Latest news with #Xoki
The South African
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates players who will rejoice at Riveiro's exit
Orlando Pirates face a transitional period when serial winner Jose Riveiro leaves at the end of the season. Who stands to benefit? Tshegofatso Mabasa was a substitute against Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup final. When big games roll around, you can usually see what a manager's preferred XI is, and Mabasa often misses out on those grand occasions. With the club braced for offers to sign 25-year-old Evidence Makgopa, whose value is higher, Mabsasa might see a long-term future at Pirates. That didn't seem so likely three months ago. Is this the best Orlando Pirates XI after Riveiro leaves? Meanwhile, the ever-reliable Tapelo Xoki has played a lot of minutes this season because of injuries. However, when everyone is fully fit, he's found himself out of the side. 19-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi is a massive prospect, but Xoki will fancy his chances of ousting Nkosinathi Sibisi. Like Xoki, Sibisi was also born in 1995, so both players have a few years left in the tank. Let's also not forget that Thabiso Sesane will return from a long-term injury, and there's also the talented Nigerian star Olisa Ndah to factor into the equation. Thabiso Sesane at the Orlando Stadium. Image: @orlandopiratesfc/X Which players will benefit most from having a new manager? 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
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates captain disagrees with coach
Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi said Kaizer Chiefs are the favourites to win the Nedbank Cup final today. His reasoning was based on Amakhosi's inactive week, while the Sea Robbers played a match on Tuesday night. 'I can't speak for coach Mandla,' Xoki said. 'He knew what he was saying, but yeah. For us, we know very well that when it comes to these games, it's about who wants it more,' said Xoki to FARPost . 'It's a derby, form doesn't play, history doesn't play, but the eleven [players] on the day play. 'So, we have to make sure that everyone who gets the chance to play, they execute their jobs well,' the Orlando Pirates skipper concluded. Kick off will be at 15:30 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. 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 Star
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Xoki: ‘History doesn't play these games' as Orlando Pirates get set for Kaizer Chiefs in Nedbank Cup final
Smiso Msomi | Published 4 hours ago Orlando Pirates defender Tapelo Xoki has downplayed the significance of his team's recent dominance over Kaizer Chiefs, insisting that their focus is squarely on the performance required in Saturday's Nedbank Cup final. The Soweto giants meet in a sold-out clash at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, with kick-off set for 3.30pm. This will be the second cup final for the Buccaneers this season, and a chance to complete a treble under coach Jose Riveiro, who is leaving the club at the end of the campaign. A win would mark Pirates' third consecutive Nedbank Cup title and sixth overall trophy since Riveiro's arrival in 2022. Despite the momentum favouring Pirates, having defeated Chiefs in both league encounters this season, Xoki insists that past results are irrelevant when it comes to finals. 'History doesn't play these games. For us, it's important that we are ourselves on the day,' he said at a press conference on Thursday. 'We can't play the occasion, but we need to play the match itself. 'We have prepared well and we have done our analysis, so what matters now is to execute that analysis and the plan we have prepared. 'We can't look at the recent success because it doesn't play on the day, but our attitude and application will do the most talking on the day if we want results.' The Buccaneers beat Chiefs 1-0 in the first league meeting this season with a stoppage-time penalty from Patrick Maswanganyi. In the return leg, they came from behind to secure a 2-1 win, extending their Soweto Derby winning streak to five games – two last season, two this season, and last year's Nedbank Cup semi-final. Riveiro has already made history as the first coach in the PSL era to win five consecutive league matches against Chiefs. He also became the first to complete a league double over Amakhosi in two straight seasons. But Xoki is quick to shift attention to the present. 'In finals, it's not about what happened before or what the records say,' he added. 'It's about who shows up on the day. We respect Chiefs, and we know they'll come prepared. We have to do the same.' Beyond the senior squad's success, Pirates have also been buoyed by the emergence of exciting young talent in the last two seasons. Winger Relebohile Mofokeng, attacker Mohau Nkota and midfielder Mbekezeli Mbokazi have all made impressive breakthroughs. 'It's a minimal role, you just let them be themselves. The coach gives them the confidence and everyone at the club supports them,' said Xoki. 'We let them be kids because we know what they're capable of, we see them at training and what they can produce. 'So on the day, it's about letting them be themselves by feeling the moment.' With silverware on the line, the Buccaneers are focused on executing their game-plan – something they've managed well against Chiefs in recent meetings. Still, Xoki remains cautious, knowing that form and history can fade quickly on matchday. 'Once we're on the field, it's 11 versus 11. That's what we're preparing for,' he concluded.
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Xoki: ‘History doesn't play these games' as Orlando Pirates get set for Kaizer Chiefs in Nedbank Cup final
Tapelo Xoki ORLANDO Pirates coach Jose Riveiro plotting with captain Tapelo Xoki. Photo: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media Orlando Pirates defender Tapelo Xoki has downplayed the significance of his team's recent dominance over Kaizer Chiefs, insisting that their focus is squarely on the performance required in Saturday's Nedbank Cup final. The Soweto giants meet in a sold-out clash at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, with kick-off set for 3.30pm. This will be the second cup final for the Buccaneers this season, and a chance to complete a treble under coach Jose Riveiro, who is leaving the club at the end of the campaign. A win would mark Pirates' third consecutive Nedbank Cup title and sixth overall trophy since Riveiro's arrival in 2022. Despite the momentum favouring Pirates, having defeated Chiefs in both league encounters this season, Xoki insists that past results are irrelevant when it comes to finals. 'History doesn't play these games. For us, it's important that we are ourselves on the day,' he said at a press conference on Thursday. 'We can't play the occasion, but we need to play the match itself. 'We have prepared well and we have done our analysis, so what matters now is to execute that analysis and the plan we have prepared. 'We can't look at the recent success because it doesn't play on the day, but our attitude and application will do the most talking on the day if we want results.' The Buccaneers beat Chiefs 1-0 in the first league meeting this season with a stoppage-time penalty from Patrick Maswanganyi. In the return leg, they came from behind to secure a 2-1 win, extending their Soweto Derby winning streak to five games – two last season, two this season, and last year's Nedbank Cup semi-final. Riveiro has already made history as the first coach in the PSL era to win five consecutive league matches against Chiefs. He also became the first to complete a league double over Amakhosi in two straight seasons. But Xoki is quick to shift attention to the present. 'In finals, it's not about what happened before or what the records say,' he added. 'It's about who shows up on the day. We respect Chiefs, and we know they'll come prepared. We have to do the same.' Beyond the senior squad's success, Pirates have also been buoyed by the emergence of exciting young talent in the last two seasons. Winger Relebohile Mofokeng, attacker Mohau Nkota and midfielder Mbekezeli Mbokazi have all made impressive breakthroughs. 'It's a minimal role, you just let them be themselves. The coach gives them the confidence and everyone at the club supports them,' said Xoki. 'We let them be kids because we know what they're capable of, we see them at training and what they can produce. 'So on the day, it's about letting them be themselves by feeling the moment.' With silverware on the line, the Buccaneers are focused on executing their game-plan – something they've managed well against Chiefs in recent meetings. Still, Xoki remains cautious, knowing that form and history can fade quickly on matchday. 'Once we're on the field, it's 11 versus 11. That's what we're preparing for,' he concluded.
TimesLIVE
08-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Pirates' big wins this season give them swagger for final against Chiefs: Xoki
Orlando Pirates centreback Tapelo Xoki sounded cool, confident and relaxed in Durban on Thursday ahead of Saturday's sold-out Nedbank Cup final against Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium (3.30pm). One of the reasons for Xoki to ooze such conviction ahead of a game many believe is unpredictable despite Chiefs' well-documented struggles in recent years and weeks, is because of the big wins Pirates have pulled against tough sides in different various this season. Among Bucs' memorable wins in 2024-25 was the completion of a Betway Premiership double over Chiefs with their 2-1 win at FNB Stadium on Saturday, where Pirates had to come from behind after letting Chiefs' Glody Lilepo open the scoring in the second minute. Evidence Makgopa (24th minute) and Relebohile Mofokeng's goals (69th) earned Bucs victory. The other two major wins for coach José Riveiro's team were against runaway league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who they beat 2-1 in a second-round Premiership match at FNB Stadium in March.
