Orlando Pirates risk losing fan favourite

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Orlando Pirates may risk losing right-back Thabiso Lebitso next season.

The 28-year-old fan favourite has only featured twice this season for the Buccaneers, and neither of those appearances came in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). Lebitso was signed in the second half of the 2023/24 season from Chippa United. He made eight appearances for Orlando Pirates and scored a memorable long-range goal against rivals Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium last year.

He fit in well under Jose Riveiro but unfortunately suffered an injury towards the end of the season, specifically a broken collarbone that required surgery. In July, the former Chippa United star recovered and participated in pre-season training with the team in Spain. However, during one of their pre-season friendly matches, Lebitso sustained a knee injury during a match against Al Sadd in Marbella, which kept him out of action for a significant period at the start of the season.

Lebitso has only made two apppearances for Orlando Pirates this season

Lebitso made his first appearance of the season in the CAF Champions League against CR Belouizdad towards the end of 2024. A week later, he earned his first start of the season for Orlando Pirates against Al Ahly. Currently, Deano van Rooyen is preferred at right-back, leaving Lebitso with limited opportunities to regain his position.

With Bandile Shandu serving as Van Rooyen’s backup, Lebitso’s chances of breaking back into the team are slim. However, he has been utilized in Orlando Pirates’ recent CAF Champions League matches. With the team having qualified for the quarter-finals, it seems that Riveiro may have a plan for the former Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) star.

The Buccaneers still have atleast 20 more matches to play this season but if Lebitso only made an odd appearances there and there, he might seek a move elsewhere. Since his Soweto Derby’s goal against Chiefs, he has been a fan favourite at Orlando Pirates.