Marumo Gallants head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has given his blessing to Masindi Nemtajela‘s move to Orlando Pirates, calling him a “great professional”.
As previously reported, Orlando Pirates secured Nemtajela’s signature ahead of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, beating out intense interest from domestic rivals Kaizer Chiefs, Stellenbosch FC, and Sekhukhune United. The 24-year-old midfielder is believed to have signed a three-year deal, with an option to extend for an additional two seasons.
Nemtajela will be officially unveiled by the Buccaneers in the coming weeks, as the Soweto giants begin shaping their squad for another title challenge and continental campaign.
Nemtajela joined Marumo Gallants in August 2023 and quickly became one of the standout performers for the Bloemfontein-based side. In the recently concluded Betway Premiership season, the Bafana Bafana international made 20 appearances, contributing one goal and two assists. His energetic performances and creative spark played a key role in helping Gallants secure a 10th-place finish with 32 points.
Coach Ouaddou, speaking to FARPost, expressed nothing but pride in seeing one of his key players take the next step.
“Masindi is a very great professional. We are happy for him and wish him good luck in his new endeavour,” Ouaddou said.
“He and his family should be proud, and we, as coaches, are proud as well. Now, he is going to leave Bloemfontein for Orlando Pirates. It’s a big club, and there will be a lot of competition.
“He has to remain professional and keep working to improve himself – that’s the only way to succeed at this level.”
Joining a club of Pirates’ stature will undoubtedly mark a major milestone in Nemtajela’s career. The Buccaneers, fresh off another strong domestic campaign, are expected to undergo a midfield overhaul as they gear up for next season’s CAF interclub competitions.
For Nemtajela, the challenge now is to break into a squad packed with talent and expectation – something Ouaddou believes his former player is ready for.