Orlando Pirates could part ways with at least five players by the end of the current season.
The Buccaneers signed close to 15 new players at the start of this campaign as they aimed to challenge for the Betway Premiership title and domestic cup honours. However, after their early exit from the CAF Champions League in the preliminary round, the team’s focus has shifted solely to domestic competitions.
Having won seven of their opening ten league matches, Pirates are among the favourites to lift the title in May. Last season, they came close but ultimately fell short, allowing rivals Mamelodi Sundowns to claim an eighth consecutive league crown.
Regardless of how this season unfolds, several experienced Orlando Pirates players could be shown the door when the campaign concludes.
Tapelo Xoki
Xoki has struggled for game time under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and seems unlikely to feature regularly going forward. With Lebone Seema and Mbekezeli Mbokazi keeping captain Nkosinathi Sibisi out of the starting lineup, Xoki has effectively become the fourth-choice centre-back.
Olisa Ndah
The Nigerian defender has not featured for the Buccaneers in nearly two years and appears destined to leave at season’s end. With Xoki, Sibisi, and Thabiso Sesane all ahead of him in the pecking order, Ndah’s chances of reclaiming a spot look increasingly slim.
Mabasa could leave Orlando Pirates due to frustration
Tshegofatso Mabasa
Despite netting four goals this season, Mabasa has found himself sidelined in favour of Evidence Makgopa and Yanela Mbuthuma. Should he surpass Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi’s all-time scoring record at Pirates, the 28-year-old striker could seek a fresh challenge elsewhere.
Bandile Shandu
Shandu has failed to impress when given opportunities this season. The emergence of Thabiso Lebitso, Kamogelo Sebelebele, and Deano van Rooyen has pushed him down the right-back hierarchy. A January departure would not come as a surprise.
Monnapule Saleng
The speedy winger is currently on loan to Orbit College. He has had a fallout with Orlando Pirates last season and it remains to be seen if he would return to the club after his loan spell ends in May.
