Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo was the Man of the Match on Saturday. Photo: Pirates website
INSIGHT: How Ndlondlo ended up at Pirates, not AmaZulu
AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu says they were somewhat blocked from pulling off a desired signing of Pirates’ Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo.
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo was the Man of the Match on Saturday. Photo: Pirates website
Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns went head to head in a tense MTN8 encounter on Saturday, which finished in a goalless draw at Orlando Stadium, with Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo proving to be the Man of the Match for the Buccaneers.
Ndlondlo produced a standout effort, and after the game he said it was all about putting in the effort to help justify his recruitment.
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The talented player was being pursued by AmaZulu, but Gallants and Usuthu could not come to an agreement.
“In Ndlondlo, we were interested in him, but the chairman of Marumo was not interested in transacting the player to us,” Zungu told iDiski Times.
“So that is all I can say. We tabled an offer and it was all over the place. But we tabled a very good offer for Ndlondlo. And for all we know the boy wanted to come and play for AmaZulu.
“But again, there are no hard feelings at all against Marumo because they were entitled to do so.”
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Sundowns and Pirates certainly look like the leading title contenders in local football this season, with ex-Bucs star Siyabonga Sangweni certainly encouraged by the transfer work completed by his former team.
Indeed, as the transfer deadline drew towards a close at midnight on Thursday, Orlando Pirates officially announced the signing of talented Ndlondlo on a three-year deal, but more bombshell news greeted Buccaneers fans on Friday morning.
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In a largely unexpected announcement to end the week, Pirates also confirmed the recruitment of Kermit Erasmus on a two-year deal. Romeo, as he is affectionately known, returns to the club having left to join French outfit Stade Rennais back in 2016.
Pirates stated that the experienced forward joins the Buccaneers having recently been “cleared by his former employer”, and becomes the sixth senior signing of the season.
On becoming a Buccaneer once more, Erasmus said: “It’s good to be back!” and Sangweni believes the Buccaneers now have a strong enough squad to win a title this season. Sangweni believes the playmaker can certainly make a big difference back in Soweto.
“I am happy Kermit Erasmus is back at Pirates as he is an incredibly talented player,” Sangweni told FARPost. “Orlando Pirates got an influential person in him [Erasmus]; he was the last piece of the puzzle that was needed because they play good football.
“They [Pirates] have done so well in this transfer season, they definitely winning something, starting with MTN8,” he concluded.
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Pirates have also confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Sipho Chaine. The 25-year-old signs from Chippa United on a three-year deal.
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Meanwhile, a statement described Ndlondlo as a player “blessed with superb technical ability, creativity, an incisive range of passing and a willingness to work hard for his team, Ndlondo has shown to be adept in both in attack and defensive situations”.
Moments after putting pen to paper, Ndlondlo told Orlandopiratesfc.com: “I am happy to be here. This is a dream come true for me.
“With the window closing today, I didn’t think a move would happen, but football is an unpredictable game anything is possible. Here I am today speaking to you as an Orlando Pirates player.
“I would like to express my gratitude to everybody at Marumo Gallants. To the players, coaches, and management, thank you for a wonderful couple of years…and to the fans, you will always have a place in my heart.
“As I said before, it’s a dream to be here and I look forward to joining up with my new teammates. I come here looking to make a meaningful contribution to this great institution,” he concluded.
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