Thabiso Lebitso joined Orlando Pirates in January 2024 from Chippa United, relatively unknown at the time.
He quickly earned his place in the starting eleven, thanks to the support of former Bucs coach Jose Riveiro.
After spending five years at Chippa, he adapted swiftly to the star-studded Pirates team that was pursuing both the league title and the Nedbank Cup.
Lebitso’s standout moment came on March 9, 2024, when he scored a stunning goal against rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby.
His team emerged victorious with a 3-2 win, claiming bragging rights and making him an instant fan favourite with his long-range shot.
“It’s a really great feeling to score a goal because, as a midfielder or even a defender, you don’t often get the chance to score. So, scoring is one of the highlights of my career, and it’s a great feeling,” Lebitso told SuperSport after the thrilling derby.
In the following matches, the right-back continued to impress, earning praise from fans for his work rate, defending, and speed. However, just as he seemed to have secured his spot ahead of Bandile Shandu and Thabiso Monyane, the 28-year-old suffered a long-term injury that sidelined him for the entire season.
Last season, Thabiso Lebitso managed to play only twice
The 2024/25 season was particularly challenging for the former TUT right-back. He participated in only two CAF Champions League matches before another injury kept him off the field for the remainder of the season.
With the signings of Deano van Rooyen and Tshepo Mashiloane, it seemed that Lebitso’s time at Orlando Pirates might be coming to an end.
In August, Pirates shared an image of the right-back training with the team ahead of their CAF Champions League preliminary round, which excited many Bucs fans eager to see him back in action.
With Van Rooyen injured and Shandu and Mashiloane not convincing new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, Lebitso was given an opportunity to prove himself. He rose to the occasion, showcasing his talent. Since his return to the starting eleven, Lebitso has played a total of six matches this season and has become the first-choice right-back.
After winning fans’ hearts back in March 2024, he has repaid their faith with consistently strong performances.