Orlando Pirates News Today: Appollis remains abroad, transfer updates & more

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Orlando Pirates News Today: Appollis remains abroad, transfer updates & more
Photo - AF ZA

Latest from Orlando Pirates in the last 24 hours, including Oswin Appollis missing as Bafana Bafana return home, Bandile Shandu’s next move, and more.

Appollis joining Mofokeng out of Pirates?

Interesting developments surrounding Bafana Bafana’s return from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

While the rest of the squad has touched down at the OR Tambo International this morning, Oswin Appollis and Rele Mofokeng did not return with the team.

Shandu’s next move after Bucs’ exit

Prosport International agent Mike Makaab has opened up on Bandile Shandu’s next move, revealing that talks are at an advanced stage for the versatile right-back to join Durban City FC.

Shandu’s departure from Pirates brought an end to a successful five-season spell, having originally joined the club in July 2021. Interestingly, the utility star signed with the Sea Robbers from Maritzburg United—the very club that rebranded as Durban City FC in 2024 while competing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Having returned to the South African top-flight at the start of last season, Durban City enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 campaign, winning the Nedbank Cup and securing a top-eight finish in the league. As Durban City aim to consolidate their place in the Premiership and challenge for more domestic silverware, they have earmarked Shandu as a priority signing.

Bandile Shandu Orlando Pirates
Image – Pirates

“For Bandile Shandu, we are close to concluding a deal with Durban City. Talks are at an advanced stage, and we are hoping to finalise everything during the course of this week,” Makaab told FARPost.

Ncikazi and Komphela lauded

Kaizer Chiefs legend Brian Baloyi has hailed Mandla Ncikazi and Steve Komphela’s impacts at Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, respectively.

Ncikazi has been an assistant coach at Pirates since 2021 and helped them win domestic trophies alongside Jose Riveiro and also the treble that included the Betway Premiership title this past season with Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Komphela on the other hand is enjoying a second stint with the Brazilians which started in 2024 having left for one campaign to coach Golden Arrows.

“Our reality is that you always need someone local on that bench,” Baloyi told iDiski Times.

“Mandla Ncikazi is playing a very crucial role at [Orlando] Pirates, and people are not taking notice. I have noticed that in the last few years, and that man is doing a brilliant job there.

“Of course, it is natural that when the club wins and the club is doing well, the head coach is the one who gets all the flowers. He’s the head, it’s natural. But some of us see and notice the good work that Mandla’s doing.

Mandla Ncikazi and Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando Pirates
Mandla Ncikazi and Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando Pirates. Photo: Orlando Pirates

“Also at Sundowns, there’s Steve Komphela. The work that he does there is very important.

“Because all of the stuff about the human side of coaching, when the head is someone that does not come here, someone who does not understand our culture and all of that, this is the role that these men I’m talking about are able to play.”

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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