DStv Premiership giants Orlando Pirates have signed goalkeeper Ethan Khel from NC Professionals in the ABC Motsepe League as the 2024/25 campaign is slowly approaching.
Pirates snapped up the NC Professionals goalkeeper ahead of the new season. NC Professionals are an amateur side that competes in the Northern Cape ABC Motsepe League.
The amateur side was part of the nine Motsepe League teams that participated in the just-ended SAFA‘s ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs held in Upington, Northern Cape.
Eastern Cape’s Highbury FC won the national playoffs, defeating Kruger United of Mpumalanga 2-0 in the finals this past weekend. After finishing the tournament as the two finalists, both teams had already secured promotions to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
ORLANDO PIRATES SECURE THE SIGNATURE OF ETHAN KHEL
The Buccaneers secured the services of a shot-stopper, Ethan Khel, who signed his first professional contract with the Sea Robbers.
Khel played a significant role in helping the Northern Cape ABC Motsepe League outfit reach the national playoffs. However, the side was eliminated in the group stage, ending their dream of securing a status in the PSL.
Following Khel’s impressive displays at the national playoffs in NC Professionals colours, Pirates couldn’t resist what they saw in Khel and opted to secure the services of the promising goal-minder.
Pirates signed Khel after the club decided not to renew the contracts of goalkeepers Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane.
With the departure of Ofori and Mpontshane, Pirates also succumbed to a decision to recall Sphamandla Gumede. He was on loan at Motsepe Foundation Championship side Orbit College.
It won’t be surprising to see Pirates continue to strengthen their goalkeeping department with an experienced goalie. The side seeks to build on what it achieved last season.
Bucs finished second in the DStv Premiership to qualify for the CAF Champions Cup and managed to win two domestic cups [MTN8 and the Nedbank Cup].
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