Latest news with #SiphoChaine
The South African
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
PSL Awards: FIVE Orlando Pirates players honoured!
Orlando Pirates had FOUR different players honoured by the league at the PSL Awards on Tuesday, 29 July. The Buccaneers gave a good fight in their attempt to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns but their efforts were not enough. However, a number of their players stood head and shoulders above the rest throughout the campaign. And it was, therefore, not surprising to see four of them walk away with accolades from different categories. Sipho Chaine won the Goalkeeper of the Season award, beating both Ronwen Williams and Elvis Chipezeze. Nkosinathi Sibisi walked away with Betway Premiership the Defender of the Season gong after some solid shifts for Pirates. Veteran Makhehleni Makhaula was named the best midfielder in the entire league for his outstanding performances last season. Relebohile Mofokeng win the Betway Premiership Young Player of the Season award as well as the MTN8 Last Man Standing award. Lastly, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, on his debut season, won the Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Tournament award. 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.
The South African
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
PSL Awards: Orlando Pirates star named the best goalkeeper
Orlando Pirates star goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has walked away with the Goalkeeper of the Season award. Chaine was nominated alongside Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns and Elvis Chipezeze of Magesi FC. And in the end, it was the Bucs goalkeeper who proved to have done enough to win the accolades at the PSL Awards on Tuesday. Chaine featured in 25 Betway Premiership matches for Pirates last season, kept 11 cleansheets and conceded just 18. Williams, on the other hand, played just 16 league games for Sundowns, kept 11 cleansheets and conceded just six goals. And despite being tied on the same number of cleansheets with Chaine, the number of games he played disadvantaged him. Chipezeze, who had a fantastic season with 26 league matches under his belt, was let down by the number of goals he conceded (28) despite keeping 10 cleansheets. Nonetheless, he was also one of the winners in the Carling Knockout Player of the Tournament category where he was nominated alongside teammate Edmore Chirambadare and Iqraam Rayners of Sundowns. Chipezeze beaten by Orlando Pirates 'keeper Sipho Chaine for Goalkeeper of the Season award. Image: Archived 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.
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates v Polokwane City: Date, Kick-Off Time, MTN8, Predicted XI
Orlando Pirates will defend their MTN8 title against Polokwane City this coming weekend. The Buccaneers spent two weeks in Spain for pre-season, where they played several teams, including Las Palmas and Granada. With 11 new signings, all eyes will be on Abdeslam Ouaddou as he will be on the touchline officially for the first time as Orlando Pirates coach. The Sea Robbers finished second in the Betway Premiership behind Mamelodi Sundowns and only had MTN8 trophy to show at the end of the season. In the past five editions, the Buccaneers have won it four times and are closing in on Kaizer Chiefs' record. No team has ever won the competition four times in a row, but Pirates are favourites to do the unthinkable. The match will be played on Saturday (2 August) at the Orlando Stadium. Kick-off is set for 15:00. This will be the first PSL match of the 2025/26 season, with the Betway Premiership kicking off a week later. Here's how Orlando Pirates can lineup for the MTN8 clash; Sipho Chaine (GK) Deano van Rooyen (RB) Nkosinathi Sibisi (CB) Mbekezile Mbokazi (CB) Deon Hotoo (LB) Makhehlene Makhaula (DM) Sipho Mbule (CM) Sinoxolo Kwayiba (AM) Oswin Appollis (LW) Relebohile Mofokeng (RW) Tshegofatso Mabasa (ST) Orlando Pirates have not lost an MTN8 match since going down to Stellenbosch at the Orlando Stadium in 2023 but they still won the tie on aggregate. Let us know 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.
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates strongest XI that can potentially WIN the league
Orlando Pirates are yet to win a league title since 2012 despite coming close several times in the past six years. Last season, they pushed champions Mamelodi Sundowns but ultimately fell off in the final few matches of the season. With 11 new signings, many Bucs faithful feel the team is ready to once again take the fight to Masandawana. With the new signings and a new coach, it might take time for some players to get used to the system. So far, the team has looked somewhat flat in the pre-season and will need to improve before their season opener against Polokwane City. Goalkeeper: Sipho Chaine The 28-year-old keeper has looked solid in goals and is no doubt SA's number two behind Ronwen Williams. Right-back: Deano van Rooyen Van Rooyen has impressed since joining the Buccaneers last season. He is good in attack and defence and if he's injury-free, he might play a vital role in helping his team improve from last season. Centre-back: Nkosinathi Sibisi Sibisi had some great games for the Buccaneers last season. The experienced defender will need to be consistent if Orlando Pirates are to win the league. Centre-back: Mbekezile Mbokazi At 19, Mbokazi is rated one of the best PSL defenders. The KZN-born defender only played less than 15 matches for Pirates but already established himself as a key player in the team. Left-Back: Deon Hotto The Namibian versatile attacker can play different positions, and in the past, he has excelled at left-back. If he can operate on the left hand side of defence, then Abdeslam Ouaddou's team will be balanced at the back with three experienced players. Defensive midfielder: Makhehlene Makhaula The 36-year-old has played the destroyer role perfectly in the middle of the park. He will need to once again be on top of his game to ensure that Orlando Pirates chase that elusive league title. A fit Makhaula is bad news for 15 other teams. Central midfielder: Sipho Mbule Mbule is an upgrade from Thalenthe Mbatha. If the ex-Mamelodi Sundowns star can stay focused, he could drive the team, which lacked a consistent central midfielder. Attacking midfielder: Patrick Maswanganyi Tito has been hot and cold last season but maybe Pirates signing Sinoxolo Kwayiba will force him to pull up his socks. Left winger: Relebohile Mofokeng Mofokeng might stay for another season, and if he stays, good news for the Buccaneers. He normally operates on the left but he can be effective if he combines well with Van Rooyen on the right. Right winger: Oswin Appollis Appollis is no doubt the best signing of the season so far. The 23-year-old will add more to the Pirates attack given his experience with the national team. He can combine well with Tito, Mofokeng and Tshegofatso Mabasa. Striker: Tshegofatso Mabasa Mabasa should be preferred ahead of Evidence Makgopa. He has scored 17 goals in the 2023/24 season and perhaps this could be his redemption arc. If Orlando Pirates are to win the league, they need to have a core of their old players at their best. If the Sea Robbers are to stop Downs' dominance, new players have to deliver, whether from the bench or as starters. Let us know 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.
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Chaine, Williams and Stephens can battle it out for PSL Goalkeeper of the Year award
Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams is the Bafana goalkeeper as well. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix While strikers often steal the spotlight with their goal-scoring heroics, it's easy to overlook the brilliance at the opposite end of the pitch. A game-saving stop may not ignite the same roar as a goal, but its impact is just as decisive. In a league where consistency is everything, goalkeepers are often the unsung heroes – silently shaping results week in, week out. Ronwen Williams claimed the 2024/25 Premier Soccer League Goalkeeper of the Season award, but this past campaign saw several shot-stoppers rise to the occasion. Here, we take a look at five stand-out performers who made compelling cases for the crown... Sipho Chaine – Orlando Pirates Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine. Photo: AFP Image: AFP 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 ✕ The Orlando Pirates goalkeeper has emerged as one of the most improved players in his position, making significant progress that has elevated him into a reliable choice for national team coach Hugo Broos. Based on the qualities he has consistently displayed this season, he appears more than ready to make the leap to international football. At 28, Chaine has featured in 25 matches during the current campaign, conceding only 18 goals while keeping an impressive 11 clean sheets across the 28 fixtures played by the Buccaneers. When factoring in his total minutes on the pitch, his form places him among the genuine contenders for this season's top goalkeeping accolade. Ronwen Williams – Mamelodi Sundowns Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has exceptional shot-stopping ability, strong distribution and composure in crucial moments like penalty shoot-outs. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpapgePix South Africa's number one goalkeeper began the season on the sidelines due to injury. But his return injected instant stability and leadership into a Mamelodi Sundowns side that went on to clinch their record-extending eighth straight league title. The 33-year-old was involved in 16 league matches this term, recording 11 clean sheets and conceding just six goals. Although he logged fewer minutes than initially anticipated, his influence between the posts remained undeniable, and was instrumental in Sundowns' continued domestic dominance. What further sets Williams apart is his composure and technical skill in a side that demands a goalkeeper comfortable in possession. Operating behind a team that values control and build-up play, his ability with the ball at his feet has been a critical asset, distinguishing him from his peers. Sage Stephens – Stellenbosch FC Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper Sage Stephens. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Stellenbosch FC's experienced shot-stopper played a crucial role in helping his side finish as one of the league's most defensively solid teams, ranking third in terms of goals conceded. Despite being hampered by some injury setbacks during the campaign, his presence and leadership were instrumental in guiding Stellies to a second consecutive third-place finish. This came in a season where they had to overcome the loss of several key players, both at the start of the season and again during the January transfer period.
