Done Deal: Orlando Pirates Lands a new Deal to replace Ghana vice-captain as ex-Buccaneer joins Richards Bay.
GOAL has learnt that the Buccaneers have reinforced their goalkeeping department, while their former player has found a new home in KwaZulu-Natal.
OrlandoPirates have beefed up their goalkeeping department following the departures of Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane.
The Soweto giants have since recalled Siyabonga Dladla from their feeder club, Pele Pele FC as they prepare for the forthcoming 2024/25 campaign.
Meanwhile, former Pirates defender Fezile Gcaba looks set to return to professional football after joining Richards Bay.
The former South Africa under-20 international has been plying his trade in the ABC Motsepe League (KwaZulu-Natal) for Mkhumbane Classic.
The 23-year-old featured for Pele Pele in the ABC Motsepe League (Gauteng) during the recent campaign and also turned out for Pirates’ first team in friendly matches.
Prior to joining Pele Pele, Dladla played for the Buccaneers’ reserve team in the DStv Diski Challenge and also spent the first round of the 2020/21 season out on loan at NFD side Pretoria Callies where he made just one appearance.
Dladla was on an academy deal during his brief stint with Callies and has now signed his first professional contract as a reward for his performances in the ABC Motsepe League – helping Pele Pele finish in the top three.
GOAL understands that the length of the promising shot-stopper’s deal is three years.
Gcaba and his Classic teammate Sbani Khumalo have both joined Richards Bay despite the club being banned from registering new players.
However, the ban will be lifted by Fifa once the Natal Rich Boys honour their financial obligations towards Kenyan international Ovella Ochieng.
Richards Bay would then be able to register Khumalo and Gcaba with the PSL when the transfer window opens next month.
Gcaba, 25, was loaned out to Cape Town All Stars and Venda FC by Pirates before he was released by the Soweto giants in 2022.
Dladla will compete with the experienced duo of Sipho Chaine and Melusi Buthelezi in the Buccaneers’ goalkeeping department.
Furthermore, Siphamandla Gumede is also poised to return to Pirates after an unsuccessful loan stint at NFD outfit Orbit College where he failed to make a single appearance.
While Gcaba and Khumalo will come in as much-needed reinforcements at Richards Bay who are expected to part ways with Abdi Banda and Sanele Barns after the ongoing PSL promotion/relegation playoffs.
