Orlando Pirates will soon need to appoint a new skipper as a new era of young talent hopes to dominate South African football.
Defensive depth at Orlando Pirates is ridiculous
Thabiso Sesane and Olisa Ndah have started both Betway Premiership matches this season. Tapelo Xoki is still nursing an injury, but Nkosinathi Sibisi is forced to watch from the sidelines and Sandile Mthethwa isn’t even making matchday squads. That’s a serious level of riches in that position. 24-year-old Sesane is quietly becoming a pillar in the side and is approaching his best years as a central defender. He only made eight league appearances last term but 2024-2025 might be the campaign where he becomes a key operator for Jose Riveiro.
Club captain on borrowed time
Club captain Innocent Maela will get a few games at left-back and he did start in central defence in thre 0-1 win at Richards Bat. However, at 32 he’s approaching the twilight of his club career, so Pirates will need to start considering skipper candidates. Sesane must be right up there, along with the supremely gifted Bafana Bafana midfield star Thalente Mbatha.
Attacking depth in spades
With his brace off the bench against Polokwane a few games back, Evidence Makgopa has given Riveiro a massive headache in attack. Last season’s Golden Boot winner Tshegofatso Mabasa is still likely to start, but Makgopa gives Pirates another dimension off the bench with his relentless channel-running and underrated linkup play. However, last season’s Golden Boot winner Tshegofatso Mabasa is the first choice for the number 9 role. Boitumelo Radiopane is yet another option off the bench in that position.
Sesane is now a key pillar
With Olisa Ndah a doubt for the MTN8 final, Thabiso Sesane is a certain starter on the right-hand side of central defence against Stellenbosch. We’ll see who partners the 24-year-old out of Nkosinathi Sibisi and Innocent Maela, but Sesane is now a key operator for the Sea Robbers. Perhaps he’ll be wearing the armband one day soon.
Are Pirates going to beat Stellies to win the MTN8 crown?
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