Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro vs Junior Khanye Nedbank Cup
Jose Riveiro, coach of Orlando Pirates. Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Home » Orlando Pirates promotes Jabulani Mokone

Orlando Pirates promotes Jabulani Mokone

Orlando Pirates has given the nod to promote promising right-back, Jabulani Mokone to the first team. He joins two other new signings.

13-02-24 20:22
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro vs Junior Khanye Nedbank Cup
Jose Riveiro, coach of Orlando Pirates. Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates might’ve dipped into the market in January, but they have also used their academy to bolster their squad.

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Pirates made two signings in Thabiso Lebitso and Talent Mbatha from Chippa United and SuperSport United respectfully.

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Lebitso joins the Pirates camp as a free agent, while Mbatha is believed to be on loan from SuperSport. Mbatha is expected to make his loan move permanent at the end of the current campaign. Lebitso on the other hand, is set for some competition on the right side of the field, with the latest news. According to the club’s DStv Diski Challenge coach Joseph Makhanya, young right-back Jabulani Mokone has been promoted to the senior team. 

MOKONE PROMOTED TO ORLANDO PIRATES FIRST TEAM

“He (Mokone) is spending time with the (Pirates) first team, We feeling like he has done enough to be given a chance at first team so we hoping that he will continue learning so that he can be a better player. So yes he has been promoted.” Said Makhanya to Asidlali as per iDiski Times.

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This will be music to the ears of Pirates fans, who have been calling for Mokone’s promotion. The youngster has been one of their standout players at DDC level for quite some time now. He would then show what he is capable of against senior opposition, in the Carling Champions Cup match against Stellenbosch. He and Mfundo Vilakazi of Kaizer Chiefs were the youngsters who went on to catch the eye the most. With Vilakazi also being promoted by Amakhosi, the two teenagers could soon lock horns in a senior Soweto derby. 

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Mokone has recently been out of the Pirates DDC games due to an injury. He was again, missing again missing in their 1-0 loss to rivals Mamelodi Sundowns over the weekend. There club faithful will be hoping it is nothing serious. He is set to compete with the likes Thabiso Monyane and Bandile Shandu for a spot at right-back.