Orlando Pirates News Today: Bucs told to break one major ‘curse,’ Ouaddou hails the ‘future of Pirates’

Latest Orlando Pirates news, as former Buccaneers captain Lucky Lekgwathi sets a big target for them and coach Abdeslam Ouaddou names the future of the club.

Lekgwathi sets next big challenge for Pirates

Former Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi has called on the Buccaneers to make the CAF Champions League their top priority this season, following last term’s Betway Premiership title triumph.

The Soweto giants enter the 2026/27 campaign as defending league champions after ending a 14-year wait for the ultimate prize in South African football — completing a treble under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou in his debut season, with the MTN8 and Carling Knockout also secured.

Despite the domestic dominance, Pirates’ African record remains a sore point. The club have not lifted the Champions League since their maiden continental triumph in 1995, and came agonisingly close in 2013 when they fell at the final hurdle to Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

Last season’s campaign was particularly damaging — Congolese side FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo knocked them out in the second preliminary round, a steep step down from the semi-final run they had made under predecessor Jose Riveiro.

Lekgwathi, however, believes the pain of that early exit should serve as the fuel Pirates need this time around.

“Last season it was the coach’s mandate to win the league title, and he won it. Now obviously it’s the coach’s mandate to win the Champions League,” the retired defender told FARPost. “During my era, we wanted to win it, but unfortunately we reached the final and lost. But let’s hope that with this generation, they can go all the way and win it.”

Ouaddou names the “future of Pirates”

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has singled out striker Yanela Mbuthuma for praise after the forward delivered two assists in the Buccaneers’ comprehensive 3-0 win over Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 semi-final second leg — a result that sent Pirates through 4-0 on aggregate.

The display will come as a significant moment for the 24-year-old, who has endured a testing start to the campaign. Mbuthuma has gone nine consecutive matches without a goal, and some sections of the Pirates fanbase have grown frustrated despite Ouaddou’s consistent backing of the striker.

The coach, however, has been resolute. Ouaddou explained his reasoning clearly, saying he cannot afford to “kill” a talent of Mbuthuma’s calibre just because the striker is going through a difficult spell in front of goal.

“Look, me he didn’t make me happy now, this boy we trust him. Football sometimes you’re in a difficult period but like I said we have to give him confidence, trust him, the performance will come and today he did a great game and we have to continue to help him. I’m sure he is the future of Pirates, and we cannot kill a boy like that,” said Ouaddou as per KickOff.