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The Buccaneers have begun to prepare for the new season by releasing some of the stars that are not in Josef Zinnbauer’s plans.
The Orlando Pirates parted ways with no fewer than eight players prior to the start of the 2020-21 PSL season.
Xola Mlambo, Augustine Mulenga and Alfred Ndengane top the list of players who have been told to seek employment elsewhere.
Other players include returnees Diamond Thopola, Meshack Maphangule, Thembela Sikhakhane, Brian Hlongwa, and Tercious Malepe.
The quartet spent last season on loan at various clubs including AmaZulu, Chippa United and Highlands Park.
Chippa United had Thopola, Maphangule and Malepe, but they decided not to stay with the players beyond the expiration of their loan agreements, and the trio had to return to their parent club to learn their fate.
Sikhakhane was a regular at Usuthu for the past two seasons, on loan to them from the Sea Robbers.
AmaZulu’s decision not to hire his services came as a shock to most of the club’s fans who felt that management could have done more to secure his services permanently after seeing him make some solid changes on the right side of the field. defending.
Hlongwa’s future with the Buccaneers had been on the line since his return from Highlands Park in January, as he was overlooked for the rest of last season.
Mlambo’s departure is not a surprise due to his lack of playing time with Josef Zinnbauer this season.
The midfielder fell down the pecking order shortly after the German mentor’s arrival in December 2019.
Ndengane’s situation, which had worsened when Zinnbauer assumed command, worsened with the arrival of Thulani Hlatshwayo.
Mulenga, on the other hand, struggled to cement his place in the starting lineup and often came in as a substitute, but with the Pirates recently acquiring the services of Terrence Dzvukamanja, the chances of the Zambian playing regularly were reduced.
Pirates issued the following statement Tuesday morning:
Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm that it has met with the following players and their respective representatives and that both parties have agreed to mutual termination.
• Alfred Ndengane
• Diamond Thopola
• Xola River
• Meshack Maphangule
• Brian Hlongwa
• Trust Sikhakhane
• Augustine Mulenga
• Tercious Malepe
The club wants to thank all the players for their service and wish them the best in their future endeavors.
