Orlando Pirates hit a major stumbling block in February, and many believe it was the moment their season began to unravel. The blow? Losing key defender Thabiso Sesane to injury.
When Sesane was sidelined, the full impact of his absence wasn’t immediately obvious—but it quickly became clear. While Pirates have plenty of depth in central defence with names like Tapelo Xoki, Olisa Ndah, and Nkosinathi Sibisi, things haven’t gone smoothly. Ndah has struggled with fitness, while both Xoki and Sibisi have shown inconsistency.
Yes, the rise of teenage sensation Mbekezeli Mbokazi gave the Buccaneers a spark of hope, but the reality is that no one in the squad quite brings what Sesane does. The 25-year-old was quietly becoming the defensive leader at the back, commanding the line with confidence and maturity.
His absence was felt—deeply.
Defensive Stats Tell the Story
In the 2024/25 DStv Premiership season, Pirates conceded 20 goals over 28 matches. The previous season, they let in only 18 over 30 games. That drop in defensive solidity is hard to ignore—and it’s hard not to link it directly to Sesane’s injury.
Now, the hope within the camp is that Sesane can return early in the 2025/26 season, bringing back the stability the Buccaneers clearly missed.
