Latest news with #SowetoDerbyDay
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Broos explains why he likes Orlando Pirates star Selepe so much
Hugo Broos has provided some enlightening reasons as to why he picked Orlando Pirates youngster Simphiwe Selepe in his Bafana squad. 'I've always said age doesn't matter,' said Broos while discussing 20-year-old Orlando Pirates star Simphiwe Selepe on SABC TV . 'Quality, talent and when I see the last three, four games that Selepe played, I have to give him a chance. Again, maybe it will be too soon, but we can only see when we put him in the team and when he's playing a game. 'So again, the opportunity is very good to do it, and the age, okay, what's the problem with the age? He has the talent, it's up to him. 'What I like about Selepe, first of all, he is a good midfielder and he is good at passing. He scored a goal, so he's not only defensive, but he can also help the team offensively, and he's young.' Orlando Pirates fans are expectant on Soweto Derby Day. Image: BackpagePix Bafana boss Hugo Broos has again excluded Orlando Pirates duo Tshegofatso Mabasa and Evidence Makgopa from his squad. The pair made a preliminary group of 42 but haven't made the final 23. Instead, Broos has opted for an array of wide attackers and a solitary central striker, Richards Bay man Yanela Mbuthuma. Couldn't South Africa have benefited from having another traditional number 9 in this 23-man group? It begs the question: Does Broos have a vendetta against Mabasa Makgopa? The latter was a key component for Bafana at AFCON 2023, while Mabasa won the PSL Golden Boot in the 2023-2024 season. Pirates' best player is returning What are your early thoughts on Selepe? 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.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates' best player is returning
Orlando Pirates had to deal with key injuries at various junctures this season. However, things are looking up for the next campaign. Thabiso Sesane started the campaign in domineering form, becoming a pillar in the heart of their defence. It was, therefore, a massive blow to the club and player when he was cruelly struck down with a serious tendon injury in February. The rupture was deemed bad enough for the 24-year-old to undergo surgery. Full recovery could take anywhere between four and six months. If Sesane's rehabilitation goes well, he could be back in time for the start of the 2025-2026 season. Orlando Pirates fans are expectant on Soweto Derby Day. Image: BackpagePix Meanwhile, Innocent Maela enjoyed a rare start as Pirates were held 1-1 by Magesi in their final Betway Premiership clash of the campaign. It was Maela's swansong appearance after which he got a standing ovation and sendoff by the home fans. Patrick Maswanganyi opened the scoring for the Buccaneers in the 7th minute, and Zimbabwean veteran Edmore Chirambare equalised for the visitors on 32 minutes. The 32-year-old was a bit-part player in his swansong season after falling down the pecking order in defence. Always praised for his versatility, Maela could seamlessly operate at left-back or in the heart of defence. Click for Maela's final stats and legacy Are you excited to see Sesane back in action? 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.
The South African
4 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
OFFICIAL: Orlando Pirates say goodbye to midfield star
Orlando Pirates are starting to clear surplus playing personnel from their squad. Here's the latest on a breaking departure. Orlando Pirates have taken to X to say farewell to former Gallants midfielder Miguel Timm. The 33-year-old has become a bit-part player in the Bucs engine room. Thalente Mbatha and Makhehlene Makhaula are the preferred duo, while even attacking midfielder Kabelo Dlamini has been used in a more withdrawn role ahead of Timm. Meanwhile, Innocent Maela got a rare start as Pirates drew 1-1 with Magesi in their final Betway Premiership clash of the campaign. It was Maela's swansong appearance after which he got a standing ovation and sendoff by the home fans. Patrick Maswanganyi opened the scoring for the Buccaneers in the 7th minute, and Zimbabwean veteran Edmore Chirambare equalised for the visitors on 32 minutes. Click for Maela's stats and legacy Pirates to recruit former Real Madrid opposition analyst? Thabiso Sesane started the campaign in domineering form, becoming a pillar in the heart of their defence. It was, therefore, a massive blow to the club and player when he was cruelly struck down with a serious tendon injury in February. The rupture was deemed bad enough for the 24-year-old to undergo surgery. Full recovery could take anywhere between four and six months. If Sesane's rehabilitation goes well, he could be back in time for the start of the 2025-2026 season. Orlando Pirates fans are expectant on Soweto Derby Day. Image: BackpagePix What was your best Miguel Timm moment in a Pirates jersey? 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.
The South African
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
African giants sniffing around Orlando Pirates prodigy Mbokazi
Mbekezeli Mbokazi has exploded onto the scene during his breakout campaign with Orlando Pirates. A long list of admirers watches on. Egyptian giants Al Ahly want to reclaim their Caf Champions League crown. Orlando Pirates' teenage defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi is a target. 'Al-Ahly club officials have already begun exploring the possibility of signing South African defender Mbekezile Mbokazi during the upcoming summer transfer window, ahead of the Club World Cup, with the player being registered under the exceptional registration period that FIFA announced would open starting next June,' Sport El Watan reported. Potential Orlando Pirates XI next season Sipho Chaine, Deano van Rooyen, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe, Thalente Mbatha, Evidence Makgopa, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Patrick Maswanganyi, Rele Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota are the 11 Sea Robbers stars in the group. Bruce Bvuma, Yusuf Maart and Mduduzi Shabalala are the Chiefs trio included. Orlando Pirates fans are expectant on Soweto Derby Day. Image: BackpagePix Meanwhile, Hlompho Kekana is a huge fan of Makhehlene Makhaula's industry in midfield for the Sea Robbers. 'This is my Player for the Season [Makhehleni Makhaula],' said Kekana on SABC Sport's Soccer Zone. Click for the story Should Orlando Pirates cash in on Mbokazi now? 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.
The South African
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates agree terms with experienced PSL maestro
Orlando Pirates are close to snapping up Sihle Nduli from Stellies. 29-year-old Stellies schemer Sihle Nduli is poised to join Pirates. He's made 23 league appearances this term and picked up a slightly concerning tally of nine yellow cards. ' iDiski Times has it on good authority that a verbal agreement has been reached to join the Buccaneers next season.' Speculation: Mbokazi, Benni, 'new Jali' TRANSFERS: NINE huge names linked with Pirates Meanwhile, 23-year-old Tshepho Mashiloane will soon swap Baroka for Orlando Pirates. Former Stellies man Deano van Rooyen is the incumbent in the right-back position, with Bandile Shandu deputising. Thabiso Monyane and his namesake Thabiso Lebitso have hardly had a look-in during the 2024-2025 campaign. Click for the full story Orlando Pirates fans are expectant on Soweto Derby Day. Image: BackpagePix Chaine; Van Rooyen, Sibisi, Mbokazi, Letlapa; Mbatha, Nemtajela; Nkota, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng; Makgopa. This XI would see Vuyo Letlapa at left-back (although he could move to France) and Masindi Nemtajela replacing the ageing Makhehlene Makhaula. That might be harsh on the latter, who's been a standout performer for the Buccaneers in 2024-2025. Also, can you see a vacancy in that XI for Fiston Mayele? If so, what does the club do about Tshegofatso Mabasa and Evidence Makgopa, not to mention Boitumelo Radiopane? On the coaching front, there's a clamour for Kenya National Team coach Benni McCarthy to sit in the Pirates dugout. Are you a fan of Nduli, or does his disciplinary record worry you? 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.
