Orlando Pirates News Today: Bucs legend snubs Rele as he names best player, defender to leave & more

Latest about Orlando Pirates, including a Bucs legend who has sidestepped Relebohile Mofokeng when naming his best player this season and the two players whose futures are in doubt.

Legend names best player but it’s not Mofokeng

Orlando Pirates legend Edward ‘Magents’ Motale has named goalkeeper Sipho Chaine as the club’s best player this season at a time when many are picking Relebohile Mofokeng.

Chaine broke the all-time record of 18 clean sheets when he managed 21 as the Buccaneers ended their 14-year wait for the PSL title and Motale says they would not have done it without the goalkeeper.

“In addition to his remarkable clean sheet record, Chaine has contributed big time to the team’s performance. He showed vocal leadership from the back and effectively managed the defensive line,” Motale told KickOff.

“He is undoubtedly Pirates’ best player this [past] season and merits consideration for inclusion in the Bafana Bafana squad. However, if he is not selected, it is acceptable; this does not in any way diminish his efforts.”

Long-serving defender to leave Orlando Pirates 

Orlando Pirates will reportedly part ways with defender Bandile Shandu when his contract expires on June 30. The club has made the decision as the right-back has fallen down the pecking order and made just four appearances in 2025-26.

With Kamogelo Sebelebele and Deano van Rooyen as the other options, Pirates are reported to be happy with what they have and will let Shandu, who joined the club in 2021, leave.

Kimvuidi’s future in doubt after leaving Israeli club

Orlando Pirates’ loanee Karim Kimvuidi’s future is up in the air after he left Israeli club FC Ashdod following their relegation.

Kimvuidi left Pirates in search of gametime in Israel after two seasons with the Buccaneers when he made 37 appearances with just 10 starts, and while he played 25 and scored four goals in Israel, it was not enough to save them from the drop.

Following their relegation, Kimvuidi will return to Pirates but he is not in the plans of coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.