Orlando Pirates are expected to dip into the upcoming January transfer market, with two incomings reportedly imminent.
Incomings will not be the only focus at the club as Pirates will look to continue offloading players as well.
Already Pirates have announced the departures of utility star Sandile Mthethwa and winger Katlego Otladisa. Mthethwa was released by the club with a mutual agreement and he has already been snapped up by AmaZulu. On the other hand, Otladisa has secured himself a loan move to Sekhukhune United for the remainder of the season.
Pirates ready to balance squad
Those are not expected to be the only departures at Pirates in January, however. In an effort to make room for new players, the club are believed to be ready to sanction more departures. According to Soccer-Laduma, Bandile Shanducould be sacrificed for the incoming Thabang Matuludifrom Polokwane City!
“The impending arrival of Thabang Matuludi is what will affect Bandile Shandu and his position at the club (Pirates). They kept him when there was only Thabiso Monyane at right back and after signing Deon Van Rooyen they were monitoring Shandu as he was coming from an injury and that’s when he was given a two-year extension on his contract which expired in June 2024. The current contract he has will expire in June 2026. But with the imminent signing of Matuludi the club are looking at the next move for Shandu as they are also cutting on the squad numbers. That’s why his future is in limbo at the moment,” said the source.
Shandu out, Matuludi in?
A second source goes further to claim Pirates want to loan Shandu rather than sell him.
“For now they (Pirates) want to loan him (Shandu) out since his contract is only expiring in June 2026. So with that in mind, they want him to go on loan and make the final decision at the end of the season. But after releasing Sandile Mthethwa and loaning out Katlego Otladisa there are few more movements still expected at the club,” said.
Pirates fans would you be happy to see Shandu making way for Matuludi? Feel free to leave your thoughts and feelings in the comments below.
