
Orlando Pirates news: Saleng, Sibisi, Rhodes, Mokwena, Mofokeng
Orlando Pirates have an array of star players at their disposal, but not all are expected to remain in Soweto before next season commences.
Bloemhof baller Monnapule Saleng is one of the main doubtful following a six-month PSL hiatus that has had him sidelined since early December. The 27-year-old seems sure to leave this offseason.
Orlando Pirates will likely try their hardest to keep starboy Relebohile Mofokeng in Soweto, who has several giants after his signature, including Jose Riveiro's Al Ahly and Zamalek FC – the latter had an R25.8 million bid rejected earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the club will soon announce a new club captain following the release of Innocent Maela, with defender Nkosinathi Sibisi one of the favourites to take over armband duties, a rumour club legend Benedict Vilikazi approves, saying, 'Though it puzzles me why Pirates keep releasing their captains, I believe Nkosinathi Sibisi would be a perfect replacement for Maela.'
The Buccaneers have yet to name Riveiro's successor, but the latest signs point to former Mamelodi Sundowns manager Rulani Mokwena as being on their radar. The PSL winner recently rejected Egyptian giants Zamalek.
A player Orlando Pirates would love to lure is Cape Town City youngster Jaedin Rhodes:
'One of those reinforcements could be a long-time target, Jaedin Rhodes. Although the 22-year-old has endured an underwhelming season with Cape Town City, he remains a high priority on the Buccaneers' list,' a source said.
'The club [Orlando Pirates] has been met with resistance by City in previous attempts to lure Rhodes to Gauteng, but according to sources, will try once more in the upcoming window. Complicating matters will be the Citizens' peculiar situation.'
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The South African
37 minutes ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs to sign ex-Orlando Pirates duo?
Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly eyeing two former Orlando Pirates defenders in the next transfer period. The Buccaneers released several players this month, including Thabiso Monyane and Paseka Mako. According to SABC Sport, Amakhosi are close to finalising a deal with Monyane. The 25-year-old right-back spent 13 years with the Buccaneers, where he went on to make 95 appearances. With the signing of Deano van Rooyen, Monyane's gametime at Orlando Pirates was very limited. This week, he bid farewell to the club in an emotional message. 'Joining the institution at 12 to 25, this club has been my everything. I've grown as a player, but more importantly, as a person. I'm grateful for the trophies we've won, the memories we've created, and the friendships that will last a lifetime,' read part of the statement. 'To the fans, thank you for your unwavering support. Your cheers, chants, constructive criticism and passion fuelled me every step of the way. I'll never forget the electric atmosphere you created on match days. 'To the chairman, staff, technical team, and players, past and present, thank you for your hard work, dedication, and camaraderie. You've all played a role in shaping me into the player I am today. 'As I embark on my new journey, I'll carry the lessons, values, and memories from this club with me always. I'll be forever grateful for the opportunity to represent this amazing club and be part of its history.' Another former Orlando Pirates player rumoured to be moving to Chiefs is Paseko Mako. The utility player was released by the club after seven years with the Buccaneers. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Kwayiba and Cupido lead Bafana Bafana to a solid win against Mozambique
SINOXOLO Kwayiba and Ashley Cupido scored second half goals that helped Bafana Bafana beat Mozambique 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday night. South Africa's men's senior national team should have won the match by a much bigger margin such was their domination and numerous chances they created. Not that coach Hugo Broos would have complained, the victory, better than what transpired at the same venue on Friday when Bafana drew goalless against Tanzania. As he'd promised, Broos gave every player he selected a chance to play and Chippa United's Kwayiba scored his first goal in national team colours and even walked away with the Player-of-the-match award. His goal came three minutes after the break as he headed in a corner kick by Mohauu Nkota. Kwayiba could have scored a hat-trick actually as he incredulously side footed the ball way off target when Oswin Appolis set him up on 86 minutes. He'd also missed another on 21 minutes. Ashley Cupido made it 2-0 with his first goal for Bafana after ten appearances by just lobbing the ball into the open net after the Mozambique defence had given the ball away on the left side of their box. Nkota was again responsible for the assist. The match could well have been over as a contest by half time, such was the domination Bafana enjoyed and their ability to pierce the Mambas' defence open. The hosts had no less than seven shots on target at the break but they found Ivanne Urrubal in an uncompromising mood, the Mozambique goalkeeper playing a blinder. Relebohile Mofokeng could easily have had a first half hat-trick had it not been for the brilliance of the number one who plays his club football for Sombo in Mozambique. The Orlando Pirates star was in imperious form as he hovered around the top of the box, switching flanks and varying his attempts at goal – shooting from range, trying to dribble his way past defenders and getting into good position to receive passes. He had his initial chance on 17 minutes when he made a fantastic break to receive a through ball and watched in disbelief as Urrubal used his outstretched leg to block his low shot that was headed in. Later on the Mambas keeper stopped Mofokeng's shot from range but the young South African did not give up. Late in the half, he tested the keeper with a sweetly-struck high shot but Urrubbal was equal to the task, showing his agility to fling himself up and punch the ball away. There were chances for Kwayiba and Nkota on ten and 21 minutes respectively but Urrubal was uncompromising, ensuring the scores were level when the referee blew his whistle for the break Yet there was no way just one man was going to withstand such relentless pressure as what the goalkeeper endured and it was just a matter of time before Mozambique were breached. And it took just three minutes after the break for the resistance to crumble, Kwayiba heading in Nkota's corner almost unchallenged. The Pirates man could have made it 2-0 on 54 minutes but Urrubal again came to the Mambas' rescue with a good save pushing away Nkota's left-footed piledriver after he'd cut in from the right. Mozambique had one chance late on but Ricardo Leaner pulled off a fantastic save as Bafana left Broos smiling from ear to ear, confident that he now has a much larger pool of players to pick his squad from.

IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
Kwayiba and Cupido lead Bafana Bafana to a solid win against Mozambique
ASHLEY Cupido and Sinoxolo Kwayiba scored two second half goals as Bafana Bafana beat Mozambique in an International Friendly match at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday. | BackpagePix As he'd promised, Broos gave every player he selected a chance to play and Chippa United's Kwayiba scored his first goal in national team colours and even walked away with the Player-of-the-match award. Not that coach Hugo Broos would have complained, the victory, better than what transpired at the same venue on Friday when Bafana drew goalless against Tanzania. South Africa's men's senior national team should have won the match by a much bigger margin such was their domination and numerous chances they created. SINOXOLO Kwayiba and Ashley Cupido scored second half goals that helped Bafana Bafana beat Mozambique 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday night. His goal came three minutes after the break as he headed in a corner kick by Mohauu Nkota. Kwayiba could have scored a hat-trick actually as he incredulously side footed the ball way off target when Oswin Appolis set him up on 86 minutes. He'd also missed another on 21 minutes. Ashley Cupido made it 2-0 with his first goal for Bafana after ten appearances by just lobbing the ball into the open net after the Mozambique defence had given the ball away on the left side of their box. Nkota was again responsible for the assist. The match could well have been over as a contest by half time, such was the domination Bafana enjoyed and their ability to pierce the Mambas' defence open. The hosts had no less than seven shots on target at the break but they found Ivanne Urrubal in an uncompromising mood, the Mozambique goalkeeper playing a blinder. Relebohile Mofokeng could easily have had a first half hat-trick had it not been for the brilliance of the number one who plays his club football for Sombo in Mozambique. The Orlando Pirates star was in imperious form as he hovered around the top of the box, switching flanks and varying his attempts at goal – shooting from range, trying to dribble his way past defenders and getting into good position to receive passes. He had his initial chance on 17 minutes when he made a fantastic break to receive a through ball and watched in disbelief as Urrubal used his outstretched leg to block his low shot that was headed in. Later on the Mambas keeper stopped Mofokeng's shot from range but the young South African did not give up. Late in the half, he tested the keeper with a sweetly-struck high shot but Urrubbal was equal to the task, showing his agility to fling himself up and punch the ball away. There were chances for Kwayiba and Nkota on ten and 21 minutes respectively but Urrubal was uncompromising, ensuring the scores were level when the referee blew his whistle for the break Yet there was no way just one man was going to withstand such relentless pressure as what the goalkeeper endured and it was just a matter of time before Mozambique were breached. And it took just three minutes after the break for the resistance to crumble, Kwayiba heading in Nkota's corner almost unchallenged. The Pirates man could have made it 2-0 on 54 minutes but Urrubal again came to the Mambas' rescue with a good save pushing away Nkota's left-footed piledriver after he'd cut in from the right. Mozambique had one chance late on but Ricardo Leaner pulled off a fantastic save as Bafana left Broos smiling from ear to ear, confident that he now has a much larger pool of players to pick his squad from.