The famous Orlando Pirates colours. Photo: Archives

LATEST: Pirates to make interesting call on ‘newcomer’

Orlando Pirates are reportedly set to make a key decision with regards to a first team ‘newcomer’ who could bolster their defence.

by Craig Lewis

31-07-2022 15:32

in Premier Soccer League

The famous Orlando Pirates colours. Photo: Archives

It can’t be forgotten that Pirates bid farewell to four centre-backs during the off-season and although they have welcomed a couple of central defenders, it’s no secret they have been on the lookout for another signing.

Recently, Mustafa Nadhim was one of the latest players to be linked with Pirates, with the Buccaneers believed to be pushing hard to find a top quality replacement for Happy Jele.

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Nadhim has been on the books of Al-Najma SC in the Bahraini Premier League, and as it turns out, the possible move to Pirates is now said to have fallen through due to a visa problems. He has in fact been officially confirmed as new signing with Al Faisaly SC.

Pirates are now set to turn to former South Africa Under-20 international Shane Saralina to possibly bolster their first team defensive resources.

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Club administrator Floyd Mbele has now provided an update on the 25-year-old, who was playing for Pele Pele in the third division last season.

“Yes, he has been training with the first team. He has always been part of the Pirates group,” Mbele told GOAL.
“He is not a new player actually, remember he was playing for our development team Pele Pele. But the coaches are yet to make a final decision on the player. You can get in touch later on and we will give you the final position.”

Pirates are soon set to start the new season

Pirates will start off their league campaign against Swallows on 6 August at Orlando Stadium, and there is talk that the team has quietly been building real confidence in the pre-season, with the players said to be enjoying the vision and planning of new coach Jose Riveiro.

“The good thing is that we have the same objective now as a team, the coach wants results, and he’s someone who likes attacking football. He likes his team to play on the front foot and defend as a unit,” Goodman Mosele told the media at the launch of the Buccaneers’ new jersey, as quoted by Soccer Laduma.
“With the quality, we have at the team, I’m confident that in the next season, we will see a different Orlando Pirates.”

The Week 1 fixtures for the 2022/23 DStv Premiership season have recently been released – and Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have tough opponents to kick-start their PSL campaigns!

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Amakhosi and the Buccaneers are not the only ones with difficult starts as the same can be said for defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

All the fixtures, with dates, times and venues can now be found here