Orlando Pirates manager Abdeslam Ouaddou has big tactical decisions to make as the club’s resurgence continues after a slow start to the season.
Tshepang Moremi scored a brace off the bench to help steer the Buccaneers to MTN8 glory.
Will he start subsequent matches in the league, though?
Bafana Bafana maestro moves to Greece
Likely Orlando Pirates XI vs Siwelele
Despite an encouraging start to the campaign, Tshepang Moremi could find himself on the bench again against Siwelele. Here’s a likely starting XI for the Sea Robbers:
Chaine, Lebitso, Seema, Mbokazi, Hotto; Nduli, Mbatha, Mbule; Appollis, Mabasa, Mofokeng.
Sundowns snap up R20 million Portuguese star as Ribeiro replacement
Mbokazi is coming of age at Orlando Pirates
5 March 2025 might go down as a big day in the history of the club. 20-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi made his Orlando Pirates debut, and we might look back on that as a huge watershed moment. It was a 1-0 win for Pirates and, fittingly, Mbokazi marked his bow with a clean sheet. It’s the first of many, and DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] head coach Joseph Makhanya has played a big role in his rise to prominence. Mbokazi has started subsequent matches against SuperSport in the Nedbank Cup (he scored the opener in a 2-2 draw, Pirates eventually prevailed on penalties) and against Stellenbosch in a 0-0 draw. Mbokazi was the man of the match in that thrilling cup tie against Matsatsantsa. He started and shone in Pirates’ superb 2-1 win over leaders Sundowns.
Fast-forward to 2025-2026, and the man who turned 20 last week is captaining Orlando Pirates in the absence of Nkosinathi Sibisi. He’s earned another big gong. He’s also already clocked up 28 matches for the Sea Robbers, including some clutch goals and assists.
“Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s outstanding start to the 2025/26 season has not gone unnoticed, with the hard-tackling centre back being named Player of the Month for August,” Orlando Pirates announced.