Can Pirates cope without Tito and Rele? Ex-striker dismisses title doubts – ‘They won a treble’

Former Orlando Pirates striker Phumudzo Manenzhe has addressed doubts about the club’s ability to challenge for the league title following a series of high-profile player sales.

The Soweto giants have parted ways with several key players, with Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi’s recent move to Bahraini Premier League side Al-Khaldiya SC being the latest significant departure.

This follows the exits of Relebohile Mofokeng before the new season, rising star Mbekezeli Mbokazi midway through the last campaign, and Mohau Nkota ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Manenzhe unfazed by major departures

With a number of influential players no longer in the squad, questions have emerged about whether these departures could undermine the team’s ambitions for championship glory.

“Pirates can’t sell their best players all the time and expect to compete.” – Pholosho

Phumudzo Manenzhe weighs in on this statement on Extra Time 💬#SSDiski | #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/OLDpejCetY

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 26, 2026

However, Manenzhe drew parallels to last season, when the Buccaneers successfully navigated the loss of key personnel. Speaking on SuperSport TV, he recalled the public reaction to previous transfers.

“This takes me back to what was being said during the January transfer window,” Manenzhe stated as quoted by KickOff. “When Mbokazi left Orlando Pirates for the MLS, there was a lot of noise that Orlando Pirates were not serious about winning the league because they were selling him.”

Pirates backed to succeed despite exits

The former striker pointed out that the team adapted and thrived despite the changes. “Pirates played, I think, 18 games without Mbokazi. Nkota also left halfway through the season,” he noted.

Manenzhe highlighted the criticism that followed the sales of Mbokazi, Nkota, and Monnapule Saleng, emphasising how the team responded on the field.

“People said, ‘You are selling Nkota, you are selling Mbokazi, you are selling Saleng, you are not serious about winning the league.’ But Orlando Pirates won a treble,” he concluded. “I am just saying, three key players who played an important role left Orlando Pirates, and they still won a treble.”