Football agent Nimrod Mbhalati has explained why Orlando Pirates decided to secure the services of former Kaizer Chiefs starlet Vusisizwe Mtshali.
Mtshali had originally joined Chiefs’ Under-19 side in 2024 from Remember Elite Sports Academy [RESA] but parted ways with the Glamour Boys earlier this year.
After leaving Amakhosi, the defender began training with Nida Sports Academy to maintain his fitness and sharpen his skills.
It was during the 2026 Pirates Cup, while donning the colours of Nida Sports Academy, that he caught the attention of the Sea Robbers’ scouting department.
Mtshali, who celebrates his 18th birthday on 19 August, will be integrated into the Pirates’ DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] squad, where he will look to develop further under the guidance of coach Roscoe Krieling. The move to Pirates was completed on Wednesday, 22 April.
His arrival comes at a crucial time for the young Buccaneers, who are currently chasing the DDC title. Pirates sit at the summit of the log with 66 points after 27 matches—holding a three-point lead over second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.
AGENT REVEALS HOW MTSHALI’S MOVE TO PIRATES CAME ABOUT
Mbhalati, who represents the player, explained that a strategic affiliation with the Pirates Cup paved the way for the deal.
“We have a group of players that we train around Soweto with the aim of getting them teams, so we affiliated with the Pirates Cup, which took place during the Easter holidays,” Mbhalati told FARPost.
“We spoke to a few scouts to check on our boys, and that’s how the deal came about for him to sign with Pirates. When he joined Pirates, he didn’t have a team but was training with Nida Sports Academy after parting ways with the Kaizer Chiefs U-19 team.”
‘I SEE KHULISO MUDAU IN HIM’: NIMROD MBHALATI
Mbhalati believes that the environment at the Sea Robbers is perfect for Mtshali’s transition into professional football, even drawing comparisons to one of the league’s top defenders, Khuliso Mudau of Sundowns.
“It will benefit the boy so much because look at how many players have been promoted from the reserves to the first team. Orlando Pirates believes in young stars, and he has the potential to be one of the best,” added the agent.
“I see Khuliso Mudau in him because he’s very comfortable on the ball, and it’s not easy to beat him in one-on-one situations. He’s a leader of note, and he was our captain during the Pirates Cup tournament. So, he’s basically one for the future.”
Pirates are known for transitioning DDC stars such as Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe, Cemran Dansin, and Boitumelo Radiopane, to name a few, into the senior team. Mtshali will be hoping to follow a similar path in the black-and-white jersey.
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