Orlando Pirates identify new transfer target

Orlando Pirates are pressing ahead with their transfer plans for next season, with a new target identified. 

Pirates was active during the January transfer window, signing Talent Mbatha and Thabiso Lebitso.

Already for the next season, Pirates have been linked with some names to further beef up their squad. Long-term targets such as Riaan Hanamub and Shaune Mogaila. Then there have been fresh targets like Stanley Nwabali, Shandre Campbell, Velemseni Ndwandwe, Tshepang Moremi, Oswin Appollis and Andy Boyeli.

A player like Mogaila was even thought to be a done deal for Pirates, but new reports suggest otherwise. They seem to have cast their eye on another player that can play on the right flank, this being Polokwane City right-back Thabang Matuludi. According to Soccer-Laduma he has emerged as their target for that position. 

ORLANDO PIRATES EYE MATULUDI SIGNING

“There have been other teams that were interested in Thabang (Matuludi) before but nothing serious came out of that. Now Pirates are monitoring him and it seems they are more serious compared to the other two teams which made inquiries during the Afcon break and the January transfer window period. It could happen if all the parties agreed on terms and conditions but this is something serious,”. Said one source. 

A second source adds that Pirates feel they need depth at right-back for next season.

“You remember at times Paseka Mako used to play as a right back and now they have promoted Jabulani Mokone because they want to have strong competition in that position and that’s why they are looking and inquiring about Thabang (Matuludi). The scouting department are the ones looking into that but working hand in hand with the technical team,” said the second source. 

With Jabulani Mokone yet to make his debut, it seems like they might need a third senior right-back to compete. Matuludi could be that player to come in a challenge Bandile Shandu and Thabiso Monyane at first team level.