Kamogelo Sebelebele: Heartbroken Orlando Pirates Star Fires Back at Critics Amid Injury Problems

• Orlando Pirates summer signing Kamogelo Sebelebele has opened up on the injury issues that have kept him out of the team since the end of 2025
• The Bafana Bafana winger joined the Soweto giants in the summer from TS Galaxy and was one of their best players at the start of the season
• The South African international also fired back at those criticising for being injured a few months after joining the Sea Robbers

Orlando Pirates winger Kamogelo Sebelebele has finally addressed the injury that sidelined him toward the end of last year.

The South African international had been having a promising debut season with the Buccaneers and had even earned a spot in the Bafana Bafana squad before missing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco due to injury.

South Africa ended up being knocked out early in the competition as they lost to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the Round of 16.

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Sebelebele's move to Pirates, injury problems

The 2025 season saw him move from TS Galaxy to Pirates, where he made an immediate impact, netting three goals in 17 appearances. Two of those goals came in the MTN8 semi-finals against Mamelodi Sundowns, showcasing his importance to the team. The Bucs went on to win the competition, their first trophy under Abdeslam Ouaddou.

However, his progress was hampered by injury, and Sebelebele has voiced his frustration—not only at missing game time but also at fans who criticised him for getting injured at Pirates after a largely injury-free spell at Galaxy.

Sebelebele responds to critics, heartfelt setback

Sebelebele has hit back at those criticising him for being injured after joining Pirates despite being injury-free during his time with TS Galaxy.

“Of course, people talk because it’s my first injury, and the narrative becomes: ‘You join Orlando Pirates and get injured,’ even though I was fine at TS Galaxy,” he said during an interview at the Bucs Camp, as reported by iDiski Times.

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“It’s intense at Orlando Pirates; everyone is watching, and some people are quick to judge. They don’t seem to understand that football is a contact sport—injuries are part of the game.”

Despite the criticism, the South African winger, who also fills in at right-back, remains unfazed and focused on making a strong comeback this season as the Soweto giants are gunning for the domestic treble.

“Not everything should revolve around what people think. Staying positive is key, and I avoid naysayers because negativity can be harmful,” he continued.

“I was devastated by the injury—it’s never easy to miss matches—but as long as the team is performing well, I’ll continue supporting them wholeheartedly, even from the sidelines.”

Ouaddou left frustrated despite Pirates' win

Briefly News also reported that Ouaddou was unhappy despite defeating Magesi FC in their Betway Premiership fixture before AmaZulu FC.

The French-Moroccan tactician led the Soweto giants to victory, but he was not satisfied with his team's performance despite the win.

Source: Briefly News