Two Orlando Pirates players are feeling confident about the future. Sandile Mthethwa and Relebohile Mofokeng finished the Player Transition Programme.
ORLANDO PIRATES PLAYERS COMPLETE TRANSITION STUDIES
Mthethwa and Mofokeng were among the 2024 graduates via the Gordon Institute of Business. In case you’re wondering, the PSL Player Transition Programme addresses some of the longstanding concerns of financial insecurity among retiring footballers. The programe was created to empower players with essential skills for managing finances effectively and transitioning smoothly into new careers.
“Congratulations to Orlando Pirates players, Sandile Mthethwa and Relebohile Mofokeng on their recent graduation of the 2024 PSL Player Transition Programme,” the club announced.
“I think it is more of a balancing thing between football and education, I grew up on this for 5 years. I will keep on growing and learning. I learnt a lot about how to manage myself,” said Mofokeng via SABC.
“This was a good initiative, it started last year and this is a second group. It has been a wonderful experience not only for senior players as they transition toward retirement but it also includes youngsters,” the SuperSport United defender Thulani Hlatshwayo added.
STANLEY TSHABALALA SHOT
Staying with Pirates, the club announced some unfortunate news. Stanley Screamer Tshabalala was shot on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Pirates will return to action after the current FIFA international break. The team is unbeaten in 2024.
Post-Afcon 2023 has seen the Buccaneers go six matches without defeat. The year’s first match was a 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns at the Loftus Versveld on 17 February. The second game was a 6-0 bashing of third-division club Crystal Lake in the Nedbank Cup on 24 February at the Mbombela Stadium.
The result was followed by a 1-0 victory over Polokwane City in the DStv Premiership on 1 March at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
Pirates continued the unbeaten streak with a 1-1 draw at home to Cape Town Spurs. Three more points were earned with a 3-2 win in the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs. Monnapule Saleng stood out with a brace, while Thabiso Lebitso also added a screaming striker for his first goal in black. The result left Pirates in second position with 13 points behind leader Sundwns.
The last match saw Pirates beat Motsepe Foundation Championship side Hungry Lions 4-0 in the Nedbank Cup final 16. The Soweto giants will face AmaZulu away in Durban for the quarterfinal clash.
Pirates’ next match will be away in the Limpopo province. Jose Riveiro’s side will travel to Polokwane to take on Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on 30 March. The game will be on Saturday at 17:45.
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