Orlando Pirates team vs AmaZulu FC in the 2024 Nedbank Cup quarterfinals at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Image: BackpagePix.

Surprise Orlando Pirates player taking home R500k a month

Not too bad.

by James Freemantle

26-04-2024 06:34

in Premier Soccer League

Orlando Pirates team vs AmaZulu FC in the 2024 Nedbank Cup quarterfinals at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Image: BackpagePix.

Deon Hotto is earning decent money as his Orlando Pirates contract expires in 2024.

ORLANDO PIRATES UTILITY MAN HOTTO TOPS THE PILE

According to Briefly, the club’s earner is taking home R500,000 a month, information corroborated by salarypedia.co.za. Here goes, with all figures mentioned as monthly salaries:

1. Deon Hotto: R500,000
2. Kermit Erasmus: R350,000
3. Richard Ofori: R300,000
4. Evidence Makgopa: R200,000
5. Fortune Makaringe: R185,000
6. Vincent Pule: R170,000
7. Innocent Maela: R150,000
8. Thagang Monare: R150,000
9. Zakhele Lepasa: R150,000
10. Goodman Mosele: R150,000 (on-loan at Chippa).

Hotto will be difficult to replace

Hotto, a star for Namibia at Afcon 2023, has been a rock-solid operator down the left-hand side of the Pirates team. Equally adept in defence or midfield, he’s a manager’s dream. At 33, however, his contract expires in June and is unlikely to be extended. The vastly-experienced star has 65 caps for his country. He’s also made 23 appearances in the DStv Premiership this season, not missing a single game, scoring a goal and supplying five assists. To say he’ll be difficult to replace is a gross understatement.

If he leaves, he’ll certainly do so with the goodwill of fans, teammates and technical staff alike.

Deon Hotto Orlando Pirates — Deon Hotto of Orlando Pirates during the DStv Premiership 2023/24 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 11 November 2023 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

PIRATES FIXTURES ON THE HORIZON

Sun 28 Apr vs Royal AM (A) – 15:00
Wed 01 May vs Cape Town City (A) – 15:00
Sat 04 May vs Chippa (A) – 15:00 (Nedbank Cup semi-final)
Sat 11 May vs Richards Bay (H) – 20:00

Jose Riveiro’s side is still fighting for a top-two finish in the league and the resultant CAF Champions League qualification. Meanwhile, they’ve already claimed MTN8 glory this term and will be desperate to defend their Nedbank Cup crown. Their assignment in the final four is a trip to Chippa on 4 May. If they successfully negotiate that, they’ll face the winner of Stellenbosch and Sundowns in the other semi-final.