Latest news with #MakhehleniMakhaula
2 days ago
- Sport
Orlando Pirates midfield veteran signs new contract
Orlando Pirates have rewarded Makhehleni Makhaula with a new one-year contract to keep him at the club until 2026. 35-year-old midfield enforcer Makhehleni Makhaula will stay with Pirates for another season. He made 44 appearances for the Sea Robbers across all competitions in 2024-2025, making him a virtually indispensable member of the first team. Big changes at Pirates for the senior players Club captain Innocent Maela and veteran midfielder Miguel Timm are both leaving Pirates. There are also whispers that top earner Deon Hotto could be following them out of the exit door. One X user said: 'Do not touch King Hotto,' presumably suggesting that the club would be foolish to release the versatile 34-year-old Deon Hotto. The Namibian is still a dependable player and popular among fans and teammates, and managers, comfortable in several positions and tactical systems. Since joining from Wits in 2020, club stalwart Hotto has notched up over 200 appearances, collecting six trophies. To say he's an underrated performer is a massive understatement. THEORY: Orlando Pirates need to strengthen these three positions 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.
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.
IOL News
25-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Tipsters' Table: All eyes on Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in Cairo
Orlando Pirates' Makhehleni Makhaula gets in a tussle with Ibrahim Blati Toure of Pyramids during their first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final at the FNB Stadium. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media AL AHLY vs MAMELODI SUNDOWNS The Egyptian powerhouses Al Ahly will host the visiting Sundowns in a Champions League semi-final first leg in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday evening. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last eight matches against Al Ahly, who managed four draws during this have kept clean sheets in their last three matches against Al Ahly. Their last three games have only produced one goal in total. Al Ahly are looking to secure a victory that would send them to the 2025 final, and chase a third consecutive title, as well as a record-extending 13th continental crown. The winner will face either Pyramids FC or South Africa's Orlando Pirates in the final. Prediction: Al Ahly 1 Mamelodi Sundowns 1 Odds: Al Ahly 1.96 | Draw 3.15 | Mamelodi Sundowns 3.81 PYRAMIDS FC vs ORLANDO PIRATES Pyramids FC will host Orlando Pirates in Cairo on Friday evening. Pirates eye their first Champions League final since 2013, but standing in their way is the CAF upstarts, Pyramids. Pirates' unbeaten run in the tournament will be tested again in the second leg. Pyramids are statistically the best attack in the competition, averaging 2.3 goals per game. The Egyptians finished the group stage with 14 goals, the highest tally across the 16 teams in the group stage. They were not only impressive on one end of the pitch, with their defensive discipline ranking among the best as they let in just four goals in their six round-robin fixtures. Prediction: Pyramids FC 1 Orlando Pirates 1 Odds: Pyramids 1.71 | Draw 3.33 | Orlando Pirates 4.89 STELLENBOSCH FC vs SIMBA SC Stellenbosch FC will welcome Tanzanian giants Simba SC to Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban for the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals on Sunday. Trailing 1-0 on aggregate to a solitary goal from Simba's Jean Ahoua in the first leg, Stellenbosch hope to turn the tie around on South African soil. Simba are looking to make their first continental final since the 1993 CAF Cup. Stellenbosch field a squad laced with raw talent, tactical discipline, and the aura of a team with nothing to lose. Simba SC, on the other hand, boast a rich history dating back to 1936, with decades of continental experience and carries the pressure of expectation. Prediction: Stellenbosch FC 1 Simba SC 1 Odds: Stellenbosch 2.10 | Draw 3.00 | Simba 3.50 KAIZER CHIEFS v MARUMO GALLANTS Chiefs cannot afford to slip up in their remaining Betway Premiership matches if they are to keep their chances of finishing in the Top 8 alive. Amakhosi are eighth on the log with 31 points, just one ahead of the ninth-placed Chippa United who have two games in hand. And so, with Marumo Gallants set to visit them at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm), Chiefs have to be at their best all round, and get full points. Chiefs' clean sheet record has improved - having also drawn 0-0 with Chippa in their last game - but they need to be clinical in the final third. Prediction: Kaizer Chiefs 2 Marumo Gallants 1 Odds: Kaizer Chiefs 1.60 |Draw 3.65 Marumo Gallants 5.80 POLOKWANE CITY v SUPERSPORT UNITED SuperSport are regarded as one of the Top 5 teams in the land. But thanks to their financial struggles, they are quickly falling from grace. This season, they've been a shadow of themselves so much so that instead of fighting for a Top 3 spot, they are flirting with relegation as they 15th spot on the log. And so, that's why they need to get full results in their remaining seven games as anything other than that could see them play in play-offs to retain their status. Their bid to win all their remaining matches won't be easy though, starting with the clash against Polokwane City who'll host them in Polokwane on Saturday afternoon (3pm). Prediction: Polokwane City 1 SuperSport United 1 Odds: Polokwane City 2.95 |Draw 2.95 SuperSport United 2.55 GOLDEN ARROWS v AMAZULU Abafana Bes'thende have been in a decent run of form under the leadership of Manqoba Mngqithi, and they have managed to pick up eight points from a possible 15 in their last five outings. They will welcome an Usuthu side that will be low in confidence at the Mpumalanga Stadium, and following their goalless draw in the reverse fixture, they will fancy themselves to take a step closer to the top eight. AmaZulu have little choice but to go for the win as their top eight hopes hang by a thread, and that might make for an open encounter with plenty of opportunities to score goals for both sides. Prediction: Golden Arrows to win 2-1 Odds: Golden Arrows win 2.75 I Draw 3.00 I AmaZulu win 2.70 TS GALAXY V SEKHUKHUNE UNITED The Rockets will come up against a high-flying Babina Noko side that is fresh off a commanding 2-0 win against neighbors Polokwane City last weekend. A lot will be on the line for both sides, as they are currently vying for a spot in the top three, with a spot in next season's CAF Confederation Cup still up for grabs. Galaxy walked away with an impressive 3-1 away win the last time the two sides met at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium and it will be much of the same this Saturday. Prediction: Sekhukhune United to win 2-1 Odds: TS Galaxy win 2.03 I Draw 3.10 I Sekhukhune United 3.90
