Cavin Johnson Kaizer Chiefs Pirates

Kaizer Chiefs will take on Royal AM in a DStv Premiership encounter at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday. Image: Kaizer Chiefs website

Kaizer Chiefs enter race to sign top Orlando Pirates defensive target! 

It has been well documented that Orlando Pirates are looking to bolster the left side of their defence, with Kaizer Chiefs now seemingly joining them.

Cavin Johnson Kaizer Chiefs Pirates

Kaizer Chiefs will take on Royal AM in a DStv Premiership encounter at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday. Image: Kaizer Chiefs website

It has been well documented that Orlando Pirates are looking to bolster the left side of their defence, with Kaizer Chiefs now seemingly joining them.

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More than merely joining their arch-rivals Pirates in the pursuit of a left-back, it is thought that Chiefs have entered the race for exact same target in Riaan Hanamub

Pirates interested in Hanamub

Pirates’ interest in Hanamub has hardly been a secret, with the club courting the player for at least the past two-three transfer windows. In fact, there was strong belief that the Namibian international would finally join the Buccaneers at the start of the current season, with rumours intensifying that a bid had been made to AmaZulu and that a deal between the two clubs was imminent. 

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It was not long after, however, that AmaZulu chairman Sandile Zungu came out to deny the story, furthermore, he made it very clear that Hanamub was not for sale to any club, including Pirates. The club clearly stuck to their stance, as the player remained. That has not stopped the rumours ahead of this window, however, as reports surfaced that the Sea Robbers were hoping to use striker Tshegofatso Mabasa as bait in a swap deal to finally get their man. According to Soccer-Laduma, however, Chiefs may have something to say about that. 

Chiefs also considering a move

“It’s not like they (Chiefs) have totally given up on signing a left back. They have been inquiring about different left backs from different teams and they are still looking at which one would work out for them and that’s why now they have another option in Riaan (Hanamub) from AmaZulu, They know it won’t be an easy one because Orlando Pirates are also interested in the same player. But they have signed few players in the past who were also on Pirates’ radar so who knows what may happen on this one. But they are now seriously looking at signing a left back. Whether it’s this January transfer window period or at the end of the season we really don’t know,” said a source to the publication. 

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Chiefs are likely to release veteran Sifiso Hanti at the end of the season, with question marks surrounding Happy Mashiane’s future and position at the club. The signing of Hanamub would make sense for them, while Pirates still have captain Innocent Maela, countryman Deon Hotto as well as Paseko Mako for that role.