Pirates Eye Stellenbosch Star As Potential Free Agent Signing
Orlando Pirates has set its sights on Sihle Nduli from Stellenbosch, and the player is expected to be one of their new signings next season.
Nduli has reportedly turned down a contract extension with Stellenbosch, with his current deal with Steve Barker’s side expiring at the end of the season.
This means that if everything goes accordingly, Nduli will arrive at Pirates as a free agent, and they will not pay a transfer fee to Stellenbosch.
Pirates’ interest comes as Nduli has been one of Stellenbosch’s best players in the past two seasons, playing in various roles for the team – either as a central midfielder, his preferred position, or as an emergency center-back. In the current season, which is drawing to a close, the 29-year-old has featured in 42 matches, scoring one goal.
That one goal was significant for Stellenbosch, as it secured their victory against Zamalek in the CAF Confederation Cup second-leg quarter-final at Cairo International Stadium. He fired the ball into the box after the defending champions failed to clear their lines.
However, Stellenbosch’s journey in the CAF second-tier competition was ended by Fadlu Davids’ Simba SC in the semi-final, losing 1-0 on aggregate.
Nduli’s potential arrival is timely, as Pirates is set to part ways with midfielder Miguel Timm, whose one-year contract extension, exercised by the club last term, will expire at the end of the season.
Pirates is not keen to extend the contract for the defensive midfielder, who has had limited game time this season due to stiff competition from Makhehleni Makhaula, Thalente Mbatha, and Phillip Ndlondlo.
These are the players Nduli will have to compete with in central midfield next season, as Pirates begins the new season under a new coach.
This is set to be a busy few weeks for Pirates, who parted ways with coach José Riveiro after three years in charge of the Soweto Giants. There are also expectations of changes in the technical team, as the new coach will likely arrive with his own staff, which has become a common practice in football.
Currently, Mandla Ncikazi has been named as the caretaker coach of Pirates until the end of the season.
