Lamar_Fawn

Fan of @Arsenal & @OrlandoPirates. When coming to football , I speak only the truth and I’m unbiased.

[Lamar_Fawn @LamarFawn]

Orlando Pirates need defenders who understand structure first. Mpho Chabatsane fits that profile. He’s a left-footed defender comfortable at left-back and left centre-back, which already ticks a big tactical box for Pirates.

[#UNPLAYABLE @UnplayableZA]

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚‼️

#UNPLAYABLE can exclusively reveal @orlandopirates are chasing the signature of Marumo Gallants left back, Mpho Chabatsane (23), in this transfer window.

#OnceAlways

[The Sporting Resource @TheS_Resource]

After researching the youth pathway of every player in South Africa’s World Cup squad.

Based on our research, 0 of South Africa’s 26-player World Cup squad had joined a recognised professional academy by the age of nine.

➡️ Goalkeepers

Ronwen Williams
• Played grassroots football for Shatterprufe Rovers
• Entered SuperSport United’s academy at 12 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with SuperSport United at 18 years old

Ricardo Goss
• Played grassroots football in local Durban community teams
• Entered Golden Arrows’ youth structure at 17 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with Golden Arrows at 18 years old

Sipho Chaine
• Played grassroots football in Bloemfontein amateur structures
• Entered Bloemfontein Celtic’s academy at 16 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with Bloemfontein Celtic at 20 years old

➡️ Defenders

Khuliso Mudau
• Played grassroots football in Musina amateur football
• Entered JDR Stars development at 19 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with Magesi FC at 21 years old

Aubrey Modiba
• Played grassroots football in Polokwane community teams
• Entered Mpumalanga Black Aces via the Ke Yona programme at 18 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with Mpumalanga Black Aces at 19 years old

Khulumani Ndamane
• Played grassroots football for FC Drakensberg
• Entered Kaizer Chiefs’ development at 19 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with TS Galaxy at 20 years old

Olwethu Makhanya
• Played grassroots football in Durban regional structures
• Entered Stellenbosch FC’s academy at 17 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with Stellenbosch FC at 18 years old

Bradley Cross
• Played grassroots football in Johannesburg community football
• Entered Schalke 04 U19 at 17 years old (via Bidvest Wits pathway)
• Signed his first professional contract with Maritzburg United at 21 years old

Thabang Matuludi
• Played grassroots football in Limpopo amateur leagues
• Entered Polokwane City’s youth system at 18 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with Polokwane City at 20 years old

Nkosinathi Sibisi
• Played grassroots football in Mpumalanga township football
• Entered Golden Arrows’ reserve setup at 19 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with Golden Arrows at 22 years old

Ime Okon
• Played grassroots football for Randburg AFC
• Entered SuperSport United’s academy at 16 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with SuperSport United at 18 years old

Samukele Kabini
• Played grassroots football in Johannesburg school and local leagues
• Entered Orlando Pirates’ academy at 15 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with TS Galaxy at 19 years old

Mbekezeli Mbokazi
• Played grassroots football in Soweto local structures
• Entered Orlando Pirates’ academy at 16 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with Orlando Pirates at 19 years old

➡️ Midfielders

Teboho Mokoena
• Played grassroots football through school and Harmony Sports Academy
• Entered SuperSport United’s academy at 17 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with SuperSport United at 19 years old

Jayden Adams
• Played grassroots football in Stellenbosch community football
• Entered Stellenbosch FC’s youth setup at 15 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with Stellenbosch FC at 19 years old

Thalente Mbatha
• Played grassroots football in Clermont local teams
• Entered Highlands Park development at 17 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with Highlands Park at 19 years old

Sphephelo Sithole
• Played grassroots football in KZN academy structures
• Entered Sporting CP’s academy at 18 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with B-SAD at 21 years old

Kamogelo Sebelebele
• Played grassroots football in Tembisa street football
• Entered TS Galaxy’s youth system at 17 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with TS Galaxy at 19 years old

➡️ Forwards

Oswin Appollis
• Played grassroots football in Cape Town amateur setups
• Entered SuperSport United’s academy at 16 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with SuperSport United at 18 years old

Tshepang Moremi
• Played grassroots football in Gauteng community football
• Entered Bizana Pondo Chiefs pathway at 18 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with AmaZulu at 20 years old

Evidence Makgopa
• Played grassroots football for Amamexlanyana FC
• Entered Baroka FC development at 18 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with Baroka FC at 19 years old

Relebohile Mofokeng
• Developed at Transnet School of Excellence
• Entered Orlando Pirates’ development at 17 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with Orlando Pirates at 18 years old

Lyle Foster
• Played grassroots football in Soweto structures
• Entered Orlando Pirates’ academy at 12 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with Orlando Pirates at 17 years old

Iqraam Rayners
• Played grassroots football for Kenpark AFC
• Entered Santos FC youth at 16 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with Santos FC at 18 years old

Themba Zwane
• Played grassroots football for Vardos FC
• Did not progress through a formal academy system
• Signed his first professional contract with Mamelodi Sundowns at 21 years old

Thapelo Maseko
• Played grassroots football in Alexandra community teams
• Entered SuperSport United’s academy at 16 years old
• Signed his first professional contract with SuperSport United at 18 years old

Only 0 of the 26 players had entered a recognised professional academy by the age of nine.

Instead, the majority of pathways for these players look very different to what we see across Europe:

• Development is often led by community football, township teams, and school competitions
• Formal academy environments are typically entered much later (15–19)
• First professional contracts are commonly signed between 18–22+
• In some cases, players bypass academy systems entirely

Twenty-six very different journeys.

That’s why predicting a child’s future at nine years old is far from straightforward.

[Orlando Pirates @orlandopirates]

🏴‍☠️ Congratulations to all our 2025/26 #PSLAwards nominees! 👏

⚫⚪🔴⭐
#OrlandoPirates
#OnceAlways

[Official PSL @OfficialPSL]

#PSLAwards2026: Here are the nominees for the #BetwayPrem Players’ player of the Season award.

[Official PSL @OfficialPSL]

#PSLAwards2026: Here are the nominees for the #MTN8 Last Man Standing award.

[Lorenz Köhler @Lorenz_KO]

Orlando Pirates teenager Relebohile Ratomo earns his first start. ✅

🇿🇦 #DStvPrem | @iDiskiTimes

[Orlando Pirates @orlandopirates]

https://t.co/evTxH7Htmj

[Union Apaches 🇧🇪 @RUSG_FR]

𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐒 ! 🔥

Many Saffas 🇿🇦 ask us about our "rivals" so I tried to make it as clear as possible. If Union is the Orlando Pirates, then...

Kaizer Chiefs -> Anderlecht
Moroka Swallows -> RWDM
Mamelodi Sundowns -> Club Brugge

💛💙

[Orlando Pirates @orlandopirates]

Once.Always ☠️

⚫⚪🔴⭐
#OrlandoPirates
#OnceAlways

[#UNPLAYABLE @UnplayableZA]

𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘!

"Relebohile could have left last year. The interest was there. The door was open. But what did he do? He chose to stay — not for money, not for comfort, but because he wanted to win the league for this club and for its supporters.

"In his own words: 'Chairman, I am not worried about overseas now. I want to give it my all this season and try win this league for the club. This is my only focus right now. If overseas happens after that, then good but for now, let me do all I can to make the supporters happy'.

"He made a promise, quietly, the way honest people do. And he kept it" - @orlandopirates.

#OnceAlways

[Siya_dlamini @Siya_homiey]

To think he was supposed to leave Orlando Pirates last year! 🤯When we talk about players who truly play for the badge, we're talking about Mofokeng. His wish came true he won the league title before leaving. What a legend! 🥹🏆

[Royale Union Saint-Gilloise @UnionStGilloise]

Ready for Rele. 💎🤝

[Royale Union Saint-Gilloise @UnionStGilloise]

Mr. President is here. 🫡

You can now buy Mofokeng’s shirt on https://t.co/iP1VVlSkqg! 👔

[Royale Union Saint-Gilloise @UnionStGilloise]

Sharpeville. Orlando Pirates. Bafana Bafana. Union. 💛💙

[Union Apaches 🇧🇪 @RUSG_FR]

Il est là 💛💙

[Lamar_Fawn @LamarFawn]

@UnionStGilloise @JosephKrobbie Belgium now has two Presidents

[Royale Union Saint-Gilloise @UnionStGilloise]

Yes. President Yama 2000 has arrived. 💛💙

Relebohile Mofokeng joins Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on a four year-deal. More information on https://t.co/fGFFdLtPin.

[Royale Union Saint-Gilloise @UnionStGilloise]

Is this what you guys are here for? 🇿🇦

[Union Apaches 🇧🇪 @RUSG_FR]

✅ ACCORD TROUVÉ ENTRE LES ORLANDO PIRATES ET L’UNION POUR RELE MOFOKENG 💛💙

L’examen médical et la finalisation du transfert ont actuellement lieu.

(via @orlandopirates)

[Siya_dlamini @Siya_homiey]

All the best Relebohile Mofokeng 🐐🔥