Mbule’s surprise Orlando Pirates jersey number spotted?

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Orlando Pirates are currently in Marbella preparing for the looming 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, under the newly appointed Moroccan head coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou.

What caught our attention wasn’t just his appearances, but the unusual squad number marked on his training kit: 39 — a far cry from the more traditional central midfield numbers.

Is it a true symbol of a fresh start or a statement of humility, especially given Mbule’s well-documented bad-boy image? Some Orlando Pirates fans believe it may simply be a pre-season number that could change once the final squad list is confirmed.

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Orlando Pirates’ new signing Sipho Mbule training in Marbella, Spain. Image: orlandopirates/Instagram

At 27, Mbule is widely seen as a player still capable of fulfilling his potential, despite a stop-start career at Sundowns and a mixed loan spell at Sekhukhune United. His arrival at Orlando Pirates is viewed as a major statement of intent from the club, which is undergoing a rebuild under Ouaddou.

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The new Orlando Pirates coach has spoken highly of Mbule in the past, calling him a “fantastic player” who simply needs “the right structure and guidance.”

Now, in a high-performance environment and with increased expectations, Mbule’s focus appears sharp — and the number 39 may well represent a clean slate.