Orlando Pirates have confirmed a 35-member squad for the 2023/24 season and all the player jersey numbers have been revealed.
The Buccaneers are on their way to the Western Cape this weekend to play Stellenbosch FC in their opening match of the season at the Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday.
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Having welcomed new players in the likes of Katlego Otladisa, Patrick Maswanganyi, Lesedi Kapinga, Siphelo Baloni, Karim Kimvuidi and Melusi Buthelezi, the club has confirmed their jersey numbers while also confirming a jersey number change for striker Zakhele Lepasa who came back from loan at SuperSport United at the end of last season.
"Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm the squad numbers for the upcoming 2023/24 season. After welcoming several new arrivals in the off-season, along with some departures, certain changes regarding the digits donned by the players on the back of their shirts have been made," said Pirates on the club's official website.
"Recent signings Katlego Otladisa and Patrick Maswanganyi have been allocated the vacant numbers 12 and 28 respectively, while Lesedi Kapinga and Sephelo Baloni will wear 21 and 30 respectively. The other new faces in the squad are attacking midfielder Karim Kimvuidi, who will play with number 25 on his back, with goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi donning number 35," stated the club.
"Meanwhile, there are a couple of switches that have been made. Striker Zakhele Lepasa vacates his number 25 and takes over the number 9 jersey. Makhehleni Makhaula switches from number 36 to 16 which was previously worn by fellow midfielder Thabang Monare, who has grabbed the vacant number 8," confirmed the Soweto giants.
Meanwhile, Bucs have confirmed a surname change for talented youngster Relebohile Ratomo who will now be known as Relebohile Mofokeng, as reported by the Siya crew earlier.
"Other changes to be noted is the change of surname of Relebohile Ratomo. As of the 2023/24 season, the 18-year-old will be known as Relebohile Mofokeng," Pirates confirmed.
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Here is the full list of First Team 2023/24 jersey numbers below:
2 Thabiso Monyane
3 Thembinkosi Lorch
4 Miguel Timm
5 Nkosinathi Sibisi
6 Ben Motshwari
7 Deon Hotto
8 Thabang Monare
9 Zakhele Lepasa
11 Fortune Makaringe
12 Katlego Otladisa
14 Monnapule Saleng
15 Phillip Ndlondlo
16 Makhehlene Makhaula
17 Evidence Makgopa
18 Kabelo Dlamini
21 Lesedi Kapinga
23 Innocent Maela
24 Sipho Chaine
25 Karim Kimvuidi
26 Bandile Shandu
27 Tapelo Xoki
28 Patrick Maswanganyi
29 Paseka Mako
30 Sephelo Baloni
31 Richard Ofori
32 Souaibou Marou
33 Bienvenu Eva Nga
34 Azola Matrose
35 Melusi Buthelezi
38 Relebohile Mofokeng (Ratomo)
39 Sandile Mthethwa
40 Siyabonga Mpontshane
45 Vincent Pule
49 Olisa Ndah
95 Kermit Erasmus
