Talking Buccaneers

14/07/2025

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....

12/07/2025

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....

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. …

11/07/2025

You don’t need overloads in the centre when your midfield can play. Two or three is enough — the rest can attack the box.

11/07/2025

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.

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…

10/07/2025

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

Talking Buccaneers · Episode

10/07/2025

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....

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…

09/07/2025

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....

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…

08/07/2025

Mofokeng likely to stay at Pirates…

11/07/2024

On today’s episode 👇

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. ...

21/06/2024

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 ...

20/06/2024

On today’s episode 👇

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...