Forgotten man, best player in SA?

Orlando Pirates have arguably the best player in South Africa on their books right now. Do you agree?

Pirates head the charge for the title

Will Orlando Pirates go all the way in 2024-2025? They have a massive chance. After being runners-up in the previous campaign, and collecting winner’s medals in the Nedbank Cup and MTN8, Jose Riveiro’s side wants to go to the next level. They’ve dipped into the transfer market to do just that. Some stellar acquisitions could make them the real deal.

Big name acquisitions

Brand new 23-year-old right winger Deivi Miguel Vieira, or Gilberto for short, has given Pirates fans a glimpse of what he’s capable of on a football pitch, scoring in their recent 1-1 draw with Spanish LaLiga side Granada. Assistant coach Carlos Nodar Paz, as well as new playing recruits Gilberto, midfielder Selaelo Rasebotja, goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla, winger Mohau Nkota and playmaking number 10 Thuso Moleleki, are six very welcome new additions to a team hoping to make a serious title tilt next season. 

Next best?

Thalente Mbatha was spotted on holiday in Spain in a recent post by Football SA on Facebook. One reader commented, “Orlando Pirates is the only local club I’d ever sign for, hypothetically speaking…”

Talented 24-year-old midfield pivot Mbatha shone for the Sea Robbers last season on loan from SuperSport. Across all competitions, he made 16 appearances and was a key figure in the engine room, always selected for big games while Jose Riveiro shifted other pieces of the puzzle around him. Pirates have added the playmaking talents of the aforementioned Moleleki and Rasebotja to an already stacked midfield roster.

TSHOBENI TO RETURN TO ORLANDO PIRATES AFTER LOAN SPELLS

There are plenty of recent examples of players who left Pirates for valuable game time and returned as more complete players. Monnapule Saleng, Golden Boot winner Tshegofatso Mabasa and 22-year-old central defender Thabiso Sesane are three shining examples of that. Now, 22-year-old forgotten star Azola Tshobeni wants to be another. He’s been out on loan in the Motsepe Foundation Championship for the last two campaigns. A SoccerLaduma source said the following on Tshobeni’s new lease on life at Pirates:

“The coach has shown that he has no favourites. If you are good enough and work hard, you will get your chance. Look at Sesane, he wasn’t even making the matchday squad but he worked hard and managed to feature in the Nedbank Cup final.”

Tshobeni, an elegant left-footed attacking midfielder, had his last outing for Pirates in the 2020-2021 campaign when he made eight appearances across all competitions. Back then, he was still a teenager.

ARE PIRATES CATCHING UP TO SUNDOWNS AND TAKING THEIR TITLE?

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