Orlando Pirates close the door on Cape Town City and Richards Bay

Orlando Pirates acted quickly to activate a contract extension provision on midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula’s contract, as increased interest from PSL opponents triggered nerves at Mayfair.

Pirates have fended off PSL rivals that had any hope of luring Makhehlene Makhaula away from the Buccaneers after offering him a contract extension, according to Isolezwe.

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ORLANDO PIRATES CLOSE THE DOOR 

Makhaula joined Pirates in early 2023 from Amazulu.

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Usuthu are eager for their former captain to return to the club on loan since they have been unable to replace the key man in the centre of midfield.

Makhaula signed an 18-month contract with the Pirates, with the option to extend his contract for another year. The Pirates look to have exercised their option to extend the 34-year-old’s contract.

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STAYING AT MAYFAIR SAYS VETERAN

His agent, Sizwe Ntshangase, has claimed that Makhaula will remain with the Buccaneers despite a lack of game time due to intense competition from Bafana Bafana’s Thabang Monare and Miguel Timm.

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“Makhaula is staying at Pirates. The club have extended his deal and his new contract will expire at the end of next season.

“If there is a team that is interested in his services, they must go talk to Pirates,” Ntshangase said.

“The club spoke to us before the end of 2023 and coach Jose Riveiro said he still has Makhaula in his plans and he is not looking to release at this point,” the agent added.

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Richards Bay and Cape Town Spurs are both believed to be interested in signing the highly regarded Makhaula. However, their efforts may be futile considering Riveiro’s attitude on the man.

However, considering the volatile nature of the transfer window, sometimes known as the crazy season, anything is possible and a loan move cannot be ruled out.