Latest news with #SimphiweSelepe
The Herald
29-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Pirates youngsters get Bafana call as Broos names new faces in squad
Another 20-year-old Buccaneer, midfielder Simphiwe Selepe, who impressed being introduced to the first team late in the recently-concluded season, is also included, as is Deano van Rooyen, who has been in form at right-back for Pirates. Bucs' 20-year old attacker Relebohile Mofokeng, defender Nkosinathi Sibisi and midfielder Thalente Mbatha are included among some more regular recent national performers. Among other new faces are Sekhukhune United keeper Renaldo Leaner and Samukelo Kabini, a 21-year-old left-back on the books of Molde FK in Norway. More interesting inclusions are of TS Galaxy defender Khulumani Ndamane, Polokwane City midfielder Ndamulelo Maphangule, Stellenbosch FC attacker Ashley Cupido, AmaZulu attacker Tshepang Moremi and Richards Bay forward Yanela Mbuthuma. There are no players from eight-time successive Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns. The Brazilians conclude their first Caf Champions League final since winning the competition in 2016 with Sunday's second leg against Pyramids FC in Cairo (the first leg at Loftus ended 1-1), then will need time off before starting to prepare for the Club World Cup in the US in June and July. Bafana meet Tanzania at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on June 6 then Mozambique at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on June 10.
TimesLIVE
29-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Pirates youngsters get Bafana call as Broos names new faces in squad
Another 20-year-old Buccaneer, midfielder Simphiwe Selepe, who impressed being introduced to the first team late in the recently-concluded season, is also included, as is Deano van Rooyen, who has been in form at right-back for Pirates. Bucs' 20-year old attacker Relebohile Mofokeng, defender Nkosinathi Sibisi and midfielder Thalente Mbatha are included among some more regular recent national performers. Among other new faces are Sekhukhune United keeper Renaldo Leaner and Samukelo Kabini, a 21-year-old left-back on the books of Molde FK in Norway. More interesting inclusions are of TS Galaxy defender Khulumani Ndamane, Polokwane City midfielder Ndamulelo Maphangule, Stellenbosch FC attacker Ashley Cupido, AmaZulu attacker Tshepang Moremi and Richards Bay forward Yanela Mbuthuma. There are no players from eight-time successive Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns. The Brazilians conclude their first Caf Champions League final since winning the competition in 2016 with Sunday's second leg against Pyramids FC in Cairo (the first leg at Loftus ended 1-1) then will need some time off before start to prepare for the Club World Cup in the US in June and July.
The Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Mandla Ncikazi happy with Orlando Pirates' ‘positive' season
Bucs drew their penultimate game 1-1 against AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. Pirates, still playing catch-up due to their continental schedule, and Magesi are the only side to have one more game to honour. 'The growth that has been mentioned, the narrowing of the gap [to Downs], the records that have been broken [such as Bucs' most wins in a league season, 19], the youngsters that have been introduced, those are positives,' Ncikazi said after the game in Durban. 'Yes, we fell short on some objectives we wanted and one can only learn from that and improve going into the next season.' Midfielder Simphiwe Selepe, 20, who scored his first Premiership goal against AmaZulu, is Pirates' latest development product to be given a chance in the first team this season, following in the footsteps of players such as Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Mohau Nkota, Yanga Madiba and Siyabonga Ndlozi.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mandla Ncikazi: Orlando Pirates still have so much to fight for
Simphiwe Selepe Simphiwe Selepe was the Player of the Match for Orlando Pirates against SuperSport United. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix The expectations that come with playing for Orlando Pirates are so high that players do not have room for complacency when they play for the team. This was the revelation of Pirates interim coach Mandla Ncikazi after his troops bounced back to winning ways on Tuesday night with a 1-0 victory over SuperSport United. Pirates secured their No 2 spot on the log with five games to spare, as Mamelodi Sundowns had wrapped up the Premiership title this season. But after Ncikazi dropped the ball in the second game of those five, having former coach Jose Riveiro win the first one in his last outing, that incensed The Ghost. They saw their chances of avoiding the gap at the top of the log to not end on double digits take a huge knock ahead of their last three games. Ncikazi and his troops heeded positively to the critics on Tuesday night in Polokwane, though, as they beat SuperSport United 1-0 to trim the gap to 14 points with two games to spare. That win didn't only mean the gap could be eight points by the end of the season, but it also saw Pirates break an 18-game winning record in the league for the first time in the PSL era. Ncikazi, speaking during the post-match duties deep in the bowels of New Peter Mokaba Stadium, was relatively pleased by that achievement. 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 However, the 56-year-old added why it's important for the team to win with every passing game, even if there is no silverware to compete for. 'Contrary to people believing that we have nothing to play for, I feel there's still so much to play for in our team,' he said. 'The records are important for the club, and the players must be proud of the history – having done what happened. It is game number 19. 'Secondly, there's still individual awards for all these players to compete for – the Goalkeeper of the Season might come from our club (during the award ceremony). 'A defender of the season might come from us – (Nkosinathi) Sibisi and (Deon) Hotto have an opportunity. There's nothing that has been confirmed yet.' Ncikazi has continued with where Riveiro left off, integrating more youngsters into the team as goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla made a full debut against SuperSport. It was a good day in the office for Dladla, so much so that he also kept a clean sheet as No 1 Sipho Chaine, who was rested after being injured against TS Galaxy last Saturday, watched from the bench. 'I am happy for the young players that we gave an opportunity to today – Siya, the goalkeeper, produced a good performance,' Ncikazi said. 'We are playing game number 50, so we know that physically it was going to tell towards the end. Subconsciously, I am just proud that the other players pulled through.' Another youngster, Simphiwe Selepe, who produced a Player of the Match-winning first start for Pirates against Galaxy, shone yet again on Tuesday, impressing Ncikazi. 'It's amazing how these youngsters are adapting, but again, credit must be given to the process of the club, youth coach and former coach,' Ncikazi said. 'It's just a lot of process from different people. 'It's not only Selepe, but a group of them that are waiting for the opportunity. I hope we give them an opportunity and grab it!' When one of Us Wins We all Win ☠️Sipho Chaine Celebrated with the Youngster Siyabonga Dladla 🔥☠️ — Mazilitha Photojournalist (@mazilitha04) May 20, 2025 It is not only the youngsters who are coming to the fore for Pirates and easing the workload on the regulars who've been playing week in and week out, but seniors as well. Karim Kimvuidi crowned off another cameo with a goal contribution, assisting Mohau Nkota's lone goal. 'We have got quality, and that tells you that we have options. I am very proud that Kimvuidi has not played for a long time, but when he plays, he gives a crucial assist,' he said. 'That's why we have subs.
The South African
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Heartbreak for Orlando Pirates midfielder
Orlando Pirates midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula will play no further part in the 2024-2025 Betway Premiership season. According to KickOff, Orlando Pirates' 3-0 win against Golden Arrows came at a cost, with Makhehlene Makhaula forced off with a serious injury. 'The side's bad injury fortunes have seemingly stuck like glue as midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula became the latest casualty,' the report said. 'He had to be substituted in the second half and was in visible discomfort whilst being helped off the field. At full-time, the veteran was spotted in a moon boot, signalling that the injury is likely to be more than a minor knock and could keep him out of action for several weeks,' the outlet added. Wearing the number 47 jersey, Simphiwe Selepe has made his full Betway premiership debut for the Buccaneers. His debut for the club came not long ago, as a substitute against Kaizer Chiefs earlier this month. DDC youngster Cemran Dansin, still just 17, was also named in the matchday squad, which beat Golden Arrows 3-0. The goals came courtesy of Tshegofatso Mabasa, Bandsile Shandu and Kabelo Dlamini. Scroll through this article for a player bio on Number 47, Simphiwe Selepe Orlando Pirates fans are expectant on Soweto Derby Day. Image: BackpagePix Who should Pirates target to replace Makhaula long-term? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
