A highly successful season has drawn to a close, with May capping off a campaign that saw Orlando Pirates complete a memorable domestic treble by adding the league title to the MTN8 and Carling Knockout titles claimed earlier in the campaign. This amazing feat was achieved through an all-round effort, with some individuals and standout performers pushing their names forward to be considered among the Club’s May Player of the Month nominees.
The season, which featured grueling cup runs and an intense race for league honours, demanded that all players called upon put the best foot forward. It culminated in a nervy finish in May, not short of nail-biting moments before the Buccaneers held their nerve on the final day to be crowned Betway Premiership champions.
Picking a few standouts among the special group – whose names are now firmly etched in Bucs history – was no easy feat, and one member of the Class of 2026 will add an individual accolade to his collection, with voting for this month’s Orlando Pirates Player of the Month now open.
The nominees are as follows;
- Nkosinathi Sibisi
Leading from the front throughout, Sibisi was key to the Buccaneers’ perfect defensive record in May. The man with the armband played the full 90 minutes in all four fixtures in the month, winning over 70% of his defensive duels.
- Patrick Maswanganyi
The playmaker stepped up during the final stretch and capped off an excellent season with game-changing displays in May. Starting three games and coming off the bench in one, Tito chipped in with two goals and an assist and was a constant thorn to the opposition defence.
- Sipho Chaine
In what was a record-breaking campaign, the Buccaneers’ last line of defence was an integral part of the defensive unit which achieved a club record low of 12 league goals conceded in a 30-game season. The last of these goals was conceded in April, and four clean sheets in as many fixtures in May took his tally to a record-equalling 21 in the 2025/26.
- Oswin Appollis
Maintaining the same energy throughout the campaign, Appollis’ debut season as a Buccaneer featured many top performances. The attacking midfielder did not take his foot off the pedal as the season wore down as he continued to rack up the Man of the Match awards while featuring high up among the team’s most productive attacking outlets.
- Thalente Mbatha
Mbatha continues to establish himself as a midfield colossus with every passing game, and the 2025/26 campaign was no different. The last few fixtures of the season demanded big performances from big players and the midfielder’s calming influence shone through once more as he provided the perfect link between defence and attack with accurate passing and a high defensive work rate.
- Lebone Seema
Arguably the biggest revelation in the league this season, Seema has made the most of the opportunity handed to him in his debut season with the Soweto Giants. He played every minute of the four fixtures played in May, making a significant contribution to the team’s perfect defensive record in the month.
- Relebohile Mofokeng
The 21-year-old completed another stellar month where he remained one of the Buccaneers’ main creative forces. He leads the charts in terms of chances created in May after setting up 14 scoring opportunities in just four matches.
- Evidence Makgopa
Whether brought on from the first whistle or introduced later on in the contest, Makgopa has embraced either role wholeheartedly. He contributed to two crucial goals starting in back-to-back away fixtures against Stellenbosch and Magesi before adding an extra dimension to the Bucs attack late on in the contest through impressive cameos against Durban City and Orbit College.
- Kamogelo Sebelebele
Sebelebele has matched the faith shown in him by the technical team by giving 110% each time he steps onto the pitch, making the most of every opportunity given. A constant menace on the right flank, the 23-year-old’s commitment and versatility make him a persistent outlet on either side of the halfway line.
VOTE HERE : https://www.orlandopiratesfc.com/player-of-the-month/
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB’S WEBSITE.
