Orlando Pirates will have to make some contractual decisions this winter. Six players over the age of 30 have expiring contracts.
ORLANDO PIRATES PLAYERS AGED 30 AND ABOVE WITH ENDING CONTRACTS
Having an expiring deal is one thing, and then you have the age factor as a professional footballer. It’s true that modern footballers play beyond the age of 33, but not when players regularly fail to make the starting line-ups. At Orlando Pirates, the list includes the legendary Kermit Erasmus and Siyabonga Mpotshane.
Full list of players aged 30 and above with expiring deals on 30 June:
- Richard Ofori, goalkeeper (option to extend) – Turning 31 in November
- Siyabonga Mpontshane, goalkeeper – Turned 38 on 17 April
- Deon Hotto, left-wing-back – Turning 34 in October
- Thabang Monare, central midfielder – Turning 35 in September
- Fortune Makaringe, attacking midfielder – Turning 31 in May
- Kermit Erasmus, forward – Turning 34 in July.
Who should Orlando Pirates keep or release? Let us know in the comments section below.
Other players with expiring contracts:
- Olisa Ndah, 26, central defender
- Sandile Mthethwa, 26, central defender
- Thalente Mbatha, 24, central midfielder (option to make loan deal permanent)
- Zakhele Lepasa, 27, forward.
WHAT THE BUCCANEERS NEED TO CATCH MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
In other news, former Orlando Pirates superstar, Teko Modise, has rated Jose Riveiro‘s side against the supreme Mamelodi Sundowns.
Jose Riveiro’s side has impressed by lifting two MTN8 titles and the Nedbank Cup. Should Orlando Pirates win the upcoming Nedbank semifinal and subsequent final, the list of accolades could become four trophies. According to Modise, the team’s league inconsistent results leave them below the level of Mamelodi Sundowns.
“It’s a difficult one because everyone wants Mamelodi Sundowns to be challenged by Orlando Pirates,” said Modise via FARPost.
“But looking at the gap now, Orlando Pirates should be playing for [CAF] Champions League position, not the league per se.
“But what troubles Pirates is the consistency because they play so well in cup competitions. I think they have the know-how as to how to win cup competitions.
“However, the consistency in the league becomes a problem. You look at the record they have this season on away games, it’s not convincing, it’s not a team you should be winning a league with that type of record.
“So, next season, if they can try and balance that, be as dominant as they are at home and away. I think that would chance for them to win the league,” the former Orlando Pirates attacker concluded.
Meanwhile, the Sea Robbers will host AmaZulu in a DStv Premiership game at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off will be at 17:30.
You can find more articles from Siseko Gwegwe here.