won April's Goal of the Month award — he'll be eager to find the net once again. And Nabi believes he can. 'He's a winger, but the kind of winger who can finish the season with 10 goals,' Nabi said. 'He loves cutting inside and always looks for scoring opportunities or ways to help his teammates. We believe he can do more.' While Lilepo continues to shine up front, Chiefs will also need to stay disciplined at the back. That's why Nabi is encouraged by the emergence of promising young talent in defence. Aiden McCarthy of Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Aiden McCarthy — son of Chiefs legend Fabian McCarthy — made his debut and first senior start against Sekhukhune in central defence. Despite the high-stakes setting, he impressed Nabi and his technical team. 'I am very happy with Aiden's performance. It wasn't easy to throw him into a game like that,' Nabi said. 'It was his first start and he'd never played for another top-flight team. Even though there were a few small errors, his calmness, confidence on the ball, and personality showed he has a bright future.'
The South African
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs winger can score 10 goals a season
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has given Amakhosi fans something to be excited about. A 27-year-old winger named Lilepo arrived at Naturena from France in January. Four months later, Lilepo delivered no less than six goals for Kaizer Chiefs. According to his coach, Nabi, Lilepo is yet to show his true capacity. 'We feel that he's a player that has not reached his potential because before coming he spent some month without playing due to difficulties with his previous team,' said Nabi as quoted by iDiski Times . 'You can see that he's a player that sometimes doesn't finish games because his full potential is not reached yet. But we feel that once he reaches his full physical potential he will be used to his teammates, having a good preseason he's a player than can do more than what he does right now. 'He's a player that is a winger but those kind of wingers that can easily finish the league with 10 goals. He's a winger that likes to get inside, likes to score and he is looking all the time at opportunities to score or to make his teammate score. 'And we believe that he can even do more than that,' the Kaizer Chiefs mentor 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 Citizen
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Chiefs' Lilepo and Sekhukhune duo win PSL Awards
Lilepo has five goals in the Betway Premiership for Chiefs this year. Glody Lilepo (left) celebrates with Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi after his wonder-goal against Gallants. Picture: Backpagepix Kaizer Chiefs winger Glody Lilepo has won the Betway Premiership Goal of the Month award for his rocket against Marumo Gallants on April 26. ALSO READ: Chiefs coach in the dark about future Lilepo thundered a rocket of a shot into the top corner to put Chiefs 1-0 up in the 10th minute, though Amakhosi eventually lost the game 2-1. Lilepo helps Chiefs to knockout glory Lilepo, who signed for Amakhosi in January has five Premiership goals this season, and was a part of the team that on Saturday defeated Orlando Pirates 2-1 to win the 2025 Nedbank Cup. Sekhkhune United, meanwhile, are the surprise team of this season's Betway Premierhip, currently sitting in third place in the Premiership table. Babina Noko won three and drew one of their Premiership games in April, including a 1-0 victory at Orlando Pirates that all-but ended the Buccaneers' title hopes. Tinkler's fast start Head coach Eric Tinkler only took over in March, but in just over two months has already won himself a Premiership Coach of the Month Award. Makgalwa, meanwhile, was given the Player of the Month Award after a strong display in April. Makgalwa provided took the corner from which Trésor Tshibwabwa headed the winning goal against Pirates, and also set up Chibuike Ohizu for his goal in the 1-1 draw with TS Galaxy.
The Star
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Relebohile Mofokeng the hero as Orlando Pirates beat Kaizer Chiefs in Soweto derby
Mihlali Baleka | Published 2 hours ago The winter season is gradually creeping in, and thanks to their 'red hot' properties, Orlando Pirates are turning up the heat when it matters the most. Mohau Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng assisted and scored for Pirates as they beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 at a sold-out FNB Stadium on Saturday. It was a much-needed win for Pirates that they bounced back to winning ways after losing back-to-back games in the CAF Champions League and Premiership. This league win also brought a much-needed boost for Pirates ahead of their follow-up derby against Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final in Durban next Saturday. Pirates will have to thank their youngsters Nkota and Mofokeng for this victory as they continued to be the team's knights in shining armour. Chiefs, though, will have to bounce back soon from this loss as they can't afford to falter in the Nedbank Cup, which is now their only chance of ending their 10-year drought. The derby was expected to produce fireworks on the pitch, keeping both sets of supporters on the pitch. And the two teams duly heeded the call. Chiefs came out flying from the blocks, taking the game to Pirates, almost driven by the impact of the impepho (a traditional incense) that was lit up by a supporter. As such, the football gods smiled on them as they were ahead within three minutes, courtesy of a goal from their talisman Makabi Lilepo. Lilepo buried from close-range from Dillan Solomons' cut-back after the wing-back reminded the sold-out crowd why he was once a sprinter after he flew down the flanks. Lilepo became the third DR Congo-born player to score after Fiston Mayele of Pyramids and Tresor Tshibwabwa Yamba, who plays for Sekhukhune United. Lilepo was like a demigod in the eye of the Chiefs fans this was his second goal in as many games, whereas The Ghost still flashed out a 'Bring Black Saleng' placard here. But for all of Chiefs' bright start, they failed to double their lead as Gaston Sirino wasted a chance from close-range, while referee Eugene Mdluli turned down a penalty call. Jose Riveiro had a restless time after his team conceded, pacing up and down the touchline like a father-to-be at a maternity ward, waiting for the birth of his son. His son was eventually born via Evidence Makgopa – the striker repaying the faith he has shown in him by beating Bruce Bvuma from close-range after Nkota's assist. While that eased Riveiro's nerves and brought The Ghost back from the dead, it brought nightmares for Bradley Cross at left back. Cross got a yellow card and the ball bypassed him en route to the goal, and that's why even his coach Nasreddine Nabi threw his arms up in agony at times. The Sea Robbers' ship was in full control thereafter, so much so that even the aeroplane that flew over this venue seemed to have nothing on them. But despite their dominance, Pirates still went into the break level with Chiefs as they couldn't find the back of the net. Bvuma had done well to keep his team in the game after tipping over Tapelo Xoki's cross, before Makgopa put his shot wide after skinning Edmilson Dove. With Pirates competing with aeroplanes in speed, a SAPS helicopter flew over the venue before the break, summing up the decreased speed of Chiefs. Amakhosi nearly got manna from heaven, though –perhaps delivered by that helicopter – as Xoki almost conceded an own goal, but Sipho Chaine saved his goal-bound shot. The Sea Robbers added another firepower to their blistering ship at halftime as Kabelo Dlamini replaced Paseka Mako. Dlamini's impact was also immediate as he ballooned a close-range shot after Mofokeng had set him up nicely in front of the box. After that Dlamini miss, Mofokeng took the onus on him to make sure that the Sea Robbers sailed to the promised land – three points . Mofokeng lobbed the ball over the wall putting in a through-ball for Deon Hotto, but after the Namibian delayed to fire away, the youngster was on hand to slot the loose ball past Bvuma. Chiefs ended the game with 10 men as Cross got his marching orders late in the game after a second booking, while 'Cocomelon football' won the game for their side.
