Latest news with #ConfederationCup
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Chiefs to face Kotoko in Toyota Cup
'I am proud and privileged to announce we are playing Asante Kotoko from Ghana,' said Chiefs commercial and marketing director Jessica Motaung Nana Apinkwa Akwasi Awua, chairman of Asante Kotoko and Jessica Motaung, commercial and marketing director of Kaizer Chiefs, at the Toyota Cup launch on Thursday. Picture: Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix Kaizer Chiefs will face Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko in the Toyota Cup at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on July 26. ALSO READ: Spirited Sundowns slide out of Club World Cup The announcement was made on Thursday at the Chiefs Village in Naturena. Chiefs v Kotoko The Toyota Cup debuted last season, where Chiefs were beaten by Young Africans of Tanzania at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. Chiefs have played Asante Kotoko before. Back in 2001 the two sides contested the final of the Vodacom Challenge. Chiefs won on penalties at King's Park in Durban after the game finished goalless. 'I am proud and privileged to announce we are playing Asante Kotoko from Ghana,' said Chiefs commercial and marketing director Jessica Motaung 'We played them in the Vodacom Challenge many years ago. We have even had players from Kotoko play in the Chiefs jersey.' Kotoko chairman Nana Apinkwa Akwasi Awua said that his side would be out for revenge after that Vodacom Challenge defeat. Kotoko, like Chiefs, won their national FA cup last season and will compete in next season's Caf Confederation Cup. 'We are here for revenge,' said Awua. 'It is a good game for our pre-season. We were third in our league (last season) and have got some new signings to up our game. 'We won our FA Cup and with both sides going to the Confederation Cup it will be good opportunity to test our strengths.' 'Look out for us' 'We are also here to do good work, and reintroduce Kotoko as it used to be. We have won the Champions League twice, our FA Cup 12 times and our domestic league 25 times. ALSO READ: Orbit fly past City to seal Premiership spot 'About 65 percent of the Ghanaian population supports Kotoko. We are a great team historically, we have been through some ups and downs but we are using this opportunity to revamp. 'We are going to make an impact in the Confederation Cup. Look out for us'
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates' new coach had a STELLAR playing career
It's often the case that top managers have underwhelming playing careers. New Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou isn't one of them. 46-year-old Ouaddou won 68 caps for Morocco and enjoyed a club career spanning 15 years. An imposing central defender, he spent spells in France, England, Greece and Qatar. Pirates make their move for exciting PSL striker? Orlando Pirates' NINE new signings revealed? Abdeslam Ouaddou was a key figure for Morocco, winning an impressive tally of 68 caps for his country. A late bloomer, he only made his debut aged 21 and earned his first massive move in 2001 when he moved to newly-promoted Premier League side Fulham. Back then, €3.3 million was a lot of money. Today it's equivalent to R69 million. Is Moremi the new Segolela? Ouaddou used a 4-2-3-1 with Marumo Gallants, and made his side difficult to beat. In 10 betway Premiership matches in charge, he won four, drew four and lost just two. According to a report by UnplayableZA , Abdoulaye Mariko could be headed to Pirates next season. With experience in the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup, he could be a shrewd acquisition for the Buccaneers. Click for the story Will Ouaddou be too defensive at Pirates? 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
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates coach Ouaddou has been sacked for gross misconduct before
New Orlando Pirates head coach courted controversy as a player during his second of three stints with Ligue 1 side Nancy. Nancy sacked Ouaddou for gross misconduct after he refused to train and publicly criticised the club. Despite the sacking in 2010, Ouaddou returned for a third spell there in 2013. Abdeslam's STELLAR playing career in numbers Orlando Pirates' NINE new signings revealed? Abdeslam Ouaddou's first professional club was Ligue 1 side Nancy. During his second spell there, the board claimed that his refusal to train was sufficient under French labour law to constitute gross misconduct. Although his deal at the time ran until 2012, he left immediately. The story, however, had a happy ending as the imposing central defender returned to Nancy in January 2013 for a third stint. However, he retired two weeks later without playing a match. Ouaddou won the 2007 Greek League with Olympiacos and the 2002-2023 UEFA Intertoto Cup with Fulham. He holds French citizenship and won 68 caps for Morocco's Atlas Lions. Pirates make their move for exciting PSL striker? In 2013, Ouaddou was vocal about the employment conditions in Qatar after spending a total of two years in the Qatar Stars League. He stated, 'When you work in Qatar, you belong to someone. You are not free. You are a slave.' Is Moremi the new Segolela? According to a report by UnplayableZA , Abdoulaye Mariko could be headed to Pirates next season. With experience in the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup, he could be a shrewd acquisition for the Buccaneers. Click for the story Will Ouaddou be a success at Orlando Pirates? 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
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates to sign Mariko?
Orlando Pirates are looking to bolster their central midfield options. The latest target hails from West African giants Mali. 23-year-old central midfielder Abdoulaye Mariko is the latest man who's caught the Sea Robbers' attention. The Djoliba AC schemer played seven times in last season's Champions League. Pirates make their move for exciting PSL striker? According to a report by UnplayableZA , Abdoulaye Mariko could be headed to Pirates next season. With experience in the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup, he could be a shrewd acquisition for the Buccaneers. Kabelo Kgositsile, Masindi Nemtajela, Nkosikhona Ndaba, Tshepo Mashiloane, Sihle Nduli, Tsepang Moremi, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Yanela Mbuthuma and Sipho Mbule are all expected to become Pirates players during the winter window. Sipho Mbule has been officially unveiled, while it seems a matter of time before AmaZulu winger Tshepang Moremi becomes a Buccaneer: Is Moremi the new Segolela? Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana wide forward Relebohile Mofokeng seems destined for a big-money move away from South Africa. He racked up a staggering 49 appearances in the 2024-2025 season across all competitions. Arguably the club's most important operator, that sample of matches included 12 goals and 15 assists. It's a stellar output for any player, let alone one who only exited his teens in October 2024. Why is nobody talking about Monnapule Saleng? Will Orlando Pirates challenge for the Betway Premiership title next season? 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' new target from Mali emerges!
Orlando Pirates are linked with Malian midfielder Abdoulaye Mariko who currently plays his football in his country. Mariko is a 23-year-old central midfielder who's currently on the books of Djoliba AC, but could find his way to the PSL. According to a report by UnplayableZA , the little-known Mariko is linked with Pirates ahead of next season. Prior to his move to Djoliba AC, Mariko played for AS Real Bamako where he made his professional debut in 2022. He has already had a taste of Caf Inter-club football having featured in both the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup. Mariko has seven CAF Champions League appearances with Djoliba AC and six CAF Confederation Cup matches with AS Real Bamako. And with Abdeslam Ouaddou having recently joined Pirates, he could be instrumental in the club's interest in Mariko given his connections in other African countries. Abdeslam Ouaddou is the new Orlando Pirates coach. Image: @orlandopirates/X Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
