Orlando Pirates make decision on January window transfers

Orlando Pirates have seemingly already made a decision on how they will be approaching the up coming January transfer window.

READ | ORLANDO PIRATES STEP UP PLANS TO SIGN VICTOR LETSOALO, COULD OFFER ONE THEIR ‘BAD BOYS’ IN EXCHANGE

Pirates have been linked with a few players going into the January transfer window, and now the club has made a decision on whether to act or not. 

Pirates already bolstered their squad this season

Pirates had already bolstered their ranks with the likes of defenders Kwanda Mngonyama, Bandile Shandu and Olisah Ndah, midfielders Goodman Mosele and Ntsako Makhubela, along with forwards Monnapule Saleng and Kwame Prepah. But early indications were that the Pirates management were not done there and would be exploring the possibility of new editions in the January window.  

Players linked

Amongst the names that were mentioned strongly were the likes of Royal AM and Bafana Bafana international Victor Letsoalo, Sekhukhune United striker Chibuike Ohizu, Ethiopian wonderkid Abubekir Nassir as well as long term Kaizer Chiefs midfield target Thabo Nodada, from Cape Town City. But according to the Pirates co-coach Fadlu Davids, none of those players will join the Buccaneers ship this season. 

READ | ORLANDO PIRATES IN TALKS WITH LONG TERM KAIZER CHIEFS TARGET THABO NODADA

Instead, Davids believe that are returning contingent of players will be the exact boost that Pirates need from January till the end of the season. 

Davids on the clubs approach in the January transfer window

“I think this transfer window we’ll get some great signings but that will be internally, if you take Vincent Pule being back , Thembinkosi Lorch being back and Zakhele Lepasa being back or Richard Ofori being back (from injuries). Let’s be honest, Lepasa, Lorch and Pule are our starting front-three and it’s clear that we’re missing them,” Said the Pirates coach. 

READ | ORLANDO PIRATES TARGET PAPI ZOTHWANE APPOINTMENT

“So that’s the boost we will get in January, with all our main players coming back. Innocent Maela is also back – he is a starting line-up player who is just getting his fitness back and passing his minimal requirements. He got some minutes in the away leg in the Caf Confederation Cup (the first leg of their play-off against LPRC Oilers). So more than us needing to strengthen in areas, we will soon be back to full-strength and especially up front.”  Davids continued. 

Why it could be true?

In many ways, such a decision would make sense for Pirates as most of the players that have been in active have been forwards, hence being linked with mostly forwards. Now with up to four forwards, including Mhango set to be back in contention, they would provide the finishing touches they have been missing. That would also put them in a better position to wait until Letsoalo’s contract expires at the end of the season before approaching him.