English
Indian
العربية
Español
Deutsch
Türkçe
Français (Afrique)Orlando Pirates’ expected starting 11 vs Golden Arrows
Betway Premiership contenders Orlando Pirates expect Golden Arrows to arrive at the Orlando Amstel Arena by 19:30 this evening.
The two sides meet for the second ocassion this season after the Buccaneers’ 3-1 win in the first round away at the King Zwelithini Stadium on 5 November 2025.
ORLANDO PIRATES’ EXPECTED STARTING LINE UP VS GOLDEN ARROWS
In the team news, Abdeslam Ouaddou has welcomed just one player from the injury list in Deano Van Rooyen, but expect him to start from the bench behind Kamohelo Sebelebelele.
Following the 6-0 drubbing of TS Galaxy on 22 March before the FIFA break, Orlando Pirates are unlikely to make changes to the team that started at the Mbombela Stadium, except for Oswin Appollis starting ahead of Andre De Jong, who could have had a better game.
Goalkeeper: Sipho Chaine, right-back: Kamohelo Sebelebele, central defenders: Nkosinathi Sibisi and Lebone Seema, left back: Deon Hotto, central midfielders: Makhehleni Makhaula and Thalente Mbatha, Relebohile Mofokeng, wingers: Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi, striker: Yanela Mbuthuma.
THE BUCCANEERS ARE FAVOURITES DESPITE GOLDEN ARROWS DANGER
Orlando Pirates have mounted a fierce title challenge, trailing the champions and log-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by just two points (53 and 51).
Moroccan coach Ouaddou was indeed a defender at the highest level. The Sea Robbers have only conceded nine goals in 22 matches. Offensively, Orlando Pirates have been equally excellent with 40 goals in 22, just one behind Sundowns.
Early season success included lifted the MTN8 and Carling Knockout titles.
Tuesday night’s visitors Golden Arrows, known as Abafana Bes’thende, have been highly exciting at times but too inconsistent.
Coach Manqoba Mngqithi’s side sit 8th place with 28 points from 22 games. They have only 8 wins, 4 draws, and 10 losses.
Also read: Chiefs win to move closer to Sundowns and Pirates at the top
Best moments of the term came with victories over Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns. While Arrows are the third highest-scorers in the league with 28 goals, they’ve remarkably conceded 28 goals in 22 games. Expect Orlando Pirates to punish this defensive weakeness.
Also read: Abdeslam Ouaddou delivers strong message to supporters
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THIS GOLDEN ARROWS AND ORLANDO PIRATES MATCH?
Share your thoughts by clicking on the red comments block below.
Reminder: In-form Springbok star returning to play in SA
Towards the end of last year, it shouldn’t be forgotten that a big piece of rugby news was confirmed when it was revealed that Springbok prop would be returning to the Sharks after the 2025/26 season.
Du Toit joined Bath after the 2023 World Cup and helped the English team to the Premiership title at Twickenham in June, and the powerful prop has effectively established himself as one of the club’s most successful imports.
The 30-year-old front-rower, known for his versatility at tighthead and loosehead, will soon bring extensive experience back to the Sharks, and it comes at time when he is in the form of his life.
Springbok star on fire
Just this past weekend, Du Toit delivered a match-defining performance against Saracens at The Rec on Saturday, earning high praise from South African coach Johann van Graan.
“Thomas was fantastic in that second half,” said Van Graan.
“If you look at his two years and nine months that he’s been at Bath, in my view, he’s become one of the best players in the whole world of rugby, and he showed it again against Saracens.
“He was absolutely phenomenal in the scrum, in defence and attack. That’s why you build a squad. You call on 20-50 guys on a weekend and all credit to the players.”
Good news for Sharks and Boks
Increasingly, Du Toit looks certain to remain a fixture in the Springbok matchday squad in the lead up to – and during – the 2027 World Cup, while the Sharks are also sure to benefit from the return of a player who plied his trade in Durban for several years earlier in his career.
Not that long ago, Du Toit also revealed why he turned down a lucrative offer from Bordeaux to return to the Sharks.
Speaking on the Maul or Nothing podcast, he admitted that he had rejected a “very good” deal from the reigning Champions Cup winners in favour of a four-year contract in Durban.
“There was a moment where we thought, ‘Do you know what, we’re just going to do it – bite the bullet and go for it 100%,’” Du Toit said. “But we knew what the right decision was.
“We did turn down the offer from Bordeaux. It was a very good offer, it was a very fair offer, and we were extremely grateful for it. I had the conversation with (head coach) Yannick (Bru), but we were looking more to the future with family and getting them settled. Our whole life is in South Africa.”
RDC: nouvelle polémique sur la promotion du troisième mandat présidentiel lors du retour des Léopards
« Tout droit jusqu’à 3 » : ce slogan du camp au pouvoir en République démocratique du Congo (RDC), appelant à un troisième mandat pour le président Félix Tshisekedi, s’est invité dimanche lors de l’accueil des Léopards après leur qualification à la Coupe du monde 2026. Un message politique qui fait polémique au cœur d’une célébration sportive dans un pays où l’opposition dénonce une tentative de récupération.
Commission de l'Océan Indien : Edgard Razafindravahy démissionne
Le vent de rupture insufflé par le régime transitoire prend une ampleur inattendue. Après des changements opérés dans plusieurs secteurs clés de l'administration, la dynamique atteint désormais les instances internationales, illustrée par la démission du secrétaire général de la Commission de l'océan Indien (COI), Edgard Razafindravahy.
Vendredi, ce dernier a officiellement remis sa démission au président du Conseil des ministres de la COI. Un départ qui n'a rien d'anodin, tant les dirigeants de la Refondation avaient laissé entendre, ces derniers mois, leur volonté de voir un nouveau visage occuper ce poste stratégique. Pourtant, son accession à cette fonction ne relevait pas d'une décision unilatérale d'un régime politique malgache mais bien d'un choix collégial des États membres de la COI, qui l'avaient élu à l'unanimité en juillet 2024.
Son mandat, écourté après seulement vingt et un mois sur les quatre années prévues, ne semble entaché d'aucune faute. Aucun manquement, aucune irrégularité n'a été signalé par l'instance régionale. Son passage est même associé à certaines avancées, l'organisation a également gagné en présence et en visibilité lors de son mandat.
Ce départ s'inscrit néanmoins dans un climat politique tendu, où certains observateurs évoquent une logique de mise à l'écart ciblée. Des figures perçues comme proches de l'ancien président Andry Rajoelina semblent particulièrement visées, alimentant les critiques sur une éventuelle chasse aux sorcières. Une lecture d'autant plus discutée que, parallèlement, certaines personnalités liées à d'anciens responsables, notamment de l'entourage de l'ex-Premier ministre Christian Ntsay, continuent d'occuper des fonctions au sein du gouvernement actuel.
Cette apparente sélectivité interroge sur la cohérence de la stratégie en cours. Entre volonté de renouvellement et règlements de comptes politiques, la frontière reste floue.
Reste désormais à savoir qui succédera à Edgard Razafindravahy. La décision appartient au Conseil des ministres de la COI. Madagascar proposera-t-il un nouveau candidat ou laissera-t-il émerger une autre nationalité, conformément au principe de rotation ? L'issue de cette désignation sera scrutée de près, tant elle pourrait révéler l'équilibre réel des influences dans la région.
-----
Eric Ouma: Kenyan nears return from injury, returns to Poland
Speedy Kenya national team Harambee Stars defender Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma is close to stepping on the grass again with the ball at his team Raków Częstochowa in Poland for the first time in nine months.
The 29-year-old left-back suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a training session with the Polish champions on 28 August 2025, denting a blow to his 2025-26 football season for both club and country.
Harambee Stars defender Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma is close to stepping on the grass again with the ball at his team Raków Częstochowa in Poland for the first time in nine months. pic.twitter.com/2NbBvJxci5
— Dennis Mabuka (@DennisMabu4694) April 7, 2026
‘Marcelo’ has been doing his recovery sessions in Nairobi but has now rejoined his club for further checks before getting a node for a return-to-play from Raków’s medical department.
‘I can start to train with the team’
Though he has ruled out featuring in competitive football this season, ‘Marcelo’ revealed the great news about his recovery journey.
“This week I am supposed to do the RTP (return to play tests). Everything will be assessed and hopefully I can start to train with the team and for sure, I am looking forward to the next season,” said Ouma.
“For this season, there are like eight games remaining and I have been out for more than seven months. You know I cannot just come back and start to play immediately since there are protocols that need to be followed.
“This means I have to understand what my body wants. The focus for me is for the next season.”
Ouma debuted for Kenya in 2016
The former Gor Mahia player has made 47 appearances for Raków Częstochowa since joining the club from Swedish side AIK in 2024.
He has scored one goal and provided six assists for Raków. Born in Awasi, Kisumu County, Ouma signed a six-month contract with Gor Mahia in January 2016, before renewing it until the end of the year during the summer.
Ouma left Gor Mahia at the end of his contract, going on to sign a six-month contract with Georgian club Kolkheti Poti in January 2017.
In February 2018 he moved to Albanian club KS Kastrioti, and by September 2018 he was playing for Swedish club Vasalund, for whom he made 22 appearances, scoring 2 goals.
Ouma made his international debut for Kenya in 2016, and was part of the squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.