Latest news with #NedbankCup
The South African
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
PSL Awards: Kaizer Chiefs represented after years of absence
Kaizer Chiefs were represented at the 2024-25 PSL Awards after years of absence due to their below-par performances. On Tuesday, the PSL honoured those who were head and shoulders above the rest last season in different categories. And with Chiefs winning the Nedbank Cup to end their 10-year trophy drought, three of their players made were nominated. Gaston Sirino, Inacio Miguel and Pule Mmodi were all nominated for the Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament award. On the day of the awards, Mmodi was named the best player for the tournament, beating his fellow teammates to the award. This was the first time in almost a decade that a Chiefs player gets to be honoured by the league at its end-of-season awards. Mmodi, 32, was simply the best throughout the Nedbank Cup campaign, scoring four goals in five matches for Chiefs. Kaizer Chiefs' trophy drought is over after the Glamour Boys beat bitter rivals Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final. Image: X @KaizerChiefs Let us know your thoughts 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.
IOL News
11 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Rayners could lead Sundowns' charge for long awaited Caf glory
Iqraam Rayners of Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Mamelodi Sundowns will begin their MTN8 journey with a home fixture against Richards Bay FC at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday evening (18:00 kick-off), as they look to end a surprisingly long wait for domestic cup success. While the Tshwane giants have continued to assert themselves as kings of the Betway Premiership—securing a seventh successive league title—they've found cup competitions less forgiving in recent seasons. Their hunger to conquer African football has grown, but at home, they've had to settle for near misses. That's why lifting the MTN8 is expected to feature high on their to-do list this season. Their last domestic triumph came in this very competition in 2021/22, and by their high standards, that feels like a drought. The Brazilians bowed out in disappointing fashion in last year's MTN8, falling to Stellenbosch FC in both legs of the semi-final by a 1-0 scoreline. Since winning the MTN8 in 2021/22, however, they've added to their continental pedigree by winning the inaugural African Football League and retaining their league crown with relative ease. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The last time they reached a domestic final was their 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup of the 2023/24 season—another reminder that despite their league dominance, cup glory continues to elude them. Heading into his first full season in charge, head coach Miguel Cardoso will be eager to make an early statement by guiding the Chloorkop-based side to MTN8 glory. Much of that ambition will rest on the shoulders of in-form striker Iqraam Rayners. The Bafana Bafana forward made a seamless transition into the Sundowns setup after joining from Stellenbosch FC, and was one of the standout performers last season. Between league and cup competitions, Rayners bagged 24 goals and chipped in with nine assists. Alongside Brazilian star Lucas Ribeiro Costa, the pair gave opposing defences plenty to think about. Despite his prolific form, Rayners was surprisingly overlooked for the Premier Soccer League's Footballer of the Season award—a snub that didn't sit well with many observers. Still, the 29-year-old remains upbeat and focused. 'A lot of people did not believe in me, but I obviously believe in myself and the coaches and the players,' Rayners told the club's podcast. 'My first season I was happy to be at the club and doing my best.' While disappointed after seeing the list of nominees, Rayners took it in stride. 'I was a bit disappointed because I had a good season last season with a good team and good players and coaches believed in me. I was disappointed when I saw the players that were nominated.' With talk swirling around Ribeiro's potential departure, the timing could be right for Rayners to further stake his claim as a key figure for both Sundowns and Bafana Bafana. The upcoming MTN8 could serve as his personal and team platform to deliver silverware and silence any lingering doubt. More than that, the tournament serves as a pre-season springboard—an opportunity to kickstart the campaign in fine fashion and dominate not only the league but every front.
IOL News
21 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Sundowns eye clean sweep while newcomers Orbit aim to survive
Miguel Cardoso, head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns instructs players during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Fluminense at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida on 25 June 2025 © Lynne Gleeson/BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix As the 2025/26 South African football season kicks off, the contrasting ambitions of two Betway Premiership clubs set the stage for an intriguing campaign. Mamelodi Sundowns, the undisputed giants of domestic football, enter the new term with silverware in their sights and continental glory firmly on their radar. In stark contrast, top-flight debutants Orbit College are preparing for a battle of survival, armed with belief, loyalty to their playing identity, and a few strategic signings. From title favourites to hopeful newcomers, both clubs face defining seasons ahead. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The CAF Champions League trophy remains an elusive goal for Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix TOP TRUMPS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS Club Owner: Patrice Motsepe Head Coach: Miguel Cardoso Highest ever finish: Champions Competitions participating in: Betway Premiership, Nedbank Cup, MTN8, Carling Knockout Cup, CAF Champions League Silverware chances: Excellent for all domestic competitions; one of the favourites for the Champions League For Mamelodi Sundowns, the prospect of a clean sweep looms large. With strong squad depth and tactical refinement under Miguel Cardoso, they are well poised to lift multiple trophies, including the league and domestic cups. Their only uncertainty lies in the CAF Champions League, but with Cardoso enjoying a full pre-season — unlike last term when he joined in December 2024 — expectations are sky-high for continental success. Cardoso and his technical team have sharpened the team's defensive resolve and attacking flair, with star forwards Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Peter Shalulile, as well as midfield maestros Marcelo Allende and Teboho Mokoena, leading the charge. Their chemistry has created a ruthlessly effective, yet stylish brand of football. The high-profile acquisition of Fawaaz Basadien from Stellenbosch FC raised eyebrows, particularly given the presence of stalwart left-back Aubrey Modiba. With both players vying for national team selection ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the internal competition adds another layer of pressure and intrigue. Despite their dominance, Cardoso insists on humility and focus. Every match is treated with the utmost seriousness, as Sundowns look to extend their legacy underpinned by discipline, teamwork, and hunger. Fawaaz Basadien has transfered to Mamelodi Sundowns for the new season. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpageopix Players to watch: Fawaaz Basadien, Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Marcelo Allende Predicted League finish: First Orbit College celebrate promotion, at the expense of Cape Town City, earlier this year. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM ORBIT COLLEGE Club chairman: Dika Mokoena Head coach: Pogiso Makhoye Highest ever finish: Promotion to the the Premiership via play-offs Competitions participating in: Betway Premiership, Nedbank Cup, Carling Knockout Cup. Silvareware chances: First season in the top flight, not amongst the favourites to win any silverware. Orbit College embark on their first Betway Premiership campaign with modest goals — survival chief among them. Coach Pogiso Makhoye, a stalwart of the club for over 15 years, will oversee their transition into elite competition following a strong promotion play-off showing. Orbit's rise has been built on consistency and staying true to their identity. Makhoye insists that their promotion does not signal a radical shift in approach, and that belief in their existing system will be key to staying afloat. Strategic signings include the loan acquisition of Monnapule Saleng from Orlando Pirates. The Bafana Bafana winger brings much-needed top-flight experience and could prove decisive in tight contests. While game time was scarce for him at Pirates last season, his talent is undisputed. The Mswenko Boys' refusal to be overawed by the Premiership challenge may prove a vital asset. With minimal changes and a fearless mindset, they enter the campaign with belief that they can defy the odds. Monnapule Saleng will run out in the colours of Orbit College in the upcoming season. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix Players to watch: Monnapule Saleng, Sekhoane Moerane and Siyabulela Mabele Predicted league finish: Survival by finishing 14th On Wednesday, we take a look at would-be challengers Orlando Pirates and newly promoted Durban City
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Pirates poke fun at Chiefs over MTN8 failure
Pirates release a cartoon mocking Chiefs for not qualifying for the MTN8. Orlando Pirates have started the banter ahead of the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League season, releasing a video taking aim at Kaizer Chiefs for not qualifying for the MTN8. ALSO READ: Chiefs' Nabi remains positive despite Toyota Cup loss 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 We are now less than a week away from the start of the 2025/26 season. Let the games begin! ⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways — Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) July 28, 2025 In the video, an Amakhosi player arrives at the airport brandishing a Nedbank Cup winners, and strides confidently past a queue of MTN8 qualifiers. However, he is stopped by a customs official, who points out that there is priority boarding for the sides playing in the MTN8. Chiefs' embarrassment Chiefs finished 9th in the Betway Premiership last season, meaning they failed to qualify for the MTN8 for the second season in a row. The PSL season will kick off this weekend with the MTN8 quarterfinals. Amakhosi did beat Orlando Pirates 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup final to win their first trophy in a decade, and it remains to be seen if Kaizer Chiefs' own media team hits back in the coming days. A mixed pre-season Chiefs have had a mixed pre-season, and lost the Toyota Cup for the second season in a row on Saturday, going down 3-2 on penalties to Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko. ALSO READ: Chiefs pay the penalty as Kotoko win Toyota Cup Pirates will play Polokwane City on Saturday at Orlando Stadium in their MTN8 quarterfinal.
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates: full list of players released
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have been the busiest teams during the transfer window, having made close to 20 new signings combined. For Amakhosi, this coming season is a redemption arc after failing to finish in the top 8 for the second consecutive time. Despite claiming the Nedbank Cup, Nasreddine Nabi is desperate to change the club's fortunes in his second season at the club. So far, Kaizer Chiefs have signed six players which are: Ethan Chislett (Port Vale), Nkanyiso Shinga (FC Alverca), Flavio Silva (Persebaya Surabaya), Thabiso Monyane (Orlando Pirates), Paseka Mako (Orlando Pirates), and Siphesihle Ndlovu (SuperSport United). Players who have been released are: Mduduzi Mdantsane, Edson Castillo, Edmilson Dove, Njabulo Blom, Sabelo Radebe, Ranga Chivaviro. Yusuf Maart was sold to a club in Austria. Orlando Pirates on the other hand, have brought in a new coach and 11 players. Here are the new signings: Sipho Mbule (Mamelodi Sundowns), Yanela Mbuthuma (from Richards Bay), Masindi Nemtajela (Marumo Gallants), Tshepang Moremi (AmaZulu), Nkosikhona Ndaba (Richards Bay), Abdoulaye S Mariko (Djoliba AC), Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United), Tshepo Mashiloane (Baroka), Sihle Nduli (Stellenbosch), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Kamogelo Sebelebele (TS Galaxy). Players that have since left are Innocent Maela, Miguel Timm, Paseka Mako (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabiso Monyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Phillip Ndlondlo, Monnapule Saleng (Orbit College), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq), Azola Tshobeni (Chippa United), and Zakhele Lepasa (Unattached). 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.
