Do Baroka prioritise selling players to Orlando Pirates? Bakgakga chairman Khurishi Mphahlele breaks silence - 'My relationship with Bucs is very good'

Baroka FC chairman Khurishi Mphahlele has dismissed the notion that his club prefers selling its top stars only to Orlando Pirates.

Although Bucs have been regularly signing Bakgakga's top stars, Mphahlele said that such business is only influenced by the size of offers tabled and the welfare of the players.

“My relationship with Pirates is very good. It started a long, long time ago when I was still playing football. I played for the club that was managed by Dr Khoza in Alexandra,” Mphahlele told Sowetan Live.

“However, it’s not true that I give first preference to Pirates or that I sell only to them. Remember, I sold two players to Stellenbosch in the past few months [goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke and midfielder Khomotjo Lekoloane], and those players were wanted by other clubs, but it’s always about good offers and what’s good for the players," he added.

Mphahlele also explained why he enjoys a good relationship with Pirates' chairman Irvin Khoza.

“The team that Irvin managed was Alexander Blackpool. I played there between 1983 and 1984 ... we were campaigning in the Zambuk League, so the relationship started there between me and Dr Khoza,” Mphahlele stated.

Gift Motupa, Thabiso Kutumela, Donald Makondelela, Goodman Mosele, and Evidence Makgopa are some of Baroka's players who have recently switched from Baroka to Pirates.

More recently, right-back Tshepo Mashiloane and winger Kabelo Kgositsile have signed for the Sea Robbers, with the latter expected to remain at Bakgakga on loan.

The Sea Robbers have been on a signing spree before the 2025/26 season begins, and so far have brought on board 11 players.

Currently, they are in Spain and are set to face Granada on Saturday for another pre-season encounter.