The winds of change are blowing at Orlando Pirates as the club prepares for the upcoming 2025/26 Betway Premiership season.
The Buccaneers have just announced a wave of new signings—nine in total—setting the tone for what fans hope will be a dominant campaign.
Meet the New Faces of the Sea Robbers
The new recruits are a mix of rising stars and seasoned talents.
Joining the Pirates squad are:
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Yanela Mbuthuma
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Masindi Nemtajela
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Tshepang Moremi
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Nkosikhona Ndaba
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Sinoxolo Kwayiba
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Tshepo Mashiloane
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Sihle Nduli
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Sipho Mbule
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Oswin Appollis
These players are expected to bring energy, depth, and fresh ambition to a squad already brimming with history and expectations.
Club Legends Offer Words of Wisdom
To help the new signings settle in and understand the gravity of wearing the black and white jersey, Orlando Pirates arranged a special meet-and-greet with some of the club’s most iconic legends.
Former stars like Tebogo Moloi, Lucky Lekgwathi, Happy Jele, Edward Motale, and Innocent Maela took the time to share their experiences and insights.
It wasn’t just about football—the conversation covered everything from life in the spotlight to managing finances responsibly.
Edward Motale, in particular, emphasized the lifestyle shift ahead:
“I’m actually happy because most of them are still young—they’ve got three to four years to make their mark at Orlando Pirates.”
Jersey Numbers Already Snapped Up
With new signings come new jersey numbers, and some of the most iconic ones are already off the table.
Shirt numbers 11 and 15—long associated with key players in Pirates history—have reportedly been claimed by the new arrivals.
Fans will be watching closely to see who lives up to those legendary digits.
Strength and Conditioning Coach Sidelined by Illness
Meanwhile, fans have noticed the absence of Helmy Gueldich, the club’s Tunisian strength and conditioning coach, during preseason training.
It turns out Gueldich has been hospitalized, though further details on his condition remain scarce.
Gueldich previously worked with Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi at Young Africans in Tanzania, and was pivotal during Pirates’ five-trophy run under Jose Riveiro, which included three MTN8 and two Nedbank Cup wins.
Now, under new head coach Abdelsam Ouaddou, fans are hoping Gueldich makes a speedy recovery and rejoins the squad soon.
What’s Next for the Buccaneers?
There’s a growing buzz around what this newly built team can achieve, especially with seasoned legends backing the next generation and a fresh managerial setup ready to take the reins.
With preseason underway, supporters will be watching closely to see how the new squad gels, and whether Orlando Pirates can return to the top of South African football.