Orlando Pirates transfer news 2023-24: new signings, coaches, owners, trophies

Orlando Pirates transfer news 2023-24: new signings, coaches, owners, trophies

Sospeter Itolondo, Peris Walubengo
updated at August 30, 2023 at 10:11 AM

Orlando Pirates is among the most prestigious teams in the South African Premier Division (officially called the DStv Premiership). Its owner, the players, the head coach, and the technical team work hand in hand to put the club at an excellent world ranking. This article provided vast details about the latest Orlando Pirates transfer news and more information about the team.

Orlando Pirates
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Orlando Pirates started in 1937 as Orlando Boys Club and has been successful in domestic and international cups for decades. The squad is a mixture of African players with different levels of experience. This article shares the players' ages, positions, etc., essential information about the owner, the technical team, and the captain, the club's history, net worth, and so on.

Orlando Pirates transfer news

In 2023, Orlando Pirates FC made around 30 official transfers, including loans, new sign-ins, and transfer-outs. Players loaned out to other clubs returned to Orlando Pirates before the year ended. Below are the names of the players who transferred to other clubs and those who left Orlando Pirates for good:

Name

Transfer to

League

Details

Kopano Thuntsane

Without club

_

_

Ndumiso Mabena

Without club

_

_

Craig Martin

Chippa United

_

_

Tebogo Tlolane

Without club

_

_

Siphesihle Ndlovu

SuperSport United

DStv Premiership

Loan

Tshegofatso Mabasa

Sekhukhune United FC

DStv Premiership

Loan

Kwame Peprah

Kerala Blasters

_

Free transfer

Zakhele Lepasa

SuperSport United

DStv Premiership

Loan

Ronaldo Maarman

Chippa United

DStv Premiership

Loan

Azola Matrose

Chippa United

DStv Premiership

Loan

Ntsako Makhubela

Lamontville Golden Arrows

DStv Premiership

Loan

Nkanyiso Zungu

Richards Bay FC

DStv Premiership

Loan

Bongani Sam

Moroka Swallows

DStv Premiership

Loan

Boitumelo Radiopane

Cape Town Spurs FC

DStv Premiership

Loan

Azola Tshobeni

JDR Stars FC

DStv Premiership

Loan

How many players did Orlando Pirates release?‌

Orlando Pirates released five players, Kopano Thuntsane, Ndumiso Mabena, Kwame Peprah, Tebogo Tlolane, and Craig Martin, in 2023.

Orlando Pirates' new signings for the 2023/24 PSL season

The club signs in or hires new players on loans to strengthen its squad and create healthy competition within the team. Soccer players who have joined the Orlando Pirates in 2023 are:

Name

Transferred from

Katlego Otladisa

Marumo Gallants

Siphelo Baloni

Cape Town All Stars

Melusi Buthelezi

TS Galaxy

Patrick Maswanganyi

SuperSport United

Cebo Mchunu

Bizana Pondo FC

Kermit Erasmus

Mamelodi Sundowns

Lesedi Kapinga

Djabal Club

Karim Kimvuidi

Maritzburg United

Sphamandla Gumede

Dondol Stars FC

Relebohile Mofokeng

Orlando Pirates Reserves

Melusi Buthelezi

TS Galaxy FC

Thabiso Sesane

All Stars FC

Who are the new signings for Orlando Pirates for the 2023/24 season?

Players signed by the Orlando Pirates ahead of the 2023/24 PSL season Katlego Otladisa from Marumo Gallants, Siphelo Baloni from Cape Town All Stars, Melusi Buthelezi from TS Galaxy, and Patrick Maswanganyi from SuperSport United. These Orlando Pirates' new players are the club's latest sign-ins in 2023.

Orlando Pirates news and rumors ahead of the 2023/24 PSL

The latest reports allege the club plans to sign these players for the 2023-24 DStv Premiership season:

Name

Transfer from

Sicelokuhle Hlatshwayo

Golden Arrows

Andile Jali

Moroka Swallows

Rowan Human

Maritzburg United

Bathusi Aubaas

Mamelodi Sundowns

Bensom Omala

Gor Mahia FC (Kenya)

Eric Sadia

Malawi

Orlando Pirates lineup

Orlando pirates news transfer
Orlando Pirates players pose for a group photo. Photo: @OrlandoPirates
Source: Facebook

This club's players are 18 to 37 years old, and most are above 25. Below are the positions of players in the Orlando Pirates FC squad for the 2023/24 season, their nationalities, and ages (as of August 2023):

Goalkeepers

Name

Nationality

Age

Birthdate

Richard Ofori

Ghana

29

Nov 1, 1993

Melusi Buthelezi

South Africa

25

Mar 7, 1998

Sipho Chaine

South Africa

26

Dec 14, 1996

Siyabonga Mpontshane

South Africa

37

Apr 17, 1986

Sphamandla Gumede

South Africa

_

_

Centre-backs

Name

Nationality

Age

Birthdate

Nkosinathi Sibisi

South Africa

27

Sep 22, 1995

Tapelo Xoki

South Africa

28

Jan 1, 1995

Olisa Ndah

Nigeria

25

Jan 21, 1998

Sandile Mthethwa

South Africa

26

Apr 14, 1997

Thabiso Sesane

South Africa

23

May 30, 2000

Left-backs

Name

Nationality

Age

Birthdate

Innocent Maela

South Africa

31

Aug 14, 1992

Paseka Mako

South Africa

29

Apr 1, 1994

Right-back

Name

Nationality

Age

Birthdate

Thabiso Monyane

South Africa

23

Apr 30, 2000

Defensive midfielders

Name

Nationality

Age

Birthdate

Miguel Timm

South Africa

31

Jan 31, 1992

Makhehlene Makhaula

South Africa

33

Nov 17, 1989

Central-midfielders

Name

Nationality

Age

Birthdate

Thabang Monare

South Africa

33

Sep 16, 1989

Ben Motshwari

South Africa

32

Mar 21, 1991

Orlando pirates news transfer
Orlando Pirates players celebrate the victory. Photo: @OrlandoPirates
Source: Facebook

Right-midfielder

Name

Nationality

Age

Birthdate

Bandile Shandu

South Africa

28

Jan 19, 1995

Attacking-midfielders

Name

Nationality

Age

Birthdate

Fortune Makaringe

South Africa

30

May 13, 1993

Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo

South Africa

28

May 28, 1995

Kabelo Dlamini

South Africa

27

May 16, 1996

Karim Kimvuidi

DR Congo

21

Mar 13, 2002

Azola Matrose

South Africa

20

Mar 27, 2003

Cebo Mchunu

South Africa

_

_

Left-wingers

Name

Nationality

Age

Birthdate

Monnapule Saleng

South Africa

25

Mar 13, 1998

Thembinkosi Lorch

South Africa

30

Jul 22, 1993

Deon Hotto

Namibia

32

Oct 29, 1990

Katlego Otladisa

South Africa

26

Sep 22, 1996

Patrick Maswanganyi

South Africa

25

Apr 4, 1998

Relebohile Mofokeng

South Africa

18

Oct 23, 2004

Siphelo Baloni

South Africa

23

Oct 22, 1999

Right-winger

Name

Nationality

Age

Birthdate

Maliele Vincent Pule

South Africa

31

Mar 10, 1992

Second Striker

Name

Nationality

Age

Birthdate

Lesedi Kapinga

South Africa

28

May 25, 1995

Centre-forwards

Name

Nationality

Age

Birthdate

Zakhele Lepasa

South Africa

26

Mar 19, 1997

Souaibou Marou

Cameroon

22

Dec 3, 2000

Evidence Makgopa

South Africa

23

Jun 5, 2000

Kermit Erasmus

South Africa

33

Jul 8, 1990

Bienvenu Eva Nga

Cameroon

30

Feb 17, 1993

Orlando Pirates players
Orlando Pirates players pose for a photo before the Nedbank cup game in February 2020 in Soweto. Photo: Phill Magakoe
Source: Getty Images

Orlando Pirates FC's achievements and trophies

This South African football club has won 9 South African League titles and over 30 trophies from other competitions since its inception in 1937. Also, Orlando Pirates FC's performance record shows the club always takes top positions each season. Below is a record of Orlando Pirates FC's trophies:

Trophies in domestic competitions

Orlando Pirates FC has been the runners-up about 14 times and won 30 trophies in domestic competitions. Below is a complete record of The Buccaneers' trophies in the South African League and the Cup competitions:

South African League titles (9)

League

Performance

Year

Premier Soccer League

Champions (4)

2000, 2002, 2010, 2011

Runners-up (6)

1999, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2017, 2018

National Soccer League

Champions (1)

1994

National Professional Soccer League

Champions (4)

1971, 1973, 1975, 1976

Cup competitions (21)

Competition

Performance

Year

Nedbank Cup (ABSA cup)

Champions (9)

1973, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1988, 1996, 2011, 2014, 2023

Runners-up (3)

2005, 2016, 2017

Telkom Knockout (Rothmans Cup)

Champions (1)

2011

Runners-up (3)

2000, 2010, 2018

MTN 8 (SAA Super 8)

Champions (11)

1972, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2010, 2011, 2020, 2022

Runners-up (2)

2007, 2014

Trophies in international competitions

Orlando Pirates FC participates in three international competitions, the CAF Champions League, the CAF Confederation Cup, and the CAF Super Cup. The club has two trophies and has been runners-up thrice in these international competitions. Here is their performance record:

Competition

Performance

Year

CAF Champions League

Champions (1)

1995

Runners-up (1)

2013

CAF Confederation Cup

Runners-up (2)

2015, 2021

CAF Super Cup

Champions (1)

1996

Trophies in the Cup competitions (unofficial)

Competition

Performance

Year

Castle Challenge

Champions (1)

1992

Sales House Cup

Champions (4)

1972, 1975, 1977, 1983

Carling Black Label Cup

Champions (5)

2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019

Vodacom Challenge

Champions (2)

1999, 2005

PSL Reserve League

Champions (1)

2007

Orlando Pirates' captain

Orlando pirates news transfer
Footballer Innocent Maela in a white T-shirt and a black jersey. Photo: @TheRealInnocentMaela (Modified by author)
Source: UGC

The Orlando Pirates captain is Innocent Maela. The South African athlete plays the left-back position. He joined the team in 2017 after leaving Thanda Royal and took over the captain role from Lucky Lekgwathi.

Innocent Maela's profile summary

Full name

Innocent Maela

Gender

Male

Nationality

South African

Ethnicity

African

Birthdate

August 14, 1992

Age

31 years (as of August 2023)

Place of birth

Witbank, Emalahleni, South Africa

Occupation

Professional soccer player

Current teams

Orlando Pirates, South Africa national soccer team

Position

Defender

Height

1.76 m (5 feet 9 inches)

Siblings

Tsepo Masilela (footballer)

Orlando Pirates coaches and technical team

Orlando Pirates has one head coach, Jose Riveiro, who works with the technical team to help the players improve their skills and discover their full potential. Below are the club's technical team members, including the head coach:

Name

Office/Role

Jose Riveiro

Head coach

Mandla Ncikazi

Assistant coach

Sergio Almenara

Assistant coach

Tyron Damons

Goalkeeper coach

Miguel Bellver

Fitness coach

Percy Moloi

Assistant fitness coach

Rayaan Jacobs

Performance analyst

Taariq Yaghya

Assistant analyst

Kutlwano Molefe

Physiotherapist

John Williams

Physiotherapist

Lauren Tate

Physiotherapist

Lucky Matshaba

Kit manager

Goodness Mhlongo

Kit manager

Nhlanhla Jwara

Team security

Orlando Pirates owner

Orlando Pirates players
Orlando Pirates owner and chairman Irvin Khoza in a Press Conference in January 2012 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: Samuel Shivambu
Source: Getty Images

South African businessman Irvin Khoza is the Orlando Pirates' owner and chairman. He had held the position since 1991 when he acquired the club. Irvin is among the richest football club owners in South Africa, with a net worth of $35 million.

Irvin Khoza's profile summary

Full name

Irvin Khoza

Gender

Male

Nationality

South African

Ethnicity

African

Birthdate

January 27, 1948

Age

75 years (as of August 2023)

Place of birth

Alexandra, South Africa

Education

University of Fort Hare

Occupation

Football administrator and businessman

Spouse

Matina Khoza

Children

3

Net worth

$35 million

Orlando Pirates FC's history

Orlando Pirates FC started in 1937 as Orlando Boys Club in Orlando East, Soweto, South Africa. Some of its founders were the offspring of migrant workers who worked in the gold mines of Gauteng.

Who founded Orlando Pirates in 1937?

Boxing instructor Andries Mkhwanazi (aka Pele Pele) was working at the Orlando Boys when he found the inspiration to form a football club in 1937. A year later, the club has teenagers playing barefoot without a team kit.

Why is it called Orlando Pirates?

Andrew Bassie suggested the name 'Orlando Pirates' to other club officials. The name came from the 1940 film The Sea Hawk starring Errol Flynn. The fierceness and tenacity of the fighters in the movie made the film famous in South Africa at the time.

Orlando Pirates FC's stadium

The Orlando Pirates' Stadium was built in 1959 in Soweto. It has a 37,139 seating capacity.

Orlando Pirates sponsorships

The club has had sponsorships from various local and multinational companies. Some of their known sponsors/partners are:

  • Adidas
  • Vodacom
  • Aquelle
  • USN
  • Roman's Pizza
  • LG
  • SuperSport
  • EA Sports
  • OPPO
  • Carling Black Label
  • Marriott Bonvoy

Orlando Pirates FC's net worth

Orlando Pirates is the second richest football club in South Africa, with an estimated net worth of R325.9 million. The Mamelodi Sundowns come first with an R382 million net worth, and Kaizer Chiefs take the third position with an R262 million net worth.

Orlando Pirates FC's Instagram and other socials

Orlando Pirates have a YouTube channel and social media accounts where they share latest events and news with fans. Here are the club's social accounts and YouTube channel:

Platform

Link

Followers/subscribers

Instagram

@orlandopirates

650k (in August 2023)

X (Twitter)

@orlandopirates

1.9 million (in August 2023)

Facebook

@OrlandoPirates

2.6 million (in August 2023)

YouTube

@piratestv

81.9K (in August 2023)

Orlando Pirates FC's world ranking

As of August 2023, Orlando Pirates is number 389 in the world ranking, with 1466 points. On top of this, the club holds position 21 in Africa's ranking with 1466 points and is second in South Africa's ranking with 1466 points.

Who is the best Orlando Pirates player?

Some of Orlando Pirates legends with excellent performance records are:

  • Happy Jele - most appearances (401)
  • Benedict Vilakazi - most goals (52)
  • Teko Modise - most capped player (58)
  • Senzo Meyiwa - most appearances in a season (51; 2013/14), Oupa Manyisa (51; 2013/14), and Willy Okpara (51; 1994/95)
  • Dennis Lota - most goals in a season (23; 1999/00)

Who is the best Orlando Pirates player?

Some of the Orlando Pirates legends of all time are:

  • Stuart Lilley
  • Dan Malesela
  • Mbulelo Mabizela
  • Lesly Manyathela
  • Jomo Sono
  • Jerry Sikhosana
  • Helman Mkhalele
  • Percy Moloi
  • Eric Sono
  • Benni McCarthy,
  • Edward Motale
  • Webster Lichaba
  • John Moeti
  • Shakes Mashaba
  • Steve Lekoelea
Orlando pirates news transfer
Orlando Pirates players sitting at the goal post. Photo: @OrlandoPirates
Source: Facebook

The latest Orlando Pirates transfer news reveals the club only hires the best footballers from South Africa and other African countries. This is one of the many strategies the club uses. The club has been making significant strides in domestic and international soccer, and its net worth confirms it is among the best soccer clubs on the continent.

Sportsbrief.com also reported Arsenal's lineup for the 2023/24 Premier League season. The Gunners believe they will perform exceptionally well in the new season because they have a strong team.

A glimpse at the article can help you determine whether the Gunners should still be hopeful. The post reveals Arsenal's new players, their ages, how the club has positioned them, and more details.

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Sospeter Itolondo
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Peris Walubengo
Peris Walubengo is a content creator with 4 years of experience in writing informational and entertainment articles, researching, editing, and proofreading.