Orlando Pirates: THREE new signings and what they bring to the party
Orlando Pirates have reportedly wrapped up three new signings as they prepare for CAF Champions League football and a title tilt.
Orlando Pirates wrap up a brand new trio?
Various local reports indicate that Pirates have snapped up three new players. Thalente Mbatha has been on loan from SuperSport and the central midfielder is expected to sign a permanent long-term deal with the Buccaneers. His all-action midfield style has added quality and stability to their engine room.
English striker Tremaine Eastmond, once a youth player for Burnley, is a 20-year-old striker who can also play just off the front. He’s without a club and Pirates are still assessing him after he was released by Cape Town Spurs after three months in the Mother City at the end of 2023. Meanwhile, versatile 23-year-old SuperSport defender Kegan Johannes can operate at centre-back and right back although he’s a specialist at the latter.
Orlando Pirates fans are expectant on Soweto Derby Day. Image: BackpagePix
CHIEFS AND PIRATES WANT A NEW CUSTODIAN
Chiefs and Pirates have been persistently linked with a move for Chippa and Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. The 28-year-old has several suitors, up to 12 according to his agent, and will certainly be leaving Chippa this winter. SoccerLaduma speculate that there’s interest from the Gulf region.
“There are two main teams interested in Stanley (Nwabali). It’s Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates but there are also teams from Europe and the Middle East so the team is taking its time to agree to offers made because they want to make the best money out of this deal. That’s why they have the asking price at around R35 Million. They believe he is worth SuperSport that or even United more,” the source said.
Stanley Nwabali is on many wish lists around South Africa and abroad after his displays at Afcon for the Super Eagles. According to his goalkeeper coach, the 28-year-old stopper will be leaving the Chilli Boys.
“On physical hard copy paper, I don’t know how many offers he has received. But verbally, he has around 10 or even 12 offers,” Chippa’s goalkeeper coach Sean Louw told FARPost. “He is definitely not coming back to Chippa next season.”
“When he arrived at Chippa, he wasn’t very proficient with his footwork, unable to play from the back,” Louw added on Nwabali’s arrival from Nigeria’s Katsina United in 2022. However, he has improved his footwork significantly.
“I have made him understand that football is a business, and he is a brand. He is not just a player. His brand needs to extend to the other side of the world,” Louw concluded.
Stanley Nwabali trains with Chippa United in Gqeberha. Image: @chippaunitedfc/X.
Would Nwabali be on your shopping list?
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