Orlando Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus vows they do better against Mamelodi Sundowns. Image Source: (@OrlandoPirates/Twitter)

Orlando Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus vows they do better against Mamelodi Sundowns. Image Source: (@OrlandoPirates/Twitter)

Orlando Pirates to ditch popular striker at the end of the season

Tough love.

Orlando Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus vows they do better against Mamelodi Sundowns. Image Source: (@OrlandoPirates/Twitter)

Orlando Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus vows they do better against Mamelodi Sundowns. Image Source: (@OrlandoPirates/Twitter)

Orlando Pirates have a surplus of attackers at the club. As a result, they’ll need to make a few unpopular decisions in June.


Orlando Pirates to clear out their attack

Phakaaathi understands that Kermit Erasmus will leave the Buccaneers at the end of the current campaign. The 33-year-old has made only 11 appearances across all competitions for the Sea Robbers this term/ He’s only scored one goal. His contract expires in June and the club don’t plan to extend it.

“In January, the club wanted to open talks with Kermit over a new one-year contract, but he got injured and that threw a spanner in the works so to speak. Now the general feeling is that Kermit is injury prone and the club doesn’t want to renew his contract, only for him to get injured and spend time in the medical room. So, they have decided that it’s not worth the risk and they have decided to let him go,” said the source.


Winds of change blowing through Mayfair

Kermit Erasmus’ Bucs contract expires in June 2024. A source close to Soccer-Laduma reveals the club is leaning towards releasing the former Feyenoord, Rennes, Lens, Sundowns and SuperSport star. There are also huge doubts over the respective futures of Cameroonian star Souaibou Marou and Bafana Bafana man Zakhele Lepasa. European clubs are reportedly watching Marou, while Lepasa’s inconsistency means he isn’t a realistic long-term number 9 ahead of Evidence Makgopa.

“He (Erasmus) is one of the players whose future will be decided at the end of the season when the club (Pirates) is making plans for next season,” said the source.

Pirates
Pirates Zakhele Lepasa has impressed in the early stages of the DStv Premiership. Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Kermit’s Pirates career hasn’t gone according to plan

Erasmus joined the Buccaneers from Sundowns in September 2022 after feverish speculation linking him with a switch to Kaizer Chiefs. The seasoned striker has spent stints in France, Portugal and the Netherlands before settling back into South African football in 2019. In 2007, World Soccer Magazine named Erasmus one of the 50 most talented young players in world football.

Orlando Pirates MTN8
Orlando Pirates striker Kermit Erasmus. Photo: iDiski Times

Where do you think Kermit will be playing his football next season? Let us know in the comments section below.

MEANWHILE, CLICK TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY FOOTBALL FANATIC JAMES FREEMANTLE.

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