The arrival of nine new players at Mayfair could spell the end of a number of Orlando Pirates players’ careers, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
Ayanda Nkosi
The 25-year-old forward was snapped up by Pirates from Free State Stars prior to the start of their worst-ever season, the unforgettable 2016-17 campaign.
Upon signing a three-year deal with the club, he stated his ambition to be the club’s top-scorer for two consecutive seasons, however, with only 12 appearances and one goal under his belt (mostly as a substitute), Nkosi wasn’t given the opportunity fulfil his promise.
Looking at the current set-up, the hierarchy doesn’t favour Nkosi, with Augustine Mulenga, Justin Shonga, Thamsanqa Gabuza and young Lyle Foster all getting the nod ahead of him.
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Thabo Matlaba
Much like fellow teammate Mpho Makola, the discussion regarding whether Pirates should retain the former Free State Stars defender’s services is a hotly contested one.
On his day, there is no denying his quality, we’ve bared witness to this countless times for Bafana Bafana and Pirates in the past, but based on performances over the last two seasons or so, one cannot deny that there has been a serious decline in his influence in the squad.
He is a member of the Bucs’ old guard, who infamously won back-to-back trebles, so he has a wealth of experience, but does he have a role in the new set-up?
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Statistically speaking, the 2017-18 season was Festival’s worst at the club (21 matches played, one goal scored and one assist), his previous worst being the 2014-15 campaign, where he amassed the same amount of games, but registered more assists (two) and scored more goals (three).
The most definitive factor behind Matlaba’s exit from Pirates would be his role, or lack thereof, in the new side.
His versatility would no doubt help his cause, but he faces stiff competition all over the park, whether it be at centre back, centre-mid or left back.
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Issa Sarr
The Senegalese defensive midfielder played a total of six games under coach Milutin Sredojevic last season, mostly appearing as a second-half substitute.
When coach Micho was chopping and changing midfielders to partner alongside Musa Nyatama during the early stages of their 2017-18 campaign, Sarr was hardly called on, so it would come as no surprise if the former Chippa United man were to leave.
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Bernard Morrison:
Based purely on his work ethic and how he brings a different attacking dimension to Pirates from the wings, he could actually remain part of the squad; however, in the same breath, his ability to blow hot and cold could be the deciding factor.
Last season, he displayed moments of brilliance as seen when he almost single-handedly downed Ajax Cape Town in the Nedbank Cup, but inconsistency remains his biggest problem.
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Thamsanqa Sangweni
The former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder arrived with much fanfare from Chippa United at the start of the 2017-18 campaign, but struggled to cement his spot at Pirates, making only three league appearances since his arrival.
Last season, coach Micho alluded to Sangweni’s absence from the match-day squads, stating that the former Ajax Cape Town midfielder needed to work harder to win a place in the team’s starting XI.
Pirates are spoilt for choice in the engine room where Sangweni operates and having bolstered their squad with the additions of more central midfielders in Asavela Mbekile, Abel Mabaso and Ben Motshwari, it could spell Sangweni’s doom if he doesn’t shape up in the pre-season.
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Photo: Backpagepix
