Orlando Pirates could be reshuffling their midfield unit in January with several high-profile stars on the brink of exits.
Buccaneers have a surplus of midfield talent
Katlego Otladisa is one of four midfielders heavily linked with an exit in recent weeks. According to SoccerLaduma, Sekhukhune United and Polokwane want to hand Katlego Otladisa a lifeline at the top level. The former Marumo Gallants star has found things tough with the Sea Robbers, hardly featuring in match-day squads. A loan move away in January is a strong possibility. Even former club Gallants are interested. With Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota, Monnapule Saleng and Gilberto ahead of 28-year-old Otladisa in the pecking order for wide attacking berths, the player himself is keen to engineer a move away.
Four midfield stars linked with exits from Orlando Pirates
- Katlego Otladisa
- Thuso Moleleki
- Goodman Mosele
- Siphelo Baloni
New defender promoted?
The Sea Robbers currently have three central defenders out injured. Namely, Olisa Ndah, Tapelo Xoki and Sandile Mthethwa. This has prompted the technical team to promote teenager Mbekezeli Mbokazi out of necessity.
“This platform – DStv Diski Challenge is created for these boys,” Makhanya told the SuperSport website, as per iDiski Times.
“If you look at where Mbekezeli Mbokazi comes from, it was his first season last season but the strides he has made have been nothing short of amazing.
“Soon there’s an announcement that would be made, where we will no longer see Mbokazi in the DDC.
“You must think back where he is coming from, all the way from Hluhluwe. It was even difficult to talk to him about tactics, so you needed to make sure that you speak to him in his own language, and he became comfortable and once he became comfortable, he became a leader,” the former Orlando Pirates winger added.
Pirates’ next four matches
Meanwhile, Riveiro’s men have two league encounters to prepare for in the next five weeks and they’ve also got two tasty Caf Champions League clashes on the horizon. The visit of African champions Al Ahly on 06 December is one to get in the diary. There’s also the prospect of a meeting with Bafana and former Cape Town City striker Khanyisa Mayo when Pirates go North to face Belouizdad of Algeria. Pirates beat Richards Bay in their most recent league encounter to preserve their perfect record in the league. They’ve won all seven matches.
- Belouizdad vs Pirates: Tue, 26 November, kickoff time TBC
- Pirates vs Stellenbosch: Sat, 30 November, 15:30
- Gallants vs Pirates: Tue, 03 December, 19:30
- Pirates vs Al Ahly: Fri, 06 December, kickoff time TBC
Would you be sad to see Otladisa go?
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