Ending contracts: 10 Orlando Pirates players

Football players dread this period. 10 Orlando Pirates players, including Kermit Erasmus and Zakhele Lepasa, face uncertain futures at the club. Their contract deals are ending in June.

ORLANDO PIRATES TO MAKE DECISIONS ON 10 PLAYERS

June is fast approaching. Vincent Pule recently signed a contract extension last July to remain at the Sea Robbers until 2025, but some of his teammates are still in limbo. Siyabonga Mpontshane, Thabang Monare also signed at the same time as Pule, but their deals with Orlando Pirates end this June. Richard Ofori also put pen to paper on a new deal that includes a one-year extension.

Full list of players with contracts ending in June:

1. Richard Ofori, 30, goalkeeper (option to extend)
2. Siyabonga Mpontshane, 37, goalkeeper
3. Olisa Ndah, 26, central defender
4. Sandile Mthethwa, 26, central defender
5. Thalente Mbatha, 24, central midfielder (option to make loan deal permanent)
6. Thabang Monare, 34, central midfielder
7. Fortune Makaringe, 30, attacking midfielder
8. Deon Hotto, 33, left-wing-back
9. Zakhele Lepasa, 27, forward
10. Kermit Erasmus, 33, forward.

Who should Orlando Pirates keep or release? Let us know in the comments section below.

TSHEGOFATSO MABASA LEADS HIS TEAM TO RECORD WIN

The Buccaneers were the best team in South Africa last weekend after smashing Golden Arrows 7-1. Tshegofatso Mabasa played a starring role with three goals. The rest of the scorers included Relebohile Mofokeng, Kabelo Dlamini, Sandile Mthethwa and Karim Kimvuidi. Following last weekend’s 2-1 shock loss to Sekhukhune United, the Sea Robbers responded in style as Arrows were put to the sword.

ORLANDO PIRATES’ BIGGEST WINS IN HISTORY

1. April 6, 2024 – 7-1 over Golden Arrows
2. February 24, 2024 – 6-0 over Crystal Lake FC
3. September 22, 2004 – 6-0 over Ajax Cape Town
4. August 12, 2023 – 5-0 over Sekhukhune United FC
5. March 12, 2016 – 5-0 over Jomo Cosmos.

Mabasa’s hattrick also propelled the 27-year-old striker to second place in the DStv Premiership Golden Boot chart. Mabasa’s hattrick against Abafana Bes’thende took him to 10 goals, which is a goal behind Mamelodi Sundowns’ Lucas Costa Ribeiro. Mabasa overtook the likes of Khanyisa Mayo, Iqraam Rayners and Bradley Grobler.

Orlando Pirates star Tshegofatso Mabasa in the Nedbank Cup against Crystal Lake at the Mbombela Stadium. Image: Backpagepix.

Full list of top 10 scorers:

1. Lucas Ribeiro, Mamelodi Sundowns – 11 goals
2. Tshegofatso Mabasa, Orlando Pirates – 10 goals
3. Khanyisa Mayo, Cape Town City, – 9 goals
4. Bradley Grobler, SuperSport Untied – 8 goals
5. Iqraam Rayners, Stellenbosch FC – 8 goals
6. Samir Nurkovic, TS Galaxy – 7 goals
7. Devin Titus, Stellenbosch FC – 6 goals
8. Ashley Cupido, Cape Town Spurs – 6 goals
9. Augustine Kwem, AmaZulu – 6 goals
10. Lungelo Nguse, Golden Arrows – 6 goals.

Can Orlando Pirates’ Mabasa overtake Ribiero? Let us know in the comments section below.