Latest news with #PSL
Eyewitness News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Veteran sports broadcaster Phumlani 'Mr Versatile' Msibi dies at 57
JOHANNESBURG - The sporting fraternity is mourning the loss of veteran football broadcaster and boxing commentator Phumlani Msibi, who has passed away at the age of 57. Media house SuperSport confirmed his death. It's understood he died after a short illness. The Durban-born storyteller known for his iconic line, 'Coach, thoughts please?', made history as SuperSport's first isiZulu-English boxing commentator, and became a beloved football anchor following the Premier Soccer League (PSL) broadcast deal in 2007. Dubbed 'Mr Versatile', he was a fixture on shows like Soccer Africa and Mzansi Legends , and was celebrated for his insight, humility and passion.
The South African
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
Julius Malema's EFF pays tribute to commentator Phumlani Msibi
Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has posted its condolences to the family and friends of sports anchor Phumlani Msibi. Msibi passed away on Friday at the age of 57 after a short illness. He was a renowned football and boxing commentator and presenter, best known for his phrase 'Coach, thoughts please?' The EFF's social media post read: 'The EFF sends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of legendary sports anchor Phumulani Msibi following his passing. May his soul rest in eternal peace.' Born on 15 December 1967 in Durban, Phumlani Msibi was a passionate and supremely talented storyteller, with a penchant for live football and boxing commentary and analysis. In his decades-long and storied broadcasting career, his iconic phrase, 'Coach, thoughts please?' upped the intrigue for viewers in post-match interviews and became iconic in the football fraternity. He started at SuperSport as a ring announcer with the late boxing promoter, Mzi Mnguni, in the late 1990s before becoming a seasoned boxing commentator, becoming the first to commentate in isiZulu and English on the sports broadcaster. Msibi soon embedded himself in the football sphere, becoming one of the faces and voices of football on SuperSport following the acquisition of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) broadcast rights in 2007. This proved a pivotal point in his career, whereby Msibi grew his repertoire, immersing himself in all things football on SuperSport, whether live or on magazine programming. His clever use of language, whether isiZulu or English, endeared him to viewers across the continent, while his humility made his interviewees comfortable in front of camera. He became SuperSport's 'Mr Versatile', featuring on popular football magazine shows, Super Saturday and Soccer Africa, as well as doing his bespoke storytelling through 'Mzansi Legends', where he interviewed people such as Dr Irvin Khoza, the PSL and Orlando Pirates chairman; Dr Kaizer Motaung senior, chairman of Kaizer Chiefs; the late Thomas Madigage and many other legendary football personalities. As synonymous as he was with football and boxing, Msibi also punched above his weight when it came to horse racing. SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha paid tribute to Msibi: 'Msibi was one of the most beloved sports commentators SuperSport has ever had. He had a reputation as an outstanding professional, well-respected by his peers and colleagues and a respected family man. 'On behalf of SuperSport and the MultiChoice family, we'd like to express our heartfelt condolences to the Msibi family following this great loss. Msibi's loss will be felt not just by the broadcaster and football fraternity but by the whole sporting community at large. We are gravely saddened by his passing.' Before joining SuperSport, Msibi honed his broadcast skills with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. Post your condolences below, by … ? Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
a day ago
- Sport
- The South African
'I don't want to see him in the PSL again' – Mofokeng's father
Relebohile Mofokeng's father Sechaba Mofokeng, says his desire is to his son leave the Premier Soccer League (PSL) ahead of the 2025/26 season, The 20-year-old is no doubt one of the best players in the league. With two seasons under his belt, Mofokeng has enough experience to play in the big league in Europe, His father feel the winger is ready having already earned a handful of caps for Bafana Bafana. 'My biggest wish is to see Rele overseas in 2025/2026,' Mofokeng's father quoted by Soccer Laduma . I'm praying every day. I don't want to see him in the Betway Premiership again this season. I know God will answer my prayers.' When asked which league he wants his son to play for, Mofokeng Snr felt the Pirates winger was ready to play in Europe's top leagues. 'Anywhere. Spain, England, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, and Switzerland – Rele can play. I believe that with all my heart. Take him to Barcelona? He can play. PSG? He can play. Any country. I'll be happy – but not Saudi Arabia,' he added. 'Not yet. He's still young. He needs to compete in Uefa competitions. If he goes to Saudi Arabia now, he won't experience that. Yes, he'd be rich – but happiness is more important. You can have all the money in the world, but if you're not happy, it's worthless.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
How do Mamelodi Sundowns' social media followers stack up to Orlando Pirates'?
Mamelodi Sundowns have hogged the headlines in recent weeks – and years – following their eighth-consecutive PSL title in the 2024/25 season. More recently, plenty of airtime has been given to the Tshwane giants, particularly related to their participation in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup – and the amount of money Masandawana have banked. Both their PSL and Club World Cup success must surely be making Orlando Pirates and their supporters green with envy. While Mamelodi Sundowns are most definitely 'winning' on the field and in terms of their bank balance, how do their number of social media followers stack up against the Buccaneers? Here's a look at which club has more followers on Facebook, X and Instagram: Social media Mamelodi Sundowns Orlando Pirates Facebook 2.7 million 4.4 million X 1 223 979 2 134 390 Instagram 1 049 322 908 877 TOTAL 4 973 301 7 443 267 As can clearly be seen, Orlando Pirates remain tops when it comes to online supporters – although they may want to work on their number of Instagram fans. One is pretty sure that Orlando Pirates' management would happily swap their social media advantage for another PSL title – or participation in the next edition of the FIFA Club World Cup in 2029. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
2 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
How do Mamelodi Sundowns' social media fans compare to Kaizer Chiefs'?
Mamelodi Sundowns have hogged the headlines in recent weeks – and years – following their eighth-consecutive PSL title in the 2024/25 season. More recently, plenty of airtime has been given to Masandawana, particularly related to their participation in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup – and the amount of money the Tshwane giants have banked. Both their PSL and Club World Cup success must be making once-mighty Kaizer Chiefs and their supporters green with envy. While Mamelodi Sundowns are most definitely 'winning' on the field and in terms of their bank balance, how do their number of social media followers stack up against Kaizer Chiefs? Here's a look at which club has more followers on Facebook, X and Instagram: Social media Mamelodi Sundowns Kaizer Chiefs Facebook 2.7 million 5.1 million X 1 223 979 3 136 352 Instagram 1 049 322 1 102 781 TOTAL 4 973 301 9 339 133 As can clearly be seen, Amakhosi remain tops when it comes to online supporters – although the gap in Instagram is interestingly close. Pretty sure Kaizer Chiefs' management would happily swap their social media advantage for another PSL title – or participation in the next edition of the FIFA Club World Cup in 2029. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
