Orlando Pirates have executed some savvy dealings this transfer window, yet a troubling specter still lingers over the management and the club’s financial ledgers.
The Pirates missed several chances to offload Monnapule Saleng at his peak value.
Now, it appears they are positioned to lose the player without any compensation. What went amiss?
Pirates mishandled the situation with Saleng
After pausing to sell Monnapule Saleng, and with potential buyers aware of his discontent at the club, Pirates squandered a significant chance to profit from the player, ending up with a compromised negotiating stance. The most lucrative exit in Pirates’ history remains €2.3 million (R48 million), when Mbulelo ‘Oldjohn’ Mabizela transferred to Tottenham in the 2003-2004 season. Although it’s improbable the Sea Robbers would have achieved a figure close to that, there’s certainly no justification for the2022-2023 PSL Player of the Year to exit as a free agent. Sadly, this seems to be the direction, with the player currently on loan to Orbit College for the 2025-2026 season. There were indeed credible speculations about offers from teams like Standard Liege in Belgium and the powerful Ligue 1 club Monaco.
‘Nkota is already a better player after leaving Pirates’
Orlando Pirates have a new captain
At 29 years of age, Nkosinathi Sibisi has been appointed as captain for the Pirates in the 2025-2026 season. He played a pivotal role last season alongside emerging talent Mbekezeli Mbokazi in the defense after Thabiso Sesane was sidelined due to a long-term injury. The scenario when Sesane makes a comeback will be intriguing, as he may potentially outplace the new captain.This is a favorable dilemma for new coach Ouaddao to navigate.Sibisi featured in 42 matches across all competitions last season, with 25 of those being in the league.
