Orlando Pirates News Today: Rele shines abroad, transfers, Ouaddou lauded & more

Latest Orlando Pirates news, including Relebohile Mofokeng’s impressive debut for Union Saint-Gilloise, Abdeslam Ouaddou defended and much more.

Rele impresses in first game for USG

Relebohile Mofokeng got his first minutes in the colours of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on Saturday afternoon, managing 30 minutes under his belt in his first appearance for the Belgian outfit.

Relebohile Mofokeng’s assist for RUSG in the 3–3 draw vs PSV Eindhoven. 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/PRnC67RJyF

— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) July 18, 2026

The former Orlando Pirates star officially joined up with his new teammates this week to begin preparations for the new season. Union locked horns with Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, playing two matches of 75 minutes, with the first game ending 3-3 with Mofokeng providing the assist for the Belgian side’s third goal.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder had shone brightly for Orlando Pirates in the 2025/26 season, netting 10 goals and providing 8 assists in 27 starts. His creativity, dribbling prowess and vision made him a fan favourite at Orlando Stadium and he will be looking to do the same in Belgium.

How Riveiro dealt with the back-three at Pirates

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm has revealed how former coach Jose Riveiro solved the problems of playing with a back-three — a system that proved equally difficult for Bafana Bafana to execute at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Timm recalled how Riveiro also started his reign at Pirates with a similar back-three formation but recognised early in the season that it was not going to work. “I remember clearly, because that’s the system he brought from where he was, he built his philosophy around that (back three). I think we did adapt to what he wanted but I remember clearly it didn’t work, we struggled,” he told KickOff.

“I think we lost to Chippa (United) at Orlando (Stadium), I think Daine (Klate) was coaching, it was exciting because there were new players but I think he was smart enough to realise, that ‘the way I’m doing it, it’s not gonna work’ and so he adjusted accordingly.”

Ouaddou earns praise for Orlando Pirates loyalty

Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Innocent Mayoyo has jumped to the defence of the club’s head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou amid speculation linking him away from the Soweto giants.

While he has insisted that he is at Pirates to stay, Ouaddou has still been linked to North African clubs, something that has not gone down well with a section of fans but Mayoyo feels it is unfair of the coach.

“The interest from North Africa should not [lead people to] question the coach’s commitment, especially if the interest is in those levels. Also, he might not be the one who approaches those interested teams… it could be the other way around,” he said as per KickOff.

“Remember, there is a lot of speculations in this business. So far, Ouaddou hasn’t done anything to make me question him. He might have said what he said at the end of last season, but he was tired due to the hectic season he had, so did need a rest.”