Deano van Rooyen to Pirates: Done Deal, but can he play in the MTN8?
Stellenbosch FC captain Deano van Rooyen is on the verge of completing a move to Orlando Pirates after his club accepted a revised transfer fee proposal, but can he play in the MTN8?
Van Rooyen will undergo a routine medical before the club officially announces his signing.
This move comes as Pirates are preparing for the MTN8 Cup semi-final following a 3-1 victory over SuperSport United in the quarterfinals.
The Bucs won the same competition last season and will be looking to defend it. However, the question remains whether Van Rooyen will be eligible to play in the competition.
The 27-year-old did appear as a late substitute for Stellenbosch in their quarterfinal victory against TS Galaxy, adding a layer of complexity to the matter.
Stellies won that tie 3-1, just like Pirates. Following the win, Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker denied that leaving Van Rooyen on the bench was connected to the transfer speculation.
“No, he’s had a bit of niggle the last couple of days – so it was a little more precautionary, plus also the conditions of the pitch,” Barker explained.
“We’ve always said we want to keep our best players as we feel we are a team that can challenge for honours in the league – and our intention is to work as hard as we can to make sure we retain our squad.”
WHAT THE MTN8 RULES SAY ABOUT DEANO VAN ROOYEN’S SITUATION
According to the MTN8 rules, Van Rooyen will not be able to play for the Buccaneers in the MTN8.
“A player whose name appears on a team sheet of a participating club in the competition will be deemed to be cup-tied and may not play for another club in the competition for the same season,” reads the MTN8 rule book.
But that should not be an issue for Pirates coach Jose Riveiro, who started Thabiso Monyane in the right-back position. Monyane, however, picked a yellow card in that game.
The Soweto giants are still without Bandile Shandu, who is nursing an ankle injury and is expected back next month. Another option at right back, Thabiso Lebitso, also missed the SuperSport United match and is nursing a knee injury.
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