Orlando Pirates have had no shortage of strong leaders in the Premier Soccer League era, but only a handful have truly left a lasting legacy.
Since the inception of the Premier Soccer League in 1996, the Buccaneers have won close to 20 major trophies.
Over nearly three decades, many players have come and gone, but only a select few captains have etched their names into club folklore.
Here are five who stood above the rest.
Lucky Lekgwathi
Widely regarded as Pirates’ most iconic and successful captain of the PSL era, Lekgwathi remains the gold standard.
“Phinda Mzala” led the club during the famous Double Treble seasons of 2010/11 and 2011/12, a historic period that cemented his legendary status. Under his leadership, Pirates dominated domestically and reached the 2013 CAF Champions League final.
Known for his defensive discipline, calm authority and inspirational presence, Lekgwathi lifted around seven major trophies as captain. Nicknamed “Mr Double Treble”, he is arguably the most decorated skipper in the club’s modern history.
Edward Motale
Edward “Magents” Motale was one of the prominent captains during the late 1990s.
A commanding defender and vocal leader, Motale wore the armband in the early PSL years and helped maintain Orlando Pirates’ status as one of South Africa’s elite clubs.
While he famously captained the side to CAF Champions League glory in 1995, just before the PSL era, his influence carried into the early years of the new league structure.
Orlando Pirates has had iconic leaders
Happy Jele
Jele is Pirates’ all-time appearance record holder, with over 400 matches in all competitions.
As captain, he provided stability during one of the club’s most transitional periods. While silverware was limited during his tenure as skipper, Jele led with dignity, professionalism and consistency.
His influence off the pitch and in the dressing room laid part of the foundation for the resurgence that followed. He remains one of the most respected leaders in the PSL era, having won eight trophies for Orlando Pirates.
Innocent Maela
Maela took over the captaincy in 2021 and played a key role under coach José Riveiro.
He led Pirates to multiple domestic cup successes, including Nedbank Cup and MTN8 triumphs, while also guiding the team to strong league finishes. Though injuries limited his appearances during certain cup runs, he remained the coach’s preferred captain and a respected figure within the squad.
Benedict Vilakazi
“Tso” Vilakazi was not just a gifted playmaker; he was also a leader who inspired through performance.
During the early 2000s, he captained Orlando Pirates and was central to their attacking identity. His technical brilliance, confidence and big-game mentality made him a fan favourite and a dressing-room influence.
Few captains combined flair and authority the way Vilakazi did.