Sikhakhane to return to Pirates

The Siya crew has learnt that onloan Orlando Pirates defender Thembela Sikhakhane will return to the Soweto giants upon the expiry of his loan deal with AmaZulu FC, as confirmed by his agent.

Since signing from Golden Arrows in 2016, Sikhakhane has spent only one season with Bucs, having been sent on loan for the other three years.

This is the right back’s third successive loan stint with Usuthu, after Pirates confirmed that the Ulundi-born star would not for part of the team’s plans at the start of the campaign. At the time, coach Milutin Sredojevic was in charge of the Bucs bench.

As previously reported by the Siya crew, Usuthu have been impressed with the defender and were keen on making his stay permanent, though that transfer has not materialised. Instead, they will see him return to his parent club at the end of this campaign.

Speaking to the Siya crew, Mike Makaab from Prosport Inter¬national confirmed that the 27-year-old will be heading back to Pirates at the end of the season.

“He will return to Pirates, his still has another year to run,” Makaab told the Siya crew.

Sikhakhane’s deal with the Buc-Buc caneers runs until June 2021, which means that he could move on a free next year if the Soweto giants do not extend his stay or sell him before the expiry date.