After weeks of swirling rumors and dominating football social media, Orlando Pirates Football Club has officially confirmed the acquisition of seven new players as they prepare for the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season.
The Buccaneers, who finished as runners-up in the previous campaign, are wasting no time in bolstering their squad with fresh talent.
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The confirmed new arrivals at Mayfair are:
Yanela Mbuthuma (from Richards Bay)
Masindi Nemtajela (Marumo Gallants)
Tshepang Moremi (Amazulu)
Nkosikhona Ndaba (Richards Bay)
Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United)
Tshepo Mashiloane (Baroka)
Sihle Nduli (Stellenbosch)
Today marks a significant milestone for both the established squad and these new additions, as they embark on intense pre-season screenings. The incoming Bucs will join their teammates later this morning to kick off what promises to be an interesting preparation period, under newly appointed head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
According to the announcement released on the club’s official website, their doctors and performance staff will meticulously guide all players through a series of baseline tests and evaluations.
This crucial step ensures that every individual is adequately prepared for the demanding rigors of the upcoming campaign, providing vital data for fitness tracking and the tailoring of individual training plans.
Following these comprehensive medical checks, the new signings will undergo a thorough induction process. This crucial step is designed to help them seamlessly integrate into the culture and ethos of a club with the stature of Orlando Pirates.
Their transition will extend beyond the training pitch. The new Buccaneers will have the invaluable opportunity to interact with some of the club’s revered legends, including Edward Motale, Lucky Lekgwathi, and Happy Jele, among others.
This unique interaction, coupled with a series of visits, will include a special trip to Soweto to visit their new home ground for the 2025/26 season – Orlando Stadium, famously known as the “Mecca of South African Football.”
While the next two days will be dedicated to integration and assessments, the real work on the pitch is set to begin next week. This is when the head coach and his technical staff will formally take the reins for the commencement of the football-specific aspects of pre-season training.