Orlando Pirates Sign Two Midfielders and Tshegofatso Mabasa Returns Amid Chaos at Moroka Swallows

• Orlando Pirates have announced the signing of two exciting midfield additions
• Tshegofatso Mabasa is welcomed back after going out on loan to The Dube Birds
• The Buccaneers are saying goodbye to a striker who they signed from Chippa United

Orlando Pirates are experiencing a mild shuffling of the pack.

The club have found several reinforcements for the second half of the season and have also adjusted their striking options.

The Buccaneers announced two new signings to bolster the midfield and have cut short the loan spell of a man who started the season in fine form.

Tshegofatso Mabasa rediscovered himself in late 2023, scoring six goals for Moroka Swallows before The Dube Birds' season imploded.

Players are locked in a tense standoff with management and the future of the Swallows squad seems uncertain. Some senior players are reportedly taking pay cuts to ease the club's load.

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On the way out is a recruit brought in from Chippa United 18 months ago. 30-year-old Cameroonian Eva Nga scored one goal for Pirates and has been released by mutual consent.

Coming into the midfield is SuperSport United's Thalenthe Mbatha and Thabiso Lebitso, another man from Chippa.

Orlando Pirates' club statement claims Lebitso is 28 years old, yet TransferMarkt has the player's year of birth listed as 1992, which would mean he turns 32 this year.

Lebitso has played 14 league games for Chippa this year. He has not scored but has received three yellow cards and one red. Commenting via Orlando Pirates, he said:

“Joining Orlando Pirates is a significant milestone in my career, and I’m eager to make a meaningful contribution to the team’s success.”

Mbatha joins on a six-month loan deal that comes with the option to make it permanent at the end of the season. The 23-year-old said:

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“I’m thrilled to be here. I see this as a golden opportunity and intend to make the most of it."

Pirates resume their DStv Premiership campaign on February 13 against Chippa United.

Swallows Chairman blamed for fixture chaos

Sports Brief recently reported on Moroka Swallows' Chairman being held responsible by the players' union.

David Mogashoa has been accused by the South African Football Players Union of calling off their fixtures.

The club were fined by the PSL and Mogashoa used the fixture cancellation to punish the players internally.