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Orlando Pirates has confirmed the release of eight players from the club after another trophy-free season and finishing third in the Premiership in the 2019/20 season that recently ended.
Piratas said in a brief statement that the club can “confirm that it has met with the players and their respective representatives and that both parties have agreed to mutually terminate.”
The eight players are Alfred Ndengane, Diamond Thopola, Xola Mlambo, Meshack Maphangule, Brian Hlongwa, Thembela Sikhakhane, Augustine Mulenga, and Tercious Malepe.
“The club wants to thank all the players for their service and wish them the best in their future endeavors,” the statement read.
Ndengane joined Bucs from Bloemfontein Celtic during the January transfer window of last year as he was in dire need of a central defender for partner captain Happy Jele, but he did not live up to expectations.
Midfielder Mlambo was unable to secure a regular playing time despite arriving as a renowned player following his spells with Chippa United and Bidvest Wits.
Zambian international forward Augustine Mulenga was a striker frustrated by lack of playing time at the Bucanneers since the sudden departure of Serbian coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic last December after his career got off to a good start in 2018.
Utility player Malepe was not part of coach Sredojevic’s plans and was later loaned to the Chilli Boys. He returned to the Soweto Giants after a good season, making 27 appearances in all competitions for the Port Elizabeth-based team.
The Pirates sent Thopola on loan to Chippa two seasons ago, where he proved he was worthy of being a Bucanneer, upon his return last season he only participated in 13 games in all competitions.
In 2018, Maphangule joined the Black Leopards Ghosts, but was sent to Chippa last season apparently due to lack of top flight experience. He was ready to return to Bucs after making 21 appearances with Chippa, but he did not, as the club released him.
Loaned out by the Pirates with now defunct Highlands Park, defender Hlongwa joined the North Lions at the start of the 2019/20 season, although he was not a regular starter, he was on the bench in the MTN8 final won by SuperSport. United.
Since joining the Golden Arrows Pirates in 2016, defender Sikhakhane has spent just one season with the Bucs, spending the rest on loan with AmaZulu, the Durban-based team has shown interest in signing permanently.
