Orlando Pirates have dropped a major surprise ahead of the 2025/2026 season by naming Katlego Otladisa in their official 34-man squad, a move that defies widespread expectations of his departure.
The pacey winger, who spent the last campaign on loan at Sekhukhune United, had been tipped to leave the Soweto giants permanently. However, his inclusion on the club’s website now signals a dramatic twist in his Buccaneers journey.
Ouaddou keeps faith as attacking depth grows
Otladisa’s return comes under the new leadership of head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who appears to have handed the 27-year-old a final opportunity to stake his claim.
While the competition remains fierce , with the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, and Tshepang Moremi all pushing for game time. ‘Dox’ still finds himself in the mix.
“Otladisa faces an uphill battle to cement his place,” but his selection proves that Ouaddou hasn’t closed the door just yet.
Can Pirates star rise to the occasion?
Otladisa must now convert potential into performance. He has built a reputation for explosive pace and sharp dribbling ability, but he still needs to deliver consistent performances to firmly establish himself at Pirates.
Otladisa will shape his own future by how he responds to this fresh opportunity. With every performance likely to influence his place in the squad. As the Orlando Pirates’ pre-season intensifies, supporters and coaches alike place the spotlight firmly on Otladisa. Eager to see whether he can rise to the challenge and secure his place in the team.
Can he impress the new technical team and carve out a consistent role in a squad loaded with attacking talent?
Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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