Orlando Pirates News Today: Mbokazi wins Man of the Match, best way to beat Bucs revealed & more

Here is the latest news about Orlando Pirates, including the starring role of Mbekezeli Mbokazi for Chicago Fire, the Bucs trio leading the PSL assist chats and secret weapon against the Soweto giants.

Follow Orlando Pirates News live here:

Best way to beat Pirates?

Richards Bay coach Papi Zothwane has explained why he feels his side nearly came out with three points against Orlando Pirates on Friday.

The Natal Rich Boyz were heartbroken to draw 2-2 after taking the lead twice but Zothwane believes the only way they felt they had a chance was to aim many shots at Pirates’ goal, perhaps a tactic that other teams might now apply against the Buccaneers.

"𝕀𝕥’𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕪 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖𝕤 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝕘𝕖𝕥𝕤 𝕥𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕥𝕤." 🗣️

Sipho Chaine has been a wall for Orlando Pirates this season, but Papi Zothwane found the "Off" switch.

Zothwane’s instructions were simple: TEST HIM. "We emphasized to the players… pic.twitter.com/b7QWa7pb6A

— Mthokozisi Dube (@dube_mthoko) April 11, 2026

“Playing Pirates, you will not get many shots but that is one thing that we have always emphasised. We must take shots from any angle and that is what we did and got goals. It is something we practiced in training and it worked.”

Orlando Pirates: The assist kings of PSL

Orlando Pirates players are ranked top when it comes to the most assists in the PSL this season.

After 24 games, Pirates’ Deon Hotto leads the assists chart as per Transfermarkt with eight, followed by teammates Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appolis, who have six each.

Golden Arrows duo Thokozani Khumalo and Siyanda Ndlovu, Keletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune United) and Devin Titus of Stellenbosch FC are on five each.

Ex-Bucs favourite Mbokazi stars for MLS club

𝐌𝐛𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐳𝐢 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐟𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐠𝐨 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐬👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Mbekezeli Mbokazi made a CRUCIAL safe OFF the line as his club Chicago Fire 🔥 won 1-0 & their 3rd straight win.

Ao TLB Madoda 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦#AfricanFootball #TLB #BafanaBafana 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/KOMQVBwsrP

— Karabo Selebalo Phasha (@TheeSportsGuy01) April 12, 2026

Former Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi was the star of the show as MSL club Chicago Fire secured a 1-0 win over Atlanta on Sunday morning, their third straight victory.

Mbokazi was named Man of the Match with a Sofascore rating of 8.7, higher than any of his teammates, for his defensive contributions that included key blocks that maintained his side’s lead.

It is the fourth clean sheet in seven games for Mbokazi, who has started all matches since his switch to Chicago from Pirates.