Blab Sports
Orlando Pirates Sign Four New Players, Eye Ivorian Midfielder Cisse
The Buccaneers have just announced a quartet of new signings as they prepare to defend their 2025 Betway Premiership crown, and a rumor is swirling that Ivorian midfielder Cisse will join the squad as well.
The club’s first four acquisitions are:
• Mthetheli Mthiyane – 25‑year‑old defensive midfielder from Richards Bay who rose through the Bissa Academy and played 30 matches for Stellenbosch FC in 2025/26. He earned a place in the preliminary squad for the South African national team in March 2026.
• Sbangani Zulu – defender born in eNdwedwe who progressed through Royal AM’s youth system and made his Betway Premiership debut in 2024/25. He joined Richards Bay FC in April 2025 and appeared in 25 league games.
• Bohlale Ngwato – 20‑year‑old winger from Tshwane who developed at SuperSport United’s academy. He broke into senior football in 2026 and has already been called up to the national side.
• Ghampani Lungu – Zambian forward who began his career with National Assembly Lusaka before spells at Power Dynamos and SuperSport United. He spent seven seasons with the South African club before moving to Siwelele FC.
All four signings were announced by the club’s official channels in early March, with the players expected to join the squad for pre‑season training.
In addition to the confirmed deals, a source cited by the sports website Kick Off reported that Cisse has already signed with a new club. The source said, “Cisse has signed with a new club. The deal is signed and sealed. The club will make an announcement.” The source added that the transfer process has been completed, but no official statement from Orlando Pirates has yet been released.
Cisse was one of Golden Arrows’ most influential players during the 2025/26 season, contributing to the team’s strong midfield performances. His departure from Durban is reportedly finalised, and the timing of the announcement suggests the Buccaneers may unveil him in the coming days.
The Pirates’ decision to strengthen the squad comes on the back of a successful 2025 campaign in which they secured their fifth league title and first since 2012. The club’s recent trophy haul, which includes nine league championships and 90 total trophies, has positioned them as a dominant force in South African football.
Adding Mthiyane, Zulu, Ngwato and Lungu provides the Pirates with a mix of experience and youth. Mthiyane’s defensive midfield role complements the team’s existing core, while Zulu’s aerial presence adds solidity to the back line. Ngwato’s pace on the wing and Lungu’s versatility in attack are expected to offer tactical flexibility.
If the Cisse transfer is confirmed, it would further bolster the midfield, giving the Pirates a deeper rotation and a player with proven domestic league experience. The club’s management has not yet commented on the potential signing, but the timing of the source’s statement and the lack of any public denial suggest the deal is likely to be announced soon.
The Pirates will begin the 2026 season with a series of pre‑season friendlies before the Betway Premiership schedule kicks off in late July. The club’s new signings will have the opportunity to integrate during the training camp in Durban, where the team will also host a friendly against a local academy side.
In summary, Orlando Pirates have confirmed four new players and are reportedly close to signing Ivorian midfielder Cisse. The club’s strengthened roster will prepare them for a title‑defending campaign, with the upcoming season’s fixtures and the official announcement of Cisse’s arrival remaining the next key developments.
The club’s first four acquisitions are:
• Mthetheli Mthiyane – 25‑year‑old defensive midfielder from Richards Bay who rose through the Bissa Academy and played 30 matches for Stellenbosch FC in 2025/26. He earned a place in the preliminary squad for the South African national team in March 2026.
• Sbangani Zulu – defender born in eNdwedwe who progressed through Royal AM’s youth system and made his Betway Premiership debut in 2024/25. He joined Richards Bay FC in April 2025 and appeared in 25 league games.
• Bohlale Ngwato – 20‑year‑old winger from Tshwane who developed at SuperSport United’s academy. He broke into senior football in 2026 and has already been called up to the national side.
• Ghampani Lungu – Zambian forward who began his career with National Assembly Lusaka before spells at Power Dynamos and SuperSport United. He spent seven seasons with the South African club before moving to Siwelele FC.
All four signings were announced by the club’s official channels in early March, with the players expected to join the squad for pre‑season training.
In addition to the confirmed deals, a source cited by the sports website Kick Off reported that Cisse has already signed with a new club. The source said, “Cisse has signed with a new club. The deal is signed and sealed. The club will make an announcement.” The source added that the transfer process has been completed, but no official statement from Orlando Pirates has yet been released.
Cisse was one of Golden Arrows’ most influential players during the 2025/26 season, contributing to the team’s strong midfield performances. His departure from Durban is reportedly finalised, and the timing of the announcement suggests the Buccaneers may unveil him in the coming days.
The Pirates’ decision to strengthen the squad comes on the back of a successful 2025 campaign in which they secured their fifth league title and first since 2012. The club’s recent trophy haul, which includes nine league championships and 90 total trophies, has positioned them as a dominant force in South African football.
Adding Mthiyane, Zulu, Ngwato and Lungu provides the Pirates with a mix of experience and youth. Mthiyane’s defensive midfield role complements the team’s existing core, while Zulu’s aerial presence adds solidity to the back line. Ngwato’s pace on the wing and Lungu’s versatility in attack are expected to offer tactical flexibility.
If the Cisse transfer is confirmed, it would further bolster the midfield, giving the Pirates a deeper rotation and a player with proven domestic league experience. The club’s management has not yet commented on the potential signing, but the timing of the source’s statement and the lack of any public denial suggest the deal is likely to be announced soon.
The Pirates will begin the 2026 season with a series of pre‑season friendlies before the Betway Premiership schedule kicks off in late July. The club’s new signings will have the opportunity to integrate during the training camp in Durban, where the team will also host a friendly against a local academy side.
In summary, Orlando Pirates have confirmed four new players and are reportedly close to signing Ivorian midfielder Cisse. The club’s strengthened roster will prepare them for a title‑defending campaign, with the upcoming season’s fixtures and the official announcement of Cisse’s arrival remaining the next key developments.
