Latest news with #MTN8
The South African
7 hours 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.
The South African
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates latest transfer news: Mbokazi, Nemtajela, Matuludi
Orlando Pirates are set to go big in the next transfer window as they look to beef up their squad. The Buccaneers had an average season despite a promising start. After winning two trophies in the past two seasons, Pirates finished with just the MTN8 to show after losing out in the Nedbank Cup final. The Sea Robbers' biggest disappointment was their inconsistency in the league, which allowed Mamelodi Sundowns to run away with the title. The team, however, reached the semi-final of the CAF Champions League, but a poor showing in the second leg against Pyramids saw the Soweto giants crash out. Now, Orlando Pirates have no choice but to bring more players as the transfer window opens. One player the club has signed is Marumo Gallants star Masindi Nemtajela. 'You know, Masindi [Nemtajela] is a very great professional. We are happy for him and wish him good luck in his new endeavour,' Gallants coach Abdeslam Ouaddou told FARPost . 'He and his family should be proud, and we, as coaches, are proud as well. Now, he is going to leave Bloemfontein for Orlando Pirates. It's a big club, and there will be a lot of competition. 'So, he has to be professional and keep working in order to continue improving himself,' added the Gallants coach. Another player, Pirates has been linked with Thabang Matuludi. The right-back is reportedly in talks with the Sea Robbers and could be on his way out of Polokwane City. The Buccaneers have already parted ways with Innocent Maela and Miguel Timm this week. With the transfer window opening soon, expect more Orlando Pirates players to exit as they look to make way for more players. The likes of Relebohile Mofokeng and Mbekezeli Mbokazi are also linked to other clubs in Africa, but it's unlikely that the duo would leave for rival teams. 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
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
'Kaizer Chiefs players and coach should be held accountable'
Kaizer Chiefs legend Neil Tovey feels the players and coaching staff should be held accountable for the club's poor season. Despite winning the Nedbank Cup, Amakhosi finished ninth in the Betway Premiership. This is the second successive time that Chiefs finished outside the Top 8, meaning the Soweto giants won't feature in next season's MTN8 competition. Some Kaizer Chiefs fans felt the season was decent as they finally ended their trophy drought after 10 years however, the club legend says league results are important. 'Chiefs have been poor, to be honest. In football, you are judged by your league position,' Tovey said. 'Given the stature of Chiefs, they should be a top three team, yet here they are in 9th place. That's really disappointing. It's not good at all. Many can be held accountable for this, including the players and the coaching staff,'he added. 'Yes, they won a trophy for the first time in 10 years, which is unusual for Chiefs. Typically, they don't go more than one or two years without a trophy. 'However, winning a trophy doesn't equate to having a good season. You will ultimately be judged by your league position. Consistency is key,' said the Kaizer Chiefs legend. 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
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
AmaZulu release Bafana Bafana goalkeeper
Mothwa joined Usuthu from Chippa United in November 2020. eli Mothwa will reportedly leave AmaZulu at the end of his contract next month. According to SABC Sport, the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper has already received verbal enquiries elsewhere and is set to put pen to paper upon Usuthu issuing his clearance. ALSO READ: Bafana's Broos – I can't select Chiefs players 'The 34-year-old would have been closing in on five seasons with the KwaZulu-Natal outfit if he was staying beyond June, however the public broadcaster has it on good authority that this chapter of his career is coming to an end,' SABC Sport reported. Mothwa joined Usuthu from Chippa United in November 2020 and was AmaZulu's number one goalkeeper and captain. His heroics between the sticks saw him getting various national team call-ups. However, the arrival of Richards Ofori earlier in the season saw Mothwa play time at the KwaZulu-Natal outfit. Mothwa only managed seven games in this campaign. He did not make the matchday squads for their final two fixtures against Polokwane City and Orlando Pirates. 'When approached for comment on player movements at Usuthu earlier this week, chairman Sandile Zungu said he is still due a meeting with the technical team before any official announcements could be made,' reported the public broadcaster. ALSO READ: Riveiro says he's delighted to join 'European club' Al-Ahly AmaZulu finished the season in sixth spot with 35 points after 28 games. As a result they qualified for next season's MTN8 where they will meet third-placed Stellenbosch FC.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ahly confirm appointment of ex-Pirates coach Riveiro
Riveiro's first task will be to lead Ahly at the Fifa Club World Cup. Egyptian giants Al Ahly have confirmed that former Orlando Pirates mentor Jose Riveiro has taken over as their new head coach. ALSO READ: Pirates star Mofokeng reveals biggest disadvantage Riveiro has signed a two-year deal to take charge of the Red Devils, Ahly announced on their official website on Thursday. 𝑨 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒔 😍 — Al Ahly SC 🇬🇧 (@AlAhlyEnglish) May 29, 2025 Riveiro's Pirates trophy haul Riveiro left Pirates just before the end of this season after three successful years in charge. The Buccaneers won three MTN8 trophies and two Nedbank Cups with the Spanish coach at the helm. This season, they also reached the semifinals of the Caf Champions League, just losing out to Egyptian side Pyramids. Ahly also lost in the semifinals of this season's Champions League, going down to Mamelodi Sundowns. After this result they parted ways with Swiss coach Marcel Koller, paving the way for Riveiro to take over. Taking on the world Riveiro's first task in charge of Ahly will be to lead them at the expanded Fifa Club World Cup in the USA. ALSO READ: Chiefs' Nabi to stay – 'for now' Ahly have been drawn in Group A alongside Inter Miami, Brazil's Palmeiras and Portuguese giants FC Porto.
