Abdeslam Ouaddou takes charge at Orlando Pirates and makes first signing by bringing in Mamelodi Sundowns star Sipho Mbule

The winds of change are blowing strong at Orlando Pirates.

With a brand-new head coach at the helm, the club is moving quickly to reshape the squad and get ready for the upcoming challenges.

Fans are buzzing as Abdeslam Ouaddou, the new man in charge, has already made his first big move in the transfer market.

Ouaddou’s First Signing: A Big Arrival From Mamelodi Sundowns

Right out of the gate, Ouaddou has secured Sipho Mbule, a rising star who recently played for Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mbule’s arrival adds firepower and fresh energy to the Pirates lineup.

But he’s not the only new face joining the Bucs—he’s actually part of a larger recruitment spree.

Nine New Players Now Part of The Pirates Squad

In total, Orlando Pirates have brought in nine new players this season.

The list includes notable names like Bafana Bafana internationals Sinoxolo Kwayiba and Tshepang Moremi.

The club has also snapped up talented players from rival PSL teams, such as Sihle Nduli from Stellenbosch FC alongside Mbule from Sundowns.

This recruitment blitz clearly shows Pirates’ ambition to strengthen every area of the pitch.

Letting Go: Four Players Exit The Club

Of course, with new arrivals come some departures.

The Pirates have parted ways with four players: Innocent Maela, Miguel Timm, Thabiso Monyane, and Paseka Mako.

These changes mark a significant squad reshuffle as the team aims to rebuild under Ouaddou’s guidance.

Ouaddou Faces Big Challenges Ahead

Taking over from Riveiro, who lifted five domestic cups with Pirates, Ouaddou has some big shoes to fill.

Not only will he need to mold this fresh group of players into a cohesive unit, but he’ll also have tough decisions ahead about who stays and who moves on.

The pressure is on to blend the new signings with existing talent effectively.

The Captaincy Question: Who Will Lead The Bucs?

One of the key decisions on Ouaddou’s plate is naming the next captain.

Early favorites to wear the armband are Tapelo Xoki and Nkosinathi Sibisi.

Both players bring leadership qualities and have earned respect within the squad, but the final call will be crucial for setting the team’s tone moving forward.