Orlando Pirates R11 million flop leaves the club
Good move?
Not all big-money moves work out. Orlando Pirates are loaning out a marquee signing for the rest of the season.
Gilberto returns to Angola after underwhelming Orlando Pirates stint
Winger Gilberto, who arrived for R11.5 million at the start of the campaign, has struggled to impose himself on South African football. The 23-year-old moves back to his former club for the remainder of the 2024-2025 campaign. He’s only managed 12 appearances for the club this term, including five in the league, with zero goals and zero assists.
Pirates face Richards Bay next
After a string of recent yellow cards, 20-year-old Relebohile Mofokeng is one booking away from an automatic suspension. Should he pick up a caution here, he’d miss the Soweto Derby against Chiefs next weekend. Manager Jose Riveiro has several options in wide areas so he may choose to wrap his crown jewel in cotton wool for this one. That, or he could use Mofokeng from the start and potentially withdraw him if his side makes the points safe. This is why managers earn the big bucks. Utility man Deon Hotto started in a wide midfield role against Al Ahly although Kabelo Dlamini is also an option as an inverted winger with Hotto returning to left-back.
Predicted Orlando Pirates XI vs Richards Bay
Chaine; Lebitso, Sesane, Sibisi, Hotto; Makhaula, Mbatha; Dlamini, Maswanganyi, Nkota; Mabasa.
Kickoff between Richards Bay and Pirates is at 15:00 on Sunday 26 January.
Mofokeng is now the Pirates MVP
20-year-old Relebohile Mofokeng is now one of the first names on any Pirates team sheet. Jose Riveiro often opts to rotate his options across Caf Champions League and Betway Premiership action. However, young Mofokeng hardly ever gets a breather because of his growing importance to the cause. He scored again when Pirates beat Al Ahly in Egypt.
What are your thoughts on Gilberto?
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