Talking Buccaneers

Mohau Nkota has joined Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia. And while on the surface it reads like a young talent chasing growth and a paycheck, it leaves Orlando Pirates with a much deeper problem — one that goes beyond Nkota. Just days earlier, Monnapule Saleng was loaned to Orbit College. Two wingers out. And though Pirates have brought in Tshepang Moremi and Oswin Appollis, the issue isn’t just about replacing talent with talent....

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This wasn’t about the result. Not yet. What mattered more was shape. Roles. Behaviour. And signs — the early signs of what this 2025/26 Orlando Pirates team might grow into under a new head coach. Against Bolton Wanderers, Pirates played their first match of pre-season — and while it ended in defeat, it gave us real material to work with. Structure, systems, standout performers… and areas that still need work....

MATCH REVIEW: First Steps in Spain — What We Learned from Pirates’ Pre-Season Opener This wasn’t about the result. Not yet. What mattered more was shape. Roles. Behaviour. And signs — the early signs of what this 2025/26 Orlando Pirates team might grow into under a new head coach. …

Timm’s cultural fluency was a hidden asset. Though not a native Zulu speaker, he was regularly heard communicating in vernacular with teammates — and doing it confidently, naturally, respectfully. That kind of cultural bridge-building doesn’t show up on stat sheets. But in a football club — in a dressing room full of languages, personalities, egos, and expectations — it matters.

Miguel Timm: Loud in Leadership, Quiet in Spotlight When Orlando Pirates entered the 2022/23 season, they weren’t just looking to change tactics — they were rewriting identity. The club had made a deliberate choice: to part ways with long-time leade…

You can now catch me Talking Buccaneers on Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here is an episode on Saleng.

Monnapule Saleng: Orlando Pirates’ Silent Goodbye Talking Buccaneers · Episode

A quick look back Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo has left Orlando Pirates after completing his contract. Signed in 2022 from Marumo Gallants at 27, he exits at 30 with five major trophies and several valuable performances. But he also leaves as a player who never quite settled into the role the team needed most. This isn’t a case of someone who didn’t try or wasn’t talented....

Ndlondlo at Pirates: A Story of Shifted Roles and Fading Influence A quick look back Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo has left Orlando Pirates after completing his contract. Signed in 2022 from Marumo Gallants at 27, he exits at 30 with five major trophies and several valu…

There’s been a growing wave of reports suggesting that Monnapule Saleng is on his way out of Orlando Pirates — via a loan to Orbit College. While the deal hasn’t been made official, the signs are all pointing in that direction. And if it happens, it will quietly confirm what many have suspected for a while: his time at Pirates is coming to an end....

Monnapule Saleng: Orlando Pirates’ Silent Goodbye There’s been a growing wave of reports suggesting that Monnapule Saleng is on his way out of Orlando Pirates — via a loan to Orbit College. While the deal hasn’t been made official, the signs are a…

On today’s episode 👇

Does Orlando Pirates need to sign another winger? In this video, Fumane explores the idea of Orlando Pirates signing another player who can play in wide areas, suggesting whether or not it is a good idea. ...

Who should Orlando Pirates sign at right back? 👇

Who should Orlando Pirates sign at right back? In this video, Fumane looks at the possible signings Orlando Pirates can make at right back, in view that there is growing likelihood for Keagan Johannes to ...

On today’s episode 👇

Who should Orlando Pirates sign in central midfield? In this video, Fumane looks at ways in which Orlando Pirates can strengthen the central midfield position ahead of next season, keeping in thought that Orlan...