Orlando Pirates Say Goodbye To 2 Defenders

Orlando Pirates have released defenders Thabiso Monyane and Paseka Mako, per a club statement issued on Friday 6 June.

Contracts for both players have ended, with the club opting not to retain their services.

We bid farewell to Paseka Mako and Thabiso James. The club thanks them for their commitment and contribution to Orlando Pirates . Wishing them the very best in their next chapters, the Buccaneers said.

Both players lost game time during the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season. Mako, a left-back, saw his position dominated by Deon Hotto, while Deano van Rooyen took over Monyanes spot. Monyanes troubles were also compounded by injuries.

Mako, 31, joined the Bucs from Chippa United in 2018. He was previously at Cape Town All Stars, where he joined from the Mamelodi Sundowns Development Academy. He played a total of 173 games for the Soweto giants, contributing two goals and eight assists.

25-year-old Monyane made his way up the ranks after joining the Orlando Pirates Development in 2012.

He made his professional debut with the first team in the 2019/20 season. He leaves having played 95 matches for the Bucs, with four goals and three assists.

Both players have won the MTN8 title four times and the Nedbank twice with Pirates.

Monyane has been offered to Pirates Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs as a free agent, according to an SABC Sport report on Friday.

His agents are believed to have held talks with Amakhosi on the possibility of him starting the upcoming season at Naturena, although nothing has been firmed up yet, the publication said.