Orlando Pirates have parted ways with two former club stars who had been working with the club’s feeder side, Pele Pele FC, in the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League.
Pirates legend Joseph “Duku Duku” Makhanya has reportedly left his position as head coach of Pele Pele FC, bringing an end to his spell with the club’s development setup.
Former Pirates midfielder Issa Sarr, who served as Makhanya’s assistant, has also departed the team.
The departures come as Pele Pele continue their campaign in the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League, with the club yet to achieve its reported ambition of progressing to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Makhanya’s development work at Pirates
Makhanya joined Pele Pele in September 2025 after previously making his mark with the Orlando Pirates DStv Diski Challenge side.
During his time working with the Pirates reserves, the former midfielder played an important role in developing several young players who have since made their presence felt at senior level.
Among the talents to benefit from his coaching were Mohau Nkota, Relebohile Mofokeng and Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
His move to Pele Pele was viewed as an opportunity for the former Pirates star to continue developing young players while helping the feeder team push for promotion.
However, Makhanya’s tenure has now come to an end, with the promotion objective still unfinished.
Krieling builds on Makhanya’s foundation
Makhanya’s departure from the development structure does not necessarily erase the impact of his previous work.
Roscoe Krieling, who replaced him as coach of the Pirates DStv Diski Challenge team, went on to win the DDC title in his first season in charge.
While Krieling deserves credit for that achievement, much of the groundwork had already been laid during Makhanya’s time with the young Pirates squad.
The development pathway continues to be an important part of Pirates’ strategy, particularly as the club looks to produce players capable of making the transition into the senior team.
Issa Sarr also leaves Pele Pele
Makhanya is not the only former Pirates player to leave the feeder side.
Issa Sarr, who worked as Makhanya’s assistant at Pele Pele, has also departed.
The Senegalese midfielder spent four seasons with Orlando Pirates between 2014 and 2018 after joining the Buccaneers from the now-defunct Platinum Stars.
The reasons behind the departures of Makhanya and Sarr have not been publicly confirmed.
Their exits nevertheless represent a significant change to the coaching setup at a club designed to help develop the next generation of Pirates talent.
What’s next for Pele Pele FC?
With two former Pirates stars now out of the picture, attention will turn to who takes charge of Pele Pele and whether the club can revive its promotion ambitions.
For Makhanya, meanwhile, his next move will be closely watched given his track record of working with emerging talent.
Could we see Makhanya return to another role within South African football’s development structures?
