Orlando Pirates hand captaincy to Nkosinathi Sibisi, teenage star Mbekezeli Mbokazi named vice-captain
New skipper Nkosinathi Sibisi has been named as the new Orlando Pirates captain ahead of the new season. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates defender Nkosinathi Sibisi will don the captain's armband at during the 2025/26 season, the club announced on Wednesday afternoon.
The news ends the speculation following previous skipper Innocent Maela's retirement at the end of last season. Maela had been the captain since 2022, following club legend Happy Jele's departure.
The club announced that Sibisi's appointment came after a voting process involving the players.
“It is truly an honour and privilege to be named captain of this great institution. It’s a responsibility that I accept and promise to fulfil the role in the best way I possibly can,” said the 25-year-old Sibisi, who joined Pirates in 2022 having started his career at hometown club Golden Arrows.
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Thapelo Xoki and teenager Mbekezeli Mbokazi have been named as the vice-captains. Xoki is no stranger to leadership, and has previously captain the club numerous times in the past. Mbokazi, on the other hand, is in his early days of his career, and big things are expected.
Earlier this week, it had been speculated that 19-year-old Mbokazi, who made his debut for the senior team just last season, would be given the armband. His appointment as the vice captain at such a young age is a massive statement about his leadership qualities, and suggests those at the club have high hopes for him.
Those leadership qualities were last month praised by Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, who gave him his international debut..
“I think what I saw from Mbokazi was, for me, his game is very mature, he makes good decisions, and he’s a good defender,” the Bafana coach said last month.
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