Latest news with #SiphoChaine
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Legend names his Orlando Pirates Player of the Season
Lucky Lekgwathi played 226 games for Orlando Pirates in the Premier Soccer League. He should know what a Player of the Season looks like. With Orlando Pirates finishing second behind Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns in 2024/25, including an MTN8 title, Lekgwathi believes Sipho Chaine was the best player at the Orlando Stadium. Chaine, born in Bloemfontein, Free State, 28 years ago, finished the season with 11 clean sheets for the Sea Robbers, while also earning consistent Bafana Bafana call-ups. Orlando Pirates team against Stellenbosch FC at the Orlando Stadium. Image: Goal 'For me, Sipho Chaine,' Lekgwathi answered after he was asked by iDiski Times to name his Player of the Season at Orlando Pirates. 'He had his best season and even got called up to Bafana Bafana. It shows you that you are doing great when you get a call-up. In defence – Mbokazi. 'I know he came in late; he is a gem, he is something else, we have really invested in him. And [Deon] Hotto as well, most of the time he played at left-back and he excelled there,' the former Orlando Pirates skipper added. 'So for me, Hotto has to win that one. In midfield, it's very tough, but obviously Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] is topping it. Yes, [Thalente] Mbatha and [Evidence] Makgopa had a good season, but Rele was outstanding and Nkota was coming. 'And in the striking department, it's [Tshegofatso] Mabasa because he scored the most goals,' Lekgwathi added. 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.
The Herald
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Chiefs turn tables on Pirates in Nedbank Cup final to finally win trophy after 10 years
Riveiro went with his tried and tested key players like Sipho Chaine, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Makhehleni Makhaula, Relebohile Mofokeng and Evidence Makgopa. The match did not take long to ignite as referee Masixole Bambiso pointed to the spot after eight minutes when Mmodi went down after he contacted Deano van Rooyen. Gaston Sirino stepped up to beat Sipho Chaine and give Chiefs the lead but television replays indicated it was a soft penalty. Their lead was short-lived as Pirates equalised in the 17th minute when Makgopa rose above everyone in the box to connect with a well-taken cross from Deon Hotto. Those who are experts in the art of defending will ask questions as to how the Chiefs defence was punished by Makgopa, who scored in a second successive Soweto derby. When they returned from the break, the match continued in the same vein and Riveiro was the first to blink by replacing Makgopa with Tshegofatso Mabasa to freshen up his attack.
IOL News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Soweto Derby combined XI exposes Chiefs' struggles as Pirates dominate selection
Kaizer Chiefs-Orlando Pirates Combined XI Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will go head-to-head in a crucial league encounter in Johannesburg this weekend. Photo: Graphic Image: Graphic Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs will go head-to-head in the first of back-to-back Soweto derbies this weekend. With a lot on the line, both teams will be desperate to claim all three points from the clash, which promises to be one of the most exciting in a long time. Pirates are in a fight for the title with Mamelodi Sundowns, and a win over their neighbours could see them keep the pressure on the champions. Chiefs, on the other hand, will start stringing more victories together if they're to avoid a second bottom half finish in as many seasons. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 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 ✕ Ahead of the crucial encounter at FNB Stadium, IOL Sport puts together a combined XI. As expected, the team is dominated by players from Orlando Pirates. Kaizer Chiefs-Orlandi Pirates Combined XI: GK: Sipho Chaine (Pirates) – If Ronwen Williams didn't exist, Sipho Chaine would be Bafana Bafana's number one and the best goalkeeper in the country. While Chiefs have a very unsettled goalkeeping situation, Pirates have the luxury of knowing they can trust on Chaine week in, week out. RB: Deano van Rooyen (Pirates) – Deano has been ever-present at right back since completing the move from Stellenbosch FC. He's very reliable on defence, and gives the club an extra attacking option on that side of the pitch. CB: Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Pirates) – He's everything you need in a centre back. He's big, he's strong, and has good positional awareness. And he's still only 20. He's played just a handful of games this season, but he's made a massive impression every time he' been on the park. We are witnessing the first steps of a once-in-a-lifetime generational player. CB: Thabiso Sesane (Pirates) – Sesane has impressed this season when covering for injured skipper Tapelo Xoki. His form for the Season Robbers has attracted the interest of European clubs, who are keen to secure the 24-year-old services. LB: Deon Hotto (Pirates) – In the twilight years of his career, Hotto has had to drop back into defence and he's transitioned well. His experience and calming influence is a key weapon for Pirates, and he can be an attacking threat from out wide. DM: Makhehlene Makhaula (Pirates) – Since joining Orlando Pirates, Makhaula has added depth and experience to the midfield. His presence provides a stabilising effect, especially in high-pressure matches. Orlando Pirates-Kaizer Chiefs combined XI Orlando Pirates-Kaizer Chiefs combined XI: Photo: Graphic Image: Graphic CM: Thalente Mbatha (Pirates) – Thalente Mbatha has been a pivotal figure in Orlando Pirates' midfield this season. His performances in the engine room have been instrumental in both domestic and continental competitions. CM: Patrick Maswanganyi (Pirates) – Tito is Pirates' creative spark in the middle of the pitch who can spot an open player in space, and RW: Mduduzi Shabalala (Chiefs) – The young Shabalala is one of Chiefs' impressive youngters who has, at times, found himself having to carry the team. Pirates' Mohau Nkota was the other option, but Shabalala has done more this season. LW: Relebohile Mofokeng (Pirates) – Hands down one of the best players in the country right now. And he's still only 20. President yama2000 is an attacking threat whenever he has the ball at his feet, and will have a big say on who win the derby on Saturday. ST: Tshegofatso Mabasa (Pirates) – It says a lot about Chiefs' attacking options up front that the only other player who could rival Mabasa is his teammate Evidence Makgopa. Holds the ball up well, and creates chances for those playing around him. And, he can chip in with a goal or two from time-to-time. IOL Sport Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The South African
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates players who would be BENCHED at Kaizer Chiefs
Imagine a joint Orlando Pirates-Kaizer Chiefs starting XI. Orlando Pirates have more players in the national team with Kaizer Chiefs having little to no features in the national team in recent years. The Bucs reached the CAF Champions Cup semi-finals and they are currently second in the latest BetWay Premiership standings. Meanwhile, Amakhosi have not tasted continental football since the 2021-22 final againsr Pitso Mosimane's Al Ahly. Furthermore, they languish in eighth position in the PSL. MUST READ: KAIZER CHIEFS PLAYERS WHO WOULD BE BENCHED AT ORLANDO PIRATES So, based on recent form it comes as no surprise that Pirates dominate the Pirates-Chiefs starting XI. However, there is a small group of Chiefs players who could challenge for starting positions amongst this in-form crop of Bucs stars. Pirates would no doubt have the first-choice goalkeeper, Sipho Chaine. Meanwhile, they will definitely dominate the front-three with Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshegofatso Mabaso and Mohau Nkota or an in-form Monnapule Saleng would be more threatening in front of goal. However, it is in defence and the midfield that Chiefs have one or two worthy contenders to start in this theoretical starting XI. Rushwin Dortley is a Bafana Bafana star with a big future. Moroever, in the midified, Yusuf Maart offers himself as a worthy selection. Finally, Njabulo Blom in his prime is good enough to start at right-back. Maart would be joined by Patrick Maswanganyi and Thalente Mbatha. Meanwhile Mdu Shabalala and Gaston Sirino would cause Jose Riveiro one or two selection headaches based on glimpses of brilliance and promise. Both sides will meet for silverware when they contest the Nedbank Cup final on 10 May 2025. 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.
