Jele – Why Pirates Need To Give 200% In Soweto Derby

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Former Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele has called on his former side to be 200% mentally ready when they face arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby on Saturday, as the game could be decisive in their title chase. Pirates go into this encounter after two back-to-back defeats against Pyramids in the CAF Champions League semi-final and against Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership in mid-week. The result in the league saw the gap with Mamelodi Sundowns at the top increase to 12 points. Jele spoke to IDiski Times writer Lethabo Kganyago in edition 202 of the newspaper where he

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Majoro – This Chiefs Star Reminds Me Of Myself

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Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Lehlohonolo Majoro says he sees a bit of himself in young attacker Wandile Duba because of his resilience. Duba, a product of the Chiefs development, has been a key attacking player for Amakhosi this season despite their ups and downs however his campaign was interrupted by injuries. The 20-year-old has played 21 matches for Chiefs across all competitions this season and has five goals in the league and three assists though his progress was halted by injury as he only returned to league action late in March. ‘Major’ spoke to iDiski Times writer Lethabo Kganyago in

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Edition 202 – Soweto Derby Special

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The 202nd edition of iDiski Times is now available, and this week it’s a SOWETO DERBY SPECIAL, as Matshelane Mamabolo looks at the history of the Soweto Derby and some of the greatest matches from the past, and hears from two legends, Marks Maponyane and Jerry Sikhosana, as well as former referee Daniel Bennet.   Lethabo Kganyago, meanwhile, chatted to a trio who are very familiar with the derby. She caught up with former Kaizer Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune, and former Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele, while also speaking to a man who played for both Chiefs and Pirates, Lehlohonolo

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Maart On His Future At Chiefs Amid Recent Rumours

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Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart says he’s not been affected by the speculation around his long-term future at the club. Maart, 29, was strongly linked with a return to Sekhukhune United with his original three-year contract set to expire at the end of the current season. Babina Noko made no secret of their desire to lure him back to the club whom he led to the top-flight and broke into the senior national team with as their influential captain, before Chiefs came knocking. But with Amakhosi’s technical team keen on retaining the player, as reported by iDiski Times, the club

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Khanye – Pirates Can’t Blame Anyone

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Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye says Orlando Pirates have no one but themselves to blame if they don’t win the league. Khanye’s comments come after the Buccaneers dropped points at home against Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership to trail Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the table by 12 points.   Sundowns thrashed Richards Bay 3-0 to stay at the top with 56 points in 23 outings. Pirates still hold a mathematical shot with games in hand. Khanye says he was shocked by the coach’s selection going on to add that the side’s Achilles this season was dropping

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Jele Discusses Potential Riveiro Replacements

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Former Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele has discussed potential candidates to replace the outgoing Jose Riveiro at the club, saying it would have to be someone who will not drop the Spaniard’s and the club’s standards. The club confirmed last month that Riveiro will leave at the end of the current campaign. Riveiro led the Buccaneers to five domestic cups in his tenure so far and the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League this season and is still in the running for the league title and the defense of the Nedbank Cup. Jele spoke to iDiski Times writer Lethabo Kganyago

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Maela Reflects On Career Crossroads At Pirates

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Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela has addressed the speculation that he’s set to retire at the end of the season. Maela, 32, has been offered a non-playing role with Pirates when his contract expires in June, as first reported by iDiski Times and in the current season has played a mentoring role for the new generation of talent within the squad. The rise of defenders Thabiso Sesane and 19-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi in particular, has potentially paved the way for the future of the Buccaneers defence and Maela, who has featured in 11 games this season out of his overall 207

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Lekgwathi & Majoro Give Their Soweto Derby Predictions

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Former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs players Lucky Lekgwathi and Lehlohonolo Majoro have placed their predictions for this weekend’s much anticipated Soweto Derby clash at FNB Stadium. The biggest fixture on the local football calendar takes centre stage once again at the sold-out Calabash on Saturday, with the Buccaneers looking to bounce back from their midweek defeat and keep grip of second place while Amakhosi are desperately looking to move back into the top eight bracket. Even though Pirates have suffered back-to-back defeats, ‘Phinda Mzala’ went for a straight 2-0 victory for the Ghost while Majoro settled for a 2-2

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September Gives Jali & Baloni Updates

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Chippa United head coach Thabo September has confirmed that midfield duo Andile Jali and Siphelo Baloni are currently out injured.  Baloni and Jali started the season very well at the Chilli Boys and their partnership in the middle alongside Sinoxolo Kwayiba helped the Eastern Cape-based side to compete and keep their chances of finishing in the top eight alive.  Baloni hasn’t played since February, while Jali hasn’t featured since last month (March) and September explained that the duo is injured, emphasizing that whenever Jali is edging closer to be back, he suffers another injury, with muscles giving him more problems. 

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