Latest news with #Mbule
The South African
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
PSL star sends a serious message to Orlando Pirates midfielder
Sipho Mbule, one of the most beloved players in the local game, has joined Orlando Pirates ahead of next season's Betway Premiership term. As a measure to manage Mbule's reported ill-discipline towards alcohol, Sundowns loaned the 27-year-old to Sekhukhune United before the start of last season. Three months before the end of his loan spell, Sekhukhune released the Bethlehem-born star for continued unprofessional behaviour. In came Orlando Pirates with a surprising announcement of the player known as 'Master Chef.' 'Orlando Pirates didn't sign players to compete with Sundowns' Orlando Pirates players Sipho Mbule and Evidence Makgopa training at the Rand Stadium. Images: @orlandopirates/X 'I only congratulated him, wished him well, he's a good footballer, I'm a fan of his talent and what he is capable of doing,' Linda Mntambo told iDiski Times . Kaizer Chiefs news: Bafana winger and new number 10 'Hopefully he gets there and takes care of himself, does well and just pay back to the people who love to see him play, the people who are supporting him, like myself, I want to see him winning,' Mntambo. 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
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Pirates lose to Bolton in preseason friendly in Marbella
The Buccaneers will return to the same venue on Sunday to take on Pafos FC of Cyprus. New-look Olando Pirates suffered a 2-0 loss to League One outfit Bolton Wanderers in a preseason friendly game at the Marbella Football Centre in Spain on Friday. New Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou started the match with four of the Bucs new recruits. Sihle Nduli, who joined Pirates from Stellenbosch FC started at the centre of the midfield alongside another new signing and former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Sipho Mbule. ALSO READ: Sekhukhune United snap up ex-Orlando Pirates midfielder Tshepang Moremi, who joined the Buccaneers from AmaZulu, started on the wing. Pirates controlled the game in the first 30 minutes of the first half, but most of the action was in the middle of the park where Mbule and Patrick Maswanganyi were operating. Mbule tried his luck from range in the 31st minute, but his shot was deflected away for a corner kick. Six minutes later, Mbule had another go but this time his shot went wide of goal. Bolton took the lead albeit against the run of play in the 41st minute. A free kick on the right was whipped in and George Thomason did well to win a header to put the ball into the area, and Charlie Warren beat an advancing Sipho Chaine to the ball and put Bolton in the lead with a superb finish. Pirates were awarded a free kick in a promising position and Relebohile Mofokeng went wide of goal from it and Bolton were able to take their 1-0 lead to the half-time break. Ouaddou made a wholesale change at the start of the second half, substituting all eleven players who started the game and introduced the other new signings. The likes of Oswin Appollis, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Lebone Seema, Tshepo Mashiloane and Masindi Nemtajela were given a run in the second stanza. Pirates started the second half the stronger of the sides, but it was Bolton who doubled their lead in the 62nd minute from a corner kick. George Johnston rose highest at the far post and nodded home Bolton's second goal. ALSO READ: Chiefs coach and fans' passion are the perfect mix Tshegofatso Mabasa almost pulled one for Pirates in the 67th minute, but his shot was deflected away for a corner kick. In the end, Pirates were unable to find the back of the net in their first game of their preseason tour in Spain. The Buccaneers will return to the same venue on Sunday to take on Pafos FC of Cyprus.
IOL News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Orlando Pirates begin tour of Spain, Sipho Mbule to give a glimpse of what he's bringing
SIPHO Mbule will want to hit the ground running at Orlando Pirates as he gets another shot at redemption. | BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Orlando Pirates' assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi says it was key to quickly settle in Marbella in order to 'integrate the new players into the group as quickly as possible.' Pirates are on their third consecutive pre-season tour of Spain under new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou who joined the team this winter. And having the last two preparations in Marbella, under coach Jose Riveiro, yielded three trophies and two back-to-back finishes in the league - Ouaddou is expected to improve on that. As such, the Moroccan-born coach is not leaving anything to chance as has taken 32 players on their tour which will include high-intensity friendlies lined up to test the team's readiness. Pirates will face English side Bolton Wanderers on Friday, followed by a meeting with newly crowned Cypriot champions Pafos FC on Sunday. They'll then come up against La Liga outfit Las Palmas on July 17, before concluding with a test against Granada on July 19. In ensuring that they are ready for these clashes, Pirates didn't waste time in getting to work in Marbella. After touching down at Málaga International Airport on Tuesday afternoon before making the short journey to the coastal city of Marbella, they hit the training pitch. Ouaddou conducted the training session as there was a notable blend of senior players and new signings which included Sipho Mbule and Oswin Appollis. The duo was marquee signing for the club as they were linked with a number of teams locally and abroad, including Pirates' arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs, this winter. Mbule and Appollis are both regarded as game-changers, hence they are expected to drive Pirates' title charge next season in a bid to end Mamelodi Sundowns' dominance. Mbule, though, is set to attract the most attention at Pirates as this could be his last chance to live up to expectations after his career was muddied with ill-discipline. Mbule started his professional career at the set-to-be defunct SuperSport United before he was sold to Sundowns who loaned him out to Sekhukhune United last season. At all three clubs, he reportedly faced disciplinary charges for ill-discipline, something that slowly but eventually dented his chances of reaching his full potential. Ouaddou has stressed that they'll offer Mbule all the support he needs to get to his best, but he has to ensure that he does his part as well.
The South African
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Mbule's surprise Orlando Pirates jersey number spotted?
Orlando Pirates are currently in Marbella preparing for the looming 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, under the newly appointed Moroccan head coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou. What caught our attention wasn't just his appearances, but the unusual squad number marked on his training kit: 39 — a far cry from the more traditional central midfield numbers. Is it a true symbol of a fresh start or a statement of humility, especially given Mbule's well-documented bad-boy image? Some Orlando Pirates fans believe it may simply be a pre-season number that could change once the final squad list is confirmed. Spotted: Orlando Pirates strength coach in hospital Orlando Pirates' new signing Sipho Mbule training in Marbella, Spain. Image: orlandopirates/Instagram At 27, Mbule is widely seen as a player still capable of fulfilling his potential, despite a stop-start career at Sundowns and a mixed loan spell at Sekhukhune United. His arrival at Orlando Pirates is viewed as a major statement of intent from the club, which is undergoing a rebuild under Ouaddou. Kaizer Chiefs star changes jersey number? The new Orlando Pirates coach has spoken highly of Mbule in the past, calling him a 'fantastic player' who simply needs 'the right structure and guidance.' Now, in a high-performance environment and with increased expectations, Mbule's focus appears sharp — and the number 39 may well represent a clean slate. 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
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Sipho Mbule's jersey number at Orlando Pirates!
Orlando Pirates have hit the ground running have just arrived in Spain and straight to the training ground. Pirates players have been putting in the hard yards under the watchful eye of new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Pirates find themselves in their Spanish base of Marbella for their third pre-season in a row. It is also their first under new coach Ouaddou. He is just one of a few new faces at the club which includes 11 new signings. Out of those 11, only nine have been confirmed with the last being talented Bafana Bafana international Oswin Appollis. He has already been spotted being put through his paces with this publication revealing his jersey number. Appollis is set to wear the famous jersey number 15 at Pirates , previously worn by some fan favourite midfielders. Those being Andile Jali who wore it in his prime at the club and most recently Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo. So with that in mind, one would think a player like Sipho Mbule, who is primed to be a fan favourite would take it. But according to a video of the club training in Spain Mbule's number at Pirates seems to have been confirmed. In the training video, the former Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker was seen spotting jersey 39. The number is interesting and unorthodox from the player, leaving one wondering the inspiration behind it. Mbule signing for Pirates shook the internet as he was offered to arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs a week or two prior. Out of nowhere he was unveiled as a Buccaneers after leaving Sundowns on a free. While there has been little doubt over the talents of the 27-year-old, it's been the off-field issues that derail him. It now remains to be seen if he can put that all behind him and prove his worth at the Soweto Giants. Pirates fans, what do you think of Mbule's choice of 39 for a jersey number? How do you think he will do this season? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
