Orlando Pirates kicked off the 2025/2026 season in style by cruising to a 2-0 victory over Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-finals at a buzzing Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Abdeslam Ouaddou, leading the Buccaneers for the first time, made bold choices with his starting line-up, fielding Bandile Shandu at right-back, Boitumelo Radiopane in attack, and handing three new signings their debuts in midfield. Sihle Nduli, Sipho Mbule, and Oswin Appollis.
Appollis haunts his former club
The tactical gamble paid off immediately. Oswin Appollis, fresh from a surprise off-season switch from Polokwane, punished his former side with a composed finish in the 14th minute.
The move that led to the opener showcased quick interplay between Mbule, Nduli, and Radiopane, before Appollis coolly slotted past Brian Mwire to send the home fans into early celebrations.
Just past the half-hour mark, Appollis again made headlines, this time by winning a penalty after being brought down in the area. Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi calmly converted from the spot to double the lead and ignited scenes of joy.
Pirates dominate, debutants impress
Ouaddou’s charges controlled the match with authority, allowing Polokwane only fleeting chances on the counter, all of which the Pirates defence managed well.
In the second half, Appollis continued to torment his former teammates but eventually left the field with cramps. Tshepang Moremi replaced him, also making his debut. He joined fellow debutants Yanela Mbuthuma and Abdoulaye Mariko in a second-half showing that underlined Pirates’ squad depth.
Semi-final awaits as Ouaddou era begins
With this convincing win, Orlando Pirates advanced to the MTN8 semi-finals. The draw for the next round will take place soon, with the ties set to be played over two legs.
As seven players, including the coach, marked their official debuts, the signs are clear. Ouaddou’s Orlando Pirates are not here to play it safe. They’ve come to dominate.
Can Orlando Pirates go all the way?
Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
