Orlando Pirates transfer rumours: Edmilson, Witbooi, Appollis

Today’s Orlando Pirates transfer wrap revolves around exciting wingers, both incoming and outgoing from the newly crowned champions.

Pirates sign Edmilson, loan him out

Winger Edmilson Chaney has reportedly signed for Pirates from Hope FC, but will be immediately loaned back to the Cape Town side. The 19-year-old is highly thought of, though, and Pirates see him as a big prospect. The winger was instrumental in helping his side gain promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Despite rumours of a move away for Oswin Appollis, the 24-year-old Bafana star looks set to stay put.

Witbooi could be Mofokeng’s exciting replacement

Diminutive in stature, Cape Town City star Emile Witbooi is far from the finished product. However, the 17-year-old is highly thought of in South Africa. City has placed a big price tag on his head, thought to be rising to R20 million, so Pirates will need to think long and hard about how they structure any potential deal for the attacking midfielder born in 2008.

Orlando Pirates sales

New champions Orlando Pirates will be a new-look outfit next term after several high-profile departures, notably Relebohile Mofokeng. The following players have left the club:

• Thabiso Sesane
• Selaelo Rasebotja
• Siyabonga Ndlozi
• Gomolemo Khoto
• Sonwabo Khumalo
• Blessing Ngiba
• Seth Green
• Thabiso Lebitso
• Bandile Shandu
• Sipho Mbule
• Tshegofatso Mabasa
• Relebohile Mofokeng

A new Betway Premiership season looms

Pirates’ Betway Premiership title defence in 2026-27 gets underway against Milford FC on Saturday, 1 August. Kickoff is at 15:30.