Orlando Pirates have parted ways with midfielder Sipho Mbule after just one season. The 28-year-old joined the Buccaneers in July 2025 on a free transfer after his contract with Mamelodi Sundowns expired.
He had an early promise, but Mbule did not live up to the hype and was benched for much of the second half of the season. He played 23 matches across all competitions, scoring only once.
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Having lost his place in the Bafana Bafana squad after the 2025 AFCON, speculations rose on the midfielder’s future at Pirates. It is alleged that the player may have had a fallout with the head coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou.
SABC Sports reports, “A source close to the situation has confirmed that Pirates have informed Mbule of their decision not to extend his stay at the club. However, the talented midfielder is unlikely to be short of suitors ahead of the new season.”
The agent of midfielder Sipho Mbule has confirmed to SABC Sport that Orlando Pirates did not provide a reason for their decision not to retain the player beyond the expiry of his deal this month. https://t.co/gt8iMwH8hV pic.twitter.com/1w5MNMSqYw
— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 3, 2026
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Sipho Mbule is a free agent after leaving Orlando Pirates
Mbule made a name for himself at SuperSport United, where he spent five years before making a big move to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2022. When he was at Sundowns, he won the league twice, but off-field issues derailed his career, and he was sent on loan to Sekhukhune United, where he also had discipline issues.
While at Orlando Pirates, it seemed Mbule was making the most of his second chance and played an instrumental role in the Buccaneers winning the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout. His biggest impact, however, was at Bafana Bafana, helping them qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Orlando Pirates have decided against extending Sipho Mbule’s contract, bringing the talented midfielder’s stay at the club to an end after just one season, FARPost has learnt.#FARPost | By @TshepoRabothe1https://t.co/l6Gof9Rv5J
— FARPost (@FARPostZA) June 2, 2026
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