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Orlando Pirates have signalled their intention to eclipse Mamelodi Sundowns as the new force to be reckoned with in the domestic league next season.
After finishing as runners-up in the Absa Premiership for the second season in a row, the Buccaneers have signed on three sought-after players.
Pirates boss Irvin Khoza confirmed to City Press on Friday that the club had acquired the services of Maritzburg United’s midfield duo of Fortune Makaringe and Siphesihle Ndlovu, as well as defender Bongani Sam from Bloemfontein Celtic.
“We are not done yet in the market,” said Khoza. “We are working on bringing in more players, including a goalkeeper.”
City Press has reliably learnt that Pirates were also after the services of another Celtic star, Kabelo Dlamini, though he will most likely be loaned out.
Pirates are expected to reveal the names of those who will be leaving next week.
In the 26-year-old Makaringe, who was part of the Bafana Bafana provisional Afcon squad, the Bucs have acquired a versatile player who can be deployed anywhere in midfield as, well as in the attack, where he was utilised by Maritzburg in their great relegation escape.
Ndlovu (22), a brilliant ball-passer from any range, is an equally intelligent player. He is expected to bring new ideas to a Bucs midfield that already has the likes of Vincent Pule and Thembinkosi Lorch.
Sam (21), meanwhile, will provide strong competition along with Afcon-bound fullback Innocent Maela, while Abel Mabaso is expected to be released to Chippa United.
With the club’s new acquisitions, Khoza is hoping Pirates will take the next step towards winning silverware after the former league champions finished empty-handed, despite reaching the Telkom Knockout final last season.
Bucs had one hand on the Absa Premiership trophy and just two games to go, but were beaten to the big prize by Downs on the final day, as coach Milutin Sredojevic and his men finished second – two points adrift on the final log standings.
In his speech during the PSL end-of-season awards ceremony in Durban three weeks ago, Khoza said he still harboured a dream of an all-South African final in the CAF Champions League.
He said Sundowns’ regular appearances in the league had sustained the consistency required for South Africa to remain competitive on the continent.
The Bucs’ runner-up spot has secured them a berth in next season’s Champions League, and the new signings could well propel them to the next stage of the lucrative tournament. They last reached the final in 2013.
Pirates were eliminated in the group phase on their return to the competition last season, while Sundowns lost in the semifinals.
The Bucs, who last won a trophy five years ago – the 2014 Nedbank Cup – will participate in five competitions next season, including the Champions League.
Khoza was previously accused of neglecting the club, but his ongoing reinforcement of the team suggests that the Buccaneers are gradually edging closer to being strong challengers to Sundowns. – Additional reporting by Timothy Molobi
