Orlando Pirates coach praises Kabelo Dlamini's return, comparing him to Zinedine Zidane

Orlando Pirates have officially confirmed the re-signing of Bafana Bafana winger Mokhu Nkoto on loan from the Saudi Pro League club Al Ettifaq.

The Soweto-based team has brought Nkoto back after a year in Saudi Arabia. His first season abroad had mixed results, and he ultimately could not continue playing due to injury.

Last season, Nkoto played 21 league matches for Al Ettifaq, starting 16 of them. He started his spell promisingly, scoring twice in the first two months, but then failed to maintain momentum and did not score after October.

His season was complicated by international commitments and injury. Nkoto was included in the Bafana squad for the Africa Cup of Nations and participated in the tournament, but did not play after the second group stage match against Angola.

Following this, his season was interrupted by a serious knee injury, which ruled him out of the national team and ultimately dashed hopes of making it into Hugo Broos' squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nkoto's return to Pirates gives him a chance to regain his form at a club where he previously established himself as an important attacking player.

The winger's breakthrough season came in 2024/25, when he provided seven goals and five assists in 39 matches across all competitions, starting 29 of them. These statistics demonstrated his ability to provide both creativity and goal threat from the flanks—qualities that Pirates aim to reclaim.

The return is also significant given the changes in the club's attacking lineup since that breakthrough season. Pirates have already lost Relobokhile Mofokeng, who moved to Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, freeing up a spot for another young attacker who will have to take on greater responsibility.

Nkoto's familiarity with the club, combined with his previous productivity, gives coach Abdelsalam Wadee an additional option on the right flank as the Buccaneers continue their title defense.

After a difficult year abroad, this transfer is an opportunity for Nkoto to return to the environment where he first made his mark and remind Pirates and Bafana what he is capable of offering.

Following the 4-0 victory over Kruger United in the Betway Premier League match, Orlando Pirates coach Abdelslam Waddu expressed confidence in the team's start in the CAF Champions League tournament. Although Orlando Pirates is not yet a perfectly tuned machine, Waddu is pleased with his team's effectiveness, considering it a key factor in the pursuit of group stage participation in the CAF Champions League.

The team will begin its continental journey with a preliminary round match, the first game, which will take place away against Le Cuer Sylvestre on Sunday. This game is crucial for setting the tone for the remainder of the season, especially given the failure in the final qualification round against St Eloi Lupopo last season.

The lack of participation in last year's World Cup group stage nearly ended Waddu's tenure at the club, as some impatient fans felt he did not meet the standard and could not build upon the foundation laid by Jose Ribeiro, who led the team to the continental semi-finals.

The Moroccan coach received support from the club's management and justified the trust by winning the Betway Premiership title, ending a 14-year trophy drought, as well as winning the MTN8, the club's fourth consecutive title, and overcoming the team's 'jinx' in the recently rebranded Carling Knockout.

Despite structural changes, player departures, and injuries to key players, Pirates started the season strongly, occupying first place in the table and reaching the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns. Now, Waddu wants his players to maintain this momentum on the continent, starting on Sunday.

After the 4-0 win against Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday evening, Waddu stated: 'We have a Champions League match that we know is very important to us, especially since we were eliminated early. So only after that will we have time to think about the MTN8.'

The four goals scored against Kruger boosted Pirates' morale before the trip to Mauritius. However, Waddu was most pleased with the involvement of his forwards—Boitumelo Radiopane, who provided an assist, and Yaneli Mbuthumu, who scored a brace in the second half.

Since Sebastian Pedersen has not fully adapted to the team's philosophy, Waddu believes that the clinical sharpness demonstrated by Radiopane and Mbuthumu strengthens the depth of the squad in the final third.

Waddu noted: 'There are matches where we created many chances but couldn't be effective. In this game, we didn't create many chances, but we managed to score four goals. Well done to the guys. These goals were scored at an important time of the season when we will be playing in the Champions League and MTN8. Therefore, I think it is very important for the guys to score and provide healthy competition, which will be important going forward.'

Pirates could have crushed the newcomers, strengthening their position at the bottom of the table, but Waddu understands that the opponents were not easy, especially after the game almost turned around late in the first half. He also praised the team's defensive line for maintaining another 'clean sheet', conceding only two goals in seven matches this season.

'We played away and could not afford to underestimate this Kruger team,' said Waddu. 'When you see this team's lineup, they have experienced players who have played in big leagues. They have big game experience. Therefore, it was important for us not to miss out. We know that when we are strong defensively, we have a 99.9% chance of winning the game. The guys were strong defensively. They tried to block space, which allowed us to play in transitional phases. We caught them and used the space they left behind. We cannot always focus on beautiful football. Our mission was to win today, and we achieved it. It was a successful mission.'

The Orlando Pirates team has taken a strong position in the tournament, but the defending champions still have tasks to complete to reach another final.

The Buccaneers hold a 1–0 advantage heading into the second semi-final match against Sekhukhune United, which will take place on Saturday at the Orlando Amstel Arena. Avoiding defeat will allow them to advance to their fifth consecutive final.

Pirates have dominated the competitions in recent seasons, winning the title four times in a row. This outstanding period has created expectations that the Buccaneers can go all the way again, but their immediate task is to handle the second game against Sekhukhune, who has nothing to lose.

The main danger for Pirates is that their advantage could provoke complacency. This week they have already beaten Babina Noko twice: the first match ended with a 1–0 victory, and on Tuesday they won the Betway Premiership 2–0.

This result gives Abdeslam Waddu's team significant psychological confidence, but it also means they will have to face an opponent determined to respond when it matters most.

The Buccaneers understand that the formula is simple: a draw is enough to advance. However, playing solely to defend one goal can carry risks. Sekhukhune is forced to attack, which should create opportunities for Pirates to use counterattacks.

Waddu's task will be to determine how aggressively his team should approach the match. Another early goal could effectively eliminate Sekhukhune from contention, while a goal conceded early in the game would immediately change the course of the confrontation.

Recent results from Pirates indicate that they are confident in handling this event. Botumelo Radiope opened the scoring in Tuesday's league match, and then Oswein Apollos added the second, giving Waddu additional attacking options before the decisive cup match.

However, the French coach realizes that Saturday's match cannot be seen as a repeat of Tuesday's encounter. The stakes are higher, and Sekhukhune's desperation will make them a completely different opponent.

For Pirates, reaching a fifth consecutive final will strengthen their outstanding dominance in the competition. Nevertheless, history will mean little if they fail to meet the challenge within the next 90 minutes. The Buccaneers have earned an advantage; now they need to prove they can maintain it.