Orlando Pirates News Today: Three new stars at Bucs! Transfer updates and more

Latest Orlando Pirates news in the last 24 hours, including Abdeslam Ouaddou’s stance on three stars who are with the senior team, how new signings are adapting and more.

Xoki delighted with new signings

Orlando Pirates vice-captain Tapelo Xoki has discussed how the club’s new signings are settling in as their pre-season preparations continue.

The Buccaneers are in Spain for a training camp as they prepare for the 2026/27 campaign, looking to defend the historic treble they won last season.

"So far so good, you know that our group is a welcoming one, the players make you comfortable. They must try, themselves to quickly get used to being around the guys in the team."

Orlando Pirates vice-captain Tapelo Xoki has discussed how the club's new signings are settling in… pic.twitter.com/4wP6tjgNim
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) July 18, 2026

They have welcomed several new players ahead of the new season, including Neo Rapoo, Matome Mmolai, Mthetheleli Mthiyane, Sbangani Zulu, Ghampani Lungu, and Bohlale Ngwato.

Xoki said the new players have integrated well into the team, adding that the senior players are helping them settle in quickly.

“So far so good, you know that our group is a welcoming one, the players make you comfortable. They have come to the group that’s almost at the same age as them. So, they won’t be scared,” he told Pirates TV.

“A lot of guys are their peers, ours is to guide them here and there. We’re going to help them where we can. But also, they must try, themselves to quickly get used to being around the guys in the team.

“Preparation is going well. I think time we spent together so far with the guys things have gone well on and off the field. It showed in the last game we played that the gap is not that big between us the older players and new players.

“So I think that’s an important thing and it will help us a lot this season.”

Three stars set for Pirates’ senior team duties

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has identified three standout stars from the club’s DDC title-winning side who have caught his eye as they gear up for the new campaign in Spain.

Speaking from Spain, the former English Premier League defender unpacked the immense qualities of Christian Derbyshire, Mpho Padime, and Simphiwe Masilela, declaring the three starlets as central to the Buccaneers’ ongoing legacy of unleashing elite, refined youth talent into the professional ranks.

In recent seasons, Pirates have produced youngsters who have gone on to take South African football by storm Relebohile Mofokeng, Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Mohau Nkota were promoted from the DDC into the Buccaneers’ first team and are all now turning out for overseas clubs.

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has identified three standout stars from the club's DDC title-winning side who have caught his eye as they gear up for the new campaign in Spain.#FARPost https://t.co/JPpa3feO5w
— FARPost (@FARPostZA) July 17, 2026

Ouaddou says the club is continuing with what he says is a culture of refining raw talent into professional footballers by promoting Derbyshire, Padime and Masilela, whose qualities he waxes lyrical about.

“I think it’s a process of the club. Pirates are well known for giving chances to young players, and we have a lot of examples like Nkota, Mofokeng and Mbokazi,” Ouaddou said on SuperSportBET.

“So, we would like to continue with this culture, this legacy. We try to bring some players with us. We try to improve them and give them some game time because it’s important for them to play at a high level. It’s what we want.

“If I have to tell you who has impressed me, it’s three of them. We have Chris, and I think he has a bright future. He has a lot of qualities,” Ouaddou said.

“We can take Padime as well. He is a young player who has a lot of qualities in one-on-one situations; he can dribble past anybody. But at the same time, we have to teach them about when they have to carry the ball and eliminate and when they have to be simpler in the heart of the game.

“Of course, Masilela is brave as well. He has a good touch, and he is very powerful. He can imbalance a defence.

“But again, we have to teach him when to place the ball, when to carry the ball, because he is playing in one area where there is a lot of play, and you need to make quick decisions. An area where you need to scan and know before receiving the ball what you are going to do with the ball. So, it’s very important,” he concluded.