Six Orlando Pirates stars could leave the club – Reports
· The South African
Orlando Pirates finally got their hands on a long-awaited league title. Now, they’ll be looking to streamline their squad.
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Orlando Pirates consider the futures of several stars
Makhehlene Makhaula and Deon Hotto are in the twilight of their respective careers, while talented midfield schemer Kabelo Dlamini has battled injuries in 2025-26. Thabiso Lebitso faces stern competition for a place at right-back, while 25-year-old Selaelo Rasebotja hasn’t had a look-in this term owing to the considerable midfield riches at Pirates. It wouldn’t be a massive surprise to see several of these players move on before the next campaign. The future of Relebohile Mofokeng, as ever, is a talking point with pundits believing he could move for a big fee if he shines in the Americas in June and July.
Orlando Pirates set to feature heavily in World Cup squad
Bafana is to announce its final squad on Wednesday, 27 May. South Africa kicks off its campaign against Mexico on 11 June at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca in the tournament’s opening clash. Their other Group A opponents are South Korea and Czechia. Nine Orlando Pirates players made the 32-man preliminary squad.
Kaizer Chiefs could also have a massive clearout
According to various reports, as many as seven senior players have their Kaizer Chiefs contracts expiring in June. They are Gaston Sirino, Khanyisa Mayo, Zitha Kwinika, Bruce Bvuma, Dillan Solomons, Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Pule Mmodi. With Mayo showing glimmers of form and Mmodi always a useful guy to deploy in several attacking positions, the other five are likeliest to leave. Furthermore, the club is readying a new contract for Brandon Petersen. The ‘keeper claimed 15 clean sheets from 24 appearances in the 2025-26 Betway Premiership season. The 31-year-old is in South Africa’s 32-man preliminary World Cup squad, too. That group will get trimmed to 26.