Latest news with #SSDiski
TimesLIVE
29-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
SuperSport survive dreaded playoffs in game of two halves, and three months
The Betway Premiership season has officially, finally, come to an end with SuperSport United surviving the dreaded promotion play-offs with a 1-1 draw with Golden Arrows at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Thursday. This second half, which ended without goals, was a continuation of the match that was abandoned at half time on February 23, three months ago, due to Lucas Moripe's lights going out amid a power failure with the score level at 1-1 at half time. At that time, SuperSport opened the scoring after four minutes through the effort of Christian Saile and that goal was cancelled out in the 24th minute by Velemseni Ndwandwe for Arrows. SuperSport, whose future remains in doubt with rumours the club is on sale, are equal on 27 points with Cape Town City but they have a better goal-difference and they have saved their status in the PSL. Emotional scenes as SuperSport Utd breathe a sigh of relief 🥹 #BetwayPrem | #SSDiski — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 29, 2025 This means City, who finished 15th, go to the play-offs where they will play against Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) sides Orbit College and Casric Stars — pending an arbitration involving MFC champions Durban City — to save their PSL status. It is not known whether this is the end of this matter because City's boss John Comitis is believed to be seeking legal advice to challenge the validity of this match, where two halves were played three months apart. According to the rules, the game should resume with all personnel who were involved that day and yellow cards in place but both scorers Saile and Ndwandwe were not in the match-day squads, presumably due to injury. Both sides' coaches had also changed, Andre Arendse replacing Gavin Hunt at Matsatsantsa and Manqoba Mngithi coming in for Kagisho Dikgacoi and Musa Bilankulu, who became his assistants, at Arrows. Ordinarily the 16th-placed Premiership side is automatically relegated and 15th team goes to the promotion-relegation playoffs. This season, due to Royal AM's expulsion, only the 15-positioned side goes to the playoffs, with no side dropping automatically. Faced with a situation where a defeat could have resulted in devastating consequences, Arendse went with a strong line-up of players like the Bafana Bafana duo of Ricardo Goss and Nyiko Mobbie, former national captain Thulani Hlatshwayo, Ime Okon, Lebohang Maboe, Sipheshihle Ndlovu, Samir Nurković and Lyle Lakay. Mngqithi picked a strong combination too, which included key players like Isimail Watenga, Gladwin Shitolo, Brandon Theron, Nduduzo Sibiya, Nhlanhla Zwane and Lungelo Dube. Arrows ended the season in 12th place and Mngqithi has a lot of work to do during the off-season to recruit players who will help the team be consistent next campaign. There was relief at the final whistle with SuperSport players and members of staff in wild celebrations but the issue remains about the continued status of the club that has three league titles.
IOL News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Title party at Loftus as Mamelodi Sundowns rejoice with Champions League final on the horizon
Mamelodi Sundowns have another opportunity to celebrate, if they can beat Pyramids in the upcoming CAF Champions League final. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Mamelodi Sundowns will be officially crowned 2024/25 Premiership champions at Loftus Versfeld today. They face Magesi FC in their final home game of the campaign, with kick-off set for 5.30pm. The match will also mark the official handover of the new-look PSL trophy. Sundowns clinched the title on Wednesday night with a commanding win over Chippa United at Buffalo City Stadium in East London. The win took them to 70 points from 27 matches – making them mathematically untouchable at the top. It also gave coach Miguel Cardoso the green light to start planning for the CAF Champions League final. 'I will start thinking about it now,' Cardoso said, looking ahead to the May 24 showdown against Pyramids FC in Pretoria. 'But it doesn't mean we will not prepare to win our next match (against Magesi). 'Of course we will, because Magesi have been doing well in their recent games. We want to finish the league in the best way, in front of our fans.' 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 ✕ Mamelodi Sundowns' attack is lethal 🔥 These six players have scored a combined 51 goals in the #BetwayPrem this season.#SSDiski — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 16, 2025 He further added: 'But I will now obviously start planning for Pyramids. 'I know that my people are working on it because that's the way we prepare. The way they are also working on the Club World Cup. 'But about the Club World Cup, I don't worry at all. 'I have time to start watching something about Pyramids, but let's keep an eye on ourselves because that's also the most important thing.' Striker Iqraam Rayners opened the scoring against Chippa in their last fixture. The goal moved him level with teammate Lucas Ribeiro Costa – both now on 14 league goals. This sets up a friendly in-house shootout for the Golden Boot in today's fixture. Cardoso, appointed in December, has guided the club to 17 wins, one draw and one loss in 19 league matches. His impact has been felt across the board, particularly in how Sundowns have coasted to the title. 'I have time now to start watching something about Pyramids,' he said. 'But let's keep an eye on ourselves – that's also the most important thing.' 𝙏𝙄𝘾𝙆𝙀𝙏𝙎 𝙎𝙊𝙇𝘿 𝙊𝙐𝙏 ⏰ Ticket holders, be sure to arrive early! 🚫 No tickets will be sold at the stadium.#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #RabatsenaGape — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) May 15, 2025 Masandawana have now matched the PSL-era record of 23 wins in a 34-game season. They also shattered their own record for most wins in a 30-game campaign – all achieved in just 27 games. Their dominance has been absolute. Today's visitors, Magesi FC, come in hot with five straight wins. They've only conceded two goals in that stretch, and sit 12th on the table with five games remaining. Though not yet safe from relegation, they'll hope to build on their momentum and climb further. Magesi will still face Marumo Gallants and Orlando Pirates after this weekend. Delano Abrahams remains their key man. The versatile forward has scored in three of Magesi's last five matches. He'll be looking to test the newly crowned champions on their big day. But the afternoon will belong to Sundowns. Their title defence is complete – now, the focus shifts to Africa.
TimesLIVE
13-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Pirates turn it on at Orlando to bid ‘padre' Jose Riveiro farewell in style
On an emotional night where they were bidding farewell to their ' padre ', Orlando Pirates produced a sensational performance over hapless Golden Arrows befitting the occasion. They stepped it up in style with a domineering 3-0 Betway Premiership victory in the last match for outgoing coach Jose Riveiro at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night, thanks to goals from Tshegofatso Mabasa in the 16th minute, Bandile Shandu (61st) and Kabelo Dlamini (66th). Riveiro, who won five cup competitions in three years, has been granted an early release from his contract to join a new club and this was the last time he sat on the bench, with Mandla Ncikazi set to take over their remaining four matches. The players went out to do their warm-ups wearing T-shirts with messages of appreciation. The fans were not to be outdone as they displayed a huge banner in the west stand screaming: ' Muchas gracias padre Jose Riveiro por siempre una leyenda. ' Jose Riveiro's final message to the Orlando Pirates fans 🥹🎙️ #BetwayPrem | #SSDiski — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 13, 2025 From Spanish, the banner translated to: 'Thank You father Jose Riveiro, always a legend.' Riveiro will always have a special place in the hearts of the Buccaneers for bringing stability, trophies, improving players and most importantly giving opportunities to young players. In this match, Riveiro handed a further debut to captain to Bucs' DStv Diski challenge side Cemran Dansin, 17, who replaced Dlamini in the 75th minute. It was a good win for second-placed Pirates, but it is almost certain to not have an affect on the title race, which is almost won by Mamelodi Sundowns. The Brazilians need a point from their last two matches — and on form seem highly likely to get at least that against Chippa United at Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Wednesday night (7.30pm) — to be crowned champions for the eighth successive season. The Jose Riveiro era comes to an end 🎬 #BetwayPrem | #SSDiski — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 13, 2025 For Arrows, the defeat leaves them in danger as they are second-from-bottom on the standings and may be dragged into the dreaded play-offs at the end of the season. Riveiro made three changes to the team that lost the Nedbank Cup final 2-1 to Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday with Shandu replacing Deano van Rooyen in defence. In the middle of the park, Riveiro showed faith in young midfielder Simphiwe Selepe, who replaced Thalente Mbatha, and Dlamini came in for Patrick Maswanganyi. In attack, Mabasa was preferred for Evidence Makgopa, who scored Bucs' only goal against Chiefs. Rele's skill, Mabasa's finish 😮💨 The Bucs want to give Jose Riveiro the best send-off ✅ 📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 13, 2025 Visiting coach Manqoba Mngqithi went with his tried and tested of players like Isima Watenga, Ayanda Jiyane, Velemseni Ndwandwe, Brando Theron and Nduduzo Sibiya. Pirates opened the scoring when Mabasa found the back of the net from close range after Relebohile Mofokeng dribbled past Theron in the box. Mabasa, not a regular starter this season, ran more than half of the pitch to celebrate with Riveiro and the rest of the technical staff. Pirates were turning it on and a few minutes later Shandu was unlucky as his shot struck the upright after it deflected off an Arrows defender as the scored remained 1-0. Arrows responded with attack of their own that ended with Sibiya's shot striking upright with Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine beaten. Pirates increased their lead when Shandu forced the ball into the net from a tight angle. Dlamini made it 3-0 with a delightful free-kick to effectively end the game as a contest.
TimesLIVE
11-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Nabi explains brave decision to drop keeper Bvuma for cup final win over Pirates
Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has explained the tough decision to drop Bruce Bvuma for his team's 2-1 Nedbank Cup final win over Orlando Pirates in Durban was to protect the goalkeeper. Chiefs lifted their first trophy in 10 seasons with the victory, finally putting to an end an excruciatingly long barren spell for the once trophy machines and brining some relief to embattled Nabi. The Tunisian sprang a huge surprise in his starting line-up by completely omitting Bvuma, who has been a regular starter in recent few months, from Chiefs' match-day squad. Brandon Petersen, who was partly at fault with his defenders for Evidence Makgopa's equaliser, had a solid game otherwise between the sticks, deputised on the bench by Fiacre Ntwari. Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi explains why he dropped Bruce Bvuma for Nedbank Cup final. WATCH full press conference ➡️➡️➡️ — Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) May 11, 2025 Asked about the surprise brave decision, Nabi said Bvuma has been under a lot of pressure. 'About Brandon Petersen starting the match, we noticed there was extreme pressure on Bruce Bvuma in the past few weeks and we believed it was inhuman. So, we wanted to protect him,' the coach said. Nabi said he and his technical staff had confidence in Petersen because he has been training well under goalkeeper coach Ilyes Mzoughi. 'The two goalkeepers are almost the same level — Brandon has been training well with the goalkeeper coaches. For one minute, don't think this was an easy decision because it could have gone either way. 'If we lost the match people were going to say, 'Why did you change the goalkeeper for a cup final?' Our goalkeeper coach was confident because of the work he has been putting on the training ground. 'Our goalkeeper coach believed Brandon could help us and he proved through the 90 minutes that he was an excellent bet.' Yusuf Maart's goal was so good, we had to share it with @mapensela11 flavour 😏🎙️ #NedbankCup | #SSDiski — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 10, 2025 Petersen said he was ready to perform when called upon. 'If you play for Chiefs and don't perform, you are always going to be under pressure. What was important for us as a team was to come together. 'For me it was a matter of getting the trophy for the club regardless of whether I am pitch or not to give the motivation to the guys who are playing. 'Fortunately I got the chance to start and as a footballer you always dream of moments like this. It is still surreal but I am happy and hopefully this is something we can build on for the future and keep the happy days. 'It was special because there was a lot of doubt. There were always going to be questions as to when are they going to win the trophy. 'But we wanted it more and we were not fighting for us only but for millions of people who had our backs during the bad times.' Gaston Sirno put Chiefs ahead early from a 10th-minute penalty before Makgopa's 17th-minute equaliser. Yusuf Maart scored the 80th-minute winner.
IOL News
21-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
How Owen da Gama's unity strategy is saving Magesi FC from PSL relegation
Magesi FC coach Owen da Gama believes that team chemistry – not star power – is what's keeping the Limpopo-based club above water in their maiden season in the top-flight. The PSL newcomers continued their dream run at home this past weekend, grinding out a 1-0 win over TS Galaxy in Polokwane. 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 ✕ The result marked their sixth consecutive home victory in the Premiership, and lifted them to 10th place on the table – six points clear of bottom-placed SuperSport United. The league's recent shake-up, following the expulsion of Royal AM for failing to honour multiple fixtures, means no team will suffer automatic relegation this season. However, the team that finish 15th will be drawn into a promotion/relegation playoff mini-league with two second-tier clubs. Only the winner of that group will retain or earn a top-flight place next season. That reality has only sharpened the focus at Magesi, who now require just five points from their final four matches to mathematically ensure survival. But for Da Gama, it's not just about the math – it's about the mindset. Magesi slow TS Galaxy's chances at the #TotalEnergiesCAFCC spot in the #BetwayPrem 📉#SSDiski — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 20, 2025 'We may not have the most experienced or technically gifted players in the league,' said Da Gama, 'but we have a team, a proper unit. And that has made all the difference.' He continued: 'We've built a culture where we play for each other, we work for each other, and we support each other – on and off the field. 'That spirit is what turns a team that's used to losing into one that wins.' Da Gama's emphasis on unity and belief has paid off handsomely over the past month. Magesi not only beat TS Galaxy, but also strung together victories against SuperSport United, Richards Bay, Golden Arrows and Stellenbosch FC. The impressive run saw the coach recognised with the PSL Coach of the Month award for March – a first for him since returning to top-tier management. But true to form, Da Gama chose to deflect personal praise, highlighting the efforts of his entire technical team. 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 🏆 Owen Da Gama is the #BetwayPrem Coach of the Month for March. He led @Magesi_FC to four wins from five matches. — Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) April 3, 2025 'There are so many great coaches in this league, so to be named Coach of the Month is an honour,' he said. 'But I can't claim it alone. I share this with my assistants, the fitness coach, the goalkeeper coach –everyone. For me, this is really 'Technical Team of the Month'.' That collective spirit has clearly filtered through to the players, who have embraced the underdog role with growing confidence.
