Orlando Pirates News: Mistake to let star leave? Transfer updates & more

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Orlando Pirates News: Mistake to let star leave? Transfer updates & more

The latest Orlando Pirates news, in the last 24 hours, including Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s probable Bafana Bafana blow, Cedric Kaze on Melusi Buthelezi and more.

Mbokazi’s Bafana Bafana blow?

Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi faces two months out after tearing his thigh in training at Chicago Fire, ruling him out of the MLS All-Star Game where he received more fan votes than Lionel Messi.

“It’s serious. He took a shot in training, hit the ground a little bit, scuffed the ground, and ended up tearing his thigh. It is a miss,” said Fire coach Gregg Berhalter as per SuperSport.

The 20-year-old is now a doubt for September’s AFCON qualifier against Guinea.

Give Sibisi the Defender of the Season Award!

Former Orlando Pirates captain Mbulelo Oldjohn Mabizela has picked Nkosinathi Sibisi as his defender of the season.

Sibisi is nominated alongside his teammate Lebone Seema and Mamelodi Sundowns right-back Khuliso Mudau.

Kaze on Buthelezi’s impact

Sekhukhune United head coach Cedric Kaze has delivered his assessment of the club’s new signing, Melusi Buthelezi, following the goalkeeper’s impressive performances in the inaugural Mafori Cup on Saturday.

Babina Noko were crowned champions of the 2026 pre-season tournament after securing a 1-0 victory over Magesi FC in the final at Seshego Stadium, just outside Polokwane.

To reach the final, Sekhukhune beat Polokwane City 1-0 in the opening match of the competition’s semi-finals.

Buthelezi featured in both encounters and kept back-to-back clean sheets to help his new club secure the silverware.

The 28-year-old shot-stopper joined Sekhukhune recently following a three-year stint with Orlando Pirates.

His exit from the Sea Robbers came as a surprise, given that Pirates had recently triggered an option to extend his contract for the upcoming campaign. During his time with the Soweto giants, Buthelezi largely served as the backup to first-choice goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.

Sipho Chaine - Image: Orlando Pirates
Sipho Chaine – Image: Orlando Pirates

Across his three seasons with the Buccaneers, Buthelezi recorded 22 appearances in all competitions, keeping 12 clean sheets and conceding 14 goals.

“You know, Buthelezi is a goalkeeper who came to us two weeks ago. He is a goalkeeper who didn’t have much playing time last season,” Kaze said as quoted by FARPost

“So, it was important to try to speed up his integration and play him with different defenders and players to give him time to adapt quickly in order to get him ready for the start of the season. That’s one of the reasons why he played in both matches in the Mafori Cup, and he has done well in the two games.”

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

Willis Sob

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  • Football Odds
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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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