logo
Orlando Pirates news: Six players on loan and Bafana defender

Orlando Pirates news: Six players on loan and Bafana defender

Orlando Pirates have confirmed the season‑long loan of left‑back Yanga Madiba to newly promoted Betway Premiership side Orbit College FC.
The 23‑year‑old left-back, who made his debut with the Buccaneers under Jose Riveiro late last season, is back with Orbit for a second spell.
Madiba's move to the Rustenburg-based club reveals one of the strongest connections we have ever seen between two clubs in Premier Soccer League history.
While Monnapule Saleng and Madiba are the only two players who have moved to the Mwenko Boys on loan this winter, four fellow Buccaneers have been with Orbit since last season… Full story here.
Orlando Pirates are believed to be monitoring rising TS Galaxy star Khulumani Ndamane as they prepare for potential reinforcements ahead of the new season.
The 21-year-old centre-back enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, becoming one of the standout performers in the Betway Premiership, and Orlando Pirates did not miss that.
Despite having another exceptional youngster in Mbekezeli Mbokazi (19) in the same left-central defence position, Orlando Pirates, have reportedly identified Ndamane as a promising prospect with long-term potential, especially if Mbokazi earns a move abroad… Full story here.
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.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

South African kids stranded in Europe as dream football trip turns into nightmare
South African kids stranded in Europe as dream football trip turns into nightmare

Eyewitness News

time7 hours ago

  • Eyewitness News

South African kids stranded in Europe as dream football trip turns into nightmare

What began as a dream football tour to Spain has turned into a logistical nightmare for Cape Town-based BT Football Academy, as dozens of children are stuck abroad. The academy, which recently participated in the renowned Donosti Cup in San Sebastian, confirmed that their return plans have failed, leaving around 37 young players in Europe with no way home. The players were originally set to return to South Africa on 16 July, with schools in the Western Cape scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, 22 July. But despite completing the tournament, many are still abroad, as return flights were not booked, despite parents paying R50,000 per child for the trip. Some parents have had to pay an additional R15,000 to secure flights for their stranded children. In a public statement, the academy cited delayed visa processing issues and a lack of funds, which disrupted their flight planning. "Despite our early attempts to begin the visa process, we were only granted appointments much later than planned. Visas were received merely a week before the intended departure," the statement read. Some parents are growing anxious, not knowing how their kids will return home. Kiewit notes that a lack of funds and poor planning have led to this situation. "It seems BT Football Academy received visas, reserved outgoing flights with the risk that there might not have been enough money to book return flights," explains Kiewit. "The Academy made the decision to go to Spain, knowing there would be a risk and financial challenge to get these youngsters back home, causing parents and kids to worry about their safe return," he says.

Junior SA soccer players are stranded in Portugal after academy failed to buy return-flight tickets
Junior SA soccer players are stranded in Portugal after academy failed to buy return-flight tickets

Daily Maverick

time8 hours ago

  • Daily Maverick

Junior SA soccer players are stranded in Portugal after academy failed to buy return-flight tickets

A Cape Town-based soccer academy sent 35 young athletes to Spain to compete in a tournament. More than a week after the tournament ended, only 13 have arrived back in South Africa, with the other 25 stranded in Europe. Twenty-five junior soccer players from Cape Town are currently stranded in Portugal, alongside three coaches, after the local soccer academy, which sent them over to take part in a tournament, failed to purchase return-flight tickets to South Africa. BT Football Academy sent a group of 35 teenagers, aged between 13 and 18, alongside four coaches, to participate in the Donosti Cup in Spain, an annual age-group soccer tournament which takes place in San Sebastián. Parents of these young athletes paid R50,000 for the expenses of the trip, which was supposed to be nine days, from 6 July until 15 July, with the tournament taking place from 7 July until 13 July. Currently 25 kids (five girls, 20 boys) and three coaches are stranded in Lisbon, Portugal, after travelling to the neighbouring country by bus, after 10 children – whose parents forked out an extra R15,000 to have their children returned to South Africa – and one coach are now at home. The reason provided for the lack of return tickets for the athletes was because of the exorbitant prices at the time they wanted to make the purchase, impacted by delays in the visa application process. 'Unfortunately, our preparations were significantly impacted by delays in securing visa appointment slots,' a statement by BT Football Academy read. 'Despite our early attempts to begin the visa process, we were only granted appointments much later than planned. 'As a result, visas were received merely a week before the intended departure. This created immense pressure on our team to secure flights within an extremely short timeframe. 'The cost of return flights so close to the departure date proved unaffordable.' Essentially, the tickets were booked, but the academy gambled on cheaper return-flight prices to fall within the budget. Unfortunately, ticket prices did not come down in the interim, leaving about a R15,000 shortfall per member stranded in Portugal. 'Very unfortunate' The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) is aware of the situation but, according to spokesperson Chrispin Phiri, its hands are tied. 'This is very unfortunate and we hope that all those involved will take responsibility and we encourage all South Africans with the means to assist where possible,' Phiri said to Daily Maverick in WhatsApp communication. 'Unfortunately, this is not a case [which] would fall directly within the ambit of our consular services. But we will endeavour to explore all avenues to assist.' The young athletes were sent to Spain with the return tickets booked but not purchased, due to the prices at the time. Had the children not gone, BT Football Academy would have encountered a massive financial loss, according to BT Football Academy CEO and founder Brandon Timmy. 'When we bought the tickets, it was already late [in the process] and the return-ticket price at the time, upon receiving the visas, was extremely high,' Timmy told CapeTalk radio. 'Parents paid a lot of money to make this happen. From our side, we also had to pay money to the tournament organisers because it came with accommodation fees. 'If we had not received our visas and bought the flight tickets, there would've been a [financial] massive loss.' According to BT Football Academy's press statement, it had attempted to secure funding through government assistance, but to no avail. 'In anticipation of this challenge, we had reached out well in advance to various government departments and ministers seeking financial assistance,' the statement read. 'Regrettably, no response was received, neither via email nor telephonically, despite repeated efforts.' No communication BT Football Academy also acknowledged their poor communication to concerned parents in their statement. 'We acknowledge that our limited communication has caused concern,' it said. 'Please understand that we are working around the clock to find solutions to bring all players back home as soon as possible. 'The financial strain is heavy, but our commitment to our players and their families is unwavering. 'We are deeply grateful for the understanding, compassion and support we've received from parents, especially those whose children have previously toured with us and continue to stand by us during this unprecedented situation. 'This is the first time we have faced such a challenge and it is not reflective of our past.' Currently, the 25 young athletes and three coaches are in a hostel in Portugal waiting to secure flight tickets to return to South Africa. DM

Kaizer Chiefs transfers: news: Two players from Cape Town
Kaizer Chiefs transfers: news: Two players from Cape Town

The South African

time8 hours ago

  • The South African

Kaizer Chiefs transfers: news: Two players from Cape Town

As reported in June, Kaizer Chiefs believed they had secured both players as free agents. However, Cape Town Spurs are adamant the duo is still under contract and have demanded their return to training. Following Spurs' dramatic relegation from the Motsepe Foundation Championship (second tier) to the ABC Motsepe (third tier), Kaizer Chiefs followed the PSL's rulebook, which states that relegation to the third tier makes player contracts null and void. However, Spurs maintain that professional contracts still apply, leading to the current standoff. Amakhosi fans not happy with new jerseys' price Asanele Velebayi and Luke Baartman in action for Cape Town Spurs at the Athlone Stadium. Image: FARPost Amakhosi's Head of Marketing, Jessica Motaung, faced the media during the launch of the new home and away kits for the 2025/26 season. 'I think what's important is that we are in the business of doing things in a way that's not going to interfere with other clubs,' said Motaung. Kaizer Chiefs update: Experienced Nigerian striker 'We want to follow certain procedures, and that relates to any other players that we're looking at. We'll make announcements when the time is right—and watch the space. 'We can't be engaging players who are still with teams or are still contracted. There's a process … once it's done, we will make announcements,' she concluded. 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.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store