The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has made the decision to allow the return of football fans to stadiums in South Africa. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates must listen to the fans when making transfer deals
Orlando Pirates would be foolish to disregard fan sentiment when it comes transfer business, according to a former player.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has made the decision to allow the return of football fans to stadiums in South Africa. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Gerald Modabi has been left unimpressed by the club’s recent transfer business.
At the outset of the season, Pirates signed Ghanaian forward Kwame Peprah and Nigerian defender Olisa Ndah. Both have shown promise though they haven’t set the world alight. Ndah has impressed at AFCON though and might be sold.
Among the others brought in were Maritzburg United duo, Kwanda Mngonyama and Bandile Shandu. Goodman Mosele, Ntsako Makhubele also joined however prospect Monnapule Saleng was immediately sent out to Swallows FC on loan.
Orlando Pirates must listen to the fans
Modabi believes that the club would be foolish to disregard fan sentiment when it comes transfer business. Firstly, he says they are in tune with what Orlando Pirates need in their squad.
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“I think maybe the guys who are being signed are not the right players for the team,” Modabi told the Citizen.
“And now, with a club like Pirates, you will always find the supporters saying this player is not the club’s material because they know what kind of a player you have to be to fit in at Pirates.”
Modabi is concerned that the players brought in will not be able to perform at the level required to make Orlando Pirates successful.
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The former Sea Robber doesn’t esteem the current crop of players above the teams of the past though. Were Pirates better back in the day?
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“If you check at the past players though, they were streetwise footballers. Teboho Moloi, Botsotso Makhanya, Joseph Makhanya, Gift Leremi, Benedict Vilakazi and even the Zambian, Perry Mutapa,” said Modabi.
“People might say, like me, he didn’t play 40 games back to back. However he was in that mould of Pirates material. Not players who need the chairman to visit the club’s training facilities now and again to make sure that everything is okay.”
Orlando Pirates have been on a long break however they will return to action in the Nedbank Cup next month.
