DEAL SEALED: Orlando Pirates finalise first signing of the new season

Orlando Pirates have reportedly completed their first signing ahead of the next season, as they look to solve a problem position.

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It has been well documented that Pirates are in rigorously scouring the market for a goalkeeper and seem to have finally got one of their targets.

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ORLANDO PIRATES LOOKING FOR A NEW GOALKEEPER

It is no secret that Pirates are on the look out for a new goalkeeper to bolster their squad, amid the growing uncertainty surrounding Richard Ofori.

Pirates find themselves in a precarious position where they stand to lose two senior goalkeepers in one go. Siyabonga Mpontshane is the other keeper who is believed to be in his last months as a Buccaneer. In the case of Ofori, however, it is believed that the club are still keen on keeping him at the club, but has been reported to have rejected the latests offer of a contract extension from the club.

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Mpontshane was the victim of the audacious long range overhead chip goal from Yusuf Maart, which gave Kaizer Chiefs a 1-0 win in the first Soweto Derby this season. Since then, the writing has more or less been on the wall for him having seen himself relegated to third choice keeper at Pirates behind the younger Sipho Chaine who has since been the club’s number one in the absence of Ofori.

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They have had various targets in their sights since their goalkeeping situation started posing a potential crisis next season. Pirates were reportedly dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of long-term target in AmaZulu and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Veli Mothwa, while another blow came in their pursuit of Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse.

Their search for a keeper has now officially come to an end, however, as according to iDiskiTimes, Pirates have signed TS Galaxy goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi.

BUTHELEZI COMPLETES PIRATES DEAL

“Buthelezi is a top goalkeeper, I am happy for him and this move will also help him when it comes to Bafana Bafana. He signed three years with a two-year option to extend,” said a source speaking to the same publication.

Buthelezi has been in great form for Galaxy this season keeping nine clean sheets in his 19 appearances. The player has also been rewarded for that form, with a call up to the Bafana Bafana squad by coach Hugo Broos last year.

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This article was originally published by Yolulwe Qoshe