Orlando Pirates are back on the continental stage this weekend, kicking off their CAF Champions League journey against Lesotho’s Lioli at the Free State Stadium. The Soweto giants, fresh from lifting the MTN8, are chasing a second star to add to their 1995 triumph.
But as the chase for glory begins, the Bucs will also carry a slightly different look — on the backs of their shirts. CAF rules restrict squad numbers to 1–40, forcing a shuffle that sees familiar names donning fresh digits.
New signing Sihle Nduli drops his league number 30 and will run out in the iconic number 8 jersey, while teammate Cemran Dansin slides into the 30 shirt. Midfield maestro Sipho Mbule swaps 23 for 22, leaving defender Siyabonga Ndlozi to take over the old 23.
At the back, Abdoulaye Mariko inherits the number 4, while youngster Nkosikhona Ndaba pulls on the 13 jersey. Vice-captain Mbekezeli Mbokazi will marshal the midfield with the number 6, and Thabiso Lebitso drops his 37 for the classic 14.
Among the headline names, Patrick Maswanganyi keeps hold of the prized number 10, with his old 28 moving to Kamogelo Sebelebele. Starlet Relebohile Mofokeng stays in his familiar number 3, while striker Boitumelo Radiopane switches from 42 to 33.
In goal, Melusi Buthelezi claims the coveted number 1 jersey, while Siyabonga Dladla trades his 40 for 31. Only Sipho Chaine remains unchanged among the shot-stoppers.
The reshuffle might be cosmetic, but in football, jersey numbers carry weight — a sense of history, responsibility, and belief. As Pirates coach [insert name if available] put it: “It’s a fresh campaign and a new chance to make history. The numbers may change, but our ambition stays the same.”
Pirates faithful will be hoping these new digits bring old memories back to life — those of lifting Africa’s biggest club prize.
FULL SQUAD LIST AND JERSEY NUMBERS
- Melusi Buthelezi
- Tshepho Mashiloane
- Relebohile Mofokeng
- Abdoulaye Mariko
- Nkosinathi Sibisi
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi
- Deon Hotto
- Sihle Nduli
- Yanela Mbuthuma
- Patrick Maswanganyi
- Tshepang Moremi
- Oswin Appollis
- Nkosikhona Ndaba
- Thabiso Lebitso
- Masindi Nemtajela
- Thalente Mbatha
- Evidence Makgopa
- Kabelo Dlamini
- Tshegofatso Mabasa
- Simphiwe Selepe
- Deano van Rooyen
- Sihle Mbule
- Siyabonga Ndlozi
- Sipho Chaine
- –
- Bandile Shandu
- Tapelo Xoki
- Kamogelo Sebelebele
- Sinoxolo Kwayiba
- Cemran Dansin
- Siyabonga Dladla
- Lebone Seema
- Boitumelo Radiopane
⚽ Next Match: Lioli vs Orlando Pirates — CAF Champions League Preliminary Round, 1st Leg
📍 Free State Stadium
🕒 This weekend