The Soweto giants are shaping up to ensure they stay competitive ahead of the forthcoming campaign.
Orlando Pirates have started restructuring for the 2024/25 season after ending the latest one with the MTN8, Nedbank Cup and a place in the Caf Champions League.
Coach Jose Riveiro’s outfit might also take part in the second edition of the African Football League – after reports indicated Caf are contemplating adding the teams from the initial eight to 24.
Furthermore, the Sea Robbers will be aiming at challenging Mamelodi Sundowns for the Premier Soccer League title.
Masandawana have been dominating the local scene, winning seven consecutive titles as the likes of Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs – who enjoy a massive following in Mzansi, struggle to stamp their authority in the top tier.
Bucs have now started releasing players who struggled to make a mark in the 2022/23 season.
The Marou exit – Came with potential & left without scoring a goal
In their bid to strengthen the team’s attack, the Sea Robbers convinced the Cameroonian striker Souaibou Marou to join them.
The attacker was part of Rigobert Song’s team that played in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
However, he struggled to make a mark at the Orlando Stadium and by the time he was leaving, Marou had made just nine appearances across all competitions. He failed to beat the likes of Zakhele Lepasa, Evidence Makgopa and most recently Tshegofatso Mabasa to a place in the starting team.
Once exciting Makaringe set to continue his adventure elsewhere
The 31-year-old Fortune Makaringe is another player who has been let go by the club after struggling to get a place in the team consistently.
In the concluded campaign, the midfielder played just 14 games across all competitions, providing an assist and having a goal to his name. Riveiro mostly used Makaringe at right-back but still, as the club said in a statement, “Throughout his time with us, Makaringe consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism and discipline.
“The club will always be grateful for his contribution and wishes him nothing but the best in his future endeavours.”
Makaringe joined the Sea Robbers from Maritzburg United in 2019 and went on to play 147 games, scoring 10 goals and provided nine assists in all competitions.
During his spell with the Soweto giants, he won two Nedbank Cup titles, three MTN8 crowns and the Carling Black Label.
‘Difficult to imagine my future without Almenara’ – Riveiro
Riveiro has been dealt a major blow after the club and assistant coach Sergio Almenara parted ways by mutual consent.
“This is a decision I took with a heavy heart; I have really enjoyed my stay here, but, due to personal matters the club is aware of, I can no longer continue with my job,” the Spaniard said as quoted by the club’s media team.
“I have a young family in Finland. They have been unable to integrate into the country. I would have wished to stay longer but it’s not possible,” he concluded.
During his time in Mzansi, Almenara helped Riveiro secure four trophies, and it explains why the latter has a heavy heart after the recent development.
“It’s difficult for me from now to imagine my future without Sergio [Almenara], but I totally understand the reasons behind that and I’m fully supporting him, and who knows, maybe in the near future we will work together again, but now my time continue here in [Orlando] Pirates and we will find solutions. It’s not gonna be a problem,” he told Radio 2000 in a recent interview.
In the next couple of weeks, more players are expected to leave as the club strengthens the playing unit ahead of the new season.
