Orlando Pirates get rid of players they deem 'surplus to requirements'

13 July 2016 - 17:16 By Mninawa Ntloko

New Orlando Pirates coach Muhsin Ertugral showed his hand ever so slightly on Wednesday after the confirmation of some of the players who are set to leave the club. Pirates have done some good business in the transfer market during the premiership off season and while fans have rejoiced at the acquisition of the likes of Riyaad Norodien and Abbubaker Mobara from Ajax Cape Town‚ Donald Mokondelela and Thabiso Khutumela from Baroka FC‚ and Ghanaian attacker Bernard Morrison from AS Vita Club‚ among others‚ questions were inevitably asked about those who are likely to be shown the door.The Bucs steadfastly maintained that Ertugral — who joined the side last month — should be given time to run the rule over his personnel before announcing the players he’d like to keep‚ and those he believes should be given permission to further their careers elsewhere. The club confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday that several players ‘‘deemed surplus to requirements” would be allowed to leave the Bucs either on loan agreements or on outright sales.Chippa United were the biggest beneficiaries of the clear out at Pirates as they have acquired Thembinkosi Lorch‚ Mpho Mvelase‚ Menzi Masuku and Maselaelo Seanego.Newly promoted Baroka FC have already signalled their intentions to make their presence felt in the coming season and the upstarts have acquired Jackie Motshegwa and Marshall Munetsi from the Bucs. Even lower tier AmaZulu benefited after they got their hands on Mbongiseni Gumede. More exits are expected to be confirmed as Ertugral reduces his squad down to a manageable size.The Bucs have shown an appetite in the transfer market and more signings are expected to be made in the coming days.Bucs chairman Irvin Khoza still has his eye on high profile free agent Steven Pienaar and given his penchant for the unexpected‚ even unsettled BidVest Wits star Sibusiso Vilakazi is a possibility. — TMG Digital..

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