10 of the Greatest Orlando Pirates Players of All Time (1937- 2023)

South African soccer has one of the most diverse teams in Africa. With foreign players from as close as Zimbabwe to as far as Greece and France. And in this video we will look at the greatest Orlando Pirates players of all time. From when the team was founded in 1957 to date. But before we start, please subscribe to our youtube channel for more content like this.

10. Shakes Mashaba

During a contentious period as a kid in which he was frequently getting himself into problems on and off the pitch, Mashaba has matured throughout his coaching career. The central defence, a Pirates star during the 1970s, was also a capable forward.

9. John Mooyetti

Few defensive midfielders have served the Bucs with more dedication than the little Moyetti, who gave his all in every game. He was the driving force behind the Pirates' 1995 African victory and made it to two Afcon finals, winning the big one in 1996.

8. Webster Lichaba

He played with players like Jomo Sono and Johannes Khomane at Atlanta Chiefs. He was one of many Pirates players who used their success in South Africa to negotiate moves to the United States. Before moving on to Jomo Cosmos, he went back to Bucs in the role of captain.

7. Edward Mootarlie

Even though Motarlie, a 1996 Nation Builder with South Africa, was only with Pirates for a brief time, it was a time of unwavering success for the team as they won the league title, the African Champions Cup, the Caf Super Cup, and other awards. Undoubtedly, the most effective left-back for the Pirates is the determined operator.

6. Benni McCarthy

McCarthy, a candidate for South Africa's best player, made history when he became the first Bafana Bafana player to win the European Champions League. Although though he was past his prime when he played for the Bucs, he still managed to win three trophies in his two seasons with the powerhouses near the end of his career.

5. Eric ‘Scara’ Sono

Sono, who was among the players on our list to die tragically young, died in a car accident in his mid-60s, just as he was beginning to reach the pinnacle of his abilities. His skill in the attacking line was essential in making Pirates the top team in South African football in the late 1950s. He started out as a left winger before switching to a centre position.

4. Percy Mooloyee

In the 1960s, Chippa, a South African celebrity, captivated audiences with his amazing skills in the middle of the park. In 1970, he also scored the inaugural Soweto Derby goal.

3. Helman Mkharlalay

A fantastic individual who, during his time with the Pirates, was a complete joy to see with the ball in his hands. He was an African champion in 1995, and the finest defences on the continent consistently struggled against his movement, pace, and dribbling. Later, the wide receiver obtained a transfer to Turkish football.

2. Jerry Sikhosana

Legs of Thunder led Pirates to a 1995 Caf Champions League victory over ASEC Mimosa; his goal in the championship match brought the trophy back to Soweto. He scored important goals for the Bucs multiple times throughout the course of his career, and he was renowned for his famous acceleration past opponents in the final third. He was the first participant in a Soweto Derby to score a hat trick.

1. Jomo Sono

Sono, unquestionably the best player for the Pirates, loved the club so much that he even skipped his own wedding, leaving his unhappy wife behind. The Black Prince of South African football would spend some of his prime years in North America, most notably playing alongside Pele for the New York Cosmos, where he wowed with his all-around skills and amazing dribbling abilities. He once had work permit concerns that prevented him from moving to Juventus.