Latest news with #Makhaula
26-05-2025
- Sport
Orlando Pirates shock fans with contract extension for 35-year-old
Orlando Pirates have stunned supporters by handing veteran midfielder Makhehleni Makhaula a new contract. Ensuring he remains part of their plans for another season. The 35-year-old stalwart has signed a one-year extension that keeps him at the club until the end of next season. 'I can confirm that (Makhehleni) Makhaula has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him at Pirates until the end of next season,' a source told The South African. Makhaula joined the Buccaneers from AmaZulu in January 2022 and initially found game time hard to come by. However, he fought tirelessly to establish himself, eventually becoming a core part of the squad. His journey, marked by determination and perseverance, has transformed him into one of the club's most dependable players. This season, Makhaula played a pivotal role in guiding the team to the CAF Champions League semi-finals, where Pirates narrowly missed out against Egyptian giants Pyramids. His performance in the midfield has consistently stood out, making him indispensable in high-pressure fixtures. Since donning the black and white jersey, Makhaula has lifted two MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups with Pirates. His leadership and experience have helped shape the club's recent success. While his presence on and off the pitch continues to inspire younger players. With 83 appearances across all competitions, including 44 this season alone, and two goals to his name. Makhaula remains a key figure in the Pirates' engine room. Although this extension is likely to be his last, it offers him the chance to close his chapter at the club on a high. The club moved swiftly to secure Makhaula's signature before his contract expired, underlining how much they value his influence. This decision reflects Pirates' trust in his ability to continue delivering. Both as a player and a leader in the dressing room. Is this a good decision to keep Makhaula at Orlando Pirates? 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.
22-05-2025
- Sport
'Without Makhaula there is no Relebohile Mofokeng'
The football artists can't cast their brushstrokes on their canvases without teammates doing their dirty work. This is true for Orlando Pirates and all elite teams. Hlompho Kekana is a huge fan of Makhehlene Makhaula's industry in midfield for the Sea Robbers. 35-year-old midfield general Makhaula has made 22 league appearances this term and 44 across all competitions with nine yellow cards. We don't need to tell you how important he is to the Pirates cause under Jose Riveiro. Not many players born in the 80s still have this level of stamina in their tanks. 'This is my Player for the Season [Makhehleni Makhaula],' said Kekana on SABC Sport's Soccer Zone. 'There was no Pirates without this player, and I'll tell you why: he gave them stability in the midfield. 'Those who played in the midfield at the highest level, they'll tell you that without this man Pirates were nowhere because he gave them stability. 'You know, he was ready to do the dirty job for Orlando Pirates. There is no Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] without Makhaula.' Everything you did AND didn't know about the great Benni McCarthy Five goals and seven assists are a healthy return from 24 league outings for the inside left winger Rele Mofokeng. He also got five goals and three assists from 13 Champions League outings. Can the 20-year-old get even better next season? Much of that might depend on whether Pirates can keep Makhaula around for one more campaign. Kekana is the greatest PSL player in history Relebohile Mofokeng in action for Orlando Pirates against Cape Town City FC at the DHL Stadium. Image: @safootclassics/X 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.
22-05-2025
- Sport
'There is no Orlando Pirates without Makhaula'
If a PSL legend thinks Orlando Pirates star Makhehlene Makaula is criminally underrated, we need to sit up and listen. 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. 'There was no Pirates without this player, and I'll tell you why: he gave them stability in the midfield. 'Those who played in the midfield at the highest level, they'll tell you that without this man Pirates were nowhere because he gave them stability. 'You know, he was ready to do the dirty job for Orlando Pirates. There is no Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] without Makhaula.' Makhehlene Makhaula trains in the rain at the Rands Stadium. Image: @orlandopirates/X Speaking on SuperSport TV, SuperSport United boss Gavin Hunt is also a massive Makhaula fan. 'At [Orlando] Pirates, the best player is the boy in the middle. I can't say his name. It starts with an M. Makha… something. [Makhehleni Makhaula]. He is the best at Pirates. He is the glue.' Kekana is the greatest PSL player in history 35-year-old midfield general Makhaula has made 19 league appearances this term and 44 across all competitions with nine yellow cards. We don't need to tell you how important he is to the Pirates cause under Jose Riveiro. Not many players born in the 80s still have this level of stamina in their tanks. Is Makhaula the most underrated player in South Africa? 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.
22-05-2025
- Sport
Kekana picks Orlando Pirates star for Player of the Season
Orlando Pirates followers could agree with this. Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana has named a unexpected player as his top star from the Sea Robbers. The Player of the Season chat is on. According to Kekana, Orlando Pirates' 36-year-old veteran midfielder Makhaula was the unsung hero. 'This is my Player for the Season [Makhehleni Makhaula],' said Kekana live on SABC Sport's Soccer Zone . 'There was no Pirates without this player, and I'll tell you why, he gave them stability in the midfield. Those who played in the midfield in the highest level they'll tell you that without this man Pirates they were nowhere because he gave them stability. 'You know he was ready to do the dirty job for Orlando Pirates. There is no Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] without Makhaula,' concluded Kekana. 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.
11-05-2025
- Sport
'Replacing Makhaula was a bad idea': Orlando Pirates fans licking their wounds
Many Orlando Pirates fans believe their team lost the Nedbank Cup when Makhehlene Makhaula was substituted late in the second half. With the score tied at 1-1, Jose Riveiro substituted Mohau Nkota for Makhaula in the 72nd minute. On the other hand, Kaizer Chiefs made their own changes, replacing Thabo Cele and Gaston Sirino with Mduduzi Shabalala and Ashley Du Preez. The Chiefs' substitutions turned the game around, with Yusuf Maart scoring the winning goal a few minutes later. In contrast, the changes made by the Buccaneers failed to have any impact, and they looked unlikely to score after conceding. This defeat marks the end of Kaizer Chiefs' trophy drought, which lasted for 10 years. For the Pirates, it was a season that promised much but ultimately delivered little. After the game, many fans felt that Orlando Pirates had let the Chiefs off the hook by substituting Makhaula, which created a significant void in the midfield. @AllNewsNetwork2 wrote: 'The same mistake that cost us the game in Cairo is the same mistake that costed us the game today. When you take out Makhaula or Mbatha, make sure you replace them with someone who can attack and defend. Dlamini can't do that.' @MashabaZikara wrote: 'Replacing Makhaula was a bad idea.' 'Maswanganyi was supposed to be subbed off for Dlamini. Makhaula was supposed to be subbed off for someone like Mosele, who will assist in defending the ball. The Nkota sub was okay, the boy us too selfish, 2 goals would've gone in if he passed,' tweeted @Doobsie_Dons. 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.
