Latest news with #MohauNkota
IOL News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Orlando Pirates failures no fault of young Bucs, charges interim coach Ncikazi
Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota have become household names at Soweto giants Orlando Pirates this season. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Orlando Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi has come to the defence of the club's emerging talent, insisting their lack of experience is not to blame for the Buccaneers' recent failures. Ncikazi, who has taken over the reins following the departure of head coach José Riveiro, was speaking after Pirates played out a goalless draw with AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday — their penultimate match of the Betway Premiership campaign. The Buccaneers had high hopes of finishing the season with multiple trophies. Having already lifted the MTN8 earlier in the campaign, Pirates remained in contention for the league title, the CAF Champions League and the Nedbank Cup well into the final stretch of the season. But in a turbulent fortnight, those ambitions were dismantled. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Pirates lost to Sekhukhune United in the league, were knocked out of the Champions League by Egypt's Pyramids FC, and fell at the final hurdle in the Nedbank Cup — edged out by bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs. That collapse invited scrutiny, particularly over the club's increasing reliance on youthful talent. Over the last two to three seasons, Pirates have been among the frontrunners in promoting academy graduates to the senior team. Players such as Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota, Siyabonga Ndlozi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and Simphiwe Selepe have all made their mark during this period. However, their involvement in some of the season's most high-stakes fixtures raised concerns from some quarters about whether Pirates had leaned too heavily on untested players at crucial moments. Ncikazi, though, was adamant that the club's direction remains the right one. 'Number of games, maybe (we may look to ease the load) but in terms of the experience, I don't think so,' he said. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 🌟 Eleven (11) of the players in Bafana Bafana's preliminary squad are 21 or younger. Shandre Campbell (19) Mbekezeli Mbokazi (19) Simphiwe Selepe (20) Puso Dithejane (20) Mohau Nkota (20) Relebohile Mofokeng (20) Mduduzi Shabalala (21) Ime Okon (21) Vuyo… — #UNPLAYABLE (@UnplayableZA) May 22, 2025
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
'The Ghost' of Moses Mabhida past: Orlando Pirates face crucial test in Durban return
Mohau Nkota of Orlando Pirates celebrates scoring against SuperSport United in the Betway Premiership at Peter Mokaba Stadium earlier this week. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix Orlando Pirates return to the Moses Mabhida Stadium this weekend — a venue that still haunts them after their heartbreaking Nedbank Cup final loss at the hands of Kaizer Chiefs earlier this month. This time, AmaZulu are the hosts, and while there is no silverware at stake, there is just as much to play for. The Buccaneers have already secured a second-place finish in the Betway Premiership and sealed their return to the CAF Champions League next season. But with the sudden and permanent departure of coach José Riveiro, the clash in Durban marks the beginning of an uncertain but potentially transformative new chapter. There is another fixture still to come — Pirates host Magesi four days later — but Saturday's showdown offers a clear opportunity for players to make a statement. With a new coach set to be appointed in the off-season, every performance between now and the final whistle of the campaign could influence who stays, who goes, and who leads the Sea Robbers into the next era. The weight of the fixture also sits with AmaZulu, who are clinging to sixth place on the table and need just a point to ensure qualification for next season's MTN8 competition. For Pirates, however, this match is about more than disrupting Usuthu's ambitions — it is about restoring pride and testing the hunger that will be demanded in the seasons to come. When they last walked off the pitch at Moses Mabhida, Pirates were crushed after conceding a late goal to Kaizer Chiefs and watching their Nedbank Cup treble dreams evaporate. That result also shifted the spotlight to internal issues and, ultimately, Riveiro's early exit. Now, with just two league games remaining, the technical staff — albeit temporary — will be watching closely to assess which players are still committed, focused, and capable of carrying the badge with conviction. Despite their patchy form over the past few weeks, Pirates showed resilience in their midweek victory over SuperSport United. The win not only secured their second-place finish but also hinted at the kind of determination required to close out the season on a high.
TimesLIVE
20-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
SuperSport's survival hopes dealt massive blow with loss to Pirates
SuperSport United's ambitions to avoid the dreaded PSL promotion play-offs suffered a huge blow when they lost 1-0 to Orlando Pirates during their Betway Premiership encounter at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday. United interim coach Andre Arendse was desperate for all the three points on offer to move one place away from the danger zone but they were outdone by Mohau Nkota's well-taken goal in the second half. After this match, United remain second from the bottom where they are tied on 26 points with Cape Town City and are faced with a tricky situation to avoid dropping to the play-offs. It is down to the wire but United have a slight advantage over Cape Town City in their basement battle because they have two matches remaining while the Capetonians have one. The other team that is part of this battle of the basement dwellers is third from the bottom Golden Arrows, who have 27 points but have two games to complete their campaign.
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Pirates' Nkota strikes to take down SuperSport United
Mohau Nkota's solitary strike gave the Buccaneers maximum points in what was a rather dull affair. Mohau Nkota of Orlando Pirates celebrates goal with team mates during the Betway Premiership match against SuperSport United at Peter Mokaba Stadium on May 20, 2025 in Polokwane, South Africa. (Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images) Orlando Pirates recorded a narrow 1-0 win over SuperSport United in a Betway Premiership match at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday night. Mohau Nkota's solitary strike gave the Buccaneers maximum points in what was a rather dull affair. Pirates move up, SuperSport stay in a relegation battle The win moves Pirates to 59 points with two matches left to play. Meanwhile, Matsatsantsa a Pitori are still embroiled in a relegation play-off battle after 26 matches. ALSO READ: All the pressure is on SuperSport as Pirates come to town SuperSport will next play Richards Bay and they still have an outstanding match against Golden Arrows, which was abandoned in February at half timew due to a power failure with the score tied at 1-1. The first half between Pirates and SuperSport proved to be a low-key affair, with neither side creating clear-cut best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes fell to Lebohang Maboe, but he blasted his left-footed effort over the bar from inside the box. Pirates were without the influential Relebohile Mofokeng due to suspension. His absence was felt as the Soweto giants lacked bite in the final third. It was a disjointed performance against a United team that was happy to play without the ball. There was a senior debut for Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla, who came in for Sipho Chaine. Coincidentally, Dladla was also celebrating his 24th birthday. SuperSport shot-stopper Thakasani Mbanjwa came off his line to deny Nkota from a tight angle in the 57th minute. Nkota was set up by Tshegofatso Mabasa, who had dropped deep to collect the ball, but the move was thwarted by an outstretched hand of Mbanjwa. Kimvuidi class The introduction of Karim Kimvuidi on the hour mark gave Pirates the impetus they needed. The Congolese midfielder replaced the inefficient Kabelo Dlamini, and it didn't take long for him to come up with an assist in the 72nd minute. ALSO READ: 40-year-old Onyango dismisses retirement talk Kimvuidi went on a driving run to set up Nkota, who cut back onto his favourite left foot before smashing the ball past Mbanjwa to give Pirates the lead. Nyiko Mobbie's header hit the upright on the stroke of full-time with Dladla well beaten. It was too little, too late, as Pirates held on for all three points.
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
SuperSport United's survival hopes fade as Orlando Pirates pounce
Mohau Nkota of Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United's Lebohang Maboe contest possession during their Betway Premiership clash at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday night. Photo: BackpagePix There remains the unresolved matter of Matsatsantsa's abandoned match against Golden Arrows, which could impact the final points tally. That clash, originally played in February, was level at 1-1 when the lights failed, and the teams were unable to begin the second half. Matsatsantsa a Pitori lost 1-0 to Orlando Pirates at the Peter Mokaba Stadium – their second successive defeat while playing catch-up to 15th-placed Cape Town City. The two sides are now level on 26 points with one game each remaining, although SuperSport enjoy a better goal difference. Games in hand are clearly of little value until they are made to count. SuperSport United can certainly attest to this as they struggle to secure their place in the Betway Premiership. As SuperSport, the home side, failed to provide a backup generator to counter load-shedding, it is likely that the points will be awarded to Arrows. Regardless of the ruling, SuperSport still hold their fate in their own hands. They need only beat Richards Bay on Saturday or at least match Cape Town City's result in their match against a Stellenbosch FC side determined to secure third place. On a night when Orlando Pirates handed goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla his debut in celebration of his 24th birthday, Mohau Nkota scored the only goal in the second half to help the Buccaneers narrow the gap on champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Substitute Karim Kimvuidi made a strong run from deep in midfield before threading a precise pass to Nkota inside the box. The youngster controlled with his right foot, shifted the ball to his inside and fired a low shot that went through defender Aphiwe Baliti's legs and past goalkeeper Thakazani Mbanjwa. That was the decisive moment as the Buccaneers secured all three points, though SuperSport were unlucky not to equalise in the 88th minute. Pogisho Sanoka delivered a superb high ball from the right, and Nyiko Mobie rose unmarked to head at goal, only for the ball to ricochet off the upright with Dladla well beaten. The match had produced a number of half-chances early on, but none were converted. Lebohang Maboe blasted over from inside the box just before half-time, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi blocked a Keegan [surname missing] shot two minutes after the break as SuperSport attempted to start the second half with intensity. Mbanjwa then did well to deny Nkota after a superb pass from Tshegofatso Mabasa capped a fluid Pirates attack. Earlier, there had been a scare when Christian Saile collided with Dladla, leaving both players sprawled on the pitch and seemingly injured. Fortunately, both recovered and continued as Pirates claimed the win, leaving SuperSport in a perilous position near the foot of the table.
