Mbutho Sundowns Pirates

Mbutho Sundowns Pirates. Image: Soccer-Laduma

Orlando Pirates to beat Mamelodi Sundowns to SA U20 midfielder! 

Orlando Pirates look to already be in an early recruitment drive and that isn’t just in terms of the first team but the reserve side too.

Mbutho Sundowns Pirates

Mbutho Sundowns Pirates. Image: Soccer-Laduma

Orlando Pirates look to already be in an early recruitment drive and that isn’t just in terms of the first team but the reserve side too.

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Pirates are reported to have beaten rivals Mamelodi Sundowns to the services of South Africa U20 midfielder Lindokuhle Mbutho.

Pirates lost Mabena to Sundowns

This could be seen as a measure of revenge from Pirates who it was recently revealed had missed out on signing Sundowns’s 16-year-old debutant Siyabonga Mabena. Mabena was reportedly the subject of a tug of war between the two sides while still at the Transnet School of Excellence. In the end, the Brazilians had to sacrifice a player to the Buccaneers in order to get the services of the hot prospect.

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Pirates seemed to have got the rub of the green this time around with Mbutho surfacing at their reserve team training facilities according to the latest reports. It is claimed that the midfielder who was formally part of the youth structures of Highlands Park, was also being closely monitored by AmaZulu as well as the fast emerging academy powerhouse that is Stellenbosch FC. 

Revenge through Mbutho signing?

But just in October Soccer-Laduma had reported that Mbutho was being assessed by Sundowns, who also had the view of signing him for their reserve side. It is not clear if he did not make the grade at Masandawana or they were simply caught dragging their feet, but Pirates are now primed to sign him and have him play for their DStv Diski Challenge side.

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“Lindokuhle Mbutho is at Orlando Pirates for their DDC team. He is a player with a lot of potential and was also being monitored by Stellenbosch and AmaZulu. He is a former Highlands Park player and has also been playing for the South African u20 team”. A source told the same publication.

Will he officially pen a deal?

It now seems like only a matter of time until Mbutho signs on the dotted line at Pirates, and they will be hoping he has a similar impact to Mabena at Sundowns.