Lebone Seema: A rising star in Orlando Pirates' defence

“Fortune favours the bold.” That old saying is fast becoming reality for Orlando Pirates defender Lebone Seema, whose rise in the heart of defence has captured the imagination of fans and pundits alike.

Arriving quietly from TS Galaxy, the 22-year-old wasn’t exactly a household name. But in the absence of senior defenders like captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, Seema has grabbed his chance with both hands.

Thrown into action due to injury setbacks, Seema has flourished, forming a reliable and confident central defensive pairing with young vice-captain Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

Together, they’ve brought balance to the Pirates backline — marrying composure with aggression, and notably impressing with their crisp, long-range distribution from the back.

Seema’s growing confidence hit another level on Tuesday night at Orlando Stadium, where he scored his maiden goal for the club — a thunderous strike that handed the Buccaneers a hard-fought 1–0 win over Orbit College in front of a passionate home crowd.

That moment of individual brilliance now sets the tone for what is expected of him, as Pirates look to extend their winning run to three games when they visit Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is pleased with the youngster’s progress but remains cautious, stressing the importance of consistency. Drawing from his own experience as a seasoned defender, Ouaddou warned Seema of the mental demands of the role.

“He’s doing well with his teammate in defence. I think with his partner, he has shown a lot of maturity, and we can see that he’s improving in every game,” said Ouaddou. “But I told him that the most difficult moment starts now. When you give people the habit of such performances, the hardest part is being consistent.”

Ouaddou underlined the contrasting expectations placed on defenders compared to strikers: “A striker can disappear for 89 minutes and score in the 90th and be a hero. But a central defender can play fantastically for 89 minutes, make one error in the 90th, and it undoes everything. He scored a fantastic goal, but he has to be consistent until the end.”

Pirates’ dressing room has become a melting pot of talent, with youth blending seamlessly with experience — a dynamic nurtured under former coach Jose Riveiro and sustained by Ouaddou. That structure has allowed Seema and other young players to flourish under the mentorship of seasoned pros.

“My advice to him is to keep learning and believing in himself. He must show his leadership qualities, but he also needs to stay focused,” Ouaddou said. “He has to keep learning from captains such as Sibisi and Tapelo Xoki. He must continue to take advice from senior players, keep improving, and strive to be one of the best.”

While Seema continues to rise, the competition in the central defence department is set to intensify with the looming return of Olisa Ndah. The Nigerian centre-back, who missed the majority of last season due to injury, is inching closer to full fitness.

Ouaddou has taken a hands-on approach to Ndah’s recovery, keen to keep the defender mentally strong through the rehabilitation phase.

“Olisa is doing well. I try to be close to him in training while he’s going through rehabilitation. I monitor how he is physically so that we can support him,” the coach shared. “When a player is injured, that’s the best time for a coach to be close — to show that you care and keep him in your thoughts.”

As the Sea Robbers gear up for another testing encounter this weekend, Seema will be at the heart of their defence again — calm, confident, and carrying the hopes of a team that may have just found its next great centre-back.