In a whirlwind of high-profile signings, it was a quiet acquisition from
Marumo Gallants that is now making the most noise at Orlando Pirates.
Masindi Nemtajela, one of 13 new faces ahead of the 2025/26 season, has
rapidly emerged from relative obscurity to become a pivotal figure in the
Buccaneers’ midfield, convincing fans and pundits alike that the club may
have found its long-term anchor.
While the arrivals of Oswin Appollis and Sipho Mbule grabbed the headlines,
the 24-year-old Nemtajela patiently waited for his chance. That opportunity
arose not by grand design, but through necessity—an injury to last season’s
Midfielder of the Year, Makhehlene Makhaula, forced his hand into the
lineup.
Since that moment, Nemtajela has not just filled a gap; he has owned the
role. With a maturity that belies his limited appearances, he has become one
of coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s most reliable performers, injecting the engine
room with a blend of relentless energy, defensive intelligence, and composed
distribution.
The Soweto faithful have been quick to embrace his qualities, praising his
tireless work rate and his ability to control the game’s tempo from deep.
His precision in switching play and his anticipatory defending have drawn
favorable comparisons to some of the club’s most revered midfielders of the
past.
What began as a circumstantial opportunity has solidified into a fortunate
discovery. In Nemtajela, Orlando Pirates appear to have uncovered a genuine
midfield gem—a player whose quiet confidence and intelligent play are
cementing his place not just in the starting eleven, but as a potential
cornerstone for the club’s future.
