Orlando Pirates are cooking something special in 2024-2025 with several exciting chefs in the kitchen.
Pirates are perfect so far in the Betway Premiership
Orlando Pirates have won six out of six league assignments, a flawless start to their quest of wrestling the title from Sundowns’s grasp. The Buccaneers haven’t won the South African championship since 2011-2012 so it’d be a massive deal if they can make it happen in 2025. A thirteen-year gap wouldn’t be so unlucky for Jose Riveiro’s Sea Robbers.
Attacking riches and defensive depth
Everywhere you look there are top-class operators in this Pirates side. Thabiso Sesane and Nkosinathi Sibisi currently form a solid central defensive partnership with Tapelo Xoki, Sandile Mthethwa and Olisa Ndah recently nursing knocks, while Thabiso Monyane is deputising at right-back for the injured Deano Van Rooyen. Makhehlene Makhaula and Thalente Mbatha are a formidable central midfield duo, but up front is where it gets really exciting.
Mofokeng is the jewel in the crown
German football website transfermarkt reckons Relebohile Mofokeng’s value currently hovers around the €800k (R15.3 million) mark. Surely that number will continue to rise as his stock does the same. Now a Bafana international, Mofokeng has surpassed the 50 appearances mark for the Buccaneers and he only turned 20 on October 23rd. The sky is the limit for one of South Africa’s most exciting talents of this generation. Teenage winger Mohau Nkota has sparkled on the other flank, with a recent brace against AmaZulu. In their last five league matches, Pirates have scored 10 goals and seven different men have been on the score sheet in that time frame. They’re spreading the love around nicely.
Money men
As things stand, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Patrick Maswanganyi are regarded as the two most valuable stars at Pirates. The pair are each valued at €1.4 million, or approximately R27 million. Golden Boot holder Tshegofatso Mabasa follows closely at €1.3 million or approximately R25 million. He and Evidence Makgopa share the striking duties for now. The trio of Tapelo Xoki, Van Rooyen and Monnapule Saleng are all valued at €1.2 million or R23 million.
The Buccaneers are in action next against Richards Bay on Tuesday, 05 November.
Is Pirates’ squad the best in South Africa?
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