Charles Esther
Orlando Pirates have officially confirmed the departure of four senior players as the club continues its squad overhaul under new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
With more exits expected in the coming weeks, the Soweto giants are clearly entering a major transition phase ahead of the 2025–2026 season.
Maela, Monyane, Mako, and Timm Exit Pirates
Innocent Maela, Thabiso Monyane, Paseka Mako, and Miguel Timm have all parted ways with Orlando Pirates.
The departure of Maela, who captained the Buccaneers, leaves a leadership gap that new coach Ouaddou must address quickly.
Tapelo Xoki and Nkosinathi Sibisi are reportedly leading the race to take over the armband.
Both players have the experience and presence needed to guide the team through this period of transformation.
Meanwhile, Monyane and Mako have already begun training with arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
Their presence at Naturena has fueled speculation that the Glamour Boys may be interested in offering the duo permanent contracts.
Timm, who was a key midfield figure, has yet to be linked to any club.
His availability on the market will likely spark interest from multiple PSL teams.
Four More Pirates Players Face Uncertain Futures
Beyond the confirmed exits, another four players could be following them out the door.
Katlego Otladisa and Gilberto are reportedly facing imminent release from the club.
Both struggled for game time and failed to establish themselves in the starting lineup.
Additionally, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Siphelo Baloni are believed to be on thin ice.
According to sources from SNL, their future at the club remains uncertain, with the possibility of loans or transfers on the table.
Ouaddou’s Arrival Sparks Major Squad Reshuffle
The appointment of Abdeslam Ouaddou as head coach has already triggered massive changes at Mayfair.
The Moroccan tactician is determined to reshape the squad to fit his tactical philosophy.
So far, Orlando Pirates have secured the signatures of nine new players.
That includes Sipho Mbule and eight other signings aimed at boosting depth and versatility.
Ouaddou also made headlines by hijacking a key Kaizer Chiefs target, signaling his aggressive approach in the transfer market.
Pirates have even shown interest in a R20 million-rated Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder.
With these moves, it’s clear that Ouaddou is building a squad capable of challenging for trophies on all fronts.
More Transfers Expected as Preseason Approaches
As the team gears up for preseason training, more player movement is expected in the coming days.
Ouaddou is assessing every player’s performance and fitness, and decisions on loans and further releases are imminent.
Fans can expect additional changes as the new manager fine-tunes his squad for the demands of the upcoming campaign.
