Orlando Pirates News Today: Mbule’s revival, emotional farewell, transfer updates & more

Latest Orlando Pirates news in the last 24 hours, including Patrick Maswanganyi’s emotional farewell, Sipho Mbule’s revival abroad, and more.

Tito’s emotional farewell

Former Orlando Pirates playmaker Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi has penned an emotional farewell to the Soweto giants following his unexpected departure.

The 28-year-old midfielder left the Buccaneers during the current transfer window to join Al Khaldiya Sports Club in the Bahrain Premier League.

Pirates agreed to the transfer after Maswanganyi expressed a strong desire to test himself abroad. The Tembisa-born star joined the Sea Robbers from SuperSport United and quickly established himself as a central figure in their squad.

Known for his dazzling flair, sharp creativity, and goal-scoring ability, Tito rapidly grew into a massive fan favourite at Orlando Amstel Arena.

Former Orlando Pirates playmaker Patrick "Tito" Maswanganyi has penned an emotional farewell to the Soweto giants following his unexpected departure.#FARPosthttps://t.co/IF0XV8YQ0T

— FARPost (@FARPostZA) August 26, 2026

“To Orlando Pirates Football Club, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Orlando Pirates Football Club for the opportunity to represent this historic institution,” Maswanganyi wrote on his social media account.

“Wearing the black and white jersey has been a privilege and a responsibility that I have never taken for granted. My time at the club has provided me with invaluable experiences, important lessons, and memories that I will carry with me throughout my career. I am proud to have been part of the Orlando Pirates family.

“To my teammates, thank you for the camaraderie, support, and professionalism you showed me throughout our time together. We shared the demands of the game, the pressure of competition, the celebrations, and the difficult moments. Every experience contributed to my growth, both on and off the field. I am grateful for the friendships and memories we created,” he added.

“To the supporters, thank you for your unwavering support throughout my time at the club. The songs, the chants, the nicknames, the messages, and the energy you brought to every match will always be special to me. Your support gave me extra motivation to represent the badge with pride every time I stepped onto the field. Thank you for welcoming me and allowing me to feel that I belonged.

“To the chairman, thank you for the trust you placed in me and for giving me the opportunity to represent Orlando Pirates. Being entrusted with the responsibility of wearing these colours and representing the club is something I will always value. I am grateful for the role you have played in my development and career,” Tito stated regarding chairman Irvin Khoza.

“To the technical team and everyone behind the scenes, thank you for your commitment, professionalism, and support throughout my time at the club. From the technical staff and medical team to the administrative and support staff, every department plays an important role in creating an environment where players can perform at their best. I sincerely appreciate the contribution each of you made to my time at Orlando Pirates.

“As I begin a new chapter in my career, I leave Orlando Pirates with immense respect and appreciation for the club, its people, and its supporters. I am grateful for the opportunity,” he concluded.

Mbule loving life abroad

Sipho Mbule is loving life on the pitch in Iraq, and his red-hot start comes down to one thing: a feeling he’s finally rediscovered.

After leaving Orlando Pirates at the end of last season, the midfielder made the surprise move to Iraq to join top-flight team Zakho SC, and he is cooking up a storm in the middle of the park as their ‘Master Chef’.

➡️ 'He Was Telling Me The Crowd Is Insane'🗣️

Sipho Mbule is loving life on the pitch in Iraq, and his red-hot start comes down to one thing: a feeling he's finally rediscovered.

MORE: https://t.co/CgVRQ64ZVl pic.twitter.com/tf1ysYMPHj

— Soccer Laduma (@Soccer_Laduma) August 27, 2026

Reflecting on his recent performances, his agent Mike Makaab burst with pride at the thought of seeing Mbule back to red-hot form.

“I think the most important thing is that he is happy. He is happy, he is committed, and he sees it as a great opportunity to…I hate to use the word, but to revive his career.

“He is in really good physical shape, and he has settled in pretty well. He was telling me the crowd is insane. He said they are incredibly passionate. So, he has really settled in nicely, in every sense of the word,” Makaab told Soccer Laduma.

“I think it’s a brand new environment for him. It’s the first time he has ever played football outside South Africa, so it’s almost like a young person taking in the new environment and enjoying the moment. That’s what’s happening with Sipho. He is honestly really happy,” he concluded.