West African swagger meets Soweto flair! 24-year-old Malian midfielder Abdoulaye Mariko sent social media into a frenzy over the weekend after arriving for matchday duty in a suave, sharp ensemble that fans jokingly dubbed “more fit for Sunday church service than a football pitch”.
The stylish pre-match look coincided with the defending Betway Premiership champions officially confirming their squad numbers for the 2026/27 campaign. On the pitch, Pirates opened their title defense in clinical fashion, picking up a 2-0 victory against Milford FC thanks to goals from Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi.
Big Shirt Swaps at Mayfair
Several key Buccaneers stars have made significant shirt number upgrades ahead of the new season:
- Abdoulaye Mariko: Swaps No. 32 for the classic No. 4 shirt.
- Lebone Seema: The reigning PSL Defender of the Season vacates No. 33 to claim No. 6.
- Siyabonga Dladla: Inherits Mariko’s former No. 32 jersey.
- Zoëy Monyepao: Takes over the No. 40 shirt.
- Boitumelo Radiopane: Moves from No. 42 to claim the No. 25 jersey.
Full Orlando Pirates 2026/27 Squad List
| No. | Player | Position / Detail |
| 3 | Nkosikhona Ndaba | Defender |
| 4 | Abdoulaye Mariko | Midfielder (New Number) |
| 5 | Nkosinathi Sibisi | Defender (Captain) |
| 6 | Lebone Seema | Defender (New Number) |
| 7 | Deon Hotto | Winger / Wing-Back |
| 8 | Makhehleni Makhaula | Midfielder |
| 9 | Yanela Mbuthuma | Forward |
| 11 | Tshepang Moremi | Winger |
| 12 | Oswin Appollis | Winger |
| 14 | Andre de Jong | Forward |
| 15 | Masindi Nemtajela | Midfielder |
| 16 | Thalente Mbatha | Midfielder |
| 17 | Evidence Makgopa | Forward |
| 18 | Kabelo Dlamini | Midfielder |
| 19 | Neo Rapoo | New Signing |
| 20 | Simphiwe Selepe | Midfielder |
| 21 | Deano van Rooyen | Defender |
| 23 | Gamphani Lungu | Forward (New Signing) |
| 24 | Sipho Chaine | Goalkeeper |
| 25 | Boitumelo Radiopane | Forward (New Number) |
| 26 | Matome Mmolai | Midfielder |
| 27 | Tapelo Xoki | Defender |
| 28 | Patrick Maswanganyi | Midfielder |
| 29 | Mthetheleli Mthiyane | Midfielder |
| 30 | Sihle Nduli | Midfielder |
| 31 | Sebastian Pedersen | Forward (New Signing) |
| 32 | Siyabonga Dladla | Goalkeeper (New Number) |
| 33 | Thapelo Mkobodi | Defender (New Signing) |
| 36 | Kamogelo Sebelebele | Midfielder |
| 37 | Sbangani Zulu | Defender (New Signing) |
| 38 | Mpho Padime | Academy Promotion |
| 39 | Sifiso Luthuli | Midfielder |
| 40 | Zoëy Monyepao | Goalkeeper (New Number) |
| 41 | Reece Braithwaite | Defender |
| 43 | Mpho Chabatsane | Midfielder |
| 44 | Cristian Derbyshire | Defender |
| 45 | Daniel Msendami | Winger |
| 46 | Camren Dansin | Midfielder |
| 47 | Bohlale Ngwato | Defender |
| 48 | Simphiwe Masilela | Midfielder |
| 49 | Kabelo Kgotsitsile | Midfielder |
