Orlando Pirates Unveil New Jersey Numbers for Champions League Campaign

Orlando Pirates are back on the continental stage this weekend as they kick off their CAF Champions League campaign against Lesotho’s Lioli in the Preliminary Round at Free State Stadium.

Fresh from their MTN8 triumph, the Buccaneers are hoping to add a second star to their badge, having last lifted Africa’s most prestigious club trophy in 1995. With CAF regulations allowing squads to register numbers 1 to 40, the Soweto giants have confirmed a few jersey changes for the tournament.

⚽ New Signings and Jersey Shuffles

• Sihle Nduli moves from 30 to 8, freeing up the 30 shirt for new signing Cemran Dansin.
• Sipho Mbule switches from 23 to 22, with defender Siyabonga Ndlozi taking over the old number.
• Abdoulaye Mariko takes over the number 4 shirt.
• Nkosikhona Ndaba has been handed the number 13 jersey.

🔄 Retained and Reassigned Numbers

• Patrick Maswanganyi keeps the iconic number 10, while his former 28 goes to Kamogelo Sebelebele.
• Relebohile Mofokeng sticks with number 3.
• Boitumelo Radiopane moves from 42 to 33.
• Thabiso Lebitso trades in his 37 for the 14 shirt.
• Vice-captain Mbekezeli Mbokazi now wears the number 6 jersey.

READ: Orlando Pirates Name CAF Squad with Key Stars Left Out

🧤 Goalkeeper Changes

• Melusi Buthelezi has been confirmed as Pirates’ new number 1.
• Siyabonga Dladla shifts from 40 to 31, while Sipho Chaine remains with his original number 24.
  
  

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📋 Registered Squad Numbers (1–24)

1. Melusi Buthelezi
2. Tshepo Mashiloane
3. Relebohile Mofokeng
4. Abdoulaye Mariko
5. Nkosinathi Sibisi
6. Mbekezeli Mbokazi
7. Deon Hotto
8. Sihle Nduli
9. Yanela Mbuthuma
10. Patrick Maswanganyi
11. Tshepang Moremi
12. Oswin Appollis
13. Nkosikhona Ndaba
14. Thabiso Lebitso
15. Masindi Nemtajela
16. Thalente Mbatha
17. Evidence Makgopa
18. Kabelo Dlamini
19. Tshegofatso Mabasa
20. Simphiwe Selepe
21. Deano van Rooyen
22. Sipho Mbule
23. Siyabonga Ndlozi
24. Sipho Chaine

Additional Registered Players:
26. Bandile Shandu
27. Tapelo Xoki
28. Kamogelo Sebelebele
29. Sinoxolo Kwayiba
30. Cemran Dansin
31. Siyabonga Dladla
32. Lebone Seema

Road to Glory

With a refreshed squad and a mix of stability and new energy, Orlando Pirates will be aiming to navigate past Lioli and stake their claim for continental dominance once again.