Latest news with #PuleMmodi
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Chiefs and Pirates to miss key players for season finale games
Chiefs need to win their final game against Polokwane City to qualify for the MTN8. Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will be without some of their key players when they play Polokwane City and AmaZulu respectively this weekend. The Premier Soccer League (PSL) on Thursday confirmed the list of players suspended for this Saturday's Betway Premiership matches. ALSO READ: Arendse confident SuperSport will stave off relegation Amakhosi will be without Pule Mmodi, who is suspended for the game against Rise and Shine at the FNB Stadium. Mmodi is serving the first of his two-match ban after receiving a red card against Sekhukhune United last weekend. Chiefs need to win their final game against Polokwane City to qualify for the MTN8. The Buccaneers will miss Bandile Shandu when they meet Usuthu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. The utility player, who has scored two goals in the last three games for Pirates, is suspended for this encounter after picking up his fourth yellow card in their 1-0 win over SuperSport United on Tuesday. AmaZulu, on the other side, will miss the services of defender Mbongeni Gumede who will be serving a suspension after receiving a red card in their 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows. ALSO READ: Mayele admits to Chiefs transfer contact 15th placed Cape Town City will be without Nathan Fasika and Thabo Nodada when they face Stellenbosch FC in the Cape derby at the Cape Town Stadium. The duo is suspended for this match. Richards Bay will miss the services of midfielder Lindokuhle Zikhali who scored the winner and received a red card during 1-0 win over TS Galaxy at the beginning of the month.
The South African
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates face blows ahead of final fixtures
Kaizer Chiefs must beat Polokwane City to book their place in next season's MTN8. However, the Soweto giants will be without winger Pule Mmodi, who received a red card in last weekend's tense draw against Sekhukhune United. This suspension comes at the worst possible time for a Chiefs side desperate to end a lacklustre campaign on a high. With Mmodi sidelined, the pressure mounts on the rest of the squad to deliver. While Orlando Pirates have little riding on their final fixture against AmaZulu FC, they will sorely miss the in-form Bandile Shandu. Who has netted twice in his last three appearances. Shandu picked up his fourth yellow card during their narrow 1-0 victory over SuperSport United, ruling him out of the clash. His absence is a blow to the Buccaneers' momentum heading into the off-season. Usuthu, meanwhile, will also field a weakened side against Pirates. Defender Mbongeni Gumede will serve a suspension following his red card in their recent 1-0 win over Lamontville Golden Arrows. Gumede's absence could create vulnerabilities in the AmaZulu backline, offering Pirates a potential advantage. The most critical battle awaits Cape Town City, who must overcome fierce rivals Stellenbosch FC to escape the threat of promotion/relegation play-offs. City will be without experienced campaigners Nathan Fasika Idumba and Thabo Nodada, both ruled out due to suspensions. Their absence could not come at a worse time for a side facing one of its most important matches ever. Will these suspensions impact the results of Kaizer Chiefs and the rest of the PSL teams? 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
13-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Top five standout players from the Nedbank Cup final
Kaizer Chiefs' patchy season ended on a high as they finally ended their long trophy drought with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates in Saturday's Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The Buccaneers, chasing a third Nedbank Cup title in three seasons, fell at the final hurdle — and as the curtain fell on the 2025 edition of the competition, we take a look at five players who made the biggest impact throughout the tournament. Pule Mmodi Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will meet in the Nedbank Cup final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on tomorrow afternoon. As it is the last Soweto Derby of the season, and there's silverware at stake, so we can be sure that the clash means a lot for both teams. Image: Itumeleng English, Independent Newspapers Often flying under the radar, Pule Mmodi emerged as one of Kaizer Chiefs' key figures in their triumphant Nedbank Cup run. It was his clever play that earned the decisive penalty in the final, setting the tone for Chiefs' victory seven days after suffering a 2-1 loss in the league. His energetic start contributed to an early breakthrough, unsettling the Buccaneers right from kickoff. 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. 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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 ✕ Mmodi was effective in front of goal, and his tireless runs and relentless pressure down the flanks played a key role in keeping Pirates pinned back — particularly during a second half that Chiefs unexpectedly controlled. The winger finished as Chiefs' top scorer in the competition, netting four goals and firmly staking his claim as one of the standout players of the tournament. Inacio Miguel KAIZER Chiefs defender Miguel Inacio. | BackpagePix Image: BACKPAGEPIX The hard-tackling center-back was the anchor in Amakhosi's defense throughout their Nedbank Cup run. While Chiefs struggled for defensive consistency in the league, his presence brought much-needed stability — and in the four matches he featured, they conceded just two goals. His leadership and composure were especially vital in containing a dangerous Pirates attack filled with pace and flair. Beyond his defensive contributions, his cool head from the penalty spot proved equally valuable. He played a crucial role in Chiefs' path to the final, finishing the tournament with an impressive three goals. Mbekezeli Mbokazi ORLANDO Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi continues to receive rave reviews after his domestic and continental exploits. | BackpagePix Image: BACKPAGEPIX It was a mixed campaign for the Buccaneers, but the emergence of 19-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi was a major positive. Since making his first appearance in the quarter-finals against SuperSport United, he has impressed with his strength in defense and surprising maturity. Not only did he stand up to some of the best attacks in the competition, but he also showed his offensive instincts with a crucial goal in the quarter-final that went to penalties. Despite the final defeat, Mbokazi was one of Pirates' best performers on the day and looks set to play a central role in the club's plans next season. Makhehlene Makhaula ON THE MOVE Makhehlene Makhaula in action for Orlando Pirates against Chippa United on Wednesday during the Betway Premiership clash. Picture: Deryck Foster/BackpagePix Image: Picture: Deryck Foster/BackpagePix The veteran midfielder was the glue in Pirates' engine room, playing all five matches and anchoring the midfield with determination and grit. While his offensive contribution remains limited, his partnerships with Kabelo Dlamini and Thalente Mbatha gave the Buccaneers a strong midfield base through the tournament. His gap in midfield was felt after being substituted, as Chiefs found the winner late on—a moment that perhaps exposed the leadership and defensive cover Makhaula typically provides. Yusuf Maart Yusuf Maart Captain Yusuf Maart will be keen to win over the Kaizer Chiefs fans with a win against Orlando Pirates. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Amakhosi captain Yusuf Maart has faced his fair share of criticism for underwhelming performances over the past season. And while his overall impact in the Nedbank Cup campaign may have been limited, he delivered when it mattered most — producing what could be considered Kaizer Chiefs' most defining moment in the last decade. The former Pirates development player came back to haunt his former youth club, scoring the dramatic winner with just ten minutes remaining, sealing the 2–1 victory and ending Chiefs' long-standing trophy drought.
IOL News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Orlando Pirates triumph over Kaizer Chiefs in thrilling Soweto Derby
Kaizer Chiefs player Pule Mmodi goes flying in a challenge from Orlando Pirates star Thalente Mbatha at the FNB Stadium yesterday. Image: Itumeleng English, Independent Media In a clash that showcased the fierce rivalry that ignites the hearts of football fans across South Africa, Orlando Pirates emerged victorious over their arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs, clinching a 2-1 win in the Soweto Derby at Soccer City yesterday. The thrilling clash not only delivered exhilarating football, but also reinstated Pirates' dominance as they continue to assert their authority in this storied rivalry. Having suffered a setback earlier in the week with a disappointing loss to Marumo Gallants, the pressure was palpable for the Buccaneers as they entered the field. They were not just battling their opponents, but also the weight of expectation from their ardent supporters, who hoped for a decisive turn in their quest for the Premiership title. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the visiting fans, adorned in black and white, clashed vocally with the vibrant gold and black of the Chiefs. Orlando Pirates supporters in large numbers at the FNB stadium for the Betway premiership League against Kaizer Chiefs for the Soweto derby. Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers The stadium pulsated with energy, with both sets of supporters chanting fervently, creating an iconic backdrop synonymous with one of African football's most esteemed rivalries. The 3pm kick-off was pushed back by 30 minutes to accommodate the overwhelming number of supporters still streaming into the venue. The stadium operations and security personnel worked diligently to ensure the safe entry and enjoyment of all attendees. Moments after referee Eugene Mdluli sounded the opening whistle, the excitement reached a boiling point when Congolese striker Makabi Lilepo, with skilful precision, unleashed a flawless strike to open the scoring in the second minute after a deft cutback from teammate Dillon Solomons. The unsighted Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine made a despairing dive, but to no avail. The early goal ignited wild scenes of celebration from the sea of Chiefs supporters. At the same time, the cheers seemed to provide their team with a lift, and Pirates' shaky defence struggled to contain several final-third entries by their opponents. Chiefs produced a vastly improved performance and imposed themselves on the match with a superior possession advantage. However, they were caught napping when Pirates staged a counter-attack down the right flank, where the speedy Mohau Nkota was hard to contain. After Nkota outpaced the back-peddling Chiefs defence, he supplied a slick through-pass, which the unmarked Evidence Makgopa latched onto. A few strides later, Makgopa displayed his sharp instincts with a composed finish to level the scores against the run of play. At halftime, the match statistics showed that Pirates led foul count 11-1, a tell-tale sign that showed Chiefs' attacking play was proving to be a handful. The match remained intensely competitive as both teams battled to gain ascendency. Kaizer Chiefs supporters in large numbers at the FNB stadium for the Betway premiership League against for the Soweto derby. Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Media Chiefs were almost caught out on the half-hour mark when Pirates captain Tapelo Xoki connected with a glancing header from a Deon Hotto free-kick. Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma rose to the occasion and made a crucial save to keep the score level. Makgopa pushed for a brace with an extravagant run late in the first half. Controlling a long ball expertly, he manoeuvred goalwards, only to narrowly miss the near post, leaving the Pirates fans in disbelief. The atmosphere in the stadium crackled with tension, as fans from both sides cheered on their teams in a fierce contest. There were scoring opportunities in the second half, but neither side found the back of the net. However, as the clock ticked down, Relebohile Mofokeng struck with a decisive goal that shifted the dynamic of the game and reignited hopes for the Pirates' Premiership title aspirations this season. Ahead of the final whistle, Chiefs defender Bradley Cross was red-carded, and it laid bare the growing troubles faced by the team grappling with underlying issues that have plagued them all season. The failure to convert opportunities into goals, along with a shaky defence, was glaring deficiencies that could accelerate Chiefs' downward spiral, and possibly losing out on a top-eight place. SUNDAY TRIBUNE
The South African
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs suffer blow ahead of clash
Kaizer Chiefs suffer a blow ahead of the next clash, two stars suspended but there's a silver lining. Amakhosi will be without attackers Gaston Sirino and Pule Mmodi for their upcoming Betway Premiership clash against Marumo Gallants at the FNB Stadium this Saturday. The influential pair picked up their fourth yellow cards of the season during Chiefs' frustrating 0-0 draw against Chippa United, earning automatic suspensions at a critical point in the campaign. Coach Nasreddine Nabi now faces the challenge of reorganising his attack without two key players. However, he won't be losing sleep for long. Sirino and Mmodi will be available for the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates on 3 May, a much-anticipated fixture that could define the remainder of Chiefs' season. Despite the temporary setback, Nabi will be relieved to have a fully fit attacking line for the derby double-header. 'It's a blessing in disguise,' a club insider told The South African. 'The suspension now means they're fresh and ready to face Pirates in back-to-back clashes.' Gaston Sirino has been one of Amakhosi's most creative forces this season, racking up five assists and a goal in 16 appearances. Pule Mmodi, although yet to score, has added an assist and remains a key contributor in the final third across 17 league matches. Both players were involved in the earlier fixture against Gallants this season, where Chiefs came from behind to snatch a hard-fought 2-1 victory. Chiefs aren't the only ones affected. Marumo Gallants will travel to the Calabash without their skipper, Edgar Manaka, who will also serve a suspension this weekend. The match kicks off at 15:00 on Saturday, with Kaizer Chiefs aiming to do the double over the Bloemfontein-based outfit. With key players missing from both camps, the clash promises fireworks, and a chance for fringe players to shine. Stay tuned with The South African as Kaizer Chiefs suffer a blow ahead of the next clash. Will the Glamour Boys miss Sirino and Mmodi? 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.
