Makhehleni Makhaula’s reported exit from Orlando Pirates may have substance.
According to the leading Buccaneers insider Innoncent Mkhize on X, the club are set to meet with Hlangabeza’s representatives.
The agenda will be the 23-year-old’s move to the Sea Robbers from Usuthu as a potential Makhaula replacement.
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ORLANDO PIRATES INTEREST IN SIYANDA HLANGABEZA
In the same report, Mkhize reminded his followers that he was the first to break Tshepang Moremi’s move from AmaZulu to Orlando Pirates in May 2025.
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Hlangabeza has been a key figure in Usuthu’s current fourth-place league position with three Man of the Match awards in his 21 appearances in AmaZulu’s 29 games.
Notably, Hlangabeza was not selected to play in both home and away games against Orlando Pirates this season despite being a regular under coach Arthur Zwane.
His profile also offers modern defensive midfield qualities that are attractive to Orlando Pirates. Unlike more traditional ball-winning midfielders such as Makhehleni Makhaula, the highly-rated Sihle Nduli and Abdoulaye Mariko, Hlangabeza brings added ability to dribble, drive forward and carry the ball through midfield areas.
That type of defensive midfielder can transform a team’s build-up play by breaking opposition lines. They create overloads higher up the pitch. They turn defensive recoveries into quick attacking transitions, qualities that could make Hlangabeza a valuable target for Orlando Pirates.
THREE SEASONS IN THE BETWAY PREMIERSHIP
Hlangabeza’s football development started in KwaZulu-Natal. He came through the youth ranks at AmaZulu after initially spending time in the development structures of Lamontville Golden Arrows.
He got his senior breakthrough ahead of the 2023/24 season after earning promotion to AmaZulu’s first team, making his professional debut in August 2023 at the age of 20.
To gain regular minutes and continue his development, he was loaned to Durban City in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. The move proved beneficial as he became an important figure during the club’s remarkable promotion campaign. He featured in 21 matches as they secured a place in the top flight.
His performances during the loan spell convinced AmaZulu to bring him back for the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign under Arthur Zwane, where he quickly established himself as a regular starter.
Orlando Pirates and AmaZulu also have an established transfer relationship in recent years. Since 2022, three players have made the move from Usuthu to the Buccaneers, namely Tapelo Xoki, Makhehleni Makhaula and Tshepang Moremi.
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF ORLANDO PRIATES’ REPORTED INTEREST IN HIM?
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