The blockbuster R65 million departure of Relebohile Mofokeng to Belgium’s Royale Union Saint-Gilloise has left an undeniable chasm in the Orlando Pirates attack. “President Yama2000” was the undisputed creative spark plug for the Buccaneers, racking up 10 goals and 8 assists during their historic treble-winning 2025/26 campaign.
With a Betway Premiership title to defend and a demanding CAF Champions League campaign looming, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou must find a successor fast. Here is how the three main candidates rank to inherit the attacking crown.
1. Tshepang Moremi: The World Cup Alumnus
Moremi heads into the 2026/27 campaign with an elite psychological edge: genuine FIFA World Cup experience. While he didn’t start under Hugo Broos, he was trusted off the bench in high-pressure moments—most notably replacing Oswin Appollis to play 30 minutes in Bafana Bafana’s historic 1-0 triumph over South Korea, and featuring in the knockout heartbreak against Canada.
Moremi has the composure, spatial awareness, and counter-attacking sharpness required at the absolute highest level. If he can convert that international confidence into a higher domestic goal-contribution tally, the left-wing spot is his to lose.
2. Bohlale Ngwato: The Exploding Prodigy
If Pirates want a direct, like-for-like strategic replacement, 19-year-old new signing Bohlale Ngwato is the answer. Snatched from Siwelele FC, internal reports indicate that management scouted and signed the teenager with Mofokeng’s secret pre-World Cup transfer already in mind.
Boasting terrifying straight-line pace and a fearless flair for 1-on-1 dribbling, Ngwato profiles exactly like a young Mofokeng. While throwing a teenager into the deep end at Mayfair carries risk, he possesses the raw ceiling to become the league’s next breakout entertainer.
3. Patrick Maswanganyi: The Hungry Maestro
Instead of replacing Mofokeng out wide, Ouaddou could pivot tactically by shifting Patrick Maswanganyi back into a permanent central No. 10 role. “Tito” was the creative heartbeat of the squad two seasons ago before an unfortunate injury halted his momentum.
Crucially, Maswanganyi enters the season with a massive point to prove after being one of the final players cut from Broos’ 32-man preliminary World Cup roster. Fully fit and fueled by the desire to reclaim his international spot, a motivated Maswanganyi running the central channels could effortlessly unlock the firepower of both Moremi and Ngwato on the flanks.
