Orlando Pirates Brilliant Khuzwayo

Brilliant Khuzwayo of Orlando Pirates during the Telkom Knockout Last 16 Orlando Pirates and Chip United on the 20 October 2018 at Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg / Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates leave Khuzwayo out of squad for upcoming season

Speculation over Brilliant Khuzwayo’s future has been refueled after the goalkeeper failed to make the Orlando Pirates squad for the 2019/20 season.

Orlando Pirates Brilliant Khuzwayo

Brilliant Khuzwayo of Orlando Pirates during the Telkom Knockout Last 16 Orlando Pirates and Chip United on the 20 October 2018 at Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg / Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo was a curious omission as Orlando Pirates named their first-team squad just days ahead of the start of the new season.

The 29-year-old is yet to make a senior team appearance for the club, despite being in its books for over a year. He was controversially withdrawn from the Carling Black Label Cup line-up over the weekend, with a “medical precaution” the reason cited for his removal.

Khuzwayo loses Buccaneers number one jersey

In the previous campaign, he was one of four goalkeepers in the first team, and that number has been trimmed down to three with him missing out.

Former French youth international Joris Delle is the only new glovemen in squad, and is set to wear the number one jersey – previously worn by Khuzwayo – with Wayne Sandilands retaining his number 30, while Siyabonga Mpontshane is set to don 40 on his back.

The other new signings have also been allocated squad numbers, with Gabadinho Mhango set to wear the number seven vacated by Kudakwashe Mahachi, while Bongani Sam takes 19, with Fortune Makaringe grabbing Thabo Qalinge’s 15, and Tshegofatso Mabasa taking 16.

Former Orlando Pirates kipper Thabo Matlaba sees the number eight jersey he wore for many years handed to another new recruit in Siphesihle Ndlovu.

“While there is no science to the allocation of numbers, to some players the numbers are chosen based on position, while others superstitiously choose what they deem to be their lucky numbers,” the club said via its website.

Orlando Pirates

Players who have changed their jersey numbers include midfielder Ben Motshwari, who takes over the number six previously on the back of Gladwin Shitolo, who is on loan at Lamontville Golden Arrows.

Defender Ntsikelelo Nyauza hands his number two over to Asavela Mbekile and takes over the five left by Mpho Makola.

Orlando Pirates begin their league campaign with a home game against Bloemfontein Celtic at Orlando Stadium on Saturday night.

Orlando Pirates squad for 2019/20 season

Goalkeepers: 1 Joris Delle; 30 Wayne Sandilands; 40 Siyabonga Mpontshane.

Defenders: 2 Asavela Mbekile; 4 Happy Jele; 5 Ntsikelelo Nyauza; 44 Abel Mabaso; 19 Bongani Sam; 23 Innocent Maela; 24 Tebogo Tlolane; 27 Alfred Ndengane; 28 Mthokozisi Dube; 33 Justice Chabalala; 35 Brian Hlongwa.

Midfielders: 3 Thembinkosi Lorch; 6 Ben Motshwari; 8 Siphesihle Ndlovu; 11 Luvuyo Memela; 14 Musa Nyatama; 15 Fortune Makaringe; 18 Kabelo Dlamini; 20 Xola Mlambo; 29 Paseka Mako; 32 Linda Mntambo, 45 Vincent Pule.

Strikers: 7 Gabadinho Mhango; 12 Justin Shonga; 16 Tshegofatsho Mabasa 17 Augustine Mulenga; 25 Zakhele Lepasa; 34 Thabiso Monyane.