Makhehleni Makhaula looks set to join Orlando Pirates on free transfer
FARPost has been reliably informed that AmaZulu FC captain Makhehleni Makhaula is set to join Orlando Pirates at the end of the season.
Earlier this month, this publication reported that the midfielder was set to wave farewell to the club because there was no way forward in the negotiations of the new contract.
It appears that the 33-year-old was keen to commit his future to the KZN outfit, only for his expectations not to be met.
The Buccaneers started showing interest in the former Free State Stars man earlier this season before he entered the last six months of his contract with Usuthu.
Now, Makhaula is understood to have penned a pre-contract with Ezimnyama Ngenkani and will join the Soweto giants in July.
MAKHEHLENI MAKHAULA TO LEAVE AMAZULU FOR PIRATES
“Makhaula is leaving AmaZulu and he has already signed a pre-contract with Pirates,” a source close to the club told FARPost.
“He’ll be leaving for free on June 30 [when his contract expires].”
WHAT ZUNGU SAID ABOUT TALKS WITH THE PLAYER
Two weeks ago, this publication got hold of the club’s president Sandile Zungu who confirmed that they were in talks with Makhaula’s representatives.
He admitted that they were discussing “back and forth” with the player’s agent, meaning there was no guarantee that the skipper would stay.
Moreover, he stated that if they fail to attain him, they would accept and move on.
Makhaula has been a vital cog at the club since he joined them from Highlands Park in 2020.
He has made over 80 appearances across all competitions during his stay in KZN.
He’s the only captain to have reached a cup final with AmaZulu in the past decade after Pere Ariweriyai did so in the Nedbank Cup 2010.
He came close to ending Usuthu’s 30-year trophy drought when they lost 1-0 in the MTN8 final in October last year.
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