Orlando Pirates name 41-man senior squad as champions prepare for title defence

Orlando Pirates have confirmed a 41-player first-team group for the 2026/27 campaign after releasing their shirt numbers ahead of Saturday’s Betway Premiership opener against Milford FC.

The announcement, published on the club’s official channels, underlines the scale of head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s resources as the Buccaneers look to retain their league crown while also competing in domestic cups and the CAF Champions League.

The size of the squad is striking given Ouaddou’s known preference for a more streamlined group, but the physical and logistical demands of fighting on several fronts appear to have shaped the club’s planning for the new season.

New signings handed squad numbers

Among the headline changes are the numbers allocated to Pirates’ latest recruits.

Defender Neo Rapoo will wear No.19, while winger Gamphani Lungu has been given No.23. Former Richards Bay FC defender Sbangani Zulu will run out in the No.37 shirt.

Norwegian forward Sebastian Pedersen, who has joined from Sogndal Fotball, has taken the No.31 jersey. The club’s most recent arrival, Thapelo Mokobodi, has been assigned No.33.

Academy graduates promoted

Pirates have also moved to recognise several products of their development system by awarding senior numbers.

Mpho Padime has been given the No.38 shirt, previously worn by Bafana Bafana attacker Relebohile Mofokeng. Fellow youngsters Matome Mmolai and Mthetheleli Mthiyane will wear Nos.26 and 29 respectively.

Three more prospects – Bohlale Ngwato (47), Simphiwe Masilela (48) and Kabelo Kgotsitsile (49) – are included in the expanded group, along with defenders Reece Braithwaite (41) and Cristian Derbyshire (44). Their inclusion further illustrates the club’s stated commitment to promoting talent from within its own ranks.

Established players change numbers

Several senior figures have also switched shirts ahead of the new campaign.

Premiership Defender of the Season Lebone Seema has moved from No.33 to the No.6 shirt, while Malian midfielder Abdoulaye Mariko will now wear No.4 instead of No.32.

Goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla inherits Mariko’s old No.32 jersey. Another goalkeeper, Zoey Monyepao, will switch to No.40, and striker Boitumelo Radiopane has traded No.42 for No.25 after two seasons in his previous number.

Pirates have confirmed that the listed numbers apply to all domestic competitions. The club has left open the possibility of tweaks when finalising its CAF Champions League registration, where regulations can influence squad composition.

Full list of Orlando Pirates squad numbers

The full set of allocations for the 2026/27 season, as confirmed by Orlando Pirates, is:

3. Nkosikhona Ndaba 4. Abdoulaye Mariko 5. Nkosinathi Sibisi 6. Lebone Seema 7. Deon Hotto 8. Makhehleni Makkhaula 9. Yanela Mbuthuma 11. Tshepang Moremi 12. Oswin Appollis 14. Andre de Jong 15. Masindi Nemtajela 16. Thalente Mbatha 17. Evidence Makgopa 18. Kabelo Dlamini 19. Neo Rapoo 20. Simphiwe Selepe 21. Deano van Rooyen 23. Gamphani Lungu 24. Sipho Chaine 25. Boitumelo Radiopane 26. Matome Mmolai 27. Tapelo Xoki 28. Patrick Maswanganyi 29. Mthetheleli Mthiyane 30. Sihle Nduli 31. Sebastian Pedersen 32. Siyabonga Dladla 33. Thapelo Mkobodi 36. Kamogelo Sebelebele 37. Sbangani Zulu 38. Mpho Padime 39. Sifiso Luthuli 40. Zoey Monyepao 41. Reece Braithwaite 43. Mpho Chabatsane 44. Cristian Derbyshire 45. Daniel Msendami 46. Camren Dansin 47. Bohlale Ngwato 48. Simphiwe Masilela 49. Kabelo Kgotsitsile

The confirmation of numbers comes as Pirates finalise preparations for their league kick-off against Milford FC, the first step in what they hope will be another successful season at home and on the continent.