Orlando Pirates legend Joseph Makhanya set to leave feeder team

Changes are under way at Orlando Pirates’ ABC Motsepe League feeder team, with head coach Joseph ‘Duku-Duku’ Makhanya reportedly no longer involved with the Soweto club.

Makhanya, a former Pirates player and club legend, is understood to have stepped away from his position with the side competing in the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League under the Orlando Pirates name. The team was previously known as Pele Pele FC.

The developments are not believed to be limited to the head-coaching position, with assistant coach Issa Sarr also absent from training and reportedly set to leave.

A source close to the situation told KickOff that Makhanya was no longer with the club and that further departures had taken place within the coaching structure.

“Joseph Makhanya is not with Pirates anymore,” the source revealed. “He has not been at training, and there are two coaches who are also leaving. Issa Sarr has also not been at training.

“But the club will make a proper announcement anytime from now,” added the source.

The reasons for the departures of Makhanya and Sarr have not been disclosed.

Makhanya was moved to the feeder team in September 2025 after successfully guiding Orlando Pirates’ DStv Diski Challenge side. He then joined forces with Sarr, who was appointed as his assistant.

Sarr, a former Senegal international, had already been part of the Pele Pele technical set-up before Makhanya arrived. The midfielder represented Orlando Pirates between 2014 and 2018 during his playing career.

The changes come as the Gauteng-based side continues its campaign under the Orlando Pirates banner. The club has yet to make an official announcement confirming Makhanya’s departure or clarifying the future of the other members of the coaching staff.

Makhanya had built a reputation within Pirates’ development structure after his work with the DStv Diski Challenge team, before taking charge of the feeder side in the ABC Motsepe League.

For now, the identities of any potential replacements for Makhanya and Sarr remain unknown. Orlando Pirates are expected to provide more information when the club formally addresses the changes.