Senior Makhaula helping youngsters settle as MTN8 glory beckons

By Velile Mnyandu
7th October 2026

Orlando Pirates veteran midfielder Makhehleni “Khash” Makhaula is embracing his seniority in the team and the responsibilities that come with it, prioritising guiding the youngsters more than anything else.

Makhaula, now in his fourth season at Pirates since joining from AmaZulu, has won all the trophies on offer in the Premier Soccer League and still looks hungry to be part of this all-conquering Bucs team.

Pirates face Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday and Makhaula has a special message for his younger teammates...

"It's all about giving some wisdom to the new and younger players just so that they can calm down because I know it's a big match. They just need to approach it like any other game although it will be against Sundowns. They just need to go out there and enjoy themselves then everything will be fine."

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Towards the end of last season, when Pirates were drawing closer to clinching their first league title in 14 years, Makhaula made a statement that he would consider retirement once they secure the title.

However, the former Free State Stars strongman says it’s a different story now, after he was convinced by the chairman to continue...

"I think I still have the legs to carry on and I thank the Chairman for giving me another opportunity and I'm grateful for that. I have achieved everything I wanted to achieve but I want to win a few more trophies with this great team and hopefully we will get them."

The Pirates central midfield is one of the most tightly contested positions at the club, with about six key players in there, with Thapelo Mokobodi, Cemran Dansin, Simphiwe Selepe, Masindi Nemtajela and Mthetheleli Mthiyane having taken over in the first two months of the season when Bafana Bafana’s Thalente Mbatha was also still recovering from an injury.

Pirates are going for their record-extending fifth Wafa-Wafa title in a row, and Makhaula also said they won't slow down anytime soon.

As for Sundowns, who are the African champions as well as FIFA African Asian Pacific champions, Makhaula says it will be a big statement for this young team to defend their Wafa-Wafa title against the Brazilians to set the tone for this season.