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Ghana’s number one finally reaches the Buccaneers following speculation that began last season
Orlando Pirates has confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Richard Ofori from Maritzburg United for three years.
This puts an end to the rumors surrounding the player who was linked to the Soweto giants since last season.
“I am very happy to be here. It is a dream for me to be part of this exciting team and to work with the technical team,” Ofori told the Pirates website.
“I also look forward to meeting my new teammates and being a part of this exciting new project.”
The 26-year-old comes to the Pirates a week after French goalkeeper Joris Delle also left the club after struggling for a starting job.
The Pirates’ goalkeeping department also includes Wayne Sandilands, who has been the first choice, as well as Siyabonga Mpontshane.
“It feels so good [signing for Pirates] because they are like one of the biggest teams in the world, “Ofori told Pirates TV.
“So signing for them makes me very excited and it’s like a dream come true because all the players want to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“I feel happy, well and at home because I feel like I have been playing with them for a while so to finally be here I feel very good. Ofori admits that his compatriot Fatau Dauda, a former Buccaneers goalkeeper during the 2013/14 season, sparked interest in him to pick the Pirates.
“In 2017 we went to Afcon and then we talked about the team. He said that the Pirates are a very good team, they are a good family, “he says.
“Whenever we talked about it, it excited me. That time in 2017 I wasn’t even playing here. Then I said ‘so this team is a very great team and the way Fatau is talking about it.’ I felt that one day I could play for this team. So being here right now, I feel very excited. “
In Pirates, Ofori is reunited with Fadlu Davids, the man who first brought him to South Africa when he signed him in Maritzburg.
Now with Davids as the Pirates ‘assistant coach Josef Zinnbauer, he used his previous relationship with Ofori to lure the Buccaneers into the goalkeeper who was also on Mamelodi Sundowns’ radar.
“He [Davids] He is a father to me because he brought me here, he signed me to Maritzburg United and now he told me that I want to work with you again, you can come, “said Ofori.
“That was the moment when they thought that maybe I wanted to join Mamelodi Sundowns, so he called me and told me to come. So I came, he is a father to me, he is a very good man. I am very happy to meet him again ”.
Before coming to Maritzburg United for the 2017/18 season, Ofori had tryouts with Mamelodi Sundowns and the Cape Town deals could not be sealed.
Now at the Pirates, the goalkeeper joins Zinnbauer’s renowned signings this season, including Bafana Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Deon Hotto and Thabang Monare.
“It is very good to play with big giants because you will be in front of the team and when you look around you you know that you are surrounded by people who can fight for the badge. So it’s a very good feeling and it’s a very good feeling to work with the big giants. “
Now with a star-studded squad, Zinnbauer’s expectations are higher to lead the Soweto giants to their first league title since 2012.
@orlandopirates Goalkeeper | Richard Ofori
Watch the FULL FEATURE on PiratesTV https://t.co/gBJ58TMpNM
Read the official announcement https://t.co/CLY6xK3PVq
#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways– Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) October 20, 2020
Meanwhile, Maritzburg United manager Eric Tinkler has said that he intends to replace Ofori with two anonymous goalkeepers and one of the gloves is believed to be from Zambia.
“Regarding the goalkeeping department, we are looking for two goalkeepers,” Tinkler told the media according to Sowetan Live.
“Not just someone to replace Richard. It is ongoing. We want to make sure that whoever we bring in is the right person. “
While Ofori has joined the Pirates, coach Tebogo Tlolane returns to Maritzburg United for another season on loan.
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