Orlando Pirates' shot-stopper, Melusi Buthelezi, remains resolute as he awaits his much-anticipated debut for the Buccaneers.

Orlando Pirates' shot-stopper, Melusi Buthelezi, remains resolute as he awaits his much-anticipated debut for the Buccaneers.
Buthelezi, who made the move from TS Galaxy during the off-season, is yet to take the field in the black and white jersey, with coach Jose Riveiro favouring Sipho Chaine as the custodian.
With the Buccaneers gearing up to face Comoros outfit Djabal in the CAF Champions League's first preliminary round at Stade de Moroni this Saturday, Buthelezi may finally get his shot.
"When I get my chance," Buthelezi asserted confidently in an interview with The Sowetan, "there's no turning back. It won't be an easy task for anyone to wrestle it from my grasp."
Reflecting on his previous tenure at TS Galaxy, Buthelezi recalled, "It was the same scenario there. The only thing that sidelined me was an injury. I'm a person who believes in myself, unafraid of challenges."
Speaking about the pressure associated with playing for the Pirates, Buthelezi acknowledged, "I understand that representing a team like Pirates comes with immense pressure from the passionate supporters. However, I'm not daunted by it."
Sipho Chaine currently holds the position of Pirates' number one choice goalkeeper, with Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane as alternatives.
"I'm simply grateful to be part of this squad," Buthelezi humbly added. "I know my opportunity will come. For now, Sipho is performing admirably, and I'm learning a lot from him, as well as from Siyabonga and Ofori."
Notably, Pirates have faced Djabal in the Champions League before, delivering a resounding 5-0 victory at home in February 2013 and following it up with a 4-0 win away in March 2013.

Orlando Pirates' Melusi Buthelezi confident in seizing debut opportunity

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Vodacom Soccer | News | Orlando Pirates' Melusi Buthelezi confident in seizing debut opportunity

Mason Mount's return from injury has come at a crucial time for Manchester United, with manager Ruben Amorim keen to integrate him into his preferred 3-4-2-1 system.

Amorim sees Mount as a strong fit for one of the two attacking midfield roles, drawing on his experience at Chelsea and with England.Mount made his comeback just before the international break, featuring in the matchday squad against Leicester City. He then played 12 minutes as a substitute in United's 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, his first appearance since 15 December.The midfielder almost marked his return with a goal, curling a shot just wide of Matz Sels's post shortly after replacing Joshua Zirkzee.Given his past injury concerns, Mount's minutes are being carefully managed.However, his availability is seen as a significant boost for Amorim, who is looking to implement his tactical approach in the closing months of the season."If you look at the history of Mason Mount, he played in this system many times, especially in Chelsea, he played left-hand, right-hand [side]," said Amorim, as quoted by the club's official website."So I think it's a very good position for him."United face a challenging run of fixtures in the next fortnight, including crucial clashes against Manchester City, Lyon, and Newcastle United.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Ruben Amorim: Mason Mount well-suited to number 10 role at Man Utd

Manchester City and the Premier League are gearing up for a fierce legal battle as the verdict in the Citizens' long-running financial fair play saga draws near, according to fresh reports. 

The outcome could shake up the top flight like never before.An independent commission kicked off proceedings in September last year, wrapping up in December after dissecting 115 charges leveled against Manchester City by the Premier League. The investigation first sparked to life back in 2018, but it wasn't until February 2023, after several legal hold-ups, that the charges were formally laid, and the matter was handed over to the commission.The accusations cut deep. Manchester City are alleged to have dodged rules requiring clubs to provide accurate financial details, everything from sponsorship deals to manager and player wages.They're also said to have flouted UEFA's financial regulations and the Premier League's own profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).On top of that, the league claims the Citizens didn't cooperate fully with their probe. The charges span every season from 2009-10 to 2022-23, a hefty chunk of their trophy-laden era.A decision is expected any day now, and according to The i Paper, it could "significantly change the race for the top five and even the relegation battle." Whispers around the football world suggest that if Manchester City are found guilty of the most serious breaches, they might face a points deduction so severe it could dump them into the relegation zone this season.But the drama doesn't stop there. The report warns of "legal warfare" on the horizon, with rival clubs potentially lining up to demand compensation if Manchester City are pinned down. Experts are calling it a "crazy situation" for the Premier League, predicting a flood of lawsuits that could rack up legal bills in the nine-figure range, hundreds of millions of pounds, if the charges stick.Carlos Hurtado, a sports lawyer with Baker McKenzie, told The i Paper the threat of compensation claims against Manchester City is "real and serious."He pointed to a separate case that's got everyone's attention: Burnley's upcoming bid to extract damages from Everton. The Clarets argue they deserve a payout for lost revenue after slipping into the Championship in 2022, a season when Everton breached PSR but stayed up.Hurtado admitted Burnley have a "compelling case," though proving it won't be easy. That hearing, set for this summer before a three-person panel, has Premier League clubs watching like hawks."It's possible the Burnley and Everton case could set a precedent," Hurtado said. "Clubs that feel they were disadvantaged by Manchester City's alleged breaches might seek compensation. Just like relegation, missing out on European spots or a higher league finish hits club revenues hard. Any claims would hinge on lost opportunities and cash due to rule-breaking."The stakes couldn't be higher. If Manchester City are hit with a guilty Verdict, the fallout could reshape the Premier League table and spark a legal firestorm.For now, fans and pundits alike are holding their breath, waiting for the commission to drop the hammer, or let the Citizens off the hook. Either way, football's heavyweights are ready for a fight.

Man City could face financial firestorm as FFP verdict nears

Real Madrid are set for a huge clash with Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg today, and Carlo Ancelotti has admitted the prospect of a final is lifting the club.

Speaking ahead of the tie, the Italian boss shared his thoughts on the mood as they prepare for their 50th match of a gruelling season, one that could hit 72 games if they reach the Club World Cup."We're in good shape," Ancelotti said. "The squad are buzzing, motivated, and fit. The South American lads are back from the international break, and we're excited about the chance to play in another final. In recent years, we've done well in the Copa."The veteran manager, no stranger to the demands of top-level football, also reflected on how the game has changed. "Things were different back in the day," he noted."The wear and tear wasn't as intense. Football's evolved, the way we prepare for matches, the injuries, it's all shifted. We've got to manage it and hope for an extra day here or there to recover and plan properly. This season's going to test us, but we're handling it well despite the injury setbacks."On the goalkeeper situation, Ancelotti kept his cards close to his chest. "Andriy Lunin or Thibaut Courtois could play tomorrow," he said with a wry smile. "If they're both injured, Fran Gonzalez will step up. And if we don't make the final, none of them will get a game!"One player who's caught the eye this season is young starlet Arda Guler. Ancelotti was full of praise for the teenager. "He's not worried, he's happy and training well," the boss said. "Whenever he gets a chance, he takes it. He's calm, and he's in the mix tomorrow because he's been brilliant in the cup."Competition for places at Real Madrid is famously fierce, and Ancelotti didn't shy away from that reality. "I do consider him," he said of Guler. "It's about a lot of factors. He's got everything except the lack of competition, and that's not a flaw. This club's history shows even the biggest stars have had to bide their time on the bench. Vinicius Junior waited a couple of years, Rodrygo Goes too, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, it's part of being at Real Madrid."The manager also had some advice for Kylian Mbappe, amid ongoing speculation about a future move. "If I could tell him anything, it's to match what Cristiano Ronaldo achieved here," Ancelotti said. "He's got the chance to become a legend like Cristiano."Another talking point was the impact of Castilla youngster Nico Paz, who's been turning heads. "He's made a real difference," Ancelotti admitted. "I don't know him too well, but I've got a fond memory from the 2014 final when I took a photo with him, he's Marcelo's lad, and Xabi Alonso's son. Seeing that snap resurface now is perfect. The whole club's excited about him. If he's got half his dad's quality, we've hit the jackpot!"Ancelotti also touched on the strain on his coaching staff. "Expanding the team… ours is pretty lean," he said. "I've got two assistants, some analysts, and a goalkeeping coach. We're thinking about it, but the real issue is time to prep for games. More staff wouldn't change the workload on the pitch, I don't think that's the answer."As for rivals Barcelona, Ancelotti was diplomatic but proud. "Barcelona play lovely football, while Real Madrid have their own high-quality style," he said. "I love how we play, and I enjoy watching Barcelona too. You can't really compare them, it's down to the players. Barcelona might play well, and people say we play badly, but I've loved how Real Madrid play for the last three years. It shifts with the squad, you can't always keep the same identity."The excitement's palpable as the Whites chase another trophy.

Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid eye another cup final

Arsenal are preparing for a crucial summer transfer window as they look to strengthen their squad following a challenging season.

With nine games remaining, the Gunners sit 12 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, making a title challenge increasingly unlikely.Mikel Arteta's side has struggled with attacking depth, largely due to injuries to key players such as Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus. As a result, Arsenal are prioritising reinforcements in the forward positions.A new striker is high on their agenda, with Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres, Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko all emerging as potential targets.Arsenal have lacked a consistent goal-scoring presence this season, and bringing in a prolific number nine could be crucial for their ambitions.In midfield, Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi is a key target, with Arsenal keen to add a composed, defensive-minded player to complement their existing options.Meanwhile, Athletic Club's Nico Williams is being considered to bolster the wide areas, providing much-needed cover and competition for Saka."It's going to be a big [summer] and we are very excited about it," Arteta told a press conference."When you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad and the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step."Every summer is big because it is an opportunity and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now that is necessary."But it's a big summer for many things because first of all we have to maintain the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team." &nbsp;