Orlando Pirates have officially announced Nkosinathi Sibisi as their new captain ahead of the start of the new season.
Sibisi takes over from Innocent Maela who recently retired from football to take up a non-playing role at the Sea Robbers.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Pirates said Sibisi will lead the team, and he will be assisted by both Tapelo Xoki and Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
Sibisi and Xoki are not new to these leadership positions as they held it down in Maela‘s absence in the previous campaigns.
For Mbokazi, though, this is new experience and a huge responsibility after he was handed the armband during one of the pre-season games in Spain.
ORLANDO PIRATES APPOINT SIBISI AS NEW CAPTAIN – FULL STATEMENT
“Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm the appointment of a new Captain and Vice-Captains ahead of the start of the 2025/26 season,” reads the statement.
“The position of captain has been vacant since the departure of long-serving defender Innocent Maela. Maela led from 2022 to date, having taken over from another stalwart and legend, Happy Jele.
“In keeping with club tradition, the appointment came directly from the players themselves through a confidential voting process.”
“Emerging as the team’s clear choice to wear the captain’s armband is defender Nkosinathi Sibisi.
“Speaking on his new captaincy announcement, Sibisi said: “It is truly an honour and privilege to be named captain of this great institution. It’s a responsibility that I accept and promise to fulfil the role in the best way I possibly can.”
“Sibisi will be assisted by Thapelo Xoki and Mbekezeli Mbokazi who have been named as Vice-Captains,” concluded the statement.
SIBISI AT THE HELM BUT WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF MBOKAZI’S INCLUSION IN THE LEADERSHIP?
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