What’s the story?

Like their Soweto neighbours Kaizer Chiefs, it’s believed that Orlando Pirates will rely on their technical report at the end of the 2010/21 season to make some crucial decisions – one of them being the likely search for a potent forward.

Their squad assessment is not expected to be quite as detailed as that of their rivals, who are battling to consolidate a Top Eight finish in the DStv Premiership and could even part ways with coach Gavin Hunt.

But the Siya crew understands that there are concerns within the Buccaneers camp regarding the fact that AmaZulu FC, Golden Arrows and Swallows FC, clubs who ordinarily have a smaller budget, are enjoying a better return on investment than they are.

Pirates had a frantic transfer activity in the market prior to the start of the 2020/21 campaign and would have expected a genuine title challenge.

But Jean-Marc Mundele was the only out-and-out striker brought in on loan from Democratic Republic of Congo outfit AS Vita in October last year, and while Terrence Dzvukamanja was also signed, he is more of a makeshift forward.

Both have hardly kicked a ball and the Siya crew has previously reported that Mundele, whose loan option has a permanent sale clause, is unlikely to remain at the club – his lack of game-time suggests that he’s not part of the plans.

Indications are that Pirates have also cooled off their interest in two players who were hot on Gabadinho Mhango’s heels in the race for the Golden Boot last season, in Bradley Grobler and Bongi Ntuli. The duo scored 13 league goals each, while Mhango shared the top scorer award with Peter Shalulile after netting 16 times.

Pirates’ hot pursuit of Grobler was two years ago, but when the move failed to materialise and the player stayed put at SuperSport United, the club turned their focus to AmaZulu’s Ntuli before injuries also ravaged his progress.

According to Siya sources, the interest has cooled off and the Buccaneers have had to reconsider their options, with no local targets in their sights as yet.

Mhango has battled to maintain his previous form and both he and Zakhele Lepasa suffered lengthy injuries, though Mhango is now back fit.

Siya sources inside the club have informed the crew that the technical team has not identified a striker in Mzansi that can add to their firepower next season, suggesting that they may very well look outside the country.

They did that with Mundele and it hasn’t paid off, so there are no guarantees that going the same route will bring a different result.