Sesane exit from Orlando Pirates explained as defender seals Siwelele move

Thabiso Sesane’s unexpected departure from Orlando Pirates came down to a search for regular football and the arrival of a coach who “is absolutely in love with him” at Siwelele FC, according to his agent.

The 26-year-old defender, a product of Pirates’ youth system, left the Soweto giants after nine years to join Siwelele, having seen his breakthrough season disrupted by injury and a change in the technical team.

Sesane finally forced his way into the first team under former head coach Jose Riveiro during the 2024/25 campaign, only for a poorly timed injury to halt his momentum just as he began establishing himself in central defence.

During his spell on the sidelines, Pirates appointed Abdeslam Ouaddou as head coach and other defenders took their chance, leaving Sesane facing an increasingly crowded path back into the starting line-up.

Agent outlines reasons for move

Speaking to Soccer Laduma, Sesane’s representative, Basia Michaels of QT Sports, said the move was initiated by Siwelele and driven by the player’s desire for minutes rather than any lack of faith in his ability to compete at Pirates.

“Siwelele approached Pirates,” Michaels explained.

“He wants game time. There’s no question that he would be able to get back into the (Pirates) squad, but the reality of football is that the current squad won the league, so for him, there was an offer that came from a coach (Lehlohonolo Seema) that is absolutely in love with him, and he said he is willing to take on a new challenge. He was at Pirates for nine years. He has a great mentality,” she told Soccer Laduma.

Michaels’ comments underline that Pirates’ recent success – they are coming off a league-winning campaign – has made competition for places even fiercer, convincing Sesane that a move was the best route to consistent first-team football.

Siwelele rebuild continues

Sesane’s arrival forms part of a broader recruitment drive at Siwelele as they reshape their squad after a number of departures at the end of last season.

The club have already brought in defender Njabulo Ngcobo following his exit from Cape Town City. They have also added winger Felix Noge, a SuperSport United product who had been playing in the ABC Motsepe League.

Head coach Lehlohonolo Seema is tasked with integrating the new signings quickly as Siwelele prepare for the new Betway Premiership season, with Sesane expected to compete immediately for a place in central defence.

Season opener switched to Toyota Stadium

Siwelele will launch their Betway Premiership campaign on 2 August with a home fixture against TS Galaxy.

The club has confirmed that the match will now take place at Toyota Stadium, rather than Dr Petrus Molelema Stadium, which had initially been announced as the venue.

No further details have been provided on the reasons for the switch, but the confirmation means Sesane could make his competitive debut for his new club in front of the home support in Bloemfontein.

For the defender, the move brings an end to a long association with Orlando Pirates that began in the academy ranks and offered a brief taste of first-team prominence under Riveiro, before injury and increased competition changed the picture.

At Siwelele, under a coach who has made clear his admiration for him, Sesane now has the opportunity to re-establish himself as a regular at Betway Premiership level.