Pirates Mustafa Nadhim

Mustafa Nadhim will not be heading to Pirates. Photo: Archives

LATEST: Pirates miss out on signing Iraqi defender

Iraqi defender Mustafa Nazim, who was a target for Pirates ahead of the new season, has made a key decision about his future.

Pirates Mustafa Nadhim

Mustafa Nadhim will not be heading to Pirates. Photo: Archives

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. 

WATCH: INCREDIBLE SCENES AS BANYANA WELCOMED BACK TO SA!

Nadhim has been on the books of Al-Najma SC in the Bahraini Premier League, and earlier this month – according to IraqiProPlayers – Pirates had even made a formal approach for his signature.

“Defender Mustafa Nadhim receives an official offer from the South African club Orlando Pirates,” read a statement on social media.

“The player has other local offers, and have begun official negotiations with him, but he will study the offers this week to give his final response.”

As it turns out, the possible move to Pirates is now said to have fallen through due to a visa problems, and he has in fact been officially confirmed as new signing with Al Faisaly SC.

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!

READ | BAFANA BAFANA MIDFIELDER: WHY I CHOSE AMAZULU OVER CHIEFS

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

DSTV PREMIERSHIP 2022/23 ROUND 1 FIXTURES:

Friday, 5 August

Cape Town City v Mamelodi Sundowns, Cape Town Stadium – 19:30

Saturday, 6 August

Golden Arrows v Richards Bay, Princess Magogo Stadium – 15:00

Marumo Gallants v Stellenbosch, New Peter Mokaba Stadium – 15:00

Orlando Pirates v Swallows FC, Orlando Stadium – 15:00

Royal AM v Kaizer Chiefs, Chatsworth Stadium – 17:30

Maritzburg United v Sekhukhune United, Harry Gwala Stadium – 20:00

Sunday, 7 August

TS Galaxy v AmaZulu, Mbombela Stadium – 15:00

SuperSport United v Chippa United, Lucas Moripe Stadium – 17:30

ICYMI: KAMARA REVEALS WHY POTENTIAL CHIEFS DEAL FELL THROUGH

*Azola Matrose, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Bongani Sam, Nkanyiso Zungu and Boitumelo Radiopane have also left Pirates on loan