According to his agent, Orlando Pirates defender Thabo Matlaba will remain at the club for the foreseeable future amid speculation regarding his future.

‘Festival’, as the player is affectionately known, largely featured as a substitute in his 21 appearances during the 2017-18 campaign, having played second fiddle to the likes of Innocent Maela and Mthokozisi Dube.

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The Soweto giants are in the process of trimming their squad, having recently parted ways with Brighton Mhlongo, Ayanda Gcaba, Riyaad Norodien and Marc van Heerden.

‘Everything is up to Pirates, but I am sure that he will stay at Pirates next season,’ Abbie Rasimphi was quoted as saying by Isolezwe.

The arrival of nine new players, which include Brilliant Khuzwayo, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Asavela Mbekile, Linda Mntambo, Paseka Mako, Vincent Pule, Meshack Maphangule and Ben Motshwari has cast doubt on Matlaba’s future at the club.

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The former Bafana Bafana international, however, revealed that he has no knowledge of these rumours as he continues his pre-season preparation with Pirates.

‘I am currently training with the team as we are in Mpumalanga,’ he told Goal.

‘I don’t know about me leaving Pirates and I don’t know where the reports come from because I’m still a Pirates player and I’m dedicated to the team.

‘I will continue to fight for the jersey and give my all, I cannot talk about reports that I do not see eye-to-eye with the technical team because I don’t know it.

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‘What I want to clarify is that they are our coaches and I respect them very much.

‘As we prepare for a new season here, I want to work hard to please them so they can bring me back and play,’ he concluded.

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-This story originally appeared on SportsClub.co.za