Are you looking for the highest-paid players at Orlando Pirates? In this guide, we have prepared a well-researched list of the top earners at this club.
Orlando Pirates FC is one of South Africa’s most successful football clubs. Located in the Houghton neighbourhood of Johannesburg.
The club competes in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), the top-tier league of South African soccer.
The PSL is internationally renowned and has become highly competitive over recent years; this has attracted attention from many other nations and resulted in players being better compensated than ever before so that they no longer have to join European leagues to reap financial rewards.
Of course, fans are always interested in what their favourite team pays its players, with rumours circulating now and again about potential salary and earnings.
Thanks to this article’s provided list, you can find out exactly who the highest earners on Orlando Pirates’ roster are, dispelling any doubts you may have had about pay rates at the club.
Orlando Pirates Highest-Paid Players
10. Innocent Maela Salary is R150,000/Month
Innocent Maela, born August 14, 1992, in Witbank, South Africa, is one of the most sought-after fullbacks in South African football.
After making his impact in the National Football League, and joining the Pirates in 2017 after a successful international career with Bafana Bafana, Maela has risen exponentially in value over the past three years.
His current estimated monthly salary of 150 000 Rands (approximately 1.8 million Rands annually) speaks to this rise and prospects for his future growth look great as he is likely to be incorporated into important tournaments by South Africa’s coach Molefi Ntseki over the coming few years.
All these successes have meant that at 28 he has amassed a large portion of financial worth despite having spent time previously on the NFD.
9. Bienvenu Eva Nga Salary is R160,000/Month
Bienvenu Eva Nga is a Cameroonian professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Orlando Pirates in the DStv Premiership of South Africa.
Eva Nga, who is of Cameroonian descent, has an impressive footballing resume: he previously played in Mozambique and Portugal before signing with Bidvest Wits midway through the 2019/20 season.
After two successful years at Chippa United, which is based in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa, Orlando Pirates snapped him up leading into the 2022/23 season.
While at Chippa United, Nga enjoyed much success as a passionate supporter of the Soweto Derby and now he considers joining the Buccaneers to be an exciting opportunity – one that he intends to make full use of.
As of 2023, Bienvenu Eva Nga’s salary with Orlando Pirates is reported to be R160 000 Rand per month making him one of their top earners.
8. Thembinkosi Lorch Salary is R165,000/Month
Thembinkosi Lorch is a 27-year-old South African midfielder and attacker who currently holds the tenth position with Orlando Pirates Football Club.
He has achieved impressive success throughout his career, being voted as South Africa’s Player of the Season in 2018/2019 as well as winning Players’ Player of the Season that same year.
Due to an unfortunate long-term injury, he has been unable to play in any of his team’s CAF Confederation Cup matches; however, he still remains a valuable asset for the squad.
With an estimated annual salary of 1.296 million Rands each year, Thembinkosi earns a comfortable monthly income of roughly 165 000 Rands.
This sizeable wealth has enabled him and his family to live life luxuriously, having access to all the finer things money can buy like beautiful vehicles and other pleasurable indulgences worth a total sum amounting to more than half a million dollars.
7. Vincent Pule Salary is R170,000/Month
Vincent Pule is an esteemed footballer hailing from South Africa, who currently plays for Orlando Pirates in the country’s prestigious DSTV Premier Soccer League.
His tremendous talent and impressive performance earned him the 7th spot on Orlando Pirates’ list of Top 10 Highest Paid Players, with a whopping estimated monthly income of R170 000.
The 29-year-old veteran has done well to make a name for himself in his home country and beyond through his prolific career. He was even recognized by the South African national football team who granted him a spot in the side – certainly no easy feat!
6. Fortune Makaringe Salary is R185,000/Month
Orlando Pirates recently made a big splash in the transfer market, breaking their transfer record fee to bring in two exciting attacking midfielders.
Fortune Makaringe and Ndlovu were signed from Maritzburg United for a combined R25 million – money that Pirates were more than happy to spend to complete this double raid of the Team of Choice.
Makaringe started his footballing career with Moroka Swallows before he eventually signed with Maritzburg United in 2019.
He soon after received his first call-up for South African National Team for a 0-0 draw against Madagascar, where despite missing out on a penalty shootout victory he gained considerable experience at the international level.
This proved to be invaluable when he was named as part of South Africa’s provisional 28-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, though didn’t make the final cut for the 23-man roster.
5. Evidence Makgopa Salary is R200,000/Month
Evidence Makgopa is making a name for himself as one of the best centre-forwards in South African soccer.
His skill and precision have earned him spots on both the Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana teams, allowing his talent to shine on an international stage.
On 8 June 2021, he made his debut for South Africa against Uganda and scored a brace in their 3-2 victory.
He continued to perform at top form in the following months, being recognized as one of the nation’s top players alongside Percy Tau and Benni McCarthy.
At the 2020 Summer Olympics, he shined again, scoring a goal in each of his three appearances for the U23 squad.
He currently earns approximately R200,000 per month from Orlando Pirates which further testifies to his remarkable talent on the field.
4. Wayne Sandilands Salary is R250,000/Month
For more than a decade, South African goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands has been making big waves in the world of professional football.
Since his debut with Orlando Pirates in 2004, he has earned considerable success and made impressive strides in amassing a net worth of $1.5 million.
Although he is not one to flaunt his wealth, Sandilands expressed that donning the iconic black and white team jersey has always been a dream come true for him.
He understands all too well the magnitude of responsibility that comes along with playing for such an esteemed side and his dedication to the club continues to pay off over time.
His achievements include multiple championships including Absa Premiership and CAF Champions League titles as well as nominations for other awards.
He is estimated to make around R250,000 as a salary per month at the Pirates.
3. Richard Ofori Salary is R300,000/Month
Richard Ofori has been a highly coveted goalkeeper since his rise to prominence with Maritzburg United, the Black Stars and Ghana’s national soccer team.
A member of Maritzburg United since 2018, Richard has made 85 appearances in the South African Premier Soccer League along with 19 for Ghana’s national squad.
Since then, he has only allowed a total of 80 goals in front of him while also earning 29 clean sheets.
As a result, Richard’s talent is highly regarded and expected to be put on full display during this season as their starting goalkeeper.
Richard makes around R300,000 a month.
2. Kermit Erasmus Salary is R350,000/Month
Kermit Erasmus is a South African football striker who has achieved great success since beginning his professional career in 2008.
He has played for top clubs across Europe as well as within South Africa, most notably with Orlando Pirates, for whom he now plays.
His impressive career has seen him amass an esteemed portfolio that includes a net worth of US$600,000 and a monthly salary of R350 000.
Erasmus began his professional career when he was picked up by Supersport United in 2008; which led to further transfer moves around Europe and finally south Africa.
It was while playing professionally that Erasmus made his national team debut during a friendly encounter against Zimbabwe that same year.
Since then he has continued dominating the sport and garnering the rewards of 15 years of experience.
1. Deon Hotto Salary is R500,000 Rands/Month
Deon Hotto is a renowned Namibian footballer who first began his professional career with the Blue Boys.
After dedicating several years of growth and development at the club, Deon moved to African Stars in his home country before taking his talents to Golden Arrows.
He then made his way back to South Africa where he joined Bidvest Wits and solidified himself as one of the team’s best players.
Finally, in 2020 he transferred to Orlando Pirates where he continues to impress on and off the pitch.
As recognition for his tremendous skill and undeniable potential, it was recently announced that Deon Hotto would be joining Orlando Pirates’ highest-paid player’s list by earning an impressive R500 000 Rands monthly salary.
This not only makes him one of the highest-paid footballers in South Africa’s Premier League but also puts him among some of the most well-paid players internationally due to his incredible output during these seasons.
His outstanding performance has even earned him a spot on Namibia’s national soccer team since 2013 – further cementing him as one of Africa’s esteemed talents.