Orlando Pirates agent reveals how she discovered Matome Mmolai while pregnant

Basia Michaels has revealed that she discovered new Orlando Pirates signing Matome Mmolai while she was pregnant, after watching the midfielder produce a commanding performance for Leicesterford City.

Mmolai is awaiting his debut in the famous Black and White colours after completing his move to Pirates ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The 23-year-old’s route to the top flight appeared uncertain for much of last season. He spent the first six months of the campaign on the sidelines because TS Galaxy could not register him owing to clearance issues.

Those problems followed the sale of his former club JDR Stars’ Motsepe Foundation Championship status to Leicesterford City.

Mmolai eventually returned to Leicesterford and made an impression during the second round of the season. His performances also brought him to the attention of Michaels, an intermediary with QT Sport.

Michaels said she first noticed the midfielder during Leicesterford’s match against Kruger United, who were regarded as the team to beat in the second tier at the time, while Leicesterford were fighting to avoid relegation.

“I saw that kid on a Saturday. I remember I went to watch Leicesterford City play. I was pregnant and I was like, ‘Where are you going?’ I was tired, I was finished, but anyway, I was like, ‘let me go’, and I went. I’ve got clients at Leicesterford,” Michaels said on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified.

The agent said Mmolai immediately stood out because of the way he controlled the game. She asked for the team sheet, searched for his name online and then began working out how to contact him.

“They played against Kruger United and this kid took the game like this. And I was like, ‘Who is that?’ I asked for the team sheet, they gave me the name, I googled the name,” Michaels said.

Mmolai, a former Dondol Stars player, was eventually reached through his uncle, Masilo. Michaels said she travelled from Dobsonville and quickly arranged a meeting with the player’s family.

“His uncle is Masilo and I remember him telling me about him. I drove out of Dobsonville, it was the first phone call I made. The very next day, I met Matome’s mother, his mother liked me and the very next day, I signed Matome.”

His move to Orlando Pirates was later helped by contact from Mpumi Khoza, the club’s director of football. Michaels said Khoza told her that Pirates had already reached an agreement with Leicesterford and wanted to discuss personal terms with Mmolai.

The agent said she welcomed the opportunity immediately.

“I said, ‘Azishe!’ (Let’s go!),” Michaels revealed.

Mmolai now has the chance to make his mark at one of South Africa’s most prominent clubs, having gone from being unable to play for much of last season to securing a move to Pirates before the 2026/27 campaign.