With the transfer window set to close at midnight on Friday, an Orlando Pirates legend has offered his insights on whether the club still needs to fill any positions in their squad.
The Soweto giants made several new signings in this current transfer window, including Deano van Rooyen, Selaelo Rasebotja, Bayanda Thabethe, Gilberto, Thuso Moleleki, Mohau Nkota, and Ethan Khel.
Meanwhile, The Buccaneers have also let go of Fortune Makaringe, Vincent Pule, Souaibou Marou, Thabang Monare, Bongani Sam, Azola Matrose, Richards Ofori, Kermit Erasmus, and Siyabonga Mpontshane, who is now assistant goalkeeper coach at the Betway Premiership heavyweights.
Today – Friday, 20 September 2024, is expected to be a busy day with clubs expected to make their last-minute signings on the PSL transfer deadline.
In an interview with FARPost, the former Pirates skipper Lucky Lekgwathi maintains that the club does not need more signings. The Bucs legend stated that he is pleased with how the club has done its business during this transfer window period.
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He believes that The Sea Robbers squad has the depth to challenge for major trophies in this new season and defend their titles, such as the Nedbank Cup and MTN8.
“For me, I think they have depth into the team in every position. Like now, I was happy to see Gilberto given a chance to play,” Lekgwathi told this publication.
“At the moment, we don’t want to make the mistakes that others do of letting all the senior players go, and you don’t bring other senior players, and you only bring inexperienced players, and that is where you fail.
“But look at Pirates; I agree Kermit Erasmus has left, but they have brought in Gilberto and other positions they have also beefed up.”
The retired footballer went on to give credit to the club’s head coach, Jose Riveiro, for promoting some of the DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] players to the first team.
Mohau Nkota is one of the promoted young players from the Pirates DDC to the first team. Earlier this year, the club also promoted highly-rated attacker Jabulani Mokone. In August, one DDC player was seen training with the first team, Siyabonga Ndlozi.
“Some positions they have beefed up with youngsters from DDC, and it is good to have youngsters within the team, especially those who come from the DDC. It’s going to be a motivation for them seeing Relebohile Mofokeng playing,” he added.
“So, thanks to the coach for promoting the youngsters from DDC, because sometimes to sign other players from other teams is just a waste of money, whereas we have good players from DDC. Let’s give them a chance to play and experience the feeling of playing in the first team.”
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