Pirates’ number 10 comes with pressure – Hamata

LIMBA MUPETAMIWINDHOEKRumour on social media has it that Namibian international Deon Hotto’s three-year move to South Africa’s Orlando Pirates might return the Buccaneers’ retired number 10 jersey next season.Many, including local pundit Isack Hamata, feel that this might put unwanted pressure on the enterprising midfielder who is at present finishing up the season with Bidvest Wits. Hamata believes the famous number will not be given to a foreign national, while many are calling for Thembinkosi Lorch to be handed the number.Divided opinion“They will never give that number to a foreign national. It will also put pressure on Hotto to perform consistently and on top of his game. Also, Buccaneers supporters are ruthless and unforgiving people,” said Hamata.Another football lover, Nico Paul, said this pressure might be excellent for Hotto: “I don’t think that we should shield him. He might thrive under pressure and thus make a name for himself and that is not bad at all.”The player wouldn’t comment on the talk about the jersey.Another pundit, former Brave Warriors goalkeeper Danzyl Bruwer, said bringing the jersey back would be a good thing for Pirates. “However, a playmaker such as Steve Motstibele Lekoela should wear the jersey. Whether Hotto fits the bill is a big question, even though he is a very astounding player. I believe he should wear number 7 or 11,” he added.Jersey backdropIn 2015, Jomo Sono, now a club owner and coach, said it doesn’t matter who wears the jersey. “The jersey doesn’t play football, who wears it does. Back then the number 10 didn’t play football, it was me,” he said.This year in March, according to KickOff magazine, the Pirates legend further said it's up to club chairman Irvin Khoza if he wants to revive the number 10 jersey.Pirates retired the number 10 jersey many years ago after Khoza announced that it would take another special player to wear it again.Dribbling wizard Steve Lekoelea was the only player to be handed the famous jersey at Pirates since Sono after he signed for Pirates from Moroka Swallows as a teenager.However, he was later stripped of the privilege due to off-field problems. Lekoelea later went on to play for Maritzburg United in KwaZulu-Natal. Teko Modise was then rumoured to be next in line, but that all died when he left the club. However, Oupa Manyisa and Vincent Pule donned it during the Buccaneers’ Caf campaigns.Since then then there hasn’t been a candidate deemed worthy of wearing the jersey.

Pirates’ number 10 comes with pressure – Hamata

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-26

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Pirates’ number 10 comes with pressure – Hamata

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-26

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