Riaan Hanamub

Riaan Hanamub Image Source: (@RianHanamub/Twitter)

​AmaZulu boss Zungu quashes Pirates interest in Hanamub

AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu has quashed Orlando Pirates interest in his defender Riaan Hanamub, saying he is going nowhere.

Riaan Hanamub

Riaan Hanamub Image Source: (@RianHanamub/Twitter)

AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu has responded to reports regarding Orlando Pirates’ interest in signing defender Riaan Hanamub, saying there have been no negotiations for the experienced left-back.

This comes as AmaZulu president, Zungu made it clear this week that they are not willing to sell their most prized asset, Hanamub to Pirates.

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Zungu addressed the media speculation, saying he was baffled by how the fourth estate operates because Pirates never showed interest or approached his club for Hanamub’s services.

AMAZULU’S ZUNGU ADDRESSES HANAMUB’S LINKS WITH PIRATES

The outspoken football boss and businessman, Zungu said he always speaks to Pirates but Hanamub has never been discussed.

It has come to the attention of The South African that the Namibia international, Hanamub has two years remaining on his contract with Usuthu as AmaZulu are known.

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The fact that Pirates are set to campaign in the CAF Champions League next season means coach Jose Riveiro will have to bolster his ranks and Hanamub is said to have attracted Pirate’s interest.

Apart from the continental competition, Pirates will also have a hectic domestic schedule as they will participate in the league, defend their Nedbank Cup and MTN8 titles as well as play in the new Carling Knockout Cup tournament.

“I don’t know how the media operates — my suspicion is you spend too much time talking to agents when they want to promote their players. And you come to us to present their reality as our reality,” Zungu said according to TimesLIVE.

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“No-one has spoken to me about Riaan Hanamub. I don’t know where this Riaan Hanamub thing comes from.

“I speak to Orlando Pirates regularly, and he has been associated with Pirates — they’ve never spoken to me about Riaan Hanamub.

“I think they are a professional team and I’ve enjoyed interacting with them in the past. I know they will not be here and there, spreading rumours and destabilising our team.”

ZUNGU PRAISES HANAMUB AS A TRUE WARRIOR  

Zungu also took time to praise the left-back as “arguably the best left-back in the Premiership,” and he said no club has approached him about his player, Hanamub.

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“Riaan Hanamub is arguably the best left-back in the Premiership, there’s no question about it,” Zungu added.

“He is a Namibian international and exemplary in behaviour — a true warrior, a fighter.

“He has got some growth to realise as well. He needs to be coached to become a better Riaan Hanamub than what we are seeing now.”

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Looking at the relationship between the two clubs, striker Gabadinho Mhango joined Usuthu from Pirates while Tapelo Xoki and Makhehlene Makhaula are the latest players from AmaZulu to Mayfair.

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