Exclusive: Sinoxolo Kwayiba Aims for AFCON and World Cup After Pirates Move

Growing up in a crime-ridden township called Motherwell in the coastal city of Gqeberha, Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates forward, Sinoxolo Kwayiba's faith and discipline saw him soar to the highest level in South African professional football.

Surviving Motherwell

Being born and bred in a township such as Motherwell, one of the most notorious townships in the country, especially as a boy, often means there is no way out.

The strongly emerging culture of alcohol, drugs and violence runs riot, taking many victims along the way, and boys are often the victims.

It is almost a miracle for young men to make it out of the township, and Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates forward, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, is one of the very few young men who have been able to make a success of their lives.

Kwayiba, at only 25 years of age, has already donned the green and gold colours of the national team, earning five caps thus far under the tutelage of the current Bafana Bafana head coach, Hugo Broos.

Locally, Kwayiba has played two seasons in the country's top-flight league, the Premier Soccer League, as his professional career started taking shape at Chippa United in Gqeberha.

Following an impressive showing for Chippa United, the youngster recently penned a multi-year contract with the country's biggest club, Orlando Pirates, as he became the second Motherwell-born youngster to become a Buccaneer in recent times after left-back Bongani Sam blazed the trail a couple of years ago.

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.co.za, Kwayiba opened up about how he was able to carve a successful professional career despite growing up in Motherwell.

The 25-year-old humbly attributed his success to faith and discipline as he defied the odds on his way to signing for the Soweto Giants.

"I had a strong belief in God and my ability to play at the highest level. I knew that if I wanted to turn my life around, I needed to work harder than any soccer player," Kwayiba told SportsBoom.co.za. 

"I made a decision very early that football is the only work I want to do. I ensured that I focused on my schoolwork and football."

Becoming a Buccaneer

Having joined Orlando Pirates in the transfer window, Kwayiba has had his first taste of the pressures that come with playing for the Buccaneers as he travelled with the team to Spain for the pre-season.

The 25-year-old described his move to Orlando Pirates as a dream come true and told SportsBoom.co.za that he hopes his time at Pirates will give him the best chance of representing the country in the African Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup.

"Joining Orlando Pirates is a dream come true. I hope and pray that it gives hope to all the children of Motherwell and Gqebera," Kwayiba told SportsBoom.co.za.

"(Signing with Orlando Pirates) has changed my life and my family in a huge way, and the boys (back in Motherwell) should keep working hard in achieving their dreams, be it soccer or any other sport."

"⁠I wish to make the Bafana Bafana AFCON Team in Morocco as well as the World Cup Team, and for me to achieve that, I need to continue to maintain my goalscoring form and be consistent."

The 2025/26 Premier Soccer League is set to get underway on Saturday, 02 August, with the MTN Eight competition being the curtain raiser for the season.

Kwayiba's Orlando Pirates will get the tournament up and running when they face Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg.

A week later, the Betway Premiership will also get underway.