Johannesburg – Orlando Pirates Football Club has announced the departure of two players, Sandile Mthethwa and Katlego Otladisa, signifying a strategic reshaping of the squad ahead of the January transfer window.
The moves, confirmed in official club statements, address the underperformance of both players and reflect a commitment from coach José Riveiro to field a consistently high-performing team.
The club's statement regarding Sandile Mthethwa, a 27-year-old defender, explicitly states that a lack of guaranteed game time was the primary reason for his release. The statement reads: “Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm the departure of defender Sandile Mthethwa. Both parties have agreed for the amicable separation to allow him to move to a club of his choice. At 27 years old Mthethwa is entering his prime and whilst the technical team wanted him to stay – the guarantee of regular football was not possible.”
The statement further details Mthethwa's journey with the club, highlighting his long tenure: “Mthethwa joined the club in 2016 as a young boy having been spotted at an annual youth tournament in KZN. He was one of three players identified at the tournament – the other two being Thobela Sikhakhane and Brian Hlongwa. Mthethwa went on to captain the first Project X Tour to the UK and later on captained the MultiChoice Diski Challenge squad before being promoted to the first team where he went on feature in over 20 official matches for the club. He will be remembered for his professionalism and discipline at all times. We wish him well as he enters a new chapter in his career.”
Unconfirmed reports suggest Mthethwa is set to join AmaZulu.
Meanwhile, Katlego Otladisa, a 28-year-old winger, has been loaned to Sekhukhune United for the remainder of the 2024/25 season. The club's statement on Otladisa's move reads: “Meanwhile, the Club can also confirm that it has reached an agreement with Sekhukhune United for the services Katlego Otladisa. The 28-year-old moves across to Babina Noko on a loan deal for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.”
Otladisa, who joined Pirates last year after a successful stint at Marumo Gallants, has struggled to secure regular playing time, making only nine appearances across three seasons with the Buccaneers. He has yet to feature for Pirates this season. This loan move is intended to provide Otladisa with valuable playing time and an opportunity to rebuild his confidence. In his time at Pirates, he made only 12 appearances across all competitions, without scoring a goal or providing an assist.
The decision to release Mthethwa and loan Otladisa represents a proactive approach by Orlando Pirates to strengthen the team's overall performance. The club's announcement, made while the team is in Abidjan preparing for a Champions League group stage match against Stade d'Abidjan, underscores the urgency and strategic importance of these personnel changes. The moves are likely to spark debate amongst supporters, with some expressing disappointment at the departures while others may view them as necessary steps to improve the team’s competitiveness.
The releases come ahead of the January transfer window, suggesting a deliberate strategy to reshape the squad and potentially bring in new players to fill the gaps left by the departing players. The club has not yet publicly commented on its plans for the transfer window, but it is anticipated that these moves will pave the way for new signings.
The departures of Mthethwa and Otladisa, while potentially disruptive in the short term, could ultimately benefit the team by creating opportunities for other players to step up and prove their worth. The remaining players will now face increased competition for places in the starting line-up, potentially leading to improved performance across the board.
