Former Orlando Pirates keeper Mhlongo backs club’s new signings to flourish

Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo has backed the club’s new signings to flourish in next season’s domestic and continental campaigns.

Mhlongo was part of the induction team that spoke with new players like Sipho Mbule, Sihle Nduli, Yanela Mbuthuma, Sinoxolo Kwayiba and Tshepang Moremi, among others, last week to help them settle to life at the Buccaneers. This week the Sea Robbers added a showpiece signing with the acquisition of Bafana Bafana playmaker Oswin Appollis from Polokwane City.

Retired keeper Mhlongo said the newcomers will have to understand the culture of the club first and the expectations and believes they will be successful.

“Pirates is a huge institution, so it is always important to pass on the baton to the next players so that they understand the culture of the team,” Mhlongo told the media during the Engen Knockout Cup draw in Durban.

“To be able to understand where they are going, understand the expectations. When you are part of a big institution like that, your life changes and that comes with a lot of things, a lot of burdens and a lot of blessings. It is just a matter of how you handle that.

“My role is to also provide the tools, to offer advice, to say, ‘These are the things that might happen and if you feel like you might get overwhelmed, you can always come back for advice’.

“It is just to open that door to wish them luck to do well for the season. My role at Pirates, apart from the production side, has nothing to do with the footballing side. My role is the mentorship programme, making sure that I share my experience in terms of injuries, the trouble that I went through, depression and so forth,” he said.

“I come in to help the players settle in so that they understand the demands of being associated with the team.”

Orlando Pirates finished second in last season’s Betway Premiership on 61 points – twelve less than winners Mamelodi Sundowns. They will participate in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League after reaching the semifinals of Africa’s biggest club competition this past season. Pirates also brought in a new head coach with the arrival of former Marumo Gallants boss Abdesslam Ouaddou.

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