It's his job! - says Mokwena about Williams brilliant performances.

Mamelodi Sundowns beat Richards Bay FC 1-0 in a Dstv premiership match played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

Goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams was once again amongst Sundowns top performers in the game, pulling off some match winning saves to keep yet another clean sheet.

Williams has been outstanding for Sundowns this season, not only with keeping clean sheets, but performing the role of the modern goalkeeper with excellence, initiating build ups in possession, and acting as a sweeper off possession.

The national team captain has raised his hand for the player of the season award.

But his coach, Rulani Mokwena, insists that Williams is just doing his job.

"Yeah but it’s his job, that’s why we have a goalkeeper, organisational forms of teams start with the number one of the team sheet and that’s a goalkeeper,"Mokwena said as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/featured/mokwena-there-shouldnt-be-much-talk-over-footballer-of-the-season/

Just like Williams, Tebogo Mokwena has been brilliant for Sundowns in midfield, working hard off possession and instrumental in the team's build up play.

Mokwena believes he also deserves a special mention when it comes to conversations about the player of the season award.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/top-coach-riveiro-is-but-he-would-make.html?m=1

"He’s been magnificent, I’m really not even sure why there are lots of discussions of Footballer of the Season and this – he puts his name up, Tebza has [also] been consistent and outstanding but so was the entire team today with fight and hunger."

Top coach Riveiro is, but he would make an even greater sailor!

 

Football coaches in general, rarely come cool, calm, and collected as Orlando Pirates coach, Jose Riveiro. Seeing the Spaniard losing his mind on the dugout is a rare occurrence.

When he first joined Pirates, he was given the famous ‘plumber’ tag, which was an insult, because the man would have made a terrible plumber, honestly.

A sailor, now that would suit him. Imagine calm Riveiro sailing against raging sea waters in the middle of a terrible storm that threatens to sink his ship and kill thousands aboard. While everyone else is struck by a mixture of fear and panic, running around screaming their lungs out, Riveiro would be the only cool head aboard, telling everyone to calm down because there is actually no danger. I kid you not.

The buccaneers’ ship is not going through a storm, but it has not been smooth sailing either.

Pirates miss a lot of chances. If it wasn’t for that, they are one team who would have pushed Mamelodi Sundowns harder in the race for the league title.

Looking at their stats makes for some impressive reading.

Pirates average a good 0.69 goals conceded per match in the league. They are third, behind Sundowns and TS Galaxy when it comes to the goals conceded column in the Dstv premiership, having let in 18 goals so far.

They create decent goal scoring chances too! With an average expected goals of 1.57 per match. Their average shots taken per game in the league is also impressive, with 11.35, but their conversion rate has been their biggest let down, with 11%.

But the cool, calm, and collected Riveiro is not frustrated. In his world, all is well.  

“Frustration is not the word,” said Riveiro as quoted by Times Live

https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-04-25-why-jose-riveiro-is-not-fussed-that-orlando-pirates-are-still-missing-chances/

 “I'm not coming to the games thinking we're going to win 5-0 and if we're not at 5-0 at halftime I get frustrated. I know how difficult it is.

“We played a good game against SuperSport but we only scored one penalty after 70 minutes. We played against Maritzburg [United] and suddenly [Monnapule] Saleng shoots from nowhere and the ball is in the net.

“It's a complicated game and you have to control a lot of things to get a result. But I'm not frustrated because I know how much it takes.

“We have to work a lot to create one chance and to make sure that chance is not going to result in a transition immediately after we have it.

“I think that's one of the keys in this moment for us, probably the main change in the second part of the season. No we have the capacity to play more in the half of the opponent and you do that your probabilities to score increase.”

What Riveiro says makes a lot of sense, which is another great quality of the man; he knows how to talk a good game. And he knows his football.

But his calmness! Now that takes the cake. A great sailor, Jose would become.

 

Riveiro says Pirates is in love with cup games, and of course, winning them.

               Image: Facebook

Orlando Pirates will face their arch-rivals, Kaizer Chiefs in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup.

Their head coach, Jose Riveiro admits that his side likes to play cup games.

Pirates won the MTN8 title earlier in the season when they beat AmaZulu 1-0 in Durban, and they will have their sights set on slaying beating chiefs to advance to the finals of the Nedbank Cup, in what would be the sweetest revenge for Bucs after Amakhosi got the better of them twice this season in the Dstv Premiership.

Winning a double would be a major achievement for the Spaniard who has managed to turn things around at Pirates, by getting them to play some beautiful football without compromising their defensive organization.

"We have good memories, bad as well. I think we struggled here with Sekhukhune [United], if I’m not mistaken," said Riveiro as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/nedbank-cup/riveiro-targets-second-cup-final-with-pirates/

"But it’s a good place for us, important, special. We like to play the cups, these knockout games we really do and like you said last time we managed to play a good final, to get a title and that’s the intention in every competition.

"We are representing Orlando Pirates so it goes without saying that it’s a must to fight to be there. And Being there is a different story it depends on a lot of factors but the team is really focused and doing everything in order to make our fans happy.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/mangethe-samkelo-gave-us-that-edge-zwane.html?m=1

"Now we really have the possibility to see ourselves in another final."

The urgent matter for Pirates though, is the Caf Champions League spot, and they will continue gunning for it when they host Cape Town City on Saturday 22 April at Orlando Stadium.

Kick-off is at 15:00.

Mangethe [Samkelo] gave us that edge - Zwane.

Kaizer Chiefs edged a step closer to their first trophy in eight years when they defeated Royal AM 2-1 in a Nedbank Cup quarter-final match played at Chartsworth Stadium, Durban, on Sunday evening.

A Thabo Matlaba own goal in the 36th minute, and a Yusuf Maart penalty in the 102nd minute of extra-time ensured Chiefs' passage into the semi-finals, where they will meet Orlando Pirates.

21-year-old Midfielder, Samkelo Zwane's contribution in the middle of the park, was one of the main factors that led to Amakhosi's victory, according to head coach, Arthur Zwane.

"We started brightly and controlled the space. Mangethe (Samkelo Zwane) gave us that edge in terms of dictating terms in the middle," said Zwane as quoted by The Citizen. https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/local-soccer/zwane-explains-how-chiefs-forced-royal-am-errors-in-cup-tie/

"They are a ball playing team and once you give them space they can hurt you at any given time.

"So, we had to first control and also utilise the space that is created when their fullbacks go forward. 

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/fan-views-pirates-knows-very-well-they.html?m=1

"For the better part of the game we managed to do that. We controlled them but obvious lapses in concentration in dead ball situations made us give them hope. 

"But that was a wake up call and we looked like we could get a goal at any given time."

Having disposed of Royal AM, Chiefs will turn their attention to the business of hunting for the Caf Champions league spot in the coming weekend.

They travel to Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday 22 April to face Sekhukhune United at 15:00.

Fan Views: Pirates knows very well they are our wives.

        Image source: Facebook

The Nedbank Cup semi-final draw did the Lord's work, with Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates pitted against each other to serve the nation with another edition of the Soweto Derby.

This one has all the ingredients to make it yummy, with it being a cup encounter, Chiefs searching for their first trophy in eight long years, and Pirates raring to get their revenge after losing twice to Amakhosi this season.

As expected, there has been some interesting reactions on social media from the fans on the draw!

So Orlando Pirates have become Kaizer Chiefs submissive wives lately?

One fan, @Evan Kethabo says do!

"Orlando Pirates know very well they are our Wives we'll chow them till forever....I'm happy with the draw,"

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/its-not-going-to-be-easy-zwane-on.html?m=1

From a wife to a daily bread! Is that what Pirates have become to Chiefs? Like, really?

No wonder @Mthobisi Lindi Duma has thanked the man above for giving them Bucs.

"Thanks God for giving us our daily bread."

While Amakhosi fans are excited to have drawn against Pirates, a Bhakaniya fans thinks they should be worried.

"Great! it is about time Chiefs luck against Pirates come to an end," said Zwakele Mbhamali

But wait! A Chiefs fan is counting on two Pirates players to do the Lord's work for them!

"Ndah to do what he does best and Maela to give us a Penalty, What a smooth road to the final," said Saletlatlana Semoneye Mosime.

And wait for this! Amakhosi won't even need a penalty to beat Pirates!

"We don't need penalty to beat Pirates," said Malie Gangatha

One Pirates fan is truly worried about playing Chiefs! But where is the belief? Come on Bhakaniya!

"Chiefs might eliminate us, no  matter how well organized we are, they just have a way of beating us," said Abel Ab-Flow

Last but not least, the Nedbank Cup will not end well for Chiefs, according to one Pirates fan. Apparently, it will end in tears!

"Mmm this won't end well for Chiefs, it will end in tears.
You can mark my words, Let's go Bhakajuju!!" Rhee Umshokobezie Zuma

It’s not going to be easy - Zwane on the Nedbank Cup semi-final against Pirates.

    Image credit: iDiski Times Twitter. 

Kaizer Chiefs have beaten Orlando Pirates two times this season, and the Nedbank Cup semi-finals draw has pitted the two Soweto giants against each other.

While Amakhosi will be looking for a treble of Soweto Derby wins, Amabhakaniya want their revenge and a second trophy of the season.

Chiefs coach, Arthur Zwane, says his side will have to be on top condition.

"It’s not going to be easy as everyone thinks," said Zwane as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/nedbank-cup/zwane-eyes-another-derby-win-over-pirates-in-nedbank-cup-semis/

"Because cup games are totally different to league matches. But as I said, we will treat every game with respect and unfortunately this one is not like any other games – there is a lot at stake.

"If we want to beat Pirates, we are expected to be on top of them and make sure that we win the game."

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/chiefs-to-end-trophy-drought-with.html?m=1

The Soweto Derby has failed to live up to expectations when it comes to the football the two sides dish out on the field.

But Zwane believes that with both Pirates and Chiefs on an upward trajectory lately, the Nedbank Cup semi-final will be a good game to watch.

"I think the excitement comes from knowing that we are playing Pirates and they are also doing well, that will be good for South African football as well, because we are also finding our way up.

"I think it is going to be one game that is very good to watch."

Chiefs to end trophy drought with the Nedbank Cup?

  Image credit: Kaizer Chiefs Twitter. 

Kaizer Chiefs were drawn against Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals after beating Royal AM 2-1 at Chartsworth Stadium, Durban, on Sunday evening.

Chiefs have not won a trophy in eight years, and the Nedbank Cup gives them an opportunity to break the curse.

But first, they have to deal with cup double hunting Pirates, who disposed of a spirited Dondol Stars in the quarter-finals on Saturday afternoon.

Pirates are looking for their second trophy this season after wrestling the MTN8 title away from Mamelodi Sundowns.

Concerning being drawn against their arch rivals, Amakhosi will take heart in the fact that they have beaten Amabhakaniya twice this season in the Dstv Premiership.

This means Chiefs will be the more confident of the two sides going into the third serving of the Soweto Derby this season.

Added to Chiefs' motivational factors will be their hunger for silverware.

But Pirates, might come out firing on all cylinders in the semi-finals.

Losing Soweto Derby three times in a row will be a disaster that Jose Riveiro will want to avoid.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/chiefs-beat-royal-am-to-reach-nedbank.html?m=1

It is a well known fact that a coach who doesn't win South Africa's biggest fixture is not taken seriously by their club's faithful. Bragging rights mean a lot when it comes to Chiefs and Pirates fans, and Amabhakaniya would love nothing more than seeing Riveiro getting one over his counterpart, Arthur Zwane, and actually going all the way to winning South Africa's FA Cup, completing a dream cup double for Pirates in his first season.

In another Nedbank Cup semi-final, Stellenbosch FC will take on Sekhukhune United.

Dates and venues to be confirmed.