Former Marumo Gallants head coach Alexandre Lafitte has opened up about what makes Orlando Pirates duo Mpho Chabatsane and Daniel Msendami special talents, while highlighting the areas they must polish to succeed at Bucs.
The duo were standout performers under Lafitte at Gallants before their stellar performances caught the eye of the Buccaneers, who snapped them up during the 2026 January transfer window.
While Lafitte believes it is only a matter of time before Chabatsane earns a Bafana Bafana call-up, he insists both players still have a final layer of development to unlock.
Lafitte rates Chabatsane highly, tipping the versatile defender to break into the senior national team if he maintains his discipline.
MPHO CHABATSANE – A FUTURE BAFANA BAFANA PROSPECT
“Mpho Chabatsane is a fantastic player with exceptional potential,” Lafitte told FARPost. “If he maintains high standards both on and off the pitch, I believe he can one day push for international recognition.
“He possesses outstanding technical quality, particularly with his left foot, combined with very strong athletic attributes. He is quick, intelligent, and has a very good understanding of the game.”
However, the former Gallants mentor pointed out that consistency within the 90 minutes remains Chabatsane’s biggest hurdle.
“The areas where he can still improve are his concentration, his ability to stay focused throughout matches, and his management of different phases of the game,” Lafitte explained. “I believe Orlando Pirates have made an excellent signing for the future. For Marumo Gallants, however, losing a player who can operate both as a left-back and as a left centre-back is a significant loss.”
WHAT DANIEL MSENDAMI NEEDS TO REACH THE ‘HIGHEST LEVEL’
Msendami, a Zimbabwean international, was another explosive weapon in Lafitte’s arsenal in Limpopo. While the 25-year-old’s raw pace and work rate are undeniable, Lafitte notes that his end product needs immediate refinement to match the demands of a big club like Pirates.
“As for Daniel Msendami, he is a player with outstanding athletic qualities,” added Lafitte. “He thrives on attacking space and running in behind defensive lines. His intensity makes him particularly dangerous, whether it is to hurt opponents late in games or to stretch defensive blocks with his runs in depth.
“He still needs to improve his end product. He is capable of creating many opportunities for himself and for his teammates, but to reach the highest level, he now needs to convert those situations into better numbers in terms of goals and assists. That being said, he has genuine potential.”
The ex-Gallants coach further emphasised that technical ability aside, Chabatsane and Msendami possess the elite mentality required for a big club, reflecting the rapid growth seen across the entire Gallants squad under his watch.
“Beyond their footballing abilities, both players are excellent individuals with great character. They have a very good mentality, and it was a real pleasure to work with them. I think that, in a very short period of time, we managed to help several players improve, such as [Bheki] Mabuza, [Teboho] Motloung, [Khumbulani] Ncube, and others,” Lafitte concluded.
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