Orlando Pirates make big decision on goalkeeper’s future 

Orlando Pirates have made a decision on whether to keep, sell or run down the contract of a player. 

Pirates have largely stuck to just one goalkeeper as their number one, that being Sipho Chaine, now a Bafana international. 

Chaine main Pirates keeper

Chaine has been undisputed in goal for Pirates, and has been the goalkeeper of choice in virtually every game. This rise in form has also seen him impress Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos and is now regarding as second choice behind captain Ronwen Williams. That has had an adverse effect on the playing time of Buccaneers number two, Melusi Buthelezi. 

Buthelezi joined Pirates at the beginning of the previous season, after impressing at TS Galaxy. He has hardly got a look in during his time at the Sea Robbers, however. As a result, this season, he has only played one Nedbank Cup game for the side. That has raised questions over his future at the club. 

Buccaneers ready to keep Buthelezi

Now, according to Soccer-Laduma, Pirates are still content to exercise an option to keep Buthelezi. 

“Yes, the club (Pirates) is just making sure that they keep him (Buthelezi) longer and that everything is in order and that’s why they are believed to be exercising the one-year option on his contract. Of course it is only expiring in June 2026 but they are apparently just making sure that he is contracted until June 2027 hence the move right now,”. Said one source. 

A second source says Pirates see Buthelezi as the perfect stand-in for Chaine should he get injured or suspended. 

Happy to play back up?

“There are other young goalkeepers at the club (Pirates) but in terms of experience and growth, him and Sipho (Chaine) are better off and that’s why the club has made sure they exercise the one-year option (for Buthelezi)  at the moment rather than wait for a later time. It’s normally for teams to do that if they want to protect themselves and the future of their player,” said the source. 

Good news?

Pirates fans, are you happy to see Buthelezi staying as a number two? Or should he have been signed until the end of the season for squad depth? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news