Nkosinathi Sibisi woke up on Wednesday unaware he would end the day having had countless interviews in which everyone wanted his voice after his official appointment as Orlando Pirates captain from the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
The club's announcement came a few hours after Sibisi was named the Betway Premiership Defender of the Season on Tuesday night having helped Pirates finish second to Mamelodi Sundowns for the third successive time in 2024-24.
The 29-year-old defender's elevation to Bucs' full-time captaincy came as no surprise as he was, in any case, their skipper in most of the 42 matches he played for his club in all competitions last season, where he was a vital cog in Jose Riveiro's defence. Sibisi and his two vice-captains — Tapelo Xoki and Mbekezeli Mbokazi — were voted in by secret ballot by their teammates.
Sibisi's reputation has grown at Bafana Bafana, for whom he has played 10 crucial international matches over the past two years, earning the trust of coach Hugo Broos.
Ahead of Pirates season-opening MTN8 quarterfinal against Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (3pm), Sibisi, from Mpophomeni in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, expressed the surprise he felt when new Bucs coach Abdeslam Ouaddou informed him he would succeed retired Innocent Maela as captain.
“It's a great privilege and honour for me to captain such a huge side. Orlando Pirates is such a big institution,” Sibisi said. “As a young boy I grew up supporting the club and never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would be able to captain it, let alone play for the team. For me it's an honour and a privilege.”
It has not always been plain sailing for Sibisi at Pirates. He had to bide his time on the sidelines after joining Bucs from Lamontville Golden Arrows in June 2022. The burly centreback's arrival coincided with that of former coach Jose Riveiro, who left the club at the end of last season having won three MTN8 and two Nedbank Cup trophies in three seasons.
Sibisi was asked if his nomination to be the club's captain came at the right time.
“Patience is a virtue and for me it's not about being on the field. Sometimes you can also be playing while on the outside because if you're pushing the guys who are on the inside, you're helping everyone. For me, that's been my role for most of my career, to start and support, but when I get my chance, I always make sure I take it with both hands.”
With new coach Ouaddou at the helm and close to 10 players signed, surely things will not be the same as they were under Riveiro, the 49-year-old Spaniard who left a huge impression on everyone at Pirates.
“We have to lay the foundation and I think it has been laid now during the preseason. We have new players, a new coach and fresh ideas. Also, there's renewed energy from the guys to say, 'If we can do what we did last season why not this season?' I think we've added quality players in every position. For us it's just to work hard.”
What will not be avoided is the comparison between Riveiro and the new coach. Sibisi warned everyone to not expect the same Pirates they became used to under the Spaniard, now coaching African giants Al Ahly of Egypt.
“I think the comparison will always be there. We're competing against a points machine [Mamelodi Sundowns], but for us it's to close the gap and try as much as possible to stay up there. I think with the squad we have and the technical team, it's possible [to win the Betway Premiership] this season.”
They [the supporters] have every right to say that [that Pirates win the league] because I think with the quality we have, we should be able to get at least closer and closer in closing that gap. But I think with the signings we've made and the ideas the coach has, it's going to be a very interesting season.
— Nkosinathi Sibisi
Sibisi was not prepared to reveal much of what Bucs have been doing with the new coach, except to emphasise that the former Moroccan international's approach to the game is different to Riveiro's.
"[There are] new ideas that are completely different from how the previous coach wanted us to play. I think it's a matter of adapting and understanding what he wants and trying to apply it to the best of our ability.”
Fans will get a first glimpse of the new Pirates against Polokwane, where Bucs will be looking to get off to a winning start aiming to lift the MTN8 trophy for a record fourth time in a row, a feat Sibisi believes is achievable.
“Winning it three times in a row, you don't forget the feeling. We want to do it for the fourth and fifth time because it's a feeling you don't want to lose. For us it's just to defend what's ours, to be in the history books of the club. I think the game on Saturday will be a good test coming from preseason.”
However, as much as Pirates have been praised for being dominant in domestic cup competitions in the past three seasons, it is in the league, where they last won in 2012, where Bucs' faithful will again be pushing the team to win this season.
“We play every cup to win,” Sibisi said. “Whether it's the league, MTN, Nedbank or Carling, even the Caf Champions League, we play to win because whenever you sign for a team like Pirates, you're obligated to win such.
“They [the supporters] have every right to say that [that Pirates win the league] because I think with the quality we have, we should be able to get at least closer and closer in closing that gap. But I think with the signings we've made and the ideas the coach has, it's going to be a very interesting season.”
Sibisi urged Bucs fans to continue believing they can challenge Sundowns for the league title, with his main belief stemming from the calibre of players recruited for the coming season.
“I think they've proven it from their respective clubs where they're coming from. We all know their talents. To name a few, Sipho Mbule, Oswin [Appollis]. We know Appollis from the national team. Yanela Mbuthuma is a good striker. Guys like Tshepang Moremi are putting up their hands; everyone is putting up their hands. It's going to be a very interesting season for everyone.”
One player every Bucs supporter will be watching to see his growth is Sibisi's partner in the heart of Pirates' defence, 19-year-old Mbokazi — a player with huge potential who impressed Sibisi with his rapid rise coming from the club's development ranks.
“He's such a brave boy and I don't think he fears anything. From the very first time he came and joined us you could see how confident he was in his ability.
“For him to get such recognition [being picked as a vice captain] at such an early age and for the club to give him such a responsibility speaks volumes of where the club wants to go. It shows that the club is not only looking at the now, but also preparing for the future. I think we're going to see the best of him again this season.”
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