Five Bafana Bafana Stars vying for Orlando Pirates Player of the Month Award

Orlando Pirates have officially unveiled the nominees for their Player of the Month award for November/December, following a remarkable run of form that saw the Buccaneers lift the Carling Knockout Cup and maintain impressive consistency in the league.

With only one fixture played in December, this edition of the award spans performances across both months. Under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, the team recorded five wins and one draw in six matches, scoring ten goals, conceding just two, and keeping four clean sheets. The highlight was the 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Cup final.

AFCON 2025 Connection

Adding extra significance to this month’s nominations, five of the six nominees have been named in the Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming AFCON 2025 tournament. Their inclusion underlines the strength of Pirates’ current squad and the impact these players are making both domestically and on the international stage.

The Nominees

Sipho Chaine The goalkeeper has been a rock at the back, keeping four clean sheets and conceding only two goals. His consistency has earned him a place in the AFCON 2025 squad.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi At just 20 years old, Mbokazi continues to impress with mature performances. His defensive solidity has been rewarded with a call-up to Bafana Bafana.
Thabiso Lebitso The right-back has quietly delivered immense consistency, combining tireless running with disciplined defending. Lebitso’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, as he joins the national team for AFCON.
Tshepang Moremi Moremi’s energy and willingness to take responsibility in key moments have made him a standout. His growing influence has also secured him a spot in the AFCON squad.
Oswin Appollis Returning to the nominees list, Appollis contributed three goal involvements during this period. His attacking flair has been rewarded with national team recognition.
Relebohile Mofokeng After a month on the sidelines, Mofokeng returned with immediate impact, including scoring the winner in the Carling Knockout Cup final. While not in the AFCON squad, his performances remain crucial for Pirates.