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Lebone Seema, Orlando Pirates, Lundi Mahala, Richards Bay, April 2026

Richards Bay 2-2 Pirates: 'Forget it, the league is gone! Appollis with schoolboy errors'

Abdelsalam Ouaddou’s charges came into the clash looking to keep the winning run alive, but a red-hot 24-year-old winger who clearly has the Soweto teams figured out, alongside Papi Zothwane, flipped the script, shutting down the Buccaneers’ push to climb to the summit in the absence of the Tshwane giants, who are in pursuit of the CAF Champions League, as the spoils were shared on Friday night.

Evidence Makgopa, Orlando Pirates, November 2025

Predicted Pirates XI vs Richards Bay: Makgopa back to replace Mbuthuma?

The Soweto giants are out to build their terrific momentum, which has seen them score 11 goals in their last two games, when they meet the Natal Rich Boyz at uMhlathuze Stadium on Friday.

Pirates fans urged to rally behind struggling Mbuthuma: He's their son, they have to support him

The former Richards Bay striker has been one of the players who have enjoyed game time at the Soweto giants. However, he has not scored many goals as anticipated. The forward has not been clinical, something that has attracted criticism from a section of the Sea Robbers faithful who feel he should do more.

Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng & Patrick Maswanganyi, Orlando Pirates, August 2025

Predicted XI Pirates vs Arrows: Rele or Andre De Jong for No. 10 role?

After a huge win over TS Galaxy, Orlando Pirates return to Premier Soccer League action. A win over Abafana Bes'thende will help the Sea Robbers go back to the top of the table. This is a game that the Soweto giants will not afford to lose, as they need points that will firmly keep them in the title race.

Tshegofatso Mabasa, Abdeslam Ouaddou, December 2025

Is Ouaddou a tactical genius who thrives without in-form forwards? Pirates legend responds

The Moroccan has sometimes never hidden his disappointment when he fumes during post-match interviews after his players miss clear-cut chances. This has happened even in matches where the Buccaneers go on to win by a comfortable margin. Yet despite his frustration, the Soweto giants remain the highest-scoring side in the Premier Soccer League.

Iqraam Rayners, Mamelodi Sundowns, August 2025

Why Makgopa and Foster? Broos questioned after snubbing Rayners & Mbuthuma

The spotlight again is on the Belgian tactician since he named his final squad to take on Panama during the international break. The raging debate is who should have been called up and who should have been left out. The games lined up later this month are expected to give the 73-year-old a glimpse of how fit his players are before the World Cup finals.

Predicted XI Pirates vs Galaxy: Rele wide, Mbule No.10 & Makgopa back?

The Sea Robbers desperately need to bounce back from the 1-1 draw against Siwelele when they face the Rockets on Sunday at the Mbombela Stadium. With Mamelodi Sundowns on CAF Champions League duties, victory for the Soweto giants will send them to the top of the Premier League table with 51 points, one more than the defending champions.

Pirates fans warned against social media criticism of players - 'You will kill their confidence'

As the Sea Robbers chase the Premier Soccer League title, constant criticism against players, especially on social media, has been condemned. Bucs' fans are known to be very vocal in expressing themselves, especially when the team or a player perform below their normal standards. However, this kind of criticism has been discouraged because the players have already won two trophies.

Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando Pirates, October 2025

'This is a major team, not a small club' - Ex-Pirates star on Ouaddou's striker dilemma

The Buccaneers lack a forward genuinely challenging for the Premier Soccer League Golden Boot, but there is still room for improvement in attack. A former Soweto giants star has opened up on how the coach is dealing with his underperforming frontrunners. He feels a sharper output up front remains a pressing need.

Pirates legend blames 'disaster' Mbuthuma for Siwelele draw

Former Bucs striker Andries Sebola did not hold back in his assessment of the current forward line following the stalemate at Orlando Amstel Arena and believes the lack of clinical finishing is threatening their title aspirations, specifically singling out their 24-year-old striker for criticism and questioning Abdeslam Ouaddou's tactics and substitutions.

Sipho Mbule, Orlando Pirates, February 2026

Predicted XI Orlando Pirates vs Siwelele - Ouaddou in a dilemma: Makgopa or Mbuthuma?

The Sea Robbers return to action after a midweek victory that propelled them to the top of the Premier Soccer League table. The hard-fought win over Richards Bay ensured that the Buccaneers maintained a close gap with Mamelodi Sundowns, although an insignificant goal difference separates the two rivals. As Masandawana focus on the CAF Champions League, the Soweto giants are hunting for league points over the weekend.

'What does a goat have to do with Mbuthuma scoring? Mabasa would've been better'

The 24-year-old forward arrived at the Soweto giants from Richards Bay before the start of the current season. Expectations on him to deliver are now weighing heavily on his shoulders from the ever-demanding Buccaneers fans. He has managed seven goals and three assists from 21 appearances in different competitions this season

Yanela Mbuthuma and Ronwen Williams, Orlando Pirates vs Mamelodi Sundowns

Mbuthuma advised to 'slaughter a goat' to improve his goal tally

The Buccaneers striker has been set a daunting challenge to find his shooting boots in the PSL title run in, with a club legend suggesting a traditional intervention is required. Since arriving from Richards Bay FC at the start of the current campaign, the 24-year-old has found himself under the microscope as he attempts to lead the line for one of Africa’s most demanding fanbases. While his return of seven goals and three assists from 21 appearances is respectable, the standard at the Buccaneers remains sky-high.

Evidence Makgopa, Orlando Pirates, March 2026

Predicting Pirates starting XI vs Polokwane City: headache for Ouaddou - Mbuthuma or Makgopa?

The Sea Robbers will be back in action on Wednesday after a morale-boosting win over the Glamour Boys in the Soweto derby. Against Rise and Shine, Bucs will need more points in order to keep pace with Mamelodi Sundowns in the tight Premier Soccer League title race.

Predicted Pirates' XI vs Richards Bay: Mbule fit & available, will Ouaddou hand him a starting spot?

The Buccaneers will host the Natal Rich Boyz at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Wednesday. The KwaZulu-Natal side will come in high on confidence, having secured three points against Kaizer Chiefs in their last league match. However, for the Sea Robbers, every point is crucial at this stage, and they are laser-focused on the title race, while the visitors are striving to climb the standings and secure a coveted top-eight finish.

Big game player! Bafana and Pirates star praised for sinking Chiefs

To beat Amakhosi, the Buccaneers needed their players to be in top form, and one of those who really showed up is a Bafana Bafana forward. The victory was huge for the Sea Robbers, as it kept them tightly in the title race. For the Glamour Boys, a poor form that has been witnessed recently persisted.

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Frequently asked questions

: Lionel Messi is a versatile attacker who has featured both through the middle and in a free role from the right, allowing him to cut inside on to his stronger left foot.
: Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Santa Fe, in Argentina on June 24, 1987.
: The Argentine maestro wears the number he has been known to don for the majority of his career, the No. 10, at MLS outfit Inter Miami.
: Lionel Messi is often among the shortest players on a football pitch, standing at just 1.70m (5ft 7in). However, it is due to his low center of gravity which has made him one of the most fearsome forces to be reckoned with in football history.
: Lionel Messi weighs 67kg (148 lbs), his low weight aiding him in gaining high bursts of acceleration and gliding past defenders as if they were never there.
: Lionel Messi began his journey in football with local club Grandoli at the age of four, in 1992, before joining the team he loved the most, Newell's Old Boys, at the age of six. He stayed with the Argentine club until 2000, when he made the switch to Barcelona.
: Lionel Messi and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo have three sons: Mateo, Thiago, and Ciro.
: Lionel Messi is married to Argentine model and media personality Antonella Roccuzzo. The couple exchanged vows back in 2017.

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