Should Pirates Act Quick On Sibisi?

Nkosinathi Sibisi’s contract with Pirates expires in June 2027. Image: Gallo Images

A former Orlando Pirates player is confident the contract of Nkosinathi Sibisi will be extended, but has explained why it’s not necessary to offer a new deal to the experienced defender too early in the season.

Sibisi’s contract with the Buccaneers is due to expire at the end of the season and Soccer Laduma has been informed that talks have not been opened over a new deal. Former Pirates goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane likes the approach where clubs don’t offer a player a contract too early, because it keeps them on their toes to keep fighting to get an extension.

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“Firstly, I must commend the Orlando Pirates leadership because they have transformed the squad. You can see there are a lot of young players in the squad and that has not disturbed the flow in any way. You can see that there is a handful of senior players, so that’s something that’s difficult to do for any young, to blend in the young blood with the seniors. They’ve done a tremendous job,” Mabokgwane said to Soccer Laduma.

“With regards to Sibisi, the team does not really like to do things early, from my experience, which is also good because it keeps playing pushing until the very end. Sibisi is one of the senior players, but it’s good what they do at the club. Sometimes to offer you a contract or an extension too early takes away that hunger and desire to keep on pushing. At a club like Pirates, competition is high, so you always have to be on top of your game. I believe he will probably get an extension. If you look at a player like (Deon) Hotto, last season it went up until the very end of his contract and then he got an extension. That kept him pushing throughout and you can see that he is still pushing and performing.”

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Sibisi can sign a pre-contract with any club interested in him when the January transfer window opens, but he is unlikely to go that route, with Pirates expected to get first preference. Pirates continue to value the contribution of the Bafana Bafana defenders and, at this stage, expectations are that he will get a new deal.

Sibisi joined the Soweto giants in 2022 from Golden Arrows and was handed the captain’s armband full time in 2024/25 when Innocent Maela called time on his playing career.

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