The Soweto giants are basking in the glory of their latest Betway Premiership title, but behind the scenes at Mayfair, a brewing storm has left the Sea Robbers’ faithful questioning the board’s long-term vision.
The club has confirmed the permanent departure of 26-year-old academy graduate Thabiso Sesane to fellow Premiership side Siwelele FC.
The decision has sparked fierce debate. Sesane, affectionately viewed by many as a “Rolls Royce” class of defender, was a defensive pillar during the first half of their 2024–25 campaign before a devastating Achilles tendon tear sidelined him for most of the historic 2025–26 title run. Having managed only a single league appearance last season, the board seemingly made a calculated, cold-hearted decision: Sesane’s injury woes might prevent him from returning to his peak.
A Ruthless Rebuild or a Dangerous Gamble?
To cushion the blow of losing Sesane, Jose Riveiro’s technical team has been fast-tracking Cristian Derbyshire. The 20-year-old left-footed powerhouse has earned rave reviews in pre-season training, even drawing stylistic comparisons to the departed Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
But fans are understandably anxious. Sesane’s exit marks yet another high-profile departure from the core of Pirates’ dominant squads of recent years. The squad has seen a massive exodus of starting-caliber talent over the past 18 months, including:
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi (now with Chicago Fire in MLS)
- Relebohile Mofokeng (Royal Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium)
- Mohau Nkota (moved to Saudi Arabia)
Losing four key first-team regulars in such a short window is a massive gamble for a team looking to defend its domestic crown and make a deep run in the CAF Champions League. While Sesane leaves with nothing but love and gratitude for his nine years at Mayfair, the pressure is now squarely on the shoulders of the board and young Derbyshire to prove this ruthless rebuild was the right call.
