Orlando Pirates have released their squad numbers for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League season, with new signing Sipho Mbule notably set to wear the famous number once worn by the late Lesley ‘Slow Poison’ Manyathela.
Fresh from lifting the MTN8, the Buccaneers kick off their continental campaign with the first preliminary round, first-leg clash with Lioli FC. The game will be staged at the Free State Stadium on Saturday.
After reaching the semi-finals last season, the Soweto giants are bidding to clinch the trophy they last won in 1995. That presents coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and his men with a chance to turn themselves into one of Pirates’ greatest sides after the Class of ’95.
It is also the first time for Ouaddou to lead a team in the Champions League after first tasting continental football as a coach with AS Vita in the CAF Confederation Cup last season.
WHO WEARS WHICH NUMBER AT ORLANDO PIRATES IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
Retired jersey numbers that cannot be used in domestic competitions but in CAF competitions have found takers. Clubs are required to allocate their players numbers 1 to 40 by the continental football governing body.
Patrick Maswanganyi has reclaimed the iconic number 10, which he had last season. However, the jersey number was retired by Bucs in honour of club legend Jomo Sono. Midfielder Sipho Mbule will be hoping the sacred shirt number 22 will not weigh heavily on him. The number was popularised by the late Lesley Manyathela.
Nkosikhona Ndaba takes number 13, which was retired in memory of the late Clifford ‘Double Diff’ Moleko. Shirt number 1, which used to be worn by Senzo Meyiwa, will be with Melusi Buthelezi. Kamogelo Sebelebele will be carrying number 28, which Maswanganyi uses in domestic football.
PIRATES STATEMENT ON PLAYERS’ CHAMPIONS LEAGUE JERSEY NUMBERS
“While most squad members retain their squad numbers, there has also been some shuffling around with some players set to show up in different digits to those assigned to them for domestic action,” Pirates announced on Wednesday.
“Among the newly-signed players, Sihle Nduli takes over the number 8 jersey. He vacates the number 30 for fellow midfielder Cemran Dansin. Sipho Mbule, meanwhile, swaps his number 23 for the number 22, with defender Siyabonga Ndlozi taking over the former.
“Further changes include the number 4 jersey, which has been handed over to Abdoulaye Mariko, while the number 13 has been assigned to Nkosikhona Ndaba. Among outfield players returning for their another continental campaign with the Soweto Giants, Patrick Maswanganyi retains the number 10, having worn it the previous season,” the club added.
“His number 28 will be taken over by fellow Thembisa native, Kamogelo Sebelebele. Like Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng also keeps his number 3 shirt from the last campaign, while striker Boitumelo Radiopane takes on the 33 jersey, having worn number 42 in league and domestic cup competition.
“Bucs number 37 Thabiso Lebitso will take over the 14 jersey, with club vice captain Mbekezeli Mbokazi grabbing the number 6.”
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