Orlando Pirates veteran Makhehlene Makhaula has dropped a major hint that he could retire at the end of the 2025-26 season, but only if the club finally secures the Betway Premiership title. The 36-year-old midfielder, who turns 37 in November, admitted that lifting the league crown would be the perfect swansong for his career. With Sundowns losing 3-2 to TS Galaxy, Pirates now stand on the brink of ending a 14-year league drought, and Makhaula made clear his personal mission. “Only God knows. I’m always praying because my wish is the league,” he said. “It would be a dream come true.” Despite his age, some fans believe the former AmaZulu man still has another season left in him, and Makhaula acknowledged that the club’s younger players constantly push him in training.
Pirates need just four more points from their remaining fixtures to guarantee the title, and even three could be enough if they avoid a catastrophic goal-difference swing. With a +44 goal difference compared to Sundowns’ +36, the Buccaneers are in firm control. Their three league defeats this season have all come by a single goal, suggesting a team that competes in every battle. Makhaula emphasized the mentality shift at a big club, noting that smaller sides don’t fight for the league, but with Pirates, “you must always compete for trophies.” His leadership and experience have been vital in 16 league appearances this term as the club navigates this crucial stage of its development.
If Orlando Pirates do indeed end their 14-year wait for silverware, Makhaula’s potential retirement would mark the end of a significant chapter. The midfielder has been a disciplined anchor in the engine room, and his influence on the younger players has not gone unnoticed. Should the Buccaneers close out the season, Makhaula would walk away having