‘How Kaizer Chiefs lost out on Emile Witbooi’: Coach reveals

Kaizer Chiefs‘ DStv Diski Challenge head coach Vela Khumalo has admitted that the club missed a chance on signing Cape Town City teenage sensation Emile Witbooi.

The 18-year-old scored in the final of the U/20 COSAFA Cup final as Amajita defeated Mozambique 4-2. blablasex.es

Witbooi has been linked to several team including Chiefs‘ rivals Orlando Pirates. It was also reported that the teenager was training with the Bayern Munich youth team during pre-season.

Khumalo, who worked with Witbooi before, said he didn’t see the quality of the player when he was at Chiefs.

“Even though I was not necessarily involved, I think Emile now who was with me at the national team. The World Cup he was with me,” he said on the Arena Sport Show with host Mahlatse Mphahlele.

“When he came to the club he was coming for U13 back then, so we couldn’t see much from him at that time.

“Then later on, we said he was once here. Emile was once with us. I remember he came for assessment, but he was very, very young.

“Later on, I asked Walter Steenbok [Technical Director at the time], I said, ‘man we need to bring this boy back again’ and he said, ‘no you guys didn’t take him, so, he’s gone now’.

“I took it with a bit of a pinch of salt.”

Witbooi got away from Kaizer Chiefs

It seems unlikely that Amakhosi will sign the talented attacker now that he has attracted offers from Europe. Despite playing in the lower division, Witbooi is the most sought after teenager in South Africa.

Where should Witbooi move to?

Virgil van Dijk s’apprête à franchir un cap majeur avec les Pays-Bas. À la veille de la réception de la Serbie en Ligue des Nations, le défenseur de Liverpool compte 99 sélections, mais Xavi Hernández refuse encore de confirmer sa présence dans le onze de départ.

Xavi sous le charme de son capitaine

Le sélectionneur espagnol n’a pas tari d’éloges à l’égard de son capitaine. Depuis son arrivée à la tête des Oranje, Xavi a confirmé Van Dijk dans son rôle de capitaine après un échange positif avec le défenseur.

Le technicien considère son défenseur comme un véritable leader et souligne son importance au sein du groupe. Une relation qui avait notamment contribué à convaincre Van Dijk de poursuivre son aventure internationale après le Mondial 2026.

« C’est un véritable leader ». Lors de la conférence de presse précédant le match des Pays-Bas en Ligue des Nations contre la Serbie, le sélectionneur Xavi Hernández a couvert d’éloges Virgil van Dijk, alors que le défenseur s’apprête à disputer son 100e match international. « Ce pourrait être une journée riche en émotions pour Virgil », a déclaré Xavi. « Je suis très heureux de travailler avec lui. Il s’intègre parfaitement. Cent sélections, c’est incroyable ». Van Dijk pourrait ainsi devenir le onzième joueur à atteindre cette barre symbolique avec les Oranje.

Le suspense demeure avant la Serbie

Van Dijk a disputé les trois premières rencontres de cette période internationale, contre l’Allemagne, la Serbie et la Grèce. Il lui suffit désormais de participer à la rencontre de dimanche pour atteindre la barre symbolique des 100 sélections.

Xavi n’a toutefois pas encore dévoilé son équipe. La titularisation de Van Dijk reste donc officiellement à confirmer, même si le défenseur figure bien dans le groupe et a participé aux précédentes rencontres de cette fenêtre internationale. ‘Jouera-t-il ? Nous verrons demain », a-t-il lancé.

S’il joue face aux Serbes, Van Dijk deviendra seulement le 11e joueur de l’histoire des Pays-Bas à atteindre les 100 sélections.

Un calendrier qui fait débat

Cette rencontre sera la quatrième des Pays-Bas en l’espace d’une dizaine de jours, après l’Allemagne, la Serbie et la Grèce. Le calendrier particulièrement dense de cette période internationale a également suscité des remarques autour de la récupération des joueurs.

Après le nul obtenu en Grèce (2-2), Xavi avait déjà reconnu la difficulté de gérer la récupération et l’enchaînement des rencontres. Les Oranje retrouveront donc la Serbie dimanche, cette fois au Philips Stadion d’Eindhoven.

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Orlando Pirates fans have expressed their frustration after learning that several Mamelodi Sundowns players will miss Bafana Bafana’s upcoming match against Egypt.

Pitso Mosimane selected 13 Sundowns players in his 30-man squad for the matches against Guinea, Eritrea and Egypt.

However, the Sundowns contingent has been hit by injuries during the international break.

Aubrey Modiba was forced off with a hamstring problem during Bafana’s match against Guinea, while Soccerbeat reported on Friday that Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas had also picked up injuries and would play no part against Egypt.

“The midfield will be the biggest challenge for Mosimane as Bathusi Aubaas and Teboho Mokoena are out with injuries and will play no part on Sunday,” the report stated.

Pirates fans not buying Mokoena and Aubaas’s injury at Bafana

The news has not gone down well with some Orlando Pirates supporters, particularly with the two Soweto giants set to meet Sundowns in the MTN8 final on 10 October at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Some Pirates fans on X have questioned whether the injuries to the Sundowns players are genuine, suggesting that the players could instead be being protected ahead of the eagerly anticipated cup final.

There is, however, no confirmed evidence that Sundowns players are being rested for the MTN8 final rather than genuinely injured.

The frustration among Pirates supporters stems from the perceived difference in workload between the two teams. Pirates also have several players in the Bafana squad, meaning their key stars could potentially feature in three international matches before returning for the MTN8 final.

Sundowns, meanwhile, could have several of their important players unavailable for the Egypt match because of injury, potentially reducing their workload before the clash with Pirates.

One Pirates supporter, @BlaqSabali, wrote: “Sundowns is a team of scammers. you can’t convince me otherwise.”

Another, @LordKambala, questioned the timing of the injuries, writing: “There’s no injuries here, Pitso think we’re fools.”

Pirates have seven players in Bafana squad

@tillity50542 suggested that some players could be being protected for the final, writing: “Some are rested for the MTN8 phela Pitso is a Sindown fan, he said it that his blood is yellow.”

And @Real_Skilashi96 wrote: “Lol, so they actually are saving them for the 10th? Nah Sundowns and Pitso can do better man.”

The speculation is likely to continue until more information is provided about the extent of the players’ injuries and their availability for the MTN8 final.

What’s your take?

Kaizer Chiefs have brought in five players during the current transfer window, with Khanyisa Mayo completing a permanent move to Naturena.

Despite making several additions, Amakhosi are still searching for the right balance under head coach Fernando Da Cruz.

Chiefs made a promising start to the season but have struggled for consistency in recent weeks. Four draws and just one victory in their last five matches have seen them lose ground on league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Of the club’s five new arrivals, Langelihle Phili, Renaldo Leaner and Faiz Abrahams have made particularly encouraging starts in the famous gold and black.

The arrival of new players has also resulted in Da Cruz making difficult decisions within his squad. Thabo Cele, Ashley Du Preez, Given Msimango and Gaston Sirino were among the players to leave the club.

With the January transfer window less than 100 days away, Kaizer Chiefs will have another opportunity to strengthen their squad while also potentially moving on players who have failed to establish themselves.

Here are three players who could face an uncertain future at Naturena.

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo’s future at Kaizer Chiefs has been the subject of speculation, with the midfielder having struggled to establish himself as a regular in recent seasons.

There were already reports linking him with an exit before the previous transfer window closed, but he ultimately remained at Naturena.

Ngcobo will now need to make a strong impression under Da Cruz if he is to remain part of the club’s long-term plans.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Chiefs could potentially consider a January sale or loan move rather than risk losing the midfielder for nothing.

Kaizer Chiefs have left-backs injured

Paseka Mako

Paseka Mako could also find himself facing an uncertain future at Chiefs.

The former Orlando Pirates left-back arrived at Naturena last season but has struggled to maintain his fitness due to injuries.

Chiefs currently lack significant depth at left-back, which could work in Mako’s favour. However, if his injury problems continue and Da Cruz identifies another option in the position, the club could consider moving him on.

Much could depend on Mako’s fitness and performances between now and January.

Nkhanyisa Shinga

Nkhanyisa Shinga faces perhaps the biggest challenge of the three.

The left-back has made just one official appearance for Kaizer Chiefs before suffering an injury, limiting his opportunity to impress Da Cruz.

With competition for places increasing and the coach continuing to reshape his squad, Shinga will need to make the most of his opportunities once he returns to full fitness.

His contract situation could also become a factor. If he fails to convince Da Cruz that he deserves a place in the squad, Amakhosi could decide against extending his stay when his current deal expires.

For all three players, the coming months could prove crucial. Kaizer Chiefs have already shown a willingness to reshape their squad, and another round of changes could be on the cards when the January window opens.

Who should replace these players?

The Lions ran riot in the second half of Saturday’s URC match against the Ospreys at Ellis Park to claim a bonus-point win.

Ivan van Rooyen’s men turned a 12-10 half-time deficit into a 35-19 victory, scoring five tries after the break and six in total.

It was a bruising start in Joburg with both sides fighting for momentum.

Flyhalf Chris Smith broke the deadlock after 10 minutes with a penalty goal before winger Erich Cronjé continued his fine form, finishing well in the corner. Smith converted to give the Lions a 10-0 lead.

Erich Cronje is red-hot for the 10Bet Lions

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The Lions were sloppy at the lineout, multiple overthrows handing the Ospreys a foothold in the match. The visitors kept fighting and were rewarded when centre Kieran Williams forced his way over and flyhalf Dan Edwards converted.

The Welsh club continued to apply pressure after the half-time hooter and hooker Efan Daniel powered over from a strong maul.

ALSO: Dobbo disappointed with lineout malfunction

The Lions came out firing after the restart, the set-piece settling as the hosts took control.

Hooker PJ Botha, replacement prop Morné Brandon and fullback Boeta Chamberlain all crossed the whitewash in quick succession to secure the bonus point and extend the lead to 25-12 in the third quarter.

The crosskick causes Ospreys problems

Boeta Chamberlain scores his first-ever try for the 10Bet Lions

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It got worse for the Ospreys when Edwards was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on the hour mark.

The Lions made the one-man advantage count when a powerful scrum laid the platform for a Smith cross-kick, releasing winger Kelly Mpeku out wide. Mpeku then jogged over for his second minutes later after centre Ethan Adams turned the ball over at the breakdown.

The 10Bet Lions are putting Ospreys to the sword

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The Ospreys searched for a consolation try and found it through the maul, with replacement loose forward Ross Moriarty dotting down.

The result sees the Lions claim back-to-back home wins, having beaten Leinster 27-26 last week.

In round three, they travel to Pretoria for the Jukskei derby against the Bulls while the Ospreys face the Dragons in Newport.

LIONS – Tries: Erich Cronjé, PJ Botha, Morné Brandon, Boeta Chamberlain, Kelly Mpeku (2). Conversion: Chris Smith. Penalty: Smith.
OSPREYS – Tries: Kieran Williams, Efan Daniel, Ross Moriarty. Conversions: Dan Edwards (2).

Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images

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