Major jersey number changes at Pirates

Orlando Pirates have confirmed the players’ jersey numbers ahead of the new season. The much anticipated 2022/23 South African football season takes off on the first weekend of August with some nail biting fixtures headlining match day one of the DStv Premiership.

There have been massive changes at the Soweto giants during the transfer window, some players were shown the exit door and they acquired the services of new faces to help the club regain their long lost form and glory days at Orlando Stadium.

The major squad overhaul saw many digits vacant. However, many of them have since been filled with new signings and some players opting to change numbers.

Happy Jele’s famous number four will now be donned by former Marumo Gallants defensive midfielder.

New signings, defenders Nkosinathi Sibisi and Tapelo Xoki will wear number five and 27 respectively. Sibisi takes Ntsikelelo Nyauza’s number five after the veteran defender was shown the exit door. On the other hand, Xoki retained the available number 27 he wore at AmaZulu last season.

Monnapule Saleng who returns to his parent club, the Happy People, following his successful loan stint at rivals Swallows FC will have number 14 on his back which was used by former skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo.

In the striking department, another loan returnee Evidence Makgopa takes Wayde Jooste’s number 17 and Bienvenu Eva Nga has settled for the infamous number 33 which was not used last season.

There were changes in two senior players of the team. The duo of Deon Hotto and Fortune Makaringe chose number seven and 11 respectively. Hotto takes the famous axe from out of favour Gabadinho Mhango whilst Makaringe takes Hotto’s former jersey number.

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