Latest news with #Pafos
TimesLIVE
15-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Ouaddou aims to mould teen defender Mbokazi into a leader at Pirates
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says Mbekezeli 'TLB' Mbokazi is one of the 'big men' of his team, hence the 19-year-old defensive prodigy was the only player fielded for 90 minutes, captaining the side for part of the game, against Cypriot champions Pafos. The teen wearing the armband as Bucs drew 1-1 in their friendly on Sunday at Marbella Football Centre as part of their preseason camp in Spain signified his future leadership prospects for the Soweto giants, new coach Ouaddou said. 'Mbokazi is one of the big men of this team. He's a South African, he's proud of what he's doing and we're proud of him. He had a good game,' Ouaddou said after the game. 'It's normal we give him the captaincy. Step by step, we want to give him more time because he's going to be one of the main men this season and that's why we gave him that responsibility.
The South African
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
'He made it easy for me': Mofokeng praises Pirates new signing
Orlando Pirates winger Relebohile Mofokeng was full of praise for new signing Oswin Appollis following the club's 1-1 draw with Pafos on Sunday morning. The Buccaneers conceded an early goal but came back to equalise through Mofokeng. The 20-year-old received a sublime pass from Appollis to net his first goal of the pre-season. Speaking after the match, Mofokeng said Appollis made things easier for him. Both players are wingers; however, they were able to complement each other. 'It was a perfect [pass]. I think he made it easy for me on the ground. It was a better touch,' Mofokeng told SuperSport TV . 'When you are a winger, you must be able to play both [wings], you know. If you can't play both, then you can't be a winger. So, I think you can balance the two,' he added. Appollis explained how the pass came about. With the Buccaneers pushing for an equaliser, the players started making movements which then opened up the Pafos defence 'I saw Rele already moving, and I saw the space between the centre-back and the left-back,' the new Pirates signing said. 'So, it was going to be difficult if I hit it in the sky. I had to thread it through between the centre back and the left back. And it was a good touch by Rele to take it in front of him because if it touched him [wrongly], it's a penalty.' 'You know, there's a lot of work to be done, you know. What we wanted to win is positive. We did most of the stuff that the coach is asking, and we will just continue doing our best on the field,' Appollis said. With one new signing already impressing during pre-season, the Buccaneers will hope that more new players could join the party and shine in the coming weeks. The Buccaneers next play Spanish second-tier outfit Las Palmas on Thursday evening, with the game kicking off at 17:00 (SAST). 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
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
WATCH: Appollis' sublime pass to Mofokeng earns Pirates draw
Orlando Pirates new signing Oswin Appollis produced a sublime pass for Relebohile Mofokeng to score during the team's 1-1 draw with Cypriot outfit Pafos. Having gone down 2-0 to Bolton Wanderers, the Buccaneers played to a draw on Sunday morning in Marbella, Spain, in a pre-season friendly match. The European outfit took the lead as early as the sixth minute and were pretty much in control for the first 20 minutes. Bucs keeper Sipho Chaine was called up to intervene on several occasions to keep the score at 1-0. It took a bit of magic from Pirates winger Oswin Appollis to draw them level, with the new signing finding Relebohile Mofokeng with a superb pass and the 20-year-old made no mistake in calmly slotting home to make it 1-1 in the 24th minute. The goal shifted the momentum with the Buccaneers finding a few opportunities in the latter half of the opening period. Midfielder Sipho Mbule drew a save from the keeper with a long-range effort while Kabelo Dlamini went just wide with his attempt from a similar distance. Replacement goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla was called upon on a couple of occasions early in the second half, and was a cool presence between the posts. His side was just as active at the other end with Boitumelo Radiopane looking lively inside the box. The shot-stopper was tested late on via a free kick delivered into the box. It bounced awkwardly, but he was positioned well enough to make a crucial block as a number of white shirts descended towards the Pirates goal before a clearance was made. The Pafos defence continued to frustrate Pirates as time ran out, with the likes of Patrick Maswanganyi and Tshepang Moremi falling just short in their attempts to find the winner. Having signed for Pirates in July, Appollis have impressed the Bucs faithful so far. He is rated on of the best wingers in the country currently. The Buccaneers next play Spanish second-tier outfit Las Palmas on Thursday evening, with the game kicking off at 17:00 (SAST). Pirates XI: Chaine (Dladla 46'), Sibisi (Seema 46'), Mbokazi, Van Rooyen (Mashiolane 62'), Hotto (Ndaba 62'), Mbatha (Selepe 62'), Mbule (Dansin 46'), Dlamini (Kimvuidi 62'), Appollis (Moremi 62'), Mofokeng (Maswanganyi 62'), Radiopane (Mbuthuma 62'). 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.
IOL News
13-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Pirates earn encouraging draw against Champions League-bound Pafos in Spain
Relebohile Mofokeng Relebohile Mofokeng rescued Orlando Pirates from defeat against UEFA Champions League contestants Pafos FC in a friendly in Spain on Sunday. The match ended in a 1-all stalemate. South African tourists, Orlando Pirates FC, secured a 1-1 draw against Cypriot champions Pafos FC on Sunday afternoon at the Marbella Football Centre in Spain. The match formed part of their ongoing training camp as they prepare for the upcoming season. Pafos, who will compete in the Uefa Champions League this season, provided a stern test, and Pirates will draw inspiration from the outcome. New head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou continued with Sipho Mbule in midfield and handed first starts of the tour to new signings Oswin Appollis and Yanele Mbuthuma. The encounter started on a sour note for the Buccaneers as Pafos capitalised on a defensive lapse when Joao Correia fired past goalkeeper Sipho Chaine just six minutes into the game. However, the Soweto giants quickly regrouped and found their equaliser in the 25th minute.
TimesLIVE
13-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Pirates draw against Cypriot champions in second friendly
Orlando Pirates drew their second friendly of their preseason camp in Spain 1-1 against Cypriot champions Pafos at Marbella Football Centre on Sunday. Joao Correia put Pafos ahead in the seventh minute. The Buccaneers equalised via Relebohile Mofokeng's strike in the 24th, taking an angled pass and beating a defender on the right of the box then shaping a finish. Pirates started with a 2-0 defeat against English League One (third tier) side Bolton Wanderers on Friday. Bucs travelled with a 32-man squad to Marbella. They meet La Liga outfit Las Palmas on July 17, before concluding with a test against LaLiga 2 (second tier) Granada on July 19.
