Orlando Pirates left back Thabo “Festival” Matlaba has denied media reports that he is not seeing eye to eye with the club’s head coach Vladimir Vermezovic. The story of Matlaba not being on good terms with VV emanated from the Soweto Derby which was only VV’s second game in charge when he started Matlaba on the bench. From then it has since developed and resurfaced again during the pre-season. However the Tembisa born lad is distancing himself from that…
Matlaba is also in the last year of his three-year contract with Pirates and it is believed that he is yet to renew it. He has also been linked to a move to Kaizer Chiefs or Mamelodi Sundowns but for him an overseas move is the biggest attraction…
When Pirates takes on Chiefs in the Carling Black Label Cup pre-season match next weekend, the Ghost can expect a VV fueled style of play team according to left-winger Daine Klate. The Serbian born coach has always maintained that people should judge him on what will happen come August and Klate says he’s been trying to instill his philosophy on and off the pitch…
Pirates has also signed some few players from the lower divisions with an idea of keeping one or two and maybe loan others out as they have done previously. The tall striker Zukile Mkhize from SAB League champions Blue Birds in KwaZulu-Natal is one of the interesting additions. Klate says they are settling in nicely…
Klate who made his professional debut at Supersport United 10 years ago as a teenager, has message for rookies in the PSL, he says they should learn from players like his teammate Happy Jele who joined Pirates from a second division team…
The Port Elizabeth born midfielder who is also a product of School of Excellence has commended the Buccaneers for promoting talent from the lower divisions and says this is the way to go by giving a chance players who have the hunger to deliver at the senior level…
The Buccaneers are expected to field some of the youngsters in the sold out Soweto Derby at FNB stadium next weekend. Journalist: Velile Mbuli