New players signed by the Orlando Pirates for the 2023–24 season

The coaches of the Orlando Pirates will be hopeful that this time they can assemble a strong team to contend for both the Caf Confederation Cup and the Premier Soccer League championship.

The Soweto giants will compete for their first league championship since 2012 in the next season.

They also make a comeback to the Confederation Cup, where they were soundly defeated 4-0 in the second leg of the quarterfinal by eventual champions Raja Casablanca, exposing their lack of skill.

It remains to be seen if the team the club is working hard to assemble will be capable of competing more successfully in Africa as well as in domestic championships.

Thus far, the Pirates have added Maritzburg United players Kwanda Mngonyama, a center-back, and Bandile Shandu, a midfielder.

Goodman Mosele, an attacking midfielder, was also signed from Baroka FC, while Monnapule Saleng, a winger, joined from Free State Stars.

The Golden Arrows have signed Ntsako Makhubela, and they traveled to West Africa to sign Nigerian defender Olisa Ndah and

Expectations for Thulani Hlatshwayo were high following his signing with the Pirates before the commencement of the previous campaign.

Being the captain of Bafana Bafana gave him a great reputation when he joined the Pirates, but his first season with the Buccaneers was disappointing.

Mngonyama would have to live up to the expectations of a defender playing for a traditional behemoth if he was to swiftly fit in for the Pirates.

Hlatshwayo, captain Happy Jele, and Ntsikelelo Nyauza are the Pirates’ center backs, and Mngonyama has signed a two-year contract with them.

There will be a close examination of whether Zinnbauer made the proper choice in strengthening the center defense this time around by adding a player who has an instant impact.

With eight Premier Soccer League seasons under his belt between Bidvest Wits and two stints at Maritzburg United and Cape Town City, the 27-year-old is expected to be a hit rather than a miss.

Hlatshwayo, Deon Hotto, Thabang Monare, and Terrence Dzvukamanja were all acquired by the Buccaneers from Bidvest Wits on free transfers during the previous campaign.

Shandu and Mngonyama, whose contracts with Maritzburg United terminated at the end of June, are now free agents.

Even if established PSL players have not received a transfer fee, that can be considered smart business.

But a lot of attention is focused on seeing whether or not they will succeed as pirates.

Shandu moved from Maritzburg, where he spent the previous nine seasons after advancing into the first team at the age of eighteen, for the first time in his professional career.

A three-year contract was inked by the 26-year-old.

There is a history of underperformance among players that go from Baroka FC to the Pirates at the Soweto Giants.

Collins Makgaka is the most recent, having only managed to make seven appearances across all competitions in his first season with the Pirates.

Gift Motupa and Thabiso Kutumela, who successfully transferred from Baroka to the Pirates but failed, were among the players that came before Makgaka.

Interestingly enough, Motupa and Kutumela have since made a comeback and are currently playing for Mamelodi Sundowns.

Goodman Mosele, a former Bakgaka player, has now joined the Pirates from Baroka, and many are curious to see if he can erase the terrible reputation left by his predecessors.

It was an indication of the coaches’ faith in his ability that he was given a four-year contract, and he now needs to return their favor.

This will be his first season playing for a team other than Baroka. Currently, the 21-year-old is competing for South Africa’s Under-23 team at the Olympic Games in Japan.