Latest news with #MTN8Cup
The South African
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Mofokeng price tag, MTN8 fitness doubts
Orlando Pirates may be counting the cost of their European pre-season. Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has hinted that several players are carrying knocks, just weeks out from the MTN8 Cup. Although he didn't reveal names, Ouaddou's vague injury update has sparked concern. 'The game is played by young men,' he told local media. 'Swelling and niggles are normal.' The injuries could prove disruptive, with Pirates set to face Polokwane City in the tournament's quarter-finals. The match will also be a test for new signings like Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi, should they be fit to feature. The bigger distraction, however, remains the future of Relebohile Mofokeng. PSV are the latest club pushing hard to sign the Orlando Pirates wonderkid. And the numbers being discussed are staggering. 'The R100 million talk is misleading,' a source said. 'It was initially R120 million.' That hasn't stopped interest, nor has it silenced Mofokeng's father. Sechaba Mofokeng made it clear he doesn't want his son playing in South Africa next season. 'Spain, England, Netherlands — Rele can play anywhere. But not Saudi Arabia. He needs to experience UEFA football,' he said. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Key injuries, Mofokeng saga escalates
Orlando Pirates are facing uncertainty ahead of their MTN8 Cup opener against Polokwane City, with injuries potentially impacting their squad selection. New head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou confirmed players picked up knocks during their Spanish tour, where the team debuted several new signings. 'It is expected that there will be some minor injuries and swelling in various players since football is played by young men,' said Ouaddou. The extent of the injuries remains unknown, but Ouaddou's comments hint that several key players could be sidelined when the Buccaneers kick off their cup campaign on August 2. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting around Relebohile Mofokeng's future, with Dutch heavyweights PSV leading the chase. Talks are reportedly centred around a figure higher than the R100 million figure circulating, with the original valuation closer to R120 million. Mofokeng's father, Sechaba, is praying the deal happens before the season starts. 'I don't want to see him in the Betway Premiership again this season. I know God will answer my prayers,' he told local media. Sechaba wants his son playing in UEFA competitions. 'Take him to Barcelona? He can play. PSG? He can play. Any country. I'll be happy — but not Saudi Arabia,' he said. 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
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates hit injury crisis before MTN8 Cup clash!
Orlando Pirates appear to have returned home with a few dings, following a successful tour to Spain. 'It is expected that there will be some minor injuries and swelling in various players since football is played by young men,' Abdeslam Ouaddou told Isolezwe. It was a momentous tour for the Buccaneers, who recently welcomed new coach Ouaddou amid eleven signings this offseason, including Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi, marking the first look at a relatively new-look roster. Based of Ouaddou's comment, several players are expected to miss Orlando Pirates' MTN8 Cup quarter-final clash against Polokwane City on August 2. While Monnapule Saleng and Mohau Nkota have exited the Soweton next, star players Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng have remained; however, there's growing scrutiny surrounding the latter, who has several clubs vying for his services. Dutch giants PSV are the latest club to show interest – and they aren't holding back. 'R100 million is like a round figure. It's more than that! The amount they were negotiating for was initially R120 million,' an inside source revealed. 'You know it's not exactly what you want that you get, and that's why they are talking about the R100 million, but it's believed to be more than that.' Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs news: Sundowns decision pending, Nabi talks talent
Kaizer Chiefs remain in the dark over Mamelodi Sundowns striker Etoisa Ighodaro, who has one year left on his contract. 'At the moment Chiefs are waiting on Sundowns,' a source confirmed.' Ighodaro has one year remaining on his contract with Sundowns and only if they can release him first as a free agent or if they can buy him from the remaining months on his contract.' 'Kaizer Chiefs are interested in him and depending on what Sundowns' decision is then Chiefs would still sign him before the start of the season.' Competition is another roadblock for AmaKhosi with the 24-year-old forward reportedly weighing up his options, suggesting that a move to the Soweto giants is not set in stone if the Tshwane giants are willing to let him go. 'There's been a lot of talk about Ighodaro joining Chiefs, but the reports suggesting he has signed are inaccurate,' an insider revealed. 'He is still assessing his options both locally and abroad. Nothing has been concluded. Kaizer Chiefs will enter next season having underperformed in the previous two campaigns, failing to qualify for the MTN8 Cup on both occasions. The 2025/26 season will undoubtably be Nasreddine Nabi's defining test – endure a series of defeats and he could be out the door before Christmas. But it's not all doom and gloom for AmaKhosi, who have welcomed several stars, including Ethan Chislett and Flavio Silva. The gaffer mentioned how they handled the club's pre-season in Europe, saying, 'They need to fully jell with the group,' Nabi said. 'However, they are all adapting nicely, and they start to understand what I expect from them. Our objective was to sign new players that will bring us to a higher level compared to last season. 'We saw a lot of positives in our training matches against very strong Dutch opponents. The players have started to understand the way I want them to play, and they jell well as a strong unit.' 'We didn't only want quality opponents, we also wanted quantity. Parallel with this, we did some tough physical work at training, even doing double sessions on the day before a match… We even had two sessions the day after one of the friendlies, with the objective of getting the players mentally ready,' the Kaizer Chiefs boss concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Mofokeng OUT, Striker IN
MLS side FC Cincinnati is the latest club to inquire about Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng, further fuelling speculation of an offseason exit. Mofokeng was arguably the Buccaneers' best player last season, producing several clutch moments across all competitions. The Soweto giants were in contention for four trophies heading into the latter part of the season but only walked away with their early season MTN8 Cup triumph. The 20-year-old is crucial to the Orlando Pirates' future; however, it appears this chapter will be prematurely ending as several clubs line up for the Bafana youngster, a notion further fuelled by the player's father, who believes now is the time to flock South Africa. 'My biggest wish is to see Rele overseas in 2025/2026. I'm praying every day. I don't want to see him in the Betway Premiership again this season. I know God will answer my prayers,' Sechaba, Mofokeng's father, said. '[Whether it's in] Spain, England, Netherlands, France, Denmark, Switzerland — Rele can play. I believe that with all my heart. Take him to Barcelona? He can play. PSG? He can play. Any country. I'll be happy — but not Saudi Arabia,' he added. 'Not yet. He's still young. He needs to compete in UEFA competitions. If he goes to Saudi now, he won't experience that. Yes, he'd be rich — but happiness is more important. You can have all the money in the world, but if you're not happy, it's worthless.' Orlando Pirates are yet to comment on Mofokeng's future. Relebohile Mofokeng Image via Orlando Pirates Meanwhile, long-term target Yanela Mbuthuma has reportedly put pen to paper on a five year deal with the Soweto giants. The 23-year-old bagged five league goals last campaign – Orlando Pirates will be hoping he can do at least double that 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.
