Latest news with #MaritzburgUnited
The South African
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates coach expecting awards
Orlando Pirates are set to complete the 2024/25 Premier Soccer League season with the MTN8 title and second place. Interim coach Mandla Ncikazi believes it was enough to collect a few gongs. According to the former Maritzburg United defender, Orlando Pirates supporters should expect at least three awards for players like Nkosinathi Sibisi, Deon Hotto and Tshegofatso Mabasa. Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi. Image: @orlandopiratesfc/X 'A Goalkeeper of the Season might come out of our club. A Defender of the Season might come out. [Nkosinathi] Sibisi has a big opportunity, [Deon] Hotto has a big opportunity. Tshego [Tshegofatso Mabasa] is chasing the leading goal scorer. 'There's still a possibility. Nothing is confirmed until the end,' the Orlando Pirates tactician said via iDiskiTimes . 'So, for me, there's so much to play for, the history. But on top of everything these are professionals. They are paid to play and train. 'There's no game that has got no impact especially if you play for a team like Orlando Pirates,' concluded Ncikazi. 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
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Durban City all but secure PSL promotion!
Durban City are on the verge of securing their promotion to the Betway Premiership from the Motsepe Foundation Championship. On Sunday, City beat Black Leopards 3-2 to move to 55 points after 29 league games, and they now need a point to be promoted. Durban City, formerly known as Maritzburg United, were relegated from the last season. And soon after that, their working relationship with the Umgungundlovu Municipality went sour. The relegation saw the Municipality pull the plug on a three-year deal sponsorship and lease agreement. That's when Farook Kadodia moved to Durban to raname Maritzburg United, and use Chatsworth Stadium for their home games. Now, having recently lost Sinamandla Zondi, Durban City have nonetheless shown enough hunger to gain automatic promotion. Meanwhile, Orbit College, who are three points behind Durban City, have sealed their spot in the playoffs. They lead third-placed Casric Stars by a whopping seven points going into their final match of the season. 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
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates to keep African star?
Orlando Pirates supporters will be chuffed with this. It seems Karim Kimvuidi has convinced the club to keep him next season. The 23-year-old Congolese faced an uncertain future after earning less than 10 starts for the Sea Robbers this season. On Tuesday, the former Maritzburg United attacker earned a surprise start against Golden Arrows, resulting in a Man of the Match gong. 'It was all about frustration due to his lack of regular game time that there has been talk of him leaving,' a source told Soccer Laduma about the Orlando Pirates ball wizard. 'He's never tried to force that, and what I can tell you is that he is a disciplined boy who is just so confident in his talent and that he can fight for a place at the club. 'He's been encouraged to keep working hard and aim for consistency to cement his place in the starting line-up next season,' the source concluded. In the meantime, the Sea Robbers will face Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium for the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday at 15:30. 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
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Why Orlando Pirates crowd favourite is struggling
Orlando Pirates have played 20 Betway Premiership matches this season. Karim Kimvuidi has only started once. 'We cannot say his signing was a waste of money because he showed promise while at Maritzburg United,' former Orlando Pirates forward Katlego Mashego told Kick Off . 'Him moving to a bigger club meant that a lot was expected, and you need to adjust and fight for a place in the team. 'The fact that they have kept him for so long indicates they see some improvement in his game. He just needs to fight a little more. I believe they signed him because he is a good player, but that comes with its own challenges at times,' Mashego added on the Orlando Pirates jersey number 25. 'As a skillful player, he has an element of surprise, but I'm not sure what his best position is. That's the challenge with skillful players,' Mashego 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.
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
The alarming trend of player fatalities in South African football
TRAGEDY Durban City midfielder Sinamandla Zondi died following a sudden collapse during a Motsepe Foundation Championship match against Milford FC on Tuesday. Photo: Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix Image: Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix Another young life, full of promise and potential, has been cut short on South Africa's football fields. On Tuesday, Zondi collapsed while playing for his club – formerly Maritzburg United – forcing their Motsepe Foundation Championship game against Milford FC to be abandoned. Attempts to revive him proved futile, and the club confirmed he died in hospital. Football players suddenly losing their lives is something that been happening far too often in South African football. Just this decade alone, the league has already lost Bonginkosi Ntuli (32), Siphamandla Mtolo (29), Steven Ncanana (36), Lesiba Ramabula (21), and Nkanyiso Mngwengwe (30). And in 2018, Maritzburg United's Luyanda Ntshangase died at just the age of 21. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. These are just the ones who died following illness. AmaZulu's Ntuli died from an 'aggressive form of cancer', while Richards Bay captain Mtolo and Golden Arrows' skipper Mngwengwe both succumbed to suspected heart related issues. Both 21-year-olds, Ntshangase and Ramabula, died after being struck by lightning during training. There have also been those who died after being victims of crime. A little over a year ago, Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs died after being shot in a hijacking incident. And in 2023, Stellenbosch FC defender and SA U20 captain Oshwin Andries died on his way to hospital a couple of days after being stabbed during a party. These two were a stark reminder of the realities of life in South Africa. But, the biggest killer of South African footballers over the past 25 years has been car accidents. Since 2000, 12 players, and nine in the last 10 years, have lost their lives on the road. In a space of two years, Maritzburg United lost two players – Mondli Cele and Mlondi Dlamini – in what was a tragic period for the club. The Henyekane family suffered the worst tragedy December 2014 and April 2015 when brothers Joseph and Richard died in separate accidents. Joseph was playing for second tier Roses United at the time, while Bafana forward Richard was at Free State Stars, on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns. The other stars who died in car accidents were: Lesley Manyathela, Gift Leremi, Cecil Lolo, Mogau Tshehl, Sinethemba Jantjie, Thembinkosi Mbamba, Anele Ngcongca, and Motjeka Madisha. Due to a lot of these accidents happening in the early hours of the morning, it has often been speculated that alcohol played a part. What more will it take for real action to be taken? The repeated tragedies facing South African footballers — whether through preventable health issues, crime, or road accidents — are not just isolated incidents, but symptoms of deeper systemic failures. The footballing fraternity must stop treating these losses as tragic footnotes and start demanding change. From mandatory health protocols and mental health support to better road safety education and stronger crime prevention efforts, it's time for football authorities, clubs, and society at large to treat the lives of players with the urgency and care they deserve. Enough mourning — what we need now is accountability. IOL Sport * The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media. ** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to iolletters@ Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication).
