Orlando Pirates news

The South African Premier Soccer League has recently produced talented youngsters who have shown promise in the game, inviting interest from abroad where several teams have been chasing them. In the last couple of months, youngsters have left for Belgium as well as the Major League Soccer and, seemingly, this is not going to stop.

The Amakhosi starlet becomes another talent from the country to cross the border and join his international counterpart. Coincidentally, the club is owned by an Amakhosi legend, and the move by the youngster represents a connection of some sort between the club and the Soweto giants.

Masandawana have made statement signings, sending a clear signal to rivals that they should expect a stronger team. Monnapule Saleng and Brayan Leon are top stars that have been brought on board to strengthen the striking department that already has record breaker Peter Shalulile and Iqraam Rayners, last season's second-best league scorer. But who exactly is influencing these signings? A question has been posed.

The 29-year-old did well for Stellenbosch under the then coach Steve Berker, who has since left Stellies for Simba SC in the Tanzanian Premier League. The attacker is set to help the Buccaneers in their bid to conquer the South African top-flight football, as well as the remaining domestic competitions.

The Buccaneers have been making quality signings in the short January transfer window as the management and the technical team are working harder to ensure they have enough arsenal to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns and Co. for the Premier Soccer League title in the ongoing 2025/2026 campaign after going for more than a decade without one.

The South Africa international has established himself as one of the elite forwards in the Premier Soccer League, but in the 2025/26 campaign, he has struggled for game time owing to stiff competition at Bucs, coupled with preferences by coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. The 29-year-old might have played his last game for the Soweto giants.

The Buccaneers are showing no intention of slowing down as they have made three signings in the short January transfer window, as they work on achieving their target of winning all the domestic competitions. Already, they have secured the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout, which happened before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break.

The 21-year-old has been a target for the defending Premier Soccer League champions, Masandawana, and the reigning Nedbank Cup winners, Amakhosi, owing to his strong display while with TS Galaxy, a team he joined three seasons ago. However, the duo has missed out after the Major League Soccer side acted swiftly to seal the deal.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, two Buccaneers attacking midfielders risk struggling for game time and missing out as competition for places intensifies within Abdeslam Ouaddou's squad. However, the New Zealander's arrival could spark some fierce competitiveness for the Soweto giants in the middle of the park. That added depth may also drive the Buccaneers side to mount a stronger push for the Premier Soccer League title.

By strengthening their playing unit, the Brazilians are sending a clear message to their rivals that they mean business. So far, the Tshwane giants have confirmed the signing of Brayan Leon from Colombia and Monnapule Saleng from Orlando Pirates. The signing of the Bafana defender means there will be no void left in the defensive department after Lucas Suarez's exit.

The forward's move from one Premier Soccer League title contender to another remains the biggest move so far in the January transfer window. After an impressive outing for Orbit College in the first round of the campaign, Saleng will have to prove himself in another club, bigger and more competitive than the PSL debutants. His signing comes at a time when there are rumours Masandawana are set to make changes to their technical bench.

The Tshwane giants have confirmed a new signing just days after a shocking transfer that saw them bring on board Monnapule Saleng from Orlando Pirates. The South American star is a 20-goal contribution forward, and this is a statement signing by the Premier Soccer League giants. This is another asset added to Masandawana's attacking department as they chase more titles.

As debate on who should take over Bafana Bafana when Broos' era comes to an end rages, some names have been suggested. From the experienced Pitso Mosimane to the emerging Rhulani Mokwena and Broos' current assistant, Helman Mkhalele, pundits have been analysing who is the best-suited tactician to handle the national side.