Ex-Pirates Star’s Return Looms on Horizon

Free agent Ndumiso Mabena looks to be rejoining his old club, Orlando Pirates.

According to coach Jose Riveiro, the 35-year-old striker has been training with the Buccaneers for a while now.

“Mabena is training with us and he has been training with us for the past six or seven training sessions, perhaps,” Riveiro confirmed in a recent interview.

Mabena previously played for the Bucs between 2009 and 2014; he then made the move to Platinum Stars before switching to Bloemfontein Celtic. In 2021, Celtic’s top-flight status was purchased by Royal AM, which saw most of the first-team squad – including Mabena – playing for them.

Earlier this month, the striker left the club following a court battle with the club over unpaid salaries – although he appears set to rejoin Pirates, Riveiro says that’s not quite the case yet.

“Let’s see what happens in future and what management decides about Mabena’s future in the team,” he said.

Image Credit: Source