Former Orlando Pirates captain breaks silence on painful Bucs exit

Former Bafana Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo has opened up on his abrupt Orlando Pirates exit.

The star defender joined his dream club, the mighty Buccaneers, with high expectations in 2020.

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Things however turned awfully sour for ‘Tyson’ who lasted just two seasons in Mayfair.

Hlatshwayo started off brightly at the Buccaneers after joining them from the defunct Bidvest Wits.

In fact, until the mid-way mark of his first season, Tyson was handed the captain’s armband in Mayfair.

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It was only in the second half of his first season at Orlando Pirates where things fell apart for him.

His second season was even worse before SuperSport United eventually came to rescue him at the beginning of the current season.

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Ex Orlando Pirates captain opens up on exit

“It’s a feeling. you can feel it [that it’s time to leave],” the former Orlando Pirates defender told Marawa Sports World as quoted by Kickoff.

“At the end of the day, I’m not getting any younger and for me to be active, I need to play.

“You can feel when the curtain is about to close but also your mind and your heart are fighting.

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“I was saying: ‘no I still have a few years left in me,’ but then you see the situation you’re in and then you take the hardest decision in your life.

“Because I didn’t want it to be like that. Leaving Pirates was not the picture that I had painted for myself.

“Playing for the team that I grew up supporting, representing a team that was so dear to my heart.”

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In other news, former Orlando Pirates star winger Sifiso Myeni has dismissed rumours that he’s in a financial crisis.

The 34-year-old is currently plying his trade in Botswana’s second division for VTM.

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Going from the prestigious PSL (South Africa’s top flight) to Botswana’s second tier has raised many eyebrows.

But Myeni has since cleared the air regarding his surprise move to the neighbouring country.

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Ex Bucs star clears the air

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“The money was never a factor in my move to Botswana. I have been okay financially since my last contract at TS Sporting.” – the former Orlando Pirates winger told Sowetan.

“I’ve always had a financial adviser since my early days as a professional footballer at Bidvest Wits. I didn’t care about how much I was going to get here because I love football. I’m here because I love this game.

“After leaving TS Sporting, I have never called anyone to ask for a job. That’s because I believe when people want you they must approach you and that’s what VTM boss did. I am really not desperate for anything.”

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