Orlando Pirates News Today: Bucs in tug of war for PSL star, ‘new Mbokazi’ found & more

Published on by

Orlando Pirates News Today: Bucs in tug of war for PSL star, ‘new Mbokazi’ found & more

Latest news about Orlando Pirates in the last 24 hours, including club’s ambition to bring in in-demand Premier Soccer League star as well as ‘new Mbekezeli Mbokazi’ and more.

How Ouaddou delivered at Bucs

Ex-Orlando Pirates winger Tlou Segolela has explained what fueled Abdeslam Ouaddou’s historic treble-winning campaign in his debut season.

“Well, you can tell that Pirates is a very demanding team in terms of results. So, coach Ouaddou came in with pressure, you know. Most of the fans didn’t know much about him, and he was taking over from Jose Riveiro, the coach who had been winning trophies and chasing Mamelodi Sundowns,” he told FARPost.

“So, the fans were asking themselves questions: ‘Did we really make a good move in hiring coach Ouaddou in terms of carrying on from what Riveiro left off?’ But the truth is that it is not how you start the season; it is how you finish the season that is very important.

“You can tell that the coach, Ouaddou, is very passionate. He engages with the players. You can tell there’s a lot of communication in the dressing room. There’s a positive atmosphere that he has brought into the team. When a new player arrives, he shows he wants to play for the team.

Abdeslam Ouaddou - Image: Orlando Pirates
Abdeslam Ouaddou – Image: Orlando Pirates

“I think the club made the right acquisition by bringing coach Ouaddou in. But will he continue with what he has started to take us further? Because now, it’s not a secret; all we want is the CAF Champions League,” Segolela concluded.

Pirates discover new Mbokazi

Orlando Pirates may have sold and lost Mbekezeli “TLB” Mbokazi to Chicago Fire in the MLS, but it’s believed that they have discovered yet another gem, this time from Mkhondo in Mpumalanga.

An insider close to the player revealed to Soccer Laduma that Pirates have signed a versatile 18-year-old, Sibongakonke Shongwe, from Shining Stars FC, who was playing in the Hollywoodbets League in Mpumalanga. 

Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi
Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi

“He used to play for Shining Stars. He was supposed to join another team next season. Pirates got him from these LFA games, where there are competitions that they play, and Pirates is also there. So, when they saw him, they signed him right there. He is 18 years old, and he is still at school, and he is still young,” Soccer Laduma reported.

Meanwhile, the insider further added that the Mkhondo area in Mpumalanga has a lot of talent, with three notable goalkeepers playing in the Betway Premiership this season.

“We have a lot of talented players here who are well-trained. But we have good goalkeepers like Dumisani Msibi at Chippa United, Lindokuhle Mathebula at Polokwane City, and Mandla Vilakazi at Siwelele FC. All three are from here. And there is another one who is doing matric right now, but his disadvantage is his height. He is very good. He is a bit shorter than Mathebula. Others are playing in the ABC Motsepe League at the moment.

Pirates in tug of war for PSL star

Golden Arrows star Isaac Cisse has emerged as one of the most sought-after players ahead of the new season, with Orlando Pirates amongst the clubs showing serious interest in the talented midfielder.

Cisse enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in the Betway Premiership, establishing himself as one of Golden Arrows’ standout performers after contributing five goals in 26 games during an impressive season for the KwaZulu-Natal outfit.

KickOff understands that the teenager has also attracted strong interest from Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly as well as Belgian giants Club Brugge, who are understood to be closely monitoring his situation ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Image: Orlando Pirates

According to sources, Club Brugge are considering bringing Cisse into their development side, Club NXT, where South African youngster Shandre Campbell has been making encouraging progress in Belgium.

While Pirates remain an attractive option for the player, particularly because of the club’s stature and reputation for developing young talent, sources are suggesting that Cisse is also carefully assessing opportunities abroad.

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

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

You May Also Like