Three Major Concerns Ahead of New Season

You might have thought Orlando Pirates had a flawless season last time around, but that's far from the truth. The Buccaneers won three trophies, it's true, but they were far from flawless in many areas. One of the main concerns is the lack of a clinical striker. Lack of a Clinical Striker

The Buccaneers have yet to invest in a proven goalscorer, and that could come back to haunt them. Evidence Makgopa and Yanela Mbuthuma both failed to reach double figures in goals last season, leaving much of the attacking burden on Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis. While both wingers delivered impressive numbers, relying on wide players for goals is not always sustainable. Signing one or two clinical finishers could make the difference, particularly in high-pressure matches where a single chance often decides the outcome. Orlando Pirates will miss Mofokeng, who was often the player capable of unlocking stubborn defences with his creativity, vision and ability to score important goals. Replacing Relebohile Mofokeng's Creativity

Mofokeng's departure leaves a significant void in Pirates' attack. Mofokeng was a dynamic player, and his absence will be felt. To replace him, the club needs to sign an attacking midfielder with a similar level of creativity and vision. Without that, it could be a challenging season ahead. Letting Experienced Squad Players Leave

Orlando Pirates have also weakened their squad depth by allowing several quality players to depart. Tshegofatso Mabasa, Thabiso Lebitso, Thabiso Sesane, and Sipho Mbule all possessed attributes that could have been valuable during a demanding campaign that includes the CAF Champions League. Sesane played a key role in Pirates' 2024 success before injuries disrupted his progress, while Lebitso proved to be a dependable option at right-back and an ideal deputy to Deano van Rooyen. Mbule's creativity and ability to play in multiple midfield roles would also have been valuable for squad rotation and injury cover. Key Facts

  • Orlando Pirates have yet to invest in a proven goalscorer.
  • Evidence Makgopa and Yanela Mbuthuma both failed to reach double figures in goals last season.
  • Relebohile Mofokeng was often the player capable of unlocking stubborn defences with his creativity, vision and ability to score important goals.
  • Mofokeng scored 12 goals in 34 games for Pirates last season.
  • The club needs to sign an attacking midfielder with a similar level of creativity and vision to replace Mofokeng.
  • Orlando Pirates have weakened their squad depth by allowing several quality players to depart.