Orlando Pirates have brought in a raft of new players and shown the door to several fringe operators before their Betway Premiership title charge.
Pirates completed transfers
- Gilberto, 23, right winger, R11.1 million from Petro de Luanda
- Deano van Rooyen, 27, right-back, R7 million from Stellenbosch
- Thalente Mbatha, 24, central midfielder, R7 million from SuperSport
- Selaelo Rasebotja, 23, right-sided midfielder, free transfer from SuperSport
- Thuso Moleleki, 24, playmaker, free transfer from Orbit College
- Azola Tshobeni, 22, attacking midfielder, returns from loan
- Goodman Mosele, 24, central midfielder, returns from loan
- Boitumelo Radiopane, 22, striker, returns from loan
- Sphamandla Gumede, goalkeeper, returns from loan
- Siyabonga Dladla, goalkeeper, promoted from the youth side
- Mohau Nkota, right winger, promoted from the youth side
Confirmed exits
Katlego Otladisa is expected to be the latest player offloaded by Pirates. Here is their full list of exits so far:
- Souiabou Marou
- Fortune Makaringe
- Siyabonga Mpontshane
- Richard Ofori
- Kermit Erasmus
- Thabang Monare
- Vincent Pule
- Azola Matrose
- Siphelo Baloni
- Lesedi Kapinga
Is there a surprise in store on Deadline Day?
There have been some wild rumours that Pirates could hijack Chiefs’ proposed move for Bafana Bafana winger Oswin Appollis. We’ll see about that.
Betway Premiership title charge is underway
Bucs league charge is underway
Orlando Pirates have become cup specialists under Jose Riveiro but they’re desperate to clinch a first league crown since 2012 when they won their second Betway Premiership crown on the trot. They have a delayed start because of fixture congestion across MTN8 and Caf Champions League involvement but got off to a winning start by coming from behind to beat Chippa 2-1 in a match where club skipper Innocent Maela made his 200th appearance. The Pirates goals came via a first-half stoppage time penalty from Tshegofatso Mabasa and a late 95th-minute clincher from Monnapule Saleng. Those goals cancelled out a stunning volley by former Pirates man Andile Jali. The next three assignments are as follows:
- Pirates vs AmaZulu, Friday, 25 October, Orlando Stadium, 19:30
- Pirates vs Polokwane City, Tuesday, 24 September, Orlando Stadium, 15:00
- Richards Bay vs Pirates, Sunday, 29 September, King Zwelithini Stadium, 15:00
Where will Pirates finish in the league this season?
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Orlando Pirates finished the 2023-2024 DStv Premiership campaign in second place, earning a spot in the 2024-2025 Caf Champions League. Jose Riveiro’s team also won two major honours, beating Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup and MTN8 finals. Riveiro’s mandate will be to dethrone Sundowns and deliver the first top-flight league title for the Buccaneers fans since 2012.
