Orlando Pirates News Today: Bucs land ‘top player’, transfer update & more

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Orlando Pirates News Today: Bucs land ‘top player’, transfer update & more

Latest Orlando Pirates news, in the last 24 hours, including the Sea Robbers warned about CAF Champions League, Bucs lauded for landing top player and more.

Chiefs legend on grandson joining Pirates

A Kaizer Chiefs legend has commented on his grandson joining the Orlando Pirates first team ahead of the season.

Mpho Padime was promoted to Pirates’ senior team after an impressive performance in the DStv Diski Challenge last season. He finished as the team’s top scorer with 10 goals, coupled with eight assists, contributing to the side winning the title.

“‘Phopho is my grandson. We are a family of skilled individuals. I have guided him through academy schools. I believe that a child should focus on their education as well as on football, and that is how he was identified,” said Johannes Phadime in an interview with KickOff.

“He is still young and should be encouraged to learn every day. I always advise him to set aside pride, continue learning, and remain focused.

“He should not compete to surpass others, as he is still on a learning curve and has the potential to achieve whatever he aspires. His greatest ambition is to play overseas.

Orlando Pirates training, image: Pirates
Orlando Pirates training, image: Pirates

“My only wish is for him to stay focused.

“I cannot dictate which club he should play for; Pirates recognised his talent. I have developed many young players who have had stints at Chiefs, Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns. Some are still active in those clubs, including Lebohang Maboe, whom I have mentored.

Jele urges caution

Orlando Pirates legend Happy Jele has urged caution and called for realistic expectations as the Soweto giants prepare to make their return to the CAF Champions League while defending their Betway Premiership crown.

The Soweto giants are back in the Champions League after failing to reach the group stage last term. Congolese giants FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo knocked out the Buccaneers in a penalty shootout after a valiant comeback that overturned a 3-0 defeat suffered in the away leg of the second preliminary round.

“I think for now, let’s not put much pressure; we just need to compete on the highest level. I’m happy that Orlando Pirates are playing in the CAF Champions League again, and we just need to perform very well,” Jele told FARPost.

“Now there are going to be a lot of games, they will play domestic cups and also abroad. They need depth, and you can see with the signings that they made, they thought about depth. 

“I believe that if they are capable of winning the Betway Premiership, they can still go through and compete in the Champions League.

“It’s very difficult [to reach the Champions League final] as a player because there is a lot of travelling and things that happen around. After every two days you are playing a game,” Jele said.

Orlando Pirates legend Happy Jele

“You need to be mentally fit, mentally prepared to compete in those moments. In other countries, it’s very difficult; you just need to be strong mentally.

“I believe with the players that we have at Orlando Pirates, they also know what they are capable of because some of them have been in Bafana Bafana and they have been travelling. So, the experience is there, and they know what to do.” 

Pirates’ signing praised

Stellenbosch FC head coach Gavin Hunt has lavished praise on Orlando Pirates’ new left-back Neo Rapoo ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The Buccaneers have had a busy transfer window as they prepare for a demanding campaign that includes domestic competitions and the CAF Champions League. 

The club has strengthened its squad with several new signings to improve depth and cope with the physical demands of a packed fixture schedule.

Among those arrivals is Rapoo, who earned special recognition from Hunt. The veteran coach worked with the defender during his time at SuperSport United, where Rapoo progressed through the club’s youth academy before breaking into the senior setup.

“Top, top player, fantastic player. Nice, he’s elevated, as I said, he gave me his debut many years ago,” said Hunt.

“He’s been elevating, there’s no stopping him. I just hope he gets the time to play, because as you know, big squads, you don’t play much. I just hope he gets the time to play.

Neo Rapoo

“Once he gets time, I don’t think there’s anybody better than him there, you know, from all aspects. 

“So I wish him well and it’s nice to see players come through. 

When asked about competition with Hotto, he said, “Hotto is 37 and he’s 21, so there’s got to be a more future and I can see why he’s being bought.”

“I mean Hotto has had a great career, you know, from when I had him at [Bidvest] Wits.”

<!-- 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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