Pirates to revisit Buthelezi interest?

Having been linked with TS Galaxy goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi in the past, Orlando Pirates are understood to be monitoring the player with interest, with a view of possibly bringing him on board.

As previously reported by the Siya crew, Buthelezi emerged as a target for the Buccaneers at the end of last season as the Houghton-based outfit was looking to make changes to the goalkeeping structures.

Wayne Sandilands has since accepted a role in the club’s development structures as a goalkeeper coach, while Bucs decided to offer Siyabonga Mpontshane a oneyear contract extension and roped development graduate Kopano Thuntsane in as the third-choice shot-topper.

Richard Ofori is Jose Riveiro’s first-choice goalkeeper at the moment, having played in all three matches to date this season, with Mpontshane having deputized for him in those fixtures.

However, with the Ghanaian international having struggled with injuries throughout his Bucs stay, indications are that the club hasn’t closed the door for another shot-stopper to possibly be added to the team before the transfer window closes next month.

It is believed that the Soweto giants want to avoid having to look for an emergency replacement while under pressure as was the case last year when the club was linked with King Ndlovu.

Following his superb start to the season, Buthelezi’s name is back on Pirates’ radar, according to sources, after keeping a clean sheet in all of his team’s three matches played so far, which included victories against Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United.

Galaxy confirmed in March that the 24-year-old has had his deal extended to 2026, which means that any interested club will have to negoti

ate a transfer fee.

Contacted for comment, Pirates’ media officer Thandi Merafe confirmed that the club is on the lookout for a goalkeeper, but denied any interest in Buthelezi. Merafe stated, “No, he is not on our radar. Yes, we are looking to fill the post in the goalkeeping department, but definitely not with the player you’ve mentioned.”